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PODCAST

Firestarters with Shannon Watts

Firestarters is a podcast filled with inspiring interviews of women living audacious lives and encouraging others to do the same. shannonwatts.substack.com shannonwatts.substack.com

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All Episodes

28:25

Democratic Whip Katherine Clark on the dire...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/11/04

Katherine Clark, the highest-ranking woman in Congress, has made supporting American families a cornerstone of her congressional career. From championing policies like universal childcare to supporting paid family leave to providing affordable healthcare, Democratic Whip Clark is dedicated to creating policy that will ease the financial burdens and daily challenges facing people across the country. In this conversation, we talk about the suffering caused by the six-week Republican government

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26:48

Lorissa Rinehart says we should look to America’s...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/11/03

In her new biography, Lorissa Rinehart delivers the first-ever detailed account of the life of Jeannette Rankin, the first American woman to serve in Congress. “Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become the First Woman in Congress” shows how Rankin’s determination, moral conviction, and savvy ultimately resulted in a cultural and political seismic shift in the US.Connect with Lorissa: Buy the Book | Substack | Website | InstagramFor women ready to stop living on

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21:07

Jessica Mackler of EMILYs List wants you to get out...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/11/01

I had the great opportunity to chat with Jessica Mackler, president of EMILYs List. EMILY’s List has been working for 40 years to elect Democratic, pro-choice women up and down the ballot all over the country. They’ve elected more than 1,800 women in the time that they’ve been doing this work. These elections are more important than ever. Tune in to learn how YOU can get involved in getting more women into office.Connect with EMILYs List: Instagram | Important LinksFor women ready to stop living on

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32:51

Joanna Schroeder says it's imperative to talk to your...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/10/31

Today I had the great honor of talking with Joanna Schroeder, co-author of the book “Talk To Your Boys: 16 Conversations to Help Tweens and Teens Grow into Confident, Caring Young Men.” In our current climate, this conversation and this book is more important than ever. Take some time to watch the replay of our conversation above.Connect with Joanna: Buy the Book | Instagram | SubstackFor women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self

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26:13

A new newsletter all about menopause

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/10/21

Check out my conversation with Jennifer Gerson, a reporter for The 19th News and point person for the new organization’s new newsletter about all things perimenopause and menopause. Jen and I dove into many of the medical, cultural and generational aspects of middle age during our Substack Live. Watch the replay above and follow The 19th to sure you have all the information you need to live a long and healthy life.For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show

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32:43

Karen Walrond wants you get a hobby

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/09/24

“Your job isn’t what makes you interesting, your hobby is.”- Karen WalrondCheck out my conversation with the delightful Karen Walrond, author of the brand new book In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur. For her book, Karen tried out seven new hobbies — everything from pottery to surfing to piano playing — to show readers how to do the same. She even provides a list of over 200 hobbies others might want to try — all in the interest of tuning out, tapping into ourselves, and

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43:28

Shannon Watts and Anna Gifty on "The Double Tax"...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/09/23

I loved getting to talk with Anna Gifty, an award-winning researcher and writer and doctoral student at Harvard Kennedy School studying public policy and economics. We discuss her new book, The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid, which offers a critical analysis of systemic economic inequities and insights into why it's disproportionately expensive to be a woman—especially a woman of color—in contemporary America.Anna and I discuss about why women—especially women of

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25:44

Shannon Watts and Rebecca Minor on "Raising Trans Kids"

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/09/16

Please check out the replay of my conversation with Rebecca Minor, LICSW about her new book Raising Trans Kids, the essential guide for parents, families, and educators committed to creating a world where transgender and nonbinary youth can thrive. With compassionate insights, evidence-based research, and practical advice, this groundbreaking book provides the clarity and reassurance needed to navigate the complex journey of raising trans and gender-expansive children.Rebecca and I discuss why it’s

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29:15

Shannon Watts and Stacy London on finding what's next

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/08/28

(I write at length about many of these ideas in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week and get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)Check out my conversation with Stacy London, host of Prime Video show Wear Whatever the F You Want and mid-life advocate. Our conversation ranged from the importance of empowering women as they experience menopause and aging, concerns around

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29:02

Shannon Watts and Dr. Jessica Shepherd on hormone...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/08/13

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)Check out my conversation with Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OBGYN and menopause expert. Our conversation ranged from the importance of understanding your health, the flawed study that lead a generation of women to believe HRT was

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55:17

30: Meggan Watterson on what women's erasure from...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/07/28

“You can’t burn what is already on fire.”Meggan Watterson, a feminist theologian with master's degrees from Harvard Divinity School and Columbia University’s Union Theological Seminary, is a bestselling author and founder of the REDLADIES, a spiritual community focused on studying ancient Christian texts that were excluded from the New Testament. Her new book, The Girl Who Baptized Herself, explores a nearly lost first-century scripture about Saint Thecla, a young woman who survived multiple

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28:17

[REPLAY] Dr. Pooja Lakshmin tells us how to avoid...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/07/14

“One of the metaphors that I use is imagining guilt is a faulty check engine light on your car dashboard. Your car has just been serviced, the oil is changed, everything's fine, but the stupid light just keeps going off. It doesn't actually give you any meaningful information, so you can ignore it. You can just say it's broken. Guilt is not a moral compass.”Pooja Lakshmin MD is a clinical psychiatrist in Austin, Texas, specializing in women's health. She's also an assistant professor of psychiatry

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36:18

28: Dr. Sunita Sah on how to practice defiance

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/06/30

“My definition of defiance is being able to act in alignment with your values, especially when there's pressure to do otherwise. It's not just for the brave people, extraordinary people, superheroes. It's available and it's necessary for all of us to really learn this skill."Dr. Sunita Sah is a physician turned organizational psychologist whose research has reshaped how we think about advice, bias, and trust in some of the most high-stakes environments—from hospitals to courtrooms to boardrooms and

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17:38

Shannon Watts and Jessica Yellin on how to take the...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/06/20

Jessica Yellin, founder of News Not Noise, about the nudge that helped her take the leap to leave one career and embark on a new one. We also talk about the inevitable blowback you’ll get when you begin to do things differently, and why it’s important to remember that all blowback is predictable, but it’s not personal. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shannonwatts.substack.com/subscribe

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24:41

Shannon Watts and Sharon McMahon on how to keep going

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/06/20

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)I was thrilled to talk to author and historian Sharon McMahon on Substack Live about how to take the next fiery step, why blowback is predictable, but not personal; and why you’re never too old and it’s never too late to fulfill your desires

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51:26

Shannon Watts and Katie Couric on how to be an agent...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/06/19

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order this week get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)It was so great to have a conversation with Katie Couric. We talked about the need for everyone to get off the sidelines, how increment steps forward lead to revolutions, and the importance of finding your people — all topics I explore in

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19:44

27: The story behind my new book, "Fired Up"

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/06/16

"There has never been a more important time in our nation's history, or in the world, for women to figure out what it is they have to offer—their abilities, their values and their desires—and to bring those to the table. You deserve to leave a legacy. We all do."In my first solo episode of this podcast, I’m bringing you behind the scenes of writing my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” I talk about the whole book writing process, including how the

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33:14

Shannon Watts and Karen Walrond on how to find joy in...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/06/13

I loved this Substack Live conversation with Karen Walrond, an award winning author, speaker, leadership coach. Karen (who is sunshine personified) and I discuss why it’s important to embrace being an amateur, how community compassion can be an act of resistance, and why women need to banish their feelings of guilt for pursuing their desires. Be sure you’re following Karen’s Substack, the make light journal, and please enjoy the replay of our conversation.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark

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37:10

Shannon Watts and Susan Piver on the importance of...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/06/09

Watch the replay of my conversation with Susan Piver, bestselling author and founder of The Open Heart Project. We discuss why Bruce Springsteen is a big part of Susan’s story, her incredible life and career, how the book The Heart of the Buddha found her, and why resting your mind is crucial to creativity.Susan is featured in my upcoming book Fired Up. Make sure you’ve ordered your copy, and that you’ve subscribed to Susan’s Substack.My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and

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25:42

Shannon Watts and Katie Phang discuss why it's so...

Firestarters with Shannon Watts ·

2025/06/04

Watch the replay of my conversation with Katie Phang—prominent legal analyst, political commentator, and podcaster—about all the topics in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” including the expectations of women in the public eye, how to handle the guilt that can come with motherhood and pursuing your desires, friendship in middle age, and the importance of sharing power at all ages. And be sure you’re following Katie’s Substack!My new book Fired

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60 results

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