When Shannon Watts created Moms Demand Action in 2012, her intention was to give moms a way to take action on gun violence. Since then, she hasn’t just seen concrete results like stronger gun laws and closed loopholes. She’s seen the transformative power of getting together in person around shared values.

Shannon wrote about this idea in her recent book, Fired Up. She explained that there’s a spark within all of us, a catalyst for our life’s meaning and joy. And when many sparks all ignite at once, what do you get? A bonfire.

The idea immediately resonated with so many women that they began forming their own groups — called Bonfires — in their local communities.

If you’ve been following Red Wine & Blue for a while, this may all sound familiar to you. Women? Forming local groups? Around shared values? Connecting in person? Making a difference? Sounds like what the Red Wine & Blue Network is all about!

And because Katie Paris and Shannon Watts are collaborative and strategic women, they weren’t offended or territorial. They wanted to work together! So Bonfire and the Red Wine & Blue Network are teaming up to share what we’ve all learned and support women who want to start Bonfire or Network groups in their town.

If you want to learn more about how it works, you can join us for a live virtual event on Monday, March 30th at 7:30pm Eastern. Yes, we see the irony of holding a virtual event to help women find in-person connections. 😂 Just join us for an hour on Zoom to get the tools you need and then go out into your community for some real face-to-face time!

We also chatted on the pod with Emily, a mom in Florida who started her own Bonfire group this year. She says it’s been so cool to have a group of women supporting each other through big life changes, political turmoil, and anything that life throws their way.

If you can’t attend the virtual event on 3/30, you can learn more about the RWB/Bonfire partnership here. If there isn’t already a group in your area, consider starting one! We’ll be here to help you every step of the way.

For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Are you feeling burned out on politics? If the answer is no... please let us know your secret!

But if you are feeling burned out like us (and basically every woman we know), then this episode is for you.

We were joined by the wise and funny Amelia Nagoski this week to talk about her book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. Amelia wrote the book with her twin sister Emily after Amelia got so stressed and burned out that she ended up in the hospital. What they ended up learning was so helpful (and honestly, revolutionary) that they wanted to share it with everyone.

Katie, LaFonda, and Amelia had such a great conversation about what causes burnout, how to see it coming, and how to move past it once it happens. And in the meantime, Amelia helped us understand why getting involved on a local level isn't just strategic, it also helps us feel better. (You know, only our very favorite topic.)

Don't miss this episode for some practical guidance on managing stress and burnout as well as mind-blowing science on why our bodies and brains work they way they do.

For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

This week on the pod, we talked to two women in Ohio who have been fighting back against an Amazon data center in their neighborhood. Cathy has been doing environmental advocacy for many years, and young mom Annette has only recently gotten involved, but they both agreed that it was only through the help of one another -- and their entire community -- that they've been able to make a difference.

But let's back up, shall we? We've heard terms like "AI" and "data centers" thrown around a lot lately, but so many of us don't know exactly what a data center even is, let alone why it would be harmful to our neighborhood! Cathy and Annette did a great job of explaining what they are, how swiftly they can be built (often without neighbors even being informed), and why we should be concerned.

And as always, we heard that our relationships with one another aren't just the key to effective action. They're also the key to not losing our sh!t.

If you're worried about a data center being built in your area, or you just want to know more, don't miss this episode!

For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA