A Candid Conversation About the Democrats Running to be Wisconsin's Next Governor

A Candid Conversation About the Democrats Running to be Wisconsin's Next Governor

We’ve all been having the same conversations behind the scenes about the candidates running for Wisconsin governor — in one-on-one texts, in group chats, and off the record. After spending the weekend at the WisDems convention in Madison, it felt like time to bring those conversations into the open. This episode is a candid, thoughtful look at the candidates in the Wisconsin governor’s race, including Mandela Barnes, Francesca Hong, Sarah Rodriguez, Kelda Roys David Crowley, Joel Brennan, and Missy Hughes. We talk through the dynamics shaping the race, what we’re hearing on the ground, and the questions voters deserve real answers to. Questions like: * What does the straw poll tell us, if anything? * Who should step aside? * Who can actually win? No talking points or spin, just an honest conversation from people who are deeply engaged in Wisconsin politics, but not necessarily party insiders. Because at a certain point, being polite stops being helpful. And if we’re going to get this right, we need to start saying the quiet parts out loud. Kate Duffy, Motherhood for Good [https://instagram.com/motherhoodforgood] Dan Shafer, The Recombobulation Area [https://www.therecombobulationarea.news/] Dr. Kristin Lyerly [https://www.instagram.com/drkristinlyerly] Pat Kreitlow, Up North News [https://upnorthnewswi.com/]

A Rural Wisconsin Mom of Five and the Race for Wisconsin's Supreme Court

What does a state Supreme Court actually do, and why should a busy mom care? This week I sit down with Judge Lyndsey Brunette, a circuit court judge, former elected district attorney, and mom of five who's running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2027. Lyndsey grew up in rural Wisconsin and won her DA seat as a Democrat in a deeply conservative county — because people trusted her to be fair, no matter who walked into her courtroom. We talk about how she got here (spoiler: it wasn't the plan), what it's really like to sit with people on the worst day of their lives, and why she decided to run after watching the 2020 election through her kids' eyes. We also break down, in plain English, why these races matter so much right now: the 1849 abortion ban the court took up, why a single seat can flip the whole balance of the court, the flood of out-of-state money in recent races, and why a 10-year term means the justices we pick today will still be deciding cases when our little kids are grown. If you've ever felt like the courts are too confusing to follow, this one's for you. Lyndsey makes it make sense. Show notes & links Learn more about Judge Lyndsey Brunette and her campaign: * Website: https://brunetteforwisconsin.com/ [https://brunetteforwisconsin.com/] * Instagram: https://instagram.com/brunetteforWI [https://instagram.com/brunetteforWI] * Facebook: https://facebook.com/brunetteforWI [https://facebook.com/brunetteforWI] * X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/brunetteforWI [https://twitter.com/brunetteforWI] Want to get involved? You can sign up, volunteer, or learn how to support the campaign right on her website. Brought to you by Motherhood for Good — making the news make sense for moms and anyone newer to paying attention. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motherhoodforgood [https://www.instagram.com/motherhoodforgood]  Substack: https://motherhoodforgood.substack.com/ [https://motherhoodforgood.substack.com/]  Threads: https://www.threads.com/@motherhoodforgood [https://www.threads.com/@motherhoodforgood]  Website: motherhoodforgood.com [http://motherhoodforgood.com]

Angela Ferrell-Zabala and the Moms are Taking on the Gun Industry, One State at a Time

Episode Summary Kate sits down with Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action — one of the largest grassroots gun violence prevention organizations in the country — for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring and eye-opening. They talk about what really drives gun violence in America (hint: it's way bigger than school shootings), what regular moms can actually do about it, and why Angela still has hope. What You'll Hear Angela shares how growing up watching her mother and grandmother show up for their community planted the seeds for a lifetime of advocacy. She talks about what it felt like to become a mom of four and how that deepened her sense of urgency around keeping all kids safe, not just her own. Then they get into the real stuff: the full picture of gun violence in America. Kate gets honest about her own learning curve: coming in mostly worried about school shootings, and realizing the issue is so much bigger. Angela walks through some stats that might surprise you (like the fact that Black Americans are 12 times more likely to die from gun violence than white Americans, and that guns are now the leading cause of death for children and young people in the U.S.). They also talk about what's actually working, including wins in red states that never make the headlines, and what you can do right now, no matter how busy or overwhelmed you are. Topics Covered * How Moms Demand Action started at Shannon Watts' kitchen table after Sandy Hook and grew into a nationwide movement * Why gun violence looks very different depending on where you live - and why all of it matters * The difference between the gun lobby and actual gun owners (spoiler: a lot of gun owners support common-sense reforms) * What the NRA's influence actually looks like today — and why it's not what it used to be * The Be SMART program and why asking "is there a gun in your home, and is it locked up?" is as normal as asking about a pool fence * Wins from 2025 * What's on the agenda for the 2026 midterms * The Students Demand Action movement and why young people give Angela her biggest source of hope Get Involved Text READY to 64433 to join Moms Demand Action in your state. About Angela Ferrell-Zabala Angela Ferrell-Zabala is the Executive Director of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of the Everytown for Gun Safety network. A mother of four, she has spent her career working on reproductive health, immigrant rights, education, and economic justice — and brings that whole-person lens to the fight to end gun violence.

Surveillance Nation: The Hidden Costs of Being Constantly Watched

Surveillance isn’t just a conspiracy theory, it’s a centuries-old tactic of power, targeting marginalized communities and expanding into every corner of our lives.  In this eye-opening episode, Amanda Merkwae, Advocacy Director at the ACLU of Wisconsin, reveals how government and corporate surveillance have intertwined, influencing everything from police policies to everyday privacy. Discover how historical tactics of control still echo today, from the secret tracking of civil rights leaders to modern facial recognition at your local grocery store. You'll learn about the steady erosion of privacy rights as legislation like the Patriot Act paved the way for sweeping data collection, and how new technologies, from data brokers to AI-powered facial recognition, urn your everyday routines into open books. Amanda breaks down the alarming scope of surveillance at the local level, including Milwaukee’s recent push to regulate facial recognition tech, and why community activism often remains our strongest defense. This episode unpacks critical questions:  * Are you truly anonymous online?  * Do supposedly innocuous apps secretly keep tabs on your every move?  * How can ordinary citizens push back against the unseen forces surveilling us all?  Whether you’re a parent concerned about your children’s digital safety or a civically-minded individual eager to protect your community, this conversation offers essential insights for reclaiming your privacy in a surveillance-saturated society. Amanda Merkwae is an experienced civil rights lawyer and the Advocacy Director for the ACLU of Wisconsin. With deep expertise in surveillance policy and a passion for community organizing, she sheds light on a hidden system that impacts us all—often without our knowledge or consent.

Catelin Drey is Bringing Eldest Daughter Energy to the Iowa Senate

What happens when a regular mom decides to step into power? In this episode, I sit down with Catelin Drey, founder of Moms for Iowa and newly sworn-in state senator, to talk about her advocacy journey, what she’s learning in her first legislative session, and why moms need a seat at the table.