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The Tennessee Holler Podcast

The Tennessee Holler Podcast

By The TN Holler Podcast Network

A podcast from The Tennessee Holler (www.TNHoller.com), a user-supported site lifting up progressive voices and fearlessly shining a light on injustices throughout Tennessee.
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REP. MIKE STEWART On Why He Knocked Doors for Cheney in Wyoming

The Tennessee Holler PodcastAug 20, 2022

00:00
26:47
Eli Motycka (Reporter Arrested At Vandy)

Eli Motycka (Reporter Arrested At Vandy)

Eli Motycka, the Nashville Scene reporter arrested at Vandy while covering a pro-Palestine protest, joins to talk about the "chilling effect".

Mar 27, 202412:40
REACTION to the Van Jones CNN Special On Tennessee

REACTION to the Van Jones CNN Special On Tennessee

Kanew reacts with mixed feelings to the Van Jones CNN special on Tennessee, which amplified important voices but did took a damaging both-sides perspective and left out a lot of context.


"The Whole Story" it was not.

Mar 04, 202414:09
The Innocent Man Rep. Burchett Falsely Accused

The Innocent Man Rep. Burchett Falsely Accused

Denton Loudermill, the innocent man Rep. Tim Burchett falsely accused of being a Kansas City shooter then didn't delete the post for 4 days, joins us to discuss.

Feb 20, 202405:43
On Rep. Johnny Shaw's Comments About the Justins

On Rep. Johnny Shaw's Comments About the Justins

Kanew weighs in on the article in the Tennessee Lookout that features some less than fully supportive comments about the Justins by Rep. Johnny Saw, a fellow Democrat, who says they are causing "confusion" - but in reality seems to be the one lacking clarity by supporting Sexton's draconian rules.

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Jan 19, 202415:28
MSU Education Policy Professor JOSH COWEN On Lee's Voucher Scam
Dec 19, 202319:44
Williamson County School Board Member ERIC WELCH (Republican) On Lee's Voucher Scam

Williamson County School Board Member ERIC WELCH (Republican) On Lee's Voucher Scam

Eric Welch, a Republican school board member from Williamson County, joins to talk about why Governor Lee's private school vouchers are a terrible idea, and will hurt Williamson County in many ways.


On Lee's claim it won't hurt public school budgets: "Don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining."

Dec 15, 202325:41
"Core Civic And Privatized Prisons Are A Cancer" (TDOC Hearing Highlights)

"Core Civic And Privatized Prisons Are A Cancer" (TDOC Hearing Highlights)

Even after another scathing audit TDOC was just extended 3 years and will continue to contract with Core Civic. Listen to HIGHLIGHTS from the hearing yesterday.


Rep. Clemmons says "Core Civic And Privatized Prisons Are A Cancer" and points out TN by law is only supposed to have 1 in the state, but Core Civic found a loophole.


Meanwhile an assistant commissioner explains away high prison guard rape numbers by saying they really just start relationships with inmates.


Core Civic has spent over $3 million buying support from legislators, mostly Republican.

Dec 14, 202308:45
"THE BONER AWARDS" with Nashville Scene Editor D. Patrick Rodgers
Dec 08, 202312:58
TX Rep. James Talarico On Gov. Lee's Vouchers Scam

TX Rep. James Talarico On Gov. Lee's Vouchers Scam

Texas state rep James Talarico joins to talk about how they beat back Gov. Abbott's private school vouchers scam push there, as Tennessee faces a similar fight.

Nov 29, 202317:42
Clarksville's ALLIE PHILLIPS Runs For State House (with a Gloria Johnson Cameo)
Oct 02, 202318:60
Mary Batiwalla, Former TN Ed Dept. Assistant Commissioner

Mary Batiwalla, Former TN Ed Dept. Assistant Commissioner

Mary Batiwalla, former Tn Ed Department Assistant Commissioner, joins to discuss the new push to give every school a letter grade - the latest front in Governor Lee's efforts to undermine our public schools.

Sep 08, 202328:43
(Soon-To-Be) Rep. Aftyn Behn

(Soon-To-Be) Rep. Aftyn Behn

Aftyn Behn, our long-time friend, recently won an upset victory and will soon take her place in the state legislature. Pretty awesome. She joins us to discuss how it happened.

Aug 08, 202313:07
A Teacher Suing Tennessee Over the Censorship Law

A Teacher Suing Tennessee Over the Censorship Law

Kathryn Vaughn, one of the teachers suing TN over the schools censorship law passed by Governor Lee & the TN GOP, joins to discuss the lawsuit and the chilling effect of a terrible law.

Aug 01, 202309:30
Anne Applebaum asks "Is Tennessee A Democracy?"

Anne Applebaum asks "Is Tennessee A Democracy?"

Anne Applebaum joins to discuss her new article for The Atlantic that asks a question we've been asking for a long time.

Jul 19, 202318:36
KRISTEN CHAPMAN on Being "Betrayed" By Vandy

KRISTEN CHAPMAN on Being "Betrayed" By Vandy

Kristen Chapman, mother of a trans girl, talks about getting an email from Vandy that their medical info was turned over to Tennessee's Attorney General Skrmetti - a nakedly partisan actor - without their knowledge, along with everyone else who has looked for or received gender-affirming care from Vandy in recent years.

Jun 22, 202315:31
Speaker Sexton Is Telling On Himself By Lying About What Happened At Our Capitol

Speaker Sexton Is Telling On Himself By Lying About What Happened At Our Capitol

There was no "insurrection", and anyone who tells you there was is lying to you and telling on themselves. Like Speaker Sexton, for instance. Kanew explains why Sexton is not to be trusted, and gives a first-hand account of a peaceful, powerful protest at the capitol this week - led by young people.

Apr 01, 202315:17
Franklyn Superstar, Lt. Gov. Mcnally's Favorite Instagrammer
Mar 09, 202310:52
A Tennessee Mom On the Trans Youth Health Care Ban

A Tennessee Mom On the Trans Youth Health Care Ban

Heather Thomas, mother of a trans adult who was a teen in Williamson County when he began to transition, talks about the Senator Jack Johnson & Rep. William Lamberth Trans Youth Health Care Ban - and the assaults from overreaching Tennessee Republicans on the freedoms of Tennesseans.

Feb 18, 202328:18
DR. JASON NICHOLS on Desantis banning African-American History
Jan 24, 202316:51
THE SPEAKER VOTE CIRCUS with Lisa Quigley

THE SPEAKER VOTE CIRCUS with Lisa Quigley

Lisa Quigley, former chief of staff to Rep. Jim Cooper, joins to talk about the circus that is the speaker of the house vote - where Mccarthy has been unable to secure the votes thus far.

Jan 03, 202328:53
JUSTIN J. PEARSON (HD-86 Special Election Candiate in MEMPHIS)

JUSTIN J. PEARSON (HD-86 Special Election Candiate in MEMPHIS)

Justin J. Pearson, who helped lead the fight against the Byhalia Pipeline in MEMPHIS, talks about his candidacy in the HD-86 special election for the state house seat left behind by the late Barbara Cooper. He says the same energy that helped defeat the pipeline is powering his campaign to become the latest young progressive voice to make it to Nashville.

Dec 31, 202231:31
The TN GOP's "NO EXCEPTIONS" Abortion Ban Lies (with Rep. Gloria Johnson & Chloe Akers)

The TN GOP's "NO EXCEPTIONS" Abortion Ban Lies (with Rep. Gloria Johnson & Chloe Akers)

Rep. Gloria Johnson and Knoxville Attorney Chloe Akers join to talk about the new recordings showing Republicans in Tennessee have been lying about their "NO EXCEPTIONS" abortion ban all along.

Nov 17, 202218:12
Senator Heidi Campbell, TN-5 Candidate for Congress (VOTE TUESDAY)

Senator Heidi Campbell, TN-5 Candidate for Congress (VOTE TUESDAY)

Senator Heidi Campbell joins to talk about her TN-5 race against MAGA extremist Andy Ogles, and why democracy is on the line and young folks need to turn out.

Nov 04, 202220:59
FOX SCHWEIGER on the Right-Wing Attacks on Vandy (He Received Gender-Affirming Care there as a Minor)

FOX SCHWEIGER on the Right-Wing Attacks on Vandy (He Received Gender-Affirming Care there as a Minor)

Fox Schweiger received gender affirming healthcare here in Knoxville and at Vanderbilt as a minor from grades 9-12 with the full support of his parents. He is now a 20 year old college junior in Oregon and bravely shared with us what it’s really like to get life saving treatment as a minor in Tennessee.

Sep 28, 202226:18
REP. MIKE STEWART On Why He Knocked Doors for Cheney in Wyoming

REP. MIKE STEWART On Why He Knocked Doors for Cheney in Wyoming

Rep. Mike Stewart tells us why he knocked doors for Cheney despite disagreeing with her on pretty much every issue - because we're in a crisis of democracy, and without a democratic system we won't make progress on anything.

Aug 20, 202226:47
Rep. Ramsey (Republican) On Losing His Seat For Standing Up to Gov. Lee's Push to End Public Schools

Rep. Ramsey (Republican) On Losing His Seat For Standing Up to Gov. Lee's Push to End Public Schools

Rep. Bob Ramsey becomes the first Republican legislator to come on the Holler as he talks about getting primaried for standing up to Governor Lee's privatization agenda. He says Lee does in fact want to end public schools.

Aug 15, 202219:34
Alarming Trump Raid Reaction By Tennessee "Rule of Law" Republicans

Alarming Trump Raid Reaction By Tennessee "Rule of Law" Republicans

Kanew discusses the reaction from Tennessee Republicans (Blackburn, Fleischmann, Jacobs, Zachary, Harshbarger) showed they don't actually care about the rule of law.

Aug 09, 202208:05
CHARLES SILER, FORMER SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION LOBBYIST (on the war on Public Schools)

CHARLES SILER, FORMER SCHOOL PRIVATIZATION LOBBYIST (on the war on Public Schools)

Charles Siler used to work for the privatizers. Now he fights against them. He joins us to explain why he changed, why CRT is just the latest boogeyman, and how the real goal of Governor Lee and the privatizers here in Tennessee is to eradicate public schools.

Aug 01, 202226:08
CINDY SCHUEMAN (Ex-Putnam GOP Chair) On Why She Called Putnam GOP Leaders "Racist" & "Hate-Filled"

CINDY SCHUEMAN (Ex-Putnam GOP Chair) On Why She Called Putnam GOP Leaders "Racist" & "Hate-Filled"

Cindy Schueman, who was once the chair of the Putnam County Republican Party, penned a letter in the Herald-Citizen in COOKEVILLE warning people current Republican Party leaders in Putnam County are "Racist" "Hate-filled" "Bottom-Feeders". She joins us to explain why, in a conversation we were glad to be able to have.

Jul 30, 202230:06
Everytown's Jessie Mckinney on The Bipartisan Gun Law Reform Deal

Everytown's Jessie Mckinney on The Bipartisan Gun Law Reform Deal

Jessie Mckinney from Everytown (Tennessee) joins to explain why we need the bipartisan gun law reform deal to pass congress. "It will save lives."

Jun 20, 202219:58
Webby Award-Winner NICK LUTSKO (out of Chattanooga)
Jun 14, 202213:10
DING DONG, CAWTHORN'S GONE! (Last night's elections - with AFTYN BEHN)

DING DONG, CAWTHORN'S GONE! (Last night's elections - with AFTYN BEHN)

Tennessee political mind Aftyn Behn joins to discuss takeaways from last night's elections around the country - Cawthorn, Fetterman, Summer Lee and more.

May 18, 202220:50
Busting Republican Abortion Myths (with Francie Hunt of TN Advocates Planned Parenthood)

Busting Republican Abortion Myths (with Francie Hunt of TN Advocates Planned Parenthood)

Francie Hunt of TN Advocates Planned Parenthood joins to walk through a leaked Republican messaging doc on abortion, and tell us the truth about what reproductive rights advocates really believe.

May 05, 202201:14:41
GOP WAR ON WOMEN (with Rep. Gloria Johnson, Aftyn Behn, Odessa Kelly)

GOP WAR ON WOMEN (with Rep. Gloria Johnson, Aftyn Behn, Odessa Kelly)

Rep. Gloria Johnson, Aftyn Behn, and TN-7 Candidate Odessa Kelly join to talk about the news that SCOTUS is set to overturn Roe vs. Wade, which would trigger an abortion ban in Tennessee. Welcome to the Handmaid's Tale.

May 03, 202220:38
REP. TOM LEATHERWOOD - Special Straight people (and child?) Marriage License Bill Sponsor

REP. TOM LEATHERWOOD - Special Straight people (and child?) Marriage License Bill Sponsor

We spoke with Rep. Tom Leatherwood, sponsor of the controversial special marriage license for straight people that made waves for also maybe legalizing child marriage. It died. 

He spoke with us about his motivation, marriage equality and more.  

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Apr 18, 202212:06
A CONVERSATION WITH ED FUNDING BILL SPONSOR REP. MARK WHITE

A CONVERSATION WITH ED FUNDING BILL SPONSOR REP. MARK WHITE

We spoke with Rep. Mark White for 10 minutes about charter schools and Governor Lee's potentially poisonous ed funding overhaul "TISA".

Apr 13, 202209:09
MASON, TN VICE MAYOR VIRGINIA RIVERS

MASON, TN VICE MAYOR VIRGINIA RIVERS

Majority Black, Black-led city Mason, TN is being told by TN comptroller Jason Mumpower that it needs to give up being a city or have its finances taken over... right as Ford opens a new multi-billion dollar plant 4 miles away. Something doesn't smell right about it.

Mar 16, 202220:17
REP. MIKE STEWART Announces He Isn't Running Again In 2022

REP. MIKE STEWART Announces He Isn't Running Again In 2022

REP. MIKE STEWART, former TN Dems Caucus Chair, joins us to announce he won't be running again, and will instead be focusing on the "extraordinary threat" Trump poses to our democracy.

Feb 18, 202234:23
DAVID PEPPER On Why We Need to Focus on State Capitols to Save Democracy
Feb 09, 202224:08
SENATOR KATRINA ROBINSON on Getting Ousted By Her GOP Colleagues

SENATOR KATRINA ROBINSON on Getting Ousted By Her GOP Colleagues

Senator Katrina Robinson just became the first Senator in Tennessee history to be ousted by her colleagues. That she's a Black female Dem from Memphis seems to not be a coincidence, since many white male Republicans have behave wildly unethically and faced no consequences from the Senate. Her case had been 99% dismissed, and was not yet finished. An injustice.

Feb 04, 202234:48
"MAUS" CREATOR ART SPIEGELMAN on Mcminn County Banning his Book

"MAUS" CREATOR ART SPIEGELMAN on Mcminn County Banning his Book

"MAUS" CREATOR ART SPIEGELMAN joins to talk about Mcminn County Banning his Book. He says "TRUST THE KIDS."

Jan 29, 202220:37
REP. JIM COOPER on His Decision not to run Again

REP. JIM COOPER on His Decision not to run Again

REP. JIM COOPER joined us the day he announced his decision not to run again in 2022, citing the TN GOP's "cruel" redistricting maps.

Jan 28, 202209:52
RAW AUDIO: ELECTION FINANCE REGISTRY VOTES TO SUBPOENA DISGRACED EX-SPEAKER CASADA, COTHREN AFTER YOUNG WOMAN'S TESTIMONY
Jan 18, 202221:43
ARSON AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD KNOXVILLE with ASHLEY COFFIELD (CEO & PRESIDENT)

ARSON AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD KNOXVILLE with ASHLEY COFFIELD (CEO & PRESIDENT)

Knoxville Fire has declared it arson. Ashley joins us to discuss what that means, and their determination to rebuild even after this right-wing terrorist attack.

Jan 07, 202224:28
"DEMOCRACY" with REP. MIKE STEWART (On Insurrection Day Anniversary)

"DEMOCRACY" with REP. MIKE STEWART (On Insurrection Day Anniversary)

Rep. Mike Stewart joins to tell us why we should still be alarmed that our democracy is hanging by a thread.

Jan 06, 202248:26
REP. FAISON TRIES TO FIGHT A REF (AND PULL HIS PANTS OFF)

REP. FAISON TRIES TO FIGHT A REF (AND PULL HIS PANTS OFF)

Kanew discusses Rep. Jeremy Faison, 3rd highest ranking Republican in the house, getting tossed from a high school basketball game after trying to fight a ref (and yes, pull his pants off).

Jan 05, 202212:06
REP. TORREY HARRIS On Losing His District to GOP Redistricting

REP. TORREY HARRIS On Losing His District to GOP Redistricting

Rep Torrey Harris, the first out LGBT black legislator in Memphis, and one of the youngest, shares his thoughts on likely losing his district to redistricting.  


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Dec 14, 202106:47
ASHLEY PEREIRA (survivor of "Alabama pastor who raped teen gets probation" story)

ASHLEY PEREIRA (survivor of "Alabama pastor who raped teen gets probation" story)

ASHLEY PEREIRA was raped by ex-Jason Greathouse in Alabama at 14, and her parents pushed her to marry him. They are now divorced. He just was let off with no jail time. They both now live in Tennessee (him in HENDERSONVILLE) and she's forced to share custody of their child with him, while he doesn't pay any child support.

Oct 19, 202147:53
REP. GLORIA JOHNSON on the Anti-Mask backlash that got Knox Schools closed

REP. GLORIA JOHNSON on the Anti-Mask backlash that got Knox Schools closed

REP. GLORIA JOHNSON joins us to discuss the threats to block schools and the overall Anti-Mask backlash that got Knox Schools closed today.

Sep 27, 202128:19
JB SMILEY JR., CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR

JB SMILEY JR., CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR

We're joined LIVE by JB Smiley Jr., a Memphis city councilman running for governor of Tennessee as a Democrat.

Sep 15, 202113:32