The New Frontline

Jose Melendez leads the Taxpayer Protection Project and the Government Reform & Oversight Coalition at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, where he is an expert on local government and grassroots advocacy.

At the 2026 Teacher Freedom Summit, Podcast Host Siena Rose got to interview Jose right after his panel discussion on teacher union politics and the importance of making sure the real voices of teachers are heard.

A leading voice in the fight for education freedom is Corey A. DeAngelis. DeAngelis is a Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a Senior Fellow at Americans for Fair Treatment, and a prominent voice online after having spent years exposing the problems within the education system and corrupt education leaders.

DeAngelis joined Siena Rose for a conversation at the 2026 Teacher Freedom Summit to discuss the growing influence of teachers' unions and why parents and educators should be paying attention.

Lenny McAllister has spent decades shaping public policy and civic life at the state and national level. He is an author, a Senior Fellow at the Commonwealth Foundation, and was a main stage speaker at the 2026 Teacher Freedom Summit. McAllister is a talented speaker, passionate about inspiring patriotic teachers to strengthen the character of all Americans—even the littlest ones.

Director of Research and Government Affairs, Maxford Nelsen, is the investigator behind the explosive story of the American Federation of Teachers spending $1.4 million of member dues on President Randi Weingarten’s book. What prompted Max to look into AFT, and how did he discover the truth? Podcast host Siena Rose discussed exactly that with him at the Teacher Freedom Summit last week.

Dr. James Lindsay is an author, mathematician, and prominent critic against the radical leftist influences permeating American society. He is speaking out about how far wokeness has pushed us—and the overall goal it’s been “softening us up for." Are people still asleep at the wheel? Or are we as a community realizing what is really happening in this fight? Podcast host Siena Rose got the chance to connect with him after his main stage speaking session during the Teacher Freedom Summit.

From powerful stories shared by educators to conversations about teacher freedom, education policy, labor, and the future of American schools, this three-day event brought together people from across the country who are passionate about improving education and empowering teachers. Siena shares some of her biggest takeaways from the Summit, highlights from keynote speakers and educators, and a preview of many special on-site interviews coming soon on the New Frontline Podcast.

While at the Teacher Freedom Summit, podcast host Siena Rose chatted with Moms for Liberty’s Texas Ambassador Christie Slape—she is passionate about supporting parents and educators in this movement to improve American education.

Strict COVID policies, unnecessary political agendas, and the overpowered teachers’ unions have all contributed to the decline of American education. The receipts are here, and Moms for Liberty is doing their part to educate families about these radical influences.

Podcast host Siena Rose caught up with with Freedom Foundation CEO Aaron Withe and Teacher Freedom Alliance CEO Ryan Walters halfway through the Teacher Freedom Summit last week to talk about what is happening on the ground for worker rights and public education.

In this special 50th episode, Siena looks back on the journey so far, revisiting some of her most memorable sound bites and favorite memories from the first 49 episodes. She also shares the two biggest lessons she's learned after spending the past year talking with teachers, public employees, policy experts, and workers fighting for greater freedom and accountability in government unions. Whether you've been listening since episode one or you're just discovering the show, this milestone episode is a celebration of how far the podcast has come—and a look at where it's headed next.

On this episode of The New Frontline, Siena is joined by Freedom Foundation attorney Shella Alcabes to discuss how public employees have been pressured, misled, and trapped into paying union dues by organizations that claim to represent their best interests.

Drawing on firsthand accounts from public employees, Shella and Siena break down the 36 unfair labor practice complaints recently filed in California, what they allege, why they matter, and what they could mean for workers' rights. Tune in to learn what's happening behind the scenes and how public employees can better understand and exercise their rights.

Many public employees are unaware of just how much power they have to break free from unions and control their own futures. Allison Beattie, Freedom Foundation's director of labor relations, sits down with Siena Rose to dive into a new website called "Empowered-Employees.com." 

If you're feeling stuck in a union that doesn’t serve your interests, this episode is your essential guide to reclaiming your rights and taking control of your workplace representation.

Teachers' unions have long been among the most influential forces shaping education policy, but new research suggests their grip is weakening across the country. In this episode, Siena Rose uses an article from The Lion to help break down what the decline of union influence means for teachers, parents, and public employees—and why growing worker freedom is reshaping the education landscape.

Kelley LaBedz has worked as a senior litigator, civil court director, HR director, and history teacher—so if there's anything she knows, it's America's law and culture. In this episode of The New Frontline podcast, LaBedz shares eye-opening stories from her eight years in the classroom and explains how she helped advocate for Florida's SB 1296—an essential reform for union accountability. Kelley and Siena discuss how union priorities can compromise your rights and your voice at the bargaining table, and why it's important to fight back.

Writer, speaker, and parental advocate Sara Huff joins The New Frontline with Siena Rose to discuss her journey from radical left-wing activism in Brazil to becoming a vocal advocate for family values and parental rights.Sara shares how she was drawn into feminist and activist circles, what made her walk away, and why she sees alarming similarities between the ideological movements she witnessed in Brazil and those influencing American schools and teachers unions today. Her story offers a powerful perspective on the culture war and the fight over the future of education.

Randi Weingarten is furious that we're telling the world about the unethical use of her union's funding to subsidize her new anti-American book. Siena dives into a recent Freedom Foundation report that uncovered that the AFT spent over $1.4 million in member dues to write, edit, and promote Weingarten's personal vanity project — and her only response was a press release full of personal attacks. Even worse, the very next day she demanded an investigation into a CEO for doing exactly what she just did with her members' money.

California teacher and lawsuit plaintiff Barry Blisten sits down with Siena Rose to share his firsthand experience watching the United Teachers of Los Angeles' shift from protecting teachers to pushing divisive political agendas funded by mandatory dues. He breaks down what exclusive union representation means for teachers' rights, why he chose to fight back, and what he hopes the public takes away from his battle for fair representation.

Siena Rose sits down with Natalya Murakhver to talk about her nonprofit Restore Childhood, their new "15 Days" film and her goal to educate others on the dangers that far-left activists and union leaders present. 
   
Murakhver shares how her experience navigating school shutdowns led her to launch parent-focused initiatives and challenge what she sees as growing political influence within education systems. The conversation explores themes of parental rights, free speech, and the competing visions for the future of public education in the United States. 

Siena went to Chicago undercover to cover the May Day protests, capturing unfiltered footage and interviews with attendees to document what was actually happening on the ground.
    
What she found raises serious questions about the role of unions, the presence of students at these events, and how radical ideology gets packaged in spaces deceptively framed as educational. 
   
Unions like the Chicago Teachers Union aren't representing workers — they're indoctrination pipelines that have no problem using America's children to advance a political agenda.

*The New Frontline with Siena Rose – a podcast and variety show from the Freedom Foundation.* Are teachers unions still focused on students—or have they shifted toward politics? Siena Rose sits down with Heritage Foundation researcher Madison Doan to break down new polling, union activism, classroom influence, and the growing disconnect between what parents want and what unions are prioritizing.

Siena Rose breaks down how teachers’ unions are using May Day to push political activism into elementary classrooms, training even young students to adopt an “us vs. them” worldview. From curated lesson plans that break down labor issues for third graders to protest messaging meant to highlight the “beauty and humanity,” it exposes how education is being reshaped to prioritize ideology over actual learning—and why that should concern every parent.

Democrats in Oregon passed the "Worker Fraud Protection Act," a union-backed law that targets the Freedom Foundation by imposing ridiculous fine on outreach efforts. Now, similar bills have surfaced in Hawaii and New York that take these unconstitutional attacks to the next level. In this episode, Siena dives into a Wall Street Journal article by the Editorial Board, and CEO Aaron Withe's recent op-ed in RealCleaPolicy.

