What happens when you’re the only one in the room willing to say what no one else will? Nikki Fried knows the feeling all too well.

As Florida’s former Agriculture Commissioner and now Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, Nikki has spent her career challenging power from the inside out. She’s been arrested protesting abortion bans, turned a low-profile government role into a platform for progress, and refused to stay silent in the face of growing extremism in her home state.

In this powerful conversation, Nikki opens up about the political battles most people never see—the clashes with Ron DeSantis, the controversy around Alligator Alcatraz, and why the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” isn’t what it seems. She also shares her strategy for rebuilding the Florida Democratic Party, why local elections matter more than most realize, and what she wants young women to know about power, protest, and persistence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why Nikki turned down a 2026 gubernatorial run—and what she’s building instead

The truth behind her arrest during Florida’s abortion protests

What’s really happening at Alligator Alcatraz

Why she says the “Big Beautiful Bill” is dangerous for Floridians

How women in politics are labeled—and why she wears it all as armor

Her personal “Misunderstood” moment—and the sentence she wants to finish

Follow Nikki Fried:

Instagram/Twitter: @NikkiFried | @FlaDems

--- --- ---

PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood 

Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitel

Shop Miss Understood Merch https://mumerch.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=en

Follow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitel

Executive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona 

Do you have show ideas, media requests or sponsorship opportunities? Email the show at: ru@missumedia.com

Listen on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw13NrSKD-nD_8E0vBHt5hA

Rumble: ⁠⁠https://rumble.com/c/RachelUchitel⁠⁠

Website: https://missunderstoodpodcast.com/