Firestarters with Shannon Watts

Shannon Watts
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Firestarters is a podcast filled with inspiring interviews of women living audacious lives and encouraging others to do the same. shannonwatts.substack.com shannonwatts.substack.com

  1. 11 HRS AGO

    Mayor Matt Mahan on building a future that works for all Californians

    Matt Mahan is the Democratic Mayor of San José and a candidate for Governor, running to get California back to basics by lowering costs, ending unsheltered homelessness, improving public safety, and expanding economic opportunity. Elected to the San José City Council in 2020 and as Mayor in 2022, Mahan has focused on accountability and outcomes. Under his leadership, San José has reduced unsheltered homelessness, expanded shelter capacity, streamlined housing development, and strengthened public safety. Re-elected in 2024 with nearly 90% of the vote, he is now running for Governor to bring a results-driven, back-to-basics approach to state government. In this conversation, we discussed what motivated Matt to run for governor, how he plans to reduce gun violence throughout the state of California, his plans to protect children from the harmful effects of social media and AI, fixing the issues in California’s educational system, the realities of being a dad and husband and running for office, and more. Connect with Matt: Website | Instagram | Facebook If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

    26 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Liuba Grechen Shirley on why our political system wasn't built for moms — and how to fix it

    Liuba Grechen Shirley is the Founder and CEO of Vote Mama, an interconnected trio of organizations dedicated to electing mothers, transforming the political system, and advancing family-friendly policies. Liuba's career highlights include her historic congressional campaign for New York’s 2nd District, where she achieved the highest vote share of any Democrat against the incumbent in 25 years and raised over $2 million without corporate PAC money. And she also made history as the first woman to receive federal approval to spend campaign funds on childcare. In this conversation, we discussed what motivated Liuba to get into politics, the biggest structural barriers moms encounter when they decide to run for office, how moms bring a different lived experience to policymaking, and how moms can get more involved in local politics and beyond. Connect with Liuba: Website | Instagram | Substack If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min

  3. MAY 14

    Atima Omara on why Black women are the key to saving democracy

    Atima Omara is a nationally recognized award-winning political strategist, leader, writer, speaker, and advocate who’s worked in progressive electoral politics and issue advocacy for the last two decades. She’s also the author of the brand new book, The Instigators: How Black Women Have Been Essential to American Democracy (And What We Can Learn from Them). In this conversation, we discussed Atima’s book and what inspired her to write it, the writing process as a first-time author, the challenges Black women face when running for office, and how we can best support Black women’s campaigns. Connect with Atima: Buy the Book | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

    24 min

  4. APR 16

    Rep. Gwen Moore on the dangers of the SAVE Act

    Rep. Gwen Moore was elected to represent Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional District in 2004, making her the first African American elected to Congress from the State of Wisconsin. With over 40 years of public service, she has been at the forefront of some of our nation’s most significant legislative achievements and has gained the reputation of a fearless advocate for women and children. In this conversation, we discussed what women, in particular, need to know about the SAVE Act, Rep. Moore’s responses to Republicans who say that the SAVE Act is just a voter ID bill, how Trump’s policies on immigration affect abuse survivors, and what Democrats in power are doing to stop the SAVE Act. Connect with Rep. Gwen Moore: Instagram | Website If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

    19 min

  5. APR 9

    Lauren Harper and Dr. Anthony Douglas on Illinois' Responsibility in Firearms Legislation (RIFL) Act

    lauren harper is the legislative director for the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Gun Violence and grassroots organizer dedicated to tackling the root causes of gun violence in Illinois. Dr. Anthony Douglas II, MD MPH, is a surgical resident at the University of Chicago and the founder of the nation’s first Surgical Advocacy Fellowship. In this conversation, we discussed what brought them both into the gun violence prevention advocacy and policy space, why grassroots activism is so important especially when it comes to gun laws, what the RIFL Act is and who it helps, and why shifting the costs of firearm injury back to firearm manufacturers will help reduce gun violence overall. How to get involved and support the RIFL Act: Instagram | Website | Donate If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min

  6. APR 2

    Nourbese Flint on reimagining reproductive justice for all

    Nourbese Flint is the President of All* Above All and All* In Action Fund, leading All* Above All’s work to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color. Prior to coming to All* Above All, she was the Senior Director of Black Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she worked on the strategic partnership to strengthen Planned Parenthood’s relationships within existing racial justice, reproductive justice, Black serving and civil rights organizations. Nourbese is a founding member of Trust Black Women, a national coalition dedicated to increasing respect and support of Black Women, and is one of the founding members of the Black Women’s Democratic Club. In this conversation, we discussed why reproductive control is a core tool of fascism, the ways in which the current administration is attacking abortion access, the impact of reproductive control on women and especially black and brown women, and how we can fight back and advocate for abortion and reproductive justice. Connect with Nourbese: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min

  7. MAR 30

    Amy Diehl, PhD, on the insidious misogyny in the Epstein Files

    Amy Diehl, Ph.D. is an award-winning IT leader and Chief Information Officer at Wilson College, as well as a leading gender equity researcher. She is the author of Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work and a sought-after speaker, consultant, and expert witness. Driven by a commitment to advancing gender equality, she helps organizations dismantle systemic barriers so women can advance and workplaces can thrive. In this conversation, we discussed how (beyond the horrible sexual abuse and trafficking) the Epstein files also brought to light the casual misogyny and sexism toward women, the 6 barriers outlined in her book, Glass Walls, that she used to analyze the files and the significance for women in the workplace, how misogyny enables a collective silence to protect men and devalue women, and what we can do to correct these injustices. Connect with Amy: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you’ve always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

    31 min

  8. MAR 24

    Jenn Sherman wants to make Gen Xers stronger physically and mentally

    Jenn Sherman is my favorite Peloton star trainer who was the very first cycling instructor hired at Peloton Interactive. She’s also the founder of The Back Nine Era, and her goal is to redefine life after 50 by training for longevity, health, and strength. In this conversation, we discussed how Jenn became a Peloton trainer in her 40s and how it’s never too late to make a pivot in your life, how imposter syndrome still rears its ugly head no matter what you’ve accomplished, why community is an important part of women’s health and fitness, what the “back nine era” is, and the 5 habits women should incorporate to live our best lives in our 50s and beyond. Connect with Jenn: Instagram | Facebook For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you’ve always wanted. Click to order. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min
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About

Firestarters is a podcast filled with inspiring interviews of women living audacious lives and encouraging others to do the same. shannonwatts.substack.com shannonwatts.substack.com

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