Abortion isn't just about abortion—it’s about everything. 

It's about who gets to decide the course of a woman's life. It's about healthcare, democracy, power, freedom, and the stories we've been taught to believe.

In this can’t-miss conversation, Amanda traces the shocking history of abortion in America—from witch hunts to medical monopolies to the political strategy that transformed abortion into a partisan weapon. Then journalist and activist Jessica Valenti joins to expose what extremists are doing now, why these attacks were never really about abortion, and why she refuses to believe they're winning.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or hopeless about this moment, this episode will give you something even more powerful than outrage: clarity.

- How abortion became a political weapon—and what it's really about.

- Why abortion bans haven't reduced abortions.

- How attacks on abortion threaten all reproductive healthcare.

- The hidden strategies extremists are using now—and how to recognize them.

- How the vast majority of Americans are on the same side—and why hope is a strategy.

- Practical ways to take action, support local abortion funds, and protect your community.

For more with Jessica Valenti, please listen to: 

353. How We’ll Save Abortion: A Must-Listen with Jessica Valenti 

About Jessica: 

Jessica Valenti is a writer, activist, and one of the country’s most influential voices on gender and politics. The award-winning author of eight books—including the New York Times bestseller Abortion—she  has shaped the national conversation on feminism for over two decades.

Jessica’s groundbreaking anthology Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape set what’s now considered the gold standard for sexual consent and paved the way for legislation of the same name. She is also widely credited with sparking feminism’s online wave as the founder of the trailblazing blog Feministing.

A former columnist for The Guardian and The Nation, Jessica’s sharp, uncompromising analysis has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and on media outlets from CNN to The Daily Show. She speaks at colleges and organizations nationwide about feminism, abortion, and sexual violence.

After the fall of Roe, Jessica founded Abortion, Every Day, an urgent synthesis of anything and everything happening with abortion rights in the United States.

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Ina Garten has spent a lifetime proving that joy is anything but frivolous. In this heartwarming conversation, the Barefoot Contessa shares how following curiosity instead of convention helped her build a life—and career—she never imagined. Plus, the unforgettable story of how Abby Wambach ended up playing beer pong with Ina Garten at a Taylor Swift party.

- Why following what feels fun can change your life

- How to quiet your inner critic and stop settling

- Ina's secret to hosting a dinner party everyone will love

- The surprising lesson behind her decades-long marriage

About Ina: 

Ina Garten has hosted her Emmy and James Beard Award winning show, Barefoot Contessa, on the Food Network since 2002 and recently launched a new interview focused series, Be My Guest, with Food Network and discovery+. She has published thirteen cookbooks, including eleven #1 New York Times bestsellers. In 2015 Ina Garten was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.

She lives in East Hampton, New York with her husband, Jeffrey.

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What happens when life suddenly gets quieter?

Glennon, Abby, and Amanda check in on the big transitions happening in their own lives—from the emotions of becoming empty nesters to the unexpected opportunities that come with a brand new season. Plus, they're answering Pod Squad questions you won't want to miss—including one unforgettable call from Sexy Sue that sparks a hilarious and thoughtful conversation about dating, relationships, and when (and if) we need to DTR. 

We talk about what it means to let go of old roles, embrace uncertainty, and ask the question many of us are facing: Who do I get to become next?

- The grief—and unexpected freedom—of becoming an empty nester.

- Why midlife can be the perfect time to reinvent yourself, your friendships, and your relationships.

- Abby's advice for navigating competition in a blended family without losing sight of what matters most.

- A challenge to stop obeying unfair rules in advance—and the power of everyday acts of resistance.

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What if the things that happened to you weren't about you?

In this beloved conversation, astrologer Chani Nicholas helps us understand why we react the way we do, how childhood survival strategies shape our adult lives, and what it takes to become better partners to ourselves. Together, we explore dysregulation, boundaries, healing, and the liberating possibility that self-awareness can set us free.

