How To Not Lose Your Sh!t

Today we are celebrating big wins! We were all holding our breath for Tuesday’s election results because there was so much on the line, from the ballot measure in Ohio to the Virginia legislature to school board races across the country. And we are so excited to say that last night, democracy won!We’re joined for this special election recap episode by one of our favorite guests, Jess McIntosh. Jess helps us celebrate the wins (Issue 1 in Ohio! We kept the State Senate and flipped the House of Delegates in Virginia! And extremists lost school board races across the country!) and she also guides us through what this all means for 2024.Our Toasts to Joy this week are to the many fantastic candidates out there – some won and some lost, but every one of them put their values out there and fought for what they believe in. And we toast to you, our community of listeners.  We’re so grateful for you and we’re so proud of the difference we all made last night.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

There was a lot of bad news to talk about this week… the mass shooting in Maine, the extreme views of the new Speaker of the House, the war in the Middle East. But this is our last episode before the election so we all have to use this as fuel to get more involved, not to disengage. And there are always little victories to celebrate! Scholastic reversed their decision to segregate diverse books, our past Troublemaker dad Darren won his lawsuit against his book-banning school district, and closer to home, we just reached a million downloads of our podcast! We can make real change when we work together.We’re joined by Maggie Hartmann, a mom and school board candidate in Pennsylvania. Maggie shares what inspired her to run for office, her thoughts on book bans and DEI, and what’s on the line next week for her race and other school board races across the country.Finally, Rachel, Jasmine and Amanda raise a glass to one million downloads, family weddings, and the courage to be vulnerable in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”With Election Day just around the corner, it’s all hands on deck. We need every single one of you doing what you do best - talking to your friends and family about voting! You can sign up for Red Wine & Blue’s fun online tool Rally Your Squad by texting the word RALLY to 59868. Message and data rates may apply.And we have so many exciting election-focused events coming up. On Friday we’ll be joined by none other than VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS! You can learn more and RSVP for that virtual event here. And the day before, we’ll be joined by our favorite guest and historian, Heather Cox Richardson. You can RSVP for that 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

This week, we're talking about the personal attacks that Amanda and her family have been dealing with lately. Whether it’s over a local school board election, Ohio’s Issue 1, or any political issue, MAGA’s first move always seems to be personal attacks and downright creepy behavior. It’s not even limited to their political opponents on the left: extremists have been sending death threats to Republicans (and their families!) for not voting “their way” for Speaker of the House. We’re over here trying to build up our communities, schools, and democracy but extremists want to tear it all down.Then Rachel sits down with Lily Franklin, a candidate for delegate in Virginia's new 41st District. Next month’s election in Virginia is absolutely crucial and could determine reproductive rights not just for the people of VA but for women across the South. And education is on the line as well; as a former teacher, Lily knows how best to support teachers, students, and parents in her state.Finally, Rachel and Amanda raise a glass to President Biden and to exciting economic research in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”With Election Day just around the corner, it’s all hands on deck. We need every single one of you doing what you do best - talking to your friends and family about voting! You can sign up for Red Wine & Blue’s fun online tool Rally Your Squad by texting the word RALLY to 59868. Message and data rates may apply.Next week, we’re holding a virtual event with one of our all-time favorite guests, Heather Cox Richardson, to talk about what’s on the line in 2023 and why it matters for 2024. Click here for more information and to RSVP for this event.And finally, Rachel mentioned our petition to Scholastic to stop making book bans easier for extremists. Good news: we won! Scholastic has officially reversed their position and we couldn't be more proud of our community.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

We’ve been counting down the weeks until the November election - we’re at three now, if you’re counting with us. And with everything happening in the world right now, it can be hard to feel motivated about an election. But local wins and little victories are the best antidote to the sadness and helplessness we might feel when we’re scrolling through our news feed. So this week we are so excited to talk to Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Secretary of State and all-around amazing woman. She’s a voting rights expert and has expanded access to voting across her state, overseeing the most secure and highest-turnout election in Michigan’s history. Jocelyn also shares what she learned in her earlier work researching white supremacist organizations and chats about what a political race and a marathon have in common. It was a pleasure and an honor to have Secretary Benson on the pod.Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to parents, a great community weekend, and Polish democracy in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”Speaking of Michigan, next week we’ll be joined by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to learn how we as voters can win back our rights. And it’s not too late to RSVP for our October 19th evening with best-selling author Angie Thomas where you can learn about defeating book bans at the ballot box. To learn more about these events or our many other events, both virtual and local, check out our Events Page.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

This week, Jasmine and Rachel share their sadness about what’s happening in Israel. Our hearts go out to the civilians who find their ordinary lives torn apart by violence in the Middle East, in Ukraine, and even in the United States with gun violence. Tragedy can feel far away until it hits close to home, but by continuing to talk to our friends and neighbors, continuing to vote and make our voices heard, we can keep up the momentum and make real change.Then we’re joined by Nikia in Virginia and Ann in Ohio, two Troublemakers who have been out registering voters in their communities. They share what they’ve been hearing on the ground from their neighbors and how they make voting, and voter registration, fun. (T-Rex costume, anyone??)There is so much on the ballot in November, and that includes book bans. So next week we’re talking about book bans with someone who knows all too well what it’s like to have her books banned: one of our favorite past guests, Angie Thomas, the award winning author of The Hate U Give. This special live virtual event is happening on Thursday October 19 and you can sign up here: https://go.redwine.blue/AngieThomasSWP.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

Did you know that just eleven people are responsible for 60% of book bans in this country? This week is National Banned Books Week, and we talk about how a vocal minority is responsible for everything from book bans to gerrymandered maps. And the media is so obsessed with extremists like Donald Trump that a lot of Americans aren’t even aware of the good work being done across the country and in the White House.After their news catch-up, Jasmine and Amanda sit down with State Senator Amanda Cappelletti to talk about her bill to prevent book bans in her home state of Pennsylvania. They also chat about how Sen. Cappelletti was the first PA state senator to give birth while in office, how she calls her daughter “the bipartisan baby,” and how being a mom has made her a better legislator.Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to Rachel’s new Substack newsletter, Jasmine’s friend’s new coloring book I Am Woman: Unleash Your Inner Warrior, and the amazing organizers in Michigan in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”Red Wine & Blue has been holding a ton of events this week to celebrate banned books! On Wednesday October 4th, we’ll be holding the first meeting of our Little Banned Book Club, where we read and discuss frequently banned children's books. You can learn more and RSVP here.And if you want to bring powerful banned books to kids in your community, you can host your very own Banned Bookmobile! Each kit will contain 20 banned or challenged books, plus stickers, bookmarks, and a Banned Bookmobile sign. You can learn more and purchase a kit 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

This week, hosts Jasmine Clark, Rachel Vindman, and Amanda Weinstein talk about how far the bar has lowered for conduct amongst extremists, whether it’s Georgia Governor Kemp cowardly and dangerously supporting Trump, a man going after someone’s child in a school board meeting, or Ohio’s Frank LaRose changing the rules of democracy to take away women’s reproductive rights. The hosts express concern and sadness at the message that extremists are sending to children: if you’re different in any way, you aren’t worthy of love. As moms, they know that love for a child should be unconditional.After that, Jasmine sits down with Gaby Goldstein, co-founder of Sister District. Sister District has supported Jasmine’s campaign so there were a lot of warm fuzzies as she and Gaby chatted about the importance of diverse candidates, the work that Sister District does, and how red legislatures can prevent blue cities from doing great progressive work.Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to kids growing up, Yom Kippur, and Amy Poehler and Tina Fey in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”There are a lot of important elections this November and just a handful of votes could make the difference. So we’re encouraging all of our listeners to sign up for Red Wine & Blue’s Rally Your Squad. It’s a fun online tool that helps you track which of your friends and family you’ve spoken to about voting, and it’s actually improved voter turnout by up to 10 percent! To sign up, text the word RALLY to 59868. Message and data rates may apply.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

This week, we’re joined by Missy McGinnes and Shelly Rea to learn all about TroubleNation! It’s a brand-new program from Red Wine & Blue that’s designed to help women all across the country organize for change in their communities. Whether you’ve never been involved in politics before, or you already have a grassroots group and just need some support, TroubleNation can help.But before that, our hosts Rachel Vindman, Jasmine Clark, and Amanda Weinstein channel their anger and frustration at extremist Republicans saying they support families while their actions show the exact opposite. Whether it’s Lauren Boebert vaping in front of a pregnant woman at the theater or the GOP attempting to rebrand itself as “pro-baby,” we know that it doesn't matter what politicians say - it matters what they DO. And everything they do shows us that they don't care about women, children, or families.Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to great book club discussions, community events, and Rosh Hashanah in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”You can learn more and sign up for TroubleNation here: https://go.redwine.blue/TNpodFor 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

This week, Amanda Weinstein sits down with Ohio Congresswoman Emilia Sykes. Emilia is an inspiring force for good working hard for the people of her district! She and Amanda chat about how extremist Republicans keep trying to thwart the will of the people and deny women reproductive freedom, her amazing work to protect the victims of domestic violence, and how she won her election despite all the gerrymandering in Ohio. And, of course, they talk about the power of suburban women!On Monday September 18, Red Wine & Blue is holding an exciting virtual event with one of our favorite guests of all time, Heather Cox Richardson! Heather will explain why 2023 is make or break for 2024 and why it’s so important that we all get involved. You can RSVP for that event here: https://pod.redwine.blue/HCR918mt.And if you’d like to watch this interview on video, you can check it out at pod.redwine.blue/SWP.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

The Suburban Women Problem is officially back! And this season, we’re doing things a little differently: not only will the audio hit your podcast player every Wednesday, but you can also watch a video version on YouTube! You can find that link here: pod.redwine.blue/SWP.So this week, you KNOW we had to talk about a Fox News anchor calling us “low-information Chardonnay sippers in the suburbs.” They know all too well the power of suburban women, and apparently they’ve decided that if you can’t beat ‘em, insult ‘em! After chatting about that, we also catch up about the Trump indictments, the upcoming elections, and more.Then, we’re joined by Jess Piper - executive director of Blue Missouri, host of “Dirt Road Democrat,” and fierce advocate for public education. Jess chats with the hosts about book bans, PragerU, AP African-American Studies, and why extremists like Betsy DeVos would rather put kids to work than fund their schools. Jess is a force of nature and we were so excited to talk to her this week.Finally, Amanda, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to going back to school in this week’s “Toast to Joy.”If you want to stand up against book bans like Jess Piper, we invite you to join us on Thursday, September 7th for a Troublemaker Training. You'll learn how to band together with your neighbors and friends and the best tactics to make your voices heard. You can learn more and register 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