Today we're heading west – to the Rocky Mountains, to be specific – because Colorado is one of the most fascinating political stories of our Primed for 2026 series. Gov. Jared Polis is term-limited and can't run again, which means for the first time in eight years, Colorado Democrats get to decide who their next leader is going to be. In a state where Republicans haven't won a governor's race since Bill Owens was reelected back in 2002, whoever wins that Democratic primary is almost certainly going to be the next governor. So the stakes? They're high.

Two candidates have emerged as the clear frontrunners: U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser. These are two serious, accomplished Democrats – and they've been going at it. They've been trading barbs at candidate forums, in fundraising emails, and on social media, each making the case that they're the one who can best fight for Colorado families and stand up to Washington.

In this week's Statement of the Case, Tyler Hack of the Christopher Street Project shares with Andy how it feels as a trans young person to go up against the full force of the Trump administration. Andy says it best: All children are children of God and nobody likes a bully.

And finally, Andy is back with John to talk his recent visit to JD Vance's hometown, Trump's cruel tweets and the latest on March Madness. Plus, an open invite to Wan'Dale Robinson to join the pod!

Let's get started.

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He grew up conservative in Grand Junction, Colorado. He did his own research. And somewhere along the way, he became one of the most compelling young voices in American politics.

This week, Governor Andy Beshear sits down with Dean Withers, the Gen Z content creator, debate champion, and civic advocate who went from viral Jubilee appearances to millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, to the stage at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Dean brings sharp wit and nuance to some of the toughest conversations in America: racial justice, climate policy, voting rights, and education reform. And he does it in a media landscape that almost always rewards the loudest voice in the room over the most thoughtful one.

Governor Beshear and Dean dig into his journey, how a kid from a conservative town changed his mind through his own research, what it was like to have the people around him react to that change, and how he ended up debating Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk in front of millions before most people his age had figured out their first apartment.

They talk about social media; the good, the bad, and the algorithm that rewards outrage over substance — and how Dean navigates that tension every single day while still trying to move the needle. They talk about what Gen Z actually wants from politics and whether this generation feels heard by the institutions that are supposed to serve them. And they get into the harder questions: whether Dean sees himself eventually running for office, his favorite way to escape and his not-so-secret talent.

Young people are telling us the one word they feel when they turn on the news is exhausted. Dean Withers has built his entire career inside that exhaustion – and somehow found a way to stay hopeful anyway. This conversation is about how.

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With incumbent Governor Brian Kemp term-limited and unable to seek re-election, Georgia Democrats are taking a serious run at the Governor’s office.

Andy sits down with the leading candidates vying for the Democratic nomination: former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond and former Georgia State Senator Jason Esteves. These are the kind of honest, substantive conversations Georgia voters deserve heading into the May 19th primary.

They dig into the issues hitting Georgians hardest right now: the cost of living, access to health care, the future of public education, and what it takes to build an economy that works for working families, not just those at the top. They talk about what makes this moment different, how each of them would govern a state that has become a true battleground, and why they believe they're the one who can finally end the Democratic Party's long drought in the Georgia governor's race.

Andy knows firsthand what it takes to win and govern in a red-leaning state with blue values, flipping Kentucky's governor's office and keeping it through record economic growth, a global pandemic, and some of the toughest political headwinds in the country. He's not here to pick a winner. He's here to have the real conversation Georgia voters need before they head to the polls.

Because who leads Georgia next doesn't just matter for Georgians, it matters for the direction of the entire country.

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This week marks a milestone: Episode 51 and nearly one year of the Andy Beshear Podcast. To celebrate, we're taking a break from our Prime for 2026 series to hear from the people who will shape what comes next.

Andy sits down with four young professionals for candid conversations about what the American dream means to their generation. From a middle school math teacher who immigrated from East Africa to a civil engineer navigating Louisville's infrastructure, a young entrepreneur building businesses at the intersection of gaming and politics, and a community advocate giving away prom dresses and fighting for her neighbors – these are the voices we should be listening to.

They talk about the weight of rent, skyrocketing grocery bills, the challenge of affording health care as a 25-year-old small business owner, and whether homeownership is even a realistic dream anymore. They open up about social media's grip on their mental health, the exhaustion of living inside a 24-hour news cycle, and why their generation craves compassion and accountability more than anything else.

Then, Andy joins the Johns – John Rabinowitz and John McConnell – to unpack a heavy week in the news: the U.S. entering military conflict with Iran, the longest State of the Union address in history, and what it all means for everyday Americans already stretched thin. But it's not all heavy, there's genuine good news out of Kentucky, including a record-breaking year for exports and a sixth straight top-five finish in economic development per capita. That's a big deal.

Plus, Andy shares details on his new book, Go and Do Likewise and reflects on the painful and powerful moments that shaped his story.

The Andy Beshear Podcast drops every week. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, on the SiriusXM app, or catch us on the Progress Channel on Sirius every Saturday at 11 a.m.

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This week on the Andy Beshear Podcast, Governor Andy Beshear sits down with leaders on the front lines of the biggest fights shaping our country, from statehouses to courtrooms.

First, New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman joins the conversation to talk public safety, constitutional policing, and building safer communities – plus a little baseball pride as the father of MLB star Alex Bregman.

Then, Oklahoma Democratic leader and candidate for governor Cyndi Munson shares her powerful story. Fom growing up in a working-class family to flipping a Republican-held seat she explains what it takes to run (and win) as a Democrat in a deep red state. The conversation dives into education, affordability, health care, and why balanced leadership matters now more than ever.

Finally, Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, breaks down the urgent legal battles underway to defend voting rights, protect SNAP benefits, push back against unlawful federal actions, and safeguard the Constitution.

Plus, In My Kentucky Accent Andy shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling limiting Donald Trump's presidential tariff power and why the rule of law still matters.

This is a packed episode you won’t want to miss.

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This week on the Andy Beshear Podcast, we’re looking north to the great state of Maine for a conversation with five Democratic primary gubernatorial candidates stepping up to shape the future of the Pine Tree State.

Andy sits down with Shenna Bellows, Angus King III, Hannah Pingree, Troy Jackson, and Nirav Shah for an honest conversation about leadership, rural communities, economic opportunity, and what it means to govern with integrity in a politically divided era.

From protecting reproductive freedom and strengthening public education to supporting working waterfronts, small businesses, and the people who keep Maine running, each candidate shares their vision for the state – and how their personal journeys have shaped their approach to public service.

Andy also digs into what it takes to win as a Democrat in a state that values independence, common sense, and results over rhetoric.

It’s a thoughtful, spirited conversation about the future of Maine – and what strong, steady leadership looks like in 2026.

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We're back in the Big Apple at the SiriusXM HQ for a brand new episode featuring Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about legacy, loyalty, and what it really means to lead.

From growing up in New York to becoming the face of Kentucky basketball, Pitino opens up about arriving at the University of Kentucky in the late ’80s when the program was climbing out of one of its toughest chapters, and what rebuilding trust with players, fans, and an entire commonwealth looked like day-by-day. He reflects on his time at University of Louisville and what he learned from the less than ideal ending. We talk about Bad Bunny's SuperBowl performance, the extreme division in America, heated rivalries and how Pitino handles politics both on and off the court.

Plus, the Jo(h)ns are back in business for a conversation among friends. We're covering the SuperBowl halftime show reviews, catching up on everything you may have missed offscreen with our Primed for 2026 candidates and what's to come next for the Podcast. And Andy's daughter, Lila, brings us a brand new Gen Z Lingo: cooked vs. cooking. Hint: Neither of them have to do with a kitchen.

It's a can't-miss episode whether you're a basketball fan or not – we're cooking this week and you don't wanna miss out. Tune in now!

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Amy’s story is deeply Ohio-rooted and anything but easy. Raised in Youngstown, she grew up facing poverty, abuse, hunger, and periods of homelessness. She put herself through college and medical school, completed her residency and went on to serve as a doctor, public health expert, and Director of the Ohio Department of Health. Across party lines, Amy built a reputation for steady leadership, problem-solving, and putting people first.

We dig into the rising stakes of the Ohio governor’s race – from new polling and the economic pressures facing working families, to Vivek's baffling choice to call Medicaid a “mistake.” Amy shares her take on what it all means for families, communities, and the future of the Buckeye state.

And because this is the Andy Beshear Podcast, the episode isn’t all policy. We talk about Amy's love for Ohio and Ohioans and yes, a detour into a certain Raising Cane’s parking lot moment...

Don't miss this week's conversation with the Jo(h)ns to talk about the most recent ICE updates in Minnesota, the latest Epstein file release and some SuperBowl predictions. (Bad Bunny mentioned!)

This week's In My Kentucky Accent is all about Black History Month – the Trump's administration can try to cover it up, but Black history is American history. And it's everywhere.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts, on the SiriusXM app, or Saturdays at 11 a.m. ET on SiriusXM Progress.

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