"Cave Operatur," Solidarity Forever!

To open the new year Caroline and Steve talk with writer/actor/activist Michael Cavadias, organizer for Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in New York. In the wide ranging discussion the gang talks about the history of socialism in America, the resurgence of organized socialism and the political gains made in the last election by DSA and what they plan for the future.

From the Couch to the Streets; Birth of an Activist the Year in Review...

In the year-end podcast, Caroline and Steve review the year and talk about all the people they've met along the way. What they learn is the common trait of all the people they've met; a concern not for themselves but for their community! Happy New Year to all our listeners, and we are so excited to continue the journey and bring you the most inspiring people in the Resistance!

Be Careful When You Tell a Joke You Don't Become the Punchline!

When Atlantic County Freeholder John Carman posted a meme demeaning women to his Facebook page on the eve of the Women's March at best he thought he'd give a few of his friends a laugh. The thought that the beginning of the end of his political career started when he hit the "Post" button never entered his mind, but when this week's guest, Ashley Bennett, didn't like the response from her Freeholder she decided to run for his office, the first political campaign she ever attempted... With the help of family and friends and a clear set of issues the concerned her community, she persisted all the way to an electoral victory! Angst & Daisies is so grateful the Freeholder-elect took time out of her schedule to tell us her story, she inspired us, and we hope she will inspire you as well!

Sometimes You Have to Take a Moment to Party Like It's 1999!

In the wake of decisive victories for Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, Caroline and Steve take a moment to enjoy the fruits of the hard work of the Resistance! We recap wins in seats that flipped from Republican to Democrat, as well as gains made by people who identify as Socialists, and cheer for the first transgender woman elected to the Virginia House of Delegates! We end the show with a couple of suggestions about what you can do after the final balloon drops because after this party ends the work continues! We aren't over by a long shot!

Report from the Women's Convention: When in Doubt Kick Him in the Nuts!

In this episode Friend of the Cast, Suzi Dietz, reports on what she learned in the recent Women's Convention in Detroit. Caroline and Steve talk to Suzi about the conferences, topics, and strategies she attended at the first Wome's Convention organized by the Women's March. It always seems to come back to the same thing... Think globally, act locally!

Take Back Cheapside!

It is our great honor to speak with DeBraun Thomas, one of the founders of the citizen action group Take Back Cheapside of Lexington, KY. After years of activism, dialogue, protest and political lobbying a group of active citizens got the City of Lexington, KY to remove two confederate statutes that stood for 100 years. Their story is an inspiration to every person working to make change in their community; we know they inspire us!

"Preciosa"

One month after Hurricane Maria ripped through the island of Puerto Rico Caroline and Steve get an on the ground report about what is really happening! Our friends get a phone report from Sofia Gallisá Muriente, co-director of Beta-Local, an art cooperative based in Old San Juan. Sofia has been actively working both everyday relief as well as coordinating assistance to the many artists who call the island home. Applying the vast experience from her tireless work she did in the Rockaways in New York as part of Occupy Sandy, she gives an insight that is both realistic and optimistic! Finally, she gives us direction on where and how we can help!

Viva Las Vegas; Please Don’t Shoot the Daisies

In the wake of the massacre of 58 people at a Las Vegas music festival Caroline and Steve spend this episode discussing the the history and current state of gun laws in America. While we always try to keep the cast about what you can do in your community, this episode finds Steve in an out of control rant (or two) about the inability of this nation to face what really needs to be done to ensure we don’t wake up to another instance of mass murder. The episode ends with a plea for help for the people of Puerto Rico who have largely been ignored by the government judged by the response on the ground on the island. We’re getting greater and greater every day!

"Birth of an Activist"

Caroline and Steve join Rise and Resist’s demonstration against the racism inherent in the Trump Administration at New York’s Grand Central Station. This is Caroline’s first political demonstration and she is impressed with RaR’s organization and commitment to keeping order as well as one Trump supporter’s tenacity at stalking and attempting (unsuccessfully) to provoke the crowd. Along the way we speak to commuters and reporters and Caroline even gets interviewed for French TV! When it’s all said and done Caroline realizes how empowering and sometimes scary the whole experience was for her!

Political Therapy With Bob Davison

When Steve's anger and hostility towards Trump voting Harvey and Irma victims becomes more than Caroline can tolerate our friends head out to get some political therapy with Bob Davison the Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris County. Bob’s a licensed therapist who’s self professed progressive pragmatism ends up being the perfect salve for the psychic wounds our friends are feeling! Breathe everyone!

Music in this episode:
Matt Duncan - "The Keys" https://mattduncan.bandcamp.com/track/the-keys

milf - "Angst and Daisies" & "Certain People Shouldn't Lie"

Stephen Trask and Peter Yanowitz - "Travis Breathe Reprise"