How To Not Lose Your Sh!t

Latest Episodes:

Pronouns Aren’t Bullets (with Del. Danica Roem and Elliott Kozuch) Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

This year alone, over 400 bills have been introduced to block transgender people from receiving basic healthcare, education, and the right to publicly exist. These bills not only harm individual trans people, they’re also an attack on our freedom and our democracy. Just like with reproductive rights, it all comes down to extremist politicians inserting themselves into a conversation that should be between a person and their doctor. Or between a kid and their parents!
We’re joined by Elliott Kozuch, who shares their thoughts as the Senior Communications Strategist for NARAL Pro-Choice America and a person who’s trans and non-binary. Elliott talks about what the fight for trans rights and reproductive rights have in common, and what we can do to band together and stand up against extremism.
Then Jasmine sits down with Danica Roem, a Virginia state delegate, a journalist, and the first openly trans person to be elected as a state representative. Jasmine and Danica chat about authenticity, trans rights, and what people get wrong about the suburbs.
Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to high school theater, 100 Women Strong Ohio, and Junior’s Cheesecake in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
If you want to stay in the loop about the pending ban on the abortion pill, we encourage you to join us in our Emergency Trouble Huddle on Monday, March 20th. We’ll be joined by Skye Perryman, the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, and Dr. Colleen McNicholas, a board-certified OB-GYN and the Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood Missouri. You can learn more and sign up 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!

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Parenting Is Political (with Julie Kohler and Kate Duffy) Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode, we're celebrating Women's History Month! Of course we celebrate women every single week on the pod, but this week, we wanted to take a closer look at the political power of moms. We’re joined by North Carolina organizer Tonya Martin, who’s filling in for Jasmine this week while she’s hard at work in the Georgia legislature.
We’re joined by Kate Duffy, a mom in Wisconsin who started a group to support Mandela Barnes called Moms For Mandela. And after the election, Kate turned her group into a community called Motherhood For Good. Kate shares her super relatable journey into politics and what’s so special about moms. And after that, Amanda sits down with Julie Kohler of the podcast White Picket Fence. Amanda and Julie chat about “parents’ rights,” how moms have been involved in politics throughout history, and how misogyny hurts everyone.
Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Tonya raise a glass to brave daughters, amazing teams, and last-minute get-togethers in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
We celebrate women every day on this podcast, but today’s episode is coming out on International Women’s Day, so we want to encourage everyone to listen to the stories of all the amazing women in this country. And one great way to do that is to follow Red Wine and Blue on social media, where we share women’s stories and voices every single day.

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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Saving Reproductive Rights, One Brunch At A Time (with Angela Vasquez-Giroux and Rep. Dr. Anita Somani) Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

One Trump-appointed judge in Texas is likely about to ban an abortion pill used by millions of Americans. And the ban won’t just affect women in Texas… it’ll affect all of us across the country, even in blue states. The ruling was expected to be released as early as Friday the 24th, so we wanted to make sure we talked today about this case and why it’s so important. This isn’t the first attack on our reproductive freedoms, and it won’t be the last, which is why it’s so important to pay attention and to talk to our friends. We're saving the world, one brunch at a time!
We’re joined by Representative Dr. Anita Somani, who shares her wisdom and knowledge both as an OB-GYN and a state representative in Ohio. Dr. Anita talks about why this ban is dangerous, what we can tell our friends and neighbors about the pill, and how reproductive rights inspired her to run for office. And after that, Amanda sits down with Angela Vasquez-Giroux of NARAL Pro-Choice America. Angela and Amanda chat about what exactly is going on with this case in Texas, what we can do about it, and what gives her hope.
Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to the people of Ukraine, to community support after a hard week, and to celebrating birthdays by giving back in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
Here at Red Wine & Blue, we believe in the power of conversations. And now you can listen in on some of those conversations live every week on social media. Every Monday morning at 11 Eastern, Jo and Jill chat about the news of the day, what to look for in the weeks ahead, and what stories you might've missed. They’re often joined by special guests like Shannon Watts, Alex Vindman and Fred Guttenberg. You can tune in live on Twitter by following us @redwineblueusa, and you can check out our past conversations on YouTube.

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

Equity Isn’t A Dirty Word (with Carrie Douglass, Ethan Ashley, and Maya Guy) Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

We’ve been talking about right-wing extremists' push for “parents’ rights” all year and there are so many ways that manifests: banning books, banning sex ed classes, banning rainbow flags in the classroom... and another thing they don’t want our kids learning about is race. This week we’re discussing equity in education, and in particular what school boards can do about it.
The hosts are joined by Maya Guy, who was elected to school board in Virginia. Maya shares some work she’s done to ensure equity for all students in her district, both as a mom and as a school board member. Then Jasmine sits down with Carrie Douglass and Ethan Ashley, school board members and the founders of School Board Partners, an organization that helps connect, inspire and support anti-racist school board members across the country. You can read their groundbreaking report Empty Seats At Powerful Tables or learn more by following them on social media.
Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to a big move, the Cincinnati Holocaust Museum, and raising the next generation of leaders in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
Extremist politicians and outside groups are attacking our kids’ education with book bans. They’ve even tried to ban books about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. One way you can stand up to these book bans is by reading and discussing frequently banned books like The Bluest Eye and The Hate U Give - and if you buy them through our new affiliate shop on Bookshop.org, you can support books, independent bookstores, AND the work of Red Wine and Blue. You can find our shop 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

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Even Grown-Ups Get Afraid (with Dr. Andrea Bonior and Deb Paris) Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Note: This episode was recorded before the news broke about Monday’s shooting at Michigan State University. But despite that, we talk extensively about gun violence in this episode, because any conversation about mental health, particularly the mental health of young people, necessarily includes discussing gun violence.
The news has felt even harder than usual lately, between the earthquake in Turkey, the train disaster in Ohio, threats to reproductive freedom, our ongoing epidemic of gun violence, and more. This month, we’ve been talking about young people and how we can support them… and one key piece of that puzzle is supporting their mental health.
We’re joined by one of our favorite therapists (and favorite mother-in-laws) Debby Paris to talk about how we can talk to our kids in age-appropriate ways about what they’re seeing in the news and in their schools. Then Amanda sits down for a chat with one of our OTHER favorite therapists, Dr. Andrea Bonior of the podcast “Baggage Check”! Andrea and Amanda chat about how young people are feeling (not great!), how we can support them, and how we can protect our own mental health as moms.
Finally, Amanda and Jasmine raise a glass to secret admirers, organizing a legislative retreat, and to the SuperBowl (okay, mostly to Rihanna) in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
Earlier this week, we hosted a conversation with Rachel Vindman and Shannon Watts of Moms Demand Action. They talked about the power of moms to effect change on gun violence prevention. If you're feeling overwhelmed and want to know what you can do, we encourage you to check out that conversation on Red Wine and Blue's YouTube channel: https://go.redwine.blue/sw2.

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

Gen Z Doesn't Need Your Permission (with Eve Levenson and Lauren Jasinski) Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Jess McIntosh is filling in for Amanda Weinstein this week as we do another deep dive on Gen Z. This week, we’re focusing on an issue that has unfortunately galvanized and inspired so many Gen Z activists: gun violence. As young people have watched adults fail to take action on gun violence prevention, they’ve stepped up and led the way themselves. They’re not held back by decorum or politeness; they’re taking action without asking for permission.
We’re joined by Lauren Jasinski, a teacher in Michigan who had worked in gun violence prevention for years before a school shooting happened in her very own high school. Lauren shares the amazing work that her students are doing, like an organization called No Future Without Today. She also recommends Be Smart, which raises awareness about safe gun storage. We’re so grateful to Lauren for sharing her perspective as a teacher, an advocate, and a gun violence survivor.
Then Rachel sits down with another incredible Gen Z activist, Eve Levenson. Eve has worked with The Jewish Democratic Council of America, Grassroots Dem HQ, Voters Of Tomorrow, and she co-founded the Youth In Gov Coalition. Relevant to our topic of gun violence this week, she also worked with March For Our Lives, founded by high school students after the school shooting in Parkland. Eve shares how her Jewish identity has inspired her activism, what issues are important to Gen Z, and the best advice she ever received (hint: it was from Ruth Bader Ginsburg!!).
Finally, Jess, Jasmine and Rachel raise a glass to kids' birthdays, to organizing all year round, and to leaning in to what inspires us in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
You don’t have to be Gen Z to be a social media queen! Sharing information and inspiring people to action is how we bring change to our communities and our country. If you want to learn how to use social media to defeat right-wing extremism, join us for a special Troublemaker Training on Thursday February 9th. You can sign up here or by going to redwine.blue.

