Conservative Conversation + Podcasts

Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.

johnhart333 , More Info

John Hart, an award-winning writer and journalist, is the Editor in Chief of Opportunity Lives, a news site dedicated to highlighting conservative solutions. Previously, Hart served as U.S. Senator Tom Coburn’s longtime communications director. Hart co-authored two books with Coburn – Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders into Insiders and The Debt Bomb: A Bold Plan to Stop Washington from Bankrupting America. Hart has also worked for then-U.S. Representatives Jim DeMint and Steve Largent. He is a frequent guest on Fox News, MSNBC and other cable outlets, and currently lives in Fairfax, VA with his wife, Kimberly, and four children.

OppCast #15

Repeal and Replace 101

January 13, 2017

2 COMMENTS

Hosted by John Hart

This week on OppCast, we bring together an expert panel to break down exactly what must happen for Congress and the Trump administration to smoothly repeal and replace Obamacare. From the tiniest details to the broadest of strokes, we’ll paint a clear picture of the challenges the nation will face during the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency.

OppCast #14

How one DC mother rose out of welfare and taught her daughter “to soar”

January 3, 2017

0 COMMENTS

Hosted by John Hart

To kick off 2017, we bring you a special story of hope. When Crystal Jenkins got pregnant with her daughter in the projects of Washington DC, she had no home, no job and no hope for a better future. Drugs, crime and poverty plagued her life, but her daughter gave Crystal the strength to dream. Now she says her daughter “will have what I never had, she’ll know she can do anything she wants in this life, she’ll know she can soar…” Listen to find out how she did it.

Crystal’s testimony was taken from Little Lights Urban Ministries. Head over to their website to donate.

OppCast #11

Bob Woodson: “Share your journey, find meaning together”

December 5, 2016

1 COMMENTS

Hosted by John Hart

“Godfather of the grassroots” and civil rights leader Bob Woodson speaks on a life well-lived, his personal interactions with President-elect Trump, where the Conservative movement is heading under the new administration, and how neighborhood initiatives to fight poverty and decay are changing the face of the nation. Woodson also talks about changes taking place at the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, which is soon to undergo a very special name change. Finally, we break down expectations for Trump’s cabinet.

OppCast #10

The Man Who Knew Trump Would Win

November 18, 2016

1 COMMENTS

Hosted by Ellen Carmichael, John Hart

While everyone else was left scratching their heads, one man saw it coming. This week on OppCast we sit down with Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, to discuss how he knew Trump would win, why he believes Steve Bannon is being misrepresented, and why Weekly Standard columnist Steve Hayes might just show up wearing a speedo to this year’s CPAC. Later, co-host Ellen Carmichael breaks down the “Rubio Effect” and what it means for the next election cycle.

OppCast #9

Where do we go from here?

November 14, 2016

1 COMMENTS

Hosted by Ellen Carmichael, John Hart

Now that the election is finally over, the tough job of paving the future of America has begun. But how much of president-elect Trump’s stated goals are mere lip-service to his base, and how much could become actual policy? Hosts John Hart and Ellen Carmichael weigh in on the obstacles the new administration will have to hurdle, and what it means for the national Conservative movement going forward.

OppCast #8

The Reckoning

November 7, 2016

0 COMMENTS

Hosted by Ellen Carmichael, John Hart

It’s finally here. Election day. The final reckoning. As the clock ticks down to zero hour, we sit down to run through the last minute numbers, talking points and demographics (and discuss what we’ll each be drinking on election night). Join us on the lifeboat.

OppCast #7

How to get people back to work

October 31, 2016

0 COMMENTS

Hosted by Ellen Carmichael, John Hart

This week on OppCast, we break down just what it takes to get people back to work in this country: from policymakers who are plowing ahead on initiatives that will fight poverty across the nation, to passionate volunteers and ministry workers who are helping to transition individuals toward a life of pride and self-sustainability.

OppCast #6

Fuel up your political knowledge before the last stop

October 24, 2016

0 COMMENTS

Hosted by John Hart

With guest Izzy Ortega

Hey, you there… so it’s Monday morning, long work week ahead, we know how it is. That’s why on this week’s OppCast, we lay out everything you need to know in politics for this home stretch of election season. From what we’ve learned since the debate, to how online hacking is shaping partisan politics, we’ll get your week started with a strong, caffeinated dose of opportunity.

OppCast #5

Comeback: OL Hits the Road

October 17, 2016

1 COMMENTS

Hosted by Ellen Carmichael, John Hart

This week on OppCast, we introduce listeners to our Comeback documentary series. With a focus on revealing the people and their stories at the ground level of America today, Comeback charts a course for a new way to address our nation’s toughest, most entrenched social problems.

OppCast #4

Hope and heroin in Ohio

October 11, 2016

4 COMMENTS

Hosted by John Hart

This week on OppCast, we go in-depth on one subject: the rising epidemic of opioid addiction in our nation’s heartland. We take you to one small town in Ohio that has been hit especially hard by a surge of addiction and overdose deaths, asking the important question: when jobs have dried up, when opportunities are slim, how can we as a nation fight to curb drug abuse?

OppCast #3

The High Cost of “Free”

October 3, 2016

1 COMMENTS

Hosted by John Hart

With guest Izzy Ortega

This week on OppCast, host John Hart talks in-studio with senior OpportunityLives writer Izzy Ortega, breaking down everything from the upcoming VP debate, to the reason why the best way to make something expensive is for Washington to make it “free.” Later we continue last week’s conversation with anti-violence leaders Antong Lucky and Omar Jahwar.

OppCast #2

Plowing Ahead to November

October 3, 2016

0 COMMENTS

Hosted by Ellen Carmichael, John Hart

With guests Antong Lucky & Omar Jahwar

For the second episode of OppCast, we break down the importance and the likely outcomes of some of the most crucial Senate races in the country. Later we bring you the first part of our conversation with Antong Lucky and Pastor Omar Jahwar, two urban specialists fighting gang violence and poverty on the ground in Dallas, Texas.

OppCast #1

Welcome to OppCast

September 26, 2016

0 COMMENTS

Hosted by Ellen Carmichael, John Hart

With guest Patrick Brennan

In the inaugural episode of OppCast, hosts John Hart and Ellen Carmichael break down how the current state of American society led to the crazy political year of 2016. Plus: Opportunity Lives contributor Patrick Brennan joins to discuss an innovative fix to the controversial minimum wage increase.

OppCast is a weekly podcast from Opportunity News Media that cracks through the surface of political commentary to reveal the people and passions behind the headlines. Amidst all the negativity in today’s media, we strive to focus on the positive stories in American politics: the doers, the reformers, the people who are making an impact both in Washington DC and your own community.

@