The Enthusiasm Enthusiast Katie Ward

Julie Lythcott-Haims (https://www.julielythcotthaims.com/)is a lot of things. She's a daughter. She's a mother. She's the former Dean of Freshman at Stanford University and a Ted Talk speaker. She holds several degrees including a Law Degree from Harvard. The identity that didn't come as easy to her was that of black woman. In her memoir, Real American, Julie gives us her evolution of how growing up in a mixed race household and in many all white settings meant learning about and loving herself as a black woman would take some time. In How To Raise An Adult, Julie turned her Stanford experience and her mind for research into a manifesto for modern parenting. It's interesting how 2 seemingly unconnected books intertwined beautifully as we talked about them both. We cover so much that this became one of my favorite episodes ever.
We also hear from listners Bridget, Jackie, and Mike about the things they're enthusiastic about right now. We shout out previous guest Leslie Siu (http://www.theenthusiasmenthusiast.com/2018/04/03/women-running-the-cannabis-industry-with-leslie-siu-women-weed-series-part-2/)and hear about the new doc about Howard Ashman (http://www.howardmovie.com/). We want to hear what YOU'RE really enthusiastic about right now. Send voice memos or emails to theenthusiasmenthusiast@gmail.com.
Follow us on Twitter:
@DeanJulie (https://twitter.com/DeanJulie)
@katiefward (https://twitter.com/katiefward)

The people at Vote Together (https://votetogetherusa.org/)have spent the past couple of years studying ways to increase voter turnout. One way they've found to get people to the polls is to change the culture around voting. By making the experience more communal and celebratory, they're finding voter engagement improves. I spoke with Vote Together's Director Angie Jean-Marie (https://twitter.com/angiejeanmarie)who shared with me why this cause became so important to her.
When more of us vote, we get closer to the democracy upon which America was founded. Vote Together is non-partisan and non-profit. They'll help you find voting celebrations in your community or help you plan one of your own! They've even got party kits. It's time to use Election Day to connect with each other, and support one another moving forward.
Thanks to listeners Emily and Amanda for sharing the things you're enthusiastic about. We want to hear from everyone! What are you really vibing on right now? Email theenthusiasmenthusiast@gmail.com. You can send a written email or voice memo!
Follow us:
@votetogether (https://twitter.com/votetogetherusa)
@katiefward (https://twitter.com/katiefward)

Some people are performers, and some people are cultural touchstones. Britney Spears has gone beyond singer/dancer/actor/talent judge to permanent icon status. I've had a long love affair with Britney, so I was thrilled to find the podcast We Need To Talk About Britney (http://wearecampfire.media/podcasts/we-need-to-talk-about-britney/). Actor and writer, Jen Zaborowski hosts the show, and talks not only about Britney's work, but also how Britney's life in the public eye mirrors so much of our culture at large.
Thanks to listener Mike for sharing his bit of enthusiasm for this episode. We want to hear from you! Send us something you're really enthusiastic about right now via voice memo or written email to theenthusiasmenthuiast@gmail.com. You can tell us who you are or stay anonymous.
Follow us:
@wnttab (https://twitter.com/wnttab)
@katiefward (https://twitter.com/katiefward)
Call Jen's Britney Spears Hotline: 814-277-3277

On this episode, Ahmed Best and I continue our discussion about Star Wars. We talk about how the backlash Ahmed experienced is both similar and different to what Loan Tran (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/21/movies/kelly-marie-tran.html)(originally known to audiences as Kelly Marie Tran) experienced with The Last Jedi. We also talk about how excited we are for Andrew Gillum's campaign (https://splash.andrewgillum.com/?ref=https://andrewgillum.com/)for Governor in Florida and how we believe displaced Puerto Ricans might save us all. We love our Puerto Rican sisters and brothers!
We get enthusiasm from Kristi Lee of Canadian True Crime Podcast (https://canadiantruecrime.ca/). Please send voice memos or emails about the things you're enthusiastic about to theenthusiasmenthusiast@gmail.com. We want to hear from you!!
Got some delicious sauvignon blanc from Lapis Luna Wines (https://lapislunawines.com/). You should check them out.
Find us on twitter
@ahmedbest (https://twitter.com/ahmedbest)
@katiefward (https://twitter.com/katiefward)

Trigger Warning: Suicide
In July, my friend Ahmed Best revealed that in his darkest days he contemplated taking his own life. The pendulum of his career has been nothing short of extraordinary. He got his big break performing in the cast of Stomp The Musical which led to an offer to play a first-of-its-kind character in the Star Wars prequels. His character, Jar Jar Binks, would lead the way for the development of motion capture technology in film, but he would also become the punching bag for everything fans didn't love about the movies. Ahmed was in the precarious position of being associated with a character who both was and wasn't him. He took the hit, but not the accolades, until a generation of Star Wars fans had kids who LOVE Jar Jar. The part no one seems to address is how racism played a huge role in the blowback. After years of trying to pivot away from discussing the toll it took on him, Ahmed is now developing a one man show to dig in to the dark and the light. You can follow this evolution here (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7-EnAAGNilzMoXWTqBQYog). We had such a great talk that I'm bringing you two episodes with Ahmed!
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call 1-800-273-TALK.
Our burst of enthusiasm comes from Laura Higgs. She's loving the book How To Raise An Adultby Julie Lythcott-Haims. Please tell me about the things igniting your enthusiasm. You can send emails or voice memos to theenthusiasmenthusiast@gmail.com.
Follow us:
@ahmedbest (https://twitter.com/ahmedbest)
@katiefward (https://twitter.com/katiefward)

When Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, my heart dropped, and I wasn't alone. Millions of women who have marched, organized, and donated saw their civil rights being swept away from our current administration by the recommendation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Women's health is not the only issue in grave danger if Kavanaugh gets the seat. Immigration, LGTBQ rights, and almost every facet of American life will be affected. We're being told Kavanaugh is a foregone conclusion. What you will hear in this show is that IT IS NOT. But we need your help. Please listen to and share this episode featuring the Los Angeles stop on the Rise Up For Roe Tour (https://www.riseupforroe.com/). The arguments that this is the most important issue, and we can win are compelling.
You'll hear from some incredible leaders and some of my personal heroes:
@laurenduca (https://twitter.com/laurenduca)
@cecilerichards (https://twitter.com/CecileRichards)
@alyssa_milano (https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano)
@jess_mc (https://twitter.com/jess_mc)
@importantmeagan (https://twitter.com/importantmeagan)
@jesslivmo (https://twitter.com/JessLivMo)
@naral (https://twitter.com/NARAL)
Please share this episode on social media, and email me a voice memo with something YOU are enthusiastic about. I want to hear from you! Email theenthusiasmenthusiast@gmail.com. Find me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/katiefward)and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/katiefward/)@katiefward. Special thanks to Jen Edds from BrassyBroad.com (http://brassybroad.com/)for helping with the audio on this episode.