“If we’re going to win, organizing is going to be key to getting us there” (With Elyssa Feder of Rising Organizers)

What Can I Do

#Politics #Podcasting Education #News #Kelly Therese Pollock and Lila Nordstrom #I

46:53

Ep. 47 – Ticketing Chaos Explained: Bots, Brokers & Bold Claims with Joel Schwartz What do Donald Trump, Kid Rock, and a 200% ticket guarantee have in common? They’re all part of the chaotic, misunderstood world of live event ticketing—and veteran ticket broker, founding member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) and attorney, Joel Schwartz is here to discuss the current executive order and how it affects ticket brokers and fans. In this high-impact episode, we sit down with one of the original voices in ticket resale to break down what’s really driving the headlines. From political theater to pricing transparency, Schwartz shares insider stories from decades in the game—starting with Lions games in the '70s and stretching all the way to Super Bowl holdbacks, Taylor Swift meltdowns, and FTC policy shifts. In this episode, you'll learn: Why bots aren’t the real problem—and who actually is How “dynamic pricing” impact fans, travel planners, and the entire resale market What the new executive orders and pricing laws could mean for concerts, sports, and festivals How fans, brokers, and platforms can navigate an increasingly complex and competitive marketplace Whether you're a travel professional, ticketing insider, or just a fan tired of hidden fees and vanishing inventory, this episode delivers clarity, context, and a dose of hard truth. Follow us at @Tix2TravelPod on all platforms and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. www.tttpod.com www.xpotravel.com…

3 years ago 32:56

MP3•Episode home

So, the election is over, political changes are afoot, and you’re looking to help people take action into their own hands. What do you do? For Elyssa Feder and her team at Rising Organizers, the answer was to teach emerging activists the tools they need to change their communities, policies, and the world. By focusing on issues instead of elections, Rising Organizers helps people take steps towards making this change whether or not an election is on the horizon. Episode Links: Rising Organizers: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Elyssa Feder (personal): Twitter Mentioned in the Episode: Deepa Iyer’s (@deepaviyer) Social Change Ecosystem Map Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

43 episodes

“If we’re going to win, organizing is going to be key to getting us there” (With Elyssa Feder of Rising Organizers)

What Can I Do

published 3 years ago

MP3•Episode home

43 episodes

#Politics #Podcasting Education #News #Kelly Therese Pollock and Lila Nordstrom #I

All episodes

1
“There will be a November 6th.” (w/ Sara Guillermo, CEO of IGNITE) 33:14

41 weeks ago33:14

33:14

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: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com . 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.…

1
“How does my message align with this person's cultural identity?” (w/ Kelsye Adams, Director of DC Vote) 33:07

42 weeks ago33:07

33:07

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: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com . 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.…

1
“Government’s not the problem, it’s the prize.” (w/ DaMareo Cooper, co-Executive Director of Popular Democracy, formerly CPD) 37:12

43 weeks ago37:12

37:12

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: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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.…

1
“Work doesn’t feel like work when it’s fun.” (WCID Jr. w/ Joan Galat, author of Make Your Mark, Make a Difference) 25:11

47 weeks ago25:11

25:11

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: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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.…

1
"Find the joy in today." (w/ Dr. Deborah Vinall, psychologist, Author of Gaslighting and the Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens) 26:38

48 weeks ago26:38

26:38

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: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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.…

1
“In order to get there, you have to build out infrastructure.” (w/ Jane Kleeb, Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, author, and Climate Breakthrough Awardee) 31:31

50 weeks ago31:31

31:31

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: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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.…

1
“I listen to the people that these elections are truly life and death for.” (w/ Maggie O’Keefe, Chicago 40th Ward Committeeperson, community organizer.) 35:10

51 weeks ago35:10

35:10

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: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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.…

1
“Words mean things” (w/ Anat Shenker-Osorio, Host of Words to Win By, Principal of ASO Communications) 43:05

52 weeks ago43:05

43:05

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: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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.…

1
The FTA & Antiwar Protests in 1971 (Cross-Post from Unsung History) 47:31

1 year ago47:31

47:31

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/…

1
“What can we do as community to protect each other?” (w/ Angela Ferrell-Zabala, ED of Mom’s Demand Action) 30:17

2 years ago30:17

30:17

Are you looking for some hope and next steps when it comes to combatting gun violence in your community and nationally? This week we spoke to Angela Ferrell-Zabala from Mom’s Demand Action to dig into the seemingly intractable issue of gun violence and learn about how Mom’s Demand Action, their affiliated organization Students Demand Action, and the larger ecosystem of gun violence prevention organizations are working together, advocating for better policy, and, most importantly, supporting volunteer actions at the local level that you (yes you!) can get involved in. Beyond the headlines there’s progress getting made on this issue all over the country, and Angela told us how Mom’s Demand can help interested “mothers and others” get involved in lobbying and learn how to take smaller, more approachable actions in their communities. Episode Links: Mom’s Demand Action: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Take Action: Text “Ready” to 64433 Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

1
“There's somebody in every town who is a busybody.” (w/ Carla Nordstrom, Retired Teacher and Community Activist) 47:23

2 years ago47:23

47:23

Are you retired and looking for a way to get involved? A few weeks ago we heard from a listener looking for information about how to approach activism as a retired person. She was sick of postcarding and other activities that don’t feel effective, so we decided to chat with the busiest retired activist we know…Lila’s mother, Carla Nordstrom! In our wide-ranging conversation, we talk about the many skills retired people bring to the table, how they’re uniquely situated for effective community organizing, and what kinds of things Carla does to keep her community informed and promote the candidates and causes she’s working on. Episode Links: Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

1
"Can I actually bring something to this work to this fight? That is going to add value?" (w/ Hannah Fried, Executive Director of All Voting is Local) 31:46

2 years ago31:46

31:46

Are you interested in aiding in the fight to make the vote more accessible in your state or community? Hannah Fried is a lawyer by trade who worked for the campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama before founding All Voting is Local, a non-profit that works in eight states to protect the vote at the local level. She talks us through the founding of All Voting is Local, including how she funded the organization and assembled her team in the early days, as well as what their work entails and how regular people can step up to protect the vote in their communities. Episode Links: All Voting is Local: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

1
“At the end of the day, when you're talking about activism, it's just a bigger word for care.” (w/ Sabrina Cartan of Fandom Forward and director Eliyannah Amirah Yisrael) 41:50

2 years ago41:50

41:50

Are you a part of a fan community and wondering how to use your passion and interest to make the world a better place? Sabrina Cartan and Eliyannah Amirah Yisrael are organizers, creatives, fans, and believe communities organized around pop culture are inherently political and ripe for organizing. Sabrina talks about the power of fan movements and how they are harnessed through her work with Fandom Forward, an organization that connects causes to fan communities. Eliyannah talks to us about how her political and fan interests inform her work as a creative and how her activism and work are often one in the same. A really inspiring and timely episode for anybody looking for ways to connect their activism to their other interests! Episode Links: Sabrina Cartan: Website | Instagram | Twitter Eliyannah Amirah Yisrael: YouTube | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Fandom Forward: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

1
“Think of graphic design not as self-expression but as visual communication.” (w/ Innosanto Nagara, graphic designer and best-selling author and illustrator of children’s books about activism and… 33:06

2 years ago33:06

33:06

Thinking about how to effectively use graphic design in your organizing work? Innosanto Nagara is a designer who has long used his visual communication skills in his organizing, but found a unique way to help the next generation join the fight by writing and illustrating the best-selling board book A is For Activist. So began a successful second career as a children’s book author. Inno’s books cover the topics he wanted to teach his own child about, things like taking action, being part of a community, learning about legacies of colonialism, and understanding how movement’s are constructed and how they succeed. We talk about effective graphic design, why he began writing books for children, and how we can help the next generation learn about the issues that matter. Episode Links: Innosanto Nagara: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Buy the Books: Bookshop | Seven Stories Press Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

1
“One of the best things lawyers can do is have the courage to speak out.” (w/ Brett Edkins, Managing Director for Policy & Political Affairs at Stand Up America) 37:28

2 years ago37:28

37:28

Terrified about the state of SCOTUS and the courts and wondering how you can take action to support court reform? We started this podcast in the days after Dobbs, so we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Brett Edkins from Stand Up America to chat about his journey from law school to advocacy, how lawyers can use their skills to advocate for and support court reform, and the role regular people can play in standing up to corruption in the American courts. He’s got advice on everything from simple actions you can take right now to policy changes regular citizens and politicians alike can pursue at the local and national level. Episode Links: Action Items: Text “Stand” to 63033 | Email Your Representatives Follow Stand Up America: Website | TikTok | Instagram | Twitter Follow Brett Edkins: Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

1
“If you treat me like a problem, maybe I should turn into one.” (w/ Maggie Carter, Staff Organizer at the Starbucks Workers United) 26:52

2 years ago26:52

26:52

Watching Hot Labor Summer unfold and interested in learning more about how to unionize your workplace or support the labor movement? Maggie Carter, a single mom and college student, had worked as a Starbucks partner for years (including through the entire pandemic) when she saw union drives working in far-away stores and wondered if she could help bring that kind of change to her own door. She’s now a staff organizer with the Starbucks Workers United and talks about how the union vote came together, the roadblocks Starbucks threw up in their way, and how much things have changed since her store became the first in the south to unionize. Episode Links: Follow the Starbucks Workers Union: Website | TikTok | Instagram | Twitter Follow the Southern Starbucks Workers Union: Twitter Follow Maggie Carter: Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

1
“My goal is to make this an American tradition.” (w/ Jayna Zweiman, founder of the Welcome Blanket Project, co-founder of the Pussyhat Project) 34:37

2 years ago34:37

34:37

Looking for a way to build community and make political change using your artistic skills or an interest in crafting? Jayna Zweiman was an architect recovering from a life-changing head and neck injury when she found the knitting and crocheting community. It became a critical part of her recovery, and, ultimately, activism. Since then she’s founded multiple projects focused on giving crafters a political community that helps educate people through art and provides real, tangible resources to people in need. After co-founding the Pussyhat Project in 2016, she created the Welcome Blanket Project, which gives knitters the chance to create blankets that are turned into educational exhibits, then sent to refugees and asylum seekers through a network of organizations serving the immigrant community. Jayne talks about the logistics of starting and managing a project of this scope, the challenges of making that project sustainable in the long-run, and the joys of creating political communities that welcome introverts. Episode Links: Welcome Blanket Project: Website | Facebook | Instagram Jayna Zweiman: Website Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“My job is to see who’s ready to start speaking up and help them use their voice.” (w/ Jade Pacheco, Community Builder at ACT 4 SA) 30:26

2 years ago30:26

30:26

What does it take to overcome your anxieties and concerns about canvassing, public speaking, and more? Jade Pacheco gives us an unfiltered look at how she went from being a shy, passive citizen to a builder of communities through her work with ACT 4 SA, the first grassroots organization in San Antonio to focus on policing the police. In the process she talks about developing the confidence to canvas for candidates and causes, the training and support that allowed her to take the leap, the medical barriers that kept her from getting diagnosed with ADHD, the accommodations she now requests to ensure she can do her community work well, and so much more. Episode Links: Follow ACT 4 SA: Website | Facebook | Instagram Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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"We have to always bear in mind who is not here with us, who is not in the room.” (w/ Kevin J. Elliott, author of Democracy for Busy People) 39:41

2 years ago39:41

39:41

Does it seem like being an engaged citizen is starting to feel like a full-time job? Are you looking for ways to cut down on the costs, both in terms of time and resources, that it takes to make your voice heard? Kevin Elliott, lecturer in ethics, politics and economics at Yale University and author of Democracy for Busy People knows you’re not alone. We talk to him about how to create space for busy people to participate in our democracy, the seemingly positive democratic innovations can actually create more problems than they solve, and what it means for a government to be truly inclusive. Episode Links: Buy Democracy for Busy People: Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Kevin J. Elliott: Website | Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“I came here to do something new.” (Live from Netroots Nation with stories from Reps. Summer Lee, Maxwell Frost, Greg Casar, and Delia Ramirez, plus activists Kristin Foster, Karen Gamez Lopez,… 33:01

2 years ago33:01

33:01

So you’re thinking of getting involved, but you’re not sure how to find your place as an activist? Have no fear! The attendees and speakers of this year’s Netroots Nation are here to help. In this episode we compile the stories of everybody from members of Congress to local candidates to state-level Democratic activists to hyper-local community activists and learn how they got involved and what their work has taught them. Episode Links: Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12): Website | Twitter Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL-10): Website | Twitter Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35): Website | Twitter Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-3): Website | Twitter Sean Frame (Founder, The Six PAC): Website | Twitter Carlyn Cowen (Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Chinese-American Planning Council): Website | Twitter Karen Gamez Lopez (Engagement Director, Fuse WA): Website | Twitter Kristin Foster (Deputy Executive Director, Get Loud Arkansas): Website | Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“Step one: Face the climate emergency.” (with Margaret Klein Salamon, Founding Principal of Climate Awakening, and author of Facing the Climate Emergency: How to Transform Yourself with Climate… 30:32

2 years ago30:32

30:32

So you want to fight climate change but you’re feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem? Margaret Klein Salamon is a clinical psychologist turned climate activist eager to help people overcome inertia and fear so they can get involved in the climate movement. We talk about how to activate “emergency mode” instead of “panic mode” to face some of the biggest challenges of our time, and what’s at stake if we don’t. Episode Links: Learn more about Margaret / Climate Awakening: Website | Twitter Facing the Climate Emergency: Read A Free Chapter | Buy Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“It doesn’t matter, just run.” (With Irene Shin, Delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates and ED of the Virginia Civic Engagement Table) 37:01

2 years ago37:01

37:01

So you’re interested in running for state assembly? In 2021, Irene Shin took on an incumbent Delegate in Virgina’s 86th district and won! Now embarking on her second campaign for the VA House of Delegates, we talk about how she got involved in state-level politics, how she decided to run for office, the first steps she took to declare and build a campaign staff, and what life looks like in a part-time state assembly. In the process we talk about the challenges of being a historic “first,” why it’s so important to make state positions accessible, and the excitement of running in a bellwether state. Episode Links: Connect to Irene Shin’s Campaign: Website | Twitter | Instagram Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“Journalism is supposed to be about speaking truth to power” (With Fiona Lowenstein, journalist and editor of The Long COVID Survival Guide) 38:36

2 years ago38:36

38:36

So you’re a journalist interested in using your skills to amplify new narratives and voices and promote a more just, more equitable world? This wide-ranging, incredibly thoughtful conversation with journalist and Long COVID activist Fiona Lowenstein is all about the power of storytelling, using journalism for good, the importance of accessibility, and how to use privilege and access constructively in one’s activist work. Fiona talks about how their skills as a communicator have helped them not just write about their own experiences, but pass the mic to the voices we might not otherwise hear from, and reflect on about how activism has changed in the COVID era, as well as what we can all do to make sure our work and life in general is accessible to all. Episode Links: Fiona Lowenstein: Website | Twitter | Instagram The Long COVID Survival Guide: Publisher | Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Long COVID Justice / JD David’s Organization Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“The community is critical” (With Mary Rickles, Director for Communications and Politics for Netroots Nation) 31:23

2 years ago31:23

31:23

So you’re hoping to meet other activists, learn about their work, and figure out how you can join forces or support each other’s work? Netroots Nation 2023, the largest annual conference for progressives in America, is almost here! We spoke to longtime program communications director Mary Rickles Conley about the value of building a progressive community, how she got involved with Netroots, how their speakers and panelists are selected, and what attendees can gain from attending, both in person and online. This year’s conference, which will take place in mid-July, will feature appearances from some of this year’s most exciting and impactful progressive champions and elected officials, not to mention bring together thousands of activists to meet, mingle, strategize, and support progressive action. Episode Links: Netroots Nation 2023: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“In the progressive community, we tend to dislike the idea of selling ideas.” (With David Fenton, author of The Activist’s Media Handbook) 29:58

3 years ago29:58

29:58

So you’re hoping to propel a cause into the public eye in a way that’s thoughtful and effective? What do you do? For David Fenton, the longtime progressive PR guru who began his activist work in the late 1960s alongside figures like Abbie Hoffman and Yoko Ono, the answer has been to stick to some simple rules: straightforward and understandable messaging, repetition, effective storytelling, and the other principles that he lays out in his book, The Activist's Media Handbook. We spoke about his activist origin story and how he’s paying forward his decades of experience, as well as how he’s continuing to put the PR rules he writes about into practice to fight climate change. Episode Links: David Fenton: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Buy The Activist’s Media Handbook Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“There’s one statistic I came across that suggested that 90% of people think they're more objective than average. And I wouldn't you know, I put myself in that category.” (With Jessica Nordell,… 29:38

3 years ago29:38

29:38

So you’re thinking about your place in larger political systems and wondering how your own biases are showing up in your work. What do you do? For Jessica Nordell, a journalist who has extensively covered the fallout of our political and social biases, the answer was the dig into how they’re formed, how they impact our lives, and how we can change our minds and the minds of others. Her book, The End of Bias, forced her to confront not only our larger cultural biases, but her personal biases as well. She delivers into the research regarding how to make change by starting with the very thing that prompts us to try: our minds. Episode Links: Jessica Nordell: Website | Newsletter | Twitter | Instagram Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“If we’re going to win, organizing is going to be key to getting us there” (With Elyssa Feder of Rising Organizers) 32:56

3 years ago32:56

32:56

What Can I Do

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ICYMI - Recap 2 (aka, What Can I Do After the Midterms) 34:10

3 years ago34:10

34:10

In this special post-election edition of TL;DL, we’re looking back at the action items we discussed on the most recent seven episodes of “What Can I Do” featuring: Candice Kerestan of Democrats Abroad, Chloe Maxmin and Canyon Woodard of Dirt Road Revival, Rev. Angela Williams of SACReD, Amanda Litman of Run for Something, Don Hebbard of Compressor-Free Franklin, Rosie Torres and Susan Zeier of Burn Pits 360, and New York City Councilman Chi Ossé. In this episode we’ll be focusing on actions you can take AFTER election day is done. Episode Links: Unsung History Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. The mid-episode audio is "OctoBlues" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. The audio clip is from "The Politics of Reproductive Rights in 1960s & 1970s New York," the October 31, 2022, episode of Unsung History and is used with permission of Kelly Therese Pollock. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“We talked to everybody, because in Kansas you cannot win with only Democrats” (With Ashley All of Kansans for Constitutional Freedom) 36:12

3 years ago36:12

36:12

So, you’re campaigning for a timely but hot-button ballot initiative and need to reach voters without eliciting knee-jerk reactions. What do you do? For Ashley All and the many coalition partners working with Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, the answer was to empower local activists to reach out in their communities and work together to message that protecting a woman’s right to have an abortion is one way to protect something Kansans of all political stripes value: Freedom. Kansas was the first state to defeat an abortion ban via popular vote after the Dobbs ruling, and the campaign has helped shape campaigns in other states, with several voting on the issue this month. Episode Links: Kansans For Constitutional Freedom: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Ashley All (personal): Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“A Justified Impatience” (With New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé) 23:43

3 years ago23:43

23:43

So you’ve gotten involved in a major political protest movement but you want to do more. What else can you do? For Chi Ossé, an active organizer with the BLM movement working in nightlife, the drive to make change led into a successful city council bid, making Ossé the youngest member of the New York City Council and the youngest person ever to pass a bill in New York City. Ossé believes that local politics are the best place to begin the work of improving communities, cities, and the nation at large. Episode Links: Chi Ossé: Website | Twitter | Instagram Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“How do you just sit back and tell your loved one that there's no help coming?” (With Rosie Torres and Susan Zeier of Burn Pits 360) 38:36

3 years ago38:36

38:36

So your community of veterans is getting sick because of toxic exposures on the job, but nobody, including the federal government, wants to take responsibility for your care. What do you do? For Rosie Torres and Susan Zeier, the answer was the organize a major lobbying effort to ensure that burn pit victims like their family members were taken care of. For Rosie, the founder of Burn Pits 360, this involved organizing a community and marshaling the efforts of people like Susan, who were willing to show up again and again. They built a successful lobbying force and (with some help from Jon Stewart) passed the groundbreaking PACT Act earlier this year. Episode Links: Burn Pits 360: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“I look at political activism as an outgrowth of volunteerism.” (w/ Donald Hebbard of Compressor-Free Franklin) 30:10

3 years ago30:10

30:10

So you’re concerned about a local issue in a small rural community and you need to start an advocacy effort from scratch. What do you do? Donald Hebbard was a retired farmer and longtime resident of a rural area in upstate New York when he learned of a plan to put a natural gas compressor station in his town. Concerned about the impact this would have on the environment and community, he and a group of concerned citizens put together a local advocacy effort and won. Episode Links: Compressor Free Franklin Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“The joy of focusing on local work is that we win a lot” (w/ Amanda Litman of Run For Something) 31:07

3 years ago31:07

31:07

So you’re thinking about how to connect young people interested in running for office with the resources and community they need to win. What’s your first step? For Amanda Litman, a veteran of the Obama campaign, the first step was to put up a website looking for people interested in running for local office. What the response was greater than she could have ever imagined, she and a friend recruited volunteers and got to work helping thousands of young candidates navigate how to file, how to run a campaign, and how to win. Episode Links: Find out which offices are available in your area at Run for What: Website Run for Something: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Amanda Litman: Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“Starting with the three feet around you” (w/ Rev. Angela Williams of SACReD) 27:25

3 years ago27:25

27:25

So you’re looking to be a part of a faith community, but one that shares your values about things like reproductive rights LGBTQIA+ issues, and more? How do you find one? How do you create one? For Rev. Angela Willams, the co-director of Movement Building at SACRED, faith and political action are intertwined. She talks about being called to become a Pastor while finding her political voice, working to change the narrative that religious communities are inherently conservative, and how religious communities and individuals can work towards cultural change and liberation. Episode Links: SACReD: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“It always circles back to politics” (w/ Chloe Maxmin and Canyon Woodward from Dirt Road Revival) 27:30

3 years ago27:30

27:30

So you live in a rural community that’s been ignored by the Democratic establishment, but you want to get involved in the political system. So, what do you do? For Chloe Maxmin and Canyon Woodward, taking the lessons they’d learned while working in the climate movement and applying them to what they knew about Chloe’s rural home community taught them a lot about how to win campaigns in rural spaces. After working together to get Chloe elected to the Maine statehouse - the youngest woman ever to serve as a Maine Senator - they collaborated again on a book filled with helpful action items for Democratic rural candidates looking to run successful campaigns. Episode Links: Dirt Road Revival: Website Rural Runners: Website Chloe Maxmin: Twitter Canyon Woodward: Website | Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“Where can we be the margin of victory?” (w/ Candice Kerestan of Democrats Abroad) 30:00

3 years ago30:00

30:00

You’re an American living abroad, but you want to have a voice in choosing who represents you, so what do you do? For Candice Kerestan, an American living in Germany, the question of how to work towards a more equitable and just American system was made more urgent by her experience living in the German system, where issues like education, healthcare, and combating climate change were being prioritized. So, she got involved at the ground level with her local chapter of Democrats Abroad, and now helps other Americans abroad work to elect their preferred candidates and ensure their vote is counted. Episode Links: Democrats Abroad: Website | Twitter Vote From Abroad: Website Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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ICYMI - Recap 1 16:54

