'Tis the Season for Community

'Tis the Season for Community

Author: The One Country Project December 24, 2025 Duration: 30:17

In this episode of The Hot Dish, hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp announce the 2025 Rural Champion Awards before highlighting the Christmas Spirit of Kellie Smith, a small-town entrepreneur from Perham, Minnesota. Kellie shares her inspiring story of creating a community space for those in need during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of leadership and community support in rural areas. The conversation also touches on the significance of traditions and the spirit of giving in small towns.

Join us on The Hot Dish every 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/. 

  • (00:00) - Celebrating Rural Champions
  • (01:18) - Introducing Community Hero Kelly Smith
  • (03:25) - The Heart of Perham: A Small Town's Spirit
  • (04:19) - Creating a Community Giving Tree
  • (07:28) - Community Response and Support
  • (09:38) - Breaking Barriers: Accessing Help
  • (12:48) - Unity in Diversity: Bridging Divides
  • (14:22) - Inspiring Neighboring Towns
  • (15:39) - Leadership in Rural Development
  • (16:33) - Encouraging Community Involvement
  • (19:16) - Christmas Traditions and Family Memories
  • (28:25) - Creating Lasting Memories Over Material Gifts

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: 50

The Hot Dish
Podcast Episodes
Shutting Down Rural Healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:26
Heidi and Joel Heitkamp welcome Michelle Rathman and Jeanne Lambrew to discuss their expert insights on the future of rural hospitals, premium tax credits, Medicaid, and nursing care, as well as how community leaders and…
"Don't Be Chicken Shit!" Sen. Tina Smith has something to say [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:10
Senator Tina Smith joins hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp to discuss urgent rural issues like skyrocketing health insurance premiums, farm policies, crop markets, and rural hospital survival.You will learn how current decis…
Exciting Announcements! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:19
Host Joel Heitkamp announces exciting updates for The Hot Dish, including the move to weekly shows and upcoming video content. Joel also shares details about the upcoming Hot Dish live show, which will take place at Croo…
Drowning in Debt: A National Security Risk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:25
Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins host Heidi Heitkamp to tackle the urgent issues of federal debt, government spending, and the economic challenges facing rural America.…
Tennessee Red: Justin Kanew on theocracy in the Volunteer State [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:35
Today, hosts Heidi Heitkamp and Joel Heitkamp welcome Justin Kanew, founder of the Tennessee Holler. They discuss the political climate in Tennessee, the role of faith in politics, and the impact of media on public perce…
This Land is Your Land: the Fight for Public Lands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:05
Co-founders of the American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, Land Tawney and Aaron Murphy, join hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp to tackle the urgent threats facing America’s public lands. Land and Aaron break down recen…
Beto O'Rourke on the Fight for Democracy in Texas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:51
In this brief conversation with Heidi, former Congressman Beto O'Rourke discusses the critical political landscape in Texas, focusing on the fight against gerrymandering and the implications of recent Republican Party ac…
Texas GOP goes all-in for Authoritarianism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:16
Matt Angle, founder of the Lone Star Project, joins the Hot Dish to break down the urgent issues of gerrymandering and redistricting in Texas. Host Heidi Heitkamp and Matt explore how recent political maneuvers aim to we…
Immigrants in Rural America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 Admi…