Chop Wood Carry Water with Jessica Craven

Jessica Craven is a mom, veteran activist, and the author of daily actions email “Chop Wood, Carry Water.” She's also the creator of both "Activism 101" and "Democracy 101," free workshops that have activated and engaged thousands of new-to-politics Americans. Jessica's also a TikTok creator who explains civics and activism in easy-to-understand one-minute videos. She's committed to teaching all Americans how to use their voices to strengthen and shape our democracy. You can learn more about her at https://beacons.page/jesscraven101

Virtue Consists in Action

Jess talks evergreen family mottoes, WTF with the ERA, and why the Build Back Better Plan means taxing Jeff Bezon more effectively (definitely text SIGN PIRAME to 50409!) Sign up for the newsletter at bit.ly/jesspage.

10-19
22:32

Spend Your Vote Wisely

Jess talks great new CA legislation, her hatred of leaf-blowers, AT&T’s crush on facscism, and the TP that’s killing our planet. Find out more about all of it at bit.ly/jesspage!

10-12
26:10

Wait a Minute, Mr. Postman!

Jess's computer display dies moments before taping, leading to an all-from-memory discussion of great new CA legislation, signs of COVID hope, what's wrong at the USPS, and Vote Forward's new data dump on the Big Send! Your Resistbot codes for this week are: text SIGN PZQZPE to 50409 and text SIGN PAQYGH to 50409.

10-05
20:55

Courage First!

Jess talks about the overlap between politics and spirituality, China’s move away from coal, EPA’s move towards cleaner refrigerants, vaccine equity, good moves by Democratic state legislatures, bad moves by corporate Congressional Democrats, drug prices, and oh wow, Virginia!!

09-28
25:35

Dream of A Better Country

Jess talks about the Recall victory (!!), Biden’s modified filibuster stance, victories in North Carolina, Colorado and New York, the Build Back Better Plan (which *would* be way better,) lower drug prices, why you should text SIGN PCKYTS to 50409, and the Freedom to Vote Act. Also, cynicism is not your friend.

09-21
23:39

Activism and the Mom Fail

Jess talks the dangers of “hyper-activism," good news for Bristol Bay, bad news for chasing-arrow abusers, VACCINE MANDATES!, the joys of canvassing, and stickers for choice!

09-14
23:06

Some Small Part

Jess talks activist overload (or “large horizon” syndrome), the *$#*^& RECALL, Frances Perkins and the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, the Child Tax Credit, local politics (and why they're national), and the Texas Abortion Ban.

09-09
23:24

Make It Happen

Jessica offers an inspiring quote from R. Hubbell, celebrates good news from Virginia, California, and New York — Marsha P. Johnson!-- talks about SCOTUS and why pushing for court expansion matters, and encourages you to take the #NoOffYears stance.

08-30
24:34

Do activism. Not vice versa.

Jess talks about chlorpyrifos, Scott Pruitt, Georgia’s “miraculous" voter registration numbers, North Carolina’s voter enfranchisement decision, and FINALLY FDA approval! She dives into the CA recall and its “confusing ballot syndrome,” and reminds you how you can help (https://tinyurl.com/howtostoptherecall). Finally, let's lend a hand to the #shutdownberks coalition! Here’s your doc o’ the day: tinyurl.com/berksdoc.

08-24
26:06

They work for you!

Yikes. A stressful week! Jess finds things to be grateful for, talks about the courts (the courts the courts!), reminds us that elections have consequences, gives an update on voting rights, nudges us about Resistbot, and gives us the low-down on saving the USPS. Also? Be a boss! Go to a Town Hall!

08-17
21:41

Hope is an axe, hon.

Jess talks Rebecca Solnit, hope in tough times, the evils of Amazon, leveraging the IPCC report, Infrastructure deal-o-rama, and supporting the Warrior Met strikers in Alabama.

08-10
23:57

Purgatory Edition

Jess talks about the Hyde Amendment, LeBron James, paternity leave for Congressmen, wild horses, Line 3 Pipeline, and the looming eviction crisis. Plus, the perspective gained from “Four Lost Cities."

08-03
24:05

False Evidence Appearing Real

Chopping wood and carrying water through this week’s ups and downs, Jess talks about the Cleveland Guardians, Louise Erdrich, a strike resolved at Frito Lay, the GQP recall election in California, and Brett GODDAMN Kavanaugh. Again.

07-27
24:53

Texas Dems Bring It

Jess celebrates the Child Tax Credit, cheaper insulin, vanished Confederate statues, and a rare gesture of decency from ICE. She also explains an easy way to help reduce child poverty in the US, why the Texas Democrats are heroes, and how you can continue to help get voting rights legislation passed in Congress. Plus a reminder of how uniquely capable YOU are of making a difference.

07-15
24:38

Feel the Brnovich

Jessica talks about the many good things that happened last week—including Rudy’s likely disbarment, the Trump Org's indictment, a pause on federal executions, and more—and gives us a couple of quick opportunities to take action around voting rights and a racial justice travesty unfolding in Louisiana.

07-03
22:19

Water Your Democracy!

Jess talks about Juneteenth, the ACA, what real racial justice looks like, the midterms (again!) and what this week’s call to your Senator should sound like.

06-22
15:54

Use Your Dash Well

Jessica talks Lyndon Johnson and the Voting Rights Act, where we’re at with Joe Manchin, and what’s next with the For the People Act. Plus Trump gets reversed—a lot--and Stacey Abrams needs a favor.

06-15
26:32

Bitter to Have Loved

Jess covers victories in rooftop solar, healthcare, carceral justice, and on Facebook, then tackles Joe Manchin…again, and tells you how to help pass a bill preventing sexual assault in the military. Plus, a quick meditation on loving a dysfunctional country.

06-08
25:31

Take to the Oars

Jessica has thoughts—and some nautical metaphors--on Congress’s stalemate, the filibuster, and why each of us needs to start rowing hard, now. Also, a bad environmental bill in California and lots of good gratitude.

06-02
24:09

Step On the Train

Jess talks Heather Cox Richardson talking Frederick Douglass, shares gratitude for progressive victories last week, revisits the abortion question—do you know where YOUR state stands?—the importance of down ballot races (yes, again), what we mean by “call your reps,” SCOTUS’s thin skin,

05-24
24:24

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