Andy Beshear Podcast – "Deb Haaland in New Mexico, A Deadly Shooting in Minnesota and What's at Stake"

Date: January 29, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of the Andy Beshear Podcast focuses on real-life issues at the intersection of politics, community, and personal experience. Governor Andy Beshear is joined by Deb Haaland—former Congresswoman and Secretary of the Interior, now a candidate for Governor of New Mexico. Their discussion covers Haaland’s background, her vision for New Mexico, challenges facing working families, and urgent matters like the deadly shooting in Minnesota and the Trump administration’s actions. The episode features honest conversations with listeners in mind, capped with segments on current events, community resilience, and Gen Z lingo.

Featured Interview: Deb Haaland – Life, Fierceness, and the New Mexico Governor’s Race

[00:38–31:17]

Deb Haaland’s Background & Core Values

• Military Family Upbringing & Adaptability
  • Grew up in a military family; moved often, attending 13 public schools (07:43)
  • Value of service: “Seeing both of my parents get dressed every single day to serve our country… makes me believe very strongly that I have an obligation too.” (09:05)
• Overcoming Poverty and Single Motherhood
  • Relied on WIC, SNAP, Medicaid; worked multiple jobs, including cleaning childcare facilities at night to pay for daycare (00:38)
  • “It’s expensive to be poor. I’ll just say it like that. There were so many times when I had $1 in my bank account…” (13:02)

The Meaning of Being ‘Fierce’

• Definition Tied to Family Example
  • Haaland: “When I think about being fierce, I think about my mom… my mom stayed home for two years while my father was over in Vietnam, caring for four kids, a de facto single mom… She did that without help.” (04:19)
  • Fierceness today means “stepping out of your comfort zone” and “doing things by necessity to protect our democracy.” (05:30)
• Memorable Quote:
  • “It’s going to take all of us right now to protect our democracy, to stand up for our neighbors, to make sure that we are the voice for people who don’t have a voice.” (05:15)

Examples of Fierce Leadership

• Protecting Sacred Lands
  • As Secretary of the Interior, led the effort to withdraw a 10-mile radius around Chaco Culture National Historic Park from resource extraction despite heavy political opposition. (06:10)
  • “I got grilled when I went to hearings on Capitol Hill about that decision… I will go to my grave proud that I was able to do that.” (06:45)

On Patriotism and Duty

• Redefining Patriotism
  • “True patriotism calls on us to build a better country, one where everyone can participate.” (07:15; paraphrased by Andy, embraced by Deb)
  • “He [my father] was a true patriot. He loved our country, and he would have died for our country.” (08:13)
  • Obligation to give back, inspired by her parents’ service: “I have an obligation to always give back to my community and my country.” (09:25)

Responding to Minnesota Shooting & Government Actions

• Personal Reaction to Events
  • On ICE and Border Patrol presence: “It’s, you know, it’s devastating to think of… some people who are afraid to come out of their houses, who are hiding in basements because they’re terrified for them and their children.” (10:51)
  • “The things that the Trump administration is doing, it’s un-American. Full stop.” (11:42)
  • Commitment to solidarity: “I will do that every day in solidarity with the folks who are on the front lines in Minnesota.” (12:19)

Social Programs & Anti-Poverty Policy

• Defending Safety Nets
  • Personal experience with Medicaid, WIC, SNAP.
  • “Federal government making it harder for people to qualify for Medicaid… we’re sicker, hungrier and poorer under this administration.” (13:20)
  • Elections matter for protecting support systems.

Rural Hospitals, Health Care, and Community Initiatives

• Impact of Cuts
  • Medicaid cuts may close 5–6 rural hospitals in New Mexico, requiring residents to travel 100–200 miles for care (16:08)
  • “It’s really devastating… The president has cut thousands of jobs from our Veterans Administration as well as from the Indian Health Service.” (17:46)
  • Policy focus: propose community schools with wraparound services, more mobile clinics in rural areas.

Tribal Relations & Leadership

• State-Tribal Partnership
  • New Mexico: 23 tribes, including 19 Pueblos, Navajo Nation, and three Apache tribes.
  • Strong collaboration: “The governor meets yearly with tribes. There’s liaisons in every department… tribes have a real seat at the table before decisions are made.” (18:50)
  • Advocates for tribal advisory committee in her campaign. (18:31)

The Haaland Administration Vision

• Similarities and Differences with Outgoing Governor
  • Praises Michelle Lujan Grisham for early childhood programs and universal childcare. (21:05)
  • Unique perspective: “We’ve never had a Native American governor in New Mexico, and we’ve never had a Native American woman governor in the history of our country.” (22:12)
  • Executive experience: Oversaw 70,000 people, $18B budget at Interior.

Why the NM Governor’s Race Matters

• National Stakes
  • “Governors are the first line of defense against the worst policies coming out of this administration.” (23:53)
  • Pledge to build a robust, inclusive campaign—“bring back our Trump voters.” (24:30)

Personal Motivation & Superpower

• Why She Runs (Podcast’s “Why” Rule)
  • “I feel obligated to continue [Miguel Trujillo’s] legacy… that’s why I started in politics… registering voters, going out to rural communities and driving people to the polls.” (26:24)
• Secret Superpower
  • “I think my superpower would be building relationships. So when I was a member of Congress, I was the most bipartisan member of my class and I got five bills passed and signed into law by President Trump.” (27:50)

Favorite Part of New Mexico & Fun Facts

• The Mountains: “Every mountain in this state is amazing… I drove to Santa Fe this morning surrounded by snow capped mountains.” (29:34)
• Is a Marathon Runner—ready for any gubernatorial challenge! (29:55)

Closing Call to Action

• “It’s so important that we get involved right now… We are fighting to ensure that our children have opportunities, that people can see a doctor when they’re sick, that we have a positive future for every New Mexican and every American.” (30:15)

The Johns Segment: Minnesota Shooting & What's at Stake

[31:49–46:41]

Deadly Shooting in Minnesota

• Incident Overview
  • Border Patrol agents (alongside ICE) shot and killed Alex Preddy, sparking protests in Minnesota. Video revealed he had a cell phone, not a weapon. (32:15–34:11)
• Misrepresentation by Administration
  • “What I, and I think others, are getting fed up with is being told to ignore our eyes and ears.” – John McConnell (33:35)
  • “Just a search for any rationalization as opposed to doing a real investigation is what’s led to this argument.” – Andy Beshear (35:20)
• Escalation and Institutional Problems
  • Agents “are being encouraged to be aggressive… told they don’t have to follow the same rules about people’s rights as other law enforcement.” – Andy Beshear (35:35)
  • “It’s just a horrific tragedy.” – John McConnell (36:30)
• Need for Change
  • “It’s time that they pull back on ICE and the Border Patrol in our cities… that is not a border action. These people are not trained properly. They’re being encouraged to beat up Americans. It’s not right. It’s got to stop.” – Andy Beshear (36:30)

Impact and National Relevance

• “If it can happen there, it can certainly happen pretty much anywhere.” – John McConnell (36:47)

Davos & Trump’s Global Conduct

[36:52–41:36]

Beshear’s Perspective from World Economic Forum

• Met with 16 CEOs, considered an efficient economic development trip. (36:58)
• Noted the “dangerous, disrespectful, and unhinged” nature of Trump’s speech, especially toward NATO and world leaders. (37:55)
  • “He called world leaders dumb. He… called out the Canadian Prime Minister. He said, if you are a Somali, you are of low intelligence. That’s more than just disrespectful.” (38:42)
• On Trump’s Greenland comments: “It actually caused me to curse on television, which I don’t do. And I called it dumb as hell because it’s dumb as hell.” (39:15)
• Other leaders now see no master plan, just “an angry, irrational president… willing to throw out insults, talk about his grievances and just rant.” (41:36)

Severe Winter Weather and Government Response

[42:13–44:35]

• Winter Storm Fern swept the Midwest and Northeast; Kentucky faced heavy ice and snow.
• “It’s important that we have those 1400 utility trucks because it’s going to be almost negative 20 in wind chill tomorrow morning.” – Andy Beshear (44:07)
• Light banter and practical advice about prepping for winter storms and managing road conditions.

Super Bowl & Football Banter

[45:02–46:41]

• Brief discussion and predictions for the upcoming Super Bowl (Seahawks vs. Patriots), team strengths, and how a two-week layoff affects game dynamics.
• Admiration for the Seahawks’ QB and historical Patriots’ dominance.

Gen Z Lingo with Will Bashir and Shai: "Flow State"

[46:41–50:39]

Introduction & Explanation

• “Flow State” means being utterly ‘locked in’ or deeply focused. (47:01)
• “If you reach flow state, you’re like, so focused you lose, like, concept of time.” – Will Bashir (48:05)

Notable Exchanges

• Will Bashir: “I reached flow state when I went through the entire Andy Beshear podcast library and listened to them all in order.” (47:54)
• Lighthearted confusion and playful banter as the group pin down what constitutes “flow state” and compare related phrases ("locked in," "dialed in," "facts/no cap"). No real opposite exists for “flow state.” (49:40)
• “This is when it went off the rails.” – Andy Beshear (50:39)

Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

[50:42–end]

• Andy Beshear reflects on the emotional, impactful nature of the discussion: “We had, I think, a very emotional conversation… about the things that are going on in the United States that I think we all view as un-American. That’s Democrats and Republicans.” (50:45)
• Encouragement to speak up, get involved, and support the country’s future: “This is your country. Speak up, speak out. Let’s stand up for who we are.” (51:13)

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Deb Haaland, on Fierceness:
  • “It’s going to take all of us right now to protect our democracy, to stand up for our neighbors, to make sure that we are the voice for people who don’t have a voice.” (05:15)
• Deb Haaland, on Serving:
  • “I feel now, as a public servant, that people are relying on me, and I have an obligation to always give back to my community and my country.” (09:25)
• Deb Haaland, on Health Care:
  • “It’s expensive to be poor. I’ll just say it like that.” (13:02)
• Andy Beshear, on ICE/Border Patrol Conduct:
  • “These people are not trained properly. They’re being encouraged to beat up Americans. It’s not right. It’s got to stop.” (36:30)
• Will Bashir, on Flow State:
  • “If you reach flow state, you’re like so focused you lose, like, concept of time.” (48:05)
• Andy Beshear, on the Podcast’s Purpose:
  • “We love bringing you Prime for 2026 so you can see who’s next… Be safe. And remember, this is your country. Speak up, speak out. Let’s stand up for who we are.” (50:45, 51:13)

For more information on Deb Haaland’s campaign: debholland.com
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