How To Not Lose Your Sh!t

Today we have a raw and emotional episode to share. The day after the horrific school shooting in Texas this week, Amanda Weinstein, Rachel Vindman, and Katie Paris recorded an emergency episode to process their anger and their heartbreak.The number one cause of death for children in the United States is now gun violence. Moms don’t want to hear more “thoughts and prayers,” we don't want to read more tweets or hear more empty remarks about mental health. We want politicians to DO SOMETHING. Speaking of doing something, if you want to get involved, you can reach out to Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization of moms fighting for common sense legislation to prevent gun violence. You can visit momsdemandaction.org or text “ACT” to 644-33.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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

On today's episode, Amanda Weinstein, Jasmine Clark, and Rachel Vindman talk about abortion. Yes, again. We’re not going to stop talking about it until we all have the right to choose in this country. We also discuss some of the primaries that happened last week - extreme right candidate and ethical nightmare Madison Cawthorn lost his election, and so did extremist school board candidates in Durham, NC. But we still have a huge fight ahead of us in November, so it’s crucial to keep having personal conversations with the folks in our families and neighborhoods. Talking to the people in your network is the most impactful way to influence voters. And speaking of personal stories, ever since the news about Roe v Wade leaked, the women in our Facebook community SWEEP have been sharing so many personal stories. Almost 1,000 women have shared their abortion stories, so this week we’ve decided to highlight three of those women - reading their own posts, in their own voices.After that, Jasmine sits down with Kate Kelly of Ordinary Equality and author of  “Ordinary Equality: The Fearless Women and Queer People Who Shaped the U.S. Constitution and the Equal Rights Amendment.” Kate and Jasmine discuss the history of abortion and how it became one of the pillars of the Republican Party, the history of the Equal Rights Ammendment, and Kate’s favorite quote from “Legally Blonde.” Finally, Amanda, Jasmine and Rachel raise a glass to taking a break, the beach, birthdays, and getting dolled up for a gala in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”Now is the time to create and uplift pro-choice content and support movements that are fighting for abortion rights, which is why we have joined the Listen To Women coalition! You can buy a t-shirt today to support the National Network of Abortion Funds.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.Please note: This episode was recorded before the news of Tuesday's mass shooting broke, but unfortunately mass shootings are common enough in this country that we talked about gun violence just last week. Shannon Watts joined us from Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement of moms fighting for common sense legislation to prevent gun violence. You can join in their fight by going to MomsDemandAction.org or by texting the word "Ready" to 644-33.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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We were deeply upset by the tragic mass shootings last weekend, so today, we need to talk about guns. Amanda Weinstein, Jasmine Clark, and guest host Katie Paris discuss how frustrating it is to feel like politicians are doing nothing while thousands die from gun violence. The majority of Americans support common sense legislation on firearms, so we need to stay loud and let our leaders know that we demand better.Indiana mom DeAndra Dycus joins the pod to share her personal connection to this issue: after a stray bullet paralyzed her teenage son, she started an organization called Purpose for My Pain to support other families who have been affected by gun violence. DeAndra also spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention and published a book, Beautiful Resilience: Stories of Inspiration on Living Through a Mother's Grief.After that, Amanda interviews Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action. They discuss what moms can do to fight for better gun legislation, why it’s important for more women to run for office, and how Shannon stays positive and hopeful while working on such a devastating issue. They also find a little time to talk about Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Warren, and Shannon’s favorite yoga pose. Finally, Amanda, Jasmine and Katie raise a glass to community support, to the women of SWEEP, and to attending the Georgia Democratic State Dinner in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”If you’re ready to join the Great Troublemaker Turnout, please sign up here! Talking to the people in your network is the most impactful way to influence voters, and Red Wine & Blue is committed to providing everything you need to tap into this super power: training, tools, community, and support. Suburban women are taking a stand - join us!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

On today’s episode, Rachel Vindman, Amanda Weinstein, and Jasmine Clark continue to process their feelings about last week’s Roe v Wade news. Although it can be easy to stay in a place of anger and sadness, we need to turn those feelings into action - and win at the midterms in November! The only way we can keep right-wing extremists from taking away our rights is by voting them out. And the best way to do that is to have honest conversations with the people in our own networks.Katie Paris joins the pod to tell everyone about the Great Troublemaker Turnout, Red Wine & Blue’s new relational voter turnout program. Katie praises all the incredible women in our Facebook community SWEEP who have been sharing their personal abortion stories; it can be uncomfortable or even challenging at times, but the best way to change minds is to speak honestly and from the heart. After that, Rachel sits down with Ravi Gupta and Jason Kander, the hosts of the podcast Majority 54. Their pod is all about how to talk to the people in our lives who have different political views than us– that uncle, that cousin, that parent who might have voted for Trump. How can we reach them and change their mind? They also discuss Jason’s new book, Invisible Storm, which is about running for office, PTSD, marriage, and more.Finally, Rachel, Amanda and Jasmine raise a glass to Mother’s Day - to moms of all types, to being treated to a nice dinner, and to taking a little time to recover from the news - in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”If you’re ready to join the Great Troublemaker Turnout, please sign up here! Talking to the people in your network is the most impactful way to influence voters, and Red Wine & Blue is committed to providing everything you need to tap into this super power: training, tools, community, and support. Suburban women are taking a stand - join us!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Today, we’re excited to share something special in honor of our 50th episode of the podcast! Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow joins us for a full episode to talk about her passionate speech that went viral, why she wanted to reach suburban women like herself, and how we can all fight back against right-wing extremism. Mallory answers questions about what it felt like to be accused of “grooming” for supporting LGBTQ kids, Democratic strategy, her faith, and her phone call from President Biden. She even shares a Toast to Joy!Please note, we recorded this episode before the Roe v Wade news hit - but even before that news, we knew that Mallory is an inspirational example of how we can raise our voices and make good trouble. Her message about the power of suburban women is more important than ever, so we hope you find her words as inspiring as we do.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

With the breaking news this week of the leaked draft of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade, obviously we couldn’t talk about anything else on today’s pod. Hosts Amanda Weinstein, Jasmine Clark, and Rachel Vindman got together for an emergency recording session to process their thoughts and feelings.  If this news fills you with as much rage, sadness, fear, and frustration as it does for us, we urge you to get involved. Vote in every election. Talk to your neighbors and friends. Sign up for a Troublemaker Training, download our Parent Playbook, and start organizing in your community. Now is the time to stand up for what we believe in. You can find ways to get involved at our website: www.redwine.blue.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Today we’re tackling another difficult topic: the criminal justice system. But before we get to that and other important issues, like what’s been going on in Ukraine, we have something positive to celebrate! Last weekend, hosts Jasmine Clark, Amanda Weinstein and Rachel Vindman finally all met each other in person! Amanda and Rachel attended a fundraiser for Jasmine’s re-election campaign but they also all made time for meaningful conversations and just getting a tour of Jasmine’s neck of the woods.After discussing the prison system amongst themselves, the hosts are joined by Barbara Gaskins, a mom in North Carolina who founded a non-profit dedicated to incarceration re-entry. And on top of that, she’s also running for Congress! Amanda, Jasmine and Rachel talk to Barbara about her own experience with the criminal justice system and how difficult it is to move on with a clean slate, even decades later. They also discuss the overall injustice of the system, from the paltry charges given to the January 6th insurrectionists to the constant fear Jasmine and Barbara have for their sons interacting with the police.After that, Rachel interviews Marlon Peterson, the author of Bird Uncaged: An Abolitionist's Freedom Song. Marlon faced a difficult childhood as an immigrant in Brooklyn and ended up spending over 10 years in prison. He has since become a speaker, an author, and an activist, fighting for incarceration reform. Marlon and Rachel discuss his book, his work, and the connections he sees between the “skin-peeling work” he had to do to face his own past and the bans on Critical Race Theory that stop us as a nation from facing our past together.Finally, Rachel, Amanda and Jasmine raise a glass to their fun weekend together in Atlanta in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”If you want to join the conversation, head over to theswppod.com! You can share your thoughts with us, find out how to join our Facebook group SWEEP, and more.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Today we’re talking about something that might be a little controversial… cannabis! It’s being legalized in more and more states, but there are still so many questions and misconceptions out there. So we’re chatting with two moms today who can tell us a little more about cannabis and how it fits in with their health, their daily lives, and their parenthood.First, Jasmine, Amanda and Rachel are joined by Leona Thomas, a mom in Oregon who owns a dispensary. Leona discusses what it’s like to be a woman of color in the marijuana industry, why she wanted to open her business in a historically Black neighborhood, and how she uses cannabis in her own life. After that, Jasmine sits down with Danielle Simone Brand, the author of Weed Mom: The Canna-Curious Woman's Guide to Healthier Relaxation, Happier Parenting, & Chilling TF Out. Danielle explains what’s wrong with the “Reefer Madness” stereotypes about marijuana use, how cannabis helps her be a better parent, and good ways for moms who might be “canna-curious” to dip their toes in the water. Danielle and Jasmine also discuss the very important issue of racism in the creation and enforcement of cannabis laws.Finally, Rachel, Amanda and Jasmine raise a glass to Spring Break, to Amanda’s amazing mother-in-law, and to Jasmine teaching her son how to drive (and surviving the process!) in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”If you want to join the conversation, head over to theswppod.com! You can share your thoughts with us, find out how to join our Facebook group SWEEP, and more.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Today, we’re talking about all things housing policy. What makes a neighborhood a good place to raise a family? How can we say “Yes In My Back Yard” instead of “Not In My Back Yard”? But first, hosts Amanda Weinstein, Jasmine Clark and Rachel Vindman talk about the news. Jasmine just got out of session in the Georgia Legislature and her Republican colleagues passed some really bad bills. And new abortion bills and “Don’t Say Gay” bills are sweeping the nation. But in some much-needed good news, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the Supreme Court! Erinn Grube, the Village Council President in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, joins the pod to talk about how they were able to put up some new housing developments while still keeping the cute and historical character of their town. Erinn discusses the importance of walkability and what her kids have learned about local government by watching her work.After that, Amanda gets to chat with economist and housing expert Dr. Jenny Schuetz about her new book, Fixer Upper: How to Repair America’s Broken Housing System. They discuss what suburban women should know about housing policy, how it affects our daily lives, how a history of racism has affected housing in America, and how affordable housing is good for everyone.Finally, Rachel, Amanda and Jasmine raise a glass to big milestones for their kids, to a little alone time for themselves, and to people who say “Yes In My Back Yard!” in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”If you want to check out Red Wine and Blue’s “Parent Playbook,” you can find it here. It’s a fun guide full of helpful advice for moms who want to organize in their communities.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

On today’s episode, Rachel Vindman, Amanda Weinstein, and special guest host Malynda Hale talk about social justice parenting. They discuss how you first have to acknowledge your own inherent biases and your discomfort before you can have meaningful conversations with your kids about social justice. We hear more about Malynda’s inspiring tweet thread about interracial marriage in response to Senator Mike Braun’s comments at Judge Jackson’s hearings, and everyone expresses their disbelief and outrage over right wing hypocrisy regarding Ginni Thomas.Then Kelly Krout joins us to talk about parenting, fostering kids, politics, and more. Kelly has become a sensation on TikTok for her relatable videos about running for office in Arkansas. She’s also written children's books about the foster care system, proving once again just how important it is for kids to have books that reflect their lived experiences. Kelly is funny, energetic, wise, and an all-around delight.After that, Rachel sits down with Dr. Traci Baxley to talk about her book, Social Justice Parenting: How To Raise Compassionate, Empathetic, Justice-Minded Kids in an Unjust World. Dr. Baxley and Rachel chat about what exactly social justice parenting is, why sheltering our kids is the wrong approach, and how the only way to really get social justice parenting wrong is to never even start. Finally, Rachel, Amanda and Malynda raise a glass to family, to finding time for an at-home date night, and to meeting Dr. Fauci in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”If you’re  tired of extremists banning books, you should check out Red Wine and Blue’s virtual Read-In on Thursday April 7. The event will be hosted by Stella Parton (that’s right, Dolly Parton's sister!) and feature some amazing authors of banned books, including past pod guests Lesléa Newman and Brad Meltzer. More info and registration can be found here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@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: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA