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Episode 11 | How New Mexico Democrats Are Delivering: Speaker Javier Martinez on Real Results
Introduction In Episode 11 of Cactus Crossfire, Speaker Javier Martinez sat down to discuss what's actually happening in New Mexico—and it's a masterclass in government delivering for working people. While national politics dominates the headlines, state legislatures are where the real work happens. And New Mexico is leading the way. The Affordability Crisis: Real Solutions, Not Talking Points Speaker Martinez opened with a fundamental truth: "State legislatures is where it

Cactus Crossfire
9 hours ago3 min read


Cactus Crossfire Episode 10 | Hot Takes in Cold States
New! You can now listen to Cactus Crossfire on Apple Podcasts . Western Politics in the Spotlight Episode 10 opens with the crew broadcasting from a snowy Nevada, setting the stage for a conversation that’s as dynamic as the political climate itself. The episode wastes no time jumping into the aftermath of municipal elections and the early rumblings of gubernatorial races in New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona. With both parties strategizing for the upcoming cycle, the hosts brea

Cactus Crossfire
Dec 14, 20252 min read


Shutdowns, SNAP, and the Economy Divide: Who Pays the Price?
This week on Cactus Crossfire , we’re coming to you from Utah and New Mexico, fresh off special sessions and a historic 43-day government shutdown. Our hosts break down the chaos in Congress, the SNAP benefits standoff, and the real-world impact on families across the Southwest. Who’s to Blame for the Shutdown? The episode opens with a frank discussion about the finger-pointing in Congress “Democrats played game with SNAP, and then they played game with our economy,” our host

Cactus Crossfire
Dec 1, 20252 min read


From Europe to the Crossfire: Lessons from a WWII Pilgrimage
"Man, I went to six countries. We did Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, and Poland. It was a World War II sort of pilgrimage. So a little bit of vacation, but we went to very, very educational and meaningful sites where many of my ancestors living in Krakow and various regions around Poland and Hungary were taken to Auschwitz. I don't want to get too deep on that but that was the purpose of the trip i brought my children my wife and had a phenomenal experience i

Cactus Crossfire
Oct 19, 20253 min read


Cactus Crossfire Episode 7 Recap: From European Travels to Political Tangles
Welcome back to Cactus Crossfire: A Tri-Pod Podcast , where the hot takes are fresh and the debates are as prickly as ever. In our latest episode, hosts Sisto Abeyta and Eddie Ableser reunite after globe-trotting adventures to dive into everything from cultural quirks in Europe to the heated landscape of American politics. World Travels: Lessons Abroad and Back Home Both Sisto and Eddie kicked off the episode sharing stories from their recent European escapades. Sisto spent t

Cactus Crossfire
Oct 19, 20253 min read


“Weak & Woke?”: Rahm Emanuel’s Challenge to Democrats
In Episode 5 of Cactus Crossfire , hosts Sisto Abeyta and Eddie Ableser zero in on one of the most provocative topics in American...

Cactus Crossfire
Oct 7, 20252 min read


Cactus Crossfire Episode 5 Recap: Masculinity, Politics, and the Education Crisis
Hosts: Sisto Abeyta & Eddie Ableser Location: Albuquerque, NM (in-studio) eightySIX88Production Studios Episode 5 Overview In this...

Cactus Crossfire
Oct 5, 20252 min read


Ep. 6 | Violence isn’t discourse. Outrage isn’t wisdom. We choose civil courage, open minds, and showing up before the spiral.
The antidote to chaos isn’t silence—it’s disciplined civility and practical care for the mind. Don’t be a closed algorithm. Be an...

Cactus Crossfire
Sep 22, 20254 min read


Latina Leadership, Macho Culture, and the Real National Narrative
Cactus Crossfire: A Southwest Tri-Pod Podcast & Blog Women Leading the Charge In Hispanic communities across America, it’s often women...

Cactus Crossfire
Sep 11, 20252 min read


Macho Rhetoric & Women Voters: Is the Tough-Guy Act Wearing Thin?
By Cactus Crossfire In the fast-evolving world of American politics, style can be as influential as substance. For the last decade,...

Cactus Crossfire
Sep 6, 20252 min read


AI in Campaigns: The Good, the Bad, and the Untrustworthy
The Rise of AI in Political Campaigns: A Double-Edged Sword Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept for political...

Cactus Crossfire
Sep 6, 20252 min read


The New Reality of Political Messaging: Populism, AI, and the Seven-Second Rule
Politics in America has never been for the faint of heart, but today’s landscape is more combative, fragmented, and technologically advanced than ever before. In our latest episode of Cactus Crossfire (out Monday, September 8) , we dig into how Donald Trump’s populist style, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the collapse of civil discourse have completely upended the rules of political engagement. What does this mean for voters, candidates, and the future of democracy?

Cactus Crossfire
Sep 5, 20253 min read


Cactus Crossfire Episode 3: Out Now!
Pop Culture, Politics, and the Power of the Younger Vote The political landscape is shifting—and if you want to understand how pop culture, economic realities, and generational change are shaping tomorrow’s leaders, Episode 3 of the Cactus Crossfire Podcast is a must-listen. What’s the Buzz? In this episode, hosts Sisto Abeyta and Eddie Ableser take you behind the headlines of a provocative ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney. What starts as a discussion about manufactured o

Cactus Crossfire
Aug 25, 20254 min read


Economic Reality Check: Why Gen Z Is Moving Home—and What It Means for Politics
Home Again: The Economic Forces Driving Gen Z Back to Their Parents It’s a trend that’s reshaping families—and politics: more young...

Cactus Crossfire
Aug 22, 20252 min read


The Youth Vote: Why Gen Z and Latino Voters Are the New Political Powerhouses
If you want to understand where American politics is headed, look no further than Gen Z and Latino voters. On next week’s Cactus...

Cactus Crossfire
Aug 20, 20252 min read


Pop Culture, Politics, and the Power of a Provocative Ad
What happens when a jeans ad starring a Hollywood starlet becomes political ammunition? On Ep. 3, of the Cactus Crossfire Podcast (...

Cactus Crossfire
Aug 18, 20253 min read


ICE in the Southwest: Fear, Fallout, and the Fight for Immigration Reform
In the latest episode of Cactus Crossfire, hosts Sisto Abeyta and Edward Ableser—leaders at Tri-Strategies, a government relations and...

Cactus Crossfire
Aug 10, 20253 min read


The Latino Vote: Declining Numbers, Soaring Stakes in the Southwest
If you’re watching politics in the Southwest and not talking about the Latino vote, you’re missing the cactus for the spines. The numbers...

Cactus Crossfire
Aug 10, 20253 min read


Cactus Crossfire Podcast: Episode 1 Recap – Political Roots, Latino Voters & the Southwest’s Big Questions
Welcome to Cactus Crossfire! Hosts Sisto Abeyta and Eddie Ableser kicked off our brand-new podcast Cactus Crossfire: A Tri-Pod Podcast ...

Cactus Crossfire
Aug 2, 20252 min read


Latino Men and the 2024 Election: Scapegoats or Missed Opportunity?
Sisto Abeyta, President of Tri-Strategies and host of Cactus Crossfire: A Tri-Pod Podcast As the political world reflects on the outcome...

Cactus Crossfire
Jul 13, 20253 min read
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