LOVED tonight’s show (3/10/25). I campaigned against Mark Alford, I would love to come on your show to talk!

I just love this show so much. I’m so grateful that Adam decided to keep going with this. These shows really help me keep things in perspective, which is something we all desperately need during these times.

Love this show! Not only does the Heartland Pod provide news, updates and information that gets lost in the chaos that is the news cycle these days, but it also gives a sense of grounding, lots of humor and some hope for a reasonable world. Also, Love the dynamic between Rachel, Adam and Sean (and the extra bit of snark from Rachel—bonus!). Keep it coming!

Great podcast to hear what is happening in state politics with an emphasis on Missouri. Adam Sommers is always great and Jesse Piper’s Thursday podcast is a must listen to show.

Making MO politics actually entertaining - thank you :)

As a KCMO resident, this pod has become a must listen in keeping up with the politics of the region. I've also become a Patreon subscriber in order to show further support for the work being done here. The show operates on a regular schedule Mon-Fri covering politics for the Midwest and Mountain West. There is a strong Missouri influence right now because of where the podcast started, but each week, I'll hear topics from surrounding states covered (especially on the Friday "Flyover View" show) to keep up on the different (yet, often similar) struggles in the region. Despite living in a left-leaning city that expresses a lot of the similar views as me, it's frustrating still to be in a red state where we have our collective will undermined or even silenced by a Cult of Crazy Supermajority in the State Capitol. A show like this not only provides avenues of action, but also comic relief from the absurdity that is the modern GOP. I don't normally feel like a Blue Dot in a Red Sea, just because I'm in the city and can easily find an oasis of progressive values nearby. But a show like this connects me to the opinions and concerns of my outstate allies and makes their struggle my struggle as well. When we live in a world of OAN/Newsmax and constant AM Radio propaganda being flooded into our neighbors' hearts and minds, it's important we have a place where we feel heard and can hear others. Something like this feels like we're playing a game of "connect the [blue] dots" in order to make a strong network of like-minded individuals working towards a better Heartland.

She is just an emotional nut with no logic. Pass

Everyone should listen to your interview with Katie Naughton! I too am blessed to have known Katie for decades, and I’m thrilled that others have the chance to hear her perspective and experience and view! Jess, great job demonstrating that teachers aren’t radical!

I really like their approach to tackling the issues facing our country and in particular Missouri. Adam and Rachel are extremely tuned in with what is happening and how it will impact us and I love Sean’s political insight. Then there’s Jess. She is a jewel. I love her devotion to education and explaining the detrimental impact of what is happening in Jefferson City and how it will affect the future of Missouri. Our children are the future and we have to prepare them for the future. A complete education is what we need for our children.

Love listening to Jess! The pod about The Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door was terrifying yet absolutely necessary to hear. We need to stand up and fight for our public schools. Thank you for keeping us so well informed!

As a 20 something democrat living in rural Mid-MO it’s hard to find a community of people who share your political views. It’s even harder to find (accurate) information about what goes on in our neck of the woods. This show keeps me informed, engaged, and hopeful for the future! Jess Piper’s weekly episodes are something I look forward to every Thursday! Keep it up.

This show keeps me sane and fighting in Missouri. Thank you Adam, Rachel, Sean, and Jess!

History has ascribed to the philosopher Plato the following quote: “No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.” I suppose, if we brought this quote into the 21st century, that “he” could also be a “she.” Because, pronouns DO matter in todays world. That she, I am speaking of, is Jess Piper. Jess, a former veteran school teacher resigned her post, and left her classroom, in order to be the change others always talk about, but do little about. Jess became the first progressive candidate in MO House District 1, and the first female to run in HD1, in the last election cycle (2022). She may have lost her race, but Missouri Progressives gained a new, exciting, and powerful voice for many of us who felt our voices were being stifled by MAGA America, and it’s distant cousin, the GOP. From her vast, and daily, presence on virtually all social media platforms, to her writings in local, and major newspapers, to her new weekly podcast on The Heartland POD — “#DirtRoadDemocrat,” Jess Piper goes all in on improving Missouri. Anyone who knows and follows Jess understands completely that education, and issues pertaining to the education of our children are at the forefront of her mind — from 4-day school weeks to increased pay for teachers, to the safety of all students and teachers in the school environment — these are just a few of the many issues Jess takes on, in life, and in her new podcast. But Jess isn’t just any talking head. She is a woman who has lived a life of experience. A life where what she talks about on her weekly podcast episodes, are based, in large part, in where she grew up, her experiences with poverty, religion, young parents, and those combined forces who shaped the person she ultimately grew up to be. With a warm gentleness akin to a fresh cup of hot chocolate, a blanket, and a great book, Jess weaves life stories, useful anecdotes, and some “hella” humor to bring the subject matter she discusses to light. Things like “I grew up hearing from Conservatives to ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps, but I need some freaking boots first.’” to all the unsolicited dietary comments strong Missouri Republican men “gently” offer her. This podcast has it all. Jess doesn’t bash Missouri Republicans, but she maturely points out how they continually fail their constituents. She reveals the lies, the gaslighting, and the actions they have taken to maintain their stranglehold on Missouri politics. Jess brings the receipts. Men, and some women, who claim to be leaders, and even Christians, despise Jess. They attack her, and they slander her, and they lie about her record, and her character. These people do this because Jess Piper obviously strikes a nerve within them. She is a truth teller, and she speaks truth to power. Truth tellers, as Plato once said, are not popular among those who regularly seek to conceal truths. The #DirtRoadDemocrat podcast is the latest in what, I am sure, is a line of great things to come from Jess Piper. For she knows what is going down behind the scenes of our state politics, in large part because she has converted their failures into real life issues, and she is not afraid to speak out and tell us all about it. The haters want her to shut up, but Jess Piper is just gearing up.

I appreciate the work that most go into putting out such consistently good content. It allows me to avoid the noise of the media giants with content that really matters to people living in Missouri and the mid-west. The Heartland POD helps fill the void left when our local newspapers were crushed. They cover just enough of the national clown show to let listeners keep up with it all, but deftly provide it context to what is happening in local politics.

Jess Piper is a Dirt Road Democrat who is working to improve Missouri quality of life by reframing progressive policies and showing how voting Democratic will improve everyone’s life!

Best Midwestern political podcast, you can find and they keep getting better!

I LOVE this podcast! Been following them for a couple years now, and I never fail to be entertained or educated. Sometimes I’m even inspired. There are plenty of shows out there that discuss politics, but there aren’t many that do so from a perspective centered on Middle America and the Heartland. Give it a listen, and hopefully you’ll get hooked the way I have!

A political show based in the middle of America focusing on more than just the top national headlines with in depth and practical analysis.

This podcast gives me solace. It is also really good to hear local political leaders in a long form interview talking about state and local issues. It’s also great to hear progressive voices