About

The Holler is about class politics for rednecks and hippies.

On any given topic, we’ll center the balance of power and how it affects people who have to work tomorrow. We are biased in favor of the working class. Facts will be seasoned with opinion. The goal is truth and fairness in plain English.

This is an evolving journal of a political organizer who sometimes commits acts of serious journalism. Sometimes, you’ll get straight reporting. Most times, it’s the soup of the day: essays, rants, short-video transcripts, commentary on larger projects I collaborate on, and whatever I’m trying out.

We’re out of the Appalachian Rust-Belt, in the Upper Ohio Valley. It’s a culturally unique place that shaped me more than anything else. This is where I was born, and it is home base for most of the work that inspires content here.

For a sample of my recent work, or most of the work I’ve done, check my LinkTree.

There are no paywalls here (and no publishing schedule), but if you believe in what we’re doing and want to keep it going, please pitch in. A $5/month ($60/year) subscription helps me keep chasing the stories and building the projects written about here.

About The Author

John Russell is a born-and-bred river rat based in Wheeling, WV. He earned a degree in Agricultural Science, farmed produce for seven years, and ran a stump grinder to pay for the farming habit.

He ran intentionally for state representative, accidentally for Congress, and later advised a major presidential campaign on rural policy and engagement. After a decade of that mix, John came back to the Ohio Valley, picked up a dive bartending job for a couple of years, and jumped into advocacy media.

His reporting with More Perfect Union earned an Emmy nomination in 2023 and an Emmy Award in 2025. In 2024, he spoke in primetime at the Democratic National Convention about the need to return to labor roots and class solidarity.

Today, he’s a part-time reporter for More Perfect Union and the main author of this here newsletter.

Support The Holler

No ads. No paywalls. No bosses. No big money. No outside influence. Just you, supporting the homegrown media you want to see.

And because of that, we’re allowed to say that 400 of the richest people in history are running humanity into the ground to preserve levels of private wealth that make the United States defense budget look like a piss ant. Try saying that on CNN.

Become an independent media sustainer today for $5/mo ($60/yr)

The Holler is a media property of Fall Creek Farm LLC