Crashing The Political Party

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Crashing the Political Party is a podcast for curious but busy people who feel let down by the current political system and are looking for something different. Each episode features conversations with, or about, alternative political candidates, topics, and ideas you won’t hear about on mainstream news. If you're ready to explore fresh voices and real options beyond the usual talking heads and cable news shouting matches, this podcast is for you.

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20 episodes
Updated July 31

Episodes20

Newest first

July 31 · 30 min
Greg Lopez, Independent for Governor of Colorado
In this week's episode, AJ talks with Greg Lopez, an independent running for Governor of Colorado.
July 24
Collin Corbett, Independent for Governor of Illinois
This week, we're joined by Collin Corbett, an independent candidate for Governor of Illinois.
July 17 · 47 min
Wilneida Negron, Independent for NY-12
In this episode, we talk with Wilneida Negron, an independent candidate for NY-12, about her background, technology policy, ai, and the future of work.
July 10 · 31 min
Andre Easton, Independent Socialist for NY-15
This week we’re joined by Andre Easton, an independent Socialist running for Congress in the NY-15.
June 19 · 28 min
Austin Ahlman, Independent for NE-1
For this week, our guest is Austin Ahlman, an independent running for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District.
June 12 · 34 min
Ann Marie Danimus, Independent WA-5
In this episode, we talk with Ann Marie Danimus, an independent running for Washington’s 5th congressional district.
June 5 · 29 min
Brian Bengs, South Dakota Independent
For this episode, we head to South Dakota to speak with independent senate candidate Brian Bengs.
May 15 · 29 min
Ken Estes Jr., Farmer and Independent Congressional Candidate
This week, we’re joined by farmer and independent candidate for New York’s 24th Congressional District Ken Estes Jr.
April 24 · 29 min
Brian Reisinger, The Impact of the Iran Conflict on American Farmers
In the Season 5 premiere of our special "Hidden in Plain Sight" episodes, AJ sits down with farmer, author, and rural policy expert Brian Reisinger to unpack how the conflict with Iran is quietly reshaping American agriculture
April 17 · 31 min
Ty Pinkins, Independent Mississippi Senate Candidate
For this episode, we head down to Mississippi to talk with independent senate candidate Ty Pinkins.
April 10
Research Note #1
In our first Research Note mini-episode, AJ walks through one of his academic publications which tests the theory that alternative candidates would perform better in America under ranked choice voting than the current widely used electoral system.
April 3 · 44 min
Lindsay Church, Independent for IL-4
AJ is back with another conversation featuring an alternative candidate in the IL-4 race, sitting down with independent Lindsay Church. They get into the decision to run outside the two-party system, military service, perspectives on U.S. involvement in the Middle East, and how being trans shaped th
March 27 · 16 min
Patreon Exclusive: Five Minute Briefing
This week we're pulling back the curtain a bit and showing you a selection of our Patreon-exclusive show Five Minute Briefing, where Dr. AJ Simmons takes 5 minutes to highlight a news story we weren't able to cover on our regular show. This selection is from the first 3 shows.
March 20 · 22 min
Ed Hershey, Illinois Congressional Candidate of the Working Class Party
AJ and Ed talk about his background, who the party is, policy priorities, why the 4th congressional district is drawing so many alternative candidates, lessons learned in Ed's previous campaigns for office, how being a teacher and union organizer will shape his governing style should he win, what su
March 13 · 30 min
The American Solidarity Party, with Chairman Jack Ternan
For episode 5 of season 5, AJ is joined by Jack Ternan, chairman of the American Solidarity Party. AJ and Jack talk about who the ASP is, what sets them apart from the Democrats and Republicans, what Christian democracy means, some of the major policy positions of the party, the party's stance on th
March 6
Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Chicago Alderman, and Independent for IL-4
In this episode, AJ talks with Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez about his independent campaign for 4th congressional district in Illinois, why he's running as an independent, challenges he's faced going that route, his policy priorities, vying for voter attention in a five way race, what his gove
February 27 · 38 min
Discussing the Brand New Independence Party with Party Chair Rich Whitney
In episode three of season five, AJ sits down with Rich Whitney, chair of the recently formed Independence Party. They talk about who the party is, what some of their policy priorities are, what it looks like to start a new party, issues around collecting voter signatures, lessons learned from Rich'
February 20 · 22 min
Todd Achilles, Independent for Senate of Idaho
In this episode, AJ talks with Todd Achilles, a former state representative turned independent candidate for the U.S. senate election there. They talk about Todd's background, why he's running as an independent as opposed to one of the major or alternative parties, his policy priorities, what he hop
February 12 · 29 min
Season Five Premiere with the Chairman of the Constitution Party
In this season five premiere, AJ sits down with Justin Magill, Chairman of the Constitution Party. They talk about who the party is, some of their policy priorities, where they've had electoral success, what some of their goals are for 2026, strategies for growing the party, barriers to alternative
February 9 · 7 min
Office Hours: Season 5 Kick-Off
In this bonus kick-off episode, Crashing The Political Party shares expectations for our new super-sized season, as well as some exciting things happening on Patreon. To hear the entire conversation join us over at our Patreon