It’s been two weeks since the election. Two… very long weeks. And if you’re anything like us, you’re still on an emotional rollercoaster, trying to make sense out of what happened.Today on the podcast, our hosts talk about some of the post-election narratives they’ve seen. Did the Democrats go “too woke”? Do women not care about reproductive rights anymore? From where we’re sitting, the answers are “no” and “no.” (Or honestly, “no” and “hell no.”)That’s not to say everything is fine. We’re still very worried and sad about the results. But it might be helpful to reframe the conversation around misinformation instead of values. If we can find a way to get our message through, next time things could be different.And as disappointed as we were about the top of the ticket, there were still so many state and local wins. Today we talked to a couple of awesome women in North Carolina: Tonya Martin, Red Wine & Blue’s deputy director in the state, and Kate Barr, a candidate for NC state Senate who ran in a district so gerrymandered her campaign website was www.katebarrcantwin.com. Tonya and Kate helped us understand why they celebrated so many state-level wins despite NC voting for Trump, and why gerrymandering is so bad for democracy.Between misinformation, gerrymandering, and outright cheating, the deck was stacked against Democrats. That doesn’t mean we give up - it means we fight harder, fairer, and more local.If you're worried about spending Thanksgiving with your MAGA relatives, Red Wine & Blue is here to help. Join us on Thursday 11/21 for a virtual event that's all about how to handle those holiday conversations.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

How are you doing? Are you okay? Are you staying connected to the other people in your life who share your values and are feeling the same way that you are right now?On today’s podcast, we're starting the process of picking up the pieces. We're taking care of ourselves, we're finding reasons to stay hopeful, and we are NOT getting trauma bangs!We were so grateful this week to be joined by Connie Schultz. Connie is a writer, journalism professor, and the wife of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. The last time she was on the pod, she said she was “built for happy” and her Substack is called Hopefully Yours… needless to say, her uplifting energy was exactly what we needed.And don’t misunderstand - she and Sherrod were disappointed and heartbroken by the results of last Tuesday, both in the presidential race and in Sherrod’s own. But she had so much wisdom to share about how she’s processing the election and the perspective of age. We’ve been through hard things before and found a way to keep moving forward, and we’ll do it again. It’s what we do.If you need a comforting voice or advice for how to talk to your kids or friends about what happened, we hope you’ll find a little help and hope in this episode.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We're having a hard time today. You probably are too. But we wanted to get together and talk about it, give some reasons for hope, and just be present with each other. We were joined by political strategist Jess McIntosh, one of our favorite guests, to help us put things in perspective... and start figuring out where we go from here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

On Wednesday October 30th, Red Wine & Blue hosted a virtual event where we were joined by Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. She’s not just the highest ranking Indigenous woman to be elected in this country… if Kamala Harris and Tim Walz win, she’ll be the first Indigenous governor ever.Before being elected to statewide office in Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Flanagan was a community organizer who trained thousands of other organizers and candidates, including Governor Tim Walz himself — she coached the coach! Her comments were so inspiring, we wanted to share them with you all. You can also catch our video of the event on Red Wine & Blue’s YouTube channel.If you haven't already, you can sign up for Rally here!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The last episode of the podcast before the election is here and we’re feeling a lot of things: excitement, nerves, determination, stress, but most of all… hope.Hope because the Trump/Vance campaign has apparently given up on reaching across the aisle and are doubling down on their unpopular rhetoric. Hope because the Harris/Walz campaign is featuring uplifting speakers like Michelle Obama and Beyoncé. Hope because early voting numbers are breaking records.But more than anything, hope because we have women like Katie Paris and Arie Goodman on our side. Katie and Arie are our guests on the pod today - Arie is the leader of an Ohio TroubleNation group called Advocates Allies & Activists, and Katie is of course the founder of Red Wine & Blue. They shared what they’re hearing on the ground, the amazing work that women across the country are doing, and what’s giving them hope.As Katie says, ignore the polls, ignore the pundits, just focus on what you can do. And you can do a lot! There are six more days to talk to everyone we know about voting. We’re all gas and no brakes until November 5th - are you with us?For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This past Monday, our favorite historian Heather Cox Richardson joined Red Wine & Blue for a virtual event. We were hoping to hear her insight into how this election fits into the broader story of American history, and what we might expect over the next two weeks.But if we’re being honest, what we really wanted was for Heather to tell us