Oliver Bardwell Podcast

This was one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had on the podcast.What started as a one-hour interview turned into a deep, wide-ranging discussion on the biggest issues facing Iowa today — and why they matter for the future of our state.Gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn doesn’t give surface-level answers. He walks through the systems, incentives, and root causes behind what we’re seeing in Iowa.We cover:* The rise in cancer rates and concerns around water quality* The loss of family farms and the future of agriculture* Regenerative farming and restoring soil health* Property rights, land ownership, and corporate consolidation* Parental rights and medical freedom (including SF304)* The future of education and innovative school models* How to bring young people back to IowaThis is Part 1 of a longer conversation — and we’re already planning Part 2.If you care about the future of Iowa, this is a must-listen.Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Why Zach Lahn is Running04:30 The Four Core Issues Facing Iowa06:00 Cancer Rates & Water Quality Concerns10:00 Data Gaps & Public Health Transparency12:00 What’s in Iowa’s Water? Nitrates & Chemicals17:45 Farming Practices & Environmental Impact22:00 Glyphosate, Paraquat & Chemical Exposure26:00 Who Decides “Safe” Levels?30:00 Corporate Influence & Liability Debate33:00 Solutions: Accountability & State Action36:00 Saving Family Farms & Ending Consolidation43:00 Land Ownership & Foreign Influence47:00 Regenerative Farming Explained52:00 Organic Farming Economics & Profitability58:00 Local Food Systems & Iowa Schools1:03:00 Parental Rights & Medical Freedom (SF304)1:10:00 Vaccine Policy & Government Role1:13:00 Education Decline in Iowa1:14:30 Wonder Schools & Education Innovation1:20:00 Socratic Learning & Critical Thinking1:28:00 Building Character & Life Skills in Students1:36:00 Fixing Public Education in Iowa1:41:00 The Future of Education & Workforce Readiness1:49:00 Final Thoughts & Vision for Iowa🎙️ The Oliver Bardwell Podcasthttps://oliverbardwell.com👉 Join the movement:https://patreon.com/OliverBardwell👉 Iowans for Freedom:https://iowansforfreedom.com

In this episode of The Oliver Bardwell Podcast, I sit down with Brad Sherman, candidate for Governor of Iowa, for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, family, grassroots politics, medical freedom, property taxes, energy, and what it really takes to run statewide in Iowa.Brad shares his personal story, what shaped his convictions, how personal loss deepened his sense of calling, and what separates him from the other candidates in this race. We also discuss emergency powers, constitutional guardrails, grassroots activism, and the growing divide between establishment politics and the people on the ground.This was a powerful and honest conversation about leadership, service, freedom, and the future of Iowa.Drill It Inc. – Directional Drilling & Underground UtilitiesElectric • Water • Sewer • Fiber • Geothermalhttps://drillitinc.comIf you appreciate these conversations and want to support independent media and grassroots efforts in Iowa, join my Patreon:https://patreon.com/oliverbardwellLearn More About Brad Shermanhttps://www.shermanforiowa.com0:00 Why Anyone Would Run for Office0:06 Campaign Update and Signature Collection3:14 Raising Patriotic Children in a Progressive Environment6:01 Personal Journey and Leadership Development9:02 Political Involvement and Running for Office12:15 Impact of Personal Loss on Political Aspirations15:03 Running for Governor: Motivations and Timing18:15 The Role of Primaries in Political Growth21:12 Foundations of Freedom and Medical Freedom Advocacy24:18 Constitutional Guardrails and Individual Liberty27:13 Executive Actions and Long-Term Vision28:35 Sponsor – Drill It Inc.30:39 Grassroots Experience and Political Distinction32:37 Grassroots Activism and Party Dynamics40:27 Establishment vs. Grassroots: A Candidate’s Perspective45:23 The Personal Journey: Family and Commitment to Service52:23 COVID-19 and Emergency Powers: A Legislative Perspective57:02 Property Taxes and Transparency in Government Spending1:02:04 International Relations: The Iran Situation and National SecurityBrad Sherman, Iowa Governor Race, Iowa politics, Oliver Bardwell Podcast, grassroots politics, medical freedom, emergency powers, property taxes, Iowa Republican primary, constitutional rights, Iowa governor candidate interview

I recently sat down with former Iowa State Senator Jim Carlin for a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges facing our country today - from inflation and government spending to healthcare reform, medical freedom, and the future of the American middle class.Jim shares why he believes America must audit the Federal Reserve, restore fiscal responsibility, and push back against the growing influence of Big Pharma in our healthcare system. We also talk about grassroots campaigning, faith in leadership, and what it will take to rebuild trust in our institutions.Jim has spent years in public service and is now taking his message directly to voters. In this conversation we dig into the economic challenges facing the country, the fight for medical freedom, and what it will take to restore trust in American leadership.Chapters00:00 Introduction and guest background02:15 Concerns about the economy and middle-class wealth04:23 Inflation as a hidden tax and government spending08:48 Why we should audit the Federal Reserve11:50 Healthcare system challenges and Big Pharma17:20 Campaign strategy and grassroots organizing20:18 Running as an underdog candidate23:26 Campaign finance and Citizens United30:41 Medical freedom and vaccine safety38:25 Faith and leadership39:43 Patriotism and the future of AmericaConnect with Jim CarlinWebsitehttps://carlinforussenate.com/Support The Oliver Bardwell PodcastIf you enjoy conversations like this and want to support independent media, consider joining our Patreon community.Join here:https://www.patreon.com/oliverbardwellSponsorThis episode is sponsored by Gorilla Covers — incredibly strong window well covers built right here in Iowa.Learn more at:https://thegorillacover.com/

In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, I sit downwith Senator Jesse Green and State Representative Henry Stone to discuss the issues shaping Iowa’s future — and the growing need to bridge divides withinthe Iowa Legislature.  We cover the real tension between the Iowa House and Senate, the fallout from last session’s eminent domain battle, and why property taxes remain the number one concern I heard while knocking thousands of doors acrossthe state. From public health governance and vaccine legislation to education reform, school choice, and fiscal responsibility, this episode takes listeners inside the legislative process with honesty and depth. This episode is sponsored by Gorilla Covers👉https://basementwindowwellcover.com/ The conversation also moves beyond policy into leadership,faith, and character — including how personal journeys, military service, shared values, and experiences abroad (including Israel) shape how these leaders approach public service, democracy, and difficult decisions. This episode is for anyone who wants a clearer understandingof where Iowa is headed — politically, culturally, and spiritually — and what it will take to govern well in a divided moment. Chapters00:00 Opening Remarks and Session Overview04:59 Property Tax Challenges and Solutions09:54 Eminent Domain and Pipeline Issues15:10 Legislative Dynamics and Internal Politics20:03 Child Protection and Education Initiatives24:47 Health and Vaccine Legislation30:11 Public Health Governance and Future Directions33:11 Faith as a Guiding Principle in Politics39:40 Personal Journeys: From Military to Politics43:34 Diverse Backgrounds, Common Faith48:44 The Impact of Faith on Political Decisions50:51 Insights from a Trip to Israel55:27 Support for Israel: A Political Perspective01:02:43 The Spiritual Element of Democracy01:03:43 Understanding the Context of Conflict01:06:29 The Iowa Governor’s Race Dynamics01:09:43 Authenticity and Competence in Leadership01:12:03 The Importance of Republican Governance01:14:44 Budget Surplus and Fiscal Responsibility01:17:10 Teacher Pay and Education Funding01:20:49 Innovations in Education and School Choice01:27:11 Integrity in Politics and Governance01:30:04 The Power of Language in Politics ❤️ SUPPORT THE SHOW If you value conversations like this and want to helpsupport independent, long-form dialogue, you can support the show on Patreonbelow: 👉https://www.patreon.com/OliverBardwell

The Iowa legislative session is about to begin, and this conversation is about what’s coming next.In this special session briefing, I’m joined by State Representative Steven Holt — a Marine Corps veteran who has served in the Iowa House for over a decade and currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee.We talk about legislative priorities, pressure points, and the issues that will matter most as lawmakers head back into the Capitol — including property rights, eminent domain, budget narratives, education policy, and the broader political landscape heading into this session.This is part of an ongoing effort to bring clear, grounded conversations to the forefront as the legislature convenes.Chapters 00:00 — The Iowa Legislature at the Starting LineSession structure, timelines, and what to expect as lawmakers convene02:31 — The Governor’s Race and the Political LandscapeContext around the race and its implications for the session05:41 — Eminent Domain and Property RightsWhy carbon pipeline policy remains a defining issue08:27 — Budget Management and Tax PolicyDebunking “budget crisis” narratives and discussing fiscal priorities11:04 — Education Policy and Curriculum DisputesParental rights, transparency, and unresolved school controversies13:42 — Social Issues and Community EngagementWhy local involvement matters more than ever16:44 — National Security and the Role of the StatesMilitary readiness, global instability, and state-level responsibility19:23 — What Comes NextUpcoming events, priorities, and where citizens can engageIf you find this conversation valuable, please like, subscribe, and share it with others who care about these issues. We’re grassroots, we’re independent, and we’re committed to moving the needle of freedom forward — not from the sidelines, but from where decisions are actually being made.You can support this work and help keep these conversations going at Patreon.com/OliverBardwell.oliverbardwell.com