Celebrating a Milestone: 100 Episodes of Bridging Education and Democracy

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:00.119 --> 00:00:01.383
watch out.

00:00:01.383 --> 00:00:12.548
We're not the only people that feel this way and we're just excited to figure out how best to partner with the orgs in Ohio, like we've talked about, to make the biggest difference and use our platform to grow it and to help as much as we can.

00:00:12.548 --> 00:00:14.660
So that's what I'm also most excited about.

00:00:14.660 --> 00:00:27.920
Welcome back to the United she Stands podcast, the show that brings kindness and women into politics.

00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:28.803
I'm Ashley.

00:00:29.224 --> 00:00:38.740
And I'm Sarah, and we're two women from Ohio who are here to become more educated about American politics and build a community so we can all get involved and make an impact together.

00:00:39.341 --> 00:00:41.603
We hope we'll inspire and empower you along the way.

00:00:41.603 --> 00:00:57.037
Hello and welcome back to the United she Stands podcast.

00:00:57.037 --> 00:01:02.773
Not just any episode of our USS podcast, but the 100th episode.

00:01:05.224 --> 00:01:06.085
Can you believe it?

00:01:06.085 --> 00:01:07.209
Because I can't.

00:01:07.670 --> 00:01:09.721
No, I honestly cannot either, but yeah.

00:01:09.721 --> 00:01:23.647
So today we are just going to do a little bit behind the scenes, a little bit of reflection and celebration of our 100th episode and really two years of the podcast and our platform and this thing we've created called United she Stands.

00:01:23.647 --> 00:01:26.040
So, sarah, do you want to jump into it?

00:01:26.662 --> 00:01:27.503
Let's do it.

00:01:27.503 --> 00:01:35.885
Yeah, just to double click, as those in IT would say, double click into the two years of doing the podcast.

00:01:35.885 --> 00:01:39.855
Our first episode dropped on October 18th 2022.

00:01:39.855 --> 00:01:42.361
So, yeah, just over two years.

00:01:42.361 --> 00:01:52.766
I went back and found that date because I was like I need to know and it's just wow, wow, wow wow, yeah, I knew it was right around this time, but we decided to not officially celebrate two years.

00:01:52.846 --> 00:01:54.590
I mean, we had the 100th episode.

00:01:54.590 --> 00:01:57.495
They were very close together, so made it work.

00:01:58.099 --> 00:01:59.923
Yes, yes, okay.

00:01:59.923 --> 00:02:02.347
So we have a few questions that we're just gonna chat through.

00:02:02.347 --> 00:02:08.686
So first, what are your overall thoughts after releasing 100 episodes?

00:02:09.467 --> 00:02:12.253
100 episodes sounds a bit insane to me.

00:02:12.253 --> 00:02:16.582
I remember like the first well, first of all, we started in 2022.

00:02:16.582 --> 00:02:24.526
We did do our first episode in October, so I remember like we did like 10 that year or something and that felt felt huge.

00:02:24.526 --> 00:02:26.852
I remember how big that felt.

00:02:26.852 --> 00:02:29.868
So, yeah, I think it's crazy to be at 100.

00:02:29.868 --> 00:02:32.067
It feels like we just started this.

00:02:32.067 --> 00:02:36.506
At the same, it feels like we just started this but at the same time, it feels like we've been doing this forever.

00:02:36.506 --> 00:02:39.228
And I know like time is always trippy like that.

00:02:39.228 --> 00:02:44.670
But seeing that 100, that triple digit number on the count of episodes is pretty crazy.

00:02:44.670 --> 00:02:46.909
And seeing that 100, that triple digit number on the count of episodes is pretty crazy.

00:02:46.909 --> 00:02:55.073
And just like I know we're going to talk back through but just reflecting on how much we've learned and I think how much better podcasters we are now is really cool to think about.

00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:56.421
Yeah, I agree.

00:02:56.421 --> 00:03:08.153
I remember thinking like maybe it was the 10th episode or maybe it was the 25th, and I just remember being like I cannot imagine getting to 100.

00:03:08.153 --> 00:03:13.693
Like I can't imagine getting into the triple digits, yeah, but here we are, two years later.

00:03:13.693 --> 00:03:17.491
I guess that makes sense, because 52 weeks in a year and whatnot, but like, but yeah.

00:03:17.491 --> 00:03:21.569
At the same time, I also like, don't really remember my life pre podcast.

00:03:21.569 --> 00:03:22.632
Like what did I?

00:03:22.632 --> 00:03:23.907
What did I do with my time?

00:03:23.907 --> 00:03:25.840
I don't know, I have no idea.

00:03:26.823 --> 00:03:33.742
Prepping reading the news all the time and prepping episodes and preparing content yeah, what did you do with all your free time?

00:03:34.283 --> 00:03:34.525
right.

00:03:34.525 --> 00:03:40.544
Well, what did my Instagram look like without all of these political accounts that I now follow?

00:03:40.544 --> 00:03:43.568
Um, yeah, uh, I feel like.

00:03:43.568 --> 00:04:00.204
I mean, I think I knew we were and I believed we were legit before this, but now I just feel like you know how, like on untapped, which is our favorite beer app, after you check in like so many beers, you're just like, oh, you reached, you get this special badge.

00:04:00.204 --> 00:04:08.205
I don't know, I just feel like we have reached a new level of the podcast game by having 100 episodes and that's just wild.

00:04:08.727 --> 00:04:10.151
We get the 100 episode badge.

00:04:10.151 --> 00:04:13.742
We'll find it Absolutely All right.

00:04:13.742 --> 00:04:16.028
Do you want to talk about favorite episodes first?

00:04:16.028 --> 00:04:20.452
So 100 of them, but you have to pick one and you have it broken down.

00:04:20.452 --> 00:04:24.665
Sarah kind of prepped us for this episode a little bit, so she has one with a guest and one without a guest.

00:04:24.665 --> 00:04:26.408
We get to pick one each, so you go first Sarah.

00:04:27.029 --> 00:04:28.872
Okay, so I'm going to.

00:04:28.872 --> 00:04:30.141
I'll start with my guest one.

00:04:30.141 --> 00:04:34.612
It's definitely the episode with Sharon McMahon, just because I mean one.

00:04:34.612 --> 00:04:44.550
It was a great episode in general, but like this, this was recorded probably like a month and a half ago and I still cannot believe it happened.

00:04:44.550 --> 00:04:51.708
She has over a million followers on Instagram and we got reached out to to have her on the podcast.

00:04:51.708 --> 00:04:55.622
It was wild, just wild, yeah, still a pinch me moment.

00:04:55.764 --> 00:04:58.411
So, yeah, that absolutely has to be my favorite episode with a guest.

00:04:58.411 --> 00:05:03.129
My favorite episode with no guest is still a very fun one.

00:05:03.129 --> 00:05:33.505
It was our scandal debrief and kind of just talking about like, how like power is perceived in in the show and how realistic we think it is to you know real life politics and just talking about our girl, olivia Pope, and Fitz versus Jake, like I don't know, it was just fun because I love, love, love show and I got super invested when I watched it and just like having it tie to my hobby I'll you know my number one hobby in my life like that.

00:05:33.505 --> 00:05:35.151
Yeah, that was just cool.

00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:37.285
Yeah, no, that was a good episode.

00:05:37.285 --> 00:05:38.449
I kind of didn't even remember that one.

00:05:38.449 --> 00:05:40.862
Okay, you're going to laugh at.

00:05:40.862 --> 00:05:42.043
Well, not my guest one.

00:05:42.043 --> 00:05:43.086
Okay, my guest one first.

00:05:43.086 --> 00:05:43.567
I'll do that first.

00:05:43.567 --> 00:05:46.872
My guest one is the second episode we did with Priya.

00:05:46.872 --> 00:05:51.524
So the women's health is on the ballot, yes, and obviously I love all of our guests.

00:05:51.524 --> 00:06:17.572
But I just feel like that episode there was so much on the line for the election and Priya, of course, did an amazing job of coming on and just straight telling facts like here's what the Biden-Harris administration have done for women's health and here's why it was bad under Trump and here's what's on the line, and I just thought it was so informative and it was such a good episode that like when people would reach out to me about the election and ask about, like, women's health, reproductive rights, I would like send them that episode.

00:06:17.572 --> 00:06:21.286
So I just feel like it was just yeah, I just really enjoyed that episode.

00:06:21.286 --> 00:06:22.387
I think it's still really great.

00:06:22.387 --> 00:06:23.730
I think it's still really relevant.

00:06:24.932 --> 00:06:28.947
So, yeah, so that's probably my favorite, but I will say it's always a little.

00:06:28.947 --> 00:06:36.190
I feel like anytime we pick favorite episodes, with guests especially, I always default to like the more recent ones because they're more fresh in my head too.

00:06:36.190 --> 00:06:40.809
So like Priya's is pretty recent but she's fabulous, so love that episode.

00:06:40.809 --> 00:06:43.141
Absolutely no guest.

00:06:43.141 --> 00:06:49.694
It's still because I think I've said this before it's still probably WTF.

00:06:49.694 --> 00:06:50.516
What the federalism?

00:06:50.925 --> 00:06:52.370
I love that episode.

00:06:52.370 --> 00:06:57.026
I want to clap so bad, but I know our editor, Kevin, will be really mad at me if I do.

00:06:57.026 --> 00:06:58.670
That is so funny.

00:06:58.670 --> 00:06:59.711
I mean that's great.

00:06:59.791 --> 00:07:07.250
It is a good one, it's still, I think it's like a little bit of like the way I felt recording it, the way I felt the first time we listened to it.

00:07:07.250 --> 00:07:08.952
I think the content is good.

00:07:08.952 --> 00:07:14.600
I think, like federalism is an important topic that a lot of people know about but don't really know.

00:07:14.600 --> 00:07:19.668
Like you know, the different phases of the countries went through whatever.

00:07:19.668 --> 00:07:24.788
So I think the content is really good, but for us personally, it goes back to like I just felt like that was our first episode of 2023.

00:07:24.788 --> 00:07:32.879
So it was our 11th episode total and I felt like it was the first time I listened to one of our episodes and was like this is really good, like I never thought we were bad before, but you know it was.

00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:35.336
We were learning, we were figuring it out, we were brand new to this.

00:07:35.336 --> 00:07:38.149
That was the first time I was doing an episode and I was like we were funny.

00:07:38.149 --> 00:07:40.305
We were just enough funny, just enough informative, like.

00:07:40.305 --> 00:07:44.370
So I think it's like that for me and why I hold such a like special place for this episode.

00:07:44.370 --> 00:07:50.658
I it was like the way I felt the first time I listened back to it made me think like we're legit.

00:07:50.658 --> 00:07:51.480
This is going to work.

00:07:51.920 --> 00:08:00.038
Yeah, I am not actually surprised that you picked this one, because right when you said it's still, I was like, oh it's WTF.

00:08:00.038 --> 00:08:02.584
I just need to comment on the title.

00:08:02.584 --> 00:08:09.495
I'm still so mad at Nick for coming up with it and it wasn't my idea, but it's wonderful.

00:08:10.648 --> 00:08:11.391
And it's a great title.

00:08:11.391 --> 00:08:14.389
So shout out to my husband for the help with that title.

00:08:14.389 --> 00:08:18.057
Yeah, okay, so the next one.

00:08:18.057 --> 00:08:19.449
I can't remember if you asked the last question.

00:08:19.488 --> 00:08:20.271
I don't remember either.

00:08:20.271 --> 00:08:21.074
I'm just going to ask you.

00:08:21.584 --> 00:08:22.526
Right, I'm just going with it.

00:08:22.526 --> 00:08:32.508
So how have we, as a podcast not personally as a podcast transformed in the last year, or even the last two years since we've started, started everything?

00:08:33.028 --> 00:08:34.993
hmm, I love this question.

00:08:34.993 --> 00:08:45.057
Chat gpt helped me come up with it, um I so I think my answer is the same for both this past year and since we've started.

00:08:45.057 --> 00:08:48.750
I just think it's been more um accelerated.

00:08:48.750 --> 00:09:11.533
The transformation has been more accelerated in this past year, I think with each episode we drop and this is not going to be a surprise to you, ash, we've talked about this we just become more and more open with sharing our thoughts and opinions, and it is just very obvious that we are on the left, we are Democrats, we are liberal, and so we've talked about this before in some of our reflection episodes.

00:09:11.684 --> 00:09:17.349
We were scared at the beginning not scared, but we were just maybe like overly cautious of staying nonpartisan.

00:09:17.349 --> 00:09:27.038
With two years under our belt of this podcast, it has become increasingly difficult to stay nonpartisan, especially in the political landscape that we're in today.

00:09:27.038 --> 00:09:36.413
It's just hard not to speak out against what we think is absolutely, abhorrently incorrect and wrong and terrible, aka Donald Trump and MAGA.

00:09:36.413 --> 00:09:40.230
So I would say that has been our biggest transformation.

00:09:40.230 --> 00:09:59.226
We have transformed one by becoming more open and comfortable, speaking our opinions and thoughts and focusing on those topics that are important to us, that are supported by the left side, but also like being more comfortable or being more episode focused in that area too, you know what I mean.

00:09:59.768 --> 00:10:06.914
Yeah, yeah, like even the episodes right, like we did an episode on, like the danger of Donald Trump, like that was straight up a partisan episode.

00:10:06.914 --> 00:10:09.086
But I do, I agree with you.

00:10:09.086 --> 00:10:17.471
I feel super confident and comfortable voicing our opinions and you know just what we believe is right and wrong.

00:10:17.471 --> 00:10:24.192
And I think that the point that you made is really accurate and I think it's because of Trump and MAGA.

00:10:24.192 --> 00:10:37.827
Like, I will say all day that if the Democratic Party's values change and they don't align to mine, then I'm not going to be a Democrat, like I'm not tied to this party, and I think that's a huge thing I wish more Americans would feel.

00:10:37.827 --> 00:10:47.000
But right now, you know, all of the things that I do value are the democratic values right now, right, so that's, I agree with you.

00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.966
I think we are very comfortable saying that now.

00:10:48.966 --> 00:10:53.749
Um, and just to be clear, that doesn't mean non-Democrats are not welcome here.

00:10:53.749 --> 00:10:59.932
They are, you know, but you're just going to have to that as bathing, because I don't even think we knew enough to be like we have to play for democracy.

00:10:59.932 --> 00:11:17.298
We were like pro education, like education, civics, like people understanding.

00:11:17.298 --> 00:11:21.471
But in that first year, pretty quickly, we were like, okay, we are definitely like pro-democracy.

00:11:21.471 --> 00:11:22.594
Things Rank the vote.

00:11:22.594 --> 00:11:35.580
Ohio, we learned pretty quickly from Kyle just all the things that we've learned about like democracy, reform and those types of efforts, and so, yeah, I think, with Trump and MAGA, that is why we will always speak out.

00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.326
That's a big one.

00:11:36.326 --> 00:11:37.950
Reproductive rights are obviously a big one.

00:11:37.950 --> 00:11:40.236
Guns, I mean like people are literally dying.

00:11:40.236 --> 00:11:46.107
We have to use our voice to change that, and so, totally agree with you, I think that probably is our biggest shift.

00:11:46.609 --> 00:11:57.808
I think the other thing for me that comes to mind is like we went into this and we're like we just want to do the podcast and now we're kind of like, okay, we're just like I hate to say this word but like we're content creators.

00:11:57.808 --> 00:11:58.410
That's what we are.

00:11:58.410 --> 00:12:02.928
We are, you know, have a decent following now on Instagram.

00:12:02.928 --> 00:12:16.940
We just started the sub stack where you know we've already just I feel like the interaction there has already been been good like people are commenting on posts, restat, restacking, which I think is like a retweet, I don't know, um, you know.

00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:21.426
So I just feel like, you know, we're writing blog posts over there, like we are content creators, like that's what we are.

00:12:21.426 --> 00:12:29.572
We're political content creators now, and so that has been a shift, because that was definitely, I would say, like, not in the last year, but since we started two years ago.

00:12:29.652 --> 00:12:29.912
We did.

00:12:29.912 --> 00:12:34.058
We did not want any part of that, we didn't want to show up on Instagram, we didn't want to whatever.

00:12:34.058 --> 00:12:41.268
But the reality is like you have to, right, and that's really how we've built community is through those platforms.

00:12:41.268 --> 00:12:51.738
Like in the podcast world, we're just sitting here talking at you guys, but you don't get to talk back to us, and so we actually do really enjoy those platforms now, even though they're a lot of work, a lot of work.

00:12:52.177 --> 00:12:53.664
Yeah, absolutely yeah.

00:12:53.664 --> 00:12:57.030
I was very anti-content creator, especially when we started.

00:12:57.030 --> 00:12:57.873
But here we are.

00:12:57.873 --> 00:13:01.720
Here we are Okay.

00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:10.320
Now how have we personally transformed throughout either the full podcast journey two years or this past year?

00:13:10.666 --> 00:13:14.456
So I think imposter syndrome is gone, for me at least.

00:13:14.456 --> 00:13:15.811
I'll let you speak for yourself.

00:13:15.811 --> 00:13:18.820
But you know, when we started this it was always like who are we to?

00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:21.230
Not I shouldn't say always, but I was kind of like who are we to this?

00:13:21.230 --> 00:13:26.597
I mean, we had enough to be confidence, to kind of push through that, but it was still always there.

00:13:26.597 --> 00:13:42.831
And you know just, the more we're involved, the more I think it's very evident that so many people who are even at office have no idea how shit works and we're probably more informed than them, and so that imposter syndrome is fully gone for me.

00:13:43.013 --> 00:13:46.645
I have zero problem doing anything in politics.

00:13:46.645 --> 00:13:50.908
At this point I would feel comfortable running for office, not that I have time to do that, but you know what I mean.

00:13:50.908 --> 00:13:52.052
Those, those are the types of things.

00:13:52.052 --> 00:14:02.750
It's like there's no one better really than us and there's no one better than if you're listening to this, you if you care and you want to learn and you want to get involved, because that's all anyone's doing Nobody, I mean.

00:14:02.750 --> 00:14:05.856
Yeah, people have like poli, sci degrees and policy degrees and whatever.

00:14:05.856 --> 00:14:12.140
There are experts in these fields, but politicians, a lot of politicians, and people across school boards and city councils.

00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:14.763
They're just normal people like you who cared enough to get involved.

00:14:14.763 --> 00:14:19.777
So I think for me that's the biggest transformation, is I got zero things to hold me back.

00:14:19.777 --> 00:14:22.352
I'm like ready to go, I will put anything out there.

00:14:22.352 --> 00:14:28.250
I feel comfortable researching stuff and being informed enough to make an opinion and make a statement about certain things.

00:14:28.250 --> 00:14:29.293
So what about you?

00:14:29.592 --> 00:14:33.360
Ash has 99 problems, but imposter syndrome ain't one.

00:14:34.605 --> 00:14:38.275
The US has a shit ton of problems and they feel like they're all mine, but it's fine.

00:14:40.970 --> 00:14:41.652
Oh, that's good.

00:14:41.652 --> 00:15:03.631
I will say I'm not 100% free of imposter syndrome, but it is absolutely insane where I am today compared to where I was prior to starting the podcast in terms of knowledge on politics, in terms of confidence about talking about politics, in terms of just being comfortable talking about politics.

00:15:03.631 --> 00:15:05.517
I've mentioned this a billion times.

00:15:05.517 --> 00:15:12.116
I didn't want to touch politics with a 10-foot pole prior really to Roe v Wade being overturned.

00:15:12.177 --> 00:15:24.736
And now here I am, two years in a hundred episodes deep in a political podcast like where I where I often speak my views and openly say that I am a Democrat, liberal, I align with those values like crazy.

00:15:24.736 --> 00:15:25.586
To me it's just crazy.

00:15:25.586 --> 00:15:41.595
And like even talking to like people from my I would say my past, but like people who knew me pre-politics era, it's just they're like whoa, like look at how far you've come and like sometimes I forget to like take a step back and realize that or recognize it and appreciate that.

00:15:41.595 --> 00:15:45.168
So, yeah, I think like I don't know, I just would.

00:15:45.168 --> 00:16:02.287
I don't even think I can like pinpoint into like one specific thing, but I just think my general transformation personally over the past two years is literally nothing I would have ever expected in a billion years from me, and before this I was confident.

00:16:02.287 --> 00:16:11.833
Before this I knew I was capable of a lot and would accomplish great things and whatnot, and I just never thought it would be in this arena.

00:16:11.833 --> 00:16:14.879
And boy am I grateful that it is.

00:16:15.445 --> 00:16:16.567
Yeah, yeah, I agree.

00:16:16.567 --> 00:16:20.527
It's hard to say the transformation because it feels ginormous, to be honest.

00:16:21.110 --> 00:16:21.812
Yeah, for sure.

00:16:22.304 --> 00:16:29.692
Okay, the next question we have is how have our perspectives on politics and community engagement changed since we first started?

00:16:29.692 --> 00:16:30.674
This is a good one.

00:16:31.166 --> 00:16:36.509
I would say, completely changed for me in terms of just on politics.

00:16:36.509 --> 00:16:53.269
Like I just mentioned, didn't want anything to do with it prior to this, but now I really see the importance of talking about it and being educated and re-educating myself on the topics I learned in like middle school I don't even know when I learned all of the stuff about the government, but obviously I don't remember it all.

00:16:53.269 --> 00:16:55.815
So like it's been great relearning that.

00:16:55.815 --> 00:16:56.636
Yeah.

00:16:56.636 --> 00:17:25.116
So I guess I realized like my perspective shift on politics in general is like I was part of the problem prior to starting this podcast and I don't mean to don't mean that, to say like oh, sarah, you suck or anyone who is like you back then suck, it's just like that's, that's, that's how politics remains intimidating is because people don't want to talk about it and I get it, it's hard, it sucks sometimes, but like yeah, so I would say that's like my biggest perspective on that.

00:17:25.176 --> 00:17:52.494
And then, in terms of community engagement, I mean just look at like our Instagram and the people that we've met through this podcast and the people we've been introduced to from some random person that either on our Instagram or has come on the podcast Like it's just insane how this community, in terms of politics, has been towards us, and maybe not even politics, but just like women, supporting women, or getting the word out on like important issues, I don't know.

00:17:52.494 --> 00:18:01.031
I just think like community engagement is like a hundred percent why we're still here today and is going to like going to be the reason we continue to accelerate forward.

00:18:01.031 --> 00:18:08.746
And I just never like I never, you know turned my nose at community engagement, but I just, I just guess I didn't understand the power of it.

00:18:09.446 --> 00:18:17.190
Yeah, yeah, I think for me a lot of like what you said too, but I think to add to that is like community engagement.

00:18:17.190 --> 00:18:19.576
I yeah, I think I didn't realize the power of it.

00:18:19.576 --> 00:18:27.549
So like right, like you think people are going to just need to know who are these two candidates, you know what are their policies, and then people are going to go vote.

00:18:27.549 --> 00:18:30.096
Like no, people actually don't vote.

00:18:30.096 --> 00:18:34.386
Like it's crazy.

00:18:34.386 --> 00:18:35.673
I still bless my mind that like our turnout is so low.

00:18:35.673 --> 00:18:42.214
And so you know, I think if anyone listens to us regularly, they know we've knocked doors this campaign season and last year for issue one, like.

00:18:42.596 --> 00:18:48.855
So the community engagement on the ground, I think is something that blows my mind a bit.

00:18:48.936 --> 00:19:01.670
Like I would have first of all, never thought I would be someone out there knocking on doors but second, like I never realized how important that was, and so that piece is still a little bit crazy to me.

00:19:01.790 --> 00:19:03.714
Like even just like, where do we go from here?

00:19:03.714 --> 00:19:19.949
Like we know we have to get involved in our local orgs and, like you know, we do know a lot of people in them now and doing that will be easier for us because we've networked enough to kind of have those relationships, but it's still like blows my mind a little bit on like how can you know, how do we make the best difference?

00:19:19.949 --> 00:19:20.770
Like what is that?

00:19:20.770 --> 00:19:23.086
And I know it's like those involvements in those grassroots orgs.

00:19:23.086 --> 00:19:33.895
But that piece to me is, I think, the largest learning and what has probably changed the most for me since we started, like just from the involvement perspective and engagement.

00:19:33.895 --> 00:19:45.209
Like our Instagram community is amazing, but it's the most powerful when we get those, when we can get people good information first of all, and then ways to also step into their communities and make a difference.

00:19:45.209 --> 00:19:48.978
So I think that's really my biggest piece on that, probably.

00:19:49.865 --> 00:20:04.176
Yeah, and kind of just to like add to something that you said these, especially at a time like this, we're like okay, yeah, once we're, you know, able to and willing, I want to get involved, I want to help, but I don't know how to do that.

00:20:04.176 --> 00:20:06.666
A lot of these organizations already have plans.

00:20:06.666 --> 00:20:11.076
A lot of these organizations already know what is next for them.

00:20:11.076 --> 00:20:12.218
They just need help.

00:20:12.218 --> 00:20:18.714
So if you are kind of at a loss at what to do next, first, if you're not even there, that's totally fine.

00:20:18.714 --> 00:20:37.270
But once you do get there, or if you are there, reaching out to these grassroots organizations like Rake the Vote Ohio or any local abortion fund or any things like that, or even like ohio dems they have offices all over, yeah league of women voters is a really good one too.

00:20:37.290 --> 00:20:38.915
They're just like very pro-democracy.

00:20:38.915 --> 00:20:45.488
They help with whatever initiatives are in their local communities um reach out to us if you have an interest, because we can help.

00:20:45.607 --> 00:20:51.288
There's lots of orgs out there for sure yeah, we can direct you in in the right direction and yeah, like I said, they already have plans rolling.

00:20:51.288 --> 00:20:51.930
They just need help.

00:20:51.930 --> 00:20:54.815
So don't feel discouraged by not knowing what to do.

00:20:54.815 --> 00:20:57.138
Absolutely I like this one.

00:20:57.138 --> 00:21:02.909
If we go back to episode one and maybe this kind of relates to some of our answers already but what advice would we give ourselves?

00:21:03.390 --> 00:21:07.126
I would just say, like, go all in, like don't downplay it.

00:21:07.126 --> 00:21:13.637
Like you know, I think, yes, it's not our full time job, but it's still.

00:21:13.637 --> 00:21:26.070
It's something we take seriously, it's something that matters, it's something that makes an impact in our community and with our friends and our family, and you know all of our listeners and so to me, that would be the biggest one is like don't downplay it.

00:21:26.070 --> 00:21:31.049
This thing is just as important as anybody else's thing that they're doing and get after it.

00:21:31.329 --> 00:21:39.546
Yeah, my answer is similar to yours and I think we had a similar question when we celebrated our one year of the podcast and did a reflection episode.

00:21:39.546 --> 00:21:44.836
My advice to myself would be to like not hide it and be proud of it.

00:21:44.836 --> 00:21:54.394
And I, yeah, I think like at the very beginning I was, I was proud that I was doing it, but I was only sharing it with like certain people and like scared to share too much about it.

00:21:54.394 --> 00:21:57.601
And now I just don't give an F, I don't give a flying F.

00:21:57.601 --> 00:22:02.472
So, yeah, I would just tell myself to like get there sooner than I did.

00:22:02.894 --> 00:22:05.587
Yeah, I mean, easier said than done, but yeah, I feel the same way.

00:22:05.587 --> 00:22:08.576
Yeah, okay, we're going to start talking future.

00:22:08.576 --> 00:22:11.409
We're done with reflections, right, okay?

00:22:11.409 --> 00:22:18.059
So are there any dream, guests or topics we hope to cover either in the next year or even beyond that?

00:22:18.585 --> 00:22:19.627
Katie Gatti-Tawson.

00:22:19.627 --> 00:22:21.875
I'm coming for you Money with Katie.

00:22:21.875 --> 00:22:26.376
We have plans to reach out to her and hopefully get her on the podcast.

00:22:26.376 --> 00:22:33.772
And I'm saying it here because, even if it doesn't happen like manifestation, maybe it will happen in the very long, long, long term.

00:22:33.772 --> 00:22:34.935
Okay, listen.

00:22:34.935 --> 00:22:37.412
This was I think I asked a very similar question.

00:22:37.412 --> 00:22:45.993
Like I said at our um celebrating one year, I'm still on my carrie washington game like I would die.

00:22:45.993 --> 00:22:48.438
Oh my god, that'd be so great.

00:22:48.458 --> 00:22:55.471
That'd be so great that would be really cool, honestly, and she's so involved like maybe one day that could be a reality.

00:22:55.471 --> 00:23:04.849
I don't feel like I have like I mean, there's a ton of people I'm like that'd be really cool, but I don't feel like I have like, oh, I would love or really really, really, really wish we could have this person.

00:23:04.849 --> 00:23:13.195
Um, but I have more like topics, like I think two topics come to mind, obviously, like second amendment, gun rights, gun rights, whatever.

00:23:13.195 --> 00:23:16.935
Like I think there's a lot of things we can do around that topic that we haven't even explored.

00:23:16.935 --> 00:23:27.893
And then second is campaign finance, because that topic feels, you know, I don't have imposter syndrome around it, but it just feels daunting to even dive into.

00:23:27.893 --> 00:23:34.238
So I know it's gonna be like a lot of we have to learn a lot before we can cover that topic, but that one, I think, is really, really important.

00:23:34.664 --> 00:23:36.905
Yeah, absolutely Okay.

00:23:36.905 --> 00:23:40.576
So what are some goals that we've set for ourselves for next year or even beyond that?

00:23:40.576 --> 00:23:41.830
Do we want to share anything?

00:23:42.806 --> 00:23:44.251
So I can maybe share personally.

00:23:44.251 --> 00:23:48.108
We haven't talked about like 2025 podcast goals yet.

00:23:48.108 --> 00:23:52.673
We've thrown out some big ideas, but I don't feel like Sarah and I haven't like sat down and mapped out 25 just yet.

00:23:52.673 --> 00:24:07.731
But personally, now that I'm not spending, you know, days knocking on doors for Ohio Democrats, I'm going to try to, I think, get involved with League of Women Voters.

00:24:07.731 --> 00:24:10.663
I haven't officially decided on the org, but I'm definitely going to get involved in a local org.

00:24:10.682 --> 00:24:14.816
Hudson, the city I live in, has several like local organization chapters just here.

00:24:14.816 --> 00:24:22.333
So I think League of Women Voters is where I want to go, just because, like I said a little bit earlier, they're so focused on pro-democracy efforts.

00:24:22.333 --> 00:24:29.409
But also they were helpful with issue one, which I guess is a pro-democracy effort.

00:24:29.409 --> 00:24:30.191
So that's a bad example.

00:24:30.191 --> 00:24:50.339
But, whatever's happening in your local community, they are a non-partisan organization that just kind of picks the side that is the best for democracy or the best for the most people in the community and that is the side they support and go after, and so that's the group I think I want to get involved with for 25.

00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:58.714
I think the other thing is we have the sub stack now, I think writing more and creating more content outside of just the podcast is a goal of ours.

00:24:58.714 --> 00:25:12.738
So you know, whether that's just chatting with you guys in there, engagement wise, or even like posting articles, you know, keeping Instagram up and running as best as we can as well, and growing that if we can, you know, the more people we can reach on that the better.

00:25:12.738 --> 00:25:14.928
So those are just like some high level goals.

00:25:14.928 --> 00:25:15.990
What about you, sarah?

00:25:16.413 --> 00:25:31.311
Yeah, I was going to mention the Substack and just kind of in general are not that we were ever not focused on the podcast, especially within the last few months with the election, but I just think we have a more targeted focus for next year and just in general.

00:25:31.311 --> 00:25:36.047
So, yeah, just more ways to connect with us and build that community.

00:25:36.047 --> 00:25:41.767
On Substack and I'm stealing I told Ash, but I'm stealing her goal of getting involved with a local org.

00:25:41.767 --> 00:25:58.696
We already have some connections with some in Columbus, specifically Ohio Women's Alliance, and they are all about reproductive justice and we've actually had a couple folks on the podcast last August to talk about issue one of the reproductive rights amendment.

00:25:58.696 --> 00:26:01.691
So that would be one that I'm looking into more.

00:26:01.691 --> 00:26:02.752
Try to get more involved.

00:26:02.752 --> 00:26:09.987
But, yeah, not surprised that I'm stealing Ashley's goals, because if she's doing it I'm like, yep, that feels like a good thing for me to do too.

00:26:09.987 --> 00:26:10.669
That's funny.

00:26:11.170 --> 00:26:13.436
I feel like you shouldn't always take that life lesson though.

00:26:14.385 --> 00:26:20.251
Well, yeah, there are definitely some things I don't do that you do and I think that, yeah, I think I usually have a good like radar.

00:26:22.195 --> 00:26:22.636
That's funny.

00:26:22.636 --> 00:26:24.006
Okay, I think.

00:26:24.006 --> 00:26:28.498
Last one before we wrap what are you most excited for for 2025?

00:26:29.286 --> 00:26:31.811
I'm just like so excited to see where this goes.

00:26:31.811 --> 00:26:41.126
Like I said, we have a more like tailored and targeted focus now not that we didn't before again, but it's just like I don't know the fuel from this election.

00:26:41.126 --> 00:26:50.215
Like I think we're just both so ready to freaking go and like when you put Ash and I in the same room, and we're both like ready to freaking go, like, watch out.

00:26:50.215 --> 00:26:55.366
Like I am just like so excited to see what we come up with, what we're able to accomplish.

00:26:55.366 --> 00:27:00.278
Um, and I, yeah, I really think, uh, 2025 is going to be our year I agree.

00:27:00.518 --> 00:27:14.035
I Obviously, when we planned to record this episode, we thought we might be celebrating an election win, A lot of election wins actually Ohio Senate seats and Ohio she won, and all the things we are still pretty zero.

00:27:14.055 --> 00:27:14.559
I'm just kidding.

00:27:15.703 --> 00:27:16.969
No, we actually are pretty much.

00:27:16.969 --> 00:27:20.182
I mean a couple of local races for us, yeah, I mean more.

00:27:20.222 --> 00:27:30.744
so Leah, like other states that aren't our state, but statewide for Ohio and obviously the presidential election didn't go so hot and so we're not celebrating.

00:27:30.744 --> 00:27:32.990
But to Sarah's point, I think quickly.

00:27:32.990 --> 00:27:40.923
We are recording this on November 13th, so it's only one week after we found out the election results and I think pretty quickly.

00:27:40.923 --> 00:28:00.407
Honestly, we got to the point of just like female rage, in a way that like we want to just channel that all into productivity and doing as much as we can to fight against this administration and, honestly, all of Ohio's government and all of the things.

00:28:00.407 --> 00:28:01.611
So, yeah, I totally agree.

00:28:01.611 --> 00:28:14.809
I think watch out, we're not the only people that feel this way and we're just excited to figure out how best to partner with the orgs in Ohio, like we've talked about, to make the biggest difference and use our platform to grow it and to help as much as we can.

00:28:14.809 --> 00:28:16.922
So that's what I'm also most excited about.

00:28:16.922 --> 00:28:19.085
Let's go.

00:28:21.809 --> 00:28:23.992
Amazing, well, happy 100 episodes.

00:28:23.992 --> 00:28:30.174
Ash, I wouldn't want to be doing this with anyone else on this planet Same for you always Same same.

00:28:30.715 --> 00:28:31.417
We aren't going to cry.

00:28:31.417 --> 00:28:33.703
Me and Sarah already actually cried on election.

00:28:33.703 --> 00:28:34.906
Wait, what date was that?

00:28:35.008 --> 00:28:35.689
It was election night.

00:28:35.689 --> 00:28:36.932
It was Saturday.

00:28:36.932 --> 00:28:38.103
It was Saturday.

00:28:38.123 --> 00:28:39.607
Yeah, yeah, it was Saturday after the election.

00:28:39.607 --> 00:28:49.006
We already had beers and cried about the podcast together, so we're not going to do that on air, but we are going to thank all of you guys for listening, for supporting us for two years.

00:28:49.006 --> 00:28:51.112
I mean, this thing doesn't exist without you.

00:28:51.112 --> 00:28:52.623
So thank you, thank you, thank you.

00:28:52.623 --> 00:28:53.424
We can't thank you enough.

00:28:53.424 --> 00:28:56.701
We genuinely appreciate it and love when you engage with us.

00:28:56.701 --> 00:29:05.750
So please do so on Substack or Instagram or wherever that is, and if you want to get involved, reach out the more the merrier, and we would love to just help and be a part of that journey for you.

00:29:06.092 --> 00:29:09.258
Yes, we love you all and thank you so much for the support, as always.

00:29:09.258 --> 00:29:13.970
Like I said, we couldn't do this without you and we just, we just love this little community that we've built.

00:29:13.970 --> 00:29:15.240
So thank you so much.

00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:18.007
This is our last new episode for the year.

00:29:18.007 --> 00:29:30.412
We'll be dropping some vaults, so just some episodes that we've already recorded and released before, some of our favorites, so feel free to re-listen to those, and we will catch you in 2025.

00:29:30.412 --> 00:29:31.673
In 2025.

00:29:31.673 --> 00:29:34.557
Thanks everyone, wow, bye, bye.

00:29:34.557 --> 00:29:44.928
Thanks for joining us for today's episode.

00:29:44.928 --> 00:29:46.507
We really appreciate the support.

00:29:47.182 --> 00:29:51.945
We would also really appreciate it if you hit the follow button and share this episode with anyone you think would enjoy it.

00:29:52.461 --> 00:29:55.230
And we'd like to thank Kevin Tanner, who edited this episode.

00:29:55.230 --> 00:30:00.464
If you're interested in learning more about him and his services, his website and Instagram are in the show notes.

00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:02.201
With that, we'll see you next week.

00:30:02.201 --> 00:30:17.864
Okay, did I ask that?

00:30:17.884 --> 00:30:19.468
or did you ask that?

00:30:19.468 --> 00:30:21.173
I think you asked it, because I started first.

00:30:21.192 --> 00:30:22.516
Yeah, so now I ask the question.