Épisodes

  • Meet Up North Daddy: The artist behind the protest photo that made the internet catch it's breath.

    Meet Up North Daddy: The artist behind the protest photo that made the internet catch it's breath.
    Feb 23 2026

    🌟 Welcome to Episode #12 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

    🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

    In this episode, we’re joined by Erik Espeland—the photographer behind one of the most iconic images to come out of Minnesota’s Operation Metro Surge protests, in the tense days following the murder of Renee Good. If you’ve seen the photo (you’ve probably seen it), you already know why we needed him on the show.

    This conversation is about art as witness, Minnesota as a character, and why being decent is both revolutionary and contagious.


    🧑‍🎨 Meet Our Guest: Erik Espeland

    Erik is a professional photographer (and longtime creative) who came to photography through a very Minnesota story: family, work, nervous energy, and the need to make meaning out of what’s happening right in front of you.

    • Artist and graphic designer
    • Former Target corporate photo studio experience
    • Shoots thousands of images a year, primarily youth sports
    • A proud “modest Minnesotan”
    • Still surprised by the photo


    📸 The Photo That Stopped People Cold
    Erik walks us through how the iconic image came to be—how it wasn’t staged, how it was instinct and timing and composition and wind.

    The subject’s whole presence—pure Minnesota symbolism, including those legendary boots
    Erik says when he saw it on his computer, he “kind of stopped breathing.”

    Same, buddy. Same.

    👤 Who Is “Dan”?

    Erik didn’t even meet the man in the photo—Dan—until about two weeks later.

    When he finally did:
    Dan hadn’t fully realized he’d become that guy on the internet
    Erik thanked him for being “the face of Minnesota” in that moment
    The image had already gone global—Erik estimates close to 10 million views across countries and continent
    And Dan’s response?

    Classic Minnesota: “Let’s ride this wave.”

    🌲 “Minnesota Nice” Isn’t a Meme—It’s a Force

    We talk a lot about how Minnesota has shown up through all of this—how people here don’t just post, they do things.

    🎶 Art as Resistance: Signs, Songs, and the “Singing Resistance”

    Monica shares a powerful piece of what protest has looked like here:

    Minnesota’s choral community and the Singing Resistance—marching, stopping at hotels known to house ICE, and using music as moral confrontation.

    Erik reflects on the question we all ask:

    Do the people carrying out cruelty feel anything when confronted with beauty?

    Or does the job require them to turn the human part off completely?

    🧠 Creativity, Guilt, and Trying to Breathe in the Middle of Crisis

    Christy talks about the weird guilt creatives feel right now—like making art is somehow indulgent when everything is on fire.

    📈 Going Viral Overnight: “What the Hell Do You Do With That?”

    Erik posted the photo on Threads the same night.


    🏞️ National Parks, Perspective, and What Travel Teaches Kids

    Erik’s also a huge National Parks geek (same, honestly), and we talk about why nature and travel matter—especially now.
    Favorites include Olympic, Yellowstone, Bryce (snow on hoodoos = unreal)

    Their family uses the National Parks passport to plan trips

    Food, culture, conversations—it expands the soul.

    Which is exactly why authoritarianism hates it.

    🧡 Final Words That Wrecked Us (In the Best Way)

    Erik closes with a simple message that is somehow the most radical thing you can say right now:

    Hug someone
    Smile at strangers
    Let people tell their story
    Don’t hold grudges
    It’s not hard to be nice—and it’s contagious as hell
    Monica cried.

    Christy got misty.

    We all needed it.


    📌 FOLLOW / SUPPORT

    If this episode moved you, taught you something, or made you see what’s happening here through a new lens:

    ✅ Like
    ✅ Comment
    ✅ Share
    ✅ Subscribe

    It helps more than you know—and it tells the algorithm we’re not doing “both sides” bedtime stories over here.

    📱 Find us everywhere: @thepoliticschicks

    Substack • YouTube • Threads • Bluesky • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook

    🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.


    We are always stronger together.


    — Christy & Monica
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    41 min
  • Meet The Election Geek!

    Meet The Election Geek!
    Feb 19 2026
    🌟 Welcome to Episode #11 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟🎙️ In this episode, Christy & Monica sit down with Minnesota CD6 Congressional candidate Doug Chapin — self-described “election geek,” nationally recognized elections expert, and the guy who can explain the machinery of democracy without making your eyes glaze over. Joining him is his partner, Stephanie Tomlinson, a healthcare policy strategist (and Maple Grove Planning Commission member) who brings equal parts heart, grit, and “here’s why local government actually matters.”This conversation is part civics crash course, part campaign story, and part Minnesota love letter — with a very clear message: democracy doesn’t defend itself.🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:👋 Show SummaryDoug Chapin breaks down how elections actually work in the United States (hint: there is no such thing as a “federal election official”), why Republicans’ “election fear” bills are often smoke-and-mirrors, and what policies like the SAVE Act would do to voter access. Stephanie digs into the local pipeline of power — school boards, planning commissions, city councils — and why those elections aren’t “small,” they’re foundational.They also share what pushed Doug to run for Congress (spoiler: it wasn’t on his bingo card), what “neighborism” looks like during crisis, and how Minnesotans are showing up for one another through the occupation — with courage, joy, and stubborn hope.👤 Meet Our GuestsDoug Chapin — CD6 Congressional candidate, elections expert, educator, and lifelong democracy nerd (in the best way). Doug has spent nearly 40 years working in elections, democracy, public policy, and law — including work on Capitol Hill, in advocacy, and teaching election administration.Stephanie Tomlinson — healthcare policy strategist, legislative/regulatory advocacy expert, Maple Grove Planning Commission member, and Doug’s partner in both life and this campaign. Stephanie brings deep knowledge of how systems work — and why local governance is the beating heart of everything.🗺️ Show Highlights• Doug’s origin story: decades in elections work…until the moment he realized he needed to defend democracy from the front, not the inside• Stephanie’s “oh my God, we’re doing this” moment (including the email barrage that gave it away)• The power of a naturalization ceremony — and the emotional whiplash of watching democracy fray in real time afterward• What “neighborism” looks like in practice: community protection, volunteer door guards, and restaurants rallying back after ICE raids• Why elections in the U.S. are a “crazy quilt” — state by state, county by county, sometimes community by community• The truth about the federal government’s role in elections (and why Trump can’t just “take over”)• HAVA (Help America Vote Act): what it is, how the funds work, and why Minnesota Republicans’ bill threatening to withhold funds is basically “taking away the presents you already opened”• The SAVE Act: what “documentary proof of citizenship” would mean in real life for voters and election officials (and why it’s designed to create barriers)• Why local elections matter more than people realize: school boards, planning commissions, zoning, city councils — and how culture shifts from the ground up• The detention center issue: why local governments can block them through zoning, permits, and environmental reviews• Data centers and AI server farms: massive energy, heat, water demands — and why communities like Monticello and Becker are paying attention• Doug’s closing message: your vote is the most powerful thing you have — protect it, but more importantly, use it• Stephanie’s closing message: don’t be shy — ask questions, get involved, and show up even when you’re scared🔗 LINKS + RESOURCES🌐 Doug Chapin for Congress: chapinforcongress.comFollow on THREADS: @chapinforcongress INSTAGRAM: @chapinforcongress FACKEBOOK: @dougchapinforcongress BLUESKY: @chapinforcongress.bky.social TIK TOK: @chapinforcongress2026📌 ACTION ITEMS✅ If you live in Minnesota CD6: get involved, volunteer, and share Doug’s campaign with friends and neighbors✅ Pay attention to local elections (school board candidates matter more than you think)✅ Show up at city council meetings when zoning decisions impact detention centers, data centers, environmental impact, and community safety✅ Vote. In every election. Not just presidential years.🐥 FINAL WORD:This isn’t politics as sport.This is democracy as infrastructure.It’s zoning boards and voter registration databases. It’s school boards and city councils. It’s neighbors protecting neighbors because the federal government won’t.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, this episode is your reminder: the most ...
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    39 min
  • A teacher’s witness to trauma, community, and the fierce determination to keep students safe.Teaching Through Terror:

    A teacher’s witness to trauma, community, and the fierce determination to keep students safe.Teaching Through Terror:
    Feb 2 2026
    🌟 Welcome to Episode #10 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:We sit down with Jackie Mosqueda-Jones — longtime educator, former Osseo School Board chair, and current pre-K teacher in Columbia Heights — for a deeply human conversation about what families, educators, and neighbors are facing as ICE activity intensifies across the district.👩‍