Firestarters with Shannon Watts

Michael D. Tubbs is running to be California’s next lieutenant governor to build a California future that sets the example for how government can work for everyone. He was Stockton’s first African-American mayor in 2016, and the youngest mayor of any major city at the age of 26. Under his leadership, Stockton saw a decline in homicides and officer involved shootings, as well as record low unemployment rates. Michael is also the Special Advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility; the Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income; and the Founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC).

In this conversation, we discussed how the desire to reduce gun violence inspired Michael to get involved in politics, what it was like to be the mayor of a struggling city, how government CAN work if leaders are willing to try something new, and why it’s so important to vote in California’s crowded primary.

Connect with Michael: Website | Instagram | Facebook

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

Pia Dandiya is running for U.S. Congress in Florida’s 22nd District. A former public school teacher, high school principal, and White House Fellow, she has dedicated her career to expanding opportunity for working families through education and economic mobility. Born and raised in the district she now seeks to represent, Pia previously worked on workforce and economic policy at the White House Domestic Policy Council and later led public sector initiatives at Apple. She currently lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband and son.

In this conversation, we discussed the specific moment that inspired Pia to run for Congress, why Florida isn’t a “lost cause” in terms of red vs. blue, what it’s like being a female candidate knocking on doors and talking to voters in Florida, the issues that are close to voters’ hearts in Florida, and why education is a big priority for Pia.

Connect with Pia: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

Rachel Janfaza is the founder of The Up and Up, a research, media, and strategy firm focused on Gen Z. A member of Generation Z herself, Janfaza is best known for her theory of The Two Gen Zs. Her written work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, etc. And her on-air analysis has been featured on MSNOW, CNN, CBS, C-SPAN, and more.

In this conversation, we discussed what the theory of the two Gen Zs actually is, the different lived experiences of the pre- and post-COVID era for Gen Z, the political differences between the two factions, how extremes on the political spectrum have led Gen Z to a larger desire for independent candidates, and how they are leading the analog revival movement.

Connect with Rachel: Website | Instagram | Substack

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

Heather Haggarty is an attorney, mom, and now organizer. After Trump was elected in 2016, she realized that voting was not enough, and began to volunteer with grassroots organizations and campaigns. In October 2024, after watching traditional get-out-the-vote strategies fail with young voters, she and her Gen-Z daughter launched Donuts + Democracy.

In this conversation, we discussed how Donuts + Democracy came to be, why it’s so important to reach and educate young voters, how low voter turnout in young people isn’t necessarily about apathy but frustration, and what advice Heather would give to women who have an idea but are unsure where to start.

Connect with Heather: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

Matt Mahan is the Democratic Mayor of San José and a candidate for Governor, running to get California back to basics by lowering costs, ending unsheltered homelessness, improving public safety, and expanding economic opportunity. Elected to the San José City Council in 2020 and as Mayor in 2022, Mahan has focused on accountability and outcomes. Under his leadership, San José has reduced unsheltered homelessness, expanded shelter capacity, streamlined housing development, and strengthened public safety. Re-elected in 2024 with nearly 90% of the vote, he is now running for Governor to bring a results-driven, back-to-basics approach to state government.

In this conversation, we discussed what motivated Matt to run for governor, how he plans to reduce gun violence throughout the state of California, his plans to protect children from the harmful effects of social media and AI, fixing the issues in California’s educational system, the realities of being a dad and husband and running for office, and more.

Connect with Matt: Website | Instagram | Facebook

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

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. 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. And she also made history as the first woman to receive federal approval to spend campaign funds on childcare.

In this conversation, we discussed what motivated Liuba to get into politics, the biggest structural barriers moms encounter when they decide to run for office, how moms bring a different lived experience to policymaking, and how moms can get more involved in local politics and beyond.

Connect with Liuba: Website | Instagram | Substack

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

Atima Omara is a nationally recognized award-winning political strategist, leader, writer, speaker, and advocate who’s worked in progressive electoral politics and issue advocacy for the last two decades. She’s also the author of the brand new book, The Instigators: How Black Women Have Been Essential to American Democracy (And What We Can Learn from Them).

In this conversation, we discussed Atima’s book and what inspired her to write it, the writing process as a first-time author, the challenges Black women face when running for office, and how we can best support Black women’s campaigns.

Connect with Atima: Buy the Book | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

Rep. Gwen Moore was elected to represent Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional District in 2004, making her the first African American elected to Congress from the State of Wisconsin. With over 40 years of public service, she has been at the forefront of some of our nation’s most significant legislative achievements and has gained the reputation of a fearless advocate for women and children.

In this conversation, we discussed what women, in particular, need to know about the SAVE Act, Rep. Moore’s responses to Republicans who say that the SAVE Act is just a voter ID bill, how Trump’s policies on immigration affect abuse survivors, and what Democrats in power are doing to stop the SAVE Act.

Connect with Rep. Gwen Moore: Instagram | Website

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

lauren harper is the legislative director for the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Gun Violence and grassroots organizer dedicated to tackling the root causes of gun violence in Illinois. Dr. Anthony Douglas II, MD MPH, is a surgical resident at the University of Chicago and the founder of the nation’s first Surgical Advocacy Fellowship.

In this conversation, we discussed what brought them both into the gun violence prevention advocacy and policy space, why grassroots activism is so important especially when it comes to gun laws, what the RIFL Act is and who it helps, and why shifting the costs of firearm injury back to firearm manufacturers will help reduce gun violence overall.

How to get involved and support the RIFL Act: Instagram | Website | Donate

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.

Nourbese Flint is the President of All* Above All and All* In Action Fund, leading All* Above All’s work to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color. Prior to coming to All* Above All, she was the Senior Director of Black Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she worked on the strategic partnership to strengthen Planned Parenthood’s relationships within existing racial justice, reproductive justice, Black serving and civil rights organizations. Nourbese is a founding member of Trust Black Women, a national coalition dedicated to increasing respect and support of Black Women, and is one of the founding members of the Black Women’s Democratic Club.

In this conversation, we discussed why reproductive control is a core tool of fascism, the ways in which the current administration is attacking abortion access, the impact of reproductive control on women and especially black and brown women, and how we can fight back and advocate for abortion and reproductive justice.

Connect with Nourbese: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

If you’re looking to unleash your potential, find your personal, professional, or political fire, and to connect with a community who is doing the same, click here to learn more.