Introducing: A Podcast Runs Through It
A progressive, politics-oriented podcast, by Montanans for Montana
A Podcast Runs Through It is a progressive, politics-oriented podcast that seeks to engage Montana voters, introduce them to candidates for local, state and national office, and educate the public about issues that impact their lives. The bi-monthly podcast features candidate interviews, discussions of the news of the day from a progressive perspective, and special events such as “A Livingston Townhall with Senator Jon Tester.”
A Podcast Runs Through It is a project of local volunteers led by Nelson King, a political activist and environmentalist with a background in theatre and radio. Episodes are recorded and edited at Soundcolor Studios in Livingston, and are available on Apple Music, Spotify, and other popular streaming services and through the podcast website.
King, a Park County resident, noticed that voter turnout for the 2018 mid-term elections in his slice of Montana was 72.67 percent of eligible voters – far above the national average. He realized that such an engaged electorate could be hungry for a podcast that features conversations with candidates and wide-ranging discussions of everything from current events to Montana history and culture.
To fulfill the mission of creating a more informed and inspired voter, initial episodes of A Podcast Runs Through It are focused on candidate interviews.
Initial episodes include conversations with Laurie Bishop, Incumbent Montana House District 60; Kathleen Williams, Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives; Tom Woods, Candidate for Montana Public Service Commission, District 3; John Mues, Candidate for U.S. Senate; various candidates for Livingston City Commissioner; and the previously mentioned Townhall with Sen. Jon Tester.
Future episodes include checking in with voters at the world-famous Park County Democrats’ Lasagna Dinner, an interview with Montana Attorney General candidate Kimberly Dudik, and an interview with Melissa Romano candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
A Podcast Runs Through It conducts wide-ranging interviews with candidates for local, state and federal offices, allowing them the time and opportunity to flesh out their ideas and positions with context while avoiding talking points and boilerplate responses. The idea is to give listeners an occasion to learn in depth about a candidate’s background and the issues most important to them.
In addition to candidate interviews, the podcast will feature issue-focused episodes on topics such as climate change, health care reform, protection of public lands and immigration. It will also include episodes featuring Montana artists, historians and other prominent Montana figures. And there will be humor (cowboy jokes anyone?).
Candidate coverage will continue through the 2020 election season, and episodes will remain available for listening and reference. All episodes are available at www.APodcastRunsThroughIt.com or from the subscription outlets Apple Music, Spotify, Radio Public, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Overcast and Pocket Casts, or look for it wherever you get your podcasts.
A Podcast Runs Through It is a team effort whose founding members include Nelson King (host and interviewer), Dixie Hart (producer, co-host), Jerry Cole (audio technician), Stuart Nelson (audio engineer), and Cynthia Hills (graphic design, website). The entire team contributes to editing, planning and preparation – with the breakneck pace of contemporary politics and events it takes a team to keep up with it.
A Podcast Runs Through It is a humble, hometown podcast doing its part to save truth, reason, logic, sanity and the planet. •