🌟 Welcome to Episode #23 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

🎙️ Before this podcast, The Politics Chicks began as two women trying to make sense of politics, power, and the human cost of cruelty. This conversation is about what happens when ordinary people decide they are done looking away.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 What “Fierce Love” Really MeansTeri explains how fierce love became her way of understanding the helpers, organizers, mothers, neighbors, and women refusing to abandon each other.

💔 Grief, Hope, and the Both/AndWe talk about how grief is rooted in love — and why hope is not denial, but survival.

🧡 Minnesota Women in ResistanceTeri shares powerful stories of women stepping into mutual aid, legal observing, community protection, and care work during ICE enforcement actions in Minnesota.

🦉 The Rise of the OWLsOlder White Ladies with no more f***s to give are showing up, standing in their privilege, protecting families, and reminding the world that women have always led in moments of crisis.

🚨 ICE Is Still HereWe discuss what is still happening in Minnesota, why these stories matter, and how cruelty thrives when people stop paying attention.

✨ Turning Up the Volume on LoveTeri reminds us that even in the flood of awful, people are still choosing each other — and that may be exactly how culture changes.

🛑 Final WordFierce love is not soft. It is not passive. It is not naïve. It is the choice to stay human when the world gives you every reason not to.

💌 Find Teri’s work at:fiercelovemn.com

FOLLOW/SUPPORT:Substack | Threads | BlueSky | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook@ThePoliticsChicks

🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

The more you like 👍, comment 💬, and share ↗️ our content, the more the algorithm shows it to others 👀. We really do need your help to grow this community 🎪. So let’s keep shining our lights so we can find each other in the dark 🔦, and remember—we’re stronger together 🤲.

Liking, commenting, and sharing help get this work in front of more eyes—and help build a community of people who still care about facts, accountability, and democracy.

If you are finding value in our work, please consider subscribing to The Politics Chicks Substack.

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—building community, calling out the chaos, and trying to turn fear into action.

Today, Christy and Monica are joined by Kae Starling, creator of We the People Dissent, a Substack that has become an organizing lifeline for people trying to stay informed, engaged, and connected to protests and civil resistance actions across the country.

Kae tracks protests nationwide with maps, links, photos, context, and weekly organizing resources—because while national media may focus on the biggest marches, democracy is also being defended by eight people on a corner in Concrete, Washington, a few neighbors fighting a data center in Nevada, and small-town organizers who refuse to stay silent.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 The Protest Map America NeedsKae explains how We the People Dissent began, how she compiles protest information from across the country, and why one centralized list can make activism feel less overwhelming and more possible.

🗺️ Small Towns, Big ResistanceFrom Montana to Maine to Utah, Kae shares what she’s seeing in real time: more protests, more repeat actions, more local organizing, and more people realizing democracy starts exactly where they live.

🏛️ Why Local Government MattersWe talk about data centers, city councils, planning commissions, school boards, and the local decisions that shape our daily lives long before they become national headlines.

🌊 Nevada, Water, and the Fight Over Data CentersKae shares what’s happening in Southern Nevada as communities push back against massive data centers in a state already facing serious water challenges.

🚨 Protesting Under PressureWe compare protest experiences in Nevada and Minnesota, including police presence, Operation Metro Surge, and how different states treat public dissent.

🧡 Raising a Deaf Child in a Broken SystemKae opens up about navigating education, accessibility, IEPs, homeschooling, healthcare gaps, and what it means to search for a community where her son can truly thrive.

✨ Hope, Strategy, and PerseveranceKae reminds us that we do not have a numbers problem. Millions of people are engaged. The next step is strategy, endurance, and refusing to underestimate the power already being built.

🛑 Final WordThis isn’t abstract. This isn’t hypothetical. This is happening right now—in big cities, small towns, school board meetings, city halls, and on street corners across the country.

Democracy does not only live in Washington.It lives wherever people show up.

RESOURCES:Kae Starling / We the People Dissent:https://substack.com/@thepeopledissent?utm_source=global-search

Kae on Threads:@authokstarling

FOLLOW / SUPPORT THE POLITICS CHICKS:Substack: The Politics ChicksThreads: @thepoliticschicksYouTube: The Politics Chicks Podcast

Like, comment, subscribe, and share to help more people find these conversations.

🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

🔥 YOU CAN’T LEAD IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE YOU BELONG

Why the confidence gap starts long before women ever run for office

What if the leadership gap doesn’t start in adulthood—but in high school?

Today we’re joined by Sarah Jakle, founder of Democrashe, an organization helping girls build confidence, resilience, and the skills to step into leadership before the world teaches them not to.

Women with the same qualifications are far less likely to run—and when they do, they face significantly more pushback and harassment.

This isn’t a pipeline problem. It’s conditioning.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

• Why high school is the last point girls and boys see leadership equally• How neuroplasticity shapes confidence early• The role of the amygdala in fear and hesitation• Why “just be confident” doesn’t work• Inner critic → inner best friend• Trauma, burnout, and the 24/7 news cycle• Why Democrashe pays girls to participate• The stat that says it all:→ 76% of high-performing women get negative feedback vs. 2% of men

🧠 THE BIG IDEA

Confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a skill.

If we don’t teach it early, the world teaches girls the opposite.

🛑 FINAL WORD

Leadership doesn’t start when you run for office.It starts when you believe your voice matters.

