How To Not Lose Your Sh!t

On today’s episode, Rachel Vindman, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein talk about how overwhelming everything has been feeling lately. There are so many fires to put out and we can only carry so many buckets. They talk about the absurd GOP antics at Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings, Biden’s remarks about Ukraine, and how we can redirect the national conversation while still whacking all of those right-wing “whack-a-moles.”Then TN mom Taylor Lyons joins the pod to talk about her work with Chattanooga Moms for Social Justice. Taylor's organization has organized a banned book fair, provided books for libraries in underserved communities, held a workshop for parents of trans kids, and had difficult but important conversations with their neighbors. Taylor is basically an all-around super mom-- and her adorable baby even makes her presence known!After that, Jasmine sits down with one of our favorite humans on the planet, Connie Schultz. They talk about how to stay hopeful and engaged, how to lean into love, how to put down our buckets once in a while, what advice she'd give her younger self, and who she’d cast as her husband in the movie version of their life.Finally, our hosts raise a glass to family and to Spring Break in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”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

We have such an amazing guest on the pod this week… Senator Cory Booker! Ever since Trump “warned” suburban women that Cory Booker would be coming to our neighborhoods if Biden got elected, we’ve been excitedly waiting for him to visit. And this week, he dropped by The Suburban Women Problem!But before we get to Senator Booker, hosts Jasmine Clark, Amanda Weinstein, and guest host Katie Paris talk about the inspiring women of Ukraine, schools, and an article Amanda co-wrote where she discovered that job growth is actually more tied to great schools and parks than it is to tax cuts for businesses. (Yet again, policymakers should be listening to moms!)Then the hosts are joined by Red Wine & Blue’s organizing director Julie Womack. Julie drops by to tell everyone about the brand-new Parent Playbook, a fun guide full of helpful advice for moms who want to organize in their communities. Julie also talks about some of the amazing women she’s met through her work with Red Wine & Blue and how she considers an “activist” to be anyone who cares about their community.And then it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for… our interview with Cory Booker! Amanda and Katie sit down with the Senator to discuss Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, hope, book bans, comfort TV, and his grandma. And of course he destroys a few right-wing talking points while he’s at it. Finally, the hosts raise a glass to best friends, proud Sports Mom moments, and to inspiring women in the military in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.If you haven't taken our listener survey yet, there's still time! You can find the survey here. Thanks - we’re so excited to hear from 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! Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

A lot of schools might be on spring break this week, but with public education at the center of so many right-wing attacks, there's no break for teachers. So in this episode, we’re putting America’s teachers front and center!This week, Red Wine and Blue hosted a roundtable discussion with four public school teachers to hear about what they’ve been going through… in their own words. Book bans? Critical Race Theory? Covid? Angry parents at school board meetings? Teacher shortages? We talk about all of it and more.But before we get to our panel of teachers, hosts Rachel Vindman, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein dig into what they’ve been seeing in the news. Rachel gives an update on Ukraine, Amanda talks about rising gas prices, and everyone gets furious over the dangerous abortion bills in Missouri and Texas. (As Jasmine says, “if you’ve never had a period, you should not be writing bills about pregnancy. Period.”)Finally, our hosts raise a glass to rest and recovery, seeing family (and discovering that all three hosts are big sisters!), and of course to amazing teachers in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”If you enjoy The Suburban Women Problem, you might like White Picket Fence - a podcast from Wonder Media.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

This is an emotional one, y’all. Hosts Rachel Vindman, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein dig into their anger over Ukraine, right-wing fear-mongering and disruptive tactics, gun bills, name-calling, and Marjorie Taylor Greene. The midterm elections this year could not be more important!Then our hosts are joined by Jen Cousins, a mom in Florida who has been doing such good work for her community, her family, and her state. She’s been standing up against the absurd and dangerous Don’t Say Gay bill on behalf of her nonbinary child– and if that wasn’t enough, she also co-founded the Florida Freedom To Read Project to push back against book bans. This mama is fighting a lot of really hard battles and we’re so proud and grateful for her amazing work.After that, Rachel is joined by her friend Brad Meltzer, a best-selling author of fiction, nonfiction, comic books, and children’s books. His series of biographies for young readers, Ordinary People Change The World, includes books about Rosa Parks and MLK (which, surprise surprise, have recently made it on banned book lists). Brad and Rachel discuss racism, education, standing up for books, secret government warehouses… and what it's like to meet a president.Finally, our hosts raise a glass to volunteers, getting in their daily steps, and once again to the brave people of Ukraine in this week’s “Toast to Joy.” Slava Ukraini.We’re currently running a survey for you, our listeners, to give us feedback about the show! You can find the survey here. Thanks - we’re so excited to hear from you!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 celebrating the start of Women’s History Month with a special crossover episode with the podcast Pantsuit Politics! Rachel Vindman chatted with Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland about Ukraine, changing your political party, and what they’ve all learned from hosting a podcast with other women. You can hear Pantsuit’s version of their conversation here.But before her convo with Sarah and Beth, Rachel talks with her co-hosts Jasmine Clark and Amanda Weinstein about how right-wingers like Tucker Carlson could possibly support an authoritarian like Vladimir Putin, and what this war means for suburban moms like themselves. They also discuss Biden’s groundbreaking Supreme Court nominee, Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, and whether it’s possible to have real conversations with people if they’re just parroting right-wing talking points. What we do know for sure is that none of this– authoritarianism, “Don’t Say Gay,” book bans– is going away any time soon.And after Rachel’s convo with Pantsuit Politics, our hosts raise a glass to good health, managing expectations, and the brave people of Ukraine in this week’s “Toast to Joy.” Slava Ukraini.We’re currently running a survey for you, our listeners, to give us feedback about the show! You can find the survey here. Thanks - we’re so excited to hear from you!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, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein are joined by not one but TWO amazing Paris women: Katie Paris, the founder of Red Wine & Blue, and her mother-in-law Debby Paris, a child psychologist. Katie tells the hosts about the amazing response to Book Ban Busters, how much coverage it’s been getting in the media, and (most importantly!) how it’s been translating into real organizing action.After that, they’re joined by her incredible MIL Deb, who explains why “sheltering” our kids from American history is the exact opposite thing we should be doing if we want to instill good values and healthy coping mechanisms. Any conversation with Deb feels like a bona fide therapy session, and this chat was no exception. Our hosts came into today’s episode really feeling the frustrations of the current political climate, but after some uplifting news from Katie and some sage wisdom from Deb, they left feeling ready to tackle the problems of the world once again.  We hope you feel the same.Finally, our hosts raise a glass to keeping our heads above water, getting away for a quick trip, and Amanda’s son’s birthday in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”We’re currently running a survey for you, our listeners, to give us feedback about the show! You can find the survey here. Thanks - we’re so excited to hear from you!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, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein talk about redlining and why, in Heather McGhee’s words, we “can’t have nice things.” Amanda also clarifies what’s been going on lately with inflation and Rachel gives her thoughts on the developing situation in Ukraine. And of course we couldn’t go a whole episode without talking about the “ice house prostitution” hubbub that went down in Amanda’s town of Hudson, Ohio.Then Casey Weinstein joins the podcast – he’s the Democratic Rep in Ohio’s 37th District and also happens to be Amanda’s hubby. Casey and Amanda chat about the partisan protestors at their house, what it means in terms of the national dialogue, and how Casey has been pushing back against gerrymandering in Ohio. After that, Heather McGhee joins the podcast! Heather holds the distinction of being the only guest so far who’s appeared on the podcast twice, and this time Jasmine is the lucky one to sit down and chat with her. They talk about “drained pool politics,” redlining, and the myriad other ways that families of color have been left out of the American dream.Finally, our hosts raise a glass to laughter, the SuperBowl halftime show, and exciting new adventures in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”We’re currently running a survey for YOU, our listeners! You can take the survey here. Thanks - we’re so excited to hear from you!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, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein cover a lot of ground: Alex Vindman’s new lawsuit, updates on Amanda’s mystery protestors, accountability, books, and the importance of representation for LGBTQ kids. They talk about how the right wing’s attacks on the trans and gay community is driven by fear and how so many Americans are one genuine conversation away from understanding and acceptance.Then Jasmine sits down with Lesléa Newman, the author of frequently-challenged books “Heather Has Two Mommies” and “Sparkle Boy.” Lesléa talks about why she writes books and how frustrating–and infuriating–it is to have her books banned. She also offers a historical perspective, as someone who’s had her books challenged for over 30 years, and weighs in on what’s new and scary about the book bans happening today.After that, Rachel gets the chance to chat with writer and trans activist Charlotte Clymer. They bond over standing up to Twitter trolls, living their authentic lives, and Charlotte tells Rachel how we can all be better allies to the trans people in our communities. Finally, our hosts raise a glass to hanging in there, decompressing from a tough week, and new adventures just around the riverbend in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”Red Wine and Blue is pushing back against book bans with our brand-new initiative Book Ban Busters. You can visit bookbanbusters.com to see a map of book bans across the country and let us know what’s happening in your area. And if you feel like you could use some support figuring out how to stand up against book bans in your community, we invite you to sign up for one of our Troublemaker Trainings.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, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein dig into American democracy in disarray. They chat about the Supreme Court news and announce Red Wine and Blue’s new initiative to stand up against book bans across the country: Book Ban Busters! (Book bans? Crumbling democracy? This really IS Groundhog Day!)They’re joined by Mila Atmos, the producer and host of the podcast Future Hindsight, which aims to spark civic engagement through conversations with citizen changemakers. Mila shares why she started a podcast, what we can all do to protect democracy, and explains the fantastic name “Future Hindsight.”Then Amanda sits down with Mary Trump, the niece of Donald Trump and author of Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man. They discuss the last time Mary talked to her uncle, why she thinks he got elected at all, and how important it is to push back against right-wing propaganda. They also chat about kittens, news anchors, and Mary’s parrot even makes an appearance, so don’t miss their convo.Finally, our hosts raise a glass to sports victories, birthdays, and holding on long enough to find the sunshine through heartbreak in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”Red Wine and Blue is pushing back against book bans with our brand-new initiative Book Ban Busters. You can visit bookbanbusters.com to see a map of book bans across the country and let us know what’s happening in your area. And if you feel like you could use some support figuring out how to stand up against book bans in your community, we invite you to sign up for one of our Troublemaker Trainings.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, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein dig into misinformation. They’ve been enduring misinformation-driven attacks lately their own lives– over the weekend, extremist protestors showed up at Amanda's house and didn’t even really know why! And meanwhile, in Georgia, Jasmine’s been dealing with Republicans who say they support kids’ mental health but want to ban books that might help students understand themselves and their place in the world.They’re joined by Jessica Berg, an English teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia. Jessica talks about the importance of books and how hard it is for teachers to care so much about their students and yet to be accused of the very opposite. (But hey, at least the pay is good, right? … right?) And after that, Jasmine sits down with Tara McGowan, the founder of Good Information Inc. Tara and Jasmine chat about misinformation, how we can push back, and what they’ve learned from being the only woman in the room.Finally, our hosts raise a glass to getting kids vaccinated, supportive neighbors, and family time in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @TheSWPpod! And if you feel like you could use some support figuring out how to stand up against book bans in your community, we invite you to sign up for one of our Troublemaker Trainings.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