The Suburban Women Problem

There's a lot to be stressed about right now. We're seeing the dissolution of our democratic norms and ideals before our very eyes.But extremists don't want us thinking about democracy. They want us thinking about the 5 trans kids who wanted to play soccer this year.Just so far this year, over 900 anti-trans bills are under consideration across the country. The majority apply to kids, particularly in school. Some of the laws are frankly terrifying, like one in Florida that requires genital inspections for any kid suspected of being trans. Genital. Inspections. Of Kids.But even anti-trans organizations can't find more than five trans kids playing on girls' sports teams. And at the college level, NCAA president Charlie Baker said that there are fewer than 10 transgender athletes who currently compete in college sports. That's less than 0.002 percent!There's a lot of well-meaning concern for trans kids out there, but doctors are not giving children gender-affirming surgery. A Harvard study in 2019 found zero cases of gender surgery in kids under the age of 12. And for the small number of teenagers who were given surgery (2.1 per 100,000 teens), the vast majority are breast reductions for boys who aren't trans. 97% of gender-affirming surgeries on minors are for boys who were born as boys and identify as boys and just want a smaller chest so they can continue to feel like boys.Somehow that statistic rarely comes up when politicians are out there making speeches and passing bills against trans kids. By scaring people with fake information, politicians can drum up support while passing laws that actually harm Americans – not just trans kids, but all of us.If you're feeling burned out on bad news, or even burned out on empathy, we understand. But this Pride Month, we have to let trans kids know we're paying attention and we care.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Thanks for listening to the Red Wine & Blue podcast. This week, instead of an episode of Okay But Why, we're sharing a virtual event we recently held with a former Republican named Courtney. She used to be a Trump voter, but now she leads a TroubleNation group in Pennsylvania. Courtney shared with us what changed her mind and how we can reach other MAGA voters. We always say that it's never too late for someone to change their mind, and Courtney is proof that it really is possible.We hope you enjoy this conversation.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The federal minimum wage right now is $7.25. For someone working full-time, that translates to $15,060 per year, just $20 over the national poverty line.The US minimum wage has been hotly debated since its beginning, so this week, we're taking a closer look at its history, exactly who is making it, and dispelling some misinformation.In 2023, almost a million hourly workers in the United States made minimum wage or less. And contrary to popular belief, they're not all teenagers — many are moms earning half of their family's total income. They're working jobs you might expect, like retail and food service, but also jobs you might not have expected, like home healthcare workers. And here's something important to know: the minimum wage doesn't automatically increase with inflation. It has to be intentionally raised by Congress, something that hasn't happened since 2009. Think about how much prices have gone up since then! It doesn't have to be this way. If we look at other countries around the world, or even America a few decades ago, we can see that wealth inequality has never been this bad. It's not a fact of life; it's not a necessary evil to have a good economy. It can change if we all talk to our friends and neighbors… and vote accordingly.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Kids today have a lot to worry about. Getting through adolescence was hard enough in generations past, but these days, kids have more anxieties than ever. And who can blame them? There were 83 school shootings in 2024 and gun violence is now the number one cause of death for kids.In 2023, 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and that increases to 53% when you just ask girls. And if you ask LGBTQ kids, that number goes all the way up to 65%. Even sadder, suicide has become the second-leading cause of death for kids between 10 and 14.There's a lot of concern about kids' phone use, especially social media, and that certainly plays a role. But some experts believe that just two things are primarily to blame for most mental health crises: poverty and violence. And of course the Trump administration has been making both of those issues worse, catering to the NRA and cutting programs that support working families. He closed the White House Office for Gun Violence Prevention and, just last month, approved the sale of “forced reset triggers” that allow normal guns to fire like machine guns.Trump also cut $1 billion in funding for student mental health services. Yes, one billion dollars taken away from helping kids with their mental health.There's no lack of internet opinions about parenting, and when it comes to things like social media, you know your own kids best. But we know how to improve outcomes for kids across the country: funding for mental health services, better gun safety laws, assistance for families who need help with food or housing, and protection for kids who live with domestic abuse. The Trump administration has been moving us backwards on every one of these issues and it's on us to speak up for kids.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Few issues polarize this country like abortion. Most Americans believe these intensely personal decisions should be made by families and doctors, not politicians. But even those who call themselves “pro-life” usually believe some exceptions should be made — in the case of rape, when it's a matter of saving the mother's life, or when doctors determine the fetus has no chance of survival.But we've seen time and time again that “exceptions” don't work.Right now, in Georgia, a tragedy is playing out before our eyes. A young woman named Adriana Smith suffered multiple blood clots in February and was declared brain dead, but because she was 9 weeks pregnant at the time, the hospital is keeping her hooked up to machines until doctors believe her fetus can survive on its own.It's important to know that Adriana isn't in a coma or even a vegetative state — legally and medically, she's dead. Her body is being kept alive by more machines and medicines than you can imagine, all because of Georgia's 6-week abortion ban. Imagine being Adriana's mother. Watching your daughter's body hooked up to all those machines, kept in this horrible middle space between life and death, not for days or weeks but for months. In interviews, she's called it “torture.” And her family was never given a choice.If Adriana, or Amanda Zurawski, or a ten-year-old rape victim aren't exceptions to abortion laws, who is? And why should politicians get to decide? We can't change the Dobbs decision, but we can push for an end to state abortion bans. We've already seen it work, like a 2023 constitutional amendment in Ohio. It isn't easy, but we owe it to Adriana, Amanda, and all of the women whose stories have yet to be written.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

