Speak Up with Bud Synhorst is a podcast designed to have conversations across the spectrum about all the things we are told not to talk about, especially when gathering for the holidays with family and friends. These conversations are about government, politics, religion, sports, business, and more. Combining experience in all these sectors along with contacts across Nebraska and around the United States, Bud Synhorst will engage in conversations relevant to current issues, topics, and simply interesting people in the world who can provide insights on a multitude of issues.
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Speak Up with Bud Synhorst is a podcast designed to have conversations across the spectrum about all the things we are told not to talk about, especially when gathering for the holidays with family and friends. These conversations are about government, politics, religion, sports, business, and more. Combining experience in all these sectors along with contacts across Nebraska and around the United States, Bud Synhorst will engage in conversations relevant to current issues, topics, and simply interesting people in the world who can provide insights on a multitude of issues.
Michael Helman is a 2015 graduate of Lincoln Pius X High School. After his career at Pius, Helman went to Hutchinson Community College where he was the 2017 National Junior College Player of the Year. He then went on to play two seasons at Texas A&M before being drafted by the Minnesota Twins, and currently is on the Texas Rangers roster. Helman discusses his baseball career and the ups and downs of professional baseball.
Bruce Rasmussen is the retired Athletic Director of Creighton University Athletics. He started as the women's basketball coach in 1980 and became athletic director in 1994, serving as AD until 2021. During his tenure at Creighton, Bruce recruited and retained head coaches who were committed to Creighton and advancing their programs. Bruce's leadership and vision created excellent facilities for all sports at Creighton. Finally, Bruce helped lead Creighton's transition from the Missouri Valley to the Big East Conference.
Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen was elected in 2108 and reelected in 2022. As Secretary of State, Evnen oversees Nebraska elections, serves as Nebraska's Ambassador to the world, and is involved in registering businesses. All of these areas will be covered this week in our episode of Speak Up.
Nebraska State Senator Carolyn Bosn – chair of the Judiciary Committee. Senator Bosn discusses her background and the impact of being appointed following the resignation of Suzanne Geist. Senator Bosn explains the inner workings of the Judiciary Committee and how they are working on issues related to the justice system. Senator Bosn also brings perspective to the ICE detention facility in McCook and her experience and understanding of the current state of the Work Ethic Camp in McCook.
Sam Fischer is a retired political operative with decades of experience working in politics in Nebraska and around the country. Sam has been involved in races at all levels of politics. We talk some politics and podcasting with Sam, who has been doing his own podcast in retirement.
Sam Fischer is a retired political operative with decades of experience working in politics in Nebraska and around the country. Sam has been involved in races at all levels of politics. We talk some politics and podcasting with Sam, who has been doing his own podcast in retirement.
Nebraska First District Congressman Mike Flood – after serving 10 years in the Nebraska Legislature, Mike Flood was elected to Congress in June 2022, reelected in November 2022 and again in November 2024. Congressman Flood recently hosted the Flyover Fintec Conference in Lincoln and talked about the importance of the conference for Nebraska. He recently filed an ethics complaint against Representative Ilhan Omar and shares the background as to why this was done. We also discuss the Big Beautiful Bill affects Nebraskans, Congressman Flood’s role as chair of the Main Street Caucus.
Congressman Adrian Smith was elected in 2006 to serve the 3rd Congressional District of Nebraska. In this episode, we learn how the One Big Beautiful Bill is impacting Nebraskans and how it impacts rural communities. As Chair of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, Congressman Smith discusses the latest in trade negotiations and the impact on Nebraska. McCook is going to have an ICE Detention facility, and we will get more into what this means for McCook and Nebraska.
Rick Allen Schweiger is a Grand Island native who took his voice to become the PA announcer for Nebraska Football games in Memorial Stadium, started announcing at Eagle Raceway outside of Lincoln which led to an opportunity to become the voice of the NASCAR Cup Series on NBC. This fall, Rick will be the PA announcer for the Carolina Panthers and be a play-by-play announcer for college football on The CW network.
Tom Jacobs, CEO/Executive Director for the College Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2026, the College Baseball Hall of Fame will open with exhibits in the Kansas City area (Overland Park, KS). Tom takes us through the process of how the College Baseball Hall of Fame will come to reality next year. Tom shares the background of what to expect from the Hall of Fame and all the Foundation is involved in regarding inductees and awards each year. This will be one college baseball fans will enjoy.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers – elected Attorney General in 2022, Mike Hilgers serves as Nebraska’s 33rd Attorney General. Since being elected, AG Hilgers has focused to keep families safe, protect rights, ensure the integrity of our constitutional structure, to be a resource for law enforcement officials around the state, and protect our natural resources – including water rights. Today, AG Hilgers will talk about how he is working to protect Nebraskans.
Suiting up Varsity with Greg Mays has become a history of Nebraska high school sports. Greg has spent 35+ years as a teacher, coach, and mentor and has now committed his time to preserving the history of Nebraska high school sports. We learn more about his passion for sharing stories and history from across Nebraska and how he views some of the great high school athletes of all time in Nebrask
Nebraska Volleyball player Rebekah Allick has become a household name on the court in Nebraska. Since coming to Nebraska to play volleyball she has grown in her Catholic faith, which is a guiding principle for her in her everyday life. Over the past year, she has taken her faith and beliefs to stand up for issues important to women. She was instrumental in supporting Nebraska Initiative 434 protecting human life and has been a vocal supporter of LB 89 in Nebraska, protecting women’s sports from allowing male participation.
Only Citizens Vote with Jack Tomczak – In this episode we will talk about the growing number of states around the United States amending their constitutions to allow only citizens to vote in elections held in the state. To date, only about half of the states in the United States have made this amendment to their constitutions with more states considering putting this amendment on the ballot in 2026. During the episode, Jack will discuss cities around the country allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections.
Congressman Don Bacon - Earlier this year Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, leaving one of the most “purple” districts in the United States open in 2026. After a lifetime of service to our country, nearly 30 years in the United States Air Force, followed by five-terms in the House of Representatives. Congressman Bacon discusses his time in the service, serving in Congress, how he focused on issues important to CD2, and what is next for the Bacon family.
The Final Season with Kent Stock – when school consolidation happens to a small school in Norway, Iowa, Kent Stock takes the head baseball coaching job of a team with 19 state championships and wins their 20th title in their final season. This conversation is about how the storybook season became a movie and has developed into a speaking career for Kent Stock, inspiring associations, companies, and others to consider, “how do you want to be remembered.”
Covo Intelligence – Covo Intelligence Founder and President Colby Vogt gives insight into a career of market research, consumer input and how it has shaped the way brands look at themselves and respond to market forces. Colby started his journey working for Gallup, proceeded to work for some of the top PR firms in the world, and started Covo intelligence to help brands understand what is happening in a fast paced world of constant information flow.
Disaster Response with Lori Bertman – This discussion covers how two people from different parts of the country became fast friends reacting to a disaster. Along with Lori Bertman, Bud discusses the flood of 2008 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and how working with resources from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and learning on the fly, the community worked to respond to a natural disaster. The conversation centers on reflecting on how to help others in a time of disaster.
Governor Jim Pillen – in this episode, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen discusses the 2025 session of the Nebraska Legislature. Governor Pillen gives his observations on tax policy in Nebraska and how he is preparing for the next session. He also provides the decision making process for alerting the Nebraska National Guard. He also shares stories of challenge coins for World War II veterans in Nebraska. Finally, we discuss Governor Pillen’s plans for the campaign trail.
Speak Up with Bud Synhorst is a podcast designed to have conversations across the spectrum about all the things we are told not to talk about, especially when gathering for the holidays with family and friends. These conversations are about government, politics, religion, sports, business, and more. Combining experience in all these sectors along with contacts across Nebraska and around the United States, Bud Synhorst will engage in conversations relevant to current issues, topics, and simply interesting people in the world who can provide insights on a multitude of issues.
