Today we were honored to be joined by Karine Jean-Pierre! She’s the current White House Press Secretary, and she’s the first Black and the first openly LGBTQ person to hold that position. She chatted with us about reproductive rights, what it’s been like to break so many glass ceilings, and the wins (so many wins!) from the Biden-Harris administration that we can share with our friends. We also dreamed up a collab between Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Tracy Chapman - just manifesting that into the universe!

After that, Jasmine, Rachel and Amanda raise a glass to being inspired by our families and to finally learning how to cook rice (we’re proud of you, Amanda!) in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

This is our last episode before we take a little spring break, but don’t worry, there will still be new episodes in your Suburban Women Problem podcast feed! We’re launching Season 2 of our investigative series The Cost of Extremism on Wednesday February 28th. We’ll be covering crisis pregnancy centers, the radicalization of young white men, the “crunchy yoga mom to far-right pipeline,” and more. Be sure to tune in every Wednesday!

And don’t forget to sign up for our Substack newsletter! It’s free and we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We know from both statistics and personal stories that representation matters. Whether it’s people of color, LGBTQ folks, or young women running for office, it’s crucial to our democracy that everyone’s voice is heard. And fighting for our values doesn’t mean we don’t "go high when they go low," it means we fight disinformation and fear with facts and love. One place you can fight disinformation is around the myth that people often regret transitioning; this week we referenced the largest study of trans people to date, which showed that 94% of people were more satisfied with their life.

This week, Amanda got the chance to sit down with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. At 35, she’s the youngest member of Democratic House leadership, and she’s bringing a perspective that some of her older male colleagues might not think about: the importance of childcare, the privacy of our reproductive data, how to bridge generations, and more.

Finally, Jasmine, Rachel and Amanda raise a glass to the Super Bowl halftime show, Girl Scouts, and to celebrating happy milestones in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

We invite you to join us this Thursday for a virtual Ask Me Anything event about the facts and myths on trans sports policies. We’ll be joined by Anya Marino of the National Women's Law Center. You can learn more and RSVP here.

And don’t forget to sign up for our Substack newsletter! It’s free and we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Lately there’s been a surge of attacks on diversity - affirmative action was overturned by the Supreme Court, Harvard president Claudine Gay was forced out of her seat with people calling her “a diversity hire,” and anti-DEI bills are popping up all over the country.

So this week, as we start Black History Month, we’re talking about attacks on diversity programs. We got the chance to chat with Sophia Danner-Okotie, a small business owner in Atlanta, to talk about how difficult it is to get business loans as a Black woman. And now one of the firms that invested in her, The Fearless Fund, is under legal attack. Women of color already receive only 1% of venture capital funding, and extremists like Edward Blum are trying to take that tiny percentage away.

Finally, Jasmine, Rachel, and Amanda raise a glass to Sojourner Truth and to women uplifting each other in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

We invite you to join us next Tuesday for a virtual Ask Me Anything event where we’ll talk about the suburbs with a panel of Black moms. We’ll dig into attacks on DEI and affirmative action, the glass cliff, and the 2024 elections. You can learn more and RSVP here.

And don’t forget to sign up for our Substack newsletter! It’s free and we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We’re only a month into 2024 but we already know that this November, our democracy depends on everyone coming together- all ages, all races, all genders. And just like other recent elections, we know we especially need young people to join in the fight. So this week, we’re talking to a young woman who uprooted her life in 2022 and started traveling around Texas in a van, registering voters.

Tayhlor Coleman shares how the events of January 6th inspired her to add voter registration to her “van life” and how difficult her home state of Texas makes it for people to vote. She also talks about what kinds of conversations she’s been having with voters out on the road and she and our hosts agree that the best way to convince people that their vote matters is to start with local elections. Voting is a habit and making a difference in elections like city council and school board can inspire people to continue making their voices heard.

Jasmine wasn’t able to join us this week because she was stuck on the GA House floor debating a bill that Republicans are trying to use to remove Fani Willis. We missed her but we so appreciate her doing the important work of democracy!

Finally, Rachel and Amanda raise a glass to sledding with kids and healthy new habits in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

If you know a teen who's interested in learning more about voter registration, please attend our virtual event on Sunday February 4! And don’t forget to sign up for our Substack newsletter! This week we’re sharing the video of our interview with Tayhlor, a video of our own Rep. Jasmine Clark being cut off while she was in the well speaking about Black maternal mortality, and more. You can sign up by going to swppod.news.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This week is the 51st anniversary of Roe v Wade and it’s so disheartening to think that there are women alive today who celebrated that victory only to have it taken away from them. But although clearly the fight is never really over, we won those rights in the past and we can win them again in the future.

Then we explore a little-known aspect of consent and bodily autonomy with documentary director A’magine Goddard: the prevalence of pelvic exams on women under anesthesia who haven’t consented or even know about it. A’magine walks us through what’s happening, how it connects to the racist and misogynist history of gynecology, and most important how we can advocate for ourselves personally and through legislation. It’s not an easy conversation to hear but it’s so important to know what’s happening so we can fight for our rights.

Finally, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to women’s volleyball and the power of film in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

And don’t forget to sign up for our Substack newsletter! This week we’re sharing the video of our interview with A’magine, a deeper dive into the history of gynecology, a Troublemaker video about miscarriage, and more. You can sign up by going to swppod.news. 

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We have an exciting announcement this week: The Suburban Women Problem just launched a Substack newsletter! It’s an opportunity for a deeper dive into each week’s topic and to share news, Troublemaker stories, pod videos, and more. To subscribe to our Substack, click here or search for “The Suburban Women Problem” on Substack.com.

Our guest this week is journalist and transgender rights activist Erin Reed, who has a popular Substack of her own called Erin In The Morning. She also happens to be engaged to one of our favorite politicians, Rep. Zooey Zephyr in Montana! Erin shares how anti-trans legislation is at an all-time high - as of our recording, there were 220 anti-trans bills already introduced in the U.S. That’s in just the first 15 days of the year! She also answers our hosts’ questions about what exactly gender-affirming care means, what’s been going on in Ohio with Governor Mike DeWine, and why sharing trans joy is so important.

Finally, Rachel, Amanda and Jasmine raise a glass to hope for 2024, to understanding different perspectives, and to everyone who supports local candidates in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We’re officially back in the swing of things here after the holidays and we’re jumping right into it with an interview about public schools. But first, our hosts Rachel Vindman, Amanda Weinstein, and Jasmine Clark catch up about the news. We recently passed the 3-year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection and it’s upsetting to see how so many Americans have shifted their views from condemning it to explaining it away. It’s so important to have accurate journalism so narratives like “Jan 6 wasn’t a big deal” don’t catch on. The hosts also discuss the scapegoating and resignation of Harvard president Claudine Gay and the bill in OH that would ban gender-affirming care.

Then we dive into the importance of education and the role that deeply involved “school moms” can play in saving our public schools with journalist Laura Pappano. We were so excited to talk to Laura about her new book, “School Moms: Parent Activism, Partisan Politics and the Battle for Public Education.” She shares what it was like to attend a Moms for Liberty conference, why inclusion is so crucial, and even that she listens to The Suburban Women Problem while she does Peloton. “School Moms” will be available on January 30th and you can read Laura’s Vanity Fair article here.

Finally, Rachel, Amanda and Jasmine raise a glass to new Akron mayor Shammas Malik, to Jasmine’s fantastic fundraising event earlier this month, and to high hopes for a new legislative session in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

This week, Amanda mentioned the bill in Ohio that would ban critical gender affirming care - if you're in Ohio, please call your state reps and tell them to vote no on overturning Gov. Dewine's veto of HB68.
And speaking of supporting the LGBTQ community, we're also hosting a live virtual event with author and former pod guest Lesléa Newman to talk about her new book "Always Matt: A Tribute To Matthew Shepard.” The event is on Tues 1/16 at 7:30 Eastern - you can learn more and RSVP here.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Happy New Year, everyone! 2024 is a big year but we are ready to go, inspired by the victories and amazing conversations we had in 2023. In this special New Year’s episode, the hosts are joined by Red Wine & Blue story producer Jill Jonassen to discuss the best guests and conversations we had last year, how we’re feeling about this year, and what gives us hope. Suburban women know how to multitask, and this year we’re gonna need to walk, chew gum, AND save democracy!

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This week we’re feeling inspired by the organizing work that women have done in the past, and ready to keep fighting for ourselves and the future. Our hosts shared their heartache over what’s happening to Brittany Watts in Ohio - a young Black woman who suffered a miscarriage at home and is now charged with a felony. These laws are terrifying and seek to turn an already tragic situation into a nightmare. The Dobbs decision criminalized abortion and now they’re trying to criminalize miscarriage! It’s vital that we keep talking about this and we’re glad that ABC News highlighted 18 women’s personal stories in a recent feature.

Then we’re joined by Ellen Cassedy, the author of “Working 9 to 5: A Women’s Movement, a Labor Union, and the Iconic Movie.” Ellen shares her inspiring experiences organizing office workers and co-founding the 9 to 5 movement back in the 1970s. She discusses some of the ridiculous things that women were asked to do by their bosses and how they fought back. And she also shares the lessons she learned (listen, be flexible, be creative, and lean into diversity) that can help us continue to fight for our rights today.

Finally, Rachel and Jasmine raise a glass to young people and their parents receiving news about college admissions and to winning an award in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

This is our last episode of 2023 and we're so glad you've joined us on The Suburban Women Problem this year. We're taking a week off for Christmas and we'll see you again in 2024!

Here at Red Wine & Blue, we’re taking this opportunity to celebrate everyday heroes - from our pod hosts to our amazing guests to you! We wouldn’t have so many victories to celebrate from this year’s election if it wasn’t for your support. And now, we’re making it easier than ever for you to be a superhero for our sisterhood. To make a donation to our year-end giving campaign, or to learn more, visit pod.redwine.blue/give.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We’ve been feeling heartsick this week over the woman in Texas who couldn’t get the abortion care she needed; first it was good news when a judge approved her request, then it was horrible news when the TX Attorney General threatened to prosecute her doctor and hospital. The same AG who has been accused of bribery and admitted to an extramarital affair! We have a clear message to him and every other hypocritical extremist: worry about yourself!

Then we’re thrilled to be joined by Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. She chats with our hosts about reproductive rights and the important role that suburban women have played in recent elections and will continue to play in 2024. They also talk about Israel, young people, and how we can make our voices heard. She even shares her home cooking instagram with us: Clean Cooking Congresswoman!

Finally, Rachel and Amanda raise a glass to a kind gesture from the community and to men speaking out about reproductive rights in this episode’s “Toast to Joy.”

Here at Red Wine & Blue, we’re taking this opportunity to celebrate everyday heroes - from our pod hosts to our amazing guests to you! We wouldn’t have so many victories to celebrate from this year’s election if it wasn’t for your support. And now, we’re making it easier than ever for you to be a superhero for our sisterhood. To make a donation to our year-end giving campaign, or to learn more, visit pod.redwine.blue/give.

For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected].

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA