Episode 133 features our incredible conversation with Dr. Amy Acton, who's running as the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio. She left us feeling so hopeful about the future of our home state - and we think you’ll feel the same after listening!

Dr. Amy Acton grew up in Youngstown, Ohio under difficult circumstances. But that made Amy tough – and now, Amy is running for governor to fight for every Ohio family that’s struggling today.

After putting herself through medical school, Amy did a residency at Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University where she trained in pediatrics and preventive medicine and created the first ever residency rotation in child advocacy.

Amy began her career as the Director of Project L.O.V.E where she managed public private partnerships between Columbus area hospitals and key community stakeholders to keep our children healthy. Amy then joined the faculty at Ohio State University where she became an award winning professor of maternal and child health and global public health.

In 2019 Governor DeWine asked Amy to serve in his administration as the Director of the Ohio Department of Public Health. Working closely with Governor DeWine, Amy’s widely acclaimed leadership and inspiring guidance were experienced in daily news conferences as COVID exploded in the spring of 2020, earning her a Profile in COVID Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2021. In 2022 she was named Woman of the Year for Ohio by USA Today for her efforts.

Following her service in the DeWine administration, Amy returned to the Columbus Foundation and helped found the Center for Human Kindness. She worked with CEO’s, Mayor’s, and community advocates to launch Rapid 5, a nonprofit to promote the region’s health and economic wellness. Amy also partnered with WKYC on a new multi-platform series on Health, Hope & Healing–where she spoke to Ohioans about the challenges they face and the innovative solutions they’re using to move themselves forward.

Now, Amy’s running for Governor because she refuses to look away from Ohioans who are struggling.

Amy lives in Bexley, Ohio with her husband, Eric, who has coached and taught in Bexley City Schools since 1987. Together they have six kids and enjoy traveling, exploring nature, and spending time with their good friends and growing family.

Resources:

* Acton for Governor Website

* Donate to Dr. Acton’s Campaign

* Connect with Dr. Acton’s on Social Media:

* Instagram

* Bluesky

* Facebook

* X/Twitter

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 132, lifelong human rights advocate and Iranian Resistance supporter Zahra Amanpour gives us a TL;DR on Iran’s fight for democracy—and shares a lesser-known path forward for the country’s future.

Born during the 1979 Iranian Revolution in Tehran, Zahra’s life has been defined by the struggle for freedom. Her father, a prominent advocate with the MEK/PMOI was killed in 1988, a summer marked by the mass killing of 30,000 political prisoners after the end of the Iran-Iraq war. Raised by her mother within the Iranian Resistance community, Zahra grew up surrounded by the courage, clarity, and conviction of those who refused to be silenced.

She draws deep inspiration from the many women who have led the movement for a free, secular, and democratic Iran. As a Board Member of the Women’s Freedom Forum, Zahra works to amplify the voices of women fighting for their rights under repressive regimes and to shine a global light on their stories of resistance.

Zahra continues to advocate for justice through every facet of her life. In the United States, she channels this commitment into economic empowerment, working to build a more equitable economy for underserved communities. Over the past two decades, she has helped thousands of individuals reclaim their economic agency and future.

Though many may see Zahra as living a typical American life—raising a family, building a business, and staying engaged in her community—her life is a powerful form of resistance. She currently resides in the New York area with her husband and two children and finds joy in music, nature, and discovering new corners of the world.

Her greatest hope and ambition remains the same: to see the end of Iran’s tyrannical regime and the rise of a free and democratic Iran, led by its people and grounded in justice, equality, and peace.

Resources:

* NCRI Women's Committee Website

* NCRI Women’s Committee on X

* Zahra Amanpour on LinkedIn

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 131, our special guest, Alycia Asai, gives us a history lesson on the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era.

Alycia is an independent historian whose research interests center around women, labor, and the evolution of the social safety net in the United States. She is the researcher, producer, and host of the podcast, Civics & Coffee where she explores the stories of America’s past in the time it takes to enjoy your morning coffee.

Alycia’s Book Recommendations on the Gilded Age & Progressive Era:

* Standing at Armageddon by Nell Irvin Painter

* Recasting the Vote by Cathleen Cahill

* The Bosses Union by Vilja Hulden

* How the South Won the Civil War by Heather Cox Richardson

* The Second Coming of the KKK by Linda Gordon

* Rebirth of a Nation by Jackson Lears

Resources:

* Civics & Coffee Website

* Civics & Coffee Substack

* Civics & Coffee Instagram

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram