Episode description:

In this episode of Exploring Women in Politics, host Lena interviews Braxton Simpson, the North Carolina State Director at Rise Free. Braxton shares her journey from a young college student facing racial injustice to a leading political organizer. She discusses her impactful work managing organizers across ten North Carolina campuses, her inspiring interactions with prominent political figures, and her role in introducing Vice President Kamala Harris. The conversation highlights her dedication to civic engagement, the power of self-belief, and the importance of young women embracing their unique qualities in political advocacy. The episode concludes with a supportive discussion on the significance of staying curious, informed, and committed to positive change.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

00:31 Interview with Braxton Simpson: Beginnings and Rise Involvement

02:03 Role and Responsibilities as North Carolina State Director

03:50 College Experiences and Digital Mobilization

06:40 Most Fulfilling Moments and Career Highlights

09:23 Advice for Young Women in Politics

11:42 Reflecting on Life's Opportunities

12:01 Advice to My Younger Self

12:44 Empowering Women to Shine

14:30 Youth Involvement in Politics

15:06 Forming Your Own Opinions

16:15 The Power of Civic Engagement

17:00 Encouragement and Farewell

18:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

More about our guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/braxton-simpson-80093b137

https://risefree.org/rise-team-bios/braxton-simpson/

https://www.braxtonsimpson.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode Lena interviews Jordan Zaslow, the founder of Her Bold Move. Jordan discusses her transition from the entertainment and advertising industries into politics during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on supporting pro-choice women running for Congress. The conversation delves into Her Bold Move's operations, including a new program targeting Republican primaries, and their comprehensive support for candidates at all levels, from school boards to the U.S. Senate. Special attention is given to the Future Leaders Fellowship program, designed to empower young high school and college women through mentorship and opportunities. The discussion addresses the challenges of endorsing female candidates, the shifts in campaign strategies since the pandemic, and the broader impact of female representation in politics. Practical advice is provided for young women hesitant about entering the political sphere due to gender biases, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and engaged in policy discussions.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

00:32 Interview with Jordan Zaslow: Founder of Herbold Move

01:49 The Role and Responsibilities of Herbold Move

02:33 Supporting Pro-Choice Candidates Across Party Lines

08:36 Future Leaders Fellowship Program

10:41 Most Fulfilling Moments with Herbold Move

12:48 Challenges of 2020 and Beyond

15:17 Empowering Women in Politics

17:22 Advice to My Younger Self

19:19 Impact of Roe v. Wade Reversal

21:21 Parallels Between Industries

23:21 Youth Involvement in Politics

25:29 Conclusion and Farewell

More about our guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-zaslow-a2986a18

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7004667/

https://www.instagram.com/jordanzaslow/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode description:

In this compelling episode of Exploring Women in Politics, Lena engages in a profound conversation with Lucy Lang, the Inspector General of New York. They explore Lang's inspiring journey from public service to a political career, her impactful work at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and her current role as Inspector General. Key discussions include the importance of mentorship, the value of vulnerable leadership, and the role of direct communication with constituents. Lang shares practical advice for aspiring women politicians, emphasizing the significance of resilience, authenticity, and seizing opportunities. Additionally, the conversation touches on human-centered casework, particularly solitary confinement reform, and includes recommendations for potential interview figures in the political arena. This episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and successes of women in political roles and their critical contribution to their communities.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

00:32 Interview with Lucy Lang: Getting Started in Politics

01:44 Challenges and Rewards for Women in Politics

03:14 Role and Impact as Inspector General

05:19 Career Path and Mentorship

08:00 Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders

12:12 Encouraging Youth and Women in Politics

14:43 Surprises and Challenges as Inspector General

15:34 Reaching a Diverse Audience

16:07 Goals for Connecting with Constituents

16:25 The Importance of Public Trust

16:34 Ongoing Education and Accountability

17:08 Personal Reflections and Mentorship

18:36 Humanizing Casework

19:26 Vulnerable Leadership

19:56 Lessons from Failure

21:27 Encouraging Authenticity

22:58 Networking and Recommendations

24:33 Final Thoughts and Farewell

More about our guest:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Lang

https://www.instagram.com/lucylangnyc/?hl=en

https://ig.ny.gov/about-inspector-general

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julie Shiroshi, is a significant figure in political advocacy and the executive director of Eleanor's Legacy. Julie recounts her transition from a career in publishing to active political involvement post-2016 election, touching on her roles from managing local campaigns to running for state senate. The conversation emphasizes the importance of AAPI representation and the strides being made through training programs like the Eleanor's Legacy fellows program. Key figures such as Governor Kathy Hochul, Senators Liz Krueger, and Andrea Stewart-Cousins are highlighted for their contributions. The episode concludes with motivational advice for young individuals and underscores the necessity of diverse participation in democracy.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

00:32 Julie Shiroshi's Journey into Politics

01:38 Volunteering and Early Political Involvement

03:04 Campaign Management and Local Elections

03:47 Becoming Chief of Staff and County Chair

05:29 Running for State Senate

06:53 Joining Eleanor's Legacy

07:40 The Importance of Representation

11:40 AAPI Representation and Achievements

15:36 Future Aspirations and Eleanor's Legacy

15:46 Impactful Stories and the Fellows Program

16:29 Training and Embedding Fellows with Candidates

17:10 Expanding the Fellows Program

18:27 Virtual Trainings and Boot Camps

19:42 Encouraging Women to Run for Office

23:06 Challenges and Rewards of Political Involvement

26:33 Advice for Young Aspiring Politicians

28:38 Final Thoughts and Resources

More about our guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-shiroishi

https://www.instagram.com/julie4nysenate/

https://empirereportnewyork.com/eleanors-legacy-welcomes-new-executive-director/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'Exploring Women in Politics,' host Lena Yan interviews New York State Senator Liz Krueger, who shares her journey as a pioneering political figure. The episode covers Senator Krueger's efforts to drive change in a Republican-majority Senate, including the formation of the bipartisan New York State Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus. The discussion highlights her strategies to advance reproductive rights and create an inclusive legislative platform. The conversation further delves into the challenges of passing an Equal Rights Amendment in New York, especially in the wake of reduced federal protections. Additionally, the episode sheds light on the vital role of food banks, exploring how they combat hunger and influence effective legislative practices. This insightful episode offers a comprehensive look at Senator Krueger's enduring impact on New York politics and her unwavering commitment to social justice and community needs.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

00:35 Interview with New York State Senator Liz Krueger

00:42 Challenges and Triumphs in the Senate

04:43 Forming the Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus

14:08 Reproductive Health and Equal Rights Amendment

17:19 The Struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment

18:53 Challenges in Passing State Legislation

22:38 The Importance of Constitutional Protections

24:22 Introduction to Food Banks

30:05 Starting the New York City Food Bank

33:23 From Food Banking to Policy Work

35:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

More about our guest:

https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/liz-krueger/about

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Krueger

https://twitter.com/lizkrueger?lang=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Exploring Women in Politics, host Lena Yan sits down with New York State Senator Liz Krueger to delve into her extraordinary transition from nonprofit advocacy to a successful political career. Krueger opens up about being unexpectedly drafted to run for office, the obstacles she faced, and the steep learning curve she navigated along the way. She provides invaluable advice for women considering politics, emphasizing resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of stepping into the arena despite challenges. The discussion touches on gender-specific struggles, societal expectations, and personal strategies she employed, such as debating Republican bills to sharpen her skills. Krueger's candid recount of her experiences, including a notable confrontation with a Republican senator, offers both inspiration and practical guidance for aspiring female politicians.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

00:35 Interview with New York State Senator Liz Krueger

00:47 Liz Krueger's Unexpected Entry into Politics

03:19 The Campaign Journey and Challenges

10:30 Advice for Women Entering Politics

13:17 Challenges for Women in Politics

13:33 New York State Senate Journey

14:01 Increasing Female Representation

14:40 Diversity in Politics

15:06 Encouraging Women to Run

15:46 Handling Rejection and Failure

17:10 Gender Critiques in Politics

18:33 Adapting to Political Expectations

20:23 Building Political Resilience

21:39 Debating and Strategy

22:30 Confronting Political Adversaries

24:57 Honesty and Goals in Politics

More about our guest:

https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/liz-krueger/about

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Krueger

https://twitter.com/lizkrueger?lang=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the debut episode of 'Exploring Women in Politics,' host Lena Yan speaks with notable figures in American politics, who share their journeys and the challenges they faced while encouraging more women to run for office. The conversations address fears women encounter when taking on leadership roles and stresses the importance of female representation across all sectors. Key topics include the need for constitutional protections, advocating for term limits, and incorporating younger perspectives in decision-making. Our guests provide practical advice on staying involved and achieving goals despite uncertainties, and much more. Welcome to Exploring Women in Politics, with Lena Yan

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

00:29 Episode 1: Liz Kruger on Women in Politics

01:28 Challenges and Triumphs of Women Candidates

02:57 Liz Kruger's Honest Approach

04:03 Episode 2: Liz Kruger on Legal and Constitutional Issues

06:01 Episode 3: Julie Shiroishi on Representation and Inspiration

07:42 Gender Representation in New York State Legislature

08:15 The Importance of Asking for Mentorship

09:01 Learning from Mistakes and Building Relationships

09:52 Encouraging Women to Overcome Fear

10:51 The Value of New Perspectives and Term Limits

12:08 Staying Involved and Seizing Opportunities

12:59 Closing Remarks and Encouragement

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.