• EP 6 - Leading the Charge: Executive Director of RISE Free Braxton Simpson’s Path to Political Engagement
    Oct 29 2024

    Episode description:

    In this episode of Exploring Women in Politics, host Lena interviews Braxton Simpson, the North Carolina State Director at Rise Free. Braxton shares her journey from a young college student facing racial injustice to a leading political organizer. She discusses her impactful work managing organizers across ten North Carolina campuses, her inspiring interactions with prominent political figures, and her role in introducing Vice President Kamala Harris. The conversation highlights her dedication to civic engagement, the power of self-belief, and the importance of young women embracing their unique qualities in political advocacy. The episode concludes with a supportive discussion on the significance of staying curious, informed, and committed to positive change.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

    00:31 Interview with Braxton Simpson: Beginnings and Rise Involvement

    02:03 Role and Responsibilities as North Carolina State Director

    03:50 College Experiences and Digital Mobilization

    06:40 Most Fulfilling Moments and Career Highlights

    09:23 Advice for Young Women in Politics

    11:42 Reflecting on Life's Opportunities

    12:01 Advice to My Younger Self

    12:44 Empowering Women to Shine

    14:30 Youth Involvement in Politics

    15:06 Forming Your Own Opinions

    16:15 The Power of Civic Engagement

    17:00 Encouragement and Farewell

    18:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    More about our guest:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/braxton-simpson-80093b137

    https://risefree.org/rise-team-bios/braxton-simpson/

    https://www.braxtonsimpson.com/



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    18 mins
  • EP 5 - Empowering Change, with Founder and Executive Director of Her Bold Move, Jordan Zaslow
    Oct 29 2024

    Episode description:

    In this episode Lena interviews Jordan Zaslow, the founder of Her Bold Move. Jordan discusses her transition from the entertainment and advertising industries into politics during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on supporting pro-choice women running for Congress. The conversation delves into Her Bold Move's operations, including a new program targeting Republican primaries, and their comprehensive support for candidates at all levels, from school boards to the U.S. Senate. Special attention is given to the Future Leaders Fellowship program, designed to empower young high school and college women through mentorship and opportunities. The discussion addresses the challenges of endorsing female candidates, the shifts in campaign strategies since the pandemic, and the broader impact of female representation in politics. Practical advice is provided for young women hesitant about entering the political sphere due to gender biases, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and engaged in policy discussions.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

    00:32 Interview with Jordan Zaslow: Founder of Herbold Move

    01:49 The Role and Responsibilities of Herbold Move

    02:33 Supporting Pro-Choice Candidates Across Party Lines

    08:36 Future Leaders Fellowship Program

    10:41 Most Fulfilling Moments with Herbold Move

    12:48 Challenges of 2020 and Beyond

    15:17 Empowering Women in Politics

    17:22 Advice to My Younger Self

    19:19 Impact of Roe v. Wade Reversal

    21:21 Parallels Between Industries

    23:21 Youth Involvement in Politics

    25:29 Conclusion and Farewell

    More about our guest:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-zaslow-a2986a18

    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7004667/

    https://www.instagram.com/jordanzaslow/



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    25 mins
  • EP 4 - Impact and Integrity: New York Inspector General Lucy Lang's Vision for New York
    Oct 29 2024

    Episode description:

    In this compelling episode of Exploring Women in Politics, Lena engages in a profound conversation with Lucy Lang, the Inspector General of New York. They explore Lang's inspiring journey from public service to a political career, her impactful work at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and her current role as Inspector General. Key discussions include the importance of mentorship, the value of vulnerable leadership, and the role of direct communication with constituents. Lang shares practical advice for aspiring women politicians, emphasizing the significance of resilience, authenticity, and seizing opportunities. Additionally, the conversation touches on human-centered casework, particularly solitary confinement reform, and includes recommendations for potential interview figures in the political arena. This episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and successes of women in political roles and their critical contribution to their communities.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

    00:32 Interview with Lucy Lang: Getting Started in Politics

    01:44 Challenges and Rewards for Women in Politics

    03:14 Role and Impact as Inspector General

    05:19 Career Path and Mentorship

    08:00 Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders

    12:12 Encouraging Youth and Women in Politics

    14:43 Surprises and Challenges as Inspector General

    15:34 Reaching a Diverse Audience

    16:07 Goals for Connecting with Constituents

    16:25 The Importance of Public Trust

    16:34 Ongoing Education and Accountability

    17:08 Personal Reflections and Mentorship

    18:36 Humanizing Casework

    19:26 Vulnerable Leadership

    19:56 Lessons from Failure

    21:27 Encouraging Authenticity

    22:58 Networking and Recommendations

    24:33 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    More about our guest:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Lang

    https://www.instagram.com/lucylangnyc/?hl=en

    https://ig.ny.gov/about-inspector-general



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    23 mins
  • EP 3 - Elevating Women in Politics with Executive Director of Eleanor's Legacy Julie Shiroishi
    Oct 29 2024

    Julie Shiroshi, is a significant figure in political advocacy and the executive director of Eleanor's Legacy. Julie recounts her transition from a career in publishing to active political involvement post-2016 election, touching on her roles from managing local campaigns to running for state senate. The conversation emphasizes the importance of AAPI representation and the strides being made through training programs like the Eleanor's Legacy fellows program. Key figures such as Governor Kathy Hochul, Senators Liz Krueger, and Andrea Stewart-Cousins are highlighted for their contributions. The episode concludes with motivational advice for young individuals and underscores the necessity of diverse participation in democracy.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

    00:32 Julie Shiroshi's Journey into Politics

    01:38 Volunteering and Early Political Involvement

    03:04 Campaign Management and Local Elections

    03:47 Becoming Chief of Staff and County Chair

    05:29 Running for State Senate

    06:53 Joining Eleanor's Legacy

    07:40 The Importance of Representation

    11:40 AAPI Representation and Achievements

    15:36 Future Aspirations and Eleanor's Legacy

    15:46 Impactful Stories and the Fellows Program

    16:29 Training and Embedding Fellows with Candidates

    17:10 Expanding the Fellows Program

    18:27 Virtual Trainings and Boot Camps

    19:42 Encouraging Women to Run for Office

    23:06 Challenges and Rewards of Political Involvement

    26:33 Advice for Young Aspiring Politicians

    28:38 Final Thoughts and Resources

    More about our guest:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-shiroishi

    https://www.instagram.com/julie4nysenate/

    https://empirereportnewyork.com/eleanors-legacy-welcomes-new-executive-director/



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    29 mins
  • EP 2 - Trailblazing Politics and Policy: Senator Liz Krueger's Advocacy Journey
    Oct 29 2024

    In this episode of 'Exploring Women in Politics,' host Lena Yan interviews New York State Senator Liz Krueger, who shares her journey as a pioneering political figure. The episode covers Senator Krueger's efforts to drive change in a Republican-majority Senate, including the formation of the bipartisan New York State Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus. The discussion highlights her strategies to advance reproductive rights and create an inclusive legislative platform. The conversation further delves into the challenges of passing an Equal Rights Amendment in New York, especially in the wake of reduced federal protections. Additionally, the episode sheds light on the vital role of food banks, exploring how they combat hunger and influence effective legislative practices. This insightful episode offers a comprehensive look at Senator Krueger's enduring impact on New York politics and her unwavering commitment to social justice and community needs.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

    00:35 Interview with New York State Senator Liz Krueger

    00:42 Challenges and Triumphs in the Senate

    04:43 Forming the Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus

    14:08 Reproductive Health and Equal Rights Amendment

    17:19 The Struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment

    18:53 Challenges in Passing State Legislation

    22:38 The Importance of Constitutional Protections

    24:22 Introduction to Food Banks

    30:05 Starting the New York City Food Bank

    33:23 From Food Banking to Policy Work

    35:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    More about our guest:

    https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/liz-krueger/about

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Krueger

    https://twitter.com/lizkrueger?lang=en



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    36 mins
  • EP 1 - Overcoming Barriers: New York State Senator Liz Krueger's Path from Advocacy to NY State Senate
    Oct 29 2024

    In this episode of Exploring Women in Politics, host Lena Yan sits down with New York State Senator Liz Krueger to delve into her extraordinary transition from nonprofit advocacy to a successful political career. Krueger opens up about being unexpectedly drafted to run for office, the obstacles she faced, and the steep learning curve she navigated along the way. She provides invaluable advice for women considering politics, emphasizing resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of stepping into the arena despite challenges. The discussion touches on gender-specific struggles, societal expectations, and personal strategies she employed, such as debating Republican bills to sharpen her skills. Krueger's candid recount of her experiences, including a notable confrontation with a Republican senator, offers both inspiration and practical guidance for aspiring female politicians.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

    00:35 Interview with New York State Senator Liz Krueger

    00:47 Liz Krueger's Unexpected Entry into Politics

    03:19 The Campaign Journey and Challenges

    10:30 Advice for Women Entering Politics

    13:17 Challenges for Women in Politics

    13:33 New York State Senate Journey

    14:01 Increasing Female Representation

    14:40 Diversity in Politics

    15:06 Encouraging Women to Run

    15:46 Handling Rejection and Failure

    17:10 Gender Critiques in Politics

    18:33 Adapting to Political Expectations

    20:23 Building Political Resilience

    21:39 Debating and Strategy

    22:30 Confronting Political Adversaries

    24:57 Honesty and Goals in Politics

    More about our guest:

    https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/liz-krueger/about

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Krueger

    https://twitter.com/lizkrueger?lang=en



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    36 mins
  • EP 00 – Trailer – Welcome to Exploring Women in Politics, with Lena Yan
    Oct 29 2024

    In the debut episode of 'Exploring Women in Politics,' host Lena Yan speaks with notable figures in American politics, who share their journeys and the challenges they faced while encouraging more women to run for office. The conversations address fears women encounter when taking on leadership roles and stresses the importance of female representation across all sectors. Key topics include the need for constitutional protections, advocating for term limits, and incorporating younger perspectives in decision-making. Our guests provide practical advice on staying involved and achieving goals despite uncertainties, and much more. Welcome to Exploring Women in Politics, with Lena Mary Yan


    Timestamps:

    0:00 Introduction to Exploring Women in Politics

    00:29 Episode 1: Liz Kruger on Women in Politics

    01:28 Challenges and Triumphs of Women Candidates

    02:57 Liz Kruger's Honest Approach

    04:03 Episode 2: Liz Kruger on Legal and Constitutional Issues

    06:01 Episode 3: Julie Shiroishi on Representation and Inspiration

    07:42 Gender Representation in New York State Legislature

    08:15 The Importance of Asking for Mentorship

    09:01 Learning from Mistakes and Building Relationships

    09:52 Encouraging Women to Overcome Fear

    10:51 The Value of New Perspectives and Term Limits

    12:08 Staying Involved and Seizing Opportunities

    12:59 Closing Remarks and Encouragement


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    4 mins