In this first episode of our limited series "Okay, But Why?", we're taking a deep dive into voting rights.

We all want free and fair elections where everyone who’s legally able to vote can make their voice heard. But every time the experts study voter fraud, they find almost zero evidence that undocumented immigrants or anyone else is voting illegally. So then… why are there so many new voting laws out there?

Today, we're examining the history of voting rights and taking a closer look at why politicians are trying so hard to keep some Americans from voting.

For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We knew it was coming, but it's still hard to believe that this is our last episode of The Suburban Women Problem. We have appreciated this community of listeners so much over the past 4 years, and we're so grateful to Jasmine, Rachel and Amanda for continuing to bring their whole selves to 5 seasons of great conversations.

This week, RWB founder Katie Paris sends us off - but she's also here to share a little bit about what's coming next! Red Wine & Blue's work is more important than ever in this difficult political time, and we've been hearing two things from our community: women have questions, and we're burned out.

Starting next week, we'll run a series of short shareable episodes called "Okay But Why," where we answer some of the questions we've been hearing. Katie also teased a show we'll be producing later this spring about political burnout. The struggle is real and we want to meet our listeners where they're at!

So don't go anywhere - unlike many federal departments right now, you will not have an interruption in service! And if you have any questions or thoughts about what podcasts might help you right now, please feel free to reach out.

For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

The week after last November's election, we knew there was only one person we wanted to talk to: Connie Schultz. We were still immersed in grief, anger, and even despair following Trump's win - and Connie was dealing with her husband Sherrod Brown losing his re-election to the Senate as well.

But we loved her advice.... it's our job to make hope possible, not despair convincing.

The election results redefined the political landscape in America and the scope of this podcast. But we will continue to support our communities, encourage real conversations, and make hope possible.

We'll see you next Wednesday for the final episode of The Suburban Women Problem.

For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In March of 2023, we were so excited to be joined by bestselling author Angie Thomas. Her books include "The Hate U Give" and "On The Come Up" and unfortunately, they're some of the most frequently banned books in the country.

Jasmine and Angie had an amazing conversation about Black Lives Matter, the power of books, Black Girl Magic, and so much more. We hope you enjoy their chat as much as we did!

For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

To celebrate our 50th episode back in May 2022, we invited suburban women superhero Mallory McMorrow to join us. Mallory, a state senator in Michigan, had recently gone viral for a speech where she stood up for marginalized groups as "a white Christian suburban mom." Mallory is a reminder of the good that can come from suburban women using our voices and standing behind our values.

Her political career has continued to blossom since she was on the pod and her debut book is coming out in just a few weeks! It's called Hate Won't Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than We Found It and we can't wait to read it.

For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Thanks again for joining us on this look back through 5 seasons of The Suburban Women Problem. Today we're sharing Season 1, Episode 18 - our interview with the late great Cecile Richards.

Even at the time, we couldn't believe we were lucky enough to discuss women's rights, reproductive healthcare, and politics with such an inspirational leader as Cecile. But since she passed away last month, we are even more grateful for the opportunity to feature her on the podcast.

A lot has changed since we talked to Cecile in September of 2021, but her advice to not wait for instructions and just jump in is as timely as ever.

For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

In case you haven’t heard, The Suburban Women Problem is wrapping up next week to make way for new podcasts out of Red Wine & Blue. As the producer of the podcast, I’m so grateful to Rachel, Jasmine and Amanda for 4 years of great conversations, and to you, our listeners, for joining us on this journey.

All endings are sad, but I want to assure everyone that this really isn’t good-bye. We’re developing new podcasts to meet the moment and we can’t wait to share them with you.

But for this week, I wanted to give The Suburban Women Problem the celebration it deserves. Every day, I’ll be reposting old episodes that were particularly meaningful for us – and, I hope, for you too. I’m starting with our very first regular episode, Season 1 Episode 2, where we talked to Jamie Jara, the mom of a trans daughter, along with the delightful Chasten Buttigieg. It’s amazing how far we’ve come, and yet how much we’re still dealing with these very same issues.

There’s one interpretation of this episode that’s awfully depressing. Trump is president again, and people in the LGBTQ community– especially trans kids – are under attack more than ever.

But it’s important to say this too. Four years later, Jamie Jara and her daughter Dempsey are thriving. Dempsey dreams of becoming of an actress and actually appeared in the HBO show We’re Here and was even on stage at the 2023 GLAAD Awards to help accept an award for the show.

And Chasten Buttigieg is thriving too! He’s continued to publish books and even better, he and Pete become parents of twins.

The political landscape may be grim, but they cannot take our joy. And that itself is an act of resistance.

For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

We talk a lot about self-care, but there aren’t enough bubble baths in the world to make us feel better about the news lately. Federal employees are losing their jobs. RFK is against anti-depressants and ADHD medication. Elon Musk is giving press conferences in the Oval Office. Everything feels terrifying, and for good reason.

So maybe manicures and bubble baths aren’t the self-care we really need. (Although of course we love both!) Maybe the self-care we need is quieter. More compassionate. More creative. More about community.

This week, we were honored to talk to author, sociologist, and life coach Martha Beck. Her latest book is “Beyond Anxiety” and who among us couldn’t use some tips for getting beyond anxiety these days? She tells us about how we can counter the “anxiety spiral” with a “creativity spiral” and how community is the most powerful and intrinsic part of humanity.

Martha talked Amanda and Katie Paris through their own anxieties and gave us so much wisdom that will definitely help us get through the next four years. We hope you get as much out of the conversation as we did.

This is the last official interview of The Suburban Women Problem, but we'd love to hear from you about what the podcast has meant to you. We'll read those listener notes on our final episode on March 5th!

For a transcript of this episode, please email theswppod@redwine.blue.

You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media!

Twitter: @TheSWPpod and @RedWineBlueUSA

Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSA

Facebook: @RedWineBlueUSA

YouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA