How To Not Lose Your Sh!t

Latest Episodes:

A Mutual Distaste for the Patriarchy (with Leah Litman, Melissa Murray, and Zarina Syed) Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

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 comms@redwine.blue.
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

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Let's Talk About Abortion, Every Day (with Jessica Valenti and Janice Robinson) Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

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 comms@redwine.blue.
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

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The American Fabric 3: Voting our Values Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

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. We also talk to historian Nancy MacLean about how this is hardly the first time that anti-immigration rhetoric has gone hand-in-hand with authoritarianism.

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 Vindman
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Dr. Andrea Bonior, psychologist and professor
Dr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigration
Dr. Nancy MacLean, political historian and author

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!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

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The American Fabric 2: Truths & Lies Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

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 Vindman
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Dr. Andrea Bonior, psychologist and professor
Dr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigration
Sonal Jain, owner of Chamak Dhamak in Akron OH

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!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The American Fabric 1: A Love Story Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

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 Vindman
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Dr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigration
Sonal Jain, owner of Chamak Dhamak in Akron OH

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!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Gen Z is Paying Attention (with Olivia Julianna) Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

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 comms@redwine.blue.
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

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Back at the Marriage Panic Rodeo (with Julie Kohler) Sep 11, 2024

Show notes

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 comms@redwine.blue.
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Intersection of Faith and Activism Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

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=en
Red Letter Christians: https://redletterchristians.org/
https://www.instagram.com/redletterxians/?hl=en

Rev Karla: https://revkarla.com/
https://www.instagram.com/revkarla/
https://www.tiktok.com/@revkarla?lang=en

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!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sacred Politics: The Future of Christian Nationalism Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

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=en
https://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
Wild Faith: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/talia-lavin/wild-faith/9780306829192/
Culture Warlords:
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/talia-lavin/culture-warlords/9781549127830/?lens=hachette-books

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!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sacred Politics: The Rise of Christian Nationalism Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

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 comms@redwine.blue.
You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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