The MeidasTouch Podcast – August 18, 2025
Episode: Sherrod Brown Announces Senate Run on MeidasTouch
Host(s): Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Guest: Sherrod Brown (Former Ohio Senator)
Episode Overview
In this timely episode, the MeidasTouch brothers welcome former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown for his first interview following the announcement of his Senate campaign. Against the backdrop of increasing economic struggles in Ohio and widespread frustration with MAGA Republican leadership, the conversation centers on the critical issues facing working families, the impact of recent legislation on healthcare, and the ideological divide over who truly stands with workers. Sherrod Brown articulates his motivations for reentering the race, criticizes his opponents for their ties to special interests, and lays out a straightforward message: Politics is not about left versus right, but about which side you're on—workers or the wealthy.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Current Political Climate in Red States – Focus on Ohio
- [00:28] Ben highlights dismal approval ratings for Donald Trump across demographics and points out Congressional Republican unpopularity, especially in Ohio.
- Insight: There’s a disconnect between the messaging from incumbents (e.g., claims that "things are great") and the real struggles experienced by working families.
"You have these conversations with these MAGA Republican senators like Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio, and you say, tell us how are things going? He'll say, things are going great. It's incredible. We've never been better as a nation...And we see people in a state like Ohio struggling." — Ben (00:56)
2. Local Voices and Community Frustration
- [03:10] The brothers play a clip of an Ohio teacher expressing concern over reduced assistance programs and the unresponsiveness of Senators.
- Insight: Ground-level voices highlight the real, practical effects of policy decisions, such as students losing SNAP benefits and families losing health coverage.
"When I started contacting Senator Houston, Senator Moreno, it was because of my students, because they have SNAP benefits. They are being raised by their grandparents who are on Social Security." — Local teacher (03:20)
3. Sherrod Brown’s Senate Run Announcement
- [03:55] Sherrod Brown details his reasons for reentering the Senate race, focusing on healthcare cuts and the impact on Ohioans.
- Insight: Brown frames the race as a clear choice between siding with workers or with special interests.
"This big Medicaid bill that passed means that 490,000 Ohioans will lose their health insurance in a state of 12 million...It's whose side are you on? It's not left or right. It's whose side are you on?" — Sherrod Brown (03:59)
4. Economic Hardships and the “Rigged System”
- [05:10] Brown shares stories from Ohioans encountering rising prices and lost insurance, reinforcing that the system is increasingly rigged against the average worker.
- Insight: The dissatisfaction is bipartisan—voters didn't sign up for rising costs, cuts to services, or the enrichment of the ultrawealthy.
"Wherever my wife and I go...people are coming up and saying they're hurting. That this system, it's always been rigged, but it's worse now...They're seeing neighbors lose insurance. They're seeing grocery prices go up. They're seeing drug prices go up." — Sherrod Brown (05:14)
5. Critique of Republican Messaging and Governing
- [06:56] Brown sharply contrasts his opponents’ connections to corporations and billionaires with his own record of fighting for working families.
- Insight: Brown argues that Republicans run on populist messaging but govern in favor of the wealthy.
"These guys talk a good game, but then they vote for the largest tax cut for the richest...Running up the deficit, taking huge numbers of people off of their health insurance and causing drug prices to go up." — Sherrod Brown (07:45)
6. The “Hot” Rhetoric and Reality Check
- [08:49] The brothers poke fun at the claim that “the country is hot,” pointing out that only the rich are benefitting.
- [09:23] Brown rebuffs the language as out of touch, reiterating that no one voted for worsening health and economic conditions.
"Voters didn't vote for this. They didn't vote for...half a million are going to lose their insurance. These are...mostly working families..." — Sherrod Brown (09:29)
7. Getting Involved and the Stakes
- [10:42] Brown directs listeners to his campaign website, inviting both donations and activism.
- [11:11] He emphasizes his lifelong advocacy for workers and the importance of electing leaders who genuinely represent working people.
"What's at stake here is that we begin electing people who stand up for workers, who want workers at the table making these decisions, who want workers to be highlighted...If we get out and start listening to people, we win elections." — Sherrod Brown (11:16)
Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments
Brown’s Central Message
"It's not left or right. It's whose side are you on?" — Sherrod Brown (03:59, 06:56)
Critique of Current GOP Leaders
"They pretend to be you, to beat you, then they come in and then they help the oligarchs." — Ben (06:21)
On Listening to Workers
"I learned politics many years ago...by going to the steelworkers hall or the auto workers...You would hear the anguish in their voice or you'd hear the inspiration...when they signed a good union contract." — Sherrod Brown (11:34)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:28 – Ben on national political climate and Ohio’s Republican leadership disconnect
- 03:10 – Clip of local Ohio teacher on unresponsiveness of Senators
- 03:55 – Sherrod Brown announces Senate run, discusses campaign motivation
- 05:10 – Brown on personal encounters with struggling Ohioans
- 06:56 – Brown critiques Republicans' pro-worker narrative vs. actions
- 08:49 – The reality behind “hot” country rhetoric
- 09:23 – Brown on true impact of recent policies in Ohio
- 10:42 – Campaign information and call to action
- 11:11 – Stakes of the election and Brown’s guiding principles
Conclusion
Sherrod Brown’s exclusive announcement on The MeidasTouch Podcast sets the stage for a high-stakes Senate race in Ohio, grounded in clear-eyed advocacy for working families. In a state reeling from healthcare and economic challenges, Brown and the hosts lay out a contrast between rhetoric and reality, inviting listeners to focus not on ideology, but on which leaders tangibly fight for ordinary Americans. The episode is marked by genuine concern, sharp humor, and determination to hold those in power accountable to the public they serve.