Ever wonder why Halloween and election season overlap every single year? Spoiler alert: it's not a coincidence, and both involve way too much door-knocking and people losing their minds.

In this spooky special episode of Momarchy, we're diving into the intersection of Halloween, motherhood, and the original cancel culture: the Salem Witch Trials. Because nothing says "happy Halloween" quite like realizing that being accused of witchcraft in 1692 was basically what happens now when you have an opinion on the internet.

We're talking about the pressure to create Pinterest-perfect Halloween memories, how political campaigns have ruined this holiday for anyone who's ever worked on a race, and why the Salem Witch Trials were just mass gaslighting with deadly consequences. Plus, Love is Blind drama, king-size candy bars, and why being called a witch really just meant you were a woman who refused to stay quiet.

We Discuss:

00:24 - Election Day reminder: November 4th is one week away

01:43 - Love is Blind finale predictions and the Nick/Annie breakup we all saw coming

02:07 - Joe and Madison's cringy Mexico pool party moment that made us all uncomfortable

04:12 - Halloween as a mom: First-timer nerves vs. fourth Halloween wisdom

08:24 - Family themed costumes: Worth the effort or just added pressure?

17:36 - That time Tanya threw up from exhaustion (not drinking) on Halloween 2016 in Colorado Springs

22:01 - Does social media make Halloween worse? The crafty mom pressure is real (or is it?)

27:24 - The Salem Witch Trials deep dive begins: The OG gaslighting campaign

34:02 - How the Salem Witch Trials mirror Democratic Party infighting today

36:09 - The opposite of hate is indifference: When fear keeps people silent

37:21 - It only takes ONE person in power to start a witch hunt (literally)

38:34 - JD Vance, toxic churches, and "boys will be boys" responses to racism

45:52 - Being a witch just means being too powerful for your time

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to rebuild a political party that's lost its way? In this raw and unfiltered episode of Momarchy, we sit down with Amanda Litman, whose organization Run for Something has recruited thousands of young people to run for local office.

We dive into the backlash Amanda faced after posting about vaccinating her daughter, what the Make America Healthy Again movement is really about, and why the Democratic Party's resistance to generational change is costing us elections. We also discuss "responsible authenticity" and why being yourself in politics doesn't mean saying everything you think.

Amanda Litman is the founder and president of Run for Something, author of "When We're in Charge," and a proud mom of two who lives in Brooklyn. She's a former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer who decided the best way to fight back after 2016 was to recruit the next generation of leaders.

We Discuss:

02:32 - Taylor Swift's new album: Our favorite songs and guilty pleasures

06:28 - Pardon My Politics: The unfiltered segment begins

06:41 - The vaccine post that went viral: Death threats, CPS reports, and millions of views

10:16 - Breaking down the Make America Healthy Again movement and its dangers

14:17 - Why young moms are particularly vulnerable to health misinformation

18:35 - The power of economic boycotts and why they brought Kimmel back

19:10 - Responsible authenticity in leadership: Being your best self, not your real self

21:34 - Why American politics refuses to pass the torch to younger leaders

27:13 - Navigating anti-Semitism and safety concerns within the Democratic Party

38:10 - How to run for office when you feel disillusioned with your own party

39:17 - Resources for moms who want to run: Free trainings, asynchronous learning, and support

44:20 - DGAF Mom Version: The one thing Amanda doesn't give a fuck about

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Find more from Amanda Litman:

Website: https://www.amandalitman.com/

Instagram: @amandalitm

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever feel like your Instagram feed is personally attacking your wallet with "must-have" mom products while your toddler is perfectly content playing with a cardboard box? Welcome to the wonderful world of parenting product hype, where marketing genius meets mom guilt and your bank account cries in the corner.

In this episode of Momarchy, we're breaking down the viral trends that promise to revolutionize your mom life (spoiler: most won't). From $600 air styling tools to collectible creatures that look like they crawled out of a nightmare, we're calling BS on what's worth your precious time, energy, and money.

Plus, we share the unfiltered truth about mom friendships, postpartum bodies, and why we're all just winging it while covered in someone else's bodily fluids.

We Discuss:

04:09 - Lululemon belt bags: The millennial mom fanny pack we're not ashamed to love

09:05 - The Hatch sound machine WiFi nightmare (just give us white noise!)

10:43 - Peloton: From pandemic purchase to actual lifesaver for garage workouts

12:56 - HelloFresh vs. Little Spoon: When meal kits save your sanity

16:03 - WTF are Labubu figures and why are they haunting our Instagram feeds?

17:36 - Toddler towers: The "beep beep" that changed everything

21:38 - Rapid fire confessions: From snot-wiping to accidental f-bombs

30:16 - Why "sleeping in" until 8am is now considered a luxury vacation

35:10 - "Vacations" that require spreadsheets and still end in tears

37:20 - Mom friendships: When you know their kid's poop schedule but not their last name

42:26 - Holiday magic (and why Halloween witches might traumatize your baby)

45:28 - The postpartum body plot twist that hit like a freight train

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to hold onto hope and humanity during the darkest of times? In this deeply moving episode of Momarchy, we sit down with Liz Hirsh Naftali, whose family was forever changed on October 7th when her great-niece Abigail, just three years old, was taken hostage after witnessing her parents' murder.

We dive into how Liz spent 51 days fighting to bring Abigail home, and now continues to advocate for all hostages still in captivity. We also discuss the practical ways any parent can apply her approach to having better conversations across differences and finding hope during overwhelming times.

Liz Hirsh Naftali is the creator of the Capital Coffee Connection podcast, a commercial real estate entrepreneur, and author of "Saving Abigail." She's worked with leaders across the political spectrum, from progressive Democrats to conservative Republicans, proving that our shared humanity is stronger than our political differences.

We Discuss:

00:03 - Rapid fire questions: from New York walks to Broadway pump-up music

06:17 - What "home" means in motherhood and why that matters now

10:36 - The crisis in the Middle East: a brief but essential context

16:27 - Living through a family's nightmare: when Abigail was taken

21:16 - How motherhood becomes a superpower during crisis

28:52 - Building unlikely alliances: working with politicians you disagree with

33:12 - Why we have to move beyond "choosing sides"

37:44 - Teaching resilience: how Abigail is thriving in first grade

42:30 - The role of women and mothers in times of crisis

48:12 - Finding what connects us instead of what divides us

51:38 - Practical advice: how to have better conversations with people you disagree with

54:43 - What keeps you showing up when everything feels hopeless

55:43 - The power of local action and everyday kindness

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Find more from Liz Hirsh Naftali:

Website: https://www.lizhirshnaftali.com/about-liz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when federal policy changes land squarely on the doorstep of local government? In this episode of Momarchy, we sit down with Julie Duran-Mullica, Adams County Commissioner and mom of three, to break down the recent Medicaid changes that are about to impact millions of families across the country.

We explore what these policy shifts actually mean in plain English, why your county commissioner might be more important than you think, and how extreme politics at every level is making it harder to have basic conversations about healthcare. Julie also explains why reaching out to your local officials really does make a difference.

Julie Duran-Mullica has spent years in public health and local leadership as an Adams County Commissioner. She's a fierce advocate for affordable housing, childcare, and community safety who believes in the power of regional partnerships and storytelling to drive policy change.

We Discuss:

00:59 - Rapid fire questions: from bookworm kid to Taylor Swift campaign songs

07:38 - What a county commissioner actually does (and why it matters)

11:35 - Breaking down the Medicaid changes in mom-speak

14:30 - New work requirements and what they mean for families

16:47 - How these changes affect pregnant women and new moms

18:40 - What families should do right now to prepare

20:35 - How extreme politics led us to cutting healthcare for millions

23:22 - Your first step to getting politically involved (hint: it starts with coffee)

28:46 - Success stories of community members creating real change

33:11 - Ask a Millennial Mom: Hair rules, screen time balance, and TikTok parenting hacks

45:13 - Finding positivity and ways to help in your own community

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Find more from Julie Duran Mullica:

Website: https://www.juliemullica.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever feel like you're living in an alternate reality where up is down and facts are opinions? Welcome to the wonderful world of political gaslighting, where truth goes to die and confusion reigns supreme.

In this episode of Momarchy, we break down the psychological manipulation tactics that have become standard operating procedure in American politics. From outright denial of documented events to flooding the airwaves with conflicting information until we're too exhausted to search for truth, we're calling out the strategies designed to make you doubt your own judgment.

We also discuss why this is especially dangerous for parents making critical decisions about vaccines, education, and safety, how social media amplifies the gaslighting machine, and why both parties (yes, both) use these tactics to avoid accountability.

Plus, we debut our new segment "I Love My Husband But" because sometimes therapy comes in the form of complaining about coffee thermoses.

We Discuss:

03:46 - The basic definition of gaslighting and why toddlers are natural experts

07:58 - How "fake news" became the ultimate deflection tool

12:02 - Rewriting history in real time: from hurricane maps drawn in Sharpie to museum exhibits being erased

18:01 - The emotional manipulation of mom influencers spreading vaccine misinformation

27:19 - How the 2020 election denial continues to gaslight voters (even though Trump won in 2024)

32:16 - The propaganda machine: from White House Instagram to news outlets twisting the same story

35:04 - Why we stopped watching MSNBC and the problem with echo chambers

40:28 - Protecting yourself and your kids: media literacy, fact-checking, and trusting your gut

47:23 - How to spot manipulation in everything from political ads to beauty product influencers

48:34 - I Love My Husband But: Andrew Huberman's revolutionary "non-sleep deep rest" (aka meditation) and the curse of the impossible coffee thermos.

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week feels impossible. In just one day, Charlie Kirk is assassinated on a Utah campus and Evergreen High School in Colorado becomes the latest site of another school shooting, minutes from where we live. We're angry, exhausted, and heartbroken, but as moms we can't look away.

Gun violence is now the number one killer of kids in America, yet threats against elected officials, school board members, journalists, and parents like us are treated as background noise. In this bonus episode, we sit with the grief and rage of raising children under lockdown drills, and we talk openly about the hypocrisy of leaders who value guns over kids.

We also share the small but powerful ways moms can fight back. Heavy doesn't mean hopeless. Our kids don't have time for us to wait, and together we can hold our grief and take action at the same time.

What's Discussed:

(00:01) When the Headlines Hit Home: Processing a Week of Tragedy

(07:42) Threats, Fear, and the New Normal of Political Violence (12:33) From Campaign Offices to Our Living Rooms: Violence Gets Personal

(21:53) Lockdown Drills for Preschoolers: The Reality of Raising Kids Now

(29:59) Why Common-Sense Gun Laws Keep Stalling in America

(33:57) Sandy Hook, Columbine, Evergreen: How Much More Can We Take?

(41:55) Five Ways Moms Can Push Back Against Gun Violence

(47:42) Heavy Doesn't Mean Hopeless: Building Courage and Community

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to break your "give a shit meter" in your thirties? In this episode of Momarchy, we talk with Kat De Shields-Moon, a gaming industry veteran who went from getting fired by her own mom at 14 to navigating the boys' club of video games for over a decade.

We dive into how the gaming world mirrors politics in all the worst ways, why having kids in a "good old boys club" felt impossible until she found the right workplace culture, and how the Robb Elementary shooting changed everything about how she views politics as a mom.

Kat De Shields-Moon has spent 14 years in the gaming industry, starting as a games journalist and working across corporate marketing. She's a mom of two who's passionate about creating positive spaces in male-dominated industries and believes in judging people by their humanity rather than their political labels.

We Discuss:

01:44 - Getting fired by her oncologist mom at 14

08:34 - Why her "give-a-shit meter" broke in her thirties

16:27 - How Robb Elementary changed her political perspective

18:55 - Living in a "volumocracy" where loudest voices win

24:47 - Breaking up with friends over political differences

28:55 - Finding balance by unplugging from news cycles

47:45 - Ask a Millennial Mom: Rules they ignore

53:37 - Admitting you don't like your kids sometimes

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Find more from Kat De Shields Moon:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekdsm/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever been told a job is "family-friendly" only to discover that means absolutely nothing when your kid gets sick on the day of your big presentation?

In this episode of Momarchy, we break down the harsh reality of what "flexible" work actually looks like for moms. From mandatory happy hours that conflict with bedtime routines to the unspoken expectation that you'll work nights and weekends to prove your "commitment," we're calling out the systems that set working mothers up to fail.

We also discuss the impossible juggle of being the "default parent", why taking six weeks of maternity leave felt like career suicide, and how the lack of real family leave policies in America forces impossible choices on working parents.

We even dive into our current comfort watches (Team Conrad forever) and the DGAF mom moments that keep us sane in this beautiful chaos.

We Discuss:

02:04 - Shout-outs to our amazing listeners and that one troll who told us to shut up and eat Taco Bell (honestly, sounds like a perfect day)

07:10 - Why we're grateful for Team Moxie Media and hitting #39 in political podcasts

08:22 - Colorado's special session and how Trump's "big beautiful bill" is screwing over families

16:46 - The Summer I Turned Pretty hot takes: Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah debate

24:11 - Sick kid chaos and the reality of "flexible" work when you're the default parent

27:19 - Why COVID changed everything about remote work (but not really)

32:16 - Sarah's story: Six weeks maternity leave during a governor's race

35:04 - Why women have to be the ones to change workplace culture

40:28 - The motherhood penalty vs. the fatherhood bonus

44:02 - America's embarrassingly bad family leave policies compared to literally everywhere else

47:23 - Why "just have grandparents help" isn't a real childcare solution

48:34 - DGAF Mom Moments: Pants-free grocery store runs and full Buzz Lightyear costume school days

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to cast a crucial vote with a four-week-old baby in your arms? In this episode of Momarchy, we sit down with U.S. Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, who made national headlines when she flew across the country with her newborn to vote against a Republican budget bill.

We discuss the reality of being one of only 14 women to give birth while serving in Congress, why antiquated rules still prevent new parents from doing their jobs, and what it's like to prove yourself professionally while being a new mother. Plus, Brittany gets real about how motherhood has changed her perspective on what's at stake for America's families.

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen represents Colorado's 7th Congressional District and previously served 10 years in the Colorado state legislature. She's become a fierce advocate for expanding opportunities for families and children while fighting to modernize Congressional rules for new parents.

We Discuss:

02:19 - Rapid fire: Coffee vs. wine and guilty pleasure naps

08:58 - Flying with a four-week-old to cast a crucial vote

14:37 - The bipartisan fight to modernize Congress for working parents

18:56 - Being visibly pregnant in the halls of power

22:45 - Her advice for moms choosing between ambition and motherhood

25:10 - Pardon My Politics: What scares her most about raising kids in America right now

31:02 - Finding hope when half the country voted for "a supervillain"

36:14 - What's wrong with the Democratic Party and why we're losing women

40:23 - Decaf Mom: Screen time reality checks and travel sacrifices

46:32 - What her pre-baby self would be shocked about now

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypod

Email: [email protected]

Find more from U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen:

Website: https://pettersen.house.gov/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reppettersen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.