In this episode of BURNT, hosts Michelle Glogovac and Lauren Lehman Carter dive into the importance of informed parenting, community support, and the ongoing fight for women’s rights. Through candid conversation and personal stories, they unpack current events, discuss how parents can raise socially aware children, and highlight the role of collective action in creating meaningful change. The episode explores why open dialogue, civic engagement, and strong communities are essential in shaping a more equitable future.

What We're Talking About...

1. The importance of informed parenting and having age-appropriate conversations with children about difficult topics and current events
2. How community support and small, everyday micro-connections help build resilience and foster meaningful social change
3. The push for legislation to end statutes of limitations for sexual assault and why these laws matter for survivors seeking justice
4. The ways current events and political issues affect children, families, and broader society
5. How sharing personal stories and lived experiences can inspire advocacy, awareness, and collective action for social change

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Women's Month and Community Engagement

02:59 Navigating New Projects and Podcasting Adventures

05:50 The Importance of Age-Appropriate Conversations

09:06 Understanding Current Events and Their Impact on Children

11:49 Parenting in a Complex World

18:04 Building Connections and Finding Hope

22:45 Navigating Righteous Anger and Collective Action

24:12 The Birth of Good Work Advocacy Collective

26:47 Writing from the Moment: A Creative Process

30:08 Grounding in Chaos: Finding Center

32:37 The Weight of Awareness: Speaking Out

35:49 Breaking the Silence: Personal Healing and Advocacy

39:46 Historical Context: Women's Rights and Progress

41:44 The Power of Community and Matriarchy

In this episode of BURNT, Michelle and Lauren dive into the realities of political activism, grassroots organizing, and the emotional toll of advocacy work. They unpack the complexities of movement infighting, navigating social dynamics within activist spaces, and how burnout can impact long-term engagement.

Through candid conversation, they explore the importance of authentic connection, community-building, and values-driven leadership in sustaining meaningful social change. The hosts also highlight the power of personal storytelling as a tool for advocacy, emphasizing how lived experience can inspire action, strengthen movements, and create lasting impact.

What We're Talking About...

1. Political activism and movement infighting: navigating community dynamics and internal conflict in social justice spaces
2. Grassroots organizing metaphor: “boats and the river” as a framework for understanding coalition-building and social movements
3. The power of storytelling in advocacy: how personal narratives drive civic engagement and cultural change
4. Vicarious trauma in activism: emotional resilience, burnout prevention, and mental health in organizing
5. The Epstein files and survivor advocacy: accountability, systemic power, and supporting survivors within justice movements

Chapters

00:00 Reconnecting and Reflections

03:46 Navigating the Political Landscape

06:41 Finding Your Community

09:41 The Importance of Empathy in Activism

12:37 Engaging with Political Figures

15:36 Addressing Social Issues and Advocacy

18:45 Personal Experiences in Activism

21:14 Centering Survivor Voices

25:19 Navigating Vicarious Trauma

27:08 The Power of Personal Stories

28:55 Unveiling Systemic Issues

32:24 The Cycle of Trauma

35:12 Healing Through Advocacy

37:11 Community Support and Growth

In this episode of BURNT, hosts Lauren Lehman Carter and Michelle Glogovac share a raw, unfiltered conversation about navigating current events, political polarization, and the emotional toll of living through constant crisis. They explore how social media shapes public discourse, the pressure to perform activism online, and why authenticity matters more than optics.

Lauren and Michelle reflect on the weight of recent tragedies, the growing divide in political beliefs, and the essential role of empathy in advocacy and allyship. The conversation also addresses the challenges of parenting in an uncertain world, accountability for content creators, and the responsibility to speak out against injustice—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Grounded in honesty and hope, this episode of BURNT centers on resilience, community, and the belief that collective action and understanding can lead to meaningful change.

What We're Talking About...

• Authenticity in conversations builds trust, especially in discussions around politics, grief, and social justice.
• Social media shapes public discourse, amplifying both meaningful connection and harmful misinformation.
• Empathy is essential for understanding opposing perspectives and navigating political and ideological divides.
• Political beliefs can differ widely, even among people with similar backgrounds and lived experiences.
• The loss of life in current events has a profound emotional impact, reinforcing the human cost behind headlines.
• Parenting in today’s world requires constant adaptation to cultural, political, and societal change.
• Content creators have a responsibility to speak out against injustice, even when it risks discomfort or backlash.
• Apathy can contribute to systemic harm, making silence a form of complicity.
• Hope for the future is rooted in collective action, community care, and sustained advocacy.
• Understanding different mindsets fosters empathy, connection, and meaningful dialogue across divides.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Authenticity in Conversations

03:57 The Weight of Current Events on Social Media

06:36 The Responsibility of Influencers and Content Creators

09:57 The Complexity of Political Beliefs and Personal Responsibility

12:45 Empathy and Understanding in a Divided Society

15:39 The Role of Apathy in Social Issues

18:43 The Impact of Violence on Humanity

21:46 Parenting in a Challenging World

24:33 The Science of Goodness and Human Behavior

27:32 Engaging with Bots and Social Media Responsibility

30:40 The Urgency of Speaking Up

33:44 Hope and the Future of Activism