United SHE Stands

Ohio Equal Rights: Equal Rights and Marriage Equality for Every Ohioan

Sara Petrie — Tue, 12 May 2026 09:31:15 GMT

In episode 177, we sit down with Liz Schmidt, the Executive Committee Co-Chair of Ohio Equal Rights, to talk about the campaign to amend Ohio's constitution and make it the strongest equal rights framework in the nation.

Ohio's constitution offers no equal rights protections for residents. There are no protections from government discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or other attributes. Marriage equality rests only on federal guarantees that could be reversed. Ohio Equal Rights is pursuing two citizen-led ballot amendments to change that, the Ohio Equal Rights Amendment and The Ohio Right to Marry Amendment, potentially making Ohio home to the most comprehensive state equal rights framework in the nation.

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

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

Ohio, We Have a Data Center Problem: A Conversation with Innovation Ohio

Sara Petrie — Tue, 05 May 2026 09:31:06 GMT

In episode 176, we are finally talking about DATA CENTERS. Ohio is in the middle of a data center boom. Google, Amazon, Meta, and dozens of other tech giants are building massive facilities across the state — particularly in Central Ohio — drawn by cheap land, fiber infrastructure, and generous tax breaks from our Statehouse. While these companies are selling the story of jobs and economic growth, a report from Innovation Ohio raises serious questions about who is really footing the bill. The answer unfortunately, is all of us.

Joining us today is Michael McGovern, President and CEO of Innovation Ohio, the organization behind that report. Innovation Ohio is Ohio’s Progressive politics and policy hub. It’s an organization that bridges advocacy, activism, and policymaking in Ohio. By building coalitions, conducting research, and coordinating messaging campaigns, they tackle critical issues at the local, state, and federal levels. Their work focuses on improving the lives of Ohio workers and families, creating opportunities for all Ohioans, and strengthening communities from the ground up.

And today with Michael, we’re going to dig into what’s actually happening to Ohio’s electric grid, why the average Ohio family could be looking at roughly $70 more on their monthly power bill by 2028, and what state lawmakers are (and aren’t) doing about it. This is a conversation every Ohioan needs to hear.

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

Donate here!

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

Your Guide to the Ohio Primary Election on May 5th

Sara Petrie — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:31:32 GMT

In episode 175, we break down the Ohio Primary on May 5th, walking you through statewide races, the Senate special election, Ohio Supreme Court races, congressional districts across the state, and more.

Our Ohio Primary Voter Guide

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

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

Young, Fired Up, and Done Waiting: Tom Herner for Ohio House District 37

Sara Petrie — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:30:44 GMT

In episode 174, we sit down with Tom Herner, Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 37, to talk about what it takes to flip a seat, fight public corruption, and actually represent the people who sent you to Columbus.

Tom Herner is a lifelong Ohioan, Centerville High School graduate, and Wright State University alumnus running for State Representative in District 37. Raised by union parents and conceived through IVF, Tom is a direct product of the public schools and reproductive healthcare he now fights to protect.

With over a decade of experience in banking, internal auditing, and entrepreneurship, Tom brings a sharp eye for accountability to Columbus. He is dedicated to lowering the cost of living by expanding the Homestead Exemption, fully funding public schools through the Fair School Funding Plan, and ensuring Ohio remains a state where reproductive freedom is a protected right. Learn more about Tom’s campaign at TomforOhio.com.

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

Donate here!

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

Run for Something, Fight for Everything, Change America with Amanda Litman

Sara Petrie — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:31:06 GMT

In episode 173, we talk with Amanda Litman, the cofounder and president of Run for Something, which recruits and supports young, diverse leaders running for local office. We talk about what it really takes to rebuild Democratic power from the ground up and why the path forward might look different than you’d expect.

Since 2017, Run for Something has launched the careers of thousands of millennials and Gen Z candidates and in the process, changed what leadership looks like in America. Amanda is also the author of two books: When We’re In Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership, and Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself, a how-to manual for people running for office.

Before launching Run for Something, Amanda worked on multiple presidential and statewide political campaigns. She graduated from Northwestern University and lives in Brooklyn with her husband, two daughters, and their sometimes rowdy dog.

Resources:

Run for Something Website
Ready to Run? Start here!
Run for Something’s Social Media
Amanda’s Website
Amanda’s Books
- When We’re in Charge
- Run for Something
Amanda’s Social Media

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

Donate here!

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

We Have a Primary Challenger: Carl Setzer Wants to Represent Ohio's 14th Congressional District

Sara Petrie — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:30:48 GMT

In episode 172, congressional candidate Carl Setzer tells us how he went from insider to outsider. He was raised inside the ultra-conservative movement and is now running as a Democrat in Ohio’s 14th District with a very different vision for what public service should look like.

Carl Setzer, born in Ohio, experienced firsthand the consequences when powerful individuals in Ohio politics face no accountability. He has navigated through broken systems—government, corporations, and movements that demand loyalty yet deliver nothing in return. From factory floors to foreign capitals, Carl Setzer has witnessed who gets crushed and who receives protection, shaping his perspective as he runs for Congress.

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

Donate here!

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

Dad, Doctor, Democrat: Zach Rossfeld is Running for Ohio House District 7

Sara Petrie — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:30:54 GMT

In episode 171, we sit down with Zach Rossfeld, candidate for Ohio House District 7. As a practicing physician and former Ohio Medicaid official, Zach has seen firsthand what broken policy costs real people and he's done waiting for someone else to fix it. We talk healthcare, public schools, reproductive rights, and what gives him hope.

Zach is a dad and a doctor who’s running for quality, funded schools and for healthcare that puts people first. A lifelong Ohioan, he and his wife Kara are raising their two children (and puppy) in Clintonville. Dr. Rossfeld sees patients as an Associate Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at Ohio State and, until this campaign, had served as an Assistant Medical Director for Ohio Medicaid. He understands what it takes to be an effective policymaker and has a track record of shaping large programs to help everyday Ohioans. With his two young children in public school and his patients struggling to get the care they deserve, Dr. Rossfeld knows that we all deserve better. And that’s why he’s running for state representative: for the public good.

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

Donate here!

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

Influencer Expectations, Avoiding Accountability, and the Male Gaze: A Conversation with Haley Pepper

Sara Petrie — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:31:03 GMT

In episode 170, we’re joined by our new friend Haley Pepper! We dig into the nuance of whether influencers have a responsibility to speak up, how beauty culture and the male gaze are being reexamined, and what it really means to ‘protect your peace’ when the world is on fire.

Haley is a women’s health activist, birth and postpartum doula, NFL wife, and mom of two. She hosts Detoxed, which is an evidence-based wellness podcast dedicated to redefining and reclaiming women's health beyond trends and consumerism. She’s loud on social media about politics and we LOVE her for it!

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

Donate here!

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

Ohio This Month: We’re Building Something New & BS at the Statehouse

Sara Petrie — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:31:03 GMT

In episode 169, we announce the launch of Ohio Creators for Progress, a digital organizing network bringing together creators from across the state to win elections online. We also break down some of the worst bills moving through the Ohio Statehouse right now and share how you can take action.

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

Donate here!

Connect with United SHE Stands:

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

People First Always: Jerrad Christian is for Ohioans

Sara Petrie — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:30:25 GMT

In episode 168, we chat with Jerrad Christian, Democrat running for Ohio's 12th Congressional District on a no-corporate-money, people-first platform. We get into healthcare, foreign policy, the economy, and what hope looks like when the stakes feel impossibly high.

Jerrad Christian grew up in rural Ohio in a working-poor family where government programs and community weren’t abstract policy debates; they were the difference between eating and not. He couch-surfed as a kid, watched his mom fight cancer with Medicare keeping her alive, and saw Social Security barely stretch far enough for the people in his life.

Jerrad served in the U.S. Navy as a flight deck fueler on a carrier during Operation Iraqi Freedom and, later, a meteorologist and oceanographer. After getting out and becoming a father, he took a job as a janitor in a factory - now he’s a software engineer. He’s never been rich; he worked his way to where he is through a lot of work and a lot of luck. He want successes like his to be the rule, not the exception.

Jerrad is running for office because he refuses to hand his son a country hollowed out by corruption, cruelty, and short-term thinking. He believes in clean water, honest government, working families, being a good human, and telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. He doesn’t worship politicians. He doesn’t punch down. And he won’t back away from a fight when the stakes are this high.

Resources:

We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️

Donate here!

Connect with United SHE Stands:

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

We're Launching Ohio Creators for Progress!

Ashley Kindsvatter — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:49:58 GMT

We’re excited to finally share something we’ve been working on for months: the launch of Ohio Creators for Progress.

We know people’s views are shaped by their experiences, the people around them, and the media they consume. Today, social media plays an enormous role in shaping opinions and influencing elections. Gen Z adults spend more than five hours a day on social platforms, and 40% of Americans under 30 get their news from influencers.

If the last few years have proven anything, it’s that if we want to move Ohio forward and win elections, we have to win online. That means organizing digitally. And that’s exactly what the United SHE Stands Action Fund is building. The United SHE Stands Action Fund is a new PAC with the sole purpose of funding digital organizing in Ohio.

Ohio Creators for Progress is the name we’re giving the group of creators that will be organized and funded by our PAC.

We’ll be bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful online organizing network. We’ll create community through meetups, creator events, and chat groups. We’ll support creators with training, collaboration opportunities, and events where they can produce content for local organizations, initiatives, candidates, and causes. And we’ll run coordinated campaigns and specific messaging across the state to help candidates, topics, and important stories break through the algorithms.

This doesn’t replace traditional organizing. Door knocking, phone banking, registering voters, and talking to friends and family will always matter, and Ohio has incredible organizations already doing that work.

But we can’t reach everyone through traditional methods alone. This program is an extension of that organizing. It’s a new branch of organizing designed to meet people where they already are: online.

Imagine fifty Ohio creators talking about the damage voucher programs are doing to our public schools. People who have never heard about this before and weren’t paying attention realize what’s happening in the Statehouse. Suddenly, the amount of people engaging with their representatives and pushing back grows.

Or imagine a fun trend takes off across Ohio (manufactured by us), with creators making videos supporting the Doctor Pepper for Governor ticket. The trend breaks through and reaches audiences that rarely engage with politics at all.

That’s the power of digital organizing, and it’s possible when creators work together.

Over the next few months, we’ll be rolling out events across Ohio along with virtual opportunities for anyone (creator or not) who wants to learn more and get involved.

No creator or account is too small. Every voice can help move Ohio forward and build a state we’re proud to call home.

Sign up today using this form - Ohio Creators for Progress Sign Up - and we’ll share upcoming event details soon.

Not interested in posting online? We still need help organizing the amazing Ohio creators and hosting local events. Check those options on the sign-up form if you’re interested.

One last way you can support us is by donating to the PAC - Donate here!

Please pass this email along to anyone you think would be interested!

We’re so excited to do this work with all of you,

-Ashley & Sara

From Tattoo Shop to Capitol Hill: Sean Connolly Runs for Ohio’s 6th Congressional District

Sara Petrie — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:31:00 GMT

In episode 167, we sit down with Sean Connolly to talk about what it looks like to run for Congress as a labor Democrat in a true primary. We dig into his bold vision for investing in eastern Ohio, from high-speed rail to strengthening unions, lowering costs, and rebuilding the middle class, and what sets him apart from the rest of the field.

Sean Connolly was born and raised in Ohio and built his life around hard work, personal responsibility, and creating opportunity. As a small business owner for nearly a decade, he runs his tattoo shop on the belief that leadership means working alongside people, not over them. He considers himself a labor Democrat, loyal first to working families and focused on raising wages, protecting unions, and lowering costs even if that means challenging his own party.

He’s running for Congress on a big, ambitious idea: invest in America again, starting with a high-speed rail corridor connecting eastern Ohio to major job markets, and a broader push to modernize infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, and rebuild the middle class. He says he’s not running to be a career politician, but to refocus government on working people and restore accountability for Ohio’s 6th Congressional District and then returning to what he loves - tattooing.

Resources:

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

These Patriotic Millionaires Want to Tax the Rich and Pay the People

Sara Petrie — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:30:58 GMT

In episode 166, we sit down with Ashley Craig of Patriotic Millionaires to unpack how extreme wealth inequality took hold in the United States and what it will actually take to fix it. Ashley breaks down why “tax the rich, pay the people, and spread the power” isn’t just a slogan - it’s a roadmap.

Ashley Craig is a former finance and audit professional who has spent her career working primarily for large corporations like The Walt Disney Company, Interpublicgroup, and Morgan Stanley. Craig is a life-long environmentalist, advocate for fair taxation, and corporate social responsibility. She retired from corporate work in 2022 and currently volunteers with political and social causes.

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

Still in the Fight: Rose Lounsbury Runs Again for Ohio House

Sara Petrie — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:30:37 GMT

In episode 165, we sit down with Rose Lounsbury to talk about why she’s running again for the Ohio House and what’s at stake for public schools, voting rights, and working families. We dig into vouchers, gerrymandering, healthcare costs, and what it will take to build an Ohio that truly works for everyday families.

Rose Lounsbury is running for State Representative in Ohio’s House District 36, which includes Kettering, Oakwood, Riverside, East Dayton, and downtown Dayton. A former public school teacher, the daughter of two retired teachers, and the mother of teenage triplets in public school, Rose is deeply committed to protecting and strengthening Ohio’s public schools.

Her political journey began during the pandemic with the League of Women Voters, where she developed a strong belief that voting rights are the foundation of a healthy democracy. She is committed to fair, accessible elections for all Ohioans.

Rose’s great-grandfather immigrated to Southeast Ohio in the early 1900s to work in the coal mines, believing Ohio was a place where hard work could lead to a good life. Rose still believes that hardworking families should be able to afford housing, food, and healthcare without fear of financial ruin.

This is Rose’s second time running for office, and she is running again because the challenges facing Ohio’s families are growing—not shrinking. Rose believes Ohio can have strong schools, fair elections, and an economy that works for working people—and she’s ready to fight for that future.

Resources:

Rose for Ohio
Donate to Rose’s Campaign
Follow Rose and her campaign on social media:

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

BONUS Inside Operation Metro Surge: Living Through This Moment in Minneapolis

Sara Petrie — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:30:49 GMT

In this month’s bonus episode, we talk with Minneapolis resident Emma about what it’s been like to live in the city during Operation Metro Surge, where two community members were murdered in the streets by federal agents. She shares what she’s seeing on the ground and how neighbors are showing up for one another in powerful, hopeful ways during an incredibly frightening time.

DISCLAIMER: This was recorded on Tuesday, February 10th. On Thursday, February 12th, Tom Homan, the Trump Administration’s “boarder czar”, said Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis was ending. We’ll believe it when we see it.

Minnesota & Minneapolis organizations to donate to:

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

Ohio’s GOP ICE Cooperation Package

Sara Petrie — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:30:23 GMT

In episode 163, we break down the Ohio GOP’s newly introduced “Cooperation Package,” a set of four bills designed to expand cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (ICE) across the state. We walk through what each bill would do, why they matter, and the real impacts they could have on Ohio communities. Plus, we share specific, immediate action steps listeners can take to make their voices heard.

Resources:

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

Amanda’s Mild Takes in a Brutal Political Era

Sara Petrie — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:30:16 GMT

In episode 162, we’re joined by Amanda Nelson of Amanda’s Mild Takes to talk about how power actually operates in the United States. We dig into the fears around the 2026 elections, the history behind modern immigration enforcement, and what real pro-democracy change could look like if Democrats retake Congress.

Amanda Nelson is an amateur historian and political content creator behind Amanda’s Mild Takes, a media brand that uses history, political science, and civics to explain how power actually operates in the United States. She publishes daily political analysis and action ideas for an engaged audience of over a million people who want historical context, not just headlines.

Resources:

Amanda’s Mild Takes on…
Uncap the House: The fastest pro-Democracy law we could pass today
Is ICE the Gestapo...or something more American?

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

A Do-Something Democrat for Ohio’s 15th District: Meet Don Leonard

Sara Petrie — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:30:39 GMT

In episode 161, we talk with congressional candidate Don Leonard about what it really means to be a “Do-Something Democrat” in this political moment. Our conversation spans the issues hitting working families hardest - from healthcare, childcare, and housing to economic insecurity, immigration, and accountability for ICE - and what practical action in Congress could look like.

Don spent the last decade as a City and Regional Planning professor at The Ohio State University and recently stepped away from teaching to run for Congress as a Do-Something Democrat in Ohio’s 15th District. A Medicaid kid turned educator and new dad, Don entered the race after watching working families get squeezed while extremists profit from division and dysfunction. Don is focused on economic freedom, protecting democratic institutions, and flipping one of the most competitive Republican-held seats in the country. He’s building a people-powered campaign centered on real results for working people.

Resources:

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

We Can Shape What Ohio Votes On in 2026: What You Need to Know About Ohio’s Potential Ballot Initiatives

Sara Petrie — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:30:26 GMT

In episode 160, we bring you our monthly Ohio-politics focus discussion and, yes, we’re already talking about what could be on your November ballot. We break down the four citizen-led ballot initiatives currently gathering signatures - from marriage equality and broad nondiscrimination protections to a proposal to abolish property taxes and an effort to end qualified immunity - so you know what they are and whether you should sign a petition to support them. We also flag urgent Statehouse bills on immigration and minors’ access to mental health care and share exactly how you can take action right now.

Learn More About the Ballot Initiatives:

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

BONUS What Freedom Really Means: Debriefing The Nordic Theory of Everything

Sara Petrie — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:30:57 GMT

In January’s ✨bonus✨ episode, we debrief The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life by Anu Partanen. We unpack how Nordic countries define freedom, independence, and care. We also explore how universal systems like healthcare, childcare, and worker protections can actually increase individual freedom. This conversation challenges what A…

United SHE Stands

Ohio Equal Rights: Equal Rights and Marriage Equality for Every Ohioan

Ohio, We Have a Data Center Problem: A Conversation with Innovation Ohio

Your Guide to the Ohio Primary Election on May 5th

Young, Fired Up, and Done Waiting: Tom Herner for Ohio House District 37

Run for Something, Fight for Everything, Change America with Amanda Litman

We Have a Primary Challenger: Carl Setzer Wants to Represent Ohio's 14th Congressional District

Dad, Doctor, Democrat: Zach Rossfeld is Running for Ohio House District 7

Influencer Expectations, Avoiding Accountability, and the Male Gaze: A Conversation with Haley Pepper

Ohio This Month: We’re Building Something New & BS at the Statehouse

People First Always: Jerrad Christian is for Ohioans

We're Launching Ohio Creators for Progress!

From Tattoo Shop to Capitol Hill: Sean Connolly Runs for Ohio’s 6th Congressional District

These Patriotic Millionaires Want to Tax the Rich and Pay the People

Still in the Fight: Rose Lounsbury Runs Again for Ohio House

*BONUS* Inside Operation Metro Surge: Living Through This Moment in Minneapolis

Ohio’s GOP ICE Cooperation Package

Amanda’s Mild Takes in a Brutal Political Era

A Do-Something Democrat for Ohio’s 15th District: Meet Don Leonard

We Can Shape What Ohio Votes On in 2026: What You Need to Know About Ohio’s Potential Ballot Initiatives

*BONUS* What Freedom Really Means: Debriefing The Nordic Theory of Everything

BONUS Inside Operation Metro Surge: Living Through This Moment in Minneapolis

BONUS What Freedom Really Means: Debriefing The Nordic Theory of Everything