What if changing the world doesn’t start with debate . . . but with thread, zines, and a room full of strangers? Sarah and Jennifer talk with Shannon Downey--craftavist, activist, and author--about building community through creativity, slow relationship-building, and neighborhood connections. They unpack why power grows one person at a time, why activism isn’t instant gratification, and how a crafternoon and curiosity can open doors that judgment slams shut. De-radicalize conversations, soften conflict, and keep communities connected—even across political divides. From “I notice, I wonder” to talking with non-Democrats (but maybe not your dad . . . yet), they explore curiosity as a radical activist tool and the antidote to influencer-era certainty.

For more on Shannon, check out badasscrossstitch.com and seriouslybadasswomen.com

For the pod, Blueprint, and more go to beyondresistancepod.com

Purchase Shannon’s book Let’s Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers at all major retailers, but please check out your locally owned and small shops first! (Especially during the corporation Economic Blackout this week!)

#ShannonDowney #Craftavism #Activism #curiosity

Sarah and Jennifer welcome Virginia organizer and campaign worker Jiamie Pyles who is fresh from a cycle of big Democratic wins to talk about how the real magic happens on porches, not pundit panels. They unpack why community-rooted campaigning is the secret sauce behind Virginia’s momentum and reveal which emoji represents the state of politics today. Hint: it's not a smiley face . . .

Find all episodes, Beyond Resistance Blueprint: 5 Steps to Building Blue Power, and more at www.beyondresistancepod.com. Subscribe to our Patreon or donate via Venmo to support our work! Subscribe, like, comment, share!

#organize #virginia #2025Election #2026Election #BlueWave

From Capitol Hill to Crooked Con, Sarah and Jennifer recap their wild trip to DC last week. Jennifer had the chance to fangirl over her favorite podcast hosts (though she's still bummed she missed her parasocial best friend Jon Lovett), Sarah had some tips for how to make Crooked Con even more amazing, and they both agreed that Sarah McBride's Comms Team is the best (and most fun!) group of staffers in DC! Okay, one of the best. (They don't want their friends Shane and Diva in Rep. Rivet's office to get mad!) From highway yoga to Schumer fury, Sarah and Jennifer will keep you on your toes and ready to go!

For more on Beyond Resistance: https://beyondresistancepod.com/

To sign up for info on 2026 Crooked Con: https://www.crookedcon.com/

Note: Sarah and Jennifer expressed concerns that there was not enough focus at Crooked Con concerning on the ground organizing and turning red areas blue (obviously their topic of choice). Though there were discussions on those topics, they felt they were too broad. They would love to see more detailed analysis of organizing and building blue power where they said it couldn't be done. (@podsaveamerica call me!)

It’s a running joke—but also 100% true. The hosts of Beyond Resistance look ahead to the 2026 election, talk timelines, tactics, and why bottom-up change matters most. Expect laughter, lamination, and a healthy dose of hope as they prep for Crooked Con and remind us: democracy isn’t dying—it’s carpooling to DC.

We’re one year out, y’all — and this isn’t the warm-up lap. It’s the race. LFG!

Find the Beyond Resistance Blueprint: 5 Steps to Building Blue Power and the Resistance Tool Belt at www.beyondresistancepod.com

#organize #resist #activism #politics

Sarah and Jennifer sit down with activist coach and author Omkari L. Williams to talk about Microactivism—making change without burning out (or needing a bullhorn) and the importance of every single act of activism no matter the size. They swap stories of teenage revolutionaries, spreadsheet love/hate, joy as a strategy, fancy pajamas, and one guy named Milton with the world’s most powerful sound system. It’s proof that small moves, done with big joy, build the kind of power that lasts.

Find out more about Omkari L. Williams, author of Microactivism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World (Without a Bullhorn): https://www.omkariwilliams.com

Find Jennifer & Sarah's Beyond Resistance Blueprint: 5 Steps to Building Blue Power: https://beyondresistancepod.com/the-blueprint-1

Coming off the high of the No Kings 2.0 rallies, Jennifer and Sarah unpack the contradictions lighting up their comment sections — and dive into Step 2 of the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: how to map and grow community influence intentionally, not accidentally. Then, just when things get too strategic, they take on the ultimate test of patience and precision — how to make the perfect hard-boiled egg.

#shutdown #trending #blueprint #advice

Our hosts celebrate weddings, democracy, and the glorious kazoo as they launch the Beyond Resistance Blueprint, a practical, heart-centered guide for grassroots organizers in red places, and dive into the first step: turning political relationships from “what can you do for me” to “what can we build together.” Come for the inspiration, stay for the receipts, charts, real tactical guidance, and contagious optimism.

the Blueprint: https://beyondresistancepod.com/the-blueprint-1

#bluepower #voteblue2026 #localgovernment #organize #standup #getinvolved

This week, Sarah and Jennifer are fired up — and Congresswoman Haley Stevens is here to help channel that heat into real power.

The episode kicks off with the hosts unpacking the week’s whiplash: ICE raids in Chicago, political hypocrisy that’s reached Olympic levels, and the growing impossibility of knowing what’s true in a fractured media landscape. But instead of despair, they pivot to determination — because staying mad isn’t enough.

Enter Rep. Haley Stevens, who knows a thing or two about flipping red to blue and building power where others said it couldn’t be done. In a candid, energizing conversation, she joins Sarah and Jennifer to talk about:

What it takes to win — and govern — in districts once written off as unwinnable.

How Democrats can reclaim the ground game from the local level up.

The balance between righteous outrage and strategic persistence.

This episode blends raw honesty, political savvy, and a reminder that resistance isn’t just about protest — it’s about power, people, and persistence.

Bottom line: If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your fury into fuel, Haley Stevens has the blueprint.

@RepHaleyStevens

#USSenate #Election2026

This week, Sarah and Jennifer get fired up on everything from Broadway bangers to breaking the “Midland is forever red” myth. Inspired by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Hamilton, and Suffs, they dig into why progress is “possible but not guaranteed” and how planting imperfect seeds locally can flip whole regions. Also on deck: the absurdity of Democrats banking on being the “least hated” party, the heartbreak of normalizing gun violence headcounts, and some nerdy-but-glorious charts proving Midland is no longer the GOP’s playground. It’s data, drama, and a dash of show tunes—aka, the Beyond Resistance vibe.

@podsaveamerica @hysteriapodcast @ivehaditpodcast

#localpolitics #organize #BlueShift #RedShift

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer roll without a guest but bring plenty of fire—spilling about their upcoming trip to Crooked Con, boldly pitching themselves to Crooked Media (because why not shoot your shot?), and reflecting on the power of truly knowing your community when building blue power in red places. They share the high-energy vibes from a recent Tuscola Dems meeting, swap notes on messaging that actually resonates, and remind listeners that local voices matter more than cookie-cutter scripts from national HQ. Oh—and they close out debating one horse-sized duck versus 100 duck-sized horses. Democracy, but make it weird.

@podsaveamerica