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  • We're back from our holiday break and things are… weird. Right? It’s weird and scary to be here again, with Trump about to step into the office of President. It’s like some terrible episode of The Twilight Zone.

    If we’re going to get through the next four years, we need to take care of ourselves, plug into our local communities and above all, find ways to stay resilient. And luckily, this week we’re joined by Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, a suburban mom whose resilience we can all look up to.

    Her father was an Ojibwe activist, and if anyone knows how to keep fighting in the face of overwhelming odds, it’s an indigenous elder. Lt. Gov. Flanagan shared his wisdom about not giving up our power in advance and remembering to find the joy in our lives. It’s ok to be afraid — how could we not be? — but if we take care of ourselves and drown out the political noise, there is still so much good work we can do.

    Even if she didn’t get to be the first Native American woman to serve as governor, Peggy Flanagan is certain that whoever that woman will be, she’s already on her way. There is plenty of light in the darkness if we just keep looking for it. We’re more resilient than we might think.

    If you're interested in joining Red Wine & Blue's "Banned Book Club," next week we're reading Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny." You can learn more and RSVP here.

    For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

    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 our last podcast episode of the year, so today we wanted to leave you with a broader view of community and our shared humanity. We talked to Dr. Nichole Argo, a social psychologist and the author of The Belonging Barometer: The State of Belonging in America. She’s also the host of a new podcast called Reimagining Us.

    But before Rachel’s chat with Dr. Nichole, she and Jasmine did cover some of the more unsettling news of the week - like the threat of RFK Jr. revoking the polio vaccine (really, polio??), TIME choosing Trump as their “person of the year,” and ABC settling their defamation lawsuit with Trump for 15 million dollars.

    We’re all worried about what will happen over the next four years, and with good reason. But the first rule of resisting authoritarianism, as seen in Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny, is “don’t obey in advance.” We’re disheartened by the preemptive obedience we’re seeing (we’re looking at you, ABC) and you can rest assured that here at Red Wine & Blue, we’re doing no such thing.

    Resistance, however, doesn’t mean widening the divisions between ourselves and our fellow Americans. It’s no secret that political polarization is worse than it’s been in a long time. Dr. Nichole says that in the past, we used to see disagreements as a positive thing - prompting introspection and innovation. Now, many Americans see any disagreement as evidence that their opponent is an evil villain who must be defeated. If we want that to change, we have to be a part of the solution too.

    It won’t be easy, and none of us will be able to manage it all the time. But Dr. Nichole reminded us that building bridges doesn’t mean obeying in advance. We can stand firm on our values and try to reconnect with our neighbors’ humanity.

    It’s a real tightrope walk, but we can’t think of anyone more equipped to pull it off than suburban women.

    If you want to support Red Wine & Blue as we build community and stand up against extremism in 2025, please donate here. Have a restful two weeks and we'll see you in January!

    For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

    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

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  • There’s no denying that it’s a weird time right now. We’re in the “lame duck session” between an election and the start of a new term. We’re all nervous about the incoming administration, but there isn’t much we can do yet. If you feel like we’re about to head off a cliff but we can’t hit the brakes, you’re not alone.

    We’ve talked about Trump’s Cabinet picks during the past few episodes, but some of his nominees are so bad that they’re actually getting pushback from Republicans. Matt Gaetz withdrew as Attorney General nominee, and Pete Hegseth’s candidacy is being hotly debated by folks on both sides of the aisle. We know the reasons Hegseth shouldn’t be Secretary of Defense (harassment, misogyny, alcohol abuse) but what we can’t figure out is why he should lead the most powerful military in the world.

    But when they go low, we go local. There might not be much we can do right now about the impending Trump administration, but there’s a lot we can do in our own communities. This week we talked to Angela and Meghan, two friends who started a group called Blue Storm Action Pennsylvania. When they realized their book club was spending more time talking about politics than books, they decided to make it official and formed a local advocacy group that’s grown to include dozens of women.

    It’s hard not to be scared or furious about the next four years. But just like Angela and Meghan, you have more power than you think! Grab a few friends and see what you can accomplish together.

    The holidays are almost here, and with all of the chaos and stress of the election, finding the perfect gift for everyone in our life feels overwhelming. But this season, Red Wine & Blue is going all in on banned books! We’ve got something for every reader on your list, from toddlers to grandparents, and everyone in-between. You can check out our holiday gift guide here!

    For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

    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

  • Welcome back from Thanksgiving week! On today’s episode of the podcast, we’re talking about all things education… the good (like our guest Diana Brown, who made history last month as the first Latina educator to win a school board race in her district) and the bad (like Trump selecting former WWE president Linda McMahon as his Secretary of Education.)

    But first, Amanda, Jasmine and Rachel catch up about their Thanksgivings and the news. We’ve seen the hand-wringing over Biden pardoning his son Hunter, with pundits claiming concern that Trump will take it as “permission” to act badly. To which we say, since when does Trump need permission? He has always been unapologetically bold, no matter how dangerous or authoritarian his actions are. We shouldn’t sink to their level or lose sight of our values, but maybe it’s time for us to be unapologetically bold too.

    The last four weeks have been hard and the next four years probably will be too. But that makes it even more important to celebrate victories like Diana’s and to be loud and proud about our values. There’s a lot we can do on the local level - especially when we work together.

    Speaking of working together, in the past 4 weeks we've seen that the women of Red Wine & Blue are capable of anything, because we’ve created an unbreakable bond with one another. We need to be as strong as possible going into 2025 so that we can keep standing up to extremism. If you're able, please donate here.

    For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

    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

  • Thanksgiving is almost here, and we all know what that means… political debates with your MAGA relatives. If you’re already feeling the pressure, you’re not alone!

    Last week, Red Wine & Blue held a virtual event with experts like pod favorite Jess McIntosh and therapist Rebecca Freking. They shared practical tips on how to navigate tricky family discussions and keep things civil (or at least manageable). If you missed the event, we’re publishing it on today’s Suburban Women Problem podcast feed.

    For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

    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 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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    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. We also talk to historian Nancy MacLean about how this is hardly the first time that anti-immigration rhetoric has gone hand-in-hand with authoritarianism.

    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 Vindman
    Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
    Dr. Andrea Bonior, psychologist and professor
    Dr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigration
    Dr. Nancy MacLean, political historian and author

    For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

    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 Vindman
    Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
    Dr. Andrea Bonior, psychologist and professor
    Dr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigration
    Sonal Jain, owner of Chamak Dhamak in Akron OH

    For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

    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 Vindman
    Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
    Dr. Sara Sadhwani, professor of politics and immigration
    Sonal Jain, owner of Chamak Dhamak in Akron OH

    For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

    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 [email protected].

    You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

    Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

    Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

    Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

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  • 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 [email protected].

    You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

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