Facts Over Fear

Local politics might not make the national headlines, but it shapes everything from your paycheck to your air quality.And right now, Pennsylvania’s 50th Legislative District is heating up.Lois Bower-Bjornson, small business owner and environmental advocate, is throwing her hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination. She’s bringing a background in clean air advocacy, grassroots organizing, and local economic issues to a race that could redefine the district’s priorities.On today’s Facts Over Fear podcast, we get beyond campaign slogans and dig into the issues that matter:Minimum wage – stuck in 2009, what’s her plan to actually raise it?Paid leave – the Family Care Act just passed the House; does she support it?Healthcare – how to make coverage affordable when families are skipping meals to pay bills?Environment – balancing jobs, energy, and clean air in a district tied to industry.Tech & AI – AI data centers are coming, but what about energy, water use, and regulation?ICE & immigration – what role should state lawmakers play?…and moreFOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

It’s Women’s History Month, and Pennsylvania is celebrating the only way it apparently knows how: by letting the gender pay gap widen while still refusing to raise the minimum wage.I’m digging in with Marita Garrett, founder, CEO & President of Civically Inc. We are breaking down what’s happening, what it actually means at the local level, and what people can do about it.Women are earning less, costs are going up, and somehow the policy response is… crickets.At the same time, Harrisburg is finally talking about raising the minimum wage — from $7.25 to $15… by 2029. Progress? I guess. Useful? Not exactly.And then there’s what’s happening at home in Pittsburgh. Travelers at Pittsburgh International Airport are now seeing ICE agents near security checkpoints, filling in during TSA staffing shortages tied to federal dysfunction. Is it about efficiency? Optics? Or something bigger about how federal enforcement is showing up in local spaces?Senator John Fetterman is raising eyebrows as he continues to stand with Republicans — even though he is a “Democrat”With more potential challengers circling, the conversation about 2028 is already starting. Who do we think should primary Fetterman? Because voting for Markwayne Mullin and defending ICE is not winning him any support.This isn’t just about headlines.It’s about how policy shows up in real life. In your paycheck. At the airport. At the ballot box. Staying informed is step one. We also need to show up. Not just in Pennsylvania, but all over the country if we want to move the needle.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

From airport meltdowns to reality TV fallout to presidential rhetoric, the gap between power and consequences is getting harder to ignore.Joining me this is Jess Britvich, a former social worker turned content creator who breaks down the intersection of online culture, politics, and the systems shaping both.Let’s get into it:TSA Chaos & Congressional PrivilegeAir travel is a mess right now—and it’s not just delays.Delta Air Lines is suspending its special airport assistance service for members of Congress as TSA lines surge during the ongoing partial government shutdown. At the same time, the Senate has moved to eliminate lawmakers’ ability to skip security lines altogether—a long-standing symbol of preferential treatment.Meanwhile, travelers at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson—still the busiest airport in the world—are being told to arrive up to four hours early as staffing shortages intensify. TSA agents have gone unpaid since mid-February, and hundreds have already quit.When Reality TV Faces Real ConsequencesThen there’s the abrupt halt of The Bachelorette.Disney pulled the plug on a fully filmed, ready-to-air season after a video resurfaced showing would-be lead Taylor Frankie Paul involved in a past physical altercation.Just like that, a multimillion-dollar production is shelved.The fallout for Taylor Frankie Paul has been swift and tangible: a lost TV opportunity, intense public backlash, paused projects like Mormon Wives, and legal constraints after her ex-partner was granted a temporary restraining order.Which raises a bigger question: why does a reality star face immediate consequences… while political figures often don’t?Trump, Mueller, and the Limits of AccountabilityThat contrast becomes even sharper when looking at Donald Trump.In a recent post, Trump celebrated the death of former FBI Director Robert Mueller—the man who led the Russia investigation into his 2016 campaign—writing, “Good, I’m glad he’s dead.”It’s not the first time Trump has made inflammatory remarks about political opponents, even after death.But it underscores something deeper: what consequences actually exist for those in power?Because so far, moments like this haven’t slowed him down politically.Now compare that to what happened after the death of far-right activist Charlie Kirk.For everyday Americans, posting reactions—some critical, some simply quoting Kirk’s own statements on gun violence—came with real consequences. A now-defunct website even compiled names and personal information, encouraging campaigns to report individuals to their employers.By November 2025, a Reuters investigation estimated around 600 people had been fired, disciplined, or investigatedover their posts.Jess Britvich experienced that fallout firsthand.So here’s the tension at the center of this episode: Why can a former president publicly celebrate a death… while ordinary people lose their livelihoods for speaking out?The Bigger PictureThis isn’t just about one headline or one person. It’s about a system where:Power can insulate you from consequencesVisibility can amplify punishmentAnd “accountability” can look very different depending on who you areSame system. Very different outcomes.What do you think?FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengaFACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change.

In a moment defined by polarization, disconnection, and a steady drip of fear, something different is taking root, starting in Pittsburgh, PA.It’s called People’s Song SocieTea (PSST) — a monthly, curated gathering where artists, poets, and performers come together not for perfection, but for presence. For truth. For dialogue that leads to understanding.Created by performer, Erika JC Laing (Erika June), and launched this January, PSST is part salon, part resistance, part community-building experiment. The premise is simple but powerful: when the world fractures, we gather and we create.PSST spans music, poetry, and short-form expression, all rooted in current events and the questions shaping our collective future.And that matters because historically, artists are often the first to be targeted when power feels threatened. Not by accident, but because artists translate truth in ways that move people. They challenge narratives. They make us feel and build empathy for one another. And empathy leads to action.Erika didn’t set out to create just another event. She created a space where expression is accessible, curiosity is welcomed, and people don’t just consume art; they engage with it, question it, and see themselves inside it.The invitation is simple: show up. You don’t have to be an artist. You just have to be willing to listen, to feel, and to be part of something bigger than yourself.Every last Thursday of the month from now until the end of the year, people can come together at Bantha Tea Bar in Garfield because community requires consistency. Because the need to gather — especially now — isn’t going away.What if you don’t live in Pittsburgh? No problem.PSST now a podcast, extending these conversations beyond the room and creating a living archive of art and dialogue shaped by this moment.Poem that Erika read during the interview:Use FearMusic by Christian Hoffman and Spoken Word by Ben KernionUse fear to bring you closerto the joyOf being a hard resistorCharged with the conscious serviceof your holy attentionIce meltsUse fear toclap up highand celebrateMaking use of each divine state to riseWe use fear to ascend the liesAnd in time collaborate towardsA society of meaning filled livesWhere every person has the abilityTo move towards the promise they were born toreply toI can, I am, I see, It’s me, out there, somewhere AndI’ll care more and more. We all wereMade one time, for thisTime is oursTo use love to use fearAnd reveal all true facesWhat a way to makea wayI feel youIce meltsFOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

Dr. Natalie Gentile, direct primary care physician, co-founder of Direct Care Physicians of Pittsburgh and founder of Rebel Wellness joins me regularly to dissect the healthcare news you need to know.If you find this conversation valuable, please consider a paid subscription to help me expand my work. Here’s what we talked about today:Americans are skipping meals to afford medical care. New data shows 1 in 3 people are sacrificing basic needs just to pay health bills, and it’s not just the uninsured. It’s those with insurance, as well.Put the cost in perspective: the money Americans are bleeding into the war in Iran could fund school lunches for a decade, fix crumbling schools and bridges, expand early education, restore food assistance, and extend ACA coverage for millions with billions left over. (Defend Action America)Instead, it’s disappearing into a system that still leaves people choosing between prescriptions and groceries.So what kind of system makes staying alive this expensive? A for-profit system that has lost its way. We cannot profit off of people’s suffering.Models like direct primary care — cutting out insurance middlemen for transparent, flat-rate care — are gaining traction. Not a cure-all, but a crack in the status quo.You can’t vibe-check science. A federal judge just reminded Washington of that. A judge blocked efforts tied to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to overhaul federal vaccine recommendations, including cutting routine childhood immunizations. The ruling is a clear line in the sand: policy can’t override evidence.Pediatric leaders called it a win for kids, communities, and public health. Translation: facts still matter even when politics tries to outshout them.Wellness or just well-marketed? Paige DeSorbo has entered the chat.Nutrafol has been facing a class action lawsuit alleging its “clinically proven” hair growth claims don’t hold up; a familiar story in an industry built on soft science and strong branding. Dr. Gentile weighs in.Meanwhile, celebrities are cashing in. Kourtney Kardashian and Paige DeSorbo are collaborating to sell us better sleep — for a price. Because nothing says better rest like handing over your cold hard cash to a famous face.The bigger question it raises: how much of wellness is actually science — and how much is just belief you can buy?We’re paying more than ever for healthcare, being forced to defend basic science, and getting sold “solutions” that may not solve anything.Thank you, Dr. Gentile, for your insights and thank you to everyone who tuned in.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

Katie Paul, Director at the Tech Transparency Project and investigative expert on platform advertising and harms. She exposes how Facebook helps push casino-style apps, how ad tools and payment cuts fuel a predatory economy, and why legal gaps let harmful virtual gambling thrive across states.

Are you “worthy” of IVF?It’s time we reckon with how our system decides what counts as healthcare — and who is considered worthy of it — particularly when the decisions involve our most intimate life choices.Thank you, Cally Myhrum, for making space for a frank conversation about an issue that is often overlooked but impacts millions.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

Every week, Americans walk into the grocery store with the same sinking feeling: How did it get this expensive?Even as broader inflation headlines cool, food prices remain stubbornly high. And for millions of families, “stubborn” isn’t abstract. It means skipping fresh produce. Choosing cheaper, ultra-processed alternatives. Putting essentials on a credit card and hoping next month feels lighter. Skipping meals entirely.So what’s actually going on? And are government-owned grocery stores part of the solution?Thank you to Claire Kelloway for joining me on Facts Over Fear. Subscribe to support independent journalism.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

Jess Britvich, former social worker and cultural commentator, explores how prominent women are shaping MAGA power. She breaks down online trends like trad wife messaging, the tradeoffs of gender for racial power, and the rise of women-run political initiatives. The conversation highlights shifting roles, militarized projects in Latin America, and youth-targeting strategies in schools.