Immigrants in Rural America

Immigrants in Rural America

Author: The One Country Project July 23, 2025 Duration: 48:19

In this episode, Bryan Little, Director of Labor Affairs for the California Farm Bureau, and Sonia Parras Konrad join hosts Joel and Heidi Heitkamp to discuss farm labor regulations, immigration, and affects of this Administration's immigration policies on rural communities. 

You'll get practical insights and stories about the impact of labor shortages, ever-changing regulations, and evolving federal policies on American agriculture and everyday rural life. The discussion emphasizes the humanity behind immigration statistics, the urgent need for community advocacy, and ways you can make a difference for your neighbors.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

  • (03:40) - Bryan Little discusses labor challenges in California agriculture
  • (13:37) - Bryan Little offers insights on Border Patrol enforcement in California
  • (29:23) - Sonia Parras Konrad talks with Heidi Heitkamp about the disconnect between rural policies and communities
  • (38:46) - Sonia Parras Konrad describes the policy impacts she is witnessing
  • (44:52) - Sonia Parras Konrad discusses how policies must change to meet the needs of immigrants
  • (48:07) - Heidi and Sonia encourage listeners to support immigrants in their communities

Heidi Heitkamp, a former U.S. Senator, and her brother Joel, a longtime Midwest radio host, bring a unique perspective to the table in their podcast The Hot Dish. Their dynamic is the engine here-a blend of deep policy knowledge from the halls of Congress and grounded, everyday insight from community radio, all filtered through the familiar and often humorous lens of sibling debate. They sit down with a range of guests, from national newsmakers and elected officials to local policymakers, focusing squarely on the ideas and actions that impact rural communities across America. These aren't dry lectures; they're animated discussions that dig into practical solutions for real challenges, from economic opportunities to infrastructure. Produced by The One Country Project, the conversation on this podcast is as informative as it is engaging, often punctuated by the kind of lively back-and-forth that only a brother and sister can provide. You'll come for the insightful analysis on politics and news, but you'll stay for the authentic and enlightening dialogue that makes complex issues relatable. Each episode serves up a hearty mix of substance and personality, offering listeners a fresh take on the stories that shape the heart of the country.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Hot Dish
Podcast Episodes
The Race That Could Flip Mississippi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:51
Grab your sweet tea and pull up a chair! Heidi and Joel sit down with Scott Colom, candidate for U.S. Senate from Mississippi, to talk about what it actually takes to turn one of the reddest states in the nation. If you…
Rural America will Decide the Senate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:07
Hold onto your farm hats and Capitol coffee mugs! Heidi, Joel, and the legendary Scott MacFarlane spill the tea on courts, campaigns, and deer sausage. If you’re into political intrigue, judicial juiciness, and rural ral…
The Rural vs. Urban Divide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:46
Buckle in, folks, because Suzanne Mettler brings deep insights on the rural-urban political divide — and it’s more about history, economics, and institutions than you might think. If you’ve ever wondered why rural voters…
Trump's Coalition is Collapsing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:07
Hold onto your hats, folks! Today's episode features political heavyweight Andrew Egger, joining the Heitkamps from The Bulwark, breaking down the current state of Donald Trump’s influence, the midterms’ future, and the…
Donald Trump versus the Pope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
Buckle up, folks! Today’s episode is a wild ride through the messiest, juiciest conversations about church, politics, and global trade, served with a side of satire and a sprinkle of smirk. Former U.S. Senator and Ambass…
How do we get out of this mess? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:47
The Madness of Power and Prophecy: A Chat with Denver RigglemanBuckle up, folks! Today’s episode is a wild ride through the chaos that’s unraveling in U.S. politics and global diplomacy, with the ever-brave Denver Riggle…
Justin Wolfers on the Cost of War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:00
Justin Wolfers returns to the Hot Dish to unpack the economic and political impacts of the Iran war with Heidi and Joel. This episode offers a clear-eyed view of how markets, government decisions, and public sentiment in…
Faith Communities to the Rescue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:26
In this episode, Heidi and Joel delve into the pivotal roles religion and community resilience play in rural America, featuring insightful conversations with Reverend Jane Field of Maine and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture…
Tom Nichols on Trump's Iran War and Disastrous Foreign Policy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:52
In this episode of The Hot Dish, Heidi and Joel talk to Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic and professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, about the complexities of the U.S. mili…
Beth Macy: Journalist, Author, Fighter for the Working Class [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:21
In this episode, Beth Macy joins Heidi and Joel to discuss her compelling journey from journalist to political candidate. She explores how her books illuminate the struggles of rural communities facing economic and socia…