- How to recognize when you're dysregulated—and help yourself in the moment

- The freeing truth that "the things that happened to me weren't about me"

- Why the rules that kept you safe as a child may be keeping you stuck as an adult

- How to set boundaries, trust yourself, and finally rest

- What astrology can reveal about your relationships and patterns

About Chani: 

Chani Nicholas is a Los Angeles-based New York Times bestselling author of You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance.

She has been a counseling astrologer for more than 20 years, guiding her community of over 1 million monthly readers to discover and live out their life’s purpose through understanding their birth chart.

Chani runs her company with her wife and business partner, Sonya Passi. Together they launched the CHANI app, which offers a personalized, daily understanding of their birth chart.

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Pod Squad:  Please note, this episode was recorded before the trump red card scandal. We were younger, then - and filled with hope. 

Today, it’s a Welcome to the Party and We Can Do Hard Things World Cup crossover! 

If anyone can help the Pod Squad understand why the World Cup has completely taken over the world, it's these two legends. Abby and Julie Foudy—World Cup champions, teammates, and two of the greatest soccer minds in the game—break down everything you need to know, from red cards and flopping to knockout rounds, unforgettable stories, and why this tournament has the power to bring people together. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just World Cup-curious, this is your starter pack for the beautiful game.

- Why the World Cup is the biggest sporting event on Earth—and why it means so much to so many people

- The soccer rules everyone pretends to understand (offside, cards, flopping, and more)

- How the US men's success directly benefits the US women's national team

- Plus: Abby and Julie put Glennon and Amanda to the test with "Is It Queer or Is It FIFA?" 

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Sometimes, when everything feels too big, the thing that brings us back to ourselves is surprisingly small: a paw on our lap, a face waiting at the door, a creature who reminds us that we are still here and still capable of love.

In this delightfully funny and tender conversation, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda consider whether our beloved animals offer the closest thing we ever experience to unconditional love. Amanda shares how Séamus arrived in her life and ruined her religion of the spreadsheet. Glennon explains why Honey and Hattie are the only "people" who truly understand her. And Abby reveals how a hamster named Biscuit somehow snuck past every boundary and straight into her heart.

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America is watching Black political power come under attack in real time—but this story didn't start with today's headlines.

In this urgent conversation, Amanda sits down with Tennessee Representative Justin J. Pearson to unpack the centuries-old playbook of minority rule: how powerful elites divide us, redraw the maps, and rig the system to hold onto power. Amanda traces the hidden history—from Reconstruction to today's gerrymandering battles—to reveal why Black political power has long been the greatest threat to oligarchy.

Then, Representative Justin J. Pearson shares what he's witnessing on the ground in Tennessee, where attacks on Black representation are reshaping democracy in real time. We explore how communities can organize, build power, and fight back—and why hope remains a discipline, even now.

- Why attacks on Black political power are really about protecting elite minority rule- How racialized redistricting is reshaping the South and the upcoming midterms 

- Why the Voting Rights Act became a target—and what's at stake now - Why multiracial coalitions have always terrified those in power- What Rep. Pearson says ordinary people can do right now to fight back

To support Representative Pearson, go to: https://www.votejustinj.com/

About Rep. Pearson: 

Representative Justin J. Pearson is a Tennessee state legislator, community organizer, environmental justice advocate, and candidate for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.

A lifelong Memphian, Pearson first gained prominence organizing grassroots campaigns that took on some of the most powerful corporate interests in the country. He helped lead the successful fight to stop the Byhalia Pipeline, protecting the drinking water of more than a million residents, and has organized campaigns to challenge environmental pollution, corporate exploitation, and policies that harm working families. His advocacy has included efforts to stop unfair utility contracts, hold polluters accountable, and push for stronger protections for Memphis's air, water, and soil.

In 2023, Pearson became a national voice for democracy and gun safety as one of the "Tennessee Three," after being expelled from the Tennessee House by the GOP supermajority for participating in a protest calling for action following the Covenant School shooting. He was later reinstated and returned to office,

Today, Pearson continues to advocate for voting rights, environmental justice, economic fairness, and democratic participation. He is currently running for Congress in Tennessee's 9th District, where he has been a leading voice against racial gerrymandering and efforts to dilute Black political power.

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If you dare to create something, say something, do something, or be something, criticism is coming. 

In this episode, Glennon shares her "Sort Your Mail" strategy for handling criticism without letting it quiet you. Learn how to separate the feedback that can help you grow from the noise that was never meant for you in the first place—and how to keep showing up, using your voice, and staying in the arena of your own life.

-Why criticism feels so threatening—and why that's not a personal failure

-How to tell the difference between helpful feedback and junk mail

-The unique ways women are criticized for speaking up

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In a world that wants us to move faster, produce more, and live entirely in our heads, Kaitlin Curtice offers a different path: remembering who we are.

Drawing on Indigenous wisdom, Kaitlin shares practical ways to reconnect with our bodies, our younger selves, each other, and the Earth. We discuss how trauma disconnects us from ourselves, why presence is a radical act of resistance, and how healing begins when we remember that we are not machines—we are human beings.

- How trauma and disconnection pull us out of our bodies—and how to find our way back- Why asking "What does ‘Little You’ need right now?" can be a powerful healing practice- Simple ways to reconnect with nature, presence, and yourself—including talking to your houseplants- The lasting impact of purity culture, colonization, and assimilation on our sense of self- Everyday acts of resistance that help us reclaim what we've lost

About Kaitlin:

Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity. She is a wise and vital voice on decolonizing our bodies, faith, and families, and the freedom and peace of embodiment - finding wholeness in ourselves, our stories, and our lineage. Her book, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day, examines the journey of resisting the status quo by caring for ourselves, one another, and Mother Earth.

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In a moment when everything feels urgent, this conversation with boundary expert Nedra Glover Tawwab is your reminder: you can care deeply about the world without abandoning yourself.

Because burnout isn’t always a personal failure. Sometimes it’s just a boundary that hasn’t been spoken yet.

Nedra helps us rethink boundaries—not as walls, but as instructions for how to love and be loved without disappearing. We talk about resentment, overfunctioning, people pleasing, and why all humans are gloriously, beautifully needy.

If you’re exhausted, stretched thin, or carrying too much: this one is for you.

- The five signs you might have a boundary problem

- Why we all need to stop pretending we’re “not needy” 

- How to stop arguing like a lawyer and start communicating like a kindergartener: “That hurt. I don’t like that. I need this.”

- How to know when to end an argument, exit a friendship, and respond to passive aggressiveness

About Nedra: 

Nedra Glover Tawwab is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Drama Free and Set Boundaries, Find Peace. A licensed therapist and sought-after relationship expert, she has practiced relationship therapy for more than fifteen years. Tawwab has appeared as an expert on Red Table Talk, The Breakfast Club, Good Morning America, and CBS Morning Show to name a few. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vice. Tawwab runs a popular Instagram account where she shares practices, tools, and reflections for mental health and relationships. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her family.

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The stress, fear, and uncertainty of the world right now are seeping into our closest relationships. When collective pain goes unprocessed, it often shows up as distance, resentment, or disconnection with the people we love most — at a time when we need closeness more than ever.

In this conversation, Esther Perel helps us understand how stress and trauma drain our relationships of aliveness and desire, why resentment grows when life becomes all duty and efficiency, and how to stay connected and loving in hard times.

- Why your relationship isn’t broken — it’s exhausted- How resentment grows when efficiency replaces intimacy- Why desire disappears under responsibility

- Why your partner can’t be your whole village- What “behind every criticism is a longing” really means

About Esther:

Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 30 million views and her bestselling books, Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, are global phenomena translated into nearly 30 languages. Esther is also an executive producer and host of the popular podcasts Where Should We Begin? and How’s Work? 

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