Kali-Kat's Tap Talks Podcast

Election Day & Empty Plates: SNAP, COVID Lessons and Culture Collide

• Kathleen G. Churchwell • Season 1 • Episode 37

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"Welcome to Kali Kat Tap Talks, where policy meets people. I'm your host Kali, and today we're diving into a powerful intersection of politics, poverty, and public health. It's Election Day  and while ballots are cast, millions of Americans face empty plates. What can we learn from the COVID-era expansion of SNAP and how does culture shape our response to hunger?"

🗳️ Segment 1: The Politics of the Plate

  • Brief overview of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
  • How elections influence food policy
  • Key ballot measures or candidates affecting SNAP today

🦠 Segment 2: COVID’s Wake-Up Call

  • What changed during COVID: emergency allotments, expanded eligibility, online access
  • Data on how these changes impacted food insecurity
  • Why some of these changes were rolled back — and what that means now

đź§  Segment 3: Culture, Stigma, and the American Narrative

  • How cultural attitudes toward poverty and welfare shape policy
  • The myth of the “undeserving poor” and its political consequences
  • Voices from communities: stories of resilience, shame, and survival

🔄 Segment 4: Lessons and Leverage

  • What COVID taught us about rapid response and dignity in aid
  • How voters can use their power to support food justice
  • Policy ideas: universal school meals, SNAP modernization, guaranteed income pilots

🎤 Outro

"As we mark another Election Day, let’s remember: democracy isn’t just about votes — it’s about values. And when it comes to hunger, the question isn’t just who we elect, but what kind of society we choose to build. Thanks for listening."

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