Firestarters with Shannon Watts

Rep. Gwen Moore was elected to represent Wisconsin's 4th Congressional District in 2004, making her the first African American elected to Congress from the State of Wisconsin. With over 40 years of public service, she has been at the forefront of some of our nation's most significant legislative achievements and has gained the reputation of a fearless advocate for women and children.In this conversation, we discussed what women, in particular, need to know about the SAVE Act, Rep. Moore's responses to Republicans who say that the SAVE Act is just a voter ID bill, how Trump's policies on immigration affect abuse survivors, and what Democrats in power are doing to stop the SAVE Act.Connect with Rep. Gwen Moore: Instagram | WebsiteIf you're looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

lauren harper is the legislative director for the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Gun Violence and grassroots organizer dedicated to tackling the root causes of gun violence in Illinois. Dr. Anthony Douglas II, MD MPH, is a surgical resident at the University of Chicago and the founder of the nation's first Surgical Advocacy Fellowship. In this conversation, we discussed what brought them both into the gun violence prevention advocacy and policy space, why grassroots activism is so important especially when it comes to gun laws, what the RIFL Act is and who it helps, and why shifting the costs of firearm injury back to firearm manufacturers will help reduce gun violence overall. How to get involved and support the RIFL Act: Instagram | Website | DonateIf you're looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Nourbese Flint is the President of All* Above All and All* In Action Fund, leading All* Above All's work to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color. Prior to coming to All* Above All, she was the Senior Director of Black Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she worked on the strategic partnership to strengthen Planned Parenthood's relationships within existing racial justice, reproductive justice, Black serving and civil rights organizations. Nourbese is a founding member of Trust Black Women, a national coalition dedicated to increasing respect and support of Black Women, and is one of the founding members of the Black Women's Democratic Club.In this conversation, we discussed why reproductive control is a core tool of fascism, the ways in which the current administration is attacking abortion access, the impact of reproductive control on women and especially black and brown women, and how we can fight back and advocate for abortion and reproductive justice. Connect with Nourbese: Website | Instagram | LinkedInIf you're looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Amy Diehl, Ph.D. is an award-winning IT leader and Chief Information Officer at Wilson College, as well as a leading gender equity researcher. She is the author of Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work and a sought-after speaker, consultant, and expert witness. Driven by a commitment to advancing gender equality, she helps organizations dismantle systemic barriers so women can advance and workplaces can thrive.In this conversation, we discussed how (beyond the horrible sexual abuse and trafficking) the Epstein files also brought to light the casual misogyny and sexism toward women, the 6 barriers outlined in her book, Glass Walls, that she used to analyze the files and the significance for women in the workplace, how misogyny enables a collective silence to protect men and devalue women, and what we can do to correct these injustices. Connect with Amy: Website | Instagram | LinkedInFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Jenn Sherman is my favorite Peloton star trainer who was the very first cycling instructor hired at Peloton Interactive. She's also the founder of The Back Nine Era, and her goal is to redefine life after 50 by training for longevity, health, and strength. In this conversation, we discussed how Jenn became a Peloton trainer in her 40s and how it's never too late to make a pivot in your life, how imposter syndrome still rears its ugly head no matter what you've accomplished, why community is an important part of women's health and fitness, what the “back nine era” is, and the 5 habits women should incorporate to live our best lives in our 50s and beyond. Connect with Jenn: Instagram | Facebook For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Stefanie O'Connell is an award-winning journalist covering money, power, and ambition whose work has been published in Slate, Bloomberg, Newsweek, USA Today, Glamour UK, Business Insider, and CNBC.com. She wrote, hosted, and co-produced Real Simple magazine's Webby Award–winning podcast Money Confidential and publishes the Too Ambitious newsletter. She's also the author of the upcoming book, The Ambition Penalty: How Corporate Culture Tells Women to Step Up―and Then Pushes Them Down. In this conversation, we discussed the biggest obstacle to women's opportunity and wealth, the myths surrounding gender equality and workplace bias, what the “ambition penalty” is, what women should do when the system is against us, and her upcoming book, The Ambition Penalty. Connect with Stefanie: Website | Substack | InstagramFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Annie Andrews has spent her career as a pediatrician fighting for children and families, and now she is taking that fight to the Senate. She is a mom and Democrat running to unseat Lindsey Graham in South Carolina. After nearly two decades in children's hospitals, Annie saw how Washington's failures reach all the way into her hospital room every day. Kids shot in their own neighborhoods, parents forced to ration medication, families unable to find mental health care. So she got involved in advocacy and policy—and what she saw in the halls of power appalled her. With public health under attack, we need leaders like Annie in office.In this conversation, we discussed what it's like to go from a private everyday citizen to someone who is trying to protect people and force change, the pivotal moment that motivated Annie to run for Senate, why it's important to support Democratic candidates in “red” states, and why we can't stop fighting against the political corruption in our government. Connect with Dr. Annie: Website | Facebook | Instagram Click here to join Dr. Annie Andrews on March 25th at 8:30 p.m. ET for a virtual fundraiser. For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Heidi Lescanec has been a licensed naturopathic doctor in British Columbia for over 25 years, a trained anthropologist, and founder of The Pink Zones—a global and grassroots search for the places, people, and practices where women are thriving through midlife and beyond. She also focuses on hormone and digestive health and culinary nutrition. In her previous work, she saw the transformative power of traditional styles of healing that addressed the health of the whole person, body, and mind, and it inspired her to pursue studying naturopathic medicine. She aims to reach more women who believe the second half of life could be the best part.In this conversation, we discussed the term “pink zones” and how those environments allow women to thrive, what happens when women stop feeling invisible (especially in midlife and during menopause), why conventional medical training doesn't prepare women for the midlife transition, and we address the question of why women are living longer but aren't necessarily thriving longer.Connect with Dr. Heidi: Substack | Website | Instagram For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Juliana Stratton is the Lt. Governor of Illinois and a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Juliana is also a mom, a caregiver, a Chicago South Sider, and a fighter for the people of Illinois. Alongside Governor JB Pritzker, she's spent the last decade working to make life more affordable and expand opportunities for the middle class, and now she's ready to bring that blueprint to Washington.In this conversation, we discussed Juliana's political journey and why she decided to run for Senate, why it's imperative to stand up to Donald Trump and his administration, why she feels so strongly about not accepting corporate PAC money for her campaign, how she's focused on making life more affordable for everyone, and why it's so important and significant to elect Black women in the Senate. Connect with Juliana: Website | Instagram | FacebookFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Oona Metz is a Boston-based psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience supporting women through the emotional, psychological, and identity shifts of divorce. She is also a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Group Psychotherapist, and her practice is focused on individual adults and group therapy. She specializes in working with women+ who are in transition. She is also the author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide For Women, about how women can navigate the emotional side of divorce and emerge stronger, more confident, and ready to thrive.In this conversation, we discussed the struggles women face in the midst of divorce, how to reduce shame and stigma and feelings of isolation around divorce, what “gray divorce” is and why it's on the rise, and the five stages of divorce grief. Connect with Oona: Website | Instagram | Facebook | IndeedFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Maria Sophocles is a board-certified OB/GYN and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. She is a nationally recognized thought leader in menopause and female sexual function, and a frequent panelist and speaker for women's health advocacy, investment, and policy. She is also the author of The Bedroom Gap: Rewrite the Rules and Roles of Sex in Mid Life (available on February 10th), which offers a roadmap for midlife women, couples, clinicians and anyone wanting to understand – and change – how we age, sexually speaking.In this conversation, we discussed why sex ed in schools needs to be revamped, how menopause can impact your sex life (and how to talk to your partner and doctor about it!), how resources like hormone replacement therapy and vaginal estrogen can help women in menopause, and we dispelled myths about sex and aging. Connect with Maria: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | TED Talk In case you missed it, read my essay on why women in midlife are having the best sex of their lives.For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you Marcus Flowers, Lisa Schreiber NBC-HWC, Author, Maximilian Hardy, dcdiversity, Caroline Pompizzi, and many others for tuning into my live video with Daniel Biss! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Jennifer Wallace is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author who explores the power of mattering in everyday life. Her first book, Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic — And What We Can Do About It, was a New York Times Bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of the Year, and a Next Big Idea selection. Her forthcoming book Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose, will be published on January 27th. Jennifer is also the founder of The Mattering Institute, whose mission is to create cultures of mattering in workplaces and communities.In this conversation, we discussed how people in today's society no longer feel valued, why mattering is an essential human need, the distinction between belonging and mattering, and tips on how to help people (and ourselves!) feel like they matter. Connect with Jennifer: Website | Instagram | LinkedInFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Mikala Jamison is an award-winning journalist, the creator of the bestselling Body Type newsletter, and a health and culture writer for outlets like The Atlantic and The Washington Post. She has worked as a certified group fitness instructor and trained as a competitive powerlifter, and also created the body-image focused live storytelling show, The Body Show. In this conversation, we discussed her experience with a binge eating disorder, the power of strength training, and how to get help for the people in your life who are struggling with body image.Connect with Mikala: Substack | InstagramFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Malynda Hale is a multi-hyphenate content creator, award-winning actress, and singer based in Los Angeles who uses her voice and platform to drive meaningful conversations around activism, justice, and human rights through digital media and storytelling. During our conversation, Malynda and I discuss her spiritual journey, how activism and faith can go hand in hand, and how she handles the blowback she gets for attempting nuance online. Malynda also tells us about The New Evangelicals, her new nonprofit focused on confronting Christian nationalism and redefining Christian activism.Connect with Malynda: Website | Instagram | SubstackFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Society often telegraphs that there is just one way to experience grief, but widow, cancer survivor, and author Lisa Keefauver wants us to know that grief can and should be allowed to be experienced in multiple ways. During our conversation, Lisa shared some of the insights from her book, “Grief is a Sneaky B***h: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss,” including something she refers to as “the grief time warp,” how to handle “grief thieves,” and how to break the isolation often felt by grievers in a culture obsessed with productivity.Connect with Lisa: Buy the Book | Instagram | Substack | PodcastFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

We've been talking about imposter syndrome, specifically in the workplace, this week. I was grateful to talk with Dr. Amy Diehl and Leanne Dzubinski, the co-authors of “Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work.” Together, they share with us the six gender bias barriers and how they are affecting women every single day across all industries, as well as how these systems, built for and by men, are holding women back.After watching the replay, be sure to check out the other pieces in this series:* Why women feel like imposters in spaces that value masculine traits* Five women who are the first in their male-dominated fieldsJoin us on Friday to round out this series and share your experiences with imposter syndrome in the workplace.For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Soraya Chemaly is an award-winning writer, activist, and director known for her influential work on feminism, gender justice, and women's rights. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger (2018), which explores how women are socialized to suppress anger and the transformative potential of channeling that emotion constructively. Her work in examining issues ranging from gender-based violence and online harassment to media representation and institutional sexism has resulted in her latest book, “All We Want Is Everything: How We Dismantle Male Supremacy,” an unflinching analysis of how naming male supremacy—in everything from private relationships to global politics—is essential to resisting the forces threatening democracy.Connect with Soraya: Website | Substack | Instagram | Buy the BookFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Katherine Clark, the highest-ranking woman in Congress, has made supporting American families a cornerstone of her congressional career. From championing policies like universal childcare to supporting paid family leave to providing affordable healthcare, Democratic Whip Clark is dedicated to creating policy that will ease the financial burdens and daily challenges facing people across the country. In this conversation, we talk about the suffering caused by the six-week Republican government shutdown, including a pause in SNAP payments, increased insurance premiums, and shuttered child care facilities. We also discuss the status of the shutdown, and what every-day Americans can do to make Republicans come to the negotiating table.Connect with Whip Clark: Website | InstagramFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

In her new biography, Lorissa Rinehart delivers the first-ever detailed account of the life of Jeannette Rankin, the first American woman to serve in Congress. “Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become the First Woman in Congress” shows how Rankin's determination, moral conviction, and savvy ultimately resulted in a cultural and political seismic shift in the US.Connect with Lorissa: Buy the Book | Substack | Website | InstagramFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

I had the great opportunity to chat with Jessica Mackler, president of EMILYs List. EMILY's List has been working for 40 years to elect Democratic, pro-choice women up and down the ballot all over the country. They've elected more than 1,800 women in the time that they've been doing this work. These elections are more important than ever. Tune in to learn how YOU can get involved in getting more women into office.Connect with EMILYs List: Instagram | Important LinksFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Today I had the great honor of talking with Joanna Schroeder, co-author of the book “Talk To Your Boys: 16 Conversations to Help Tweens and Teens Grow into Confident, Caring Young Men.” In our current climate, this conversation and this book is more important than ever. Take some time to watch the replay of our conversation above.Connect with Joanna: Buy the Book | Instagram | SubstackFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Check out my conversation with Jennifer Gerson, a reporter for The 19th News and point person for the new organization's new newsletter about all things perimenopause and menopause. Jen and I dove into many of the medical, cultural and generational aspects of middle age during our Substack Live. Watch the replay above and follow The 19th to sure you have all the information you need to live a long and healthy life.For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

“Your job isn't what makes you interesting, your hobby is.”- Karen WalrondCheck out my conversation with the delightful Karen Walrond, author of the brand new book In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur. For her book, Karen tried out seven new hobbies — everything from pottery to surfing to piano playing — to show readers how to do the same. She even provides a list of over 200 hobbies others might want to try — all in the interest of tuning out, tapping into ourselves, and finding joy. Connect with Karen: Buy the Book | Substack | InstagramFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

I loved getting to talk with Anna Gifty, an award-winning researcher and writer and doctoral student at Harvard Kennedy School studying public policy and economics. We discuss her new book, The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid, which offers a critical analysis of systemic economic inequities and insights into why it's disproportionately expensive to be a woman—especially a woman of color—in contemporary America.Anna and I discuss about why women—especially women of color—are undervalued in the American economy, and how their experience foreshadows what's in store for all women. Please watch the replay of our conversation, grab a copy of Anna's book, and check out her tour dates at annagifty.comConnect with Anna: Buy the book | InstagramFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Please check out the replay of my conversation with Rebecca Minor, LICSW about her new book Raising Trans Kids, the essential guide for parents, families, and educators committed to creating a world where transgender and nonbinary youth can thrive. With compassionate insights, evidence-based research, and practical advice, this groundbreaking book provides the clarity and reassurance needed to navigate the complex journey of raising trans and gender-expansive children.Rebecca and I discuss why it's so important for parents and caregivers (including educators!) to read her book, the encouragement she would give to the parents who are scared for their children, and the myths and misperceptions surrounding transgender children. At a time when trans youth face unprecedented legislative attacks and alarming mental health challenges, Raising Trans Kids is more than a guide—it's a lifeline. By addressing fears and misconceptions, it helps families move past uncertainty and fear into pride, joy, and unconditional love for their child's authentic self.I encourage you to buy extra copies of Raising Trans Kids to share in your communities or donate to help get the book into the hands of those who need it most. Teachers, school social workers, and librarians can email programs@littlereadersbigchange.org for copies while supplies last.And, be sure you're following Rebecca Minor, LICSW: Newsletter | Website | InstagramFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

(I write at length about many of these ideas in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week and get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)Check out my conversation with Stacy London, host of Prime Video show Wear Whatever the F You Want and mid-life advocate. Our conversation ranged from the importance of empowering women as they experience menopause and aging, concerns around hormone regulations, how to figure out what comes after 50 and beyond, and the concept of joy porn.Be sure you're following Stacy on Substack and hit play to watch our conversation above.For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)Check out my conversation with Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OBGYN and menopause expert. Our conversation ranged from the importance of understanding your health, the flawed study that lead a generation of women to believe HRT was dangerous, the prescription of HRT and the recent hearing on the black box warning labels, as well as the legacy we hope to leave in the world.Please enjoy this conversation and be sure you're following Dr. Shepherd on Instagram.Join me on my book tour! Get more information and tickets at firedupbook.comFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

“You can't burn what is already on fire.”Meggan Watterson, a feminist theologian with master's degrees from Harvard Divinity School and Columbia University's Union Theological Seminary, is a bestselling author and founder of the REDLADIES, a spiritual community focused on studying ancient Christian texts that were excluded from the New Testament. Her new book, The Girl Who Baptized Herself, explores a nearly lost first-century scripture about Saint Thecla, a young woman who survived multiple execution attempts and became a reigious teacher, using her story as a roadmap for readers to understand their spiritual worth and reclaim their power. In our conversation, Meggan and I explore how religious institutions have systematically excluded women from spiritual narratives for millennia, how connecting with the feminine divine helped her reclaim her sense of self-worth following sexual assault, and how embracing women's righteous anger can inspire us all to take action in protecting ourselves and others. Meggan invites us to align with our divine purpose, embrace vulnerability as strength, and honor our unique spiritual callings.To read more about inspiring stories about Firestarters like Meggan, grab a copy of my new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age at firedupbook.com.Join me on my book tour! Get more information and tickets at firedupbook.comFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

“One of the metaphors that I use is imagining guilt is a faulty check engine light on your car dashboard.  Your car has just been serviced, the oil is changed, everything's fine, but the stupid light just keeps going off. It doesn't actually give you any meaningful information, so you can ignore it. You can just say it's broken. Guilt is not a moral compass.”Pooja Lakshmin MD is a clinical psychiatrist in Austin, Texas, specializing in women's health. She's also an assistant professor of psychiatry. During our discussion, we talked about how she differentiates between faux self-care and real self-care, including the obstacles women face internally and externally, and to overcome them. We also discuss how real self-care can help women live lives that are more authentic and more audacious. And Pooja shares her insights about how self-care can help women find their spark and protect it throughout their lives.To read more about inspiring stories about Firestarters like Pooja, grab a copy of my book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age at firedupbook.com.Join me on my book tour! Get more information and tickets at firedupbook.comFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

“My definition of defiance is being able to act in alignment with your values, especially when there's pressure to do otherwise. It's not just for the brave people, extraordinary people, superheroes. It's available and it's necessary for all of us to really learn this skill."Dr. Sunita Sah is a physician turned organizational psychologist whose research has reshaped how we think about advice, bias, and trust in some of the most high-stakes environments—from hospitals to courtrooms to boardrooms and beyond. Her work sits at the fascinating intersection of ethics, decision-making, and human behavior.In Dr. Sah's new book, “Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes,” she explains why it's so difficult to speak up even when we know something is wrong, and she provides readers with simple tools to help them make decisions that align with their values.To read more about inspiring stories about Firestarters like Dr. Sah, grab a copy of my new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age at firedupbook.com.Join me on my book tour! For dates and tickets, visit firedupbook.com.For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Jessica Yellin, founder of News Not Noise, about the nudge that helped her take the leap to leave one career and embark on a new one. We also talk about the inevitable blowback you'll get when you begin to do things differently, and why it's important to remember that all blowback is predictable, but it's not personal. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)I was thrilled to talk to author and historian Sharon McMahon on Substack Live about how to take the next fiery step, why blowback is predictable, but not personal; and why you're never too old and it's never too late to fulfill your desires — all subjects I cover in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age.” If you're not already following Sharon's Substack, be sure to subscribe here.Join me on my book tour! For dates and tickets, visit firedupbook.com.For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)It was so great to have a conversation with Katie Couric. We talked about the need for everyone to get off the sidelines, how increment steps forward lead to revolutions, and the importance of finding your people — all topics I explore in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age.” Watch our replay above. And be sure you're following Katie's new Substack!Join me on my book tour! For dates and tickets, visit firedupbook.com.For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you've always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

"There has never been a more important time in our nation's history, or in the world, for women to figure out what it is they have to offer—their abilities, their values and their desires—and to bring those to the table. You deserve to leave a legacy. We all do."In my first solo episode of this podcast, I'm bringing you behind the scenes of writing my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” I talk about the whole book writing process, including how the book came to be (hint: it involved a treadmill and Maria Shriver), the origins of the “fire” metaphor, and why I interviewed over 70 women and what they taught me.If you're listening in real time, pub day is tomorrow, June 17. You can get your copy at firedupbook.com and register your purchase to enroll in Firestarter University for free!Thank you for all of your support. I'm so excited to get this book into your hands and to hear about your firestarting journeys.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

I loved this Substack Live conversation with Karen Walrond, an award winning author, speaker, leadership coach. Karen (who is sunshine personified) and I discuss why it's important to embrace being an amateur, how community compassion can be an act of resistance, and why women need to banish their feelings of guilt for pursuing their desires. Be sure you're following Karen's Substack, the make light journal, and please enjoy the replay of our conversation.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Watch the replay of my conversation with Susan Piver, bestselling author and founder of The Open Heart Project. We discuss why Bruce Springsteen is a big part of Susan's story, her incredible life and career, how the book The Heart of the Buddha found her, and why resting your mind is crucial to creativity.Susan is featured in my upcoming book Fired Up. Make sure you've ordered your copy, and that you've subscribed to Susan's Substack.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out on June 17, 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Watch the replay of my conversation with Katie Phang—prominent legal analyst, political commentator, and podcaster—about all the topics in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” including the expectations of women in the public eye, how to handle the guilt that can come with motherhood and pursuing your desires, friendship in middle age, and the importance of sharing power at all ages. And be sure you're following Katie's Substack!My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out on June 17, 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

“So I am silenced. I do not own my own truth. I do not own my own reality. I've had movies and miniseries made about me. I couldn't participate. I can't even tell you if they're accurate. I may never own my own voice, but I am going to make sure that other people do.”Gretchen Carlson is a renowned journalist, a bestselling author, and now an internationally recognized advocate for women's rights in the workplace. Gretchen's life has taken so many twists and turns—from youth violinist to Miss America to journalist to women's rights advocate.I was interested in learning more about how Gretchen navigated her non-linear journey. What propelled her forward? How did she keep going despite the difficulties she endured along the way? What obstacles did she face internally and externally, and how did she overcome them?To read more about inspiring stories about Firestarters like Gretchen, preorder my book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age at firedupbook.com.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Watch the replay of my conversation with Gretchen Rubin, author of “Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives,” for her inaugural Substack Live! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

"Motherhood is the ultimate experience of caring for others. Beyond biological motherhood, as a mother, you create something new in this world, you care for our interconnectedness with each other, you are thinking about others just as much as you're thinking about yourself, if not more so."Anna Malaika Tubbs is a powerhouse voice in the world of storytelling and social justice. She's a New York Times bestselling author with a focus on addressing gender and race issues in the United States, especially the pervasive erasure of Black women. Her debut book, The Three Mothers, re-centered the lives and legacies of the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. And in her newest book, Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden From Us, she brings together research, the stories of freedom fighters past and present, and her own experiences to explain the impact of American patriarchy. During our conversation, Anna and I discuss how her mother's views on motherhood encouraged her to be an activist and feminist, how she turned her research and policy expertise into storytelling, and why she's focused on telling stories to help us understand that we don't see Black women as full human beings.To read more inspiring stories from Firestarters like Anna, preorder my book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age at firedupbook.com.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Watch the replay of my conversation with amanda haas. We discuss her journey from stay-at-home mom to single-mother entrepreneur, how she got (and is still getting) through the messy middle of her divorce and dealing with a chronic illness, and why it's important for your kids to see you follow your desires, not just fulfill your obligations. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

"I am a very heart-driven person. And as a woman you feel like you need to suppress that in certain spaces, or it can be belittled. I'm working on embracing and celebrating that that is exactly the kind of medicine I bring to this life—that curiosity, thinking, and expressing, but also a deep empathy that is powerful and not weak."Jamia Wilson was born in America, the child of civil rights activists, but spent her formative years growing up in Saudi Arabia. Later, she returned to America, believing it to be both her calling and obligation to fight for the nation's promises to its citizens through her unique form of activism: writing. After becoming the first Black woman and youngest person to hold the job of executive director and publisher at the Feminist Press, Jamia moved to Random House where she mentors other authors and ensures diverse voices are elevated. Jamia is out with her own book, Make Good Trouble: Discover Movements that Sparked Change, which combines her love of writing with activism by encouraging young readers to engage in democracy. During our conversation, Jamia and I discuss what it was like to grow up as a Black child in another country and what it was like to return to America; how her parents' activism and encouragement shaped her world view; and why, as an author, she's so focused on connecting with younger generations of Americans. To read more inspiring stories from Firestarters like Jamia, preorder my book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age at firedupbook.com.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Check out my Substack Live conversation with Joy Sullivan. Joy is a poet, teacher, and author of the national bestseller, Instructions for Traveling West. She's led international writing retreats, served as the poet-in-residence for the Wexner Center for the Arts, and is the founder of writing community, Sustenance.Joy and I discuss finding the spark that made each of us come alive, why women should embrace emotions like rage and desire, and what community means to us. Be sure you're following Joy's Substack, Necessary Salt by Joy Sullivan, so that you can keep up with everything she's doing.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Check out my Substack Live conversation with Olivia Julianna, an abortion rights activist, democracy organizer, and political influencer who lives in Texas. Her massive following across social media platforms is changing the political landscape and ensuring that Gen Z voices are front and center.Olivia and I discuss how she got involved in activism, what it's like to fight back against the trolls (including the one who showed up in our Live comment section!), and what she envisions for the future of red states. Be sure you're following Olivia's Substack, A New Perspective, so that you can keep up with everything she's doing.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

"You don't know when you're pollinating the world with your attempts how they'll come back to you. It might be completely nonlinear. You knock on the same door 20 times and then it's actually a door to the left, down the hall, across the country that opens for you."As a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, a Tony Award nominee, and the recipient of the MacArthur Genius Fellowship, playwright Sarah Ruhl is no stranger to accolades. After writing about the passage of time during the pandemic, her experience developing Bell's palsy after pregnancy, and her friendship through letters with a poet in remission from cancer, Sarah is sharing the lessons she taught her students at Yale in her new book, Lessons from My Teachers: From Preschool to the Present. This intimate essay collection is a testament to the bond that develops between teacher and student and how we learn from one another.In this conversation, Sarah and I discuss her feminist father who encouraged her to follow her desires, what she learned from an important teacher about handling rejection, and why we should all send a note of gratitude *right now* to the important teachers in our life—before it's too late to matter.Sarah is a canny observer of the human condition, a prolific and gifted writer, and a truth teller whose stories unlock truths about the human condition. To read more inspiring stories from Firestarters like Sarah, preorder my book “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age” at firedupbook.com.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Check out my Substack Live conversation with Jess Piper, a mother and grandmother who lives on a small farm on the Missouri/Iowa border, about why it's so important that the Democratic Party start focusing on organizing voters in the rural areas of red states—not just before an election, but all year long: “It's just mind blowing because we can win. We don't have to flip a district. We don't have to flip a seat. We have to turn out enough voters to make a difference at the top of the ticket. Every voter is worth it. And that's what I want Democrats to understand. We're all worth it.”Jess, a former teacher who became active in politics after Donald Trump was elected in 2016, is the Executive Director for Blue Missouri and hosts a weekly podcast called “Dirt Road Democrat,” which can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. Be sure you're subscribed to Jess' Substack The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper, and listen in to my other Substack Live conversations by clicking here.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

"Bravery is a muscle and by overcoming fear, by being courageous, we build that muscle so that the next time around we can access that bravery muscle even quicker and with even more temerity and strength."Since 2019, Jocelyn Benson, a former law professor, has served as Michigan's Secretary of State, and she's been a tireless advocate for voting rights, election integrity, and government transparency. Jocelyn is now also an author, and her new book, The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High, shines a light on how her parents' careers in education shaped her worldview of fighting for the underdog, what the 2000 election outcome had to do with her transition from a career in law to public service, and why she's now running to be Michigan's governor. Jocelyn has a deep commitment to public service, a desire to empower Americans to advocate for democracy, and a relentless drive to champion fairness and equality for all, even in the face of threats from extremists who have attempted to silence and intimidate her for speaking out. To read more inspiring stories from Firestarters like Jocelyn, preorder my book “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age” at firedupbook.com.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Check out my Substack Live conversation with Liz Minnella on how things are going post-election, her new initiative Connect Forward, and her new podcast Demfluenced. You can connect with Liz on Instagram for more information on her projects. And don't forget to check out my other Substack Live conversations by clicking here.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

Check out my conversation with Mallory McMorrow about how she ended up running for office and winning, why she wrote her new book, “Hate Won't Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It,” and what's next for her as she runs for a seat in the US Senate.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

"If we can inherit the trauma from our ancestors, then that means we can also inherit their wisdom, their goodness, their fortitude, their strength."Daria Burke would have had a very different life if she'd chosen to accept what seemed like her fate, but she knew innately that the addiction her parents struggled with and the neglect she endured didn't have to shape her future, too. In Daria's new book, Of My Own Making, she writes about the incredible path she carved for herself, from a life of poverty to a career in the C-suite.Daria and I discuss how she overcame her difficult childhood, the importance of therapy when working through trauma, and how she eventually learned to prioritize personal alignment over career ambition. Daria is a no-nonsense narrator, a wise teacher, and a beloved coach who shows us the stories we've told ourselves don't actually have to define our lives. Daria is a firestarter.To read more inspiring stories from Firestarters like Daria, preorder my book “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age” at firedupbook.com.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe