Hold 'em Accountable

Every June, America has the same conversation.Why do we still have Pride Month?Haven't we already achieved equality?Why is it still necessary?In this special mini-sode of Hold 'em Accountable, Derrick Holder steps away from politics, utility monopolies, healthcare systems, and economic policy to explore a different question:Why does Pride Month still matter in 2026?The answer isn't about politics.It's about history.For many younger Americans, it's easy to assume the rights and freedoms enjoyed today have always existed. But there are millions of people still living who remember when being openly LGBTQIA+ could cost someone a job, housing, family relationships, social standing, or personal safety.That history isn't ancient.It's living memory.This episode examines the origins of Pride, the meaning behind the word itself, and why remembering the struggles that came before us matters regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum.Pride was never simply about celebration.For many people, it was about rejecting shame.It was about the belief that no one should have to apologize for existing.In this mini-sode, we discuss:• Why Pride Month began• The history many Americans never learned• The difference between pride and arrogance• Why dignity and visibility matter• The importance of remembering civil rights struggles• How democracy requires recognizing each other's humanity• Why disagreement and respect can coexist• The role of LGBTQIA+ Americans in modern society• Why history matters regardless of political affiliation• A personal reflection from Derrick on being intersexThis episode isn't a loyalty test.You don't have to agree with every activist, organization, or political position to recognize a simple truth:Every American deserves to live free from discrimination, violence, harassment, and fear.That shouldn't be controversial.That should be the floor.At its core, this conversation is about something bigger than politics.It's about dignity.It's about remembering that the people affected by these debates are often our neighbors, coworkers, friends, family members, veterans, teachers, healthcare workers, and fellow citizens.And it's about understanding that progress rarely happens because society magically changes. Progress happens because ordinary people decide that exclusion and fear are not acceptable ways to treat one another.Whether you're celebrating Pride Month, questioning it, or simply trying to understand it better, this episode offers a thoughtful conversation about history, visibility, citizenship, and the importance of recognizing each other's humanity.Watch now and join the conversation.What do you think Pride Month represents in 2026?Hosted by Derrick Holder, retired Marine, Managing Editor of Progressive Indiana Network, and host of Hold 'em Accountable.No spin.No talking points.Just receipts.You can also ask Alexa to play Hold 'em Accountable with Derrick Holder.#PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #Equality #CivilRights #HoldEmAccountable

What happens when Washington policies hit real life in Indiana’s 4th Congressional District?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Joe Mackey to break down the reality facing Hoosiers across one of the most diverse districts in the state—from Lafayette and Purdue University to rural farm communities, small towns, and growing suburbs.This isn’t theory. This is what people are dealing with right now:Rising healthcare costs that are crushing familiesRural communities losing access to doctors, broadband, and opportunityFarmers struggling with consolidation, global competition, and collapsing marketsHousing affordability pushing young families outEducation gaps between urban and rural schoolsJoe Mackey brings a blue-collar, manufacturing background and years of grassroots involvement across Indiana’s 4th District. In this conversation, he lays out why he believes both parties have missed the mark—and why representation should focus on real outcomes, not political loyalty.We dig into:✔️ Healthcare reform and the reality of access in rural Indiana✔️ The housing crisis and solutions like workforce and starter homes✔️ Why agriculture policy needs a complete reset✔️ Education inequality and broadband gaps in rural schools✔️ The fight for small businesses vs corporate consolidation✔️ Infrastructure, water management, and long-term planningThis district includes communities like Lafayette, Frankfort, Delphi, Greencastle, Avon, Plainfield, Zionsville, and Martinsville—and each one faces different challenges. The question is: can one voice represent them all?That’s what this conversation is about.👉 If you care about Indiana politics, working-class issues, rural America, or the future of Congressional leadership—this is one you don’t want to miss.🎙️ About the Show:Hold ’em Accountable is about cutting through political noise and focusing on what actually impacts people—policy, accountability, and real conversations with the people asking for your vote.#IndianaPolitics #RuralAmerica #JoeMackey #HealthcareCrisis #HoldEmAccountable

In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Todd Shelton, Democratic candidate for Indiana State House District 25, to talk about what it actually feels like when factories close, wages stall, and communities are left behind—and what real leadership should look like in response.Todd isn’t speaking from theory.He worked at General Motors. He lived through a plant shutdown. He saw jobs shipped overseas and stepped up as a union committeeman to fight for working families who didn’t have a voice. That experience shaped everything that came next—military service, higher education through the GI Bill, teaching, and building a small business right here in Indiana.This conversation dives into the real issues facing District 25 (Anderson, Alexandria, Pendleton, Atlanta) and communities across Indiana:🔹 Job loss and economic recovery in working-class communities🔹 Workforce training and bringing back good-paying jobs🔹 Healthcare access and long wait times for Hoosiers🔹 Public school funding and teacher support🔹 Small business growth vs corporate advantage🔹 What accountability in government should actually look likeThis isn’t about party talking points.It’s about whether Indiana is going to keep sending the same voices to the Statehouse—or start sending people who’ve actually lived the consequences of those decisions.Todd Shelton is making the case that representation should come from experience, not distance.Now the question is: will voters agree?👇 Watch the full interview and decide for yourself.📢 Subscribe for more Indiana political interviews, debates, and accountability content:👉 @Holdemaccountable-g4c🎧 Also available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts#IndianaPolitics #ToddShelton #HoldEmAccountable #WorkingClassPolitics #IndianaElections

What happens when someone who’s actually lived the struggle steps into politics?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Jack Chance, Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 30, covering Kokomo, Greentown, Swayze, and surrounding communities.This isn’t a polished political pitch. This is a real conversation about what working-class Hoosiers are dealing with right now—and why so many feel like the system isn’t built for them anymore.Jack Chance isn’t a career politician. He’s worked fast food, loaded docks, welded metal, managed housing, and spent years helping families on the edge of losing everything. Now, he’s stepping up to run for office with a focus on housing affordability, labor rights, healthcare access, and economic dignity.We break down the issues that matter most in Indiana’s 30th District:🔹 Rising housing costs and why the “free market” isn’t so free🔹 Union jobs, right-to-work laws, and the future of manufacturing in Kokomo🔹 The EV transition and protecting Hoosier workers🔹 Rural neglect—why small towns like Greentown and Swayze keep getting left behind🔹 Public education funding and the fight over school vouchers🔹 Healthcare access, addiction, and the real cost of economic despair🔹 Utility costs, corporate profits, and who’s really paying the priceWe also put Jack through the Hold ’em or Fold ’em round—rapid-fire questions that cut through the talking points and get straight to where he stands.This conversation is about more than one candidate.It’s about whether working-class voices still have a path to representation in Indiana—and what happens when someone decides to stop managing the damage and start challenging the system itself.📍 If you live in Kokomo, Howard County, Grant County, or anywhere in Indiana, this is your conversation too.👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments.Do you think the system is working for working families—or against them?🎙️ Subscribe for more real conversations with candidates across Indiana#IndianaPolitics #WorkingClass #UnionJobs #AffordableHousing #HoldEmAccountable

If you live in Indiana State Senate District 29, you’re already feeling it.The traffic. The construction. The rapid development. The rising property taxes. The pressure on schools and infrastructure. But the bigger question is this:👉 Who is this growth actually working for… and who’s stuck paying for it?In this episode of Hold ’em Accountable, I sit down with Rev. David Greene, Sr. to break down the real issues impacting communities across West Clay, Zionsville, Traders Point, Eagle Creek, Clermont, and Chapel Hill.This isn’t political spin. This is about what’s happening on your street, in your schools, and in your wallet.We dive into the biggest challenges facing District 29 and Indiana voters heading into the 2026 election:🔹 Property taxes and rising home insurance costs🔹 Smart growth vs unchecked development🔹 Public school funding and teacher shortages🔹 Traffic congestion and infrastructure planning🔹 Protecting Eagle Creek and water quality🔹 Mental health access and healthcare affordability🔹 Government accountability and transparencyDistrict 29 sits at the crossroads of suburban expansion and long-established neighborhoods. And right now, families are asking real questions:Are developers being held accountable?Are taxpayers footing the bill for poor planning?Are decisions being made with the community… or for it?Rev. David Greene, Sr. brings a perspective shaped by decades of community leadership, public service, and coalition building. His focus is on affordability, accountability, and protecting quality of life for the people who already live here.Because this isn’t just about growth.It’s about whether that growth benefits Hoosiers… or burdens them.📌 If you care about Indiana politics, local elections, property taxes, education, or the future of your community, this is a conversation you need to hear.👉 Subscribe for more candidate interviews, policy breakdowns, and real conversations that hold leaders accountable.#IndianaPolitics #PropertyTaxes #LocalGovernment #Election2026 #HoldEmAccountable