Facts Over Fear

Originally published May 12, 2025.

I joined my friend and colleague, Desmond Price, of Independent Thought on Friday afternoon for what is becoming our regular Friday news roundup. If you didn’t get a chance to check it out, please enjoy the full video above.We dished on it ALL including:Fake feminists flying to space and what that meant for womankind here on Earth.My feelings on cosplaying girl boss and why commodifying feminism has killed the movement towards equity (and how we push back).Alexandria Ocasio Cortez’s rise to fame in the Democratic Party and will it cinch her Presidential the nomination in 2028?Will America ever have a woman in the White House? (Desmond is more optimistic than I am — but I can be persuaded!)Sen. Lisa Murkowski acknowledges that she is “scared” to push back against Trump. We talk about why acting in the interests of the people you represent — even when afraid — is a true sign of leadership.RFK Jr. spoke on the topic of autism, a topic he clearly knows nothing about.A quick rundown if you want to jump to a section (thank you, Desmond) for piecing these out:1:23: “Let them Eat Space”6:57: My issues with “Girl boss” feminism (can we please stop using that phrase)16:00: Our debate on AOC’s chances to win in 2028 (and upon watching it back I think Desmond’s optimism has swayed me a little. What do you think?)24:02: Are the Republicans afraid of Trump? And what do we do if they are?30:01: RFK Jr.’s disgusting comments about neurodivergent people and our response.Check out the full episode (download above) or watch from the Substack app.Do you think Gayle King and Katy Perry’s trip to space was impactful or performative for us mere mortal women on earth? Does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have a chance to win in 2028? Who would you like to see run if not her? And how did RFK Jr.’s comments on neurodivergent people make you feel as we watch our nation descend further into the jaws of fascism?Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.In solidarity,Natalie

Where Does the Line of Free Speech End and Credible Threats Begin? With Sophia Zoe Kilmer.

Thank you to my guest, Sophia Zoe Kilmer, an attorney from Philadelphia, PA who helped break down some of the legal issues surrounding the attacks on bodily autonomy, marriage, Washington DC and more.We discussed:According to Forbes, “The Supreme Court could consider whether to overturn its landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage this term after the court was asked to hear a case [brought by Kim Davis] on the issue—but the court hasn’t yet taken any action on the case, and it remains to be seen whether they’ll take it up, which they’re not required to do.Does the fall of Roe compare to this case? Kilmer didn’t think so and explained why.According to NPR, “President Trump said Monday he'll use the National Guard and Metropolitan police to target criminals in Washington, D.C., but criminals aren't his only targets. Trump also called for a purge of poor people and people without housing from the nation's capital. Much of his toughest rhetoric was aimed at young people.”Let’s talk about private prisons, ICE and criminalizing people for just existing. Gee, that will end well.Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.In solidarity,Natalie

Pennsylvania is back in the spotlight, this time with a focus on making this region a leader in artificial intelligence. Pennsylvania has the natural resources, workforce, talent and industrial might to lead America in the artificial intelligence race, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and executives in the energy, tech and investment sectors said Tuesday.They announced more than $90 billion in investments in the commonwealth’s energy generating assets, data centers, and workforce development at a Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit hosted by McCormick.President Donald Trump attended the summit Tuesday afternoon at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where he joined business leaders in a discussion with several members of his cabinet.“Today, the commonwealth is reclaiming its industrial heritage and taking its place at the forefront of the AI technological revolution,” Trump said. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)But what about the concerns around the environmental harm of these data centers, the impact AI will have on surveillance and our economy and the further disenfranchisement of Black, brown and low-income communities? I chatted with Miracle Jones, Legislative Director at We discussed the excessive force used on protesters outside of the event, as well. She was also frustrated to see little to no representation at the Summit by Black technology leaders of Pennsylvania. Check out our conversation and leave us your thoughts.Join me for my next live video in the app next week.Thank you for being a part of my growing community on Substack. I’m truly grateful to everyone who subscribes (2,709 as of this post!) and to my paid subscribers, a special shout-out to you.Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.In solidarity, Natalie1HoodPower about these issues and more. She had several concerns and shared warnings from what we’ve learned after they brought these data centers to Memphis, TN.