Crashing The Political Party

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Latest Episodes:

Season Two Finale: 1968 Third Party Presidential Campaign George Wallace and the Rise of Partisan Po May 23, 2025

To mark the end of Season Two, Dr. AJ Simmons fires up the Time Machine once again, this time landing in the chaotic presidential election of 1968. His focus is the third party presidential campaign of Alabama Governor George Wallace.

Joining AJ is Dr. Aram Goudsouzian, Bizot Family Professor of History at the University of Memphis and author of The Men and the Moment: The Election of 1968 and the Rise of Partisan Politics in America. Together, they explore why Wallace is often called the “Most Influential Loser” in American politics and how his campaign shaped the political landscape we live in today.

Working Families Party with Josh Michtom & Shontá Browdy May 16, 2025

This week, Dr. AJ Simmons sits down with City Councilmember Josh Michtom and School Board Member Shontá Browdy, elected officials in Hartford, Connecticut, and members of the Working Families Party. They discuss what the party stands for, breaking through in a city dominated by a major party, campaigning as third-party candidates, building coalitions, and staying true to their values in office.

Jim Walden - Independent Candidate For Mayor of New York City May 09, 2025

This week on Crashing the Political Party, we're joined by Jim Walden, an independent candidate for mayor of New York City. We dive into his vision for the city, what it means to run outside the two-party system, and how he plans to build a governing coalition in a deeply Democratic stronghold. Walden also shares his take on the biggest challenges facing New York, and how he thinks real change can happen.

Socialist Party USA with Greg Pason & Pat Noble May 01, 2025

It’s International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, and AJ is diving into the politics of the Socialist Party USA. In this episode, he sits down with Greg Pason, National Secretary of the SPUSA, and Pat Noble, a local elected SPUSA official, to explore the the party, their platform, why local elections matter for third parties, and what governing outside the two major parties looks like.

Dustin Pieper - American Solidarity Party City Councilmember Apr 25, 2025

In this episode, host Dr. AJ Simmons is joined by Dustin Pieper, a city councilmember in Batavia, Illinois and a member of the American Solidarity Party (ASP). They talk about what drew Dustin to the ASP, how the party’s "whole life" philosophy shapes his approach to local policymaking, and what it’s like to campaign and win outside the two major parties. Dustin also shares his insights on building unusual coalitions, navigating a nonpartisan council, and whether third-party candidates can gain real traction with voters.

Christina Henderson - Independent Member of Washington DC City Council Apr 18, 2025

In this episode, we sit down with Christina Henderson, an Independent member of the Washington, DC City Council. We dive into the unique structure of DC’s government and how it creates space for candidates outside the two major parties. Christina shares her thoughts on ranked choice voting, her policy priorities, what it was like to run in a race with 23 opponents, and more!

CPP Goes Canadian with Dr. Richard Johnston Apr 11, 2025

Hey there, bud! This week Crashing the Political Party goes Canadian! We’re joined by Dr. Richard Johnston, Professor emeritus of political science at the University of British Columbia, to discuss Canada’s multiparty democracy, upcoming election and why (and how) it got moved up several months, comparisons to America, and what Kiefer Sutherland has to do with Canadian politics.

Office Hours Apr 04, 2025

In this unlocked Patreon-exclusive episode Dr. AJ Simmons answers political questions and discusses season 1 and what's to come in season 2. If you'd like to join our Patreon and ask your own questions for Office Hours head over to https://www.patreon.com/c/CPPShow

Dr. Linda Moore - Mayoral Candidate for Quincy, Illinois Mar 21, 2025

Kickstarting Season Two, we sit down with Dr. Linda Moore, an independent candidate for Mayor of Quincy, Illinois. Tune in as we discuss her policy priorities, campaign journey, and what it means to run for office as an independent in today’s polarized landscape!

Howie Hawkins of the Green Party Feb 28, 2025

In our season 1 finale, Dr. AJ Simmons sits down with co-founder of the Green Party Howie Hawkins to discuss third party and independent politics. From the founding of the Green Party up to the present, join us as we wrap up our very first season! Like and subscribe to get ready for season 2

The 1948 U.S. Presidential Election Feb 21, 2025

Buckle up as we fire up the Time Machine with historian Dr. Keith Orejel to explore one of the most fascinating U.S. presidential elections in history: the 1948 election! With not one but two major third-party campaigns shaking things up, this race was anything but ordinary. There’s so much to unpack that this is our first supersized episode, so don’t miss it!

Chase Oliver of the Libertarian Party Feb 14, 2025

Do you love liberty? If so, we have a real Valentine’s Day gift for you with our 4th episode! We interviewed Chase Oliver of the Libertarian Party. We talked the platform of the LP, what makes them different than the two main parties, ballot access, campaigning, and more!

Laura Ebke of the Liberal Party Feb 07, 2025

Episode 3 is here! We chat with Dr. Laura Ebke of @LiberalParty_ about building a new political party, the Liberal Party USA’s platform, and how she ran for president unintentionally. Don’t miss it!

Joseph Kishore of the Socialist Equality Party Jan 31, 2025

In episode two of Crashing The Political Party Dr. AJ Simmons interviews Joseph Kishore of The Socialist Equality Party.

If you'd like to hear a longer version of this conversation join us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/cppshow

Peter Sonski of The American Solidarity Party Jan 24, 2025

In the inaugural episode of Crashing The Political Party Dr. AJ Simmons interviews Peter Sonski of The American Solidarity Party.

If you'd like to hear a longer version of this conversation join us on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/cppshow

Episode 0: What Is Crashing The Political Party? Jan 17, 2025

Welcome to Crashing The Political Party! Host Dr. AJ Simmons gives an introduction to who he is and what the plans for the show are. Follow along and crash the political party with us!

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