Step Up Podcast

Tiffany tells us how her sister's disability sparked a passion for advocacy at a young age, the leadership lessons she learned while working at the Whitehouse during 9/11, and gives practical advice on how you can be an effective advocate for a cause that matters to you.

Hadley Heath Manning is the director of policy at the Independent Women's Forum where she frequently comments on health care, entitlements and economic policy. She was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in Law and Policy in 2016. In this episode Hadley joins Ellen to discuss choices and opportunities for women in the workplace and why the liberal agenda often fails to recognize women’s voices.  

After Sylvie personally encountered the unique challenges women face in public policy, she co-founded The Policy Circle to provide women with opportunities to gain confidence in public policy dialogue. She has more than 20 years of experience working in technology, process and change management, and she is the co-owner of a bicycle shop outside Chicago.

Join Ellen as she interviews former state representative Jason Isaac.  Jason was her first employer in the public sector when she worked as his chief of staff.  They discuss how they've worked together in the past, how the legislature can encourage women in politics, and why your vote in local races matter. 

Stacy Hock is a philanthropist, public policy activist, and business owner who has done everything from serving as a gubernatorial appointee to leading the charge on improving our education system. She has also taken on a new role as the Texas GOP 2020 victory chairwoman and is charged with leading the party’s statewide strategy in the upcoming election. Stacy is proof that running for office isn't the only way to make an impact, and Ellen sits down with her to find out how.

Mandy Gunasekara, a Climate and energy strategist and communicator, tells us how she became the presidential appointee for the EPA and gives her insight on why a flourishing economy is key to environmental quality.

You may know her as one of the President’s guests at the 2019 State of the Union, from the recent Super Bowl ad featuring her story, or from the attention of a high-profile reality star turned criminal justice advocate. Here’s your chance to hear directly from the woman behind the hoopla you will not be disappointed with her story or her spirit.

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx details her journey from extreme poverty to Congress and how she uses her platform to encourage others to get involved and make a difference with their talents.

Did you know that of the nearly 11,000 who have served in Congress, only 366 have been women? In this episode of the Step Up Podcast, Ellen chats with the 200th woman elected to the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, about her experience as one of the few women in Congress and the importance of fostering conservative female leaders.

The purple-haired social media influencer with 50,000 twitter followers talks about how she’s made mundane topics like occupational licensing reform great again!

Katie discusses how witnessing the benefits of school choice on the lives of low-income students in New Orleans pulled her away from pursuing law towards issue-based advocacy.

Declared the winner in her Congressional race on election night and the loser the next morning, Yvette discusses the impact of 9/11, campaigning, and how sharing a skin care tip earned her votes across the aisle.

A former State Representative who gave up her seat to become a County Commissioner,Libby dispels common assumptions about power at different levels of government, and explains why she has more influence (and better pay!) as a local leader

From Public Affairs Director for Newt Gingrich to the leader of an influential national organization and Commissioner of the White House Fellows Program, Lisa Nelson knows how to influence from behind the scenes.

Elected when she was 27 years old, Julie is the youngest woman in the Louisiana Legislature, and lets us in on a secret: constituents are the most powerful lobbyists in politics.

From Venezuelan immigrant to homeschooling mom to Senator, Patricia talks about her unlikely journey and how the bank bailouts in 2008 compelled her step up to ensure the country that she now calls home didn’t become the country that she left behind.

Welcome to Step Up — the podcast where we learn to advocate like a woman! I’m your host Ellen Troxclair. Each week we talk to a different leader about how she became active in policy and politics. No matter the level, in political office or at their kitchen table, women are making a difference. We tell your stories, and help inspire others to step up too! Regardless of political leanings, you are needed and your voice matters.