🔗 RESOURCES

🌐 Democrashe — https://democrashe.org💼 Sarah Jakle on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-jakle-535617240/

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

Building Joy Where It Was Missing: How One Woman Turned Frustration Into a Movement for Women’s Sports and Community

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

Today we’re joined by Jillian Hiscock—owner of A Bar of Their Own, the Midwest’s first sports bar dedicated entirely to women’s sports.

📍 FROM FRUSTRATION TO ACTION

A missed softball game. A dismissive bar.

And a moment that turned into a mission.

Jillian didn’t just notice the inequity in women’s sports—she built something to change it.

🏪 BUILDING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING

No restaurant experience.

No formal business training.

Just passion, community, and the willingness to ask for help—and figure it out anyway.

🤝 COMMUNITY IS A VERB

This isn’t just a bar—it’s a hub.

From inclusive design to staff culture to giveback nights, everything is intentional.

Because belonging doesn’t happen by accident.

🧭 INCLUSION BY DESIGN

Accessibility. Representation. Language.

From large print menus to “period products” instead of “feminine products,”

this space was built by listening—not assuming.

🚨 MORE THAN SPORTS

Women’s sports aren’t just games—they’re political, cultural, and deeply human.

From pay gaps to visibility to trans athlete debates,

we unpack what progress looks like—and how far we still have to go.

✨ JOY AS RESISTANCE

In a world that feels heavy, this is a reminder:

Joy matters.

Community matters.

And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do… is build something better.

🛑 Final Word

What Jillian built isn’t just a bar—it’s a blueprint. A reminder that when systems fail, people step in. That community isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we create. In a moment where so much feels fractured, spaces like this prove something simple but powerful: people are still showing up for each other. And that might just be how we get through this—together.

💌 We would love your input! If you have topics you want us to cover, news to share, or a shout-out to give—please let us know. We’re building this together.

💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you something, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and puts our work in front of more eyes.

📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

@thepoliticschickswww.thepoliticschicks.substack.comthepoliticschicks@gmail.com

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark and we are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica 🧡

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

The SAVE Act, Election Fear, and the Truth About Your Vote

What’s Real, What’s Not, and What You Need to Do Now

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

Today we’re joined by returning guest Doug Chapin—election law expert, congressional candidate, and self-proclaimed “election law geek”—to break down the growing anxiety around the SAVE Act, election integrity, and what the 2026 midterms could actually look like.

If you’ve been scrolling and wondering how much of this is real, this episode is for you.

Because right now, fear is spreading faster than facts.

And that’s exactly the point.🗳️ What’s Actually Happening with Elections

Doug walks us through the big picture:

* Elections in the U.S. are run at the state and local level—not by the federal government

* Executive orders do not override constitutional authority

* Despite the noise, the system itself is still structurally sound

* The real threat right now isn’t collapse—it’s confusion and fear

⚖️ The SAVE Act—What It Really Does

This is where things get serious:

* The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship to register or update voter registration

* Even small changes (like moving apartments) could trigger new documentation requirements

* It creates massive logistical strain on already limited local election offices

* It introduces subjective decision-making at the point of registration

Translation:

This isn’t about showing ID at the polls.

It’s about who gets approved before they ever get there.

🚨 Voter Suppression vs “Election Integrity”

We break down the rhetoric vs reality:

* Voting is a constitutional right—not comparable to buying alcohol or boarding a plane

* Any cost (time, money, access) tied to ID requirements can function as a modern poll tax

* The biggest risk isn’t just policy—it’s who controls access at the ground level

* Fear and intimidation are being used as tools to discourage participation

🧠 The Psychology of Fear

This might be the most important part of the conversation:

* The administration’s strategy isn’t just legal—it’s psychological

* Creating doubt makes people question whether voting is even worth it

* Smart, informed people are still being pulled into worst-case thinking

* The goal isn’t always to stop the system—it’s to stop you from using it

🧭 What You Should Do Right Now

Doug gives a clear, actionable plan:

* ✔️ Check your voter registration at vote.gov

* ✔️ Check it again as elections get closer

* ✔️ Know your polling place before Election Day

* ✔️ Have a plan for how and when you’ll vote

Because the only person who can ultimately take away your vote…is you.

✨ Hope in the Henhouse

Here’s the part we don’t want you to miss:

* The system is under pressure—but it’s not broken

* States are pushing back

* Courts still matter

* And voters still have power

If turnout is strong enough,

fear doesn’t win.

🛑 Final Word

This isn’t about panic.

And it’s not about pretending everything is fine.

It’s about being clear-eyed, informed, and ready.

Because the question isn’t whether there will be noise, chaos, or attempts to intimidate.

The question is:

Will you show up anyway?

🔗 RESOURCES

* Check your voter registration: https://www.vote.gov

* Learn more about Doug Chapin: https://chapinforcongress.com

📣 FOLLOW + SUPPORT

If this conversation moved you, taught you something, or helped cut through the noise—please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and puts our work in front of more eyes.

📱 Follow us everywhere:

Substack | Threads | Bluesky | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

@thepoliticschicks

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

We are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica 🧡

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

The SAVE Act, Election Fear, and the Truth About Your Vote

What’s Real, What’s Not, and What You Need to Do Now

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

Today we’re joined by returning guest Doug Chapin—election law expert, congressional candidate, and self-proclaimed “election law geek”—to break down the growing anxiety around the SAVE Act, election integrity, and what the 2026 midterms could actually look like.

If you’ve been scrolling and wondering how much of this is real, this episode is for you.

Because right now, fear is spreading faster than facts.

And that’s exactly the point.

🗳️ What’s Actually Happening with Elections

Doug walks us through the big picture:

* Elections in the U.S. are run at the state and local level—not by the federal government

* Executive orders do not override constitutional authority

* Despite the noise, the system itself is still structurally sound

* The real threat right now isn’t collapse—it’s confusion and fear

⚖️ The SAVE Act—What It Really Does

This is where things get serious:

* The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship to register or update voter registration

* Even small changes (like moving apartments) could trigger new documentation requirements

* It creates massive logistical strain on already limited local election offices

* It introduces subjective decision-making at the point of registration

Translation:

This isn’t about showing ID at the polls.

It’s about who gets approved before they ever get there.

🚨 Voter Suppression vs “Election Integrity”

We break down the rhetoric vs reality:

* Voting is a constitutional right—not comparable to buying alcohol or boarding a plane

* Any cost (time, money, access) tied to ID requirements can function as a modern poll tax

* The biggest risk isn’t just policy—it’s who controls access at the ground level

* Fear and intimidation are being used as tools to discourage participation

🧠 The Psychology of Fear

This might be the most important part of the conversation:

* The administration’s strategy isn’t just legal—it’s psychological

* Creating doubt makes people question whether voting is even worth it

* Smart, informed people are still being pulled into worst-case thinking

* The goal isn’t always to stop the system—it’s to stop you from using it

🧭 What You Should Do Right Now

Doug gives a clear, actionable plan:

* ✔️ Check your voter registration at vote.gov

* ✔️ Check it again as elections get closer

* ✔️ Know your polling place before Election Day

* ✔️ Have a plan for how and when you’ll vote

Because the only person who can ultimately take away your vote…

is you.

✨ Hope in the Henhouse

Here’s the part we don’t want you to miss:

* The system is under pressure—but it’s not broken

* States are pushing back

* Courts still matter

* And voters still have power

If turnout is strong enough,

fear doesn’t win.

🛑 Final Word

This isn’t about panic.

And it’s not about pretending everything is fine.

It’s about being clear-eyed, informed, and ready.

Because the question isn’t whether there will be noise, chaos, or attempts to intimidate.

The question is:

Will you show up anyway?

🔗 RESOURCES

* Check your voter registration: https://www.vote.gov

* Learn more about Doug Chapin: https://chapinforcongress.com

📣 FOLLOW + SUPPORT

If this conversation moved you, taught you something, or helped cut through the noise—please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and puts our work in front of more eyes.

📱 Follow us everywhere:

Substack | Threads | Bluesky | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

@thepoliticschicks

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

We are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica 🧡

Organizer Kelly Wilson explains how communities are stepping up through mutual aid, why hyperlocal planning must start now, and how ICE is taking this show on the road—to a city near you.

🌟 Welcome to Episode #16 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

Today we’re joined by Kelly Wilson—a community organizer working on the front lines of immigrant support and rapid-response coordination. Kelly gives a clear-eyed, on-the-ground look at what’s happening as ICE activity expands—and how communities are responding in real time.

This isn’t abstract. This isn’t hypothetical.This is happening right now.

📍 What’s Happening on the Ground

Kelly walks us through what ICE presence actually looks like in communities:

• Increased visibility and enforcement activity• Families afraid to leave their homes• Disruptions to schools, workplaces, and daily routines• A growing sense of instability impacting entire neighborhoods

🏪 The Ripple Effect on Local Economies

This isn’t just about individuals—it’s about entire systems:

• Workers missing shifts or unable to show up• Small businesses losing staff and customers• Supply chains and local services feeling the strain• Communities absorbing the economic shock in real time

🤝 Mutual Aid in Action

When systems fail, communities step in:

• Neighbors are organizing food, transportation, and resources.• Rapid-response networks are sharing real-time information.• Volunteers are stepping up to support families in crisis.• Local efforts are becoming lifelines, not just support systems.🧭 Hyperlocal Organizing: Start Now

• Kelly emphasizes the importance of preparation.• Communities need localized, ready-to-move networks.• Planning must occur before enforcement reaches an area.• Waiting until it’s “your problem” is too late.• The situation in Minnesota is a preview of what’s to come, not an exception.

🚨 This Is Expanding

ICE isn’t staying in one place:

• Operations are growing.• Enforcement is spreading.• The events happening in this location are likely to occur in other cities as well.

✨ Hope in the Henhouse

• Even in the fear, there is something powerful happening:• People showing up for each other• Communities choosing connection over isolation• Action replacing helplessness• Proof that collective care still exists—and works

🛑 Final Word

• The issue at hand is not someone else’s problem.• It is already present and spreading.• The question is not whether your community will be affected, but rather if you will be prepared when it is.

💌 We would love your input! If you have topics you want us to cover, news to share, or a shout-out to give—please let us know. We’re building this together.

💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you something, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and puts our work in front of more eyes.

📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

@thepoliticschickswww.thepoliticschicks.substack.com

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

We are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica 🧡

FACEBOOK: @bob.branham.77INSTAGRAM: @living_the_dream_bobTHREADS: @living_the_dream_bobRESOURCESSecond Harvest Heartland:https://www.2harvest.org/The Food Group:https://thefoodgroupmn.org/📌 FOLLOW / SUPPORTIf this episode made you think:✅ Like✅ Comment✅ Share✅ Subscribe📱 Find us everywhere: @thepoliticschicksSubstack • Threads • Bluesky • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook🕯️ Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.💪🤲 We are stronger together.🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

🎙️ Before launching this podcast, we built our audience on Substack, where we share sharp commentary on politics, culture, and the forces shaping modern life. Now we’re bringing those conversations directly to you — with the same honesty, curiosity, and refusal to accept easy answers.

Is AI already influencing your kids without you realizing it?

In this episode, we talk with Naomi Richman, founder of Moms for Ethical AI, about the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence into children’s lives — and the serious questions parents should be asking.

Naomi is part of a growing movement encouraging parents and consumers to rethink how AI tools like ChatGPT are entering everyday life. Her argument is simple but controversial: surveillance capitalism isn’t a side effect of AI companies — it’s the business model.

We discuss:

* The risks of AI chatbots interacting with young people

* Kids turning to AI for emotional support and mental health conversations

* How AI companies collect and use user data

* Why some critics are urging people to reconsider their relationship with AI tools

Naomi’s advocacy was galvanized by the tragic death of teenager Adam Raine, whose suicide was linked to interactions with an AI chatbot — raising urgent questions about how these systems affect vulnerable users.

Her perspective is also shaped by her father, David Gelperin, a pioneer in software testing who believed technology should be proven safe before reaching the public — a philosophy that contrasts sharply with Silicon Valley’s “deploy first, fix later” approach.

This conversation asks a critical question:

Who decides how powerful technologies enter society?

Because if we’ve learned anything from social media, it’s this:

By the time we understand the consequences, the technology is already everywhere.

RESOURCES

Moms for Ethical AI:

https://m4eai.com/

Guide for parents talking to kids about AI:

https://www.commonsense.org/system/files/pdf/2025-05/activity-guide-for-parents-talking-to-your-kids-about-ai-5.pdf

Seven tips for talking to kids about generative AI:

https://theconversation.com/seven-tips-for-talking-to-children-and-young-people-about-generative-ai-275718

📌 FOLLOW / SUPPORT

If this episode made you think:

✅ Like

✅ Comment

✅ Share

✅ Subscribe

📱 Find us everywhere: @thepoliticschicks

Substack • Threads • Bluesky • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook

🕯️ Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

💪🤲 We are stronger together.

🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

🎙️ Before launching this podcast, we built our audience on Substack, where we share sharp commentary on politics, culture, and the forces shaping modern life. Now we’re bringing those conversations directly to you—with the same honesty, curiosity, and refusal to accept easy answers.

Here on the podcast, we take those conversations further by sitting down with the people shaping our communities, our politics, and our future.

In this episode, we talk with Trina Swanson, candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s 8th District, who is challenging incumbent Pete Stauber. Trina brings something Washington desperately needs right now: experience in public service, a working-class perspective, and a commitment to integrity over political theater.

Her campaign focuses on affordability, accessible healthcare, strong unions, education, protecting Minnesota’s natural resources, and restoring serious leadership in government.

But this conversation goes beyond campaign talking points. We discuss the deeper issues facing the country right now—the cost of healthcare, the erosion of unions, environmental protection, foreign policy, money in politics, and what real representation should look like in a democracy.

🧑‍💼 Meet Our Guest: Trina Swanson

Trina Swanson grew up in Hermantown, Minnesota, in a working-class family that shaped her commitment to public service.

Her mother worked as a nurse for 42 years, and her father worked as a carpenter and later at a paper mill. Watching her parents work hard while still struggling to keep up with rising costs gave her a firsthand understanding of the economic pressures many families face today.

After attending college and law school in St. Paul, Trina dedicated her adult life to public service.

She spent 25 years working for the U.S. government, including 20 years as a senior official with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Her career included international assignments in Frankfurt, Germany, and Nairobi, Kenya, where she worked on immigration policy, national security, and international cooperation.

Her work required balancing two responsibilities that sit at the heart of immigration policy: upholding American values while protecting national security.

Trina ultimately left government when political interference and ethical concerns made it impossible to continue serving in the way she believed the public deserved. She then launched an immigration law firm with former USCIS colleagues, continuing to advocate for fairness and due process.

Now she’s stepping into a new arena: running for Congress to represent Minnesota’s 8th District.

🎙️ In This Episode

Why Trina Decided to Run for Congress

After 25 years in public service, Trina found herself in a position no public servant wants to face—being pressured toward actions she believed were unethical or unconstitutional.

Rather than compromise her integrity, she chose to leave government.

Watching her district’s current representative consistently fall in line with national political leadership instead of advocating for Minnesotans convinced her that it was time to step forward and run.

Healthcare and the Reality Facing Working Families

Healthcare reform is one of the central pillars of Trina’s campaign.

She shares a deeply personal story about her mother suffering a stroke and losing employer-based health insurance after her FMLA protections expired—forcing her parents to rely on COBRA coverage costing nearly $1,800 per month.

Stories like that are not unusual in America, and Trina believes they highlight a fundamental problem with the system.

Her goals include:

* Fighting for Medicare for All or a single-payer system

* Lowering prescription drug costs

* Breaking up healthcare monopolies through antitrust enforcement

* Ending the dependence on employer-based healthcare

As she puts it, no American should be one medical emergency away from bankruptcy.

The Affordability Crisis

From groceries to housing to education, Trina argues that working families are increasingly being squeezed.

Many Americans now find themselves deciding which bills to pay each month while corporate profits and executive compensation continue to rise.

Her campaign focuses on restoring balance by:

* Strengthening the middle class

* Supporting good-paying jobs

* Ensuring corporations pay their fair share

* Ending tax policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans

Why Unions Matter

Unions played a major role in shaping Trina’s understanding of economic fairness.

Her parents relied on union protections in their careers, and she saw firsthand what happened when those protections disappeared.

Later in her own career at USCIS, she worked closely with unions while managing government offices and saw the role they play in ensuring fair treatment, transparent workplace policies, and stronger wages.

Trina argues that strong unions built the American middle class—and they remain essential to preserving it.

Education as Opportunity

Education is another key focus of her platform.

Whether students pursue four-year degrees, trade schools, or apprenticeship programs, Trina believes post-secondary education should be affordable and accessible.

She sees education as one of the most powerful tools for lifting people out of poverty and creating long-term economic stability.

Protecting the Boundary Waters

One of the most pressing environmental issues in Minnesota’s 8th District is the future of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The region is not only an ecological treasure—it also supports a major tourism economy and countless local small businesses.

Trina strongly opposes efforts to open the area to mining by foreign corporations that would extract minerals, ship them overseas for processing, and potentially leave environmental damage behind.

She argues that Minnesota can support responsible mining while still protecting one of its most treasured landscapes.

A Different Approach to Politics

Throughout the conversation, Trina makes clear that her campaign is not focused on personal attacks.

Instead, she wants to bring politics back to a place where leaders:

* Work with their neighbors

* Listen to opposing viewpoints

* Focus on solutions rather than division

As she puts it, Americans have far more in common than the current political climate would suggest.

Foreign Policy and Global Perspective

Having served abroad, Trina also brings a rare perspective to discussions about foreign policy.

We talk about the growing tensions in Iran, the importance of intelligence agencies, and why dismantling diplomatic expertise can have serious consequences for national security.

Her experience overseas helped her understand how diplomacy, international cooperation, and humanitarian efforts all intersect with America’s strategic interests.

Money in Politics

Another major issue discussed in the episode is the role of money in American elections.

Trina argues that the current system—dominated by PACs, lobbyists, and massive campaign fundraising—creates incentives for politicians to prioritize donors over constituents.

She supports reforms aimed at reducing the influence of money in politics so representatives can focus on the people they were elected to serve.

🌲 Follow Trina Swanson

Learn more about Trina and her campaign at:

TrinaForCongress.com

You can also follow her on:

* Facebook

* Instagram

* Threads

* X

* TikTok

💥 Follow The Politics Chicks

If you’re finding meaning in the stories we share—if something moves you, challenges you, or makes you see the world a little differently—please like, comment, and share.

That simple act helps our work reach more people and helps grow this incredible community.

Follow The Politics Chicks everywhere:

* Substack

* BlueSky

* Threads

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Facebook

✨ Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

And remember:

We’re stronger together.

💙 xoxo Christy & Monica

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode, we’re joined by Erik Espeland—the photographer behind one of the most iconic images to come out of Minnesota’s Operation Metro Surge protests, in the tense days following the murder of Renee Good.. If you’ve seen the photo (you’ve probably seen it), you already know why we needed him on the show.

This conversation is about art as witness, Minnesota as a character, and why being decent is both revolutionary and contagious.

🧑‍🎨 Meet Our Guest: Erik Espeland

Erik is a professional photographer (and longtime creative) who came to photography through a very Minnesota story: family, work, nervous energy, and the need to make meaning out of what’s happening right in front of you.

* Art + graphic design background

* Former Target corporate photo studio experience (learned the craft inside the machine)

* Shoots thousands of images a year—often youth sports, but increasingly current events

* A proud “modest Minnesotan” who still sounds slightly stunned this photo happened

📸 The Photo That Stopped People Cold

Erik walks us through how the iconic image came to be—how it wasn’t staged, how it was instinct and timing and composition and wind.

What made it hit like a lightning bolt:

* The angle (down on one knee, shooting up)

* The moment the flag caught the wind

* The editing choices (colors that pop against a more muted world)

* The subject’s whole presence—pure Minnesota symbolism, including those legendary boots

Erik says when he saw it on his computer, he “kind of stopped breathing.”

Same, buddy. Same.

👤 Who Is “Dan”?

Erik didn’t even meet the man in the photo—Dan—until about two weeks later.

When he finally did:

* Dan hadn’t fully realized he’d become that guy on the internet

* Erik thanked him for being “the face of Minnesota” in that moment

* The image had already gone global—Erik estimates close to 10 million views across countries and continents

And Dan’s response?

Classic Minnesota: “Let’s ride this wave.”

🌲 “Minnesota Nice” Isn’t a Meme—It’s a Force

We talk a lot about how Minnesota has shown up through all of this—how people here don’t just post, they do things.

Erik and Monica both point to something bigger happening:

* Mutual aid

* Protest culture

* The way strangers look out for each other

* A kind of stubborn Midwestern decency that refuses to die

Even when it’s being tested daily.

🎶 Art as Resistance: Signs, Songs, and the “Singing Resistance”

Monica shares a powerful piece of what protest has looked like here:

Minnesota’s choral community and the Singing Resistance—marching, stopping at hotels known to house ICE, and using music as moral confrontation.

Erik reflects on the question we all ask:

Do the people carrying out cruelty feel anything when confronted with beauty?

Or does the job require them to turn the human part off completely?

🧠 Creativity, Guilt, and Trying to Breathe in the Middle of Crisis

Christy talks about the weird guilt creatives feel right now—like making art is somehow indulgent when everything is on fire.

Erik nails it:

* Creativity isn’t a switch you flip

* You have to “defrost” from the world first

* Photography has a different power: it forces presence

And then he adds something huge:

Photography isn’t just images—it’s stories.

People talk to the camera. The camera becomes a doorway.

📈 Going Viral Overnight: “What the Hell Do You Do With That?”

Erik posted the photo on Threads the same night.

By midnight:

* His phone and watch wouldn’t stop vibrating

* Likes were rolling in nonstop

* His followers jumped from ~50 to 32,000 in a week

* He had to change privacy settings, remove family photos, and essentially rebuild his online presence for safety

There’s no handbook for sudden visibility—especially when the moment you captured is politically charged.

🏞️ National Parks, Perspective, and What Travel Teaches Kids

Erik’s also a huge National Parks geek (same, honestly), and we talk about why nature and travel matter—especially now.

* Favorites include Olympic, Yellowstone, Bryce (snow on hoodoos = unreal)

* Their family uses the National Parks passport to plan trips

* Erik has visited around 22 parks, and knows people who’ve hit all 61

And we talk about how travel creates empathy:

Food, culture, conversations—it expands the soul.

Which is exactly why authoritarianism hates it.

🧡 Final Words That Wrecked Us (In the Best Way)

Erik closes with a simple message that is somehow the most radical thing you can say right now:

* Hug someone

* Smile at strangers

* Let people tell their story

* Don’t hold grudges

* It’s not hard to be nice—and it’s contagious as hell

Monica cried.

Christy got misty.

We all needed it.

🔥 Bonus: Minnesota Politics + Doug Chapin

We also touch on the energy around local leadership and why it matters—because the people who actually give a damn don’t just show up on election day.

Local races are the pipeline.

And Minnesota is awake.

📌 FOLLOW / SUPPORT

If this episode moved you, taught you something, or made you see what’s happening here through a new lens:

✅ Like

✅ Comment

✅ Share

✅ Subscribe

It helps more than you know—and it tells the algorithm we’re not doing “both sides” bedtime stories over here.

📱 Find us everywhere: @thepoliticschicks

Substack • YouTube • Threads • Bluesky • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

We are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica

🎙️ In this episode, Christy & Monica sit down with Minnesota CD6 Congressional candidate Doug Chapin — self-described “election geek,” nationally recognized elections expert, and the guy who can explain the machinery of democracy without making your eyes glaze over. Joining him is his partner, Stephanie Tomlinson, a healthcare policy strategist (and Maple Grove Planning Commission member) who brings equal parts heart, grit, and “here’s why local government actually matters.”

This conversation is part civics crash course, part campaign story, and part Minnesota love letter — with a very clear message: democracy doesn’t defend itself.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

👋 Show Summary

Doug Chapin breaks down how elections actually work in the United States (hint: there is no such thing as a “federal election official”), why Republicans’ “election fear” bills are often smoke-and-mirrors, and what policies like the SAVE Act would do to voter access. Stephanie digs into the local pipeline of power — school boards, planning commissions, city councils — and why those elections aren’t “small,” they’re foundational.

They also share what pushed Doug to run for Congress (spoiler: it wasn’t on his bingo card), what “neighborism” looks like during crisis, and how Minnesotans are showing up for one another through the occupation — with courage, joy, and stubborn hope.

👤 Meet Our Guests

Doug Chapin — CD6 Congressional candidate, elections expert, educator, and lifelong democracy nerd (in the best way). Doug has spent nearly 40 years working in elections, democracy, public policy, and law — including work on Capitol Hill, in advocacy, and teaching election administration.

Stephanie Tomlinson — healthcare policy strategist, legislative/regulatory advocacy expert, Maple Grove Planning Commission member, and Doug’s partner in both life and this campaign. Stephanie brings deep knowledge of how systems work — and why local governance is the beating heart of everything.

🗺️ Show Highlights

* Doug’s origin story: decades in elections work…until the moment he realized he needed to defend democracy from the front, not the inside

* Stephanie’s “oh my God, we’re doing this” moment (including the email barrage that gave it away)

* The power of a naturalization ceremony — and the emotional whiplash of watching democracy fray in real time afterward

* What “neighborism” looks like in practice: community protection, volunteer door guards, and restaurants rallying back after ICE raids

* Why elections in the U.S. are a “crazy quilt” — state by state, county by county, sometimes community by community

* The truth about the federal government’s role in elections (and why Trump can’t just “take over”)

* HAVA (Help America Vote Act): what it is, how the funds work, and why Minnesota Republicans’ bill threatening to withhold funds is basically “taking away the presents you already opened”

* The SAVE Act: what “documentary proof of citizenship” would mean in real life for voters and election officials (and why it’s designed to create barriers)

* Why local elections matter more than people realize: school boards, planning commissions, zoning, city councils — and how culture shifts from the ground up

* The detention center issue: why local governments can block them through zoning, permits, and environmental reviews

* Data centers and AI server farms: massive energy, heat, water demands — and why communities like Monticello and Becker are paying attention

* Doug’s closing message: your vote is the most powerful thing you have — protect it, but more importantly, use it

* Stephanie’s closing message: don’t be shy — ask questions, get involved, and show up even when you’re scared

🔗 LINKS + RESOURCES

🌐 Doug Chapin for Congress: chapinforcongress.com

Follow on THREADS: @chapinforcongress INSTAGRAM: @chapinforcongress FACKEBOOK: @dougchapinforcongress BLUESKY: @chapinforcongress.bky.social TIK TOK: @chapinforcongress2026

📌 ACTION ITEMS

✅ If you live in Minnesota CD6: get involved, volunteer, and share Doug’s campaign with friends and neighbors

✅ Pay attention to local elections (school board candidates matter more than you think)

✅ Show up at city council meetings when zoning decisions impact detention centers, data centers, environmental impact, and community safety

✅ Vote. In every election. Not just presidential years.

🐥 FINAL WORD:

This isn’t politics as sport.

This is democracy as infrastructure.

It’s zoning boards and voter registration databases. It’s school boards and city councils. It’s neighbors protecting neighbors because the federal government won’t.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, this episode is your reminder: the most powerful thing in our system is still your vote — and the most powerful thing in your community is still your voice. Use both.

💌 We’d love to hear from you

If you have resources to share, stories from your community, or topics you want us to cover — reach out. This podcast exists because of you.

💌 If this episode moved you, challenged you, or helped you understand what’s happening here — please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know. It gets these stories in front of more eyes, and it grows this community of people who refuse to look away.

📱 Find and follow us on:

Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook

👉 @thepoliticschicks

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

We are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica

📚 Jackie’s Donors Choose Project — Tools for Little Mathematicianshttps://www.donorschoose.org/project/tools-for-little-mathematicians/9919647/

💌 If this conversation moved you, challenged you, or made you see the world differently — please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and expands this growing community.📱 Follow us everywhere: @thepoliticschicks on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.We are always stronger together.— Christy & Monica

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform!

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE: This week’s conversation covers the “podcast that wasn’t” (thanks, copyright police), a stormy in-person lunch in Minnesota, the chaos and charm of banana ball, a protest in Dana Point, and a sweet surprise—custom Politics Chicks cookies from one of our listeners. We also share an update on Finley’s diagnosis and how you can support his family, break down a few What the Cluck?! political moments, and wrap with the everyday joys that give us hope.

💬 We cover:

🍪 Monica’s trip to Minnesota, a stormy lunch with Christy, and a sweet gift from listener Kelly of Cute and Delish—custom Politics Chicks cookies that were as delicious as they were adorable. (Contact Kelly at cuteanddelishbykel.com or cuteanddelishbykel@gmail.com)

🍌 Christy introduces Monica to Banana Ball—a Harlem Globetrotters-style twist on baseball with trick plays, dancing umpires, and nonstop fan interaction.

✊ Monica’s protest in Dana Point along the Pacific Coast Highway—and why showing up still matters.

🎉 An update on the Dahlson Twins and Finley’s diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy—plus how you can help the Dahlsons via their GoFundMe: http://bit.ly/45tSDZu

💣 What the Cluck?!

🚨 We unpack a week’s worth of political absurdity, including:

🗣️ Trump on the White House roof pitching a $200M ballroom and joking about nuclear missiles—while actually stationing nuclear subs near Russia.

🌙 A reality-TV-star-turned-NASA-head pitching a nuclear reactor on the moon—because apparently there’s no problem here on Earth more urgent.

📉 Trump blaming the Bureau of Labor and Statistics for unfavorable jobs numbers and accusing them of election manipulation—despite bipartisan confirmation of its leadership and decades of routine data revisions.

🐥 Peep Cheeps: This week we share three personal joys that have nothing to do with politics:

🎹 Christy learning piano at 55 as a form of mental escape.

🎶 Monica auditioning for the Orange County Women’s Chorus and looking forward to singing with others again.

🌳 Being outside, making art, playing games, and spending time with loved ones—because self-care is political, too.

💡 Hope in the Henhouse:

💙Our big hope this week? Texas Democrats walking out to block an extreme new gerrymandering push ordered up by Trump himself. They’re making it clear this fight is bigger than Texas—it’s about protecting democracy nationwide.

🥊And for once, Democrats in other states are signaling they’re willing to respond in kind, even if it means gerrymandering in blue states to level the playing field.

🙌 Final word? Laughter, joy, and connection aren’t luxuries—they’re tools for resilience. Whether it’s calling out political absurdity, standing up for democracy, or savoring a moment of everyday joy, the way we spend our energy matters.

💌 We would love your input! If you have topics you’d like us to cover, news to share, or a shout-out to give—let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps us get these stories in front of more eyes and keeps growing this incredible community of listeners who care deeply.

📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at The Politics Chicks.

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark. We are always stronger together.

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform!

🌈 This week, we’re honored to welcome Cody and Adam Dahlson to the podcast—a married couple who, less than a year ago, became the proud parents of twins. But their path into parenthood has been anything but easy. From a premature birth and days spent in the NICU to the devastating discovery that both Finnley and Hadley have a rare neurological disorder, their story is one of courage, grit, and the kind of love that shows up, even when the future is uncertain.

In this moving conversation, we talk about: How they met one another and built a life together 💕

* The decision to grow their family and the logistics of parenthood as a same-sex couple 🏳️‍🌈

* What it was like finding out they were having twins 👶🏻👶🏻

* The early arrival and what life in the NICU taught them about fear, strength, and hope 🏥

* Noticing something different with Finnley and the long road to answers 🧠 ❤

* Getting a life-changing diagnosis—for both twins—and what that means going forward 💔

* How they’re turning pain into purpose through advocacy and community 🫂

* The upcoming KAND conference and what they hope to gain and share there 🌟 💡

Learn more about KIF1A-Associated Neurological Disorder (KAND): 🔗 https://www.kif1a.org/

〽️ To support Ronald McDonald House: 🔗http://bit.ly/4lcBJnb

💚 Want to support Cody, Adam, and their twins directly? Donate to their GoFundMe: 🔗 http://bit.ly/4m8TYKL

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform!

🐓This week, we’re bringing you our take on some of the craziness in the world, but also some “Hope in the Henhouse:” reasons to keep hope alive. 🎢 In this episode, we talk about:

🐊 Trump teaching ICE detainees how to Run from Alligators 🙄

😬 Lisa Murkowski's (well deserved) awkward moment after being told she was called a sell-out by Sen. Rand Paul.

🧊 Continued ICE raids around the country and what that looks like: Masked agents with no identification or warrants, including the detainment of a father of 3 US Marines in California

🎤 The Chicks sharing their top three independent journalists 🌞 Some much-needed Hope in the Henhouse, including finding the beauty in everyday life 🖼️🎶🌹, realizing self-fulfillment by serving others 🎁 , and Monica's 30th wedding anniversary 💕.

💌We would love your input! If you have topics you’d like to hear about, news to share, a shout-out to give - please let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps us get these stories in front of more eyes and helps us keep growing this incredible community of listeners who care deeply.

📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

If you are finding value in our work, please consider sharing and subscribing to The Politics Chicks Substack.

We’re truly grateful for the time you spend reading, thinking, and being here. 💙

🎙️ After launching our journey on Substack and hitting our stride with two powerhouse episodes, we’re back—and bringing that same fearless energy to the mic! This week, we’re diving into a topic close to our hearts: the power of the arts in education.

🎭 Our guest this episode is the phenomenal Jennifer Farrell—a high school English teacher, veteran theater director, and all-around arts advocate. Jen just wrapped up her 20th year in public education and shares her insight on everything from teen empathy to theater budgets to deodorant-resistant students. (Yes, really.)

👯 Christy and Monica talk with Jen about how theater provides a safe haven for LGBTQ+ kids, helps students develop emotional intelligence, and gives all children—regardless of background—a chance to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

🌈 We also talk about:

• The importance of funding the arts in public schools 🎨

• How theater builds empathy, confidence, and community 💬

• The magic of crying in the dark with strangers during Dear Evan Hansen or Big Fish 😭

• Why kids need more than just core subjects—they need spaces to belong 🌱 💌

Got a question, comment, or photo to share? Email us at thepoliticschicks@gmail.com.

We might feature it in our weekly Peep Cheeps segment, where we highlight your voices and stories.

👉 Thanks so much for joining us on this journey. Keep showing up. Keep speaking up. And remember: Be kind. Be loud. Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark, and we’re stronger together.

💖 💥 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell so you never miss an episode!

💥 Let’s Stay Connected!

• Substack | The Politics Chicks

• Facebook | The Politics Chicks

• Instagram | The Politics Chicks

• Bluesky | The Politics Chicks

• TikTok | The Politics Chicks

Keywords: Substack • public education • theater education • LGBTQ+ youth • empathy • teacher life • arts funding • social emotional learning • good humans • safe spaces • political podcast • sassy commentary • hopeful dialogue

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform!

✈️ Monica’s back after two weeks in Europe, and she and Christy do a roundup of the past week’s highlights—including the protests shaking up Monica’s adopted home state of California. The Chicks also talk about this weekend's upcoming No KIngs Protests.

🚀 The duo also share their top five regime officials they’d send to Mars (if only!)—and explain exactly why each one made the list. 🌱 We’re also sprinkling in a dose of hope—because even in tough times, we believe change starts with a conversation, and that conversation can lead to real impact.

💌 Got a question, comment, or photo to share? Email us at thepoliticschicks@gmail.com. We might feature it in our weekly Peep Cheeps segment, where we highlight your voices and stories.

👉 Thanks so much for joining us on this journey. Keep shining your light—so we know where to find you—and remember: We are stronger together!

💥 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell so you never miss an episode!

💥 Let's Stay Connected! Substack | @thepoliticschicks Facebook | @thepoliticschicks Instagram | @thepoliticschicks Bluesky | @thepoliticschicks TikTok | @the.politic.chic