Has anybody ever told you that you should run for office? What did you do or say in response?This week we spoke to Sara Guillermo, the CEO of IGNITE, which trains and empowers young women to become advocates and political leaders. We spoke to Sara about her own journey to supporting women’s political power, some of the challenges women face in both elected office and advocacy environments, and how IGNITE approaches training, support, and building community for young leaders. In the process we discussed why it’s so important that women get this kind of support and what kinds of opportunities become available when they do.Episode Links:IGNITE: Website | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Follow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends! Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

Do you remember the slogan of the American colonists "no taxation without representation" and want to ensure that American citizens today all have that representation?This week we spoke to Kelsye Adams, Director of DC Vote, about her work as an artistic activist, advocating for the fundamental rights of DC residents to equal representation in Congress via statehood. She discussed where the fight for DC statehood is, what it will take to get it over the finish line, and how she incorporates art and especially go-go music into her work.Episode Links:DC Vote: Website | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Follow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends! Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

Are you interested in learning more about coalition-building and how to contribute to the creation of a more representative government? This week we spoke to DaMareo Cooper, one of the co-Executive Directors of Popular Democracy (formerly the Center for Popular Democracy or CPD), about how different layers of individual involvement and action can help transform government into something that works for us all. He talks about his background as an organizer, how Popular Democracy works with their local affiliates to build networks, share information, and empower community organizations, and where people can slot into that work. Episode Links:Popular Democracy (Former Center for Popular Democracy): WebsiteFollow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends!Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

It’s a special episode of What Can I Do Junior, hosted by Teddy and Arthur!Are you a young person looking to make a difference? Do you have kids in your life who are eager to make their voices heard? This week we spoke to Joan Galat, author of Make Your Mark, Make a Difference—A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up For People, Animals, and the Planet, about all of the ways young people can get engaged and get active! Joan spoke about the many kinds of political action available to children, how young people can choose an issue to get involved in, and what other kids are doing to make a change in their communities and the world. A great listen for kids and adults alike!Episode Links:Joan Galat: Website | Instagram | Twitter Buy Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: WebsiteFollow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends!Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

Wondering how to protect your mental health during this election season?This week we spoke to Dr. Deborah Vinall, a psychologist and author based in Southern California, about how to engage in the political process in a way that’s both productive and protective of your mental health. She shared tips for how to check in with yourself as you do political work, how to protect yourself from the stress of a major electoral cycle, how to keep perspective despite the constant torrent of frustrating and scary news, and how to talk to others about how you’re feeling.Episode Links:Dr. Deborah Vinall: Website Books: WebsiteFollow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends!Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

Wondering how to do effective Democratic organizing in rural red states?This week we spoke to Jane Kleeb, the Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, about the innovative work she and the Nebraska Dems are doing to bring Democratic victories to supposedly deep red, rural states. We talked about how Democrats can reach out to rural voters, the similarities between urban and rural communities, and the really exciting and innovative projects the Nebraska Democratic Party is undertaking to empower their volunteers and Democratic volunteers all over the nation. Don’t miss our discussion of the Block Captain Program, which gives local and county parties a roadmap for developing effective voter communication, and Jane’s dos and don'ts for canvassing and reporting on politics in rural areas. We were so inspired by this conversation!Episode Links:Jane Kleeb: TwitterBlock Captain Program and the Nebraska State Democrats: Website Bold Alliance: Website Buy Harvest the Vote: WebsiteFollow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends!Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

Wondering what canvassing for a candidate and organizing in-person voter outreach actually involves?This week we spoke to Maggie O’Keefe, a community activist who is part of a new generation of Democratic Committee members organizing the vote in Chicago. Have you been thinking of volunteering for a candidate but are nervous about the idea of knocking on a stranger’s door? Maggie gives insight into what canvassing actually entails, how new canvassers are trained, and what is rewarding about this kind of person-to-person outreach are. She also shares a little about her role as a committeeperson, what it’s like to be a younger member of the local party leadership, and her work getting young people registered and ready to vote. A must-listen for anybody looking to volunteer for a campaign the first time or wondering how to reach out to young voters!Episode Links:Maggie O’Keefe: Website | TikTok | Instagram | TwitterFollow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends!Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

Anat Shenker-Osorio, a renowned Democratic campaign consultant and messaging researcher, shares her expertise on meaningful political conversations. She breaks down the pitfalls of campaign messaging and offers insights on how to effectively communicate with friends and family about political issues. Anat emphasizes the importance of emotionally resonant messaging and introduces the GAME framework to enhance communication strategies. With humor as a tool, she demonstrates how it can boost message retention and create a collective experience in political discourse.

While we gear up to bring you Season 3 of What Can I Do, focused on how to take action in a presidential election year, please enjoy this episode of Unsung History focused on antiwar activism.In 1971, a group of performers calling themselves the Free Theatre Associates (FTA), including Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland, began putting on popular antiwar shows for audiences of active-duty GIs. Over 10 months they performed near military bases all over the United States and in the Pacific Rim. The Pacific Rim tour led to a documentary, which was released briefly in July 1972 and then quickly yanked from theaters. To help us learn about the FTA, Kelly is joined by theater historian Dr. Lindsay Goss, Assistant Professor in the School Of Theater, Film And Media Arts at Temple University and author of F*ck the Army!: How Soldiers and Civilians Staged the GI Movement to End the Vietnam War.Complete Show Notes: https://www.unsunghistorypodcast.com/FTA/

Are you looking for some hope and next steps when it comes to combatting gun violence in your community and nationally? This week we spoke to Angela Ferrell-Zabala from Mom’s Demand Action to dig into the seemingly intractable issue of gun violence and learn about how Mom’s Demand Action, their affiliated organization Students Demand Action, and the larger ecosystem of gun violence prevention organizations are working together, advocating for better policy, and, most importantly, supporting volunteer actions at the local level that you (yes you!) can get involved in. Beyond the headlines there’s progress getting made on this issue all over the country, and Angela told us how Mom’s Demand can help interested “mothers and others” get involved in lobbying and learn how to take smaller, more approachable actions in their communities. Episode Links: Mom’s Demand Action: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Take Action: Text “Ready” to 64433 Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com.  Please rate and review and tell your friends! Credits: To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.