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In this episode, Olivia chats with IBMA award winning musician Jim Hurst about the evolving political landscape in the United States since 2016. Jim reflects on his experiences as a musician in Nashville, noting how COVID-19 has shaped political conversations among his peers. They dive into the challenges of navigating political discourse in a polarized environment and explore the importance of maintaining open dialogue, even when opinions differ. Throughout the conversation, Jim emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and fair representation in political discussions.
Jim and Olivia also explore the influence of media on shaping political views, the role entertainers play in expressing their political beliefs, and the critical importance of voting for the future. Jim reflects on his upbringing and shares personal stories, expressing concern over issues like the treatment of women and minorities in the workplace. The discussion touches on how misinformation can influence public opinion and highlights the need for musicians to stay engaged in political discourse despite potential backlash.
The episode concludes on a lighter note, with Jim sharing his love for food and family, reminding listeners of the simple joys in life. He encourages community involvement and helping others, tying these values back to the larger conversation on politics, empathy, and understanding in today’s world.
You can learn more about Jim Hurst on his website: https://jimhurst.com/
Check out Jim Hurst’s newest single, One More Lonesome Train here!
Make sure to follow Jim Hurst on Facebook too: https://www.facebook.com/JimHurstMusicPage
Mentioned in this episode:
Are you ready to vote?
Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com
Learn More About Vote Without Fear
It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.
What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
*this is not legal advice, but we wanted to share some general information
In person voting with a paper ballot: If you make a mistake on your ballot you can and should totally ask for a new ballot! Do NOT try to cross out or cover up the mistake, just pop over to the poll worker and let them know you made a mistake and need a new ballot.
In person voting on an electronic voting booth: You do not need to vote quickly, take a breath and make sure your selections are what you meant to chose. If for some reason the machine is not able to select what you’d like or acting funny — pop out and find a poll worker!
Absentee or mail in ballots: If you were sent a PDF to print out of your ballot, rip up the mistake (in tiny pieces!) and print it off again. If you were sent a paper ballot in the mail, call your local election board ASAP.
Most importantly, we want to encourage you to vote intentionally and without rushing — there is no reason to rush through this process, take a breath and take a moment to make sure you’re filling out your ballot correctly.
More information here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-ifi-make-a-mistake-on-my-ballot
Mentioned in this episode:
Learn More About Vote Without Fear
It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.
Are you ready to vote?
Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com
*this is not legal advice, but we wanted to share some general information
Early voting is a great choice for a number of reasons - given the extended nature of early voting the lines are usually shorter and voting becomes an easy, fast activity that fits into your schedule. Additionally, if you can vote on an alternate day (early) it relieves the polls on day of voting, meaning people who can only vote on election day will be met with shorter lines and poll workers will have a less stressful, rushed day - leading to improved poll worker performance. Early voting is also shown to increase voter turn out, as populations who might not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day are given the opportunity to participate in person voting at dates and times they are available.
Further, early voting allows campaign funds to be allocated to more necessary resources. Once you are marked as having voted, campaigns are more likely to remove you from door knocking and phone lists— this also allows the volunteers to focus on those voters who might benefit more from the outreach.
Check out your early voting options HERE: https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/early-in-person-voting
More information here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-ifi-want-to-vote-early
Mentioned in this episode:
Learn More About Vote Without Fear
It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.
Are you ready to vote?
Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com
We chatted with Meecham Whitson Meriweather, a culture writer, screenwriter, and soon-to-be author whose work has been featured in outlets like Vulture, New York Magazine, Men’s Health, and more. Meecham shares his journey from studying architecture to becoming a prominent voice in pop culture, diving into topics like the evolving nature of modern dating, the impact of celebrity relationships on public perception, and the importance of representation in media. He also discusses how his early writing experiences helped shape his career and the importance of storytelling in influencing society.
Meecham reflects on the cultural shifts in how we view celebrities, noting that society often owes apologies to women who have been unfairly treated in the spotlight. He emphasizes the need for diverse stories in media, while also acknowledging the growing portrayal of anti-heroes and how this influences our perception of character in film and television. The conversation also touches on the impact of influential media from childhood, the art of self-care, and how culinary experiences can be part of that practice.
Meecham shares his thoughts on upcoming projects and how they represent fresh starts and new opportunities. He offers insights into embracing individuality, encouraging listeners to be okay with "cringe" moments, and highlights the importance of both representation and self-care in navigating today’s pop culture landscape.
Meecham Whitson Meriweather is a culture writer, screenwriter and forthcoming author whose work has appeared in Vulture, New York Mag, Men’s Health, InStyle and more—you’ve no doubt seen his tweets if you don’t have him blocked—and he currently writes the pop culture newsletter Now That I Mention It on Substack.
You can follow Meech on Twitter: https://x.com/MediumSizeMeech
Read his Substack here: https://meechammeriweather.substack.com/
Mentioned in this episode:
Join the Fresh Starts Collective!
Whether you're an ambitious entrepreneur, a dedicated student, a heads down writer or simply striving to achieve your professional goals, the Fresh Starts Collective is here for you. We believe that surrounding yourself with a supportive community can be the key to unlocking your full potential. The Fresh Starts Collective offers daily community gathering - whether it’s VirtualCo-Working and Body Doubling, Open Office Hours or Accountability Hour - community support and growth, networking opportunities and access to marketing, design and writing professionals to bounce ideas off of, pick the brains of or crowd source some ideas. The Fresh Starts Collective is $35/month.
Become a Fresh Starts Expert!
What is the Fresh Starts Expert Membership? The Fresh Starts Expert Membership is a business membership for entrepreneurs, experts, and small business owners to support them in business development, marketing efforts, public relations, networking, and community engagement. The membership includes a standalone profile on Fresh Starts Registry's website, weekly virtual coworking, open hours business coaching, and accountability groups, as well as exclusive press and media opportunities, workshops, seminars, a content and video library of resources, a podcast episode, and so much more. Membership is $55/month. Fresh Starts Registry is the first and only support registry platform for people to access the items and experts they need during life transitions. Fresh Starts has been featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Today Show, and more. It was founded in 2021 by sisters Olivia Dreizen Howell and Genevieve Dreizen. Who can be an expert? An expert is simply a small business owner, freelancer, entrepreneur, solopreneur, writer, creator, podcaster - or more! See HERE for a list of potential expert types. We are open to any and all expert types. What are the benefits of joining Fresh Starts? Joining Fresh Starts as an expert offers numerous benefits for professionals passionate about guiding individuals through life transitions. For just $55 a month, you gain access to a thriving community, complete with business development support, marketing tools, coaching, and networking opportunities. Your profile will be SEO-optimized, making it easier for clients to find you. You'll also enjoy press and media exposure, weekly offers including workshops and events, and a supportive network to share insights and celebrate successes.
What if I want to wear my candidate’s name to vote? Bit of bad news for you on that one — you can’t appear to be endorsing a candidate or campaigning at the polls. The distance from the polling location to where one is allowed to campaign and/or endorse vary state to state so it’s better to ditch your candidate’s name and rock some red, white and/or blue or wear a shirt that simply promotes voting — which is totally allowed. For specifics check out this chart from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Learn more here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-ifi-want-to-wear-a-shirt-with-who-i-am-going-to-vote-for-to-vote
Mentioned in this episode:
Learn More About Vote Without Fear
It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.
Are you ready to vote?
Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com