3 years ago16:54

16:54

A recap of the actions and strategies we’ve discussed in our recent interviews. Find out more on our blog! Episode Links: “The trouble with viewing 9/11 and the pandemic through a wartime lens,” by Lila Nordstrom and Sarah Senk, The Washington Post, September 9, 2022. The Op-Ed Project Writing Effective Op-Eds, Duke University “15 Actionable Media Training Tips From Former Journalists,” LiaisonPR, August 23, 2021 Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“Instead of thinking, ‘we should,’ I just said, ‘I will.’” (w/ Shannon Downey of Badass Cross Stitch) 40:28

3 years ago40:28

40:28

You’re skilled in the arts and you want to use those skills to make change, so what do you do? For Shannon Downey, a.k.a. Badass Cross Stitch, the answer was simple: Build a community of craft lovers and doers, and connect them with activists, issue-based craft challenges, fundraising opportunities, bystander training and advocacy workshops, and, of course, each other. Shannon tells us how she took her love of embroidery and lifelong passion for political action and combined the two. Episode Links: Shannon Downey / Badass Cross Stitch: Website | Twitter | Instagram Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto , and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“Feel the fear and do it anyway” (w/ Rachel Dawn Davis of Waterspirit) 28:40

3 years ago28:40

28:40

If you can see how big, seemingly-intractable national and international issues impact your local community, what do you do? For Rachel Dawn Davis, community activist and public policy and justice organizer with Waterspirit, the answer has been to search for intersections and connections between myriad local and national causes and do…whatever needs to be done. Between her work with veterans, her environmental activism, and her work in her community and New Jersey more broadly, she’s built advocacy and connecting communities into a lifelong habit and career. Find out how she approaches her work, where she finds opportunities, and how you can do the same! Episode Links: Waterspirit: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto , and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“I became enamored with this thing called politics” (w/ A'shanti Gholar of Emerge) 32:19

3 years ago32:19

32:19

If you don’t see any people in power who look like you or come from your background, what do you do? For A’shanti Gholar, President of Emerge America, the answer was to jump into the ring herself. From her high school showdown with a candidate for U.S. Senate to her work training women to run for office all over the nation, A’Shanti shares the story of how she took an early interest in politics and turned it into a career helping others. Episode Links: Emerge America: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram A’Shanti Gholar: Bio | Twitter | Instagram Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto , and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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“I'm always looking for people's superpower” (w/ Kristin Urquiza and Christine Keeves of Marked by COVID) 36:38

3 years ago36:38

36:38

A new crisis explodes and you’re the frontlines. What do you do? Marked by COVID co-founder Kristin Urquiza’s father died from COVID after trusting Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s claims that “it was safe to resume normal activities.” While reeling from the loss, she and co-founder Christine Keeves made the decision to act, hoping to save others from facing similar losses. Find out how they went about forming Marked by COVID and began helping lead the fight for accountability, recognition, and justice in the age of COVID-19. Episode Links: Follow Marked by COVID on Twitter and Facebook or visit their website . Follow Kristin Urquiza on Twitter Donate to Marked by COVID Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto , and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.…

What Can I Do

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"You don’t need a 12 point plan to get started" (w/ Lila Nordstrom of StuyHealth and Kelly Therese Pollock) 23:31

3 years ago23:31

23:31

Feeling down about the state of the world? Looking for substantive ideas about how to take action? We’re here to help! In this first episode, Lila and Kelly discuss their own activist journeys, what it takes to move beyond voting and donating, what first steps can look like, and how to figure out where your skills can be of use. Episode Links: Order Lila’s book: Some Kids Left Behind: A Survivor's Fight for Health Care in the Wake of 9/11. Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. 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 Good Deeds by Serj Anto , and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. Episodes are recorded, mixed, and edited by Lila Nordstrom and Kelly Therese Pollock.…

What Can I Do

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What Can I Do: The Trailer 1:11

3 years ago1:11