You may have seen headlines recently about extremists going after no-fault divorce. “Yeah, okay, I've seen those stories,” your friends might say, “but… why would they do that?” The answer, of course, is simple: it's about controlling women.Critics of no-fault divorce, like JD Vance, claim that it's bad for couples and especially bad for kids. But the data just doesn't bear that out. The really important thing to know is that no-fault divorce protects women. There was a 15% decrease in female suicides in states that passed no-fault divorce laws and a 30% decrease in domestic violence. Each one of those statistics is a real story — and you can hear some of them in this week's episode.A few years ago, an end to no-fault divorce seemed unlikely. But after the end of Roe v Wade, of course this is the next legal right to land on the chopping block. So far, bills to overturn no-fault divorce have been unsuccessful, even in states where they've been proposed like Texas and Oklahoma. But extremists aren't going to stop their attack on women and it's up to us to keep talking about it.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Donald Trump promised to be “tough” on immigration on the campaign trail, vowing to “launch the largest deportation program of criminals in American history.”“Criminals,” he said. So why is ICE detaining children? And why do half of the adults held in ICE detention facilities have no criminal record?In New York, a mom and her three kids—including a third grader—were arrested by ICE and shipped off to a facility in Texas. In Louisiana, ICE deported a four-year-old with cancer to Honduras, despite the child being a US citizen. Across America, families live in fear of separation, even those who are following the legal pathways and completing all of their required paperwork and check-ins.And if that wasn't bad enough, the conditions in ICE detention facilities is atrocious: crowded cells, freezing concrete floors, water from the toilet, and constant dehumanizing treatment from guards. All of this for people with no criminal record and, again, actual children. Is this really the America we want?This Okay, But Why is upsetting, but we can't turn away. Trump's ICE quotas and for-profit prison companies are creating a hell on earth for some of our most vulnerable people and we have to speak out.***If you're enjoying Okay, But Why, we'd love if you could leave us a rating and review in your podcast player!For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

When James Baldwin went on the Dick Cavett Show in 1969, he was asked a very loaded question: why aren't Black people more optimistic? Jim Crow laws had been outlawed, Black people were becoming mayors and successful businesspeople… so why was he still talking about race?Obviously racism didn't “end” with the Civil War, or the Civil Rights Act, or Obama's election. In fact, Donald Trump has spurred a resurgence — there's been a nearly 50% increase in white supremacy groups just in the past few years. And yet he's waging a war on Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs, Critical Race Theory, and the very notion that racism still exists.But racism – and anti-Blackness in particular – is still a powerful force. It's built into the very structure of the country. It shows up in politics, medicine, sports, education, and even eBay.In this week's episode of Okay But Why, we explore the history of anti-Blackness in America, how it manifests to this day, and what we can do about it. If you want to learn more, there are so many books, films, and podcasts out there! Check out Code Switch, The 1619 Project, Stamped From The Beginning, The Black Friend, White Tears/Brown Scars, Hood Feminism, or the upcoming The Race Track: How The Myth of Equal Opportunity Defeats Racial Justice.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Last year, extreme weather cost us hundreds of American lives and hundreds of billions of dollars. So… why is the Trump Administration defunding the Weather Service?The Weather Service is part of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We need NOAA to help us predict storms and warn people when they need to evacuate. The data is used by airports to make sure planes can fly safely, by farmers to know when to plant their crops, by fishing companies to know when it's safe to send boats out on the water, and by construction companies to plan the best time to pour concrete and calculate the right risks of wildfires or flooding. And individual Americans rely on their weather apps and local meteorologists to tell them when it's safe to go out for a hike or what to pack for an upcoming vacation. The weather app on your phone isn't magical - it relies on weather data provided by NOAA.Climate and weather may be complicated, but the reason why Trump is cutting NOAA is very simple: it's in Project 2025.What Project 2025 wants to do is make NOAA a private, for-profit service. But some things are a public good - like schools, parks, and information. Who benefits when climate and weather information is suddenly paywalled? The millionaires and billionaires who run the companies that now own that information.If we want to survive and thrive over the next few generations, we need access to the best information about our atmosphere and oceans. Weather isn't a partisan issue and we should keep it that way.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Right now, most of us are feeling stress and anxiety. On top of everything else in our lives, the political chaos seems too much to bear. A 2024 survey from the American Psychological Association found that over 70% of adults consider the country's future a significant source of stress — and even though we're only four months into 2025, if our group chats are any indication, we're struggling now more than ever.At the same time, there's an epidemic of loneliness. Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an official advisory about loneliness in 2023… turns out, it's not just bad for our mood, it's bad for our physical health too. People who are disconnected and lonely are twice as likely to die as people who have strong communities.The good news is, community connection can help with both of these problems! Not only do social bonds make us healthier and happier, political action is far more effective when done as a group. We all have different strengths and perspectives, and our friends can fill in the gaps when we need a break. In these chaotic and stressful times, community is more important than ever. It isn't just good for our hearts and minds, it's good for democracy. When women with shared values get together, there's no stopping us.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This week, Red Wine & Blue held a virtual event with two inspiring women: Heather Cox Richardson and Representative Jasmine Crockett. More than 45,000 people joined us on Zoom and hundreds of thousands watched the livestream!Heather and Jasmine talked about so much — Project 2025, the power of local organizing, and what it'll take for us to rebuild a healthy United States of America. If you missed the event, you can listen right here!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Social security is an American institution. After decades of working hard, we expect to retire with a well-earned safety net to help us with our monthly expenses. Trump and Elon Musk claim that Social Security is rife with corruption and fraud. Musk told podcaster Joe Rogan that it's “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.” But whenever unbiased, nonpartisan groups study the numbers, they find very little fraud. Instead, they find millions of people who rely on those payments for their very survival. (And, it should be noted, exactly zero 150-year-olds receiving benefits.)So... why is Social Security at risk? This episode breaks down the facts and corrects the disinformation about the agency, who's receiving payments, and what's really happening.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

When Trump was running for office last year, he promised to “lower prices on day one.” So… why are eggs still so expensive? And why are other groceries still so expensive too?Sure, bird flu is one factor - but it's actually having less of an impact than you've been told. A lot of other factors are at play too, from tariffs to corporate profits to immigration policies that target our agricultural workers. Just this week, Trump is set to announce a new round of tariffs in what he's ironically calling “liberation day.”All of this would be bad enough, but in the meantime, Republicans are cutting funding and programs that help struggling families put food on the table. The USDA has stopped $500 million in deliveries to food banks and slashed a billion dollars from programs that helped schools purchase fresh local food. And SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) is likely to experience major cuts too.You can't find a more “kitchen table issue” than what families can afford to put on their literal kitchen tables. Extremists want us to think the economy is too complicated to understand, but it's actually quite simple: we need leaders who prioritize families over profits. Access to food is a basic human right and we need them to treat it that way.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

With breaking news and shocking headlines still happening on a weekly basis, sometimes it's hard to believe that  the current war in Ukraine has been going on for more than three years. You may have heard a neighbor or family member asking… why should the United States be involved at all? With so many problems here at home, why should we care about a war on the other side of the world?Well, there's two different ways to answer that question: the humanitarian crisis, and our national security. In this episode, we dive into both. Trump still says he's committed to ending the war. But will he end it in a way that's good for Ukraine and democracy? Or will he end it in a way that's good for Vladimir Putin... and himself? This war is already tragically close to home for kids in Ukraine, and it could be other kids across the world – including ours – that feel it next.So the next time you hear someone ask why the United States should care about this war, you can share this episode and tell them exactly why we should support Ukraine.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Public education is a cornerstone of our democracy. But Donald Trump and his new Secretary of Education Linda McMahon haven't exactly made it a secret that they want to shut down the Department of Education. Phrases like “parental choice” and “school choice” might make this sound good for families, but in reality, it leaves far too many kids behind.Before we had a Department of Ed, students who weren't white, were disabled, or living in poverty had little access to a good education. Some, like Native American children sent to abusive “Indian schools,” were actively harmed or even died. But since its founding in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, the department has made sure that every kid has an equal opportunity to learn.That's what the Department of Education does. It doesn't write curriculum for teachers or choose books for librarians - it just makes sure that every child has access to a great public education.We know that Trump and McMahon are breaking things they don't understand. So it's up to us to make sure that we do — and that we share that knowledge with everyone we know.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In this first episode of our limited series "Okay, But Why?", we're taking a deep dive into voting rights.We all want free and fair elections where everyone who's legally able to vote can make their voice heard. But every time the experts study voter fraud, they find almost zero evidence that undocumented immigrants or anyone else is voting illegally. So then… why are there so many new voting laws out there?Today, we're examining the history of voting rights and taking a closer look at why politicians are trying so hard to keep some Americans from voting.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We knew it was coming, but it's still hard to believe that this is our last episode of The Suburban Women Problem. We have appreciated this community of listeners so much over the past 4 years, and we're so grateful to Jasmine, Rachel and Amanda for continuing to bring their whole selves to 5 seasons of great conversations.This week, RWB founder Katie Paris sends us off - but she's also here to share a little bit about what's coming next! Red Wine & Blue's work is more important than ever in this difficult political time, and we've been hearing two things from our community: women have questions, and we're burned out. Starting next week, we'll run a series of short shareable episodes called "Okay But Why," where we answer some of the questions we've been hearing. Katie also teased a show we'll be producing later this spring about political burnout. The struggle is real and we want to meet our listeners where they're at!So don't go anywhere - unlike many federal departments right now, you will not have an interruption in service! And if you have any questions or thoughts about what podcasts might help you right now, please feel free to reach out.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The week after last November's election, we knew there was only one person we wanted to talk to: Connie Schultz. We were still immersed in grief, anger, and even despair following Trump's win - and Connie was dealing with her husband Sherrod Brown losing his re-election to the Senate as well.But we loved her advice.... it's our job to make hope possible, not despair convincing.The election results redefined the political landscape in America and the scope of this podcast. But we will continue to support our communities, encourage real conversations, and make hope possible.We'll see you next Wednesday for the final episode of The Suburban Women Problem.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In March of 2023, we were so excited to be joined by bestselling author Angie Thomas. Her books include "The Hate U Give" and "On The Come Up" and unfortunately, they're some of the most frequently banned books in the country.Jasmine and Angie had an amazing conversation about Black Lives Matter, the power of books, Black Girl Magic, and so much more. We hope you enjoy their chat as much as we did!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

To celebrate our 50th episode back in May 2022, we invited suburban women superhero Mallory McMorrow to join us. Mallory, a state senator in Michigan, had recently gone viral for a speech where she stood up for marginalized groups as "a white Christian suburban mom." Mallory is a reminder of the good that can come from suburban women using our voices and standing behind our values.Her political career has continued to blossom since she was on the pod and her debut book is coming out in just a few weeks! It's called Hate Won't Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than We Found It and we can't wait to read it.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Thanks again for joining us on this look back through 5 seasons of The Suburban Women Problem. Today we're sharing Season 1, Episode 18 - our interview with the late great Cecile Richards.Even at the time, we couldn't believe we were lucky enough to discuss women's rights, reproductive healthcare, and politics with such an inspirational leader as Cecile. But since she passed away last month, we are even more grateful for the opportunity to feature her on the podcast.A lot has changed since we talked to Cecile in September of 2021, but her advice to not wait for instructions and just jump in is as timely as ever.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In case you haven't heard, The Suburban Women Problem is wrapping up next week to make way for new podcasts out of Red Wine & Blue. As the producer of the podcast, I'm so grateful to Rachel, Jasmine and Amanda for 4 years of great conversations, and to you, our listeners, for joining us on this journey.All endings are sad, but I want to assure everyone that this really isn't good-bye. We're developing new podcasts to meet the moment and we can't wait to share them with you.But for this week, I wanted to give The Suburban Women Problem the celebration it deserves. Every day, I'll be reposting old episodes that were particularly meaningful for us – and, I hope, for you too. I'm starting with our very first regular episode, Season 1 Episode 2, where we talked to Jamie Jara, the mom of a trans daughter, along with the delightful Chasten Buttigieg. It's amazing how far we've come, and yet how much we're still dealing with these very same issues.There's one interpretation of this episode that's awfully depressing. Trump is president again, and people in the LGBTQ community– especially trans kids – are under attack more than ever. But it's important to say this too. Four years later, Jamie Jara and her daughter Dempsey are thriving. Dempsey dreams of becoming of an actress and actually appeared in the HBO show We're Here and was even on stage at the 2023 GLAAD Awards to help accept an award for the show.And Chasten Buttigieg is thriving too! He's continued to publish books and even better, he and Pete become parents of twins.The political landscape may be grim, but they cannot take our joy. And that itself is an act of resistance.