The assassination of Charlie Kirk shocked the nation and exposed just how divided our political realities have become. In this episode, Chad Peace and Cara McCormick reflect on the tragedy, the need for unity, and what history teaches us about coming together after moments of crisis.

They also delve into the chaotic New York City mayoral race to explain why New York needs ranked-choice voting in the general election, and how closed primaries continue to shut out millions of voters. From New York to California, the conversation highlights how both major parties manipulate election rules to preserve power while independent voters are left on the outside looking in.

Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at IVN.us and olasmedia.com.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - The Shock of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
00:02:20 - Living in Different Realities
00:04:30 - Remembering 9/11 and the Lost Sense of Unity
00:05:55 - New York’s Mayoral Race and Ranked Choice Fallout
00:10:00 - Closed Primaries and Voter Exclusion
00:14:25 - California’s Nonpartisan Primary and Redistricting Battle
00:19:30 - Fear-Based Politics and the Stakes of Power
00:23:40 - Finding Common Ground and Healing the Divide

The assassination of Charlie Kirk shocked the nation and exposed just how divided our political realities have become. In this episode, Chad Peace and Cara McCormick reflect on the tragedy, the need for unity, and what history teaches us about coming together after moments of crisis.
They also delve into the chaotic New York City mayoral race to explain why New York needs ranked-choice voting in the general election, and how closed primaries continue to shut out millions of voters. From New York to California, the conversation highlights how both major parties manipulate election rules to preserve power while independent voters are left on the outside looking in.
Listen to more episodes and join the conversation at <a href="IVN.us">IVN.us</a> and <a href="olasmedia.com">olasmedia.com</a>.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - The Shock of Charlie Kirk&rsquo;s Assassination 00:02:20 - Living in Different Realities 00:04:30 - Remembering 9/11 and the Lost Sense of Unity 00:05:55 - New York&rsquo;s Mayoral Race and Ranked Choice Fallout 00:10:00 - Closed Primaries and Voter Exclusion 00:14:25 - California&rsquo;s Nonpartisan Primary and Redistricting Battle 00:19:30 - Fear-Based Politics and the Stakes of Power 00:23:40 - Finding Common Ground and Healing the Divide

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we.
The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today’s political narratives. We focus on two things:
 (1) Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and
 (2) Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas.

We’ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians—even anarchists. And depending on the article, they’re all true.
We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you’re in the right place.
This the Independent Voter Podcast..

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we. The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today&rsquo;s political narratives. We focus on two things: &nbsp;(1)&nbsp;Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and &nbsp;(2)&nbsp;Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas.
We&rsquo;ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians&mdash;even anarchists. And depending on the article, they&rsquo;re all true. We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you&rsquo;re in the right place. This the Independent Voter Podcast..

Independent Voter Podcast

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we.
The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today’s political narratives. We focus on two things:
 (1) Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and
 (2) Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas.

We’ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians—even anarchists. And depending on the article, they’re all true.
We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you’re in the right place.
This the Independent Voter Podcast.

Tired of being told what to think by partisan gatekeepers? So are we. The Independent Voter Podcast brings you conversations that challenge the two-party echo chamber and reject the false binaries dominating today&rsquo;s political narratives. We focus on two things: &nbsp;(1)&nbsp;Election reforms that increase real competition and voter choice, and &nbsp;(2)&nbsp;Policy issues that defy the black-and-white frameworks set by national party agendas.
We&rsquo;ve been called everything: liberals, undercover Republicans, progressives, socialists, libertarians&mdash;even anarchists. And depending on the article, they&rsquo;re all true. We are open to any voice that follows our simple etiquette. If you believe political independence is a mindset, not a middle ground, you&rsquo;re in the right place. This the Independent Voter Podcast.