In this episode, guest host Bethany Brookshire recaps the Rural Progress Summit and brings you conversations with panelists including Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Joe Donnelly, Maya MacGuineas, Anderson Clayton, and experts from fields like agriculture, education, health care, and tribal affairs.

You will gain fresh perspectives on the hope and resilience in rural communities, practical solutions for everyday challenges, and inspiring stories from those working to rebuild trust and create opportunity. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the importance of local voices, collaboration, and policies that reflect the true needs of rural America.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be part of a movement to uplift and empower rural Americans.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

This week on the Hot Dish, we're switching things up for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit. It's a virtual event celebrating the importance of rural communities in shaping America's future, featuring a keynote fireside chat with Sec. Pete Buttigieg. Instead of our usual Wednesday episode, we’ll be sharing a glimpse into the summit on Friday. Register now at ruralprogress.com.

Sarah Longwell of the Bulwark and Phil Snape of Impact Social join this episode to discuss voter sentiment in rural areas. Then, Heidi Marttila-Losure and Christopher Vondracek explore the value of rural journalism and the impact of current political trends. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp discuss the real-world effects of tariffs, job security, and community resilience in rural America. Listen to hear candid conversations on the hopes, challenges, and culture of rural communities.

You will gain new insights into how rural voters are feeling, what fuels political divisions, and strategies for staying informed and engaged. Heidi and Joel emphasize the importance of honest dialogue, practical action, and genuine leadership at all levels. This episode will give you the knowledge to navigate political noise and offers practical ways to strengthen local community bonds.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.