Red Wine & Blue is all about taking the “ick” out of politics. We know that the best way to improve this country is to build community and listen to our neighbors rather than out-of-touch politicians or influencers who just want to make us mad.

Our guest this week, Bennett Rea (aka Cookin’ With Congress), is doing something a little different. He’s putting the “ick” back into politics. But not in the way you think! He’s not platforming billionaires or feeding the outrage machine.

Instead… he’s cooking.

On Cookin’ With Congress, Bennett makes historical recipes from presidents, first ladies, and Congresspeople. And many of these recipes are inarguably... icky. We’re talking mayo and jello salad, possum, and more liquor than you can imagine. His goal is to show how these powerful figures, from Andrew Jackson to RFK Jr., are really just people at the end of the day. Weird people with strange tastes, maybe, but people all the same. They’re not untouchable. And actually, maybe someone who eats fish jello shouldn’t have had so much power in the first place.

Sometimes, Bennett does the opposite and eats like an average American. His audience submits everything they eat in a day and Bennett follows their directions to a tee. He shares their congressional district, but doesn’t mention their gender or politics. And although of course there’s considerable variation across the country, the message is clear. We have far more in common with each other than we do with almost anyone at the top. By being in community and listening to each other, we can actually make a difference.

LISTEN HERE

Katie and LaFonda had such a fun chat with Bennett. But it wasn’t all laughs — we also discovered how a show that isn’t technically partisan can actually be very political. We all have a role to play in strengthening our democracy… Bennett’s just happens to involve a lot of mayonnaise and jello.

We also started a new segment on the podcast this week with Good News You Might’ve Missed! Americans across the country have been winning against MAGA in school board races, cancelled Flock contracts, and so many other places that aren’t making headlines. Positive political news, laughter, and community are all helping us not lose our sh!t right now — hopefully it helps you too.

Putting The “Ick”... Back Into Politics?