Faith, Family, and Steel: Understanding America’s Working-Class Heart | Robert Ordway

Join Aaron Renn as he sits down with policy wonk Robert Ordway to explore the vibrant and complex world of America's multiracial working class. Growing up in the steel town of Lake Station, Indiana, Ordway shares his journey from a blue-collar upbringing to working in the halls of power, offering unique insights into the values, challenges, and political shifts of working-class communities. From his roots in a Southern migrant family to his affiliations with both the NAACP and NRA, Robert’s story sheds light on the cultural and economic dynamics shaping places like Northwest Indiana. Discover how faith, family, and community anchor these communities and why figures like Donald Trump resonate with them. Don’t miss this heartfelt and revealing conversation about the heart of America’s working class.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 Introduction)
(01:01 Why Robert Is a Life Member of Both the NRA and NAACP)
(04:34 Growing Up in Gary: A Family History)
(10:36 Life in Lake Station: A Working-Class Childhood)
(21:31 Racial and Ethnic Dynamics in Northwest Indiana)
(28:36 Politics in Lake Station: Trump and Ticket-Splitting)
(33:37 The Appeal of Trump’s Style to the Working Class)
(37:00 A Life-Changing Scholarship: From Steel to College)
(53:07 Staying Connected to Working-Class Roots)
(58:39 Conclusion: Understanding the Working-Class Heart)

ROBERT ORDWAY'S LINKS:
🌐 The Reality of America’s Multi-Racial Working Class - https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/multi-racial-working-class
🌐 Robert Ordway's Substack - https://www.robertordway.com/

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/