• Candidate Interview: State Rep. Cherrish Pryor
    Feb 20 2026

    In this episode of Candidate Interview: State Rep. Cherrish Pryor, I sit down for a substantive conversation about representation, accountability, and the real-life policy decisions shaping Indiana House District 94 and communities across Indianapolis. This discussion dives deep into the issues Hoosiers are facing right now, including affordability, rising utility rates, childcare costs, housing instability, public safety, healthcare access, education funding, worker protections, and civil rights.

    I explore how State Rep. Pryor approaches the growing cost of living crisis, from holding utility companies accountable to advocating for affordable daycare solutions that support working families. We discuss the importance of supporting immigrant-owned small businesses in areas like the International Marketplace, and what economic fairness looks like in a diverse district.

    Housing affordability and property tax concerns take center stage, along with conversations about preventing displacement and strengthening neighborhoods. We also break down the balance between public safety and mental health services, the fight to raise Indiana’s minimum wage, the role of unions, and why civil rights protections remain critical in today’s political climate.

    The conversation expands into environmental quality, infrastructure investment, Medicaid expansion, mental healthcare access, and public education accountability, connecting local policy to broader historical and systemic challenges. For viewers who want to understand why society functions the way it does—and how state-level decisions influence everyday life— this interview provides context, clarity, and thoughtful debate.

    If you follow Indiana politics, state legislature races, public policy analysis, grassroots democracy, or Indianapolis community issues, this episode delivers an in-depth look at leadership and representation in action.

    Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, statehouse analysis, and accountability-driven conversations.

    Hashtags:
    #IndianaPolitics #CherrishPryor #District94 #IndianaHouse #IndianapolisPolitics #HoosierPolitics #StateLegislature #PoliticalInterview #AffordableHousing #WorkersRights #HealthcareAccess #EducationFunding #CivilRights #PublicPolicy

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    29 Min.
  • Candidate Interview: Tyler Bridges
    Feb 18 2026

    In this Candidate Interview: Tyler Bridges, I take a deep dive into the future of Indiana House District 11 with Democratic candidate Tyler Bridges. This conversation explores the real socio-economic challenges facing communities across Indiana, including unequal access to resources, economic instability, worker protections, childcare affordability, public education funding, and environmental responsibility.

    I focus on the bigger question many Hoosiers are asking right now: why society looks the way it does—and what practical solutions can actually fix it. Tyler shares his vision for economic fairness in Indiana, discussing policies that prioritize working families, local communities, and small businesses over unchecked corporate influence. We also examine proposals such as raising the minimum wage, strengthening labor rights, expanding childcare access, improving public school investment, and giving local governments stronger authority over land use and environmental protections.

    This interview goes beyond headlines and campaign slogans. It connects Indiana politics, Midwestern history, grassroots democracy, and modern public policy to the everyday realities voters experience. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire accountability round, offering clear, direct answers on the most pressing political questions shaping the district and the state.

    If you follow Indiana elections, state house races, Democratic candidates, political interviews, public policy debates, or civic engagement, this discussion is designed to inform, challenge, and spark meaningful thought about the future of Indiana and the direction of American democracy.

    Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, history-driven analysis, and conversations about building a more fair and accountable society.

    Hashtags:
    #IndianaPolitics #TylerBridges #District11 #IndianaHouse #HoosierPolitics #MidwestPolitics #DemocraticCandidate #PoliticalInterview #EconomicJustice #PublicEducation #WorkersRights #ChildcareAccess #EnvironmentalPolicy #GrassrootsDemocracy #StateElections

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    41 Min.
  • Candidate Interview: Kacey Blundell
    Feb 13 2026

    In this in-depth candidate interview, Kacey Blundell, Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate District 38, discusses the most pressing challenges facing working families and local communities across Indiana. The conversation explores key policy priorities including economic development, affordable housing, public education, workforce and trade programs, healthcare access, environmental responsibility, and justice system reform.

    Blundell outlines a vision centered on strengthening local economies, supporting small businesses, protecting workers’ rights, and expanding opportunities for students through career training and quality schools. The discussion also examines how balanced industrial growth and environmental protection can coexist to create sustainable prosperity for future generations in the Midwest.

    Beyond individual policies, this interview looks at the broader forces shaping Indiana politics, community wellbeing, and long-term social change. Viewers interested in state government, grassroots democracy, Midwestern public policy, political history, and civic engagement will gain insight into how local leadership decisions influence everyday life—and what practical solutions may help move communities forward.

    Whether following the Indiana State Senate race, researching candidates before voting, or simply seeking thoughtful political discussion about the direction of society, this conversation provides meaningful context and perspective.

    Hashtags:
    #IndianaPolitics #KaceyBlundell #District38 #HoosierPolitics #MidwestPolitics #DemocraticCandidate #StateSenate #PoliticalInterview #AffordableHousing #EducationPolicy #EconomicDevelopment #HealthcareAccess #EnvironmentalPolicy #JusticeReform #GrassrootsDemocracy

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    47 Min.
  • Candidate Interview: Ethan Sweetland-May
    Feb 12 2026

    In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Indiana State Senate District 47 candidate Ethan Sweetland-May for a real, in-depth political conversation about the issues shaping Indiana’s future and the direction of our democracy. We discuss uneven economic growth, crumbling infrastructure, affordable housing, environmental protection, public education funding, rural development, healthcare access, and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in state government.

    This interview goes beyond campaign talking points. I explore how policy decisions at the Indiana Statehouse directly impact working families, small towns, and local communities across southern Indiana. If you care about Indiana politics, state elections, public policy, civic engagement, democracy reform, or the future of rural America, this conversation is for you.

    My goal with this channel is simple: give Hoosiers honest, long-form political discussions that help explain why society works the way it does—and how we can fix it together. Whether you’re a voter in District 47, a student of political history, or someone searching for real solutions instead of partisan noise, you’ll find meaningful insight here.

    If you believe in informed voters, transparent leadership, and accountable government, make sure to like, subscribe, and share to help independent political conversations reach more people across Indiana and beyond.

    #IndianaPolitics #IndianaElections #StateSenate #HoosierPolitics #Democracy #PublicPolicy #PoliticalInterview #CivicEngagement #RuralAmerica #GovernmentAccountability #HoldEmAccountable

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    52 Min.
  • Unlocking Democracy: The Critical Role of Primaries
    Feb 6 2026

    Unlocking Democracy starts long before November. In this episode, I take a deep dive into the hidden power of primary elections and why they quietly shape the future of American politics, especially here in Indiana. Many voters focus on the general election, but the truth is that the most important political decisions often happen earlier, during low-turnout primaries where a small number of voices determine who appears on the final ballot. I explore how this system developed through U.S. history, how party structures and incumbency influence outcomes, and why everyday citizens can feel disconnected from representation in government.

    As a retired Marine, Hoosier, and political commentator, I believe democracy works best when people understand the rules of the game. That is why this video breaks down primary elections in simple, real-world terms, connecting civic education, political history, and modern voter engagement. Whether you follow Indiana politics, study democratic systems, or just want to understand how society can change for the better, this conversation is designed to inform, challenge, and empower you.

    If you care about voting rights, election reform, civic responsibility, and the future of democracy in America, this episode is for you. Join me as I uncover how primaries influence leadership, policy, and the direction of our communities and our country. Then take the next step by staying informed, participating locally, and helping strengthen democratic participation where you live.

    #Democracy #PrimaryElections #IndianaPolitics #VotingRights #CivicEngagement #PoliticalEducation #ElectionReform #Hoosiers #USPolitics #Government

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    26 Min.
  • Candidate Interview: Nate Stout
    Feb 4 2026

    In this in-depth candidate interview, Derrick Holder sits down with Nate Stout to explore what real representation looks like in Indiana’s District 38 and why local politics matter more than most people realize. At a time when voters feel disconnected from government, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on accountability, history, and practical solutions for Hoosiers.

    Nate Stout discusses the unique challenges facing rural and suburban communities across Indiana, including education funding, rural healthcare access, infrastructure, and economic development. From underfunded public schools to hospital deserts and broadband gaps, this interview examines how state-level decisions directly shape everyday life. If you’ve ever wondered why society works the way it does or how it could work better, this conversation provides essential context.

    Education policy takes center stage as Stout explains his vision for flexible public school funding that allows local communities to meet their own needs. The discussion also dives into rural healthcare reform, mental health services, and addiction recovery, issues that disproportionately affect small towns and working families across Indiana.

    Economic growth and job creation are another major focus, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, remote work opportunities, and revitalizing rural economies without leaving communities behind. Stout also outlines his approach to infrastructure investment, including roads, water systems, and broadband expansion, as well as his commitment to direct community engagement and constituent accountability.

    This interview is part of the ongoing mission of Hold ’em Accountable to elevate informed political conversations, center real people, and challenge candidates to explain not just what they believe, but how they plan to govern. Whether you’re an Indiana voter, a political history enthusiast, or someone searching for honest discussions about how to fix what’s broken, this episode is for you.

    Hashtags

    #IndianaPolitics #CandidateInterview #NateStout #District38 #LocalPolitics #RuralIndiana #PoliticalAccountability #HoosierPolitics #EducationPolicy #HealthcareAccess #EconomicDevelopment #MentalHealthAwareness #HoldEmAccountable

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    17 Min.
  • Advocate Interview: Keira Havens
    Jan 30 2026

    Advocate Interview: Keira Havens dives deep into the growing movement for citizen-led accountability in American politics. In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, host Derrick Holder sits down with activist Keira Havens to unpack the goals, challenges, and urgency behind the Citizens Impeachment movement and what it reveals about the current state of democracy in the United States.

    In this conversation, Derrick Holder and Keira Havens discuss the importance of citizen-led accountability in the political landscape, focusing on the Citizens Impeachment movement. They explore the challenges of engaging with Congress, the role of grassroots activism, and the necessity of maintaining sustained pressure on elected officials to uphold constitutional values. Havens shares her personal journey into activism, the strategies employed by Citizens Impeachment, and the significance of collective action in driving political change.

    This interview is especially relevant for viewers interested in Indiana politics, American history, constitutional accountability, and the evolving relationship between citizens and their representatives. From historical precedent to modern political inertia, this discussion connects the past to the present, asking why institutions resist accountability and how ordinary people can reclaim power through organized civic engagement.

    Whether you follow political commentary, study U.S. history, or simply want to understand why society functions the way it does—and how it can be fixed—this episode offers insight, context, and hard questions that demand answers. This is not partisan theater; it’s a conversation about responsibility, democracy, and the role citizens must play when systems fail to self-correct.

    Stay informed, question authority, and learn how grassroots movements are challenging the status quo—one conversation at a time.

    Hashtags

    #Politics #IndianaPolitics #PoliticalActivism #CitizensImpeachment #Accountability #GrassrootsMovement #CivicEngagement #USConstitution #AmericanDemocracy #PoliticalPodcast #HistoryAndPolitics #HoldEmAccountable

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    37 Min.
  • ICE: When Enforcement Becomes the Message
    Jan 23 2026

    In “ICE: When Enforcement Becomes the Message,” Derrick Holder takes a hard, historical look at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and asks a question too often ignored in modern political discourse: what happens when enforcement stops being a tool and becomes the point?

    ICE was created in 2003, not as a timeless pillar of American governance, but as a post-9/11 response shaped by fear, politics, and a rapidly shifting national identity. In this episode, Derrick breaks down how immigration enforcement became entangled with national security rhetoric, transforming policy into performance and communities into targets. Rather than increasing safety, aggressive enforcement has often produced the opposite effect: silenced neighborhoods, reduced crime reporting, and widespread mistrust of government institutions.

    Drawing from American history, political theory, and real-world consequences, this discussion explores how the normalization of extraordinary enforcement powers can quietly erode civil liberties. From warrantless home entries to blurred lines between local police and federal immigration authorities, Derrick explains how systems built without clear limits tend to expand beyond their original purpose.

    This video is especially relevant for viewers in Indiana and across the Midwest, where local communities are directly impacted by federal immigration policy, even when those policies are decided far from home. Whether you follow politics closely, love history, or simply want to understand why society looks the way it does and how it can be improved, this episode offers context, clarity, and accountability.

    The message is simple but urgent: democracy only works when institutions are questioned, power is constrained, and the public refuses to confuse fear with safety.

    Hashtags

    #ICE #ImmigrationPolicy #Politics #IndianaPolitics #CivilLiberties #GovernmentAccountability #AmericanHistory #ImmigrationReform #HoldEmAccountable #PoliticalCommentary #CivicEngagement #JusticeOverFear

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    30 Min.