Feeling the Support

First of all, welcome back. Yesterday was an incredible day for me. The outpouring of support from all of you was overwhelming, and it reminded me just how much we are all in this together. Whether you’ve been with me for years or are just joining in to get fired up for the next 100 days, I want to share a little about myself and why this podcast matters.

My Story

I’ve connected with many of you through my true crime work because the Golden State Killer murdered my dad and stepmother. It took over 40 years to bring him to justice, and when it finally happened, it was a global event. The experience was a wild ride, made even more surreal by the following pandemic. But through all this, one thing has remained constant: my commitment to women’s and children’s rights. I used to run a preschool and have had many roles, but at my core, I am driven by a passion for making a difference.

The Power of Your Vote

One of our most important rights is the right to vote privately. This concept fascinated me as a child—the idea that your vote is entirely your own, free from the influence of others. This is a powerful tool, and it’s something we need to protect fiercely. Despite the challenges and attempts to undermine our voting rights, our vote remains a precious gift. Just look at Venezuela, where citizens are carefully rising up to stand for what’s right. It’s a reminder that our democracy is something worth fighting for.

Building a Positive Coalition

This podcast is dedicated to positive coalition building. I’m not interested in tearing down other parties or engaging in negativity. Instead, I want to focus on what unites us. You don’t need to agree on everything; what’s important is finding common ground and working together. Last night’s calls for Kamala Harris’s campaign were a perfect example of this. Seeing nearly 100,000 white men stand up for a woman of color was inspiring and a testament to the power of coalition building.

Embracing New Supporters

We need to welcome everyone willing to join us, even those voting Democrat for the first time. These new supporters might not align with us on every issue, but that’s okay. What matters is that we’re united in our goal to protect our democracy. Being hostile to new allies will only backfire; instead, we should be grateful for this mutual cooperation. After the election, we can go back to our usual debates, but right now, unity is crucial.

Taking Small Steps

As we embark on this 100-day journey, we must remember that small steps can lead to significant change. This week, I encourage you to think about what matters most. We’ll discuss this in more detail in future episodes, but for now, focus on what drives you. I’m bringing my coaching experience to help guide us through this process, ensuring we stay grounded and motivated.

Staying Positive and Connected

This campaign is about more than just politics; it’s about reconnecting with our values and each other. Let’s stop fighting and start working towards positive outcomes. It’s time to reject the negativity that has become so pervasive and instead focus on building something better together.

To-Do List

1. Value Your Vote: Recognize the power and importance of your vote.
2. Get Inspired: Look to examples like Venezuela for the power of collective action.
3. Build Coalitions: Focus on what unites us, not what divides us.
4. Welcome New Supporters: Embrace those joining us for the first time, regardless of their past affiliations.
5. Take Small Steps: Identify what matters most to you and start taking action.

*Today’s image was done by https://www.cartooningforpeace.org/en/dessinateurs/guffo/. Guffo has been an independent Mexican cartoonist for almost 22 years and has won several international competitions on human rights and freedom of the press, and won first place in the cartoon competition for the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2018, organized by the Cartoon Movement and the Dutch government.