The Process - Podcast Rankings and reviews

History has ascribed to the philosopher Plato the following quote:

“No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.”

I suppose, if we brought this quote into the 21st century, that “he” could also be a “she.” Because, pronouns DO matter in todays world.

That she, I am speaking of, is Jess Piper.

Jess, a former veteran school teacher resigned her post, and left her classroom, in order to be the change others always talk about, but do little about.

Jess became the first progressive candidate in MO House District 1, and the first female to run in HD1, in the last election cycle (2022). She may have lost her race, but Missouri Progressives gained a new, exciting, and powerful voice for many of us who felt our voices were being stifled by MAGA America, and it’s distant cousin, the GOP.

From her vast, and daily, presence on virtually all social media platforms, to her writings in local, and major newspapers, to her new weekly podcast on The Heartland POD — “#DirtRoadDemocrat,” Jess Piper goes all in on improving Missouri.

Anyone who knows and follows Jess understands completely that education, and issues pertaining to the education of our children are at the forefront of her mind — from 4-day school weeks to increased pay for teachers, to the safety of all students and teachers in the school environment — these are just a few of the many issues Jess takes on, in life, and in her new podcast.

But Jess isn’t just any talking head. She is a woman who has lived a life of experience. A life where what she talks about on her weekly podcast episodes, are based, in large part, in where she grew up, her experiences with poverty, religion, young parents, and those combined forces who shaped the person she ultimately grew up to be.

With a warm gentleness akin to a fresh cup of hot chocolate, a blanket, and a great book, Jess weaves life stories, useful anecdotes, and some “hella” humor to bring the subject matter she discusses to light. Things like “I grew up hearing from Conservatives to ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps, but I need some freaking boots first.’” to all the unsolicited dietary comments strong Missouri Republican men “gently” offer her. This podcast has it all.

Jess doesn’t bash Missouri Republicans, but she maturely points out how they continually fail their constituents. She reveals the lies, the gaslighting, and the actions they have taken to maintain their stranglehold on Missouri politics.

Jess brings the receipts.

Men, and some women, who claim to be leaders, and even Christians, despise Jess. They attack her, and they slander her, and they lie about her record, and her character.

These people do this because Jess Piper obviously strikes a nerve within them. She is a truth teller, and she speaks truth to power. Truth tellers, as Plato once said, are not popular among those who regularly seek to conceal truths.

The #DirtRoadDemocrat podcast is the latest in what, I am sure, is a line of great things to come from Jess Piper. For she knows what is going down behind the scenes of our state politics, in large part because she has converted their failures into real life issues, and she is not afraid to speak out and tell us all about it.

The haters want her to shut up, but Jess Piper is just gearing up.

As a 20 something democrat living in rural Mid-MO it’s hard to find a community of people who share your political views. It’s even harder to find (accurate) information about what goes on in our neck of the woods. This show keeps me informed, engaged, and hopeful for the future! Jess Piper’s weekly episodes are something I look forward to every Thursday! Keep it up.

Love listening to Jess! The pod about The Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door was terrifying yet absolutely necessary to hear. We need to stand up and fight for our public schools. Thank you for keeping us so well informed!

As a KCMO resident, this pod has become a must listen in keeping up with the politics of the region. I've also become a Patreon subscriber in order to show further support for the work being done here.

The show operates on a regular schedule Mon-Fri covering politics for the Midwest and Mountain West. There is a strong Missouri influence right now because of where the podcast started, but each week, I'll hear topics from surrounding states covered (especially on the Friday "Flyover View" show) to keep up on the different (yet, often similar) struggles in the region.

Despite living in a left-leaning city that expresses a lot of the similar views as me, it's frustrating still to be in a red state where we have our collective will undermined or even silenced by a Cult of Crazy Supermajority in the State Capitol. A show like this not only provides avenues of action, but also comic relief from the absurdity that is the modern GOP.

I don't normally feel like a Blue Dot in a Red Sea, just because I'm in the city and can easily find an oasis of progressive values nearby. But a show like this connects me to the opinions and concerns of my outstate allies and makes their struggle my struggle as well.

When we live in a world of OAN/Newsmax and constant AM Radio propaganda being flooded into our neighbors' hearts and minds, it's important we have a place where we feel heard and can hear others. Something like this feels like we're playing a game of "connect the [blue] dots" in order to make a strong network of like-minded individuals working towards a better Heartland.