EP 6 - Leading the Charge: Executive Director of RISE Free Braxton Simpson’s Path to Political Engagement

EP 6 - Leading the Charge: Executive Director of RISE Free Braxton Simpson’s Path to Political Engagement

Episode description: In this episode of Exploring Women in Politics, host Lena interviews Braxton Simpson, the North Carolina State Director at Rise Free. Braxton shares her journey from a young college student facing racial injustice to a leading political organizer. She discusses her impactful work managing organizers across ten North Carolina campuses, her inspiring interactions with prominent political figures, and her role in introducing Vice President Kamala Harris. The conversation highlights her dedication to civic engagement, the power of self-belief, and the importance of young women embracing their unique qualities in political advocacy. The episode concludes with a supportive discussion on the significance of staying curious, informed, and committed to positive change.   Timestamps:     00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics 00:31 Interview with Braxton Simpson: Beginnings and Rise Involvement 02:03 Role and Responsibilities as North Carolina State Director 03:50 College Experiences and Digital Mobilization 06:40 Most Fulfilling Moments and Career Highlights 09:23 Advice for Young Women in Politics 11:42 Reflecting on Life's Opportunities 12:01 Advice to My Younger Self 12:44 Empowering Women to Shine 14:30 Youth Involvement in Politics 15:06 Forming Your Own Opinions 16:15 The Power of Civic Engagement 17:00 Encouragement and Farewell 18:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   More about our guest:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/braxton-simpson-80093b137 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/braxton-simpson-80093b137] https://risefree.org/rise-team-bios/braxton-simpson/ [https://risefree.org/rise-team-bios/braxton-simpson/] https://www.braxtonsimpson.com/ [https://www.braxtonsimpson.com/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP 5 - Empowering Change, with Founder and Executive Director of Her Bold Move, Jordan Zaslow

Episode description: In this episode Lena interviews Jordan Zaslow, the founder of Her Bold Move. Jordan discusses her transition from the entertainment and advertising industries into politics during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on supporting pro-choice women running for Congress. The conversation delves into Her Bold Move's operations, including a new program targeting Republican primaries, and their comprehensive support for candidates at all levels, from school boards to the U.S. Senate. Special attention is given to the Future Leaders Fellowship program, designed to empower young high school and college women through mentorship and opportunities. The discussion addresses the challenges of endorsing female candidates, the shifts in campaign strategies since the pandemic, and the broader impact of female representation in politics. Practical advice is provided for young women hesitant about entering the political sphere due to gender biases, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and engaged in policy discussions.   Timestamps:     00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics 00:32 Interview with Jordan Zaslow: Founder of Herbold Move 01:49 The Role and Responsibilities of Herbold Move 02:33 Supporting Pro-Choice Candidates Across Party Lines 08:36 Future Leaders Fellowship Program 10:41 Most Fulfilling Moments with Herbold Move 12:48 Challenges of 2020 and Beyond 15:17 Empowering Women in Politics 17:22 Advice to My Younger Self 19:19 Impact of Roe v. Wade Reversal 21:21 Parallels Between Industries 23:21 Youth Involvement in Politics 25:29 Conclusion and Farewell   More about our guest:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-zaslow-a2986a18 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-zaslow-a2986a18] https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7004667/ [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7004667/] https://www.instagram.com/jordanzaslow/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP 4 - Impact and Integrity: New York Inspector General Lucy Lang's Vision for New York

Episode description: In this compelling episode of Exploring Women in Politics, Lena engages in a profound conversation with Lucy Lang, the Inspector General of New York. They explore Lang's inspiring journey from public service to a political career, her impactful work at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and her current role as Inspector General. Key discussions include the importance of mentorship, the value of vulnerable leadership, and the role of direct communication with constituents. Lang shares practical advice for aspiring women politicians, emphasizing the significance of resilience, authenticity, and seizing opportunities. Additionally, the conversation touches on human-centered casework, particularly solitary confinement reform, and includes recommendations for potential interview figures in the political arena. This episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and successes of women in political roles and their critical contribution to their communities.   Timestamps:     00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics 00:32 Interview with Lucy Lang: Getting Started in Politics 01:44 Challenges and Rewards for Women in Politics 03:14 Role and Impact as Inspector General 05:19 Career Path and Mentorship 08:00 Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders 12:12 Encouraging Youth and Women in Politics 14:43 Surprises and Challenges as Inspector General 15:34 Reaching a Diverse Audience 16:07 Goals for Connecting with Constituents 16:25 The Importance of Public Trust 16:34 Ongoing Education and Accountability 17:08 Personal Reflections and Mentorship 18:36 Humanizing Casework 19:26 Vulnerable Leadership 19:56 Lessons from Failure 21:27 Encouraging Authenticity 22:58 Networking and Recommendations 24:33 Final Thoughts and Farewell   More about our guest:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Lang [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Lang] https://www.instagram.com/lucylangnyc/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/lucylangnyc/?hl=en] https://ig.ny.gov/about-inspector-general [https://ig.ny.gov/about-inspector-general] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP 3 - Elevating Women in Politics with Executive Director of Eleanor's Legacy Julie Shiroishi

Julie Shiroshi, is a significant figure in political advocacy and the executive director of Eleanor's Legacy. Julie recounts her transition from a career in publishing to active political involvement post-2016 election, touching on her roles from managing local campaigns to running for state senate. The conversation emphasizes the importance of AAPI representation and the strides being made through training programs like the Eleanor's Legacy fellows program. Key figures such as Governor Kathy Hochul, Senators Liz Krueger, and Andrea Stewart-Cousins are highlighted for their contributions. The episode concludes with motivational advice for young individuals and underscores the necessity of diverse participation in democracy. Timestamps:     00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics 00:32 Julie Shiroshi's Journey into Politics 01:38 Volunteering and Early Political Involvement 03:04 Campaign Management and Local Elections 03:47 Becoming Chief of Staff and County Chair 05:29 Running for State Senate 06:53 Joining Eleanor's Legacy 07:40 The Importance of Representation 11:40 AAPI Representation and Achievements 15:36 Future Aspirations and Eleanor's Legacy 15:46 Impactful Stories and the Fellows Program 16:29 Training and Embedding Fellows with Candidates 17:10 Expanding the Fellows Program 18:27 Virtual Trainings and Boot Camps 19:42 Encouraging Women to Run for Office 23:06 Challenges and Rewards of Political Involvement 26:33 Advice for Young Aspiring Politicians 28:38 Final Thoughts and Resources   More about our guest:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-shiroishi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-shiroishi] https://www.instagram.com/julie4nysenate/ [https://www.instagram.com/julie4nysenate/] https://empirereportnewyork.com/eleanors-legacy-welcomes-new-executive-director/ [https://empirereportnewyork.com/eleanors-legacy-welcomes-new-executive-director/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EP 2 - Trailblazing Politics and Policy: Senator Liz Krueger's Advocacy Journey

In this episode of 'Exploring Women in Politics,' host Lena Yan interviews New York State Senator Liz Krueger, who shares her journey as a pioneering political figure. The episode covers Senator Krueger's efforts to drive change in a Republican-majority Senate, including the formation of the bipartisan New York State Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus. The discussion highlights her strategies to advance reproductive rights and create an inclusive legislative platform. The conversation further delves into the challenges of passing an Equal Rights Amendment in New York, especially in the wake of reduced federal protections. Additionally, the episode sheds light on the vital role of food banks, exploring how they combat hunger and influence effective legislative practices. This insightful episode offers a comprehensive look at Senator Krueger's enduring impact on New York politics and her unwavering commitment to social justice and community needs. Timestamps:     00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics 00:35 Interview with New York State Senator Liz Krueger 00:42 Challenges and Triumphs in the Senate 04:43 Forming the Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus 14:08 Reproductive Health and Equal Rights Amendment 17:19 The Struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment 18:53 Challenges in Passing State Legislation 22:38 The Importance of Constitutional Protections 24:22 Introduction to Food Banks 30:05 Starting the New York City Food Bank 33:23 From Food Banking to Policy Work 35:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   More about our guest:   https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/liz-krueger/about [https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/liz-krueger/about] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Krueger [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Krueger] https://twitter.com/lizkrueger?lang=en [https://twitter.com/lizkrueger?lang=en] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.