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We talk a lot about self-care, but there aren't enough bubble baths in the world to make us feel better about the news lately. Federal employees are losing their jobs. RFK is against anti-depressants and ADHD medication. Elon Musk is giving press conferences in the Oval Office. Everything feels terrifying, and for good reason.So maybe manicures and bubble baths aren't the self-care we really need. (Although of course we love both!) Maybe the self-care we need is quieter. More compassionate. More creative. More about community.This week, we were honored to talk to author, sociologist, and life coach Martha Beck. Her latest book is “Beyond Anxiety” and who among us couldn't use some tips for getting beyond anxiety these days? She tells us about how we can counter the “anxiety spiral” with a “creativity spiral” and how community is the most powerful and intrinsic part of humanity.Martha talked Amanda and Katie Paris through their own anxieties and gave us so much wisdom that will definitely help us get through the next four years. We hope you get as much out of the conversation as we did.This is the last official interview of The Suburban Women Problem, but we'd love to hear from you about what the podcast has meant to you. We'll read those listener notes on our final episode on March 5th!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Before we get into today's episode, we have an important announcement: after 4 years and 200 episodes, we are bringing The Suburban Women Problem to a close and starting something new. If you've been a loyal listener of the show, we know that might be hard. It's hard for us too. But this show was created in 2021 and the political world is so different now - we want to meet the moment and create new kinds of content that support meaningful action in this difficult time.We've been hearing from our community that so many of you are overwhelmed. Many of us are struggling with grief, fear, and burn-out, unable to engage with the news. So we're planning some content that helps our community stay informed and inspired without getting overwhelmed by the daily news cycle.We'll have a regular episode next week, followed by a week of celebration with all of our favorite conversations. Our last episode of The Suburban Women Problem will air on March 5th, and after that, we'll have all kinds of exciting new content here on the same podcast feed as always. We are so grateful for everyone who's become part of the SWP community and we can't wait to start a new adventure with you.With that said, this week our hosts had a great conversation with Red Wine & Blue COO (and yoga teacher!) LaFonda Cousin about self-care and why so many rights we're fighting for right now should never have become "political" in the first place.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In North Carolina, Republicans are trying to throw out more than 60,000 votes and overturn the 2024 election results of a race for NC Supreme Court. You read that right — 60,000 votes.But Kate Barr (who actually was on the pod back in November) pulled together a powerful protest: reading all 60,000 names aloud at the state Supreme Court to give voice to all of those voters. Red Wine & Blue organizers in North Carolina pitched in, including this week's guest Torrie Oglesby, by reading names and calling those voters to let them know what's going on. We don't have a ruling yet, but Torrie believes that their protest has sent a powerful message.It's hard not to feel powerless in the face of everything happening right now. But there are so many ways to stand up for our values. From creative protests like the read-in in North Carolina to showing up at a local school board meeting to supporting our friends and neighbors, there's a lot we can do.Some of us need to keep up on daily news to know what we're fighting against. Some need to protest, some need to create content, some need to start a local advocacy group, some need to make dinner for a struggling mom down the street. When we work together, we're strong. And that's how we're going to get through this.If you want help finding your people, check out TroubleNation!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Here at Red Wine & Blue, we talk a lot about “troublemakers” and “making good trouble” (inspired in part by the late great John Lewis). Our network TroubleNation is made up of hundreds of local grassroots groups across the country — women like Kristi, a mom and former teacher in California who's been standing up for the public schools in her area.Troublemakers band together with other badass women in their communities who share their values. They make things better for their kids, friends, and neighbors. On the other hand, “chaos causers,” as Kristi calls them in this week's podcast episode, come in from the outside to disrupt communities. Groups like Moms for Liberty and the Proud Boys aren't listening to local communities and they certainly aren't making good trouble. They're just causing chaos.This week we talked to Kristi about how she and a group of other moms started getting together to drink wine and talk about how to stand up for their local schools. You can learn more in this video about how they found the courage to stand up to literal armed extremists in their schools. Kristi also started an organization called Our Schools USA dedicated to empowering parents and students to protect quality public education.The last week has been filled with bad news on the national level. Trump is the ultimate chaos causer and it can be hard to stay positive in the face of his many (many many) harmful policies. But there are a lot of women like Kristi out there making good trouble and standing up to the chaos causers. When they go low, we go local.Let's thank Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde for standing up to Donald Trump and calling for mercy — especially immigrants and LGBTQ+ children. You can add your name to our petition here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

On Inauguration Eve, Red Wine & Blue held a live virtual event with our favorite historian, Heather Cox Richardson. Heather helped us put things into perspective and reminded us that small groups of people can change history. Over 22,000 people attended the Zoom call, 24,000 watched it on YouTube, and almost 120,000 streamed it on Heather's Facebook page. This is a moment where we can fall apart or all come together to make change - and it's clear which option this community is choosing. If you missed Sunday night's event, we wanted to share it with everyone right here on The Suburban Women Problem.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Emotions are running high this week. But while things remain disheartening on the national stage, we're still celebrating wins on the state and local level. In Virginia, for instance, Democrats just won their special elections for the State Assembly. Not only that, but they won by even bigger margins than expected. And in Ohio, Amanda's husband Casey has been working hard on a law that helps kids access hearing aids. Last week, the bill was finally signed into law.These are the kinds of stories that get missed in the 24/7 coverage of the Latest Terrible Thing That Trump Said. Progress is still happening. We just need to look closer to home.This week, we're joined by A'shanti Gholar, the president of Emerge, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office. She's surprisingly upbeat and hopeful — or maybe it shouldn't be so surprising. Despite our painful losses on the national level, Emerge had 570 candidates on the ballot last year with close to a 70% win rate. That's so many amazing women who are now in office, working to improve their communities.Whether you want to watch next week's inauguration or not, just like whether you want to keep consuming national political news, is completely up to you. We need to take care of ourselves and our mental health if we want to keep showing up for our families and communities over the next four years. Just know that there are over 520,000 elected offices in this country and change is possible at all levels. The power of the “new girls network” is only growing.Speaking of the inauguration and emotions running high, nobody keeps us calm like Heather Cox Richardson. She'll be joining us for a live virtual event on Inauguration Eve to help put things into perspective and remind us that small groups of people can change history. You can click here to learn more and RSVP for that event, and if you can't make it live, you can hear Heather in the next episode of The Suburban Women Problem.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We're back from our holiday break and things are… weird. Right? It's weird and scary to be here again, with Trump about to step into the office of President. It's like some terrible episode of The Twilight Zone.If we're going to get through the next four years, we need to take care of ourselves, plug into our local communities and above all, find ways to stay resilient. And luckily, this week we're joined by Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, a suburban mom whose resilience we can all look up to.Her father was an Ojibwe activist, and if anyone knows how to keep fighting in the face of overwhelming odds, it's an indigenous elder. Lt. Gov. Flanagan shared his wisdom about not giving up our power in advance and remembering to find the joy in our lives. It's ok to be afraid — how could we not be? — but if we take care of ourselves and drown out the political noise, there is still so much good work we can do.Even if she didn't get to be the first Native American woman to serve as governor, Peggy Flanagan is certain that whoever that woman will be, she's already on her way. There is plenty of light in the darkness if we just keep looking for it. We're more resilient than we might think.If you're interested in joining Red Wine & Blue's "Banned Book Club," next week we're reading Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny." You can learn more and RSVP here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

It's our last podcast episode of the year, so today we wanted to leave you with a broader view of community and our shared humanity. We talked to Dr. Nichole Argo, a social psychologist and the author of The Belonging Barometer: The State of Belonging in America. She's also the host of a new podcast called Reimagining Us.But before Rachel's chat with Dr. Nichole, she and Jasmine did cover some of the more unsettling news of the week - like the threat of RFK Jr. revoking the polio vaccine (really, polio??), TIME choosing Trump as their “person of the year,” and ABC settling their defamation lawsuit with Trump for 15 million dollars.We're all worried about what will happen over the next four years, and with good reason. But the first rule of resisting authoritarianism, as seen in Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny, is “don't obey in advance.” We're disheartened by the preemptive obedience we're seeing (we're looking at you, ABC) and you can rest assured that here at Red Wine & Blue, we're doing no such thing.Resistance, however, doesn't mean widening the divisions between ourselves and our fellow Americans. It's no secret that political polarization is worse than it's been in a long time. Dr. Nichole says that in the past, we used to see disagreements as a positive thing - prompting introspection and innovation. Now, many Americans see any disagreement as evidence that their opponent is an evil villain who must be defeated. If we want that to change, we have to be a part of the solution too.It won't be easy, and none of us will be able to manage it all the time. But Dr. Nichole reminded us that building bridges doesn't mean obeying in advance. We can stand firm on our values and try to reconnect with our neighbors' humanity.It's a real tightrope walk, but we can't think of anyone more equipped to pull it off than suburban women.If you want to support Red Wine & Blue as we build community and stand up against extremism in 2025, please donate here. Have a restful two weeks and we'll see you in January!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

There's no denying that it's a weird time right now. We're in the “lame duck session” between an election and the start of a new term. We're all nervous about the incoming administration, but there isn't much we can do yet. If you feel like we're about to head off a cliff but we can't hit the brakes, you're not alone.We've talked about Trump's Cabinet picks during the past few episodes, but some of his nominees are so bad that they're actually getting pushback from Republicans. Matt Gaetz withdrew as Attorney General nominee, and Pete Hegseth's candidacy is being hotly debated by folks on both sides of the aisle. We know the reasons Hegseth shouldn't be Secretary of Defense (harassment, misogyny, alcohol abuse) but what we can't figure out is why he should lead the most powerful military in the world.But when they go low, we go local. There might not be much we can do right now about the impending Trump administration, but there's a lot we can do in our own communities. This week we talked to Angela and Meghan, two friends who started a group called Blue Storm Action Pennsylvania. When they realized their book club was spending more time talking about politics than books, they decided to make it official and formed a local advocacy group that's grown to include dozens of women.It's hard not to be scared or furious about the next four years. But just like Angela and Meghan, you have more power than you think! Grab a few friends and see what you can accomplish together.The holidays are almost here, and with all of the chaos and stress of the election, finding the perfect gift for everyone in our life feels overwhelming. But this season, Red Wine & Blue is going all in on banned books! We've got something for every reader on your list, from toddlers to grandparents, and everyone in-between. You can check out our holiday gift guide here!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Welcome back from Thanksgiving week! On today's episode of the podcast, we're talking about all things education… the good (like our guest Diana Brown, who made history last month as the first Latina educator to win a school board race in her district) and the bad (like Trump selecting former WWE president Linda McMahon as his Secretary of Education.)But first, Amanda, Jasmine and Rachel catch up about their Thanksgivings and the news. We've seen the hand-wringing over Biden pardoning his son Hunter, with pundits claiming concern that Trump will take it as “permission” to act badly. To which we say, since when does Trump need permission? He has always been unapologetically bold, no matter how dangerous or authoritarian his actions are. We shouldn't sink to their level or lose sight of our values, but maybe it's time for us to be unapologetically bold too.The last four weeks have been hard and the next four years probably will be too. But that makes it even more important to celebrate victories like Diana's and to be loud and proud about our values. There's a lot we can do on the local level - especially when we work together.Speaking of working together, in the past 4 weeks we've seen that the women of Red Wine & Blue are capable of anything, because we've created an unbreakable bond with one another. We need to be as strong as possible going into 2025 so that we can keep standing up to extremism. If you're able, please donate here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Thanksgiving is almost here, and we all know what that means… political debates with your MAGA relatives. If you're already feeling the pressure, you're not alone!Last week, Red Wine & Blue held a virtual event with experts like pod favorite Jess McIntosh and therapist Rebecca Freking. They shared practical tips on how to navigate tricky family discussions and keep things civil (or at least manageable). If you missed the event, we're publishing it on today's Suburban Women Problem podcast feed.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

It's been two weeks since the election. Two… very long weeks. And if you're anything like us, you're still on an emotional rollercoaster, trying to make sense out of what happened.Today on the podcast, our hosts talk about some of the post-election narratives they've seen. Did the Democrats go “too woke”? Do women not care about reproductive rights anymore? From where we're sitting, the answers are “no” and “no.” (Or honestly, “no” and “hell no.”)That's not to say everything is fine. We're still very worried and sad about the results. But it might be helpful to reframe the conversation around misinformation instead of values. If we can find a way to get our message through, next time things could be different.And as disappointed as we were about the top of the ticket, there were still so many state and local wins. Today we talked to a couple of awesome women in North Carolina: Tonya Martin, Red Wine & Blue's deputy director in the state, and Kate Barr, a candidate for NC state Senate who ran in a district so gerrymandered her campaign website was www.katebarrcantwin.com. Tonya and Kate helped us understand why they celebrated so many state-level wins despite NC voting for Trump, and why gerrymandering is so bad for democracy.Between misinformation, gerrymandering, and outright cheating, the deck was stacked against Democrats. That doesn't mean we give up - it means we fight harder, fairer, and more local.If you're worried about spending Thanksgiving with your MAGA relatives, Red Wine & Blue is here to help. Join us on Thursday 11/21 for a virtual event that's all about how to handle those holiday conversations.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

How are you doing? Are you okay? Are you staying connected to the other people in your life who share your values and are feeling the same way that you are right now?On today's podcast, we're starting the process of picking up the pieces. We're taking care of ourselves, we're finding reasons to stay hopeful, and we are NOT getting trauma bangs!We were so grateful this week to be joined by Connie Schultz. Connie is a writer, journalism professor, and the wife of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. The last time she was on the pod, she said she was “built for happy” and her Substack is called Hopefully Yours… needless to say, her uplifting energy was exactly what we needed.And don't misunderstand - she and Sherrod were disappointed and heartbroken by the results of last Tuesday, both in the presidential race and in Sherrod's own. But she had so much wisdom to share about how she's processing the election and the perspective of age. We've been through hard things before and found a way to keep moving forward, and we'll do it again. It's what we do.If you need a comforting voice or advice for how to talk to your kids or friends about what happened, we hope you'll find a little help and hope in this episode.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We're having a hard time today. You probably are too. But we wanted to get together and talk about it, give some reasons for hope, and just be present with each other. We were joined by political strategist Jess McIntosh, one of our favorite guests, to help us put things in perspective... and start figuring out where we go from here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

On Wednesday October 30th, Red Wine & Blue hosted a virtual event where we were joined by Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. She's not just the highest ranking Indigenous woman to be elected in this country… if Kamala Harris and Tim Walz win, she'll be the first Indigenous governor ever.Before being elected to statewide office in Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Flanagan was a community organizer who trained thousands of other organizers and candidates, including Governor Tim Walz himself — she coached the coach! Her comments were so inspiring, we wanted to share them with you all. You can also catch our video of the event on Red Wine & Blue's YouTube channel.If you haven't already, you can sign up for Rally here!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The last episode of the podcast before the election is here and we're feeling a lot of things: excitement, nerves, determination, stress, but most of all… hope.Hope because the Trump/Vance campaign has apparently given up on reaching across the aisle and are doubling down on their unpopular rhetoric. Hope because the Harris/Walz campaign is featuring uplifting speakers like Michelle Obama and Beyoncé. Hope because early voting numbers are breaking records.But more than anything, hope because we have women like Katie Paris and Arie Goodman on our side. Katie and Arie are our guests on the pod today - Arie is the leader of an Ohio TroubleNation group called Advocates Allies & Activists, and Katie is of course the founder of Red Wine & Blue. They shared what they're hearing on the ground, the amazing work that women across the country are doing, and what's giving them hope.As Katie says, ignore the polls, ignore the pundits, just focus on what you can do. And you can do a lot! There are six more days to talk to everyone we know about voting. We're all gas and no brakes until November 5th - are you with us?For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This past Monday, our favorite historian Heather Cox Richardson joined Red Wine & Blue for a virtual event. We were hoping to hear her insight into how this election fits into the broader story of American history, and what we might expect over the next two weeks.But if we're being honest, what we really wanted was for Heather to tell us that it was all going to be okay.And of course she couldn't tell us that with certainty. She's a historian, not a soothsayer. But she did offer some words of hope.Our own podcast co-host Rep. Jasmine Clark also joined the call, and she talked about Georgia Republicans' efforts to undermine voting in her state. During the pandemic, Georgia began offering ballot drop boxes, which were extremely popular and widely used. But despite that — or really, because of that—Republicans changed the rules and now most of the drop boxes are no longer available.That could be a disheartening story about voter disenfranchisement, but Heather encouraged us to look at it a different way. If extremist policies were popular, why would they take away drop boxes? If most Americans supported Project 2025, why are they trying so hard to keep us from voting?It's because we're the majority. Most Americans want to elect common sense candidates up and down the ballot. And we're not letting the suppression keep us from voting. In Georgia, and many states across the country, voter turnout numbers are breaking records.We have the power. We just have to use it.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This week on the pod, we're celebrating Michigan!We're in the final stretch of the election now, which means we're feeling stressed, excited, exhausted, inspired, nervous, and everything in between. So we thought this is the perfect time to remind ourselves what's possible when we unite and fight. Because together, we can truly move mountains.Since Michigan Democrats won a trifecta in 2022 (that means the State House, State Senate, and Governorship) they've been able to pass so much amazing legislation: expanding voting rights, reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders, clean energy policies, and so much more. Just think how many lives have been changed by the Michigan blue wave!On today's episode we hear all about it from Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow and Red Wine & Blue's Program Director in Michigan, Kelly Dillaha. They told us all about the progress they've made in their state and, crucially, how it didn't just magically happen. It happened because the people of Michigan, especially women, organized and put in the work.Michigan is an inspiration for states all across the country and even on the national scale. We have two more weeks, so let's roll up our sleeves and make it happen!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The election is less than three weeks away and early voting is already open in many states. If you're listening to this podcast, chances are you agree that a Kamala Harris presidency is absolutely crucial. Maybe you've put up a yard sign, or talked to some people you know about what's on the line.But what about the down-ballot races? No matter who wins the presidency, electing Democrats up and down the ballot is just as important. If we get a President Harris, she'll need a House and Senate that can help her achieve her campaign promises. And on the terrifying chance we get a President Trump, we'll need our system of checks and balances more than ever.It goes beyond Congress too. State representatives (like our own Rep. Jasmine Clark), school boards, mayors, judges, and other local representatives have the power to drastically change our lives.This week, our guests Congresswoman Sara Jacobs and local organizer Carrie Knapp shared their thoughts about why voting up and down the ballot is so important. All of us, even voters in dark red or blue states, can make a big difference.So request a sample ballot, do your research, and become a resource for the people you know. Let's vote all the way from the tippy top to the very bottom of the ballot this year!And if you want to join our virtual event with Heather Cox Richardson on October 21st, you can learn more and RSVP here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The election is only 4 weeks away now (!!!!) which means that we have less than 26 days to have some important conversations with the people in our lives. There are so many things to talk about: abortion access, gun violence, voting rights, the economy, immigration… and, as we discuss this week on the pod, the Supreme Court.Since the Dobbs decision overturned Roe vs Wade, the Supreme Court has been on all of our minds. But the truth is, Dobbs is just one of many recent rulings that have changed our democracy for the worse.We're joined today by Leah Litman and Melissa Murray, two of the hosts of the podcast Strict Scrutiny. Every week they break down the news out of the Supreme Court and we were so pleased to hear their expert opinions on everything from term limits and court reform to what happens if Trump contests the results of the election. (The short answer? We need to win so decisively that a Harris/Walz victory is “litigation proof.”)Before that interview, we're also joined by local Troublemaker Zarina Syed. Born and raised in the swing state of Pennsylvania, she recently started a group called Fearless Females for Democracy. Zarina shares what she's been hearing from women on the ground and how it's felt as a second-generation immigrant to witness the rhetoric of the Republican Party start to take hold in her town.Like Leah and Melissa, Zarina is cautiously optimistic. Democracy is a long-term project and there are no quick fixes, but if we keep sharing our stories and values with the people we know, we can keep moving forward. As VP Harris says, we're not going back!In our chat with Zarina, she mentioned how an “Abortion Rights Barbie” t-shirt has proven to be a great icebreaker when she's out knocking doors. Red Wine & Blue just updated our own online shop with some cute new shirts (and tote bags, and stickers, and buttons) so be sure to check it out now for your own icebreakers for democracy!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We're back this week with regular episodes and we couldn't have asked for a better guest than Jessica Valenti. Jessica has a popular newsletter on Substack called “Abortion, Every Day” where she covers the latest news about reproductive rights. She also has a new book that came out this week: Abortion - Our Bodies, Their Lies, and the Truths We Use to Win.Jessica shared her thoughts about America post-Roe, and in turn Rachel shared her own difficult personal story about losing her daughter Sarah shortly after she was born. The fact that extremists are spreading lies about “post-birth abortions” (which, to be clear, is just murder and is illegal in every state) and saying terrible things about parents like Rachel is… well, it's difficult to think of a strong enough word. Awful? Evil? Unthinkable?One thing, however, is extremely clear. We have to vote them out.But before Rachel's interview with Jessica, we're joined by Janice Robinson. Janice is Red Wine & Blue's Program Director in North Carolina and she catches us up on all things NC. The recent leaked posts from Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson were undeniably offensive, but Janice says that they just distract from the real issues facing women in her state like reproductive rights, public schools, and gun violence. It's easy to get overwhelmed with the daily barrage of news, but when we focus on the issues, we win.If abortion rights are important to you (and if you're listening to this podcast, they probably are!), the most effective action you can take right now is to join Rally. It's our online tool to track the conversations you're having about the election with the folks in your life. We're holding lots of virtual Rally Your Squad events this month — some even with celebrities like June Diane Raphael — and we'd love to see you!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

So far on our miniseries The American Fabric, we've learned more about immigrants and why they come to this country. We've busted myths and decried disinformation. And we've heard immigrants tell their stories in their own words.Today, on the final episode, we're talking about why this year's election is so important. We have the opportunity to choose leaders who understand that immigrants are a cornerstone of this country and want to find humane bipartisan solutions. Leaders who don't demonize vulnerable people for their own political gain. The outcome in November is crucial.The federal government hasn't passed meaningful immigration reform since 1986. On today's episode, we hear more from Congresswoman Delia Ramirez as well as our own Suburban Women Problem co-host Rep. Jasmine Clark about how Republicans are choosing their own political power over policies that would actually help people. Balancing America's national security and humanitarian needs is far from simple, but extremists like Trump and JD Vance aren't interested in solving problems. They want us to be a nation of hate. Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and all of the incredible leaders on the state and local level want to lead us back to our ideals. We're a nation of immigrants. A nation of hope and opportunity. So it's up to us now. We have to talk to everyone we know and make sure they understand what's on the line. Let's make sure that on election day, hope and freedom triumph.Thanks for listening to The American Fabric.To learn more about our guests:Lt. Colonel (retired) Alexander VindmanCongresswoman Delia RamirezDr. Andrea Bonior, psychologist and professorDr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigrationDr. Nancy MacLean, political historian and authorFor a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Extremists have always used disinformation and fear-mongering to further their cause. But their rhetoric about immigration has stooped to new lows in recent months.Some of the lies are so outrageous it might be tempting to laugh. Haitian immigrants, for example, are not eating their neighbors' pets in Springfield Ohio. And 107% of American jobs have not been taken by “illegal aliens,” as Trump claimed. (107 percent? How would that even work?)But the misinformation is no laughing matter. It's having real effects on people around the country. In Springfield, for example, schools have been closing because of bomb threats. Every time the rhetoric goes up, violence goes up with it.Then there's misinformation that feels less absurd but is still absolutely incorrect. The idea that immigrants commit more crimes than native-born Americans, for example, is widely believed by many despite every statistic and research study proving the exact opposite. And economists have shown that immigrants aren't “stealing jobs.” Again, the opposite is true: immigration strengthens our economy and creates jobs for both native-born Americans and immigrants.On today's episode of The American Fabric, we're busting myths and tackling the fear-mongering head on.Don't miss our last episode tomorrow!Learn more about our guests:Lt. Colonel (retired) Alexander VindmanCongresswoman Delia RamirezDr. Andrea Bonior, psychologist and professorDr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigrationSonal Jain, owner of Chamak Dhamak in Akron OHFor a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Despite all the extremist disinformation, suburban women aren't afraid of immigrants. They're our friends, our neighbors, our spouses. They're us. Immigration isn't a story about fear… it's a story about love.And no one knows this better than our own Suburban Women Problem co-host Rachel Vindman. Her husband Alex came here as a refugee from the Soviet Union when he was only 4 years old. Alex says his immigration story has a lot to do with his patriotism and optimism about The United States. It even made it into the speech he made while testifying in Donald Trump's 2019 impeachment case. "Because this is America," he said. "And here right matters."This week, we have a special 3-episode miniseries to share with you called The American Fabric. It's hosted by Rachel and features conversations with Alex and other immigrants along with a historian, a political science professor, a psychologist, a Congresswoman, and more. We'll have new episodes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week.The way we think and talk about immigration in the next month and a half could determine the future of American democracy. We're so pleased to share this special series with you and hope it helps you talk about immigration with the folks in your life.Stay tuned for Episode 2 tomorrow!To learn more about our guests:Lt. Colonel (retired) Alexander VindmanCongresswoman Delia RamirezDr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigrationSonal Jain, owner of Chamak Dhamak in Akron OHFor a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

It's been so disheartening to see outlandish and offensive rumors about Haitian immigrants in Springfield Ohio turn into bomb threats, harassment, and arson. But it's also not surprising. It's the inevitable consequence of dangerous extremist rhetoric.During last week's debate, we saw Donald Trump attack immigrants at every turn. And JD Vance just admitted on television that he shared the story about Haitians in Springfield despite knowing it was a lie. “If I have to create stories,” he told Dana Bash of CNN, “then that's what I'm gonna do.”But that kind of negative messaging, those attacks on our neighbors, don't sit well with suburban women. And they certainly don't appeal to young people. This week we're joined by Olivia Julianna, an inspiring Gen Z activist.Olivia tells our hosts that young people care about the same issues as other generations - issues like affordable housing, abortion rights, gun violence, and childcare. So when we talk to the young people in our lives about voting, she advises us to start by asking what they care about. What issues affect them every day? Chances are, you'll be able to connect those issues back to policies that have a tangible impact on their lives.If you want to support Haitian immigrants in Ohio, Community Refugee & Immigration Services and the Haitian Community Help and Support Center are good places to start.Next week, we'll be taking a short break from The Suburban Women Problem to share a 3-episode miniseries about immigration called The American Fabric. Hosted by Rachel Vindman, this series will debunk myths and misinformation, examine what can be done politically, and give immigrants a chance to tell their own story. It'll appear in the regular podcast feed on Wednesday September 25th.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Last week was a tough one in Georgia. After the shooting at a high school in Winder GA, Jasmine says her daughter was afraid to go to school. And she's not the only one - every child, parent, and frankly any person who watches the news gets retraumatized each time this happens. And yet, still politicians do nothing. In fact, last week JD Vance called school shootings “a fact of life."Instead, he and other extremist Republicans have chosen something else to fixate on: the so-called traditional nuclear family. This isn't the first time America has gone through a “marriage panic,” as our guest Julie Kohler of White Picket Fence puts it, but it's particularly infuriating given Republicans' unwillingness to address the lax gun laws that are actually putting our kids at risk.Julie explains exactly how extremists are trying to force their regressive version of gender roles and the “traditional family” on everyone. From banning no-fault divorce to changes to the tax code, they want to take women and LGBTQ people back to a past where we had no rights. And of course this 1950s vision of the American family has plenty of racism baked in too.We may no longer be shocked by Trump or Vance's comments about women (“childless cat ladies” and all), but we can't just roll our eyes at their rhetoric. They have real policies to back it up, and we have to tell everyone we know.After their interview with Julie, Jasmine and Amanda wrap up with a toast to campaign volunteers and First Serve's Day of Service in this week's Toast to Joy.If you're wondering to talk to young people in your life around voting, we invite you to join us at 7:30pm on Thursday 9/12 for a virtual Ask Me Anything event with a panel of inspiring young activists: Olivia Juliana, Sam Schwartz, and Haley Lickstein. You can learn more and RSVP here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In the final episode of Sacred Politics, we delve into the intersection of religion and social activism. From advocating for human rights to championing environmental stewardship, we uncover how religious groups and individuals have leveraged their faith to fuel positive change.Shane Claiborne: http://www.shaneclaiborne.com/https://www.instagram.com/shane.claiborne/?hl=enRed Letter Christians: https://redletterchristians.org/https://www.instagram.com/redletterxians/?hl=enRev Karla: https://revkarla.com/ https://www.instagram.com/revkarla/https://www.tiktok.com/@revkarla?lang=enFor a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In episode 2 of Sacred Politics, we discuss the trajectory of Christian Nationalism and its looming impact on the nation's future. From the halls of Congress to grassroots movements, we examine how this ideological force is poised to influence the political agenda in the years to come with the implementation of Project 2025.Jess McIntosh: https://x.com/jess_mc?lang=enhttps://www.jessmcintosh.org/ Jemar Tisby: https://jemartisby.com/ https://www.instagram.com/JemarTisby/ The Spirit of Justice: https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Justice-Stories-Faith-Resistance/dp/031014485X Talia Lavin: https://www.instagram.com/taliainteralia/?hl=en Culture Warlords: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/talia-lavin/culture-warlords/9781549127830/?lens=hachette-books For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In our limited podcast series, Sacred Politics, we reveal the dangers of Christian Nationalism in American politics amidst the 2024 election season. Through narrative storytelling and expert interviews, we uncover Christian Nationalism's role in shaping elections, legislation, and public discourse, while also exploring how faith-inspired activism can drive positive change.In episode one, we look through American history to uncover the profound influence of Christian Nationalism. From pivotal moments like its role in electing Donald Trump to its impact on the pro-life movement, this episode delves into the intricate relationship between religion and politics in the United States. Through expert analysis and historical insights, we discuss how Christian Nationalism has shaped policies and cultural attitudes, influencing debates on issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and education. Katherine Stewart: https://kristindumez.com/ April Ajoy: https://www.instagram.com/aprilajoy/?hl=en Star-Spangled Jesus: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/april-ajoy/star-spangled-jesus/9781546006688/?lens=worthy Kristin Du Mez: https://katherinestewart.me/For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA