What Can I Do

Has anybody ever told you that you should run for office? What did you do or say in response?

This week we spoke to Sara Guillermo, the CEO of IGNITE, which trains and empowers young women to become advocates and political leaders. We spoke to Sara about her own journey to supporting women’s political power, some of the challenges women face in both elected office and advocacy environments, and how IGNITE approaches training, support, and building community for young leaders. In the process we discussed why it’s so important that women get this kind of support and what kinds of opportunities become available when they do.

Episode Links:

• IGNITE: Website | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

• Follow Lila on Twitter/X
• Follow Kelly on Twitter/X
• Follow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPod
• To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  [email protected]. 
• Please rate and review and tell your friends!

Credits:

To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.

Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

Do you remember the slogan of the American colonists "no taxation without representation" and want to ensure that American citizens today all have that representation?

This week we spoke to Kelsye Adams, Director of DC Vote, about her work as an artistic activist, advocating for the fundamental rights of DC residents to equal representation in Congress via statehood. She discussed where the fight for DC statehood is, what it will take to get it over the finish line, and how she incorporates art and especially go-go music into her work.

Episode Links:

• DC Vote: Website | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

• Follow Lila on Twitter/X
• Follow Kelly on Twitter/X
• Follow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPod
• To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  [email protected]. 
• Please rate and review and tell your friends!

Credits:

To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.

Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

Are you interested in learning more about coalition-building and how to contribute to the creation of a more representative government? 

This week we spoke to DaMareo Cooper, one of the co-Executive Directors of Popular Democracy (formerly the Center for Popular Democracy or CPD), about how different layers of individual involvement and action can help transform government into something that works for us all. He talks about his background as an organizer, how Popular Democracy works with their local affiliates to build networks, share information, and empower community organizations, and where people can slot into that work. 

Episode Links:

• Popular Democracy (Former Center for Popular Democracy): Website

• Follow Lila on Twitter/X
• Follow Kelly on Twitter/X
• Follow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPod
• To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: [email protected]. 
• Please rate and review and tell your friends!

Credits:

To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.

Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

It’s a special episode of What Can I Do Junior, hosted by Teddy and Arthur!

Are you a young person looking to make a difference? Do you have kids in your life who are eager to make their voices heard? 

This week we spoke to Joan Galat, author of Make Your Mark, Make a Difference—A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up For People, Animals, and the Planet, about all of the ways young people can get engaged and get active! Joan spoke about the many kinds of political action available to children, how young people can choose an issue to get involved in, and what other kids are doing to make a change in their communities and the world. A great listen for kids and adults alike!

Episode Links:

• Joan Galat: Website | Instagram | Twitter 
• Buy Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: Website

• Follow Lila on Twitter/X
• Follow Kelly on Twitter/X
• Follow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPod
• To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  [email protected]. 
• Please rate and review and tell your friends!

Credits:

To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.

Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

Wondering how to protect your mental health during this election season?

This week we spoke to Dr. Deborah Vinall, a psychologist and author based in Southern California, about how to engage in the political process in a way that’s both productive and protective of your mental health. She shared tips for how to check in with yourself as you do political work, how to protect yourself from the stress of a major electoral cycle, how to keep perspective despite the constant torrent of frustrating and scary news, and how to talk to others about how you’re feeling.

Episode Links:

• Dr. Deborah Vinall: Website 
• Books: Website

• Follow Lila on Twitter/X
• Follow Kelly on Twitter/X
• Follow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPod
• To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  [email protected]. 
• Please rate and review and tell your friends!

Credits:

To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.

Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

Wondering how to do effective Democratic organizing in rural red states?

This week we spoke to Jane Kleeb, the Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, about the innovative work she and the Nebraska Dems are doing to bring Democratic victories to supposedly deep red, rural states. We talked about how Democrats can reach out to rural voters, the similarities between urban and rural communities, and the really exciting and innovative projects the Nebraska Democratic Party is undertaking to empower their volunteers and Democratic volunteers all over the nation. Don’t miss our discussion of the Block Captain Program, which gives local and county parties a roadmap for developing effective voter communication, and Jane’s dos and don'ts for canvassing and reporting on politics in rural areas. We were so inspired by this conversation!

Episode Links:

• Jane Kleeb: Twitter
• Block Captain Program and the Nebraska State Democrats: Website 
• Bold Alliance: Website 
• Buy Harvest the Vote: Website

• Follow Lila on Twitter/X
• Follow Kelly on Twitter/X
• Follow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPod
• To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: [email protected]. 
• Please rate and review and tell your friends!

Credits:

To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.

Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

Wondering what canvassing for a candidate and organizing in-person voter outreach actually involves?

This week we spoke to Maggie O’Keefe, a community activist who is part of a new generation of Democratic Committee members organizing the vote in Chicago. Have you been thinking of volunteering for a candidate but are nervous about the idea of knocking on a stranger’s door? Maggie gives insight into what canvassing actually entails, how new canvassers are trained, and what is rewarding about this kind of person-to-person outreach are. She also shares a little about her role as a committeeperson, what it’s like to be a younger member of the local party leadership, and her work getting young people registered and ready to vote. A must-listen for anybody looking to volunteer for a campaign the first time or wondering how to reach out to young voters!

Episode Links:

• Maggie O’Keefe: Website | TikTok | Instagram | Twitter

• Follow Lila on Twitter/X
• Follow Kelly on Twitter/X
• Follow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPod
• To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: [email protected]. 
• Please rate and review and tell your friends!

Credits:

To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.

Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

This week we spoke to Anat Shenker-Osorio, Democratic campaign consultant, messaging researcher, founder of ASO Communications, and host of the excellent podcast Words to Win By. In this episode Anat shares crucial wisdom on how to have meaningful conversations about our political future in real life and on social media. She examines common campaign messaging pitfalls and how to avoid them, provides lessons from her past work, and shares research about what kinds of communication actually changes minds. Most importantly, she gives specific examples about what to do when family and friends say something weird on the internet and in real life! 

Don’t miss this funny, impactful, and incredibly helpful interview as you head out to knock doors, make phone calls, and engage with family and friends about the 2024 race!

Episode Links:

• Anat Shenker-Osorio: Twitter
• Words to Win By Podcast: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
• Amplify Freedom Project: Website
• ASO Communications: Website

• Follow Lila on Twitter/X
• Follow Kelly on Twitter/X
• Follow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPod
• To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: [email protected]. 
• Please rate and review and tell your friends!

Credits:

To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.

Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

While we gear up to bring you Season 3 of What Can I Do, focused on how to take action in a presidential election year, please enjoy this episode of Unsung History focused on antiwar activism.

In 1971, a group of performers calling themselves the Free Theatre Associates (FTA), including Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland, began putting on popular antiwar shows for audiences of active-duty GIs. Over 10 months they performed near military bases all over the United States and in the Pacific Rim. The Pacific Rim tour led to a documentary, which was released briefly in July 1972 and then quickly yanked from theaters. To help us learn about the FTA, Kelly is joined by theater historian Dr. Lindsay Goss, Assistant Professor in the School Of Theater, Film And Media Arts at Temple University and author of F*ck the Army!: How Soldiers and Civilians Staged the GI Movement to End the Vietnam War.

Complete Show Notes: https://www.unsunghistorypodcast.com/FTA/