Firestarters with Shannon Watts

Alexis McGill Johnson on the real cost of taking away women's healthcare

Alexis McGill Johnson [https://substack.com/profile/350496124-alexis-mcgill-johnson] is is a longstanding champion for social and racial justice, a respected social and cultural organizer, and a tireless advocate for reproductive rights and access to high-quality, affordable health care. She is also the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a national nonprofit organization that is the country’s most trusted name in sexual and reproductive health and rights. In this conversation, we discussed why defunding Planned Parenthood threatens the full range of care that is offered (cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing, and so much more), the significant impact of patients no longer being able to use Medicaid at Planned Parenthood facilities, what has changed in the past 4 years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, why Democrats need to keep speaking up about abortion and reproductive rights, and why it’s so important to donate and support your local Planned Parenthood. Connect with Alexis: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/alexismjpp/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-mcgill-johnson-9328b459/] | Donate [https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/onlineactions/cOJVhOyrzkq4uBcxVekXFA2?ms=3NALz2200z1N1A&sourceid=1013014] If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. [https://shannonwatts.org/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Jordan Wood on how to fight special interests with progressive values

Jordan Wood [https://substack.com/profile/378076263-jordan-wood] is a former Capitol Hill Chief of Staff and pro-democracy advocate. Barricaded at the Capitol during the January 6th Insurrection, Jordan recognized the threat of Trump’s election-denial movement and co-founded the bipartisan organization democracyFIRST [https://democracyfirst.org/] to combat Trump’s attacks on our constitution and the rule of law. Now, Jordan is running for Congress in Maine and will fight to rein in Wall Street and Big Pharma, stop Trump’s lawless ICE agents from terrorizing Maine, and so much more. In this conversation, we discussed how coming from a family of public service helped Jordan find his calling, the impact that January 6th had on his decision to start democracyFIRST, his strong stance against corporate donors and super PACs and gun violence, and how voter cynicism is something he’s fighting against in Maine. Connect with Jordan: Website [https://electjordan.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jordanwoodmaine/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jordanwoodmaine] | Substack [https://jordanwoodmaine.substack.com/] If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. [https://shannonwatts.org/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Michael Tubbs on why California needs a different kind of leader right now

Michael D. Tubbs [https://substack.com/profile/440187985-michael-d-tubbs] is running to be California’s next lieutenant governor to build a California future that sets the example for how government can work for everyone. He was Stockton’s first African-American mayor in 2016, and the youngest mayor of any major city at the age of 26. Under his leadership, Stockton saw a decline in homicides and officer involved shootings, as well as record low unemployment rates. Michael is also the Special Advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility; the Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income; and the Founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC). In this conversation, we discussed how the desire to reduce gun violence inspired Michael to get involved in politics, what it was like to be the mayor of a struggling city, how government CAN work if leaders are willing to try something new, and why it’s so important to vote in California’s crowded primary. Connect with Michael: Website [https://michaeltubbsforca.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michaeldtubbs/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/StocktonTubbs/] If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. [https://shannonwatts.org/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Pia Dandiya on how we can help women running for office in red states like Florida

Pia Dandiya [https://substack.com/profile/46261210-pia-dandiya] is running for U.S. Congress in Florida’s 22nd District. A former public school teacher, high school principal, and White House Fellow, she has dedicated her career to expanding opportunity for working families through education and economic mobility. Born and raised in the district she now seeks to represent, Pia previously worked on workforce and economic policy at the White House Domestic Policy Council and later led public sector initiatives at Apple. She currently lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband and son. In this conversation, we discussed the specific moment that inspired Pia to run for Congress, why Florida isn’t a “lost cause” in terms of red vs. blue, what it’s like being a female candidate knocking on doors and talking to voters in Florida, the issues that are close to voters’ hearts in Florida, and why education is a big priority for Pia. Connect with Pia: Website [https://piaforcongress.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/piaforcongress/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pia-dandiya-2375b170/] If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. [https://shannonwatts.org/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Rachel Janfaza on what matters to young voters and why every generation should care

Rachel Janfaza [https://substack.com/profile/3404063-rachel-janfaza] is the founder of The Up and Up, a research, media, and strategy firm focused on Gen Z. A member of Generation Z herself, Janfaza is best known for her theory of The Two Gen Zs. Her written work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, etc. And her on-air analysis has been featured on MSNOW, CNN, CBS, C-SPAN, and more. In this conversation, we discussed what the theory of the two Gen Zs actually is, the different lived experiences of the pre- and post-COVID era for Gen Z, the political differences between the two factions, how extremes on the political spectrum have led Gen Z to a larger desire for independent candidates, and how they are leading the analog revival movement. Connect with Rachel: Website [https://www.racheljanfaza.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/racheljanfaza/] | Substack [https://www.theupandup.us/] If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. [https://shannonwatts.org/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe [https://shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]