ShiftMakers

Host Marianne Schnall takes a historical look at the feminist trailblazers and political milestones that helped advance women and chart the course to this pivotal moment. As we approach the 2024 election and the possibility of electing our first woman president seems closer than ever, this episode pulls from Marianne's new and archival interviews to share insights and stories from women who helped pave the way, including quotes from Carol Moseley Braun, Nancy Pelosi, Madeleine Albright, Pat Schroeder, Barbara Lee, Gloria Steinem, Kirsten Gillibrand, Nicholas Kristof, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Cecile Richards, Kimberly Peeler-Allen, Glynda Carr, Melissa Etheridge, and Maya Angelou. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Marianne Schnall speaks with political and voting rights activist María Teresa Kumar, founder and president of Voto Latino, the largest Latinx voter registration and advocacy organization in the country. Kumar has many insights to offer on the upcoming election, including what it would mean to elect our first woman and woman of color president (2:28), what the drivers are for Latino voters (12:51), the roles traditional media and social media are playing (7:40), her take on the status of women in this moment (10:06), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who is the highest-ranking Black woman appointed to Democratic Leadership and has served in Congress for over 25 years, talks with host Marianne Schnall about the upcoming election, sharing what she imagines her mentor Shirley Chisholm would feel about this moment where we have a woman of color on the ballot for president (6:31), what doors that would open up for women and girls (3:37), why having Black women’s perspectives in leadership is so important (8:35), what we can do to get more women and diversity into politics (11:45), her call to action (14:30), what she wants to be remembered for (18:58) and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this powerful conversation with host Marianne Schnall, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, U.S. House of Representative for Texas’ 30th district and co-chair of the Harris-Walz campaign, shares her perspectives and wisdom on a number of timely topics related to the upcoming election and beyond, including: what it would mean to elect our first woman and woman of color president (3:15); what’s at stake for women in this election (10:28 & 27:23); why it’s so important for everyone to make their voices heard by voting (12:05); advice and encouragement for women interested in running for office (18:22); the importance of diversity in leadership (17:18 & 22:00); the significance of Black women’s political power from the past and heading into the future (23.36); and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this introductory episode of our special election series, host Marianne Schnall shares how her young daughter’s question, “Why haven’t we ever had a woman president?” led to Schnall interviewing some of today’s most respected voices on women’s leadership for her 2013 book What Will It Take to Make a Woman President? Now, with Kamala Harris’ run making the themes around electing a woman president more timely than ever, listen to insights from Anita Hill (10:19), Gloria Steinem (11:32), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (8:45), and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof (9:40) on the importance of having more representation and diversity, Kirsten Gillibrand (12:22) and Cecile Richards (13:00) on protecting women’s rights, Nancy Pelosi (22:41) and President Jimmy Carter (6:42) on the need for more women in Washington, and many other voices and topics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recognizing that we cannot achieve gender equality without also advancing racial equality, host Marianne Schnall has devoted this episode to looking at the intersection of gender and race and exploring how we can move the needle on both. Beginning with archival wisdom from her interviews with Black women thought leaders —Anita Hill, Maya Angelou, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and others—who offer their perspectives on both anti-Black racism specifically, as well as equality for all marginalized communities, Schnall then shares her conversation with esteemed civil rights activist and law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw who discusses two key terms she coined, “intersectionality” (14:10) and Critical Race Theory (18:14), the importance of uplifting Black women’s stories (25:50), her calls to action for creating a more equal world (28:30), and much more. For more information about Marianne Schnall, please visit MarianneSchnall.com  For more information about Kimberlé Crenshaw and her work, visit aapf.org For more information about Tandem please visit tandemequality.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to host Marianne Schnall’s full conversation about advancing racial justice with civil rights activist and law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw. Crenshaw discusses the #SayHerName movement (3:35) and book (9:24)—which she created with the African American Policy Forum to uplift the often invisible names and stories of Black women and girls who have been subject to racialized police violence—the origins, meaning, and importance of two terms she coined, “intersectionality” (22:55) and Critical Race Theory (27:19), what support Black women leaders need (33:39), her visions for a more equal world (31:25), and much more. For more information about Marianne Schnall, please visit MarianneSchnall.com  For more information about Kimberlé Crenshaw and her work, visit aapf.org For more information about Tandem please visit tandemequality.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, listeners can hear Marianne's full conversation with award-winning singer/songwriter Natalie Merchant. In their poignant, in-depth conversation they discuss the power of art and music not only as vehicles for personal expression and healing but also as means to help inspire others and create unity and community. Merchant talks about her latest album Keep Your Courage, including her new song “Sister Tilly” (5:00), how she uses her music as a platform to amplify activism and uplift social causes, (20:53) her evolution as an artist (27:42), her hopes for what her music can bring to the world (33:43), and much more. To learn more about Natalie Merchant's activism and body of work including her new album Keep Your Courage and her touring schedule please visit: nataliemerchant.com For more information about Marianne Schnall, please visit MarianneSchnall.com  For more information about Tandem, please visit tandemequality.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this first episode of our season devoted to creating a gender-equal world, Marianne Schnall explores how new paradigms of power and leadership could help us achieve equality. Beginning with wisdom from her archives of conversations with Gloria Steinem, Ai-Jen Poo, Jane Fonda, Stacey Abrams, Barbara Lee, Anita Hill, Wangari Maathai, and Elizabeth Lesser, Marianne then speaks with special guest activist, educator, and leader in social justice Brittany Packnett Cunningham who shares her insights on an abundant view of power (10:38), differences in leadership across gender identities (16:54), her own personal leadership style (16:51), how to accelerate change (22:32), and what support Black women need (24:21).   For more information about Marianne Schnall, please visit MarianneSchnall.com  For more information about Tandem, please visit tandemequality.org To learn more about Brittany’s work, please visit BrittanyPacknett.com. To watch Brittany’s viral Ted Talk, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode features Marianne Schnall’s full conversation with lifelong activist, educator, and leader in social justice Brittany Packnett Cunningham Brittany Packnett Cunningham. Brittany—the VP of Social Impact at BET, an NBC News and MSNBC Political Analyst, and host of the new and justice podcast UNDISTRACTED—shares her powerful insights on a broad range of topics, including why we need to view power as an abundant resource, the importance of authenticity and integrity in leadership, her hopes for an equal world where all genders and races have the “freedom to dream,” and much more.  For more information about Marianne Schnall, please visit MarianneSchnall.com  For more information about Tandem, please visit tandemequality.org To learn more about Brittany’s work, please visit BrittanyPacknett.com. To watch Brittany’s viral Ted Talk, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Marianne Schnall continues a season-long exploration of visions for a gender-equal world by delving into the power of artistic expression and its potential to create meaningful change. Beginning with wisdom from her archives, Marianne shares insights from Melissa Etheridge, Maya Angelou, Amy Poehler, and several other renowned women artists. Marianne then shares highlights from a recent conversation she had with award-winning singer/songwriter Natalie Merchant, followed by a conversation with singer Teneia Sanders and drummer/comedian Rita Brent. Listeners will hear insights on how art can help shift culture and raise awareness about important social issues (10:51), turn pain into power (27:00), and unify humanity (12:50). To learn more about Natalie Merchant's activism and body of work including her new album Keep Your Courage and her touring schedule please visit: nataliemerchant.com The song “Our Rebellious Hearts” releases on March 29th, and to watch the documentary short film Our Rebellious Hearts, featuring Teneia and Rita and made in partnership with Tandem, Click Here. (23:45).  For more information on Teneia Sanders please visit www.teneia.com  For more information on Rita Brent please visit www.ritabrent.com To listen to Teneia's album Black Empress (27:57) For more information about Marianne Schnall, please visit MarianneSchnall.com  For more information about Tandem, please visit tandemequality.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part two of this conversation with Elizabeth Lesser, bestselling author, speaker, and co-founder of the Omega Institute, she discusses with host Marianne Schnall the connection she sees in our inner world and outer world (1:30), the greatest lesson she has learned through her years at Omega Institute (4:37), her thoughts on the evolution of humanity’s consciousness (7:34), the powerful life metaphor she finds in childbirth (12:42), her advice on embracing change instead of resisting it and the paradigm shift she hopes to see in the world (22:14). Podcast Art by Kyle Hollingsworth - kyle-creative.com Additional Resources: Elizabeth Lesser Omega Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part one of this two-part conversation with Elizabeth Lesser, bestselling author, speaker, and co-founder of the Omega Institute, she shares with host Marianne Schnall how she uses historical reflection to gain perspective on the current challenges we face (4:52) and the origins of her popular book Broken Open about growing through hard times (11:56). She then elaborates on her recent book, Cassandra Speaks: When Women Are the Storytellers, the Human Story Changes (14:06), about how our history, belief systems and world could be transformed if we honor women’s voices, stories and perspectives. She also offers listeners one of her favorite personal meditations for standing strong without creating harm (30:40). *This episode contains explicit language Additional Resources: Elizabeth Lesser Omega Institute Podcast Art by Kyle Hollingsworth - kyle-creative.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Madeleine Albright was internationally admired for her confidence, intellect, and sharp wit. She had an inexhaustible ability to connect on the deepest human levels. To celebrate the life and legacy of this history-maker who recently passed away from cancer, host Marianne Schnall reflects on and shares her 2010 interview with Secretary Albright. In this never-before-aired audio, Albright talks about her relatable approach to diplomacy (6:23), her advice to women (11:17), the source of her energy (15:03) and much more. Additional Resources: Conversation with Madeleine Albright by Marianne Schnall Podcast Art by Kyle Hollingsworth - kyle-creative.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In honor of Women's History Month and Gloria Steinem's 88th birthday this week, host Marianne Schnall shares a collection of essential, timeless wisdom from her mentor and friend the activist, author, and feminist icon Gloria Steinem. This episode features recordings from interviews with Gloria in 2006, 2012, and 2016 on topics ranging from the present state and future of feminism (2:40), the prospect of a female president (11:45), and the power of community (15:14). Additional guests include Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Sylvia Earle, Anita Hill, Justin Baldoni, and Elizabeth Lesser who share what Gloria's iconic phrase "We Are Linked, Not Ranked" means to them (18:11). Additional Resources: Gloria Steinem online We Are Linked Not Ranked website for bracelets that were created by Gloria Steinem to benefit the work of Feminist.com, a thriving online community and hub of feminist voices. The bracelets were designed in partnership with Yoko Ono and the Maiden Nation Imagine Project. We Are Linked Not Ranked Podcast Art by Kyle Hollingsworth - kyle-creative.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices