[Podcast #235] Why Moms Make the Best Advocates with Shannon Watts

Brave Writer Podcast

Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action, a six-million member organization she describes as “maybe the world’s largest real life field experiment for what happens when you show women how their abilities and their burning desires and their values align, and how they come alive and can achieve things they never imagined possible.”

We are thrilled to have her on the Brave Writer podcast today to talk about her upcoming book, Fight Like a Mother.

Shannon Watts
Shannon Watts
Chris Langford Photography

In this episode, we talk about:

  • how both misogyny and motherhood shape women’s journey to, and through, advocacy,
  • how to withstand blowback and the discomfort that comes with growth, including celebrating small wins and “finding your people,”
  • and how social media has allowed women to bypass traditional media gatekeepers.

Our conversation with Shannon about the intersection of motherhood, feminism, and activism is one that will keep us fueled for a long time. We hope you enjoy it.

Show Notes

Moms and Advocacy 

The fierce protective nature commonly found in moms can help them bust through the misogynistic baggage that’s been heaped upon them their whole lives. Whether it’s advocating for common sense gun laws or advocating for a child in the education system, the love a mother has for her child can bring out the best in her as an advocate and as a fully empowered adult.

Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Just like being pregnant or parenting teens, moms have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable when being activists. Bucking authority and facing backlash can make many stop their advocacy before it even really starts. In her book, Shannon acknowledges this and gives concrete ways women can overcome these obstacles and build stamina for the fight.

Media Gatekeepers

Despite creating one of the largest grassroots groups in American history, and being an expert on policy, Shannon still often gets shut out from major media appearances. When she is let in, she’s often relegated to the role of describing the emotional side of the issue. Shannon talks about how social media has been huge for her and other women to bypass traditional media gatekeepers to get their voices heard.

Our conversation with Shannon about the intersection of motherhood, feminism, and activism is one that will keep us fueled for a long time. 

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

This entry is filed under Podcasts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed.