Breaking Through with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner (Powered by MomsRising)
Election day is the one day that we’re all equal—rich or poor, young or old, male or female – we all have one equal vote.  The November 6th election is fast approaching, and early polls are showing that a record voter turnout is expected. But that doesn’t mean that a lot of shenanigans aren’t going on leading up to the election.  It turns out that some politicians are trying to rig the system for their own gain so that only some people can vote.  During this show we talk with authors, experts, and advocates about the fight for our democracy.

*Special guests include: Brenton Mock, a New Orleans–based journalist who serves as lead reporter on Voting Rights Watch;  Keesha Gaskins, Senior Counsel in the Brennan Center's Democracy Program; Stephanie Porta, Executive Director of Organize Now in Florida; Celinda Lake, top pollster and strategist; and Tova Wang, author and Fellow at The Century Foundation.

Direct download: MomsRising_Episode_21_Podcast_Cut.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:54pm EDT

On this show, we're joined by authors, experts, economists, and hard-hitting analysts as we ask the key question: If the media portrayed women's real issues instead of focusing coverage mainly on objectifying women's bodies, then would that impact what policies actually move in Congress? Would we, for example, have better educated leaders and fewer candidates doing things like dismissing 47% of our population, many of whom are women, working parents, seniors and veterans?

*Special guests include: Tamara Draut, Vice President of Policy and Research at Demos; Jessica Valenti, found of Feministing.com and author of many books, including her most recent, Why Have Kids?; Elaine Maag, Senior Researcher at the Urban Institute; Melissa Silverstein from Women and Hollywood; and Tiffany Dufu who is CEO of the White House Project.

Direct download: MomsRising_Episode_20_Podcast_Cut.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:17pm EDT

It’s time to take back the word “mom.” In the wake of the lovefest for the word “mom” at both the Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention, it’s time to get real about what the word “mom” really means in our nation.

Here’s the deal.  For far too long the word “mom” has been used to disempower and discriminate. This hurts more than feelings, this hurts pocketbooks.  One study found that women without children make 90 cents to a man’s dollar, moms make 73 cents to a man’s dollar, and single moms make only 60 cents to a man’s dollar.  Women of color experience increased wage hits on top of that. This is a big deal. Over 80% of women in our nation have children by the time they’re forty-four and we all have mothers—so this impacts all of us. Our families are hurt too since three-quarters of moms are now in the labor force and half of them are the primary breadwinner for their family.

*Joining us in this lively conversation are: Kuae Kelch Mattox is National President of Mocha Moms; Jennifer Pozner, author and founder of Women In Media & News; Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the National Board of Directors for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Tamara Winfrey Harris, author, and blogger at What Tami Said; and Lisa Belkin, author, NY Times writer, and Huffington Post editor.

Direct download: MomsRising_Episode_19_Podcast_Cut.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:53pm EDT

Direct from the Time Warner Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina this show brings you fresh, insider perspectives on policy issues that are front and center in our national conversations.
*Special guests include:  Author, Leader and Ambassador Swanee Hunt; Lisa Maatz of the American Association of University Women; U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Ellie Smeal of Feminist Majority;  and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky.
Direct download: MomsRising_Episode_18_Podcast_Cut.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:03pm EDT

Junk food. Let's face it.  We have a problem in our nation: Nearly 23 million school age children are overweight or obese, making them more likely to suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and more. But hope is on the horizon.  For the first time in 15 years, the school lunches that 32 million kids eat are getting healthier because of new USDA nutritional standards. 

On this show, we reveal the new changes we'll see on our kids’ lunch plates due to updated USDA standards, talk with food experts, moms, and even hear from the White House chef the latest news on food, kids, and you. We also talk about what else can be done to make the school day healthier. 


*Special guests include: Dr. Janey Thornton, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services; Jessica Donze Black, Director, Kids Safe and Healthful Food Project, Pew Health Group; Alison Crockett, vocalist, pianist, and MsDivaBlue blogger; Cynthia Liu, mom and author; and Sam Kass, White House Assistant Chef and Food Initiative Coordinator. 
Direct download: MomsRising_Episode_17_Podcast_Cut.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:53pm EDT

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