United SHE Stands

In episode 199, we sit down with Daquan Neal, whose race for Ohio House District 39 is one of eight seats that could help break the Republican supermajority. We get into his affordability-first platform, his social media strategy, and what winning would mean for the district.Daquan Neal is running for Ohio House District 39, which includes the North Dayton area, like Huber Heights, and parts of Union, Englewood, Northridge, and Shiloh. ​As a young adult, Daquan faced one of the darkest periods imaginable. He battled severe depression, dropped out of college twice, and was diagnosed with Stage III kidney failure. Instead of giving up, he chose to fight for his health, his future, and his purpose. That fight transformed him into the leader he is today.​Daquan returned to school with renewed determination and graduated from Central State University, an Ohio HBCU. He earned dual degrees in Psychology and Political Science, with additional studies in Philosophy. He then worked in the Ohio Senate before transitioning to the Ohio House of Representatives, gaining experience in both chambers of the Ohio State government. He even worked as a legislative aide to create a direct pipeline from Central State University to the Ohio House of Representatives for Career and internship opportunities for students.Daquan continues to uplift young people as an instructor for the Certified Basic Automotive Maintenance Program at T-8 Auto Sales, helping teens and young adults gain hands-on skills, confidence, and career readiness.Resources:* Daquan’s Campaign Website* Social Media:* Instagram* TikTok* FacebookWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 198, Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General John Kulewicz joins us to explain what the AG actually does and make his case for why he should be the state’s next one.John Kulewicz grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He learned the values of hard work and independent judgment from his parents and grandparents, who came from Martins Ferry and Cincinnati, and saw firsthand the importance of good jobs and union membership to the economy of Ohio. John has spent his law career challenging conventional wisdom and taking on uphill battles. As a 44-year member of the Columbus-based law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, he successfully argued and won cases against the odds in the Supreme Court of the United States and courts throughout Ohio. He recently published a book, An Ohioan’s Odyssey: Lessons in Leadership, Law, and Public Service.In politics, Kulewicz has consistently defied expectations, most recently in his own two campaigns for Upper Arlington City Council, where he was the leading vote-getter both times. In his re-election effort, he won more votes than any UA City Council candidate in a contested election since adoption of the city charter seven decades ago.John earned his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. He earned his B.A. in American history from The Ohio State University.Outside of work, he is an accomplished long-distance swimmer and certified lifeguard. He lives with his wife Maryline in Upper Arlington where he has served on the City Council since 2020. He and Maryline are the proud parents of Adam and Abigail.Resources:* John’s Campaign Website* Social Media* Instagram* Facebook* X/TwitterWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 197, we sit down with two candidates fighting for rural Ohio’s future: Katie Koehler Wagner, running for Ohio House District 80, and Colton Stidam, running for House District 76. Both are pushing back on a statehouse they say has left working families and small communities behind.Katie Koehler Wagner is running for Ohio House District 80, which includes Troy, Piqua, and goes all the way west to the Indiana border. Katie is a 38-year-old mother, teacher, and lifelong advocate for doing what’s right. She and her husband are proud to raise their four children here, instilling in them the values of hard work and community service.Katie never had political ambitions. But she’s watched life get harder for her neighbors, students, and family while politicians fail to deliver real solutions. After listening to people across Miami and Darke counties, she heard the same frustrations again and again: decisions made behind closed doors, and local voices ignored.Staying on the sidelines felt like a betrayal of her values and her children’s future. So she turned to civic engagement, helping people understand how local and state decisions shape their lives — work that led to The Village, a Facebook community where neighbors share information, organize, and support each other.Now she wants to bring that voice to Columbus with H.O.P.E.: affordable and accessible Healthcare, Opportunities to prosper, good Public schools, and affordable Energy for homes and businesses.Katie Resources:* Katie Wagner for Ohio* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* FacebookColton Stidam is running for State Representative in Ohio’s 76th District, which includes parts of Richland county like Mansfield, Bellville, Shelby and the surrounding areas. Colton, 29, was born and raised in Shelby, Ohio, in a proud union family. Today, Colton works in IT for the Mansfield City School District alongside his wife, who is a science teacher in the district. They live in Mansfield.A strong advocate for his community, Colton has spent years volunteering with local organizations that provide food, resources, and support to underserved residents. He has also spearheaded community cleanup projects, working hands on to make his community a better place for everyone.Colton’s involvement in local politics began with the Shelby Area Democratic Club, where he became an active voice at community events and a well known presence at protests and demonstrations. He later joined the Richland County Young Democrats, where he was elected Vice President of Membership.Colton is running on a simple belief: Ohio should work for everyone, not just those at the top. He believes in fully funding our public schools, protecting and strengthening workers’ right to organize through their unions, and making everyday life more affordable for working families across Ohio.Colton Resources: * Stidam for State* Social Media* Instagram* TikTok* Facebook* Ohio House Bill 810We’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 196, we sit down with sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild to explore the pride, shame, and empathy at the heart of her book, Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right. We talk about her seven years in Appalachia and what that experience reveals about America’s political divide ahead of a pivotal midterm election.Hochschild is the author of many groundbreaking books, including The Second Shift, The Managed Heart, and The Time Bind as well as Strangers in Their Own Land, which became an instant bestseller and was a finalist for a National Book Award, and Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right (both from The New Press). She is professor emeritus of sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. She lives in Berkeley with her husband, the writer Adam Hochschild.Resources: * Buy Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right* In Kentucky’s coal country, a community is working to heal political divisions - PBS News* Other Books by Arlie Russell HochschildWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe

In episode 195, we sit down with Judge Marilyn Zayas to unpack a race that’s important but often overlooked: the Ohio Supreme Court. She breaks down what’s really at stake on the state’s highest court, and why she’s stepping up to run for it.Judge Marilyn Zayas is a highly respected Ohio judge. For nearly ten years she has served at Ohio’s Court of Appeals, a court that is directly below the Supreme Court of Ohio. This year she is running for the Ohio Supreme Court. Raised in a tough neighborhood plagued by drugs and crime by parents who migrated from Puerto Rico, she learned the value of hard work, integrity, and service from an early age.Judge Zayas has decided thousands of cases across Ohio. She faithfully determines cases on the Constitution, the law and independent of political influence. Last year, she was selected by the Chief Justice to replace a recused justice at our Ohio Supreme Court, three times in a 40-day window, an unprecedented honor.As the first Latina elected to any Ohio Court of Appeals, she embraces the responsibility of serving as a role model and mentor to others. Since 2017 she has hosted over 2,000 students at her Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders Program, teaching students about Ohio’s courts and inspiring them to dream big. Her judicial excellence and community contributions have earned national recognition.Resources: * Judge Zayas’ Campaign Website* Social Media: * Instagram* FacebookWe’re bringing together digital creators from across the state to build a powerful digital organizing network called Ohio Creators for Progress. Support and donate to this effort below! ⬇️Connect with United SHE Stands:* Substack* Instagram* TikTok* YouTube* Threads* Buy us a coffee ☕️This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe