🔥 REHUMANIZE CONFERENCE — OCTOBER 16–18, CHICAGO

Check out the 2026 Rehumanize Conference, October 16–18 in Chicago and online. It brings together activists and people with experience of dehumanization and violence around a consistent life ethic. Our campaign is a Platinum Sponsor, and I’ll be participating, so come meet me in person.

Conference & tickets:
https://www.rehumanizeintl.org/conference
Rehumanize International:
https://www.rehumanizeintl.org/

In this episode of Unorthodoxing, I sit down with Lauren Pope, executive director of Rehumanize International, to talk about political transformation, the Consistent Life Ethic and a movement that refuses to divide human dignity along partisan lines.

Lauren traces her journey from anti-war Democrat to Republican to politically homeless after 2016. A life-changing pregnancy reshaped her thinking about abortion, while her search for a politics opposing abortion, war, the death penalty and other violence led her to Rehumanize.

Lauren explains Rehumanize’s secular, nonpartisan Consistent Life Ethic: recognizing every person’s humanity and opposing aggressive violence, including abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, torture, unjust war and police brutality.

We also discuss common ground across political divides; Rehumanize’s chapters, student affiliates, Life Matters Journal, Create | Encounter, advocacy and membership; and building an inclusive movement where people of different faiths and backgrounds can work together without theological or partisan uniformity.

FOLLOW REHUMANIZE INTERNATIONAL
Website: https://www.rehumanizeintl.org/
Conference: https://www.rehumanizeintl.org/conference
X/Twitter: https://x.com/RehumanizeIntl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rehumanizeintl
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLwEOT_fZznDi402wdzpH7w
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rehumanizeintl/

FOLLOW LAUREN POPE
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-pope-062889163/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cle_lauren/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@cle_lauren

FOLLOW MARIA OSWALT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rehumanizemaria/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/RehumanizeMaria
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaoswalt/

What happens when people from different third-party and independent political traditions decide to work together instead of competing for the same small piece of political territory?

In this solo episode of Unorthodoxing, I look ahead to the 2026 Independent National Convention, taking place September 23–25 in Washington, D.C. I’ll be there as the American Solidarity Party’s candidate for Governor of Illinois, meeting independent candidates, organizers, reformers and political leaders from around the country.

I talk about what I hope to accomplish at the convention: building relationships, learning from other campaigns, introducing more people to our Vick-Pierce write-in campaign, and exploring what real cooperation outside the two-party system can look like.

A major part of that story is the growing relationship between the Illinois Solidarity Party and the Independence Party. My running mate, Gary Pierce, had previously been running for governor on the Independence Party ticket before joining me as our candidate for lieutenant governor. Today, Gary and I are both involved with both political communities in different ways, giving us a firsthand opportunity to test what cross-party collaboration can actually look like.

I also discuss the Independence Party’s recent vote to endorse our write-in campaign, and how helpful its members have been in helping us gain attention and opportunities surrounding the Independent National Convention.

I also talk about why independent politics needs more than individual candidates. It needs relationships, institutions, organizers, media, donors and volunteers that can last beyond a single election.

The timing matters for our campaign. We’ve recently produced our first campaign ads, and now we need to get them in front of voters. Producing the message is one challenge; distribution is another.

If you want to learn more about our campaign, volunteer, or contribute, visit:

Campaign: https://www.votevickusa.com/

Contribute: https://secure.anedot.com/friends-of-mike-vick/votevickusa
Independent National Convention: https://independentnationalconvention.com/
American Solidarity Party: https://www.solidarity-party.org/
Illinois Solidarity Party: https://www.ilsolidarity.com/
Independence Party: https://www.indyvoters.org/
Unorthodoxing: https://www.unorthodoxing.com/

00:00 — Why I’m Heading to the Independent National Convention
02:28 — Politics Beyond the Two-Party Boxes
04:30 — Why Independent Parties Need to Collaborate
06:54 — The Independence Party Endorses Our Campaign
09:19 — What Healthy Multiparty Politics Could Look Like
11:38 — Our First Campaign Ads & Getting the Message Out
13:52 — Can Independent Politics Build Something That Lasts?
14:50 — Following Along From Washington
15:16 — Campaign, Party & Convention Links

What happens when your politics change dramatically—but one of your deepest convictions doesn’t?

In this episode of Unorthodoxing, I sit down with activist, artist, doula, student and mother Connie Becker for a conversation about political transformation, human dignity, race, faith, Indigenous sovereignty and motherhood.

Connie’s political journey began in middle school, when she became an enthusiastic Trump supporter and was drawn into the online alt-right pipeline. She explains what changed her mind: not ridicule or political shaming, but relationships with people on the left who took her seriously, defended their beliefs and engaged her in real conversation.

As Connie moved away from conservative politics, became anti-capitalist and reconsidered her understanding of race and American history, one conviction remained: her opposition to abortion. We discuss why she remained pro-life, her family’s experience with abortion and the controversy over graphic imagery in pro-life activism.

Connie also explains her anti-capitalism, confronting internalized racism, and her involvement with Black Lives Matter, Indigenous sovereignty and Puerto Rican advocacy. She discusses Land Back as a broader conversation about sovereignty, stewardship, resources, representation and reconciliation.

The conversation then turns to Connie’s identity as a “decolonized Christian.” Drawing on her upbringing in the Black church, she reflects on how Black Christian institutions emerged in response to segregation, arguing that Christianity need not be filtered through white American cultural assumptions.

Connie reflects on motherhood, raising a multiracial son in an individualistic society and her desire to teach him human dignity, community, empathy and respect rather than defining worth through wealth, dominance or conventional gender expectations.

• 00:00 — Introduction
• 02:36 — From teenage Trump supporter to leftist activist
• 08:34 — What pulled Connie out of the alt-right pipeline?
• 10:15 — Why Connie remained pro-life
• 13:10 — Should pro-life activists use graphic abortion imagery?
• 15:04 — Why Connie became anti-capitalist
• 18:46 — Race, internalized racism and changing political perspectives
• 22:42 — Black Lives Matter, Indigenous sovereignty and Puerto Rico
• 24:17 — Colonialism, Puerto Rico and Indigenous identity
• 26:58 — What does “Land Back” actually mean?
• 31:05 — Becoming a “decolonized Christian”
• 38:07 — Motherhood in a hyper-individualistic culture
• 40:07 — Raising a boy beyond machismo and the manosphere
• 42:32 — Where to follow Connie

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@connietalkspolitics

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connietalkspolitics/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@connietalkspolitics

Unorthodoxing explores the people, ideas and movements that don't fit comfortably inside America's conventional political boxes. Through political autobiography and long-form conversation, the show asks not simply what people believe, but how they got there—and what their experiences can teach us about politics, faith, culture and one another.

This week, I speak with Gary Pierce, our newly-announced lieutenant governor candidate on the campaign, about his long path through politics, ministry, and party work. Gary traces how history, faith, and a call to serve led him from early Democratic activism to the Republican Party, then into independent and third-party organizing. We also unpack Illinois ballot access hurdles, the realities of write-in campaigns, and why grassroots organizing matters so much in a state where getting on the ballot is often the first battle.

Key Topics

• In this episode: Gary Pierce shares how politics first grabbed his attention in college, where studying history and following Jesse Jackson Sr.’s 1984 presidential campaign pushed him into active organizing.
• Gary recounts his move from early Democratic involvement to the Republican Party, saying his shift was driven by faith, values, and a growing sense that politics should reflect his religious convictions.
• The conversation digs into Illinois ballot access, especially the higher signature burden for independents and third parties and the way petition objections can knock candidates off the ballot.
• Gary describes his later Republican run, the committee politics around replacing a dropped-out candidate, and why he felt the party leadership blocked him.
• He talks about helping build the Independence Party from the ground up, serving as vice chair and candidate search committee chair, and trying to put a gubernatorial candidate on the ballot.
• The episode closes with Gary reflecting on the American Solidarity Party, his role as lieutenant governor candidate, and the broader goal of building a durable third party in Illinois.

Timestamps

(00:00) Gary Pierce is introduced as the campaign’s lieutenant governor candidate

(02:12) Early political interest, history, and the Jesse Jackson Sr. campaign

(04:09) Louisiana politics, moving back to Illinois, and staying engaged

(06:06) Why Gary drifted from Democrats toward Republicans

(08:02) Creating the Jobs Party and first attempts to run for office

(11:05) Petition work, signature gathering, and getting challenged off the ballot

(13:01) Close race in central Illinois and learning how local party power works

(16:03) How Illinois ballot access works for independents and third parties

(21:39) What drew Gary to the Republican Party and what faith had to do with it

(27:04) Why Gary left the GOP after the replacement candidate fight

(30:05) Gun rights, FOID cards, and a values-based interview

(33:24) The decision not to replace the dropped candidate

(36:22) Resigning from the Republican Party

(39:39) Moving into write-in politics and the limits of doing it alone

(40:51) The failed Independence Party ballot drive and the 25,000-signature hurdle

(42:19) Using a billboard as a write-in strategy

(44:50) Why grassroots campaigns need smart, low-cost organizing tools

(48:52) How prayer, ministry, and an RFK Jr. petition email led to the Independence Party

(52:25) Running for chair, becoming vice chair, and building the party infrastructure

(54:11) Why the gubernatorial ballot drive fell short

(57:28) Looking back at third-party politics and the path to the American Solidarity Party

Links

VoteVickUSA - https://www.votevickusa.com/

Illinois Solidarity Party - https://www.ilsolidarity.com/

Independence Party - https://www.indyvoters.org/

I've been hacked! Tune in for my experience with Twitter, my account history, and the challenges I've faced in the past and just this week with account security and access. It's critical for independent political campaigns to maintain an online presence. Keeping up with content can be hard enough without dealing with hackers and unsupportive "support" teams.

Takeaways

• Twitter/X has played a significant role in my professional and political journey.
• Account security and access issues on Twitter/X can have a significant impact on an individual's online presence and engagement.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Role of Twitter in My Journey
• 03:16 Account History and Political Campaigns
• 10:00 Challenges with Account Security and Access
• 17:13 Rebuilding Online Presence and Engagement

In this episode, your host Mike Vick shares his transformative decision to run as an independent candidate for governor of Illinois under the Illinois Solidarity Party, emphasizing a politics rooted in human dignity, community engagement, and breaking from traditional party cycles. This episode explores his motivations, campaign vision, and ways supporters can get involved in creating meaningful change.

Key Takeaways

• Mike Vick's decision to focus on Illinois politics after stepping down from the Solidarity Party's national leadership.
• The core reasons for running: fighting for a system that prioritizes people over party interests.
• The campaign's four key priorities: support for working families, a consistent ethic of life, community revitalization, and government integrity.
• Practical ways to support the campaign: volunteering, contributing, and running local meetups.
• The importance of independent politics and how votes for write-in candidates can still send a powerful message.
• The vision for a broader media operation to promote principled, alternative voices in politics.
• How to stay connected and involved through website updates, social media, and upcoming interviews.

Chapters

00:00 Announcing the Run for Governor of Illinois

05:17 Vision for Illinois Politics

12:05 Building a Broader Movement

Links

Campaign Site - https://www.votevickusa.com/

Unorthodoxing - https://www.unorthodoxing.com/

Social Media - https://linktr.ee/votevickusa

Your host Michael Vick discusses his decision to step down from the National Committee of the Solidarity Party and his plans to focus on building a powerful state party and a media operation.

He highlights the challenges and struggles of the Solidarity Party, particularly regarding litmus tests on LGBTQ issues and the way these culture war battles illuminate a glaring problem in the party: political ineptitude. Vick emphasizes the need for diversity of views and perspectives within the party and the importance of community engagement and support.

Takeaways

• Challenges and struggles of the Solidarity Party
• Importance of diversity of views and perspectives within the party
• The urgent need for professionalism
• The positive effects of working on media outreach, grassroots activism and non-electoral politics

Chapters

• 00:00 Relaunching the Podcast
• 06:25 Liberation Caucus and LGBTQ Issues
• 15:01 Building a Powerful State Party
• 20:25 Community Engagement and Support

Links

The Federal Fairness for All Act - The AND Campaign - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW0rPHHoZLM

"Member Perspectives: Is the ASP Anti LGBTQ+?" - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/member-perspectives-asp-anti-lgbtq-matthew-bartko/

VoteVickUSA Website - https://www.votevickusa.com/

LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/votevickusa

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/votevickusa

Substack - https://www.unorthodoxing.com/

Email - mike@votevickusa.com

In this episode of the Unorthodoxing podcast, host Mike Vick interviews Elise Ketch, a pro-life activist with a unique perspective. Elise shares her journey from a Republican upbringing to her present pro-life leftist activism, informed by her experiences and her commitment to nonviolence. Elise recounts her experiences with protests, including her arrests and the harsh realities of being in jail, where she witnessed significant human rights violations. The conversation delves into her reflections on activism, the challenges she faces, and her future goals in the pro-life movement.

In the news segment, Mike shares his thoughts on the dubiously constitutional ouster of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, and what can and should be done about the Trump administration's actions in the region. He also touches on the tragic and avoidable shooting death of a Minnesota woman, killed by ICE during the Trump administration's draconian crackdown on migrants in Minneapolis.

Links

Elise Ketch:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/antipersonhood/

Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/secularprolifeconspectus

Portfolio - https://eliseketch.myportfolio.com/

"Rebuilding Pro-Life Non-Violence" - https://www.amazon.com/Rebuilding-Pro-Life-Nonviolence-John-Cavanaugh-OKeefe/dp/B0DGXDJ123

Mike Vick and Unorthodoxing:

Website - https://www.votevickusa.com/

LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/votevickusa

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Upcoming Interviews

02:02 Venezuela and a Constitutional Crisis

06:44 ICE Kills Woman Amid Immigration Crackdown

09:43 Elise Ketch's Journey to Pro-Life Advocacy

16:39 Radicalization and Activism

21:49 Experiences of Arrest and Incarceration

30:35 Reflections on Prison Reform and Activism

31:12 Experiencing Arrest and Protest Tactics

33:50 Artistic Journey and Activism

34:41 Show Updates

Keywords

Venezuela, Maduro, Trump, ICE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, pro-life, activism, abortion, Elise Ketch, protests, jail, human rights, politics, nonviolence