Elaine Haney sits in for Andy to Guest Host. Elaine and Joanna go deep on electoral political culture in Vermont. We talk about primaries and the outsized power of incumbency, and its ramifications on elections, the Democratic party, and the leaders who want to participate in democracy. In the opening segment we talk about partisanship, protecting Vermont in our changing political landscape, and more. In Last Licks Elaine teaches us about gravel, wet walnuts, and never to keep the public from popsicles.

@justbeingmelani

This Week on the Podcast: Privacy, Policy, and Public Education

We’re joined by two remarkable guests tackling some of Vermont’s most pressing issues.

First we have an exclusive interview with Attorney General Charity Clark to discuss the Scott administration’s release of personal data belonging to SNAP benefit recipients—what happened, why it matters, and what comes next.

Then Kim Gleason, member of the Vermont School Redistricting Task Force, stops by the Skate Shack to share insights on the task force’s work, the challenges of reshaping school districts, and the systemic weaknesses she sees in Vermont’s education landscape.

In our opening segment, Joanna and Andy share reflections on last week's activism episode.

And in Last Licks, Joanna thanks Andy for managing social media during her unusually long vacation… by pointing out his flaws.

From grassroots movements to jellyfish diplomacy

Joanna and Andy talk about the rise of activism in Vermont and why it's happening outside of the Democratic party.

Joanna also recounts her most recent encounter with a stinging sea monster, but insists the jellyfish is blameless and likely misunderstood.

In a return of our popular Last Licks segment, Andy retaliates against Joanna's ruthless campaign management by making her determine whether an item is a cocktail from a New York bar, or a flavor from the Ben & Jerry's Flavor Graveyard.

Representative Doug Bishop fills in for a vacationing Joanna, sharing stories from his first year on the House floor.

Doug and Andy swap memorable moments from the campaign trail, and Doug reflects on the challenges of adjusting to the early days of the legislative session and finding his rhythm as a new lawmaker

Joanna calls into the show to make sure Doug isn't getting too comfortable in her chair.

Doug shares a previously undiscussed creamy order and his thoughts on the role of manure in testing the authenticity of Vermonters.

This week Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale of Chittenden Southeast, and Representative Teddy Waszazak of Barre City, join us to speak out about their decision to vote yes on the Education Bill after it came out of conference committee on June 16th.

We discuss the factors that played into the decision, what they are hearing from their constituents, and the shortcomings of Vermont's current education funding formula.

Mike and Katie DeSanto, owners of Phoenix Books, share their journey in opposing the construction of a massive 107,000 square foot Amazon warehouse in Essex. They discuss the vital role of keeping dollars local, the community support that independent businesses foster, and the essence of entrepreneurship.

In the opening segment, Andy and Joanna discuss their experiences with Development Review Boards, catch up on Joanna's recent activities fighting the oligarchy in Vermont, and discuss shapes they might be willing to shave into the side of their heads.

We talk with former Vermont Governor and DNC Chair Howard Dean about the current state of the Democratic Party, the unique political culture of Vermont, and why it's time for his generation to make space for new leadership.

He also shares his thoughts on the end of the Vermont Legislative session, what it means to be a Vermonter, his favorite creemee spot, and books everyone should read to understand the state.

In our opening segment Joanna and Andy talk about patriotism in current times, their recent appearance on What Matters This Week, and Joanna's latest failure to properly consume a creemee.

This week two educator-legislators, Senator Martine Gulick of Chittenden Central, and Representative Erin Brady of Williston, join us to speak out about their decision to vote no on the Education Bill after it came out of conference committee on June 16th. These two passionate education policymakers go deep with us about how they came to that choice and what went down in the statehouse.

We discuss the factors that played into the decision, what they saw on the house and senate floor during the vote, and their hopes and concerns for the future of public education in Vermont.

Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas joins the podcast to discuss the elections bill, The Kid Governor Program, office initiatives, and voter security. She also shares her thoughts on what it means to be a Vermonter and, of course, her favorite creemee order.

In the opening segment, Andy and Joanna break down the activity from the June 16th legislative session, including the drama surrounding the education reform vote

Joanna and Andy discuss whether the Philly Phantic is cute or obnoxious and his obvious inferiority to Mr. Met.

Are Vermonters born, or are they forged through mud, snow, and ice? We asked some of Vermont's political and community leaders what being a real Vermonter means to them. Andy and Joanna share their own perspectives but end up debating the proper way to merge on the interstate.

In our opening segment Joanna gets philosophical about her elderberry tree while Andy discovers the surprising lack of pockets in women's clothing.

In our final segment, Joanna and Andy preview the upcoming week in the legislative session, including the conference committee report on the education bill, the election bill, and potential reconsideration of two bills vetoed by the governor.

Senator Becca White drops by the podcast to share her thoughts on the session, climate policy, immigration, and transportation.

Joanna and Senator White take a deep dive on statehouse style, while Andy tries to think of something smart to say but ultimately decides not to speak.

Senator White gives us her creemee order and in our opening segment Andy continues to complain about getting wet at a golf tournament where he and Senator White were partners.

We explore the housing bill, now on its way to the Governor’s desk, and examine the recent events that have caused a stalemate in the education bill.

In our opening segment, Andy talks about his ongoing feud with a local rooster and his lingering resentment over getting drenched at a golf tournament. Joanna and her husband introduce the Julows to the world of oysters.

In our "Last Licks" segment, Andy challenges Joanna to name some overlooked gems of Vermont, while Joanna asks Andy unfair questions about Lake Champlain.

Original Music by Ryan Ronzoni.

Charity Clark joins us! Vermont’s Attorney General stops by to discuss her lawsuits against the Trump administration, her favorite hikes, how parenting influences her role, and her top creemee choices.

We get into voter protections, citizenship challenges, how Vermonters can help preserve democracy, and community in Vermont.

In the opening segment Joanna and Andy talk about the latest twist in the housing bill, and Andy complains that he's too old for home construction.

Join Joanna Grossman, Chair of the Chittenden County Democrats, and former State Senator Andy Julow as they explore all things Vermont—politics, culture, and beyond.

In this episode, we'll recap a week that saw Joanna and Andy in the same Statehouse committee room—but sitting at different lunch tables.

For our Hot Toppings segment, we'll take a deep dive into education funding, including the origins of our current funding formula, its apparent demise in 2024, and how reform efforts have progressed through the executive and legislative branches.

We'll wrap up the episode with Last Licks, where Joanna asks Andy about all things county fairs, and Andy makes Joanna choose between Vermont icons and their New York counterparts.

We're podcasters now! Join Joanna Grossman, Chair of the Chittenden County Democrats and Former State Senator Andy Julow as they explore all things Vermont Politics, Culture, and Beyond

In this episode we'll catch up on our weeks at the statehouse and traveling, discuss the challenges of pivoting the message for Democrats after the election losses of 2024, share our backgrounds, campaign story, origins of the podcast and its name, and dive a little into the history of creemees. Andy asks Joanna about the makeup and elections of the Burlington City Council and Joanna quizzes Andy on how Town Meeting Day works.

We're podcasters now! Join Joanna Grossman, Chair of the Chittenden County Democrats and Former Vermont State Senator Andy Julow as they explore all things Vermont Politics, Culture, and Beyond