RFK's "Nazi-shaped" autism registry, his grift about removing food dyes (and the FDA inspectors who regulate them), Pam Bondi's explicit threat to "come after" judges (and the arrest of one!). These are just some of Trump's most recent attempts at authoritarianism that Jennifer and Courtney discuss. Tune in to hear how it all realtes to unlawful deportations, Japanese internment camps and the 2022 children's book "Love in the Library" written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and illustrated by Yas Imamura.

Talking about Trump's abuse of power with your friends, family, and even neighbors, will WEAKEN his abuse of power! Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist, determined that just 3.5% of the population actively participating in nonviolent protests can result it serious political change. If you can't make it to a protest, download the 5 calls app. If you can't do that, help your neighbor. We're in this together, and if you need some inpso, check out this video of people forming a human-chain to protect their neighbor from ICE.

Courtney and Jennifer sit down with Reconciler singer and guitarist Joseph Lazzari to talk about Katy Perry "taking up MORE space", how punk music has always known the truth, and how their song "Love Song for the End Times" pairs perfectly with her cringey rant about love connection and daisies.

Sources:
Who is Amanda Ngyuen?

Wendy's wants to send Katy Perry back to space

Trump Admin fires Women in STEM

Buy Reconciler Music and Merch here

Check out Joseph's awesome pink triceratops sculpture (and more) here

Dem Rep. Lauren Simmons showed stunning levels of patience as she gently explained "intersex" to Republican Rep. Andy Hopper…and he still couldn’t grasp anything beyond the “biblical” definition of gender as he defended cutting university LGBTQ+ programs. If only there were books that we could read to educate us on the matter…Oh wait, there are! Join Jennifer and Courtney as they discuss multiple novels Rep. Hopper could read to inform himself on the complex spectrum of sex, including Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.

Jen and Courtney discuss Senator Booker’s historical “filibuster”, why it wasn’t actually a filibuster, how much “good” it did, where Booker would fit in “Stamped for Kids” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds and the amazing victory in WI! They also talk about boobs in congress, empty bribes in parenting, Musk needing a spanking, and what the dems need to do to prepare for the 2026 midterms…Spoiler: It’s NOT taking the high road.

Courtney and Jen celebrate the end of Women’s History Month by spotlighting the book Speak by Laurie Halse Andseron. This award-winning YA novel was banned 14 times since its debut in 1999 because it made male students feel “uncomfortable”...But when Big Boy Pete Hegseth, Our Orange Oligarchian, and his strange side-kick/Deputy Dictator make us feel uncomfortable, they don’t get banned, they get to…put national safety at risk by accidentally texting sensitive war plans to who the hell knows, illegally dismantle the Dept of Ed in a not-so-secret attempt to privatize education, and take away social security because we belong to the “parasite class”?

It’s no secret that we live in a society where the toxic behavior of boys and men towards girls and women is not only rampant but expected. Yet, we are reading, resisting, and inviting you to join us. Women are bravely SPEAKING up with SA allegations against the misogynists in Capitol Hill, (the Orange Oligarchian has 27 alone) so we are speaking up too. And like Melinda learns in Speak: “Don’t expect to make a difference unless you speak up for yourself.”

Courtney &Jen talk about strategies for preserving mental health while living under an orange-monster fueled oligarchy, including but not limited to:

• Identifying and boycotting certain vices while still finding time for "little treats"
• Celebrating victories (Such as 17 states dropping the case of removing 504 accommodations and $2 billion of USAID getting released to countries in need)
• Re-watching 90s prime time dramas (like Buffy!)
• Reading books that bring you joy

Listen in as Jen tells Courtney how things like Trump's lack of gun control,the fight for reproductive rights, & the dismantling of public education relate to banned books, specifically Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, and how READING these books could lead us towards a better tomorrow.

Courtney and Jennifer took a brief hiatus to process the beginning of the "Trusk" regime, but it will take more than a government coup to stop them from resisting!

In honor of Black History Month and with the help of a special guest and theology expert, "Tam-Tam", they break down the meaning and significance of Martin Luther King Jr's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and why facists might not want our students to read it.

It's okay if you don't know anything about how Nebuchenezzer, Socrates, or Gerrymandering relates to today's oligarchy, or how it will ultimately lead to tyranny...we will learn about it together...because the antitidote to tyranny is education and the cultivation of citizens who can resist manipulation and economic exploitation.

They WANT us to feel overwhelmed, but remember, if a lot of us resist a little bit, then that results in a lot of resistance!

So, join us in resisting racism, transphobia, and the Trusk-ian rhetoric, so we can continue to take steps towards a better tomorrow.

Sources:

LISTEN: “Letter From Birmingham Jail” - Pass The Mic

Florida again tops the nation in school book removals, according to a report | WUSF

Shakespeare and Martin Luther King Jr. make the list of troublesome works in Nottoway County schools

Which books are allowed? Varied interpretations of Florida law lead to confusion at schools

Ron DeSantis invokes Martin Luther King Jr in ‘Stop Woke Act’ proposal against critical race theory | The Independent

Judge Blocks Part of Florida's 'Stop WOKE Act': A Closer Look - The Law Firm of Douglas G. Jackson

TW: Courtney inadvertently creates uncomfortable imagery of Elon Musk bribing one of his flight attendants with a horse while exposing himself.

Courtney and Jennifer make comparisons between Trump and his picks to the antagonistic sexual predators in books, including banned "The Nowhere Girls" by Amy Reed and "The Luis Ortega Survival Club" by Sonora Reyes.

Action Items:

Find Your Senator and tell them NOT TO CONFIRM:

• The alleged rapist and anti-woman in combat PETE HEGSETH for Defense Secretary
• The alleged child molestation-enabler WWE executive Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education
• The alleged horse-bribing genital flasher Elon Musk for the unchecked "DOGE" position
  • "Dear ___, as a constituent, I am urging you NOT to confirm these nomincations as they send a message that women are not valued and that not only is sexual misconduct tolerated but it is rewarded.
• Text JUDGES to 63033 to email your senators about confirming judges NOW.

Sources:

The Cut: Trump’s Cabinet Picks Are Revenge for Me Too

Elon Musk’s transgender daughter, in first interview, says he berated her

WATCH: Linda McMahon slapping daughter in WWE video