Firestarters with Shannon Watts

Juliana Stratton is the Lt. Governor of Illinois and a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Juliana is also a mom, a caregiver, a Chicago South Sider, and a fighter for the people of Illinois. Alongside Governor JB Pritzker, she’s spent the last decade working to make life more affordable and expand opportunities for the middle class, and now she’s ready to bring that blueprint to Washington.In this conversation, we discussed Juliana’s political journey and why she decided to run for Senate, why it’s imperative to stand up to Donald Trump and his administration, why she feels so strongly about not accepting corporate PAC money for her campaign, how she’s focused on making life more affordable for everyone, and why it’s so important and significant to elect Black women in the Senate. Connect with Juliana: Website | Instagram | FacebookFor 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

Oona Metz is a Boston-based psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience supporting women through the emotional, psychological, and identity shifts of divorce. She is also a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Group Psychotherapist, and her practice is focused on individual adults and group therapy. She specializes in working with women+ who are in transition. She is also the author of Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide For Women, about how women can navigate the emotional side of divorce and emerge stronger, more confident, and ready to thrive.In this conversation, we discussed the struggles women face in the midst of divorce, how to reduce shame and stigma and feelings of isolation around divorce, what “gray divorce” is and why it’s on the rise, and the five stages of divorce grief. Connect with Oona: Website | Instagram | Facebook | IndeedFor 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

Dr. Maria Sophocles is a board-certified OB/GYN and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. She is a nationally recognized thought leader in menopause and female sexual function, and a frequent panelist and speaker for women’s health advocacy, investment, and policy. She is also the author of The Bedroom Gap: Rewrite the Rules and Roles of Sex in Mid Life (available on February 10th), which offers a roadmap for midlife women, couples, clinicians and anyone wanting to understand – and change – how we age, sexually speaking.In this conversation, we discussed why sex ed in schools needs to be revamped, how menopause can impact your sex life (and how to talk to your partner and doctor about it!), how resources like hormone replacement therapy and vaginal estrogen can help women in menopause, and we dispelled myths about sex and aging. Connect with Maria: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | TED Talk In case you missed it, read my essay on why women in midlife are having the best sex of their lives.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

Thank you Marcus Flowers, Lisa Schreiber NBC-HWC, Author, Maximilian Hardy, dcdiversity, Caroline Pompizzi, and many others for tuning into my live video with Daniel Biss! Join me for my next live video in the app. 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

Jennifer Wallace is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author who explores the power of mattering in everyday life. Her first book, Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic — And What We Can Do About It, was a New York Times Bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of the Year, and a Next Big Idea selection. Her forthcoming book Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose, will be published on January 27th. Jennifer is also the founder of The Mattering Institute, whose mission is to create cultures of mattering in workplaces and communities.In this conversation, we discussed how people in today’s society no longer feel valued, why mattering is an essential human need, the distinction between belonging and mattering, and tips on how to help people (and ourselves!) feel like they matter. Connect with Jennifer: Website | Instagram | LinkedInFor 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

Mikala Jamison is an award-winning journalist, the creator of the bestselling Body Type newsletter, and a health and culture writer for outlets like The Atlantic and The Washington Post. She has worked as a certified group fitness instructor and trained as a competitive powerlifter, and also created the body-image focused live storytelling show, The Body Show. In this conversation, we discussed her experience with a binge eating disorder, the power of strength training, and how to get help for the people in your life who are struggling with body image.Connect with Mikala: Substack | InstagramFor 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

Malynda Hale is a multi-hyphenate content creator, award-winning actress, and singer based in Los Angeles who uses her voice and platform to drive meaningful conversations around activism, justice, and human rights through digital media and storytelling. During our conversation, Malynda and I discuss her spiritual journey, how activism and faith can go hand in hand, and how she handles the blowback she gets for attempting nuance online. Malynda also tells us about The New Evangelicals, her new nonprofit focused on confronting Christian nationalism and redefining Christian activism.Connect with Malynda: Website | Instagram | SubstackFor 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

Society often telegraphs that there is just one way to experience grief, but widow, cancer survivor, and author Lisa Keefauver wants us to know that grief can and should be allowed to be experienced in multiple ways. During our conversation, Lisa shared some of the insights from her book, “Grief is a Sneaky B***h: An Uncensored Guide to Navigating Loss,” including something she refers to as “the grief time warp,” how to handle “grief thieves,” and how to break the isolation often felt by grievers in a culture obsessed with productivity.Connect with Lisa: Buy the Book | Instagram | Substack | PodcastFor 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

We’ve been talking about imposter syndrome, specifically in the workplace, this week. I was grateful to talk with Dr. Amy Diehl and Leanne Dzubinski, the co-authors of “Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work.” Together, they share with us the six gender bias barriers and how they are affecting women every single day across all industries, as well as how these systems, built for and by men, are holding women back.After watching the replay, be sure to check out the other pieces in this series:* Why women feel like imposters in spaces that value masculine traits* Five women who are the first in their male-dominated fieldsJoin us on Friday to round out this series and share your experiences with imposter syndrome in the workplace.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

Soraya Chemaly is an award-winning writer, activist, and director known for her influential work on feminism, gender justice, and women’s rights. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger (2018), which explores how women are socialized to suppress anger and the transformative potential of channeling that emotion constructively. Her work in examining issues ranging from gender-based violence and online harassment to media representation and institutional sexism has resulted in her latest book, “All We Want Is Everything: How We Dismantle Male Supremacy,” an unflinching analysis of how naming male supremacy—in everything from private relationships to global politics—is essential to resisting the forces threatening democracy.Connect with Soraya: Website | Substack | Instagram | Buy the BookFor 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

Katherine Clark, the highest-ranking woman in Congress, has made supporting American families a cornerstone of her congressional career. From championing policies like universal childcare to supporting paid family leave to providing affordable healthcare, Democratic Whip Clark is dedicated to creating policy that will ease the financial burdens and daily challenges facing people across the country. In this conversation, we talk about the suffering caused by the six-week Republican government shutdown, including a pause in SNAP payments, increased insurance premiums, and shuttered child care facilities. We also discuss the status of the shutdown, and what every-day Americans can do to make Republicans come to the negotiating table.Connect with Whip Clark: Website | InstagramFor 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

In her new biography, Lorissa Rinehart delivers the first-ever detailed account of the life of Jeannette Rankin, the first American woman to serve in Congress. “Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become the First Woman in Congress” shows how Rankin’s determination, moral conviction, and savvy ultimately resulted in a cultural and political seismic shift in the US.Connect with Lorissa: Buy the Book | Substack | Website | InstagramFor 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

I had the great opportunity to chat with Jessica Mackler, president of EMILYs List. EMILY’s List has been working for 40 years to elect Democratic, pro-choice women up and down the ballot all over the country. They’ve elected more than 1,800 women in the time that they’ve been doing this work. These elections are more important than ever. Tune in to learn how YOU can get involved in getting more women into office.Connect with EMILYs List: Instagram | Important LinksFor 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

Today I had the great honor of talking with Joanna Schroeder, co-author of the book “Talk To Your Boys: 16 Conversations to Help Tweens and Teens Grow into Confident, Caring Young Men.” In our current climate, this conversation and this book is more important than ever. Take some time to watch the replay of our conversation above.Connect with Joanna: Buy the Book | Instagram | SubstackFor 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

Check out my conversation with Jennifer Gerson, a reporter for The 19th News and point person for the new organization’s new newsletter about all things perimenopause and menopause. Jen and I dove into many of the medical, cultural and generational aspects of middle age during our Substack Live. Watch the replay above and follow The 19th to sure you have all the information you need to live a long and healthy life.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

“Your job isn’t what makes you interesting, your hobby is.”- Karen WalrondCheck out my conversation with the delightful Karen Walrond, author of the brand new book In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur. For her book, Karen tried out seven new hobbies — everything from pottery to surfing to piano playing — to show readers how to do the same. She even provides a list of over 200 hobbies others might want to try — all in the interest of tuning out, tapping into ourselves, and finding joy. Connect with Karen: Buy the Book | Substack | InstagramFor 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

I loved getting to talk with Anna Gifty, an award-winning researcher and writer and doctoral student at Harvard Kennedy School studying public policy and economics. We discuss her new book, The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid, which offers a critical analysis of systemic economic inequities and insights into why it's disproportionately expensive to be a woman—especially a woman of color—in contemporary America.Anna and I discuss about why women—especially women of color—are undervalued in the American economy, and how their experience foreshadows what’s in store for all women. Please watch the replay of our conversation, grab a copy of Anna’s book, and check out her tour dates at annagifty.comConnect with Anna: Buy the book | InstagramFor 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

Please check out the replay of my conversation with Rebecca Minor, LICSW about her new book Raising Trans Kids, the essential guide for parents, families, and educators committed to creating a world where transgender and nonbinary youth can thrive. With compassionate insights, evidence-based research, and practical advice, this groundbreaking book provides the clarity and reassurance needed to navigate the complex journey of raising trans and gender-expansive children.Rebecca and I discuss why it’s so important for parents and caregivers (including educators!) to read her book, the encouragement she would give to the parents who are scared for their children, and the myths and misperceptions surrounding transgender children. At a time when trans youth face unprecedented legislative attacks and alarming mental health challenges, Raising Trans Kids is more than a guide—it’s a lifeline. By addressing fears and misconceptions, it helps families move past uncertainty and fear into pride, joy, and unconditional love for their child’s authentic self.I encourage you to buy extra copies of Raising Trans Kids to share in your communities or donate to help get the book into the hands of those who need it most. Teachers, school social workers, and librarians can email programs@littlereadersbigchange.org for copies while supplies last.And, be sure you’re following Rebecca Minor, LICSW: Newsletter | Website | InstagramFor 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

(I write at length about many of these ideas in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week and get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)Check out my conversation with Stacy London, host of Prime Video show Wear Whatever the F You Want and mid-life advocate. Our conversation ranged from the importance of empowering women as they experience menopause and aging, concerns around hormone regulations, how to figure out what comes after 50 and beyond, and the concept of joy porn.Be sure you’re following Stacy on Substack and hit play to watch our conversation above.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

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)Check out my conversation with Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OBGYN and menopause expert. Our conversation ranged from the importance of understanding your health, the flawed study that lead a generation of women to believe HRT was dangerous, the prescription of HRT and the recent hearing on the black box warning labels, as well as the legacy we hope to leave in the world.Please enjoy this conversation and be sure you’re following Dr. Shepherd on Instagram.Join me on my book tour! Get more information and tickets at firedupbook.comFor 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