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

Let’s (Tik)Tok About Gen Z (with Annie Wu, Juanita Boger-Allen and Mya Allen) Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Suburban women are an important voting block and we made a big difference in last year’s midterms. But we’re not alone: Gen Z also played a key role in the midterms, changing the narrative that “young people don’t vote.” We’re so happy to band together with Gen Z to defeat right-wing extremism. So that’s what we’re talking about this week: young people. The hosts even share what they were like when they were young!
We're then joined by Judge Juanita Boger-Allen and her daughter Mya. Juanita was the first Black District Court Judge to be elected in her North Carolina community. And through working on her campaign, both she and Mya were so inspired by each other. They’re living proof that working together across generations isn’t just good for the cause - it also brings us closer together.
After that, Rachel sits down with Annie Wu, the young woman who ran John Fetterman’s social media during his Senate campaign and earned the moniker “Fetterman’s TikTok Whisperer.” Annie shares how she got into politics (and why campaign work is inaccessible to many young people), why Gen Z is more involved than young people in previous generations, and the best parts about working with Gisele and John.
Finally, Amanda, Jasmine and Rachel raise a glass to Representative Emilia Sykes, kids growing up, and the importance of political organizing even in red rural areas in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
Are you starting to see attacks on sex education in your newsfeeds? Do you believe sex ed is important but you have questions about what your kids should learn and when? Do you want to be prepared to handle discussions around sex ed within your school district and with friends? We got you covered! Join us on Thursday, February 2nd for a special Troublemaker Training. You can sign up here or by going to redwine.blue.

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

Inclusion Isn’t A Drag (with Tara Hoot and Cress Barnes) Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

We’re not afraid to tackle any topic on this podcast, and this week that topic is drag. It’s a new year, but right-wing extremists keep reading from the same old playbook, trying to find boogeymen to scare us… especially suburban women. Armed right-wing extremists have been showing up to protest drag storytime events, which seems far more traumatizing for a child than a princess reading them a book could ever be. So much for the party of personal choice.
The hosts are joined by Cress Barnes, a mom in North Carolina who’s had to deal with threats and calls to shut down her restaurant because she hosts family-friendly drag events. Cress talks about why it’s important to provide inclusive spaces, some misconceptions about drag, and how she always tries to lead with kindness. When she threw a "not a protest" party to celebrate diversity in her town, hundreds of people showed up to support her and the LGBTQ community... and the right-wing extremists were nowhere to be found.
Then Jasmine interviews Tara Hoot, a drag queen who regularly hosts storytime events for kids. Tara is a teacher and a parent, so events that bring joy to kids and parents alike has always been a passion. They discuss what exactly drag is, why drag events have become such a popular target, and why it’s so important for kids to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the books they read and the events they attend.
Finally, Amanda, Jasmine and Rachel raise a glass to not-so-expensive eggs, favorite flowers, and moms standing up for inclusive playgrounds in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
First Ron DeSantis passed "Don't Say Gay." Then he banned discussions about racism with the "Stop Woke Act." Now he’s banned AP African American History in the state of Florida. If you want to stand up for education, we encourage you to sign our letter to the Florida Board of Education 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

This Year, Let’s Choose Conversations Over Chaos (with Gisele Fetterman and Sherry Luce) Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Season 3 of the podcast is here and we are so happy to be back with you all! On today’s episode, Amanda Weinstein, Jasmine Clark and Rachel Vindman catch up on everything that’s happened since they last sat down together: from Jasmine and Casey being sworn in to Republicans in disarray in Ohio and Washington. Chaos is looming around every corner, but we can counter it by continuing to have authentic conversations with our friends, family, and neighbors.
The hosts are joined by Sherry Luce, an organizer in Pennsylvania. They chat with Sherry about how her state was able to swing blue in last year’s midterms, her unconventional approaches to politics (pajama party, anyone?), and what she's seeing in the coming year for Pennsylvania.
Then Amanda gets the chance to sit down with Gisele Barreto Fetterman, whose kindness, authenticity, and style are truly one of a kind. Amanda and Gisele chat about her charities, immigration, how running for office is a family affair, Brazil’s recent “January 6th” riot, how Gisele stays positive in the face of criticism, and even her long-time celebrity crush.
Finally, Amanda, Jasmine and Rachel raise a glass to Jasmine’s 40th birthday, some unexpectedly positive experiences on Twitter, and to Rachel’s daughter Sarah and the importance of reaching out for support in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”
Troublemaker Trainings are back! Our next Training is Thursday, January 19th and it’s all about school boards. Join us to learn more about how to fight against book bans, how to make your voice heard at school board meetings and join together with your friends and neighbors. You can learn more and sign up 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

Season 3 Is Coming On 1/18! Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

In last year’s midterms, we showed right-wing extremists just how big of a “suburban women problem” they have - and we can’t wait to be back again, sharing meaningful conversations and being bona fide troublemakers every week.
If you joined us for Seasons 1 and 2, we are thrilled to have you back with us for Season 3. And if this is your first time listening to the pod, welcome! Our new season will launch on Wednesday, January 18th with the one and only Gisele Fetterman. We’ll see you then!

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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