Raised Red, Living Blue

About Raised Red, Living Blue

A podcast about life as progressives in a deeply conservative state. Hosted by Jason Will and Sloane Rhoden.

Publisher

Raised Red, Living Blue

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Nov 2024

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

73 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Ron Sparks Wants to Protect Alabama Farmers & Consumers | Commissioner of Agriculture

   Ron Sparks Wants to Protect Alabama Farmers & Consumers | Commissioner of Agriculture We sit down with Ron Sparks, candidate for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture, to discuss his decades of public service, his record leading the Department of Agriculture and Industries, and his plans to address the challenges facing Alabama agriculture. After serving two terms as commissioner, Ron is running again with a focus on protecting consumers, supporting struggling farmers, strengthening food safety inspections, and restoring the department’s ability to serve Alabamians. He explains why rising farming costs, shrinking farm numbers, foreign competition, and reduced oversight are serious concerns. ✨ Topics we covered: — Ron Sparks’ journey through decades of public service — His record as Alabama’s former Agriculture Commissioner — Why Alabama farmers are struggling with rising costs — His proposals to support farmers and agricultural communities — Protecting Alabama farmers from unfair foreign competition — Expanding agricultural markets and strengthening local food systems — Rural healthcare, telemedicine, and support for rural Alabama — His views on medical cannabis and the role of agriculture — Working across party lines to get things done Ron also reflects on his time working with leaders from both parties and explains why he believes public service should be about protecting people, treating others fairly, and delivering results—not political labels. From the food on our tables to the farms that support local economies, this conversation explores the wide-ranging responsibilities of the Agriculture Commissioner and the decisions that can shape Alabama’s future. 🎧 Listen +. Subscribe on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow the show on social media: @raisedredlivingblue Jason Will Alabama Native Progressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/ Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co. Licensed Since 2004 ☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728 🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com Wanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback? 👉 https://forms.gle/1sn85LWHVm22KNMH6

2. 

   5 Oct 2026

   From City Council to Congress: Maurice Mercer’s Vision for Alabama

   From City Council to Congress: Maurice Mercer’s Vision for Alabama In this episode of Raised Red, Living Blue, we sit down with Maurice Mercer, Democratic candidate for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District, for a conversation about public service, leadership, affordability, and what it takes to bring local experience to Washington. Maurice has spent more than 13 years serving his community, including three terms on the Pelham City Council and five years as Council President. His approach to leadership has focused on responsible budgeting, economic development, public safety, education, infrastructure, transparency, and bringing people together to solve problems. Now, Maurice is taking that experience to the congressional race after Alabama’s redistricting created a new opportunity to challenge the status quo. He explains why he believes Alabama’s 6th District needs a representative who will listen to constituents, work across the aisle, and focus on issues that affect families every day. ✨ Topics we covered: — Maurice’s journey into public service — His experience leading Pelham City Council — Why he decided to run for Congress — The impact of Alabama’s congressional redistricting — Affordability and the rising cost of living — Healthcare, Medicare, and protecting Social Security — Infrastructure and economic development — Immigration and creating a path to citizenship — Government transparency and accessible leadership Maurice also shares his perspective on the importance of listening before making decisions, learning directly from constituents, and having the courage to challenge policies—even when doing so means disagreeing with members of your own party. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: government should work for the people it represents. 🎧 Listen + Subscribe on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow the show on social media: @raisedredlivingblue Jason Will Alabama Native Progressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/ Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co. Licensed Since 2004 ☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728 🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com Wanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback? 👉 https://forms.gle/1sn85LWHVm22KNMH6

3. 

   1 Sept 2026

   She’s Fighting for Women, Workers & Rural Alabama | Katie Kramer for Alabama State Senate District 8

   She’s Fighting for Women, Workers & Rural Alabama | Katie Kramer for Alabama State Senate District 8 In Season 2, Episode 16 of Raised Red, Living Blue, we sit down with Katie Kramer, candidate for Alabama State Senate District 8, for a wide-ranging conversation about her journey, her experience as a business leader, and the issues she believes are holding Alabama families back. A lifelong Alabamian and working mother, Katie brings a unique perspective to Alabama politics. She was raised in a strongly Republican family, but her mother's commitment to community service and helping underserved families shaped Katie's own belief in giving people a voice and fighting for those who need it. Today, Katie serves as a business operations leader at a metal manufacturing plant in Northeast Alabama, where she manages employees, workplace safety, wages, and day-to-day operations. Her experience in the workplace has also driven her advocacy for higher wages, equal pay, and greater opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated industries. In this conversation, Katie discusses some of the biggest challenges facing Alabama, including rural healthcare, affordability, wages, infrastructure, workforce development, and the future of rural communities. 🗣️ We talk about: — Why Katie decided she could no longer sit on the sidelines — Growing up Republican and finding her political voice — Women's rights and opportunities in the workplace — Equal pay and helping women achieve financial independence — Rural healthcare and Alabama's hospital crisis — Why she believes nurses deserve higher wages — Roads, bridges, and infrastructure in rural Alabama — Livable wages and the rising cost of living — Bringing more industry and jobs to rural communities — Keeping Alabama families from leaving their hometowns — The importance of research, evidence, and accountability in government Katie argues that well-paying jobs, stronger schools, better infrastructure, and accessible healthcare are essential to keeping Alabama communities strong. She also shares why she believes political leaders need to be visible, accessible, and willing to listen to the people they represent. This is a conversation about more than partisan politics. It's about work, family, opportunity, rural Alabama, and what it takes to build communities where people can afford to stay and thrive. 🎧 Listen +. Subscribe on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow the show on social media: @raisedredlivingblue Jason Will Alabama Native Progressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/ Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co. Licensed Since 2004 ☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728 🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com Wanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback? 👉 https://forms.gle/1sn85LWHVm22KNMH6

Who has been a guest on Raised Red, Living Blue

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jamie Miller
• Joey Morris
• Lindsay Sport
• Kat O’Neil
• Justin Jones

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

4,657,783,116

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.3 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

3.7 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

71

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

32