Litigation counsel Shella Alcabes joins host Siena Rose to break down some of Freedom Foundation's most significant legal battles, and explains why First Amendment rights are at the heart of the fight for workers' freedom.

Hear about two explosive cases involving Jewish teachers in Los Angeles and Portland who are suing their unions over antisemitic rhetoric, hostile work environments, and curriculum that conflicts with their deeply held religious beliefs, plus a slew of "consumer protection cases" in California.

Podcast host Siena sits down with Robbye Kirkpatrick, former public school teacher, real estate professional, and founder of Texas TransformED, to explore the deep systemic failures of Texas' public education system. Robbye shares her uniquely personal and comprehensive lens on why a state ranked #1 in business sits at #44 in education, and more importantly—what it will take to change that.

What happens when union officials forget they're being watched? Through a public records request in Benton County, Oregon, we uncovered an internal email exchange that reveals the true character of union leadership—complete with profanity and schemes to retaliate.

Student ICE protests aren't the grassroots movements they claim to be—they're orchestrated by teacher unions pushing political agendas. In this episode, Siena exposes how and why union leaders are lying straight to your face about all of it.

Utah teacher and State Board of Education member Cole Kelley joins Siena Rose to expose how the Utah Education Association misled members about spending their dues on political activities, despite written claims to the contrary. Now partnering with Freedom Foundation in a lawsuit against the UEA, Kelley encourages teachers nationwide to investigate where their union dues actually go and to speak out for transparency and accountability.

As America's union movement must face it's declining influence, teachers unions are resorting to desperate tactics to maintain their grip on education. In this episode Siena exposes how union leaders are hijacking public schools to advance their political agenda, and as school choice gains momentum national leaders and politicians must question their alliance with a "outdated and rusty" union mechanism.

Siena examines how major government unions have expanded beyond their core mission to engage in political activism and social agitation. She explores how union leaders manufacture outrage over issues unrelated to labor policy, while using their moral authority to mobilize members as pawns in ideological warfare--an important issue to highlight in the ever-changing cultural landscape of 2026.

Siena follows the money to expose how the National Education Association is funneling teachers’ dues into far-left political causes, radical PACs, and private social-justice consulting firms. Financial records reveal millions spent on ballot initiatives, identity-driven nonprofits, and organizations tied directly to NEA leadership itself. Siena dives into why you should care about this, and how union officials are quietly reshaping education and public policy right under our noses.

(00:00:00) New Year, Same Union Drama
(00:00:25) Chicago Teachers Union's Controversial Actions
(00:03:07) CTU's Radical History and Influence
(00:06:30) National Education Association Leadership Race
(00:08:12) Union Corruption and Greed
(00:09:16) California's Union-Backed Tax Proposal
(00:10:46) The Broader Impact of Union Power

This episode exposes the inherent corruption and political overreach of government unions as Siena dives into the latest controversy surrounding the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and their support for a Venezuela protest organized by socialist groups. Along with former NJEA President Sean Spiller's controversial campaign for NEA President and a new California tax proposal targeting billionaires, backed by...

The letter from Freedom Foundation CEO Aaron Withe, and a very Grinchy Christmas poem.

Some special deliveries went out to the leaders of the NEA, AFT, AFSCME, the Teamsters, and SEIU! Even Grinches deserve some Christmas treats.

Siena Rose sits down with  Defense of Freedom Institute's  Director of Media Outreach and Spokesperson, Angela Morabito, and Senior Council on Policy and Regulatory, Paul Zimmerman, to break down DFI’s explosive new report, The Fall of Woke. Together, they expose how America’s largest teachers unions are doubling down on radical ideology—from DEI mandates to antisemitism—while students fall further behind and parents are shut out. This episode unpacks the cultural fallout, the unions’ political power plays, and why “woke” may be on the run, but far from gone.

(00:00:00) Rusty's time with the Trump administration & finding FF
(00:03:01) Rusty's take on the Colorado Springs story
(00:08:39) What has changed in the union landscape?
(00:17:04) What's trending across the nation?
(00:20:30) Where do unions have the biggest foothold?
(00:24:08) Decertification efforts
(00:26:27) Rusty's favorite stories & takeaways

Special Projects Director Rusty Brown joins the podcast to reveal the union power grab in Colorado Springs, the NEA’s shocking spending, and decertification efforts that are reshaping public education. A must-watch for every taxpayer and public employee.

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:59) NYC's Zohran Mamdani
(00:02:40) Seattle's Katie Wilson
(00:06:27) Coming from rich families and cosplaying as poor
(00:08:08) This national socialist contagion
(00:09:24) Who is endorsing this?

In a country built on capitalism, socialism is suddenly gaining ground. Behind this ideological surge is a network of government unions strategically backing newly elected socialist mayors like Zohran Mamdani in New York City and Katie Wilson in Seattle, fueling a coast-to-coast political shift Americans can’t afford to ignore. Stay informed and engaged as we take you straight to the frontlines of the fight against union overreach, bringing you th...

(00:00:00) Ryan Walters' background as a teacher
(00:02:33) Goals and priorities while in Oklahoma
(00:07:05) Leaving Oklahoma to come to TFA
(00:10:07) There needed to be an alternative
(00:13:48) Ryan's vision for the Teacher Freedom Alliance
(00:20:01) Federal changes in education

Education is one of the biggest frontlines in America’s culture war, and the left, teacher unions, and DEI agendas are reshaping classrooms in ways most parents don’t see. Ryan Walters—a former teacher, former Oklahoma State Superintendent and current CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance—came on the podcast to discuss how he’s fighting to restore Am...

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:37) Equal opportunity in the United States
(00:02:44) Gen-Z, equity, and the Overton Window
(00:05:35) Equity changed the attitude around labor
(00:07:50) Hard times create strong men...
(00:09:34) Unions today
(00:10:34) The fallout of entitlement culture

DEI rewired an entire generation’s understanding of work and the American Dream. Siena Rose breaks down how America went from celebrating hard work and equal opportunity to embracing identity politics and entitlement culture—exposing how DEI metastasized into a cultural toxin poisoning fair labor.

(00:00:00) Aaron's background & life in England
(00:05:20) Rising to CEO in 6 years
(00:06:50) Why government unions are such a threat to freedom
(00:13:27) Freedom is fragile
(00:19:04) Being laser focused on the mission

From the streets of Birmingham, England to the helm of the Freedom Foundation: CEO Aaron Withe shares his journey from humble beginnings to leading America’s fight against government unions. In this episode, Siena sits down with Aaron to uncover how growing up under socialism shaped his understanding of the American Dream, why he calls government unions the greatest threat to freedom today, and what it wi...

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:24) NJEA's Drag Show
(00:03:41) AFT & AFSCME protecting illegal drivers
(00:07:10) CTU's New Mexico recording studio
(00:08:32) Conclusion

Teachers unions have officially gone off the rails. Everything from hosting dues-funded drag events to buying poolside recording studios halfway across the country. Siena Rose breaks down how union priorities have nothing to do with teachers and everything to do with ideology and self-interest. Stay informed and engaged as we take you straight to the frontlines of the fight against union overreach, bringing you the latest news and insights from the heart of the battle.

(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:22) Universal experiences of control
(00:01:53) Who controls the money?
(00:04:17) Part of this control is fear
(00:05:48) The rhetoric you are being attacked with
(00:07:00) Freedom Foundation is here to fight this

Siena Rose dives into  the psychology of control, and how union rhetoric makes you believe it lies in the hands of workers, when reality reflects anything but. Time to talk about power and control in public unions: who has it, how they got it and what it takes to keep it.