On the radio show this week we dive into the chaos in Washington, D.C., from the Big Bad Betrayal Law, the government shutdown, and the secrecy of the Epstein Files. We hear about the highly successful Rx Kids program in Michigan, which provides a financial foundation to mothers and babies, improving health outcomes, and boosting the economy. We cover Trump's impact on democracy, including the destruction of the White House, cuts to health care, and human rights abuses. We close the show discussing the negative consequences of Donald Trump defunding the Department of Education and Special Education when it comes to early childhood education, particularly for little ones with disabilities.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Jocelyn Frye, National Partnership for Women & Families, @NPWF; Dr. Mona Hanna, Rx Kids, Michigan State University College, @MonaHannaA, @monahanna.bsky.social; Donna Norton, MomsRising & MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org; Peggy Kemp & Shameka Brown, Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, @CECMembership, @cecmembership.bsky.social

On the radio show this week we dive into cuts to special education, hearing directly from an educator about how these cuts impact students. We hear about Latina Equal Pay Day and the policies that would help close the wage gap, including paid family & medical leave, funding for child care, and fair pay. We cover the national impact of Virginia's upcoming elections and what it could mean for the 2026 midterms. Finally, we discuss what's happening in Chicago.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Laura MacCleery, UnidosUs, @weareunidosus; Hala Ayala, @HalaAyala, @Halaayala.bsky.social; Senator Graciela Guzmán, Illinois State Senator, @graciela4senate, @senatorguzman.bsky.social; Amy Harrison, National Educators Association, @NEAToday, @neatoday.bsky.social

On the radio show this week we dive into Trump's Health Care Shutdown, with Republicans refusing to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that make health insurance affordable for millions of families. We also hear about Head Start, and what recent attacks, delayed grants, and reduced staff means for this vital early education program. Then we cover recent disinformation about Portland, Oregon and the importance of relying on local news sources for accurate information. Finally, we discuss the need for gun safety policies, including background checks and a ban on military-style assault weapons, plus we hear breaking news on a recent $60 million jury verdict against a ghost gun manufacturer.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Sarah Bolton, Raben Public Affairs & Organizational Consulting, @raben_us; Katie Hamm, Erikson Institute, Graduate School in Early Childhood, @EriksonInst; Lauren Hipp, MomsRising & MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org; Kris Brown, Brady United Against Gun Violence, @bradybuzz, @KrisB_Brown, @bradyunited.org, @krisbrown.bradyunited.org.

On the radio show this week we dive into the downright dangerous misinformation the President is spreading about Tylenol and autism, and unpack some of the many ways his administration is undermining public health. We also hear about how cuts to the Department of Education are impacting our classrooms, and how parents and teachers can unite to fight back. Then we cover how the Trump Administration is undermining worker protections in one of the fastest growing industries, and the implication for the broader economy. Finally, we discuss how care policies benefit both workers and employers, and a recent legal victory for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Aryn Backus, National Public Health Coalition, @firedbutfighting.bsky.social; Becky Pringle, National Education Association, @NEAToday, @neatoday.bsky.social, @neapresident.bsky.social; Mimi Whittaker, National Employment Law Project (NELP), @nelp.org; Elizabeth Gedmark, A Better Balance, @abetterbalance, @abetterbalance.org

DESCRIPTION: On the radio show this week, we dive into Dr. Jack Turban's new book Free To Be and how to bust the myths and disinformation about the trans community. Then we hear about what is happening with the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program WIC — and how you can help make sure that does not sunset. After that we cover what is happening with the economy and rising costs due to #Trumpflation. Finally, we discuss Republican attacks on reproductive health care, from defunding Planned Parenthood to literally burning contraception.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Dr. Jack Turban, Author, @jack_turban, @turban.bsky.social‬; Nell Menefee-Libey,National WIC Association, @natwicassoc, @natwicassoc; Kathryn Anne Edwards, @keds_economist, @kedseconomist.com‬; Gina Arias, MomsRising & MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org.

On the radio show this week we dive into Trump's inconsistent policies on child care, which exacerbate the child care crisis by creating uncertainty and underfunding programs. We discuss the role of humor and storytelling in breaking partisan divides and fostering empathy. We hear about the harmful conspiracy theories of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., particularly his toxic anti-vaccine stance, and the huge risks coming from Medicaid cuts that he won't even acknowledge.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Julie Kashen, The Century Foundation, @tcfdotorg, @tcfdotorg.bsky.social; Mary Catherine Starr, MomLife Comics, @momlife_comics; Tina Sherman, MomsRising, MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org; Nicole Jorwic, Caring Across Generations, @caringacrossgen, @caringacross.org.

On the radio show this week we cover the urgent importance of advancing gun safety policies. We cover tips for talking across political points of disagreement, building trust, overcoming polarization, and how these efforts can help strengthen democracy. We hear from an economist about why the prices that matter most to you are rising. We discuss a new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, and how communities can organize and fight back to protect public schools and critical thinking.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Po Murray, Newtown Action Alliance, @NewtownAction, @newtownaction.org‬; Joan Blades, Living Room Conversations, MomsRising, MoveOn, @LivingRoomConvo, @MoveOn, @moveon.org‬; Kathryn Anne Edwards, keds_economist, @kedseconomist.com‬; Randi Weingarten, AFT, @AFTUnion, @aft.org.

On the radio show this week, we cover the cuts to our health care pushed through by Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, with many of the most harmful cuts delayed until after the midterms. We dive into Trump's cuts to public education -- and tips on fighting school funding cuts and privatization efforts. We discuss the militarization of policing and the use of false crime narratives for political repression, and how the care infrastructure counter these trends. We close the show covering National Breastfeeding Month, and why lactation support and paid family/medical leave can help families bond and heal and help our economy thrive.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Natasha Murphy, Center for American Progress, @amprogress, @americanprogress.bsky.social‬; Ameshia Cross, EdTrust, @EdTrust, @edtrust.bsky.social‬; Monifa Bandele & Tina Sherman, MomsRising, MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org

This week the show comes to you directly from Netroots Nation in New Orleans where rising and visionary leaders come together to help build a better world.

On the radio show this week, we cover justice for Epstein survivors, and why we must believe women. We dive into how catastrophic health care cuts will hurt moms, seniors, and hardworking families to line the pockets of billionaires — and what you can do about it. We discuss how art can save lives, and the importance of performance and creativity in social justice. We hear about the legislative timeline and ongoing congressional budget battles and where we need to raise our voices in the coming days.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Nicole Regalado, Ultraviolet, ‪@ultraviolet, @ultraviolet.bsky.social‬; Joi Chaney & Vaishu Jawahar, Protect Our Care, @ProtectOurCare, @protectourcare.org; Claudia Alick, Calling Up Justice, @callingupjustice.bsky.social‬; Amy Matsui, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, @nwlcaf, @Nwlcactionfund.org‬