In this episode Diana talks to Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, about everyone should be paying attention to what is happening in Florida, how the tide is turning and she remains hopeful abotu the future. Nadie discusses how Equality Florida is fighting anti-LGBTQ policies in Florida (and how they're winning).  In this candid conversation, Nadine also shares the incredible organizing that is happening on the ground, in what she calls "Frontline Florida," and how parents from all over the country can support actions and efforts on the ground. Listen to find out what organizing tactics have worked in Florida, why they issued a travel advisory to Florida, how Equality Florida is combatting book bans and fighting to #bringbooksback, and how parents are raise their voices against anti-LGBTQ policies in Florida. Nadine also has some GREAT ideas about how you can support Florida (even far afar!) Make sure to follow Equality Florida on Instagram @equalityfl If you like this episode, check out Diana's great conversations with:  The Youth Vote and Disinformation in the Latinx Community with Maria Teresa Kumar, Executive Director of Voto Latino  Why Centering our Youth's Wellbeing is a Win for Our Society with Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund  Why Mom Power is More Important than Ever with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeinwer, Executive Director of MomsRising Don't forget to check out our SHOP that is now LIVE!  Until next time, don't forget hope is our superpower.     

In this episode, Diana chats with Victoria Nichols, the project director of Free the Pill to discuss the Opill, which is the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill which will be available online and on store shelves soon. The Free the Pill coalition is a group of more than 200 reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations, research and advocacy groups, youth activists, health care providers, prominent medical and health professional associations, and others who share a commitment to ensuring more equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable birth control to people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in the United States.  In this conversation Diana and Victoria discuss: how the availability of the Opill would decrease barriers to birth control access The cost of the Opill and what "over the counter" means for insurance coverage What does the science say about the effectiveness of over the counter birth control pills How did the FDA come to their decision to make Opill available?  What is next for the Free The Pill coalition AND MORE! You can follow Free the Pill on Instagram: @free_the_pill If you liked this episode, check out:  Ep. 54: Latinas Access to Reproductive Care with Lupe Rodriguez Ep. 18: Black Women and the Reproductive Justice Movement with Monica Simpson  Ep. 2: ReproRights and Reproductive Justice with Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas    Share this podcast episode with your friends, and leave a review, it hleps the podcast grow!  DID YOU HEAR THE GREAT NEWS? WE HAVE A SHOP!! GET YOUR ORDERS IN DURING MARCH FOR FREE SHIPPING IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH! 

 In this episode, Diana talks to Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, the Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund, an organization which focuses on advocating for the whole child. CDF envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive.  In this heartwarming and powerful conversation, Diana and Dr. Wilson discuss why poverty is a public policy choice -- and why centering our youth's wellbeing is a MUST and a win for our society. Diana and Dr. Wilson discuss: CDF's work across 30 states CDF's annual report, the "State of America's Children"  How CDF centers joy into their work  Why childhood poverty is a policy choice and how we can hold our leaders accountable CDF's policy agenda for the coming six years  How Christianity and religion has been used as a reason to marginalize and exclude Why It's important to expose young people to those who are different than them   What parents can do to build a "beloved community" and combat hate  AND MORE!  If you liked this episode, make sure to check out: Ep. 59: Why Prioritizing Children’s Rights Benefits Us All with Adam Benforado Ep. 51: Why We Should Build a Parent Nation with Dr. Dana Suskind Ep. 35: Reimagining Schools Without Police with Beatriz Beckford   If you liked this epiosde, please leave a review, follow us on Instagram and tell your friends about the podcast! Got ideas for guests? Share them with us at info@parentingandpoliticspodcast.com 

What happens when your infant child has medical needs you need to tend to, but there is no paid family medical leave in place? You get pushed out of the workforce, an that is exactly what happened to Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and Co-founder of MomsRising. It was this event, which Kristin appropriately calls an unforeseen "health crisis" that pushed Kristin out of the workforce. She found herself unemployed, taking care of an infant and going down a rabbit hole where she went looking for answers (and stats!) about what moms were facing in the United States... surely she wasn't the only one going through this... That stressful and life-changing event that led to her co-creating and leading MomsRising, a movement of more than a million people working to increase family economic security, stop discrimination, and build a nation where everyone can thrive.  In this episode, Diana has a candid conversation with Kristin about how heer personal experiences led her to join other moms to be advocates for change. Today, Kristin and the entire MomsRising team work hard to ensure that moms' voices and experiences are taken into account when policymakers (at the state and federal level -- yes even the White House!) listen to moms when they're crafting policies. In this powerful conversation they also discuss: Why moms' voices and stories matter What's at stake in the 2024 elections Why we should be vigilant and fight disinformation Why "parental rights" movements like M4L are not winning MomsRising's efforts to mobilize moms all over the country  .... AND MORE!  You can follow (and join) MomsRising -- (they've got members in all 50 states!) by going to MomsRising.org/join   If you liked this episode make sure to check out:  Ep. 19 The Power of Black Moms with Monifa Bandele (MomsRising.org)  Ep. 35: Reimagining Schools without Police with Beatriz Beckford  Ep. 42: Representation, Storytelling and Motherhood with S. Nadia Hussain Ep. 46: Why the Time to #SolveChildCare is NOW with Nina Perez   Make sure to share this episode with your powerful mom friends and subscribe, leave a review and follow @parentingandpolitics on Instagram!  Until next time, don't forget hope is our superpower. 

What would happen if we put children first in our country? What would happen if we empowered children at all ages and centered the law to protect our youngest citizens? In this episode Diana talks to Adam Benforado, a children's rights expert, an award winning author and law professor at Drexel University, about how prioritizing children's rights would benefit us all. In his critically acclaimed new book, A Minor Revolution: How Prioritizing Kids Benefits Us All, Adam criticizes America’s failure to invest in, protect, and empower its youngest citizens and presents a bold plan for reorienting society to put children first. Through historical context, personal stories and compelling arguments, Adam makes an important case as to why prioritizing our kids will help everyone  in society. Diana and Adam discuss: The 1989 Convention on the Rights of Child (and why the USA hasn't ratified it yet)  What "parents' rights" mean in the context of children's rights then and today what happens when the law doesn't center children in making decisions  The paradox between expecting kids to grow up quickly  Why young activists and teenagers should be allowed to vote  AND MORE!  Adam's book A Minor Revolution: How Prioritizing Kids Benefits Us All,  is divided into the following sections where he makes the case for the following rights in a child's life: First years: the right to attachment  Early childhood: the right to investment Late childhood the right to community  Early adolescence the right to be a kid Late adolescent the right to be heard  On the cusp of adulthood: the right ot start fresh    Thank you everyone for tuning in for this episode of Parenting and Politics. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, recommend the podcast to your friends and follow us on IG: @parentingandpolitics.You can also email your comments and ideas for guests at info@parentingandpoliticspodcast.com  If you liked this episode make sure to check out Ep. 57: The Youth Vote and Disinformation in the Latinx Community with Maria Teresa Kumar 

In this episode, Diana talks to Mark Greene, an expert on healthy masculinity and author of The Little #MeToo Book for Men, and founder of a community called “Remaking Manhood” on Instagram.  They discuss what man box culture means, how it affects our boys, and what we can do as parents to ensure that our boys are not adhering to the precepts of man box culture that can hurt their ability to be full human beings with a wide range of emotions. Mark also highlights powerful  statistics from Equimundo that show how man box culture affects men in the USA, Mexico and the UK. Mark shares fascinating insight on how man box culture hurts boys and men, and how man box culture affects the politics of today (think MAGA and men feeling like they are losing) He also discusses why it's important to be in relationship with our boys and gives examples of how building those solid relationships can support our boys as they get older.  Mark is the co-author with Dr. Saliha Bava of The Relational Book for Parenting, and in our conversation he provides a few examples of games to play with our kids to help have conversatoins and talk about our feelings, and help them express their emotions in a safe and engaging way.  Make sure to follow Mark on Instagram @remakingmanhood ' If you liked this conversation, be sure to check out our conversation about social emotional learning with Tim Shriver.  Don't forget to leave a review, share this episode with your friend and follow us on Instagram, @parentingandpolitics

Why are Latinx voters being targeted with disinformation? What does young Latinx Voting Power in 2024 look like? In this episode Diana talks to Maria Teresa Kumar, the Executive Director of Voto Latino, about the possibilities that young Latino voters bring as so many turn 18 before the 2024 election. They also discuss why and how bad actors are targeting the Latinx community by spreading disinformation to wreak havoc in USA elections, and what we can do as a community to ensure disinformation doesn’t spread, especially to older adults targeted with direct messaging by nefarious groups such as M4L.  Listen to find out why Maria Teresa excited about the coming electoral cycle and what makes the young Latino community those that can turn the tide and make a real difference in 2024.  Make sure to follow Voto Latino on Instagram @votolatino  If you like this episode, make sure you to listen to  Why Abortion Bans Affect Latinas the Most with Lupe Rodriguez - Parenting and Politics Latinx Political Power, Coalition Building and Voting with Elisa Batista - Parenting and Politics Got ideas for guests? Email info@parentingandpoliticspodcast.com Help us grow! Make sure to subscribe, share with your friends and leave a review, and like us on social media.  Until next time, don’t forget hope is our superpower.   

In this conversation, Diana talks to Lupe Rodriguez, the Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, about why Latinas are the group most impacted by abortion bans around the country and what the Latina Institute is doing to fight for abortion rights, particularly in the states where latinas are the most affected: Arizona, Texas and Florida.  In this episode, Diana and Lupe also touch on:  the intersectionality of reproductive justice work what on-the-ground organizing for abortion rights looks like in the Latinx community how reproductive rights and abortion care will impact the 2024 election  How to combat myths surrounding abortion in the Latinx community what is keeping Lupe hopeful during these times  If you like this episode, make sure to check out:  Ep. 55: What We Can Learn from the Abortion Rights Fight in Latin America with Paula Ávila Guillen Ep. 53: Abortion Rights Victory in Kansas with Kansas Abortion Fund Make sure to follow Latina Institute on Instagram!  **If you liked this episode, please leave a review and share the podcast with your friends!   

At a time when the USA has struck down Roe v. Wade and there are attacks on women's reproductive freedoms, the opposite has been happening in Latin America. In this episode, Diana talks to Paula Avila Guillén, the Executive Director of the Women's Equality Center about the Abortion Rights Fight in Latin America and La Marea Verde-- the Green Wave-- that has arrived in the USA.  They discuss the abortion rights movement in Latin America and how it went from being a small movement to something much. bigger that people marched into the streets-- and to the courts -- and how they're winning and guaranteeing that women have bodily autonomy -- in some of the most traditionally Catholic countries in the world. The work abortion rights activists are doing in Latin America is great and Paula gives great insight on what we can learn from what they've accomplished.  You can follow Paula on social media: @pauavilg Listen to this podcast episode, share it with your friends and don't forget to leave a review!  If you like this episode, check out: Ep. 54: Latinas' Access to Reproductive Care with Lupe Rodriguez Ep. 53: The Abortion Rights Victory in Kansas with Kansas Abortion Fund  Ep. 50: God, Abortions and Kids with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft   

“The decision to become a parent is one of the most life decision that anybody can make.” In this episode Diana has a candid conversation with Lupe Rodriguez, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice about Latinas’ and the Latinx community’s access to reproductive care:  -what that looked like before the overturning of Roe v. Wade -the specific barriers to access that Latinx communities face to access abortion care (hint hint Border Patrol has something to do with it) -how we can shift cultural narratives -Marianismo and Catholicism and how they play a role -birth control and abortion stats -La Marea Verde why THIS is the moment to step up, speak out, get involved and do something.  “Aquí se respira lucha…Here we breathe resistance.”  Make sure to check out the Latina's Institute's great work and follow The Latina Institute  on Instagram and if you can, support their work! 

Earlier this week, the people of Kansas went out to the polls and had their voice heard… coming out in record numbers to say they want abortion rights protected in the state constitution.  In this episode, Diana chats with Josh Siebenaler, organizer with the Kansas Abortion Fund.  They discuss what organizing for abortion rights looks like in traditionally red-state like Kansas, what other states are having abortion rights in ballot measures this coming year, and why abortion rights is one of the top issues of the midterms.  Josh has excellent advice for those looking to get invovled in abortion rights activism, and shares with us a list of local Kansas-based businesses that support the Kansas Abortion Fund.  Make sure to listen and share this timely and passionate conversation filled with great insights on how you can advocate for abortion rights.  Make sure to follow @kansasabortionfund on Instagram.  If you liked this episode, check out: Ep. 48 "What Happens When you Deny Women Abortions" with Dr. Diana Foster . Ep. 50: God Abortions and Kids with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft  Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, recommend the podcast to your friends and follow us on IG: @parentingandpolitics You can also  ideas for guests at info@parentingandpoliticspodcast.com 

In this episode, recorded a day after the Uvalde mass shooting where elementary school children and teachers were murdered, Diana talks to Sarah Montoya, a joyful motherhood coach and mom in San Francisco.  They discuss why parenting IS political, how politics affects every part of our children's lives and why we must be engaged and pay attention to what elected leaders are doing-or not doing. They join to process the awful reality that our children have become casualties in a world where elected leaders answer to the NRA and not to their constituents. They are angry and to make a plea to parents to get involved, to hold elected leaders accountable-- to vote out the ones that don't support and protect families.  You can follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahromontoya  If you like this episode, make sure to check out Ep. 50: God, Abortions and Kids with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft.  Make sure to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends- and follow on Instagram, @parentingandpolitics

In this episode, Diana talks to Dr. Dana Suskind, the author of Parent Nation, Unlocking Evey Child's Potential, Fulfilling Society's Promise Dr. Suskind is a pediatric neurosurgeon who decided to use her experience working with children and families and brain research to write a book about what families need and how a society can help families thrive through policy. They discuss: What is happening in a baby’s brain in the early years?  What is the Return on investment of investing in children in the early years? How do we get the lawmakers to use the science to inform policy? Why Parents and Caregivers should join together as a voting bloc AND MORE!  Make sure to follow Parent Nation on Instagram @buildaparentnation and Dr. Suskind on Twitter @drdanasuskind and Instagram @drdanasuskind

We are kicking off Season 2 with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft from Raising Imagination and we're chatting about abortion rights, how we can talk to our kids about what is happening-- and where does God and faith fit into all this, as parents who are committed to raising empathetic, respectful citizens of the world.  Amanda shares what her Christian faith teaches her about abortion and how we can talk to our kids about difficult topics.  She invites us to TAKE action by: 1. Participate in rallies #BansoffourBodies (happening tomorrow May 14th and  2. Donate to independent clinics.    3. Educate yourself on abortion pills.    REMEMBER! As of this recording, abortions are still legal!    You can follow Amanda at @RaisingImagination on Instagram.    Don't forget to share this episode with your friends and check out our other conversations with Amanda: Women, Religion and Politics  and  Merry and Political: Baby Jesus, Consumerism and Gifts. 

As we're getting close to the second anniversary of the pandemic, we wanted to talk about how parents and children are feeling-- what's normal? What isn't? How should parents be coping with (what feels like) incessant changes to every day life.  Diana talks to Lina Acosta Sandaal, a parenting and child development expert, about what is considered normal for the times we are living in, and what to look out for in ourselves and in our kids. We also discuss when we should seek professional help.  ***Please seek professional help if you have thoughts about harming yourself. You can contact the Suicide Prevention LifeLine: 1-800-273-TALK You can follow Lina on Instagram: @stopparentingalone and @parentingexpert

What happens when a woman is denied an abortion? That's exactly what Dr. Foster set out to find out in the groundbreaking Turnaway Study.  which followed two sets of women for five years: one who had access to a wanted abortion, and a group who was denied.  In this very timely discussion on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Dr. Foster shares her findings about what the physical, financial, emotional impacts of women how are denied abortions are and what real implications denying abortions can have to families across the country. 

In this episode Diana talks to Julie Kashen, Director of Economic Justice at the Century Foundation, about the family friendly policies that parents need and why these policies shouldn’t be looked at separately, but why we need them together.  We discuss why this is a historic moment to finally get the family friendly Policies families in the USA need now: paid leave, the child tax credit, affordable child care and universal pre-k past the finish line and signed into law.  Listen to find out what's happening in Congress and why we must make all these investments now. You can follow Julie on Twitter: @juliekashen  and The Century Foundation: @tcfdotorg  

In this episode, Diana is talking to Nina Perez, the National Director of Early Childhood at MomsRising.org about why this is the moment to make a comprehensive, high-quality child care and pre-k system for families a reality.  Nina is an expert in child care advocacy and in this episode she discusses how we *almost* got to universal child care under the Nixon administration, what the current legislation looks like, why it is important that parents share their stories, and what parents can do to push elected officials to support policies that benefit children and families.  Listen to find out why child care is a public good, and what YOU can do! Find out why investing in child care makes sense for our families, communities and our society-- and why the time to make child care a reality is now.  Find out what parents can do to help #SolveChildcare NOW! Make sure to follow @MomsRising on Instagram     

In this episode Diana talks to Katie Hamm, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development, at the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Biden Administration.  Diana and Katie discuss: - The Child Tax Credit and making it permanent - How the AFP will help families with a 0-5 childcare plan - a federally funded universal 3K and UPK. - "How are we going to pay for all this?" AND MORE! For more information on the American Families Plan visit whitehouse.gov/americanfamiliesplan     

”Education funding should be non-negotiable... We are already not getting what we deserve-- how can we possibly cut any more? It’s such an injustice."  In this episode, Diana talks to Evie Hantzopoulos, a mom, educator and community leader who is running for NYC Council in District 22, in Queens, NYC.  They discuss all things public school education: reimagining schools to serve the whole child getting police out of schools school budgets restorative justice practices community schools what can City Council do to improve schools (and what can't it do? Why does NYS owe NYC billions of $$$ for education  AND MORE!  Listen to this episode to find out why local politics is important, why parents need to harness their political power and learn more about Evie's 20+ years of experience as an educator and community leader... proof of why we need more moms in office.