A Fresh Story

In this conversation, Olivia speaks with Liuba Grechen Shirley, founder of Vote Mama, about the importance of having mothers in political positions. They discuss Liuba's journey as a political mom, the challenges faced by women running for office, and the structural barriers that need to be addressed to empower more women to participate in politics. Vote Mama aims to support and endorse women candidates, particularly mothers, to create a more inclusive political landscape. The conversation emphasizes the need for policy changes that reflect the realities of motherhood and the importance of community support for women in politics.

Liuba Grechen Shirley is the Founder and CEO of Vote Mama, an interconnected trio of organizations dedicated to electing mothers, transforming the political system, and advancing family-friendly policies. These organizations include Vote Mama PAC, the nation’s first Political Action Committee focused on electing Democratic moms across the ballot; Vote Mama Foundation, the leading source of research and analysis on the political participation of mothers in the United States; and Vote Mama Lobby, which collaborates with elected officials from both parties to support policies that benefit families and children. These organizations aim to elect mothers, transform the political system, dismantle barriers for mothers running for office, normalize candidacies of mothers with young children, and promote family-friendly legislation.

Liuba's career highlights include her historic congressional campaign for New York’s 2nd District, where she achieved the highest vote share of any Democrat against the incumbent in 25 years and raised over $2 million without corporate PAC money. She made history as the first woman to receive federal approval to spend campaign funds on childcare. Previously she worked in international development in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, with a focus on women’s economic empowerment. Liuba has been recognized as one of Long Island’s 100 Most Powerful People and has been featured in major media outlets like CNN, The Today Show, and TIME Magazine. Her academic background includes an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and a BA in Politics and Russian from NYU. Liuba resides on Long Island with her husband and three children.

Check out Vote Mama: https://www.votemamapac.org/

Vote Mama on Instagram

Liuba Grechen Shirley on Instagram

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Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear

Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

Episode trigger warning for anti-semitism and abusive language.

On August 7th, 2024, Olivia tweeted: "Can my husband find out who I am voting for in the Presidential Election?" We've been getting this question a lot, so we rounded up some helpful facts.” This one tweet became a national conversation, and a lot of people had a lot of things to say about it. Olivia and Jenny sat down to talk about how the tweet came to be, the backlash from the tweet, and why it’s incredibly important to keep reminding women that their vote is their vote. So, can my husband find out who I voted for? We wanted to make sure this answer was clear - and we appreciate the response from The Washington Post, NPR, Salon, Elle, Buzzfeed, Octavia Spencer, Jodie Sweeten, Christine Lakin, and many more.

In this episode, you will hear voice actors reading tweets - all of these tweets were publicly tweeted, from public accounts, and we do not reveal anyone’s twitter handle. We wanted to share the full story of the feedback of this conversation, and many, many first hand accounts of people attempting to silence women’s voices and votes.

We specifically want to thank the following people for reading the tweets for this episode: Josh, Lisa, Marissa, Melissa, Alex Frankel, Becky Schwarz, Bridget Cosgrove, Brooke Forry, Chelsea Long, Cheryl Searing, Christine Gritmon, Dawn Montgomery, Jake Sanders, Joseph Azam, Lynn Swayze, Matthew Searing, Meg St-Esprit, Molly Jenson, Nikka Kowidge, Rachel Bell, Richard Dedor, Jackson Searing, Harry Dreizen, Lis Dreizen

For more info, head to: http://votewithoutfear.com or call 888-291-3027 (English) and 866-675-1561 (Spanish)

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Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear

Elizabeth almost died of an ectopic pregnancy. The only reason she survived? Because she was is in New York. In this conversation, Olivia and Elizabeth discuss the critical state of women's health in America, focusing on Elizabeth's personal experiences with ectopic pregnancies and the emotional and physical challenges that accompany them. They explore the lack of adequate healthcare and aftercare for women, the trauma associated with such experiences, and the importance of sharing stories to foster understanding and support among women. Elizabeth emphasizes the need for better communication and care in women's health, advocating for a more compassionate approach to healthcare that addresses both physical and emotional needs.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear

In this episode, Olivia chats with IBMA award winning musician Jim Hurst about the evolving political landscape in the United States since 2016. Jim reflects on his experiences as a musician in Nashville, noting how COVID-19 has shaped political conversations among his peers. They dive into the challenges of navigating political discourse in a polarized environment and explore the importance of maintaining open dialogue, even when opinions differ. Throughout the conversation, Jim emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and fair representation in political discussions.

Jim and Olivia also explore the influence of media on shaping political views, the role entertainers play in expressing their political beliefs, and the critical importance of voting for the future. Jim reflects on his upbringing and shares personal stories, expressing concern over issues like the treatment of women and minorities in the workplace. The discussion touches on how misinformation can influence public opinion and highlights the need for musicians to stay engaged in political discourse despite potential backlash.

The episode concludes on a lighter note, with Jim sharing his love for food and family, reminding listeners of the simple joys in life. He encourages community involvement and helping others, tying these values back to the larger conversation on politics, empathy, and understanding in today’s world.

You can learn more about Jim Hurst on his website: https://jimhurst.com/

Check out Jim Hurst’s newest single, One More Lonesome Train here!

Make sure to follow Jim Hurst on Facebook too: https://www.facebook.com/JimHurstMusicPage

Mentioned in this episode:

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear

Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

We chatted with Meecham Whitson Meriweather, a culture writer, screenwriter, and soon-to-be author whose work has been featured in outlets like Vulture, New York Magazine, Men’s Health, and more. Meecham shares his journey from studying architecture to becoming a prominent voice in pop culture, diving into topics like the evolving nature of modern dating, the impact of celebrity relationships on public perception, and the importance of representation in media. He also discusses how his early writing experiences helped shape his career and the importance of storytelling in influencing society.

Meecham reflects on the cultural shifts in how we view celebrities, noting that society often owes apologies to women who have been unfairly treated in the spotlight. He emphasizes the need for diverse stories in media, while also acknowledging the growing portrayal of anti-heroes and how this influences our perception of character in film and television. The conversation also touches on the impact of influential media from childhood, the art of self-care, and how culinary experiences can be part of that practice.

Meecham shares his thoughts on upcoming projects and how they represent fresh starts and new opportunities. He offers insights into embracing individuality, encouraging listeners to be okay with "cringe" moments, and highlights the importance of both representation and self-care in navigating today’s pop culture landscape.

Meecham Whitson Meriweather is a culture writer, screenwriter and forthcoming author whose work has appeared in Vulture, New York Mag, Men’s Health, InStyle and more—you’ve no doubt seen his tweets if you don’t have him blocked—and he currently writes the pop culture newsletter Now That I Mention It on Substack.

You can follow Meech on Twitter: https://x.com/MediumSizeMeech

Read his Substack here: https://meechammeriweather.substack.com/

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Join the Fresh Starts Collective!

Whether you're an ambitious entrepreneur, a dedicated student, a heads down writer or simply striving to achieve your professional goals, the Fresh Starts Collective is here for you. We believe that surrounding yourself with a supportive community can be the key to unlocking your full potential. The Fresh Starts Collective offers daily community gathering - whether it’s VirtualCo-Working and Body Doubling, Open Office Hours or Accountability Hour - community support and growth, networking opportunities and access to marketing, design and writing professionals to bounce ideas off of, pick the brains of or crowd source some ideas. The Fresh Starts Collective is $35/month.

Fresh Starts Collective

Become a Fresh Starts Expert!

What is the Fresh Starts Expert Membership?

Fresh Starts Expert Membership

*this is not legal advice, but we wanted to share some general information

Early voting is a great choice for a number of reasons - given the extended nature of early voting the lines are usually shorter and voting becomes an easy, fast activity that fits into your schedule. Additionally, if you can vote on an alternate day (early) it relieves the polls on day of voting, meaning people who can only vote on election day will be met with shorter lines and poll workers will have a less stressful, rushed day - leading to improved poll worker performance. Early voting is also shown to increase voter turn out, as populations who might not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day are given the opportunity to participate in person voting at dates and times they are available.

Further, early voting allows campaign funds to be allocated to more necessary resources. Once you are marked as having voted, campaigns are more likely to remove you from door knocking and phone lists— this also allows the volunteers to focus on those voters who might benefit more from the outreach.

Check out your early voting options HERE: https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/early-in-person-voting

More information here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-ifi-want-to-vote-early

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear

What if I make a mistake on my ballot?

*this is not legal advice, but we wanted to share some general information

In person voting with a paper ballot: If you make a mistake on your ballot you can and should totally ask for a new ballot! Do NOT try to cross out or cover up the mistake, just pop over to the poll worker and let them know you made a mistake and need a new ballot.

In person voting on an electronic voting booth: You do not need to vote quickly, take a breath and make sure your selections are what you meant to chose. If for some reason the machine is not able to select what you’d like or acting funny — pop out and find a poll worker!

Absentee or mail in ballots: If you were sent a PDF to print out of your ballot, rip up the mistake (in tiny pieces!) and print it off again. If you were sent a paper ballot in the mail, call your local election board ASAP.

Most importantly, we want to encourage you to vote intentionally and without rushing — there is no reason to rush through this process, take a breath and take a moment to make sure you’re filling out your ballot correctly.

More information here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-ifi-make-a-mistake-on-my-ballot

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear

Kids can totally come vote with you and come into the booth with you until they are 18! Some states DO have some restrictions around how many children you can bring into the booth with you, so contact your local board of elections if you need to bring more than 1 child in the voting booth with you. Talk to your child about who you are voting for and why you vote. Voting is an exceptionally important part of our democratic system, talk about this in an age appropriate way with you little voter! And if you get a sticker for voting at your polling location, let them wear it!

Learn more here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-ifi-have-my-kid-with-me-while-voting

Mentioned in this episode:

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear

Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

Practice run, baby! If you’re a nervous parker or get anxious about going to new locations, do a practice run! You might be limited on time on election day, so go take a quiet Saturday and go scope out the site. Polling locations are often public spaces like schools, community centers or fire houses— look up your polling site, grab a coffee and check it out. Map a few parking spots, clock the entrances, even time how long it will take you to get there - from your home, work, your kids school or day care. I promise, it will make you feel better.

Learn more here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-ifim-anxious-about-finding-my-polling-location

Mentioned in this episode:

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear

Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

What if I don’t know if I need identification to vote?

Voter ID laws vary [wildly] state to state. Luckily the government has made this handy table with ID laws for each state. Some states need no ID, some states require any government issued ID and some you can even use a utility bill. If you DO need your ID make sure it is current and not expired. Make sure you know where your ID is and it’s ready to accompany you to the polls.

Learn more here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/blog/what-ifi-dont-know-if-i-need-id-to-vote

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn More About Vote Without Fear

It's no secret our right to vote is the foundation of our American democracy, but sometimes the process can feel overwhelming or unsafe. That’s where Vote Without Fear comes in. Whether you're voting for the first time or the tenth, this platform has everything you need to feel confident and informed—from where to vote, how to vote safely, and what to expect at the polls. Voting is your voice, and with *Vote Without Fear*, you can use it without hesitation. Visit votewithoutfear.com today and take the first step toward secure, empowered voting. Remember, it’s your vote, and you deserve to vote without fear.

Vote Without Fear

Are you ready to vote?

Are you ready to use your vote? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, *Vote Without Fear* is here to help you feel prepared and safe every step of the way. From understanding how to vote securely, to knowing where your nearest polling location is, this platform has all the information you need. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—your voice matters. Head to votewithoutfear.com and make sure you're ready to vote with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, it’s your vote and you deserve to Vote Without Fear. That’s VoteWithoutFear.com

Vote Without Fear