Shannon Watts Brings the Fire We Need

After a power outage rudely disrupted yesterday's show, I'm back today to seize the power of life. I tried to be clever there... We actually are talking about power today, but the power that most of us could use a bit of help to tap in to.

But we begin with some of the day’s news including:

• The Supreme Extreme Court’s decision allowing Dump to proceed with plans to carry out mass layoffs at the Dept of Education or in plaing English, to dismantle the DoE

• ICE instructing its officers to hold immigrants who entered the country illegally “for the duration of their removal proceedings (including millions who crossed the border from Mexico over the past few decades). Meaning without a bond hearing. Just held indefinitely, as the “removal proceedings” can take months or years

• The House rules committee voting down an amendment offered by Rep. Ro Kanna that demands the release of all the Epstein files by a vote of 5-7 (one Republican, Ralph Norman, voted with the Democrats), killing the amendment

• Inflation continues rising apparently as Dump’s tariffs start to bite

Then, it’s on to my guest today. Shannon Watts is here to tell us about the lessons she shares in her new book, FIRED UP: HOW TO TURN YOUR SPARK INTO A FLAME AND COME ALIVE AT ANY AGE.

Yes, this is the same Shannon Watts who founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

Shannon describes the book as

part memoir, part manual, part manifesto for women of all ages who are ready to come alive, overcome their fears, and take action to turn a small spark of desire into a fire that will transform their lives.

She explains that much of it is about the lessons she learned during her journey from starting a Facebook group for moms to do something about our gun epidemic the day after the Sandy Hook murders to building it into the nation's largest grassroots organization against gun violence.

I've been in awe of Shannon Watts for many years though this is the first time I've spoken with her. Although her book will undoubtedly help men too, I realize she wrote it for me, and the millions of other women who are struggling with life as it is and need some help.

Or as Shannon describes it, "For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, FIRED UP invites you to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you deserve."

In September, Shannon will launch Firestarter University, a year-long online course that provides an interactive, action-driven curriculum and a curated, supportive community for people who are ready to prioritize their personal, professional or political desires. It’s a bonus that comes with the purchase of the book. (You can get it from Shannon’s site, or use this link from Bookshop.org, which also gives a small commission to this show).

Thanks for listening. I hope you get as much out of it as I am.

Lisa Graves joins us tomorrow to help us understand some of the legal issues we discussed at the top of the show…

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