Politically Minded Gal

It's begun.

The mud-slinging. The what-aboutism and the division of neighbors, friends, and families. Yes, it's primary season!

In this episode, I introduce you to all the candidates vying for the nomination of both major political parties. And even those who have decided to run as independents.

Of course, we have to talk about President Biden at 80 years old and former President Trump (and a...

In this first episode of Season 2, we pay tribute to the late Senator from California, the honorable Dianne Feinstein. 

Who passed away on September 29th at the age of 90. 

At the time, she was the longest-serving female in US Senate history. Having won her first Senate election in 1993. 

This episode not only pays tribute to a pioneer but also highlights some of Senator Feinstein's biggest accomplis...

Happy 1st Birthday to the Politically Minded Gal!

What a fantastic first year it's been for us both. We witnessed (and talked about) the overturning of a historic law, the sad death of a Queen, the indictment of a former President, and so much more. 

Along the way, we learned about how democracies die, the difference between hearing and listening, and the importance of not only knowing but writing to your l...

In this episode, we do something different together. We explore what defines democracy, examine what history has taught us about how they die, and what can be done to keep them alive. 

Given the current polarization in American politics, is there a more important subject as we head into the 2024 election cycle? 

The information shared in this episode was gathered during a two-week summer seminar I participated in ...

Happy Birthday, America!

It is time we pause to reflect on why we gather for BBQs, go to the beach, and enjoy fireworks on this day each year.

In this episode, I take you through two historical speeches on the importance of signing the Declaration of Independence and how the words written nearly 250 years ago 'Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness' are still a dream we are chasing. 

Hea...

Have you ever had your bank account overdrawn or ever heard your parents talking about spending more money than what's in their account? I have.

And this past week, I learned the US Federal Government faced the same challenge. Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle spent the last month in a deadlocked negotiation before finally passing a bi-partisan deal  (aka a compromise) to prevent our government from defa...

When was the last time a major news or opinion Journalist was fired or, more politely, parted ways with their news organization? If you are trying to think back a few years, then that's my point, it doesn't happen very often.

But, on Monday, April 24th, not one but TWO media icons fell from grace, in what is being termed by some as the "Monday Media Massacre."

In this episode, we discuss how ...

History was made on April 4th, when for the first time, a former President was indicted on criminal charges. 

In this episode, I explore why Donald Trump was charged with 34 counts of business fraud and how he has denied any wrongdoing since 2018. Hear directly from Trump on why he thinks this is a politically motivated case and what his 2024 rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, had to say in his defense. 

Join m...

Join me in celebrating women's history month by recognizing three of the most influential women in American politics over the last century.

Listen to some of the most famous quotes from the Notorious RBG. Learn about the positive impact that Mary McLeod Bethune had during her fight for racial equality, and hear why Barbara Mikulski spent more than half her life in the service of the state of Maryland while becoming t...

Who is your Representative in Congress? Would you happen to know how to reach him or her? Did you even know that you could communicate directly with them and share your concerns or tell them what's most important to you? 

It might be surprising, but most of us need to learn who the person represents in Congress. And that is alarming! No one in the Federal Government has more influence on local affairs or can carry our...

Congratulations to the Honorable Kevin McCarthy of California who has been elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In this episode, I discuss his long path and how the fifteen votes he needed to secure the Speakership unfolded. You will hear my favorite part of his victory speech and how he says it's time to do the work the people of the United States have asked the 118th Congress to do.

I truly lov...

Welcome back!

The 2022 Election season is OFFICIALLY closed!

The Georgia Senate Runoff Election between incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker, concluded on November 8th after voters once again turned out in mass.

Hear directly from Senator Warnock as he tells his supporters, voters, and the American public that their vote mattered in his victory speech. And li...

These 2022 Midterms have been record-breaking! From the number of early votes to the massive turnout of younger voters to the vast amounts of money spent on campaigning. So, now that they are almost over... what do we know?

In this episode, I discuss some historic firsts, and we hear directly from those politicians who won their respective elections.

Join me as we hear from Maxwell Frost, the first member of Gen ...

In this episode, I discuss the midterm election drama and introduce you to the political phrase "October surprise." Which describes a news event that can influence the outcome of an upcoming November election.

The biggest October surprise of the season happened in the Georgia Senate race between the incumbent Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock and his Republican opponent Herschel Walker, who has been heavily endo...

Queen Elizabeth II was an iconic monarch whose reign spanned 70 years at the time she passed on September 8, 2022. During her time on the throne, she eloquently guided her people through wars, economic prosperity, recessions, social unrest, and the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In this episode, we listen to two of the Queen's most iconic speeches: her first Christmas address after she became queen in 1952 and her heartfelt mem...

Do you know what election primaries are? Or why they're so important to our democracy? Until recently, I didn't fully understand what they were or why they were needed before each general election. So, since we are in the primary season, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about how voters can use these early elections to choose which candidates they want to represent them on the general election ballots in November...

In this episode, we go back to 2004 to learn how one politician turned to social media to help his presidential campaign. And how his actions have changed the way voters interact with political leaders. 

From there, we explore how social media has become a primary channel for politicians to raise money and get their message out to supporters.   

In my next episode, we explore the importance of primary elections a...

In this episode, we will first break down the history of the Supreme Court case Roe v Wade.

Then we will analyze how the legality of Roe has changed over the years and the Supreme Court's surprising decision to overturn this 50-year-old law in June of 2022.

Tune in to this episode to hear the direct words of the politicians making groundbreaking decisions concerning abortion rights in states.

In my ...

In this episode, you will hear how Greta Thunberg is taking action to fight for the global climate and environment.

Hear directly from Greta when at 15 years old, she stood in front of hundreds during her first protest to proclaim a "cry for help."

Then follow her remarkable rise from a small protest to speaking at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2019. 

You will learn how this remarkable...