that it was all going to be okay.And of course she couldn’t tell us that with certainty. She’s a historian, not a soothsayer. But she did offer some words of hope.Our own podcast co-host Rep. Jasmine Clark also joined the call, and she talked about Georgia Republicans’ efforts to undermine voting in her state. During the pandemic, Georgia began offering ballot drop boxes, which were extremely popular and widely used. But despite that — or really, because of that—Republicans changed the rules and now most of the drop boxes are no longer available.That could be a disheartening story about voter disenfranchisement, but Heather encouraged us to look at it a different way. If extremist policies were popular, why would they take away drop boxes? If most Americans supported Project 2025, why are they trying so hard to keep us from voting?It’s because we’re the majority. Most Americans want to elect common sense candidates up and down the ballot. And we’re not letting the suppression keep us from voting. In Georgia, and many states across the country, voter turnout numbers are breaking records.We have the power. We just have to use it.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This week on the pod, we’re celebrating Michigan!We’re in the final stretch of the election now, which means we’re feeling stressed, excited, exhausted, inspired, nervous, and everything in between. So we thought this is the perfect time to remind ourselves what’s possible when we unite and fight. Because together, we can truly move mountains.Since Michigan Democrats won a trifecta in 2022 (that means the State House, State Senate, and Governorship) they’ve been able to pass so much amazing legislation: expanding voting rights, reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders, clean energy policies, and so much more. Just think how many lives have been changed by the Michigan blue wave!On today’s episode we hear all about it from Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow and Red Wine & Blue’s Program Director in Michigan, Kelly Dillaha. They told us all about the progress they’ve made in their state and, crucially, how it didn’t just magically happen. It happened because the people of Michigan, especially women, organized and put in the work.Michigan is an inspiration for states all across the country and even on the national scale. We have two more weeks, so let’s roll up our sleeves and make it happen!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The election is less than three weeks away and early voting is already open in many states. If you’re listening to this podcast, chances are you agree that a Kamala Harris presidency is absolutely crucial. Maybe you’ve put up a yard sign, or talked to some people you know about what’s on the line.But what about the down-ballot races? No matter who wins the presidency, electing Democrats up and down the ballot is just as important. If we get a President Harris, she’ll need a House and Senate that can help her achieve her campaign promises. And on the terrifying chance we get a President Trump, we’ll need our system of checks and balances more than ever.It goes beyond Congress too. State representatives (like our own Rep. Jasmine Clark), school boards, mayors, judges, and other local representatives have the power to drastically change our lives.This week, our guests Congresswoman Sara Jacobs and local organizer Carrie Knapp shared their thoughts about why voting up and down the ballot is so important. All of us, even voters in dark red or blue states, can make a big difference.So request a sample ballot, do your research, and become a resource for the people you know. Let’s vote all the way from the tippy top to the very bottom of the ballot this year!And if you want to join our virtual event with Heather Cox Richardson on October 21st, you can learn more and RSVP here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The election is only 4 weeks away now (!!!!) which means that we have less than 26 days to have some important conversations with the people in our lives. There are so many things to talk about: abortion access, gun violence, voting rights, the economy, immigration… and, as we discuss this week on the pod, the Supreme Court.Since the Dobbs decision overturned Roe vs Wade, the Supreme Court has been on all of our minds. But the truth is, Dobbs is just one of many recent rulings that have changed our democracy for the worse.We’re joined today by Leah Litman and Melissa Murray, two of the hosts of the podcast Strict Scrutiny. Every week they break down the news out of the Supreme Court and we were so pleased to hear their expert opinions on everything from term limits and court reform to what happens if Trump contests the results of the election. (The short answer? We need to win so decisively that a Harris/Walz victory is “litigation proof.”)Before that interview, we’re also joined by local Troublemaker Zarina Syed. Born and raised in the swing state of Pennsylvania, she recently started a group called Fearless Females for Democracy. Zarina shares what she’s been hearing from women on the ground and how it’s felt as a second-generation immigrant to witness the rhetoric of the Republican Party start to take hold in her town.Like Leah and Melissa, Zarina is cautiously optimistic. Democracy is a long-term project and there are no quick fixes, but if we keep sharing our stories and values with the people we know, we can keep moving forward. As VP Harris says, we’re not going back!In our chat with Zarina, she mentioned how an “Abortion Rights Barbie” t-shirt has proven to be a great icebreaker when she’s out knocking doors. Red Wine & Blue just updated our own online shop with some cute new shirts (and tote bags, and stickers, and buttons) so be sure to check it out now for your own icebreakers for democracy!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We’re back this week with regular episodes and we couldn’t have asked for a better guest than Jessica Valenti. Jessica has a popular newsletter on Substack called “Abortion, Every Day” where she covers the latest news about reproductive rights. She also has a new book that came out this week: Abortion - Our Bodies, Their Lies, and the Truths We Use to Win.Jessica shared her thoughts about America post-Roe, and in turn Rachel shared her own difficult personal story about losing her daughter Sarah shortly after she was born. The fact that extremists are spreading lies about “post-birth abortions” (which, to be clear, is just murder and is illegal in every state) and saying terrible things about parents like Rachel is… well, it’s difficult to think of a strong enough word. Awful? Evil? Unthinkable?One thing, however, is extremely clear. We have to vote them out.But before Rachel’s interview with Jessica, we’re joined by Janice Robinson. Janice is Red Wine & Blue’s Program Director in North Carolina and she catches us up on all things NC. The recent leaked posts from Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson were undeniably offensive, but Janice says that they just distract from the real issues facing women in her state like reproductive rights, public schools, and gun violence. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the daily barrage of news, but when we focus on the issues, we win.If abortion rights are important to you (and if you’re listening to this podcast, they probably are!), the most effective action you can take right now is to join Rally. It’s our online tool to track the conversations you’re having about the election with the folks in your life. We’re holding lots of virtual Rally Your Squad events this month — some even with celebrities like June Diane Raphael — and we’d love to see you!For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

So far on our miniseries The American Fabric, we’ve learned more about immigrants and why they come to this country. We’ve busted myths and decried disinformation. And we’ve heard immigrants tell their stories in their own words.Today, on the final episode, we’re talking about why this year’s election is so important. We have the opportunity to choose leaders who understand that immigrants are a cornerstone of this country and want to find humane bipartisan solutions. Leaders who don’t demonize vulnerable people for their own political gain. The outcome in November is crucial.The federal government hasn’t passed meaningful immigration reform since 1986. On today’s episode, we hear more from Congresswoman Delia Ramirez as well as our own Suburban Women Problem co-host Rep. Jasmine Clark about how Republicans are choosing their own political power over policies that would actually help people. Balancing America’s national security and humanitarian needs is far from simple, but extremists like Trump and JD Vance aren’t interested in solving problems. They want us to be a nation of hate. Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and all of the incredible leaders on the state and local level want to lead us back to our ideals. We’re a nation of immigrants. A nation of hope and opportunity. So it’s up to us now. We have to talk to everyone we know and make sure they understand what’s on the line. Let’s make sure that on election day, hope and freedom triumph.Thanks for listening to The American Fabric.To learn more about our guests:Lt. Colonel (retired) Alexander VindmanCongresswoman Delia RamirezDr. Andrea Bonior, psychologist and professorDr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigrationDr. Nancy MacLean, political historian and authorFor a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Extremists have always used disinformation and fear-mongering to further their cause. But their rhetoric about immigration has stooped to new lows in recent months.Some of the lies are so outrageous it might be tempting to laugh. Haitian immigrants, for example, are not eating their neighbors’ pets in Springfield Ohio. And 107% of American jobs have not been taken by “illegal aliens,” as Trump claimed. (107 percent? How would that even work?)But the misinformation is no laughing matter. It’s having real effects on people around the country. In Springfield, for example, schools have been closing because of bomb threats. Every time the rhetoric goes up, violence goes up with it.Then there’s misinformation that feels less absurd but is still absolutely incorrect. The idea that immigrants commit more crimes than native-born Americans, for example, is widely believed by many despite every statistic and research study proving the exact opposite. And economists have shown that immigrants aren’t “stealing jobs.” Again, the opposite is true: immigration strengthens our economy and creates jobs for both native-born Americans and immigrants.On today’s episode of The American Fabric, we’re busting myths and tackling the fear-mongering head on.Don’t miss our last episode tomorrow!Learn more about our guests:Lt. Colonel (retired) Alexander VindmanCongresswoman Delia RamirezDr. Andrea Bonior, psychologist and professorDr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigrationSonal Jain, owner of Chamak Dhamak in Akron OHFor a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Despite all the extremist disinformation, suburban women aren’t afraid of immigrants. They’re our friends, our neighbors, our spouses. They’re us. Immigration isn’t a story about fear… it’s a story about love.And no one knows this better than our own Suburban Women Problem co-host Rachel Vindman. Her husband Alex came here as a refugee from the Soviet Union when he was only 4 years old. Alex says his immigration story has a lot to do with his patriotism and optimism about The United States. It even made it into the speech he made while testifying in Donald Trump's 2019 impeachment case. "Because this is America," he said. "And here right matters."This week, we have a special 3-episode miniseries to share with you called The American Fabric. It's hosted by Rachel and features conversations with Alex and other immigrants along with a historian, a political science professor, a psychologist, a Congresswoman, and more. We'll have new episodes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week.The way we think and talk about immigration in the next month and a half could determine the future of American democracy. We're so pleased to share this special series with you and hope it helps you talk about immigration with the folks in your life.Stay tuned for Episode 2 tomorrow!To learn more about our guests:Lt. Colonel (retired) Alexander VindmanCongresswoman Delia RamirezDr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigrationSonal Jain, owner of Chamak Dhamak in Akron OHFor a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

It’s been so disheartening to see outlandish and offensive rumors about Haitian immigrants in Springfield Ohio turn into bomb threats, harassment, and arson. But it’s also not surprising. It’s the inevitable consequence of dangerous extremist rhetoric.During last week’s debate, we saw Donald Trump attack immigrants at every turn. And JD Vance just admitted on television that he shared the story about Haitians in Springfield despite knowing it was a lie. “If I have to create stories,” he told Dana Bash of CNN, “then that’s what I’m gonna do.”But that kind of negative messaging, those attacks on our neighbors, don’t sit well with suburban women. And they certainly don’t appeal to young people. This week we’re joined by Olivia Julianna, an inspiring Gen Z activist.Olivia tells our hosts that young people care about the same issues as other generations - issues like affordable housing, abortion rights, gun violence, and childcare. So when we talk to the young people in our lives about voting, she advises us to start by asking what they care about. What issues affect them every day? Chances are, you’ll be able to connect those issues back to policies that have a tangible impact on their lives.If you want to support Haitian immigrants in Ohio, Community Refugee & Immigration Services and the Haitian Community Help and Support Center are good places to start.Next week, we’ll be taking a short break from The Suburban Women Problem to share a 3-episode miniseries about immigration called The American Fabric. Hosted by Rachel Vindman, this series will debunk myths and misinformation, examine what can be done politically, and give immigrants a chance to tell their own story. It’ll appear in the regular podcast feed on Wednesday September 25th.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Last week was a tough one in Georgia. After the shooting at a high school in Winder GA, Jasmine says her daughter was afraid to go to school. And she’s not the only one - every child, parent, and frankly any person who watches the news gets retraumatized each time this happens. And yet, still politicians do nothing. In fact, last week JD Vance called school shootings “a fact of life."Instead, he and other extremist Republicans have chosen something else to fixate on: the so-called traditional nuclear family. This isn’t the first time America has gone through a “marriage panic,” as our guest Julie Kohler of White Picket Fence puts it, but it’s particularly infuriating given Republicans’ unwillingness to address the lax gun laws that are actually putting our kids at risk.Julie explains exactly how extremists are trying to force their regressive version of gender roles and the “traditional family” on everyone. From banning no-fault divorce to changes to the tax code, they want to take women and LGBTQ people back to a past where we had no rights. And of course this 1950s vision of the American family has plenty of racism baked in too.We may no longer be shocked by Trump or Vance’s comments about women (“childless cat ladies” and all), but we can’t just roll our eyes at their rhetoric. They have real policies to back it up, and we have to tell everyone we know.After their interview with Julie, Jasmine and Amanda wrap up with a toast to campaign volunteers and First Serve's Day of Service in this week's Toast to Joy.If you're wondering to talk to young people in your life around voting, we invite you to join us at 7:30pm on Thursday 9/12 for a virtual Ask Me Anything event with a panel of inspiring young activists: Olivia Juliana, Sam Schwartz, and Haley Lickstein. You can learn more and RSVP here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In the final episode of Sacred Politics, we delve into the intersection of religion and social activism. From advocating for human rights to championing environmental stewardship, we uncover how religious groups and individuals have leveraged their faith to fuel positive change.Shane Claiborne: http://www.shaneclaiborne.com/https://www.instagram.com/shane.claiborne/?hl=enRed Letter Christians: https://redletterchristians.org/https://www.instagram.com/redletterxians/?hl=enRev Karla: https://revkarla.com/ https://www.instagram.com/revkarla/https://www.tiktok.com/@revkarla?lang=enFor a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In episode 2 of Sacred Politics, we discuss the trajectory of Christian Nationalism and its looming impact on the nation's future. From the halls of Congress to grassroots movements, we examine how this ideological force is poised to influence the political agenda in the years to come with the implementation of Project 2025.Jess McIntosh: https://x.com/jess_mc?lang=enhttps://www.jessmcintosh.org/ Jemar Tisby: https://jemartisby.com/ https://www.instagram.com/JemarTisby/ The Spirit of Justice: https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Justice-Stories-Faith-Resistance/dp/031014485X Talia Lavin: https://www.instagram.com/taliainteralia/?hl=en Culture Warlords: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/talia-lavin/culture-warlords/9781549127830/?lens=hachette-books For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In our limited podcast series, Sacred Politics, we reveal the dangers of Christian Nationalism in American politics amidst the 2024 election season. Through narrative storytelling and expert interviews, we uncover Christian Nationalism's role in shaping elections, legislation, and public discourse, while also exploring how faith-inspired activism can drive positive change.In episode one, we look through American history to uncover the profound influence of Christian Nationalism. From pivotal moments like its role in electing Donald Trump to its impact on the pro-life movement, this episode delves into the intricate relationship between religion and politics in the United States. Through expert analysis and historical insights, we discuss how Christian Nationalism has shaped policies and cultural attitudes, influencing debates on issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and education. Katherine Stewart: https://kristindumez.com/ April Ajoy: https://www.instagram.com/aprilajoy/?hl=en Star-Spangled Jesus: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/april-ajoy/star-spangled-jesus/9781546006688/?lens=worthy Kristin Du Mez: https://katherinestewart.me/For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This episode is family-only as Rachel, Jasmine and Amanda tell us all about their amazing week at the DNC. In fact, they agreed that "amazing" doesn't even begin to capture how exciting and uplifting last week was.The joy was palpable, and we heartily reject a recent New York Times headline that "joy isn't a strategy." Joy IS a strategy. Hope and joy got us Obama. Fear might be a motivator as old as time, but extremists can only lie so many times before people realize they’re being manipulated. But our joy is more than an emotion - we have actual policy strategies to go with it. It’s no wonder that the US is typically polled as one of the least happy nations. It's hard to be happy when you're constantly stressed about medical bills, housing, grocery prices, and access to reproductive care. VP Harris, Coach Walz, and all of the other incredible speakers at the DNC drew the direct connection between their joy and their policies.But we can’t just sit back and hope that joy magically delivers us an election. We need to work. Democracy is a team sport and we can’t stay on the bench - we have to lace up our shoes and get in the game. There's less than 70 days now until the election, so let's make every one count.One thing you can do right now is join Rally! Rally is a simple way for you to talk to your friends and family about the importance of this election.Next week we'll be taking a short break for Labor Day and instead, we'll have another amazing limited series to share with you. It's called Sacred Politics and it's produced by the same women who brought us The Cost of Extremism last year. Sacred Politics will discuss the dangers of Christian Nationalism, so be sure to tune in to this 3-episode series.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Jasmine and Amanda are at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, so on this episode, Rachel is co-hosting with Jess Piper. And it's great timing because as of last week, abortion will be on the ballot in her home state of Missouri - something that she and other advocates have been working hard to achieve. They gathered 380,000 signatures, a full 200k more than they needed!It's important to remember that even in "red" states like Missouri, extremists are the minority. But when gerrymandering and misinformation run rampant, the far right can implement damaging policies like abortion bans and book bans. Jess even calls her state a "pilot program" for Project 2025, devastating healthcare and public education. No matter what state we live in, we have to stand up against extremism because it affects all of us.And speaking of Project 2025, this week we're also joined by Nancy MacLean, author of Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America. Nancy walks us through the history of the Heritage Foundation and P2025, as well as where she sees the far right going in the future. Her knowledge and her joy are captivating, even if the topics she studies are anything but joyful. She’s proof that we can take this work seriously while still having fun.Finally, Jess and Rachel raise a glass to daughters and to Tim Walz in this week's Toast to Joy.Red Wine and Blue is going to be in D.C. Labor Day weekend – want to join us? Moms for Liberty will be holding their annual summit where they double down on hate and extremism. We cannot and will not let Moms for Liberty speak for us. Let’s turn out in big numbers to show that we are the majority! You can find more details here.For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA