Girl and The Gov, The Podcast

If you’re not following Katie Grossbard, I’m going to need you to kindly go follow her, rn. Okay, fine, you can finish reading this description first. She is not only a founding member of the popular voting information resource - i am a voter - but she’s quite the online activist herself. Known for her roundups of top tweets on all-things politics and her in the know shares on politics happening in the moment, Katie is in the game. It’s also one that we (very biased here) think more young people should jump into. In our conversation – where we mention Steve Kornacki over 500 times (take a sip of water every time you hear his name) – we go chat about how to use one’s own social media and platforms to get the vote out and get your friends engaged with civics, and politics today. Katie Grossbard: am a voter: to our YouTube: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: us on Pinterest: Support this podcast:

This is an interview that feels less like an interview and more like you’re overhearing a convo at the brunch table, and quite frankly, that’s the whole idea. We were joined by our amazing friend, Miss Tennessee, Tally Bevis for a chit chat on civic literacy, all-things voting, and definitely some things, political journey. Tally shares with us her civic literacy vision with her org, Vote With A Mission and the plan for her podcast, The Suffragette Series (BTW we’re going to be on an upcoming eppy so stay tuned). We get into it all, and most of all we get excited to get to the ballot box. The Suffragette Series Podcast: American TN, Tally Bevis to our YouTube: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: us on Pinterest: Support this podcast:

From the title of this episode, you might’ve gathered that this episode is a deep dive into what attorney generals do, how they’re elected, and how they work with their respective state legislatures. Okay, you might’ve just gotten the first bit on that list, but we do cover the other two as well with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. And importantly, we cover the AG’s current run for re-election and why AG elections are so critical to protecting our democracy. This conversation is a can’t miss and our fast five round is going to be one that has you in stitches, but you’ll have to find yourself on our TikTok @girlandthegov in the days to come to see those highlights. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel: Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint Referral Form: to our YouTube: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: us on Pinterest: Support this podcast:

As of May 26, 2022 there had been 214 mass shootings. There have been additional since that stat was compiled by Insider. It is clear that we have a gun issue in the US (last time we checked, the numbers don’t lie). This issue needs real solutions – now, not later – and there is one elected official that has stepped by to the plate. Cue, the Mayor of San Jose, CA, Sam Liccardo who has introduced innovative gun reform policies in his city. The policy requires gun owners to pay an annual fee and attestation of insurance coverage for accidental firearm-related injury or death, and the fees collected will be donated to a nonprofit focused on gun violence reduction. Our conversation gets into the policy – and a few others – and how mayors have flexibility in testing out policies. PS if you also spotted Maddie’s TikTok on NRA spending on Senators, we answer your comment-questions! Liccardo’s Policy: TikTok: episode with OpenSecrets: to our YouTube: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: us on Pinterest: Sources: Support this podcast:

Now if the name Shannon Williams sounds familiar in the context of Girl and the Gov®, that would be because our amazing guest for this week’s episode has also been a guest on our IG lives. This icon in activism and action is the Director of the Equal Pay Today Campaign at the ERA gave us the 411 on the wage gap, equal pay, occupational segregation, and legislation that can change the status quo. We could’ve chatted with Shannon on this for hours and hours, SO we will obviously be having her back for a part two later in the year. If you walk away with any additional q’s, send them our way and we’ll make sure to keep ‘em on deck. **recorded prior to news breaking yesterday of another mass shooting** ERA & Action Items: to our YouTube: interview with NoPixAfterDark Podcast: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: us on Pinterest: Support this podcast:

WATCH ON YOUTUBE/GO SUBSCRIBE PRETTY PLZ!  This episode is super special for a number of reasons. First things first, this is our first ever episode featuring TWO interviews. Our guests are two amazing women in politics, both Democrats running for office – one in a traditionally blue state at the federal level and one in a traditionally red state at the state level. The topic of conversation is reproductive rights, the likely overturning of Roe v. Wade, and legislation in the making and to come. Emily Beach, a Congressional candidate for CA-15 – a strongly Democratic district, gives us her take, her campaign, and how she is uniquely qualified to help protect reproductive rights at the negotiating table. State Representative Mandie Landry takes us to the situation in Louisiana, where she is fighting against a proposed bill that would make those seeking abortion guilty of homicide. She also sheds light on her campaign for State Senate and how if elected in the special election, she would be the only Pro-Choice woman in Louisiana’s senate. This episode brings two important POVs from two different political landscapes, which makes it a must-listen. Mandie Landry for State Senate: Beach for Congress: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

WATCH ON YOUTUBE/GO SUBSCRIBE PRETTY PLZ!  The headlines currently read something along the lines of “Roe v. Wade will be overturned.” But, how did we get here? What took us from almost 50 years of precedent to this unnerving outcome? A ~little~ case titled Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization paired with a conservatively stacked SCOTUS is the dual-pronged answer to that q. In this episode, we walk through the case that brought us here and the legal jargon to boot with the co-lead on the case – Senior Staff Attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, Hillary Schneller. An expert not only on this case, but the many abortion access cases she’s litigated on behalf of, Hillary knows the in’s and out’s and shares them all in our convo. Center for Reproductive Rights: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

Electing pro-choice candidates at every level is vital. This sentiment is one that EMILY’s List built on and one that we dive into in our interview with Executive Director of EMILY’s List, Emily Cain. This week’s episode takes a tour around the organization, its goals, and how it supports candidates. In conversation, we also chatted about Maine politics from the former elected official (teaser: she took office at just 24 y/o). Oh, and wait, wait, we also talk about strategies for GOTV – basically all the good stuff. EMILY's List: Article: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

TBH, ‘Under The Sea’ from the Little Mermaid is stuck in our heads as we write this description, rn. For one, because it’s a great tune, and secondly, because on today’s episode we’re diving into ocean pollution. We’re joined by the amazing Cassia Patel, Director of Programs at Oceanic Global who got us up to speed and more on what ocean pollution is, its intersection across other sectors of pollution, and of course, what Oceanic Global is doing to combat it. We’ll admit, we had about 5 million ‘stupid questions,’ including what microplastics are, and even single-use plastics, and we have about 5 million more. That’s the long way of saying we’re already planning a part two for later in the year so hit us up with those q’s.MERCH: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

Some names in politics are infamous – two of them are in the title of this episode. What they also have in common, is that they’re running for the same Congressional seat for North Carolina. District 11 to be exact. Currently held by infamous person one – Madison Cawthorn (R), the race is heating up. Yes, even in primary season (insert rant here about how vital participating in primaries is here). Infamous person two is making sure of that in her run against the Congressman, with a pragmatic approach and deep understanding of North Carolina politics. That person is Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (D). In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing the candidate and getting to know her and her platform. Get to know her and North Carolina politics by hitting play.Jasmine Beach-Ferrara for Congress: (21+ only) 4 BOTTLES OF WINE FOR $29.95: Ambassador Program: Description: Judge Kathryn Mizelle: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: Support this podcast:

We love the tea, we love the receipts, and we absolutely love Public Wise’s Insurrection Index. If you’re curious who the players are, and oh, who may have graced the steps of the Capitol on January 6, this Index is going to have you screaming. Like, literal scream and squeal. Honestly, the deats might even put Deux Moi to shame and you know we love Deux Moi. Alas, we got the fulllll skinny on how this tool came about, why it came about, and how it’s being used from Christina Baal-Owens, Executive Director of Public Wise. This interview is one you don’t want to miss, and if it leaves you wanting more, check out our Behind the Scenes feature with Christina on @girlandthegov.MERCH IS LIVE (be the 10th buyer and get a free piece of merch of your choice!) & Ghost Gun Pic (scroll): our Tennis Club via Break The Love: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

It’s far from unknown that to run a campaign in this day and age, fundraising is critical. Money, money, money, as they say is a key consideration as to whether a campaign will be successful or not. You’d think it would be based on who’s the best possible representative for a community…but alas, that’s a rant for another day. In this episode, we explore the difference between how state and federal campaigns are funded, AND importantly, how Republicans and Democrats have a very different approach to it all. To give us the good, the bad, and the ugly of the scenario, we chatted with the wonderful Melissa Walker, who is the Head of Giving Circles at The States Project.The States Project: Referral Link (For our entrepreneurs & small biz pals): our Tennis Club via Break The Love: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: Daily Episode: Ukraine Puts Putin’s Playbook to the Test 42 explainer epi! Support this podcast:

This week’s episode features an interview with Wardah Khalid, the amazing founder of Poligon, which works to amplify Muslim voices in Congress. Do we chat about the organization’s work? Yep! Do we chat about Wardah’s journey into politics? Also, yep! And, do we chat about the issues the organization tackles through a policy lens, like Islamophobia? Yep x 3! The conversation takes on these three directions and more, so dive in and share it with a pal. Poligon: our Tennis Club via Break The Love: (21+ only): Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

This week the SCOTUS confirmation hearings are off to the races with the aim of confirming Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the bench. We love to see it and we’re excited to bring you an episode discussing the ongoing process and Judge Jackson’s epic/next-level qualifications. What’s a public defender? What’s a clerkship? What happens if a nominee isn’t confirmed? We get the answers to these through an interview with the one, only, and amazing Meagan Hatcher-Mays, Director of Democracy Policy at Indivisible. PS she also gives us the deats on what Indivisible does, how it was founded, and what her role looks like RN.Join our Tennis Club via Break The Love: (21+ only): to Girl and the Gov! Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

This week we’re joined by the big leagues, and when we mean the big leagues, we mean the Anti-Defamation League. Also known as the ADL, the organization is a leading anti-hate organization, and one founded in response to rising antisemitism. So, what is antisemitism? We get into and more with the ADL’s Director of Community Engagement, Carly Pildis. We also talk about extremist groups, the rise in hate crimes, and the importance of anti-bias training.ADL: (21+ only): to Girl and the Gov! Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

Florida has been hitting the news cycle BIG TIME these days. We wish we could say it was because they were having a puppy convention or something just as cute and insta-worthy, but unfortunately, the current Governor Ron DeSantis and his Republican state legislature have made sure that anything they do is FAR from cute. From the Don’t Say Gay bill to a 15-week abortion bill passed in the middle of the night, it’s safe to say we’ve had some questions as to what on earth is going on in FL. Cue our guest – Florida Congressman Charlie Crist (FL-13) who is running for Governor. Now before you okay, cool, can’t wait to hear from this elected and candidate’s position – we need you to get even more excited. Why? Because Congressman Crist was previously Florida’s Governor…as a Republican. A now Democrat, he brings a particularly interesting dialogue to our conversation on politics today in Florida and across the country. [Congressman] Charlie Crist for FL Governor: Event at Y7 (March 12, 2022): (21+ only): to Girl and the Gov! Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

We’re back with part two of our Ukraine explained series with Dr. Margarita M. Balmaceda, Associate at Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute and Professor at SHU School of Diplomacy and International Relations. Taking this conflict from a different angle, this episode we learn about the economic elements of this crisis. Specifically, we talk about sanctions, their impact – what they even are in the first place – the industries that have created the geopolitical positioning of late in the region, and more. We also step back and define terms we’ve been hearing 3000x a day without a definition in sight, like Oligarch, Autocrat, Mutually Assured Destruction, and so on. For a further deep dive, make sure to check our Dr. Balmaceda’s new book, Russian Energy Chains: the Remaking of Technopolitics from Siberia to Ukraine to the European Union, and her Twitter. About Dr. Margarita M. Balmaceda: Energy Chains: the Remaking of Technopolitics from Siberia to Ukraine to the European UnionNY Event at Y7: BOTTLE OF WINE FOR $29.95 - Winc (21+ only): to Girl and the Gov! Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

Part one of our two-part explainer series on the war unfolding un Ukraine begins with our interview with Dr. Mai’a K. Davis Cross. The Editor of the Journal of European Integration and Professor of Political Science and International Affairs – oh, and also the author of books including European-Russian Power Relations in Turbulent Times AND The Politics of Crisis in Europe – Dr. Cross walked us through a plethora of q’s we had on the region and its related politics. Defining NATO, who can be a member, why Ukraine is not one, the rationale for Putin’s timing and invasion, European strategic alliances, deterrence politics, and more are defined and contextualized to get us all up to speed on the dynamics at play. This episode is a great starting point for understanding the players here. **Part two through the economics and sanctions lens will be released on Wednesday**About Dr. Mai’a K. Davis Cross: Event at Y7: (21+ only): to Girl and the Gov! Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast:

We’re not screaming, you’re screaming! Okay, we’re screaming too because this week’s conversation with Adrienne Bell, who is the Executive Director at Brand New Congress is motivation 101 for getting clued into the midterm elections. Like, if you’ve been putting it off or dragging your feet, Adrienne gives the 411 inspo on why this is the time to get involved and how to do that. Additionally, and importantly, we chat about the mission behind Brand New Congress and the candidates they support, including Girl and the Gov, The Podcast alum, Brittany Ramos DeBarros, Morgan Harper, and Melanie D’Arrigo, and Keeping Up With The Candidates rockstar, Stephanie Gallardo. We also obvi chat about the candidates turned elected officials they’ve supported such as AOC, Cori Bush, and Jamaal Bowman. Tune into the episode and to this election, NOW.NY Event at Y7: (21+ only): to Girl and the Gov! Ambassador Program: Description: New Congress Candidates: Suozzi’s Campaign Kickoff Event: Candidate Alexandra Hunt’s NY Meet & Greet: Support this podcast:

TW: The following episode contains conversations on spousal rape and domestic violence. This episode takes toward a topic we haven’t yet covered – the policy matters of domestic violence, spousal rape, and more. A conversation that makes you yet again scratch your head at how many laws could possibly exist (or not exist) in 2022, we discuss where policy is currently on violence against women. More specifically, through our interview with Professor Michele Dauber, Chair of Enough is Enough Project, we also learn about the initiative that Enough is Enough is working on, which is to make violence against women a voting issue. Enough is Enough Voter Project Event at Y7: (21+ only): to Girl and the Gov! Ambassador Program: Description: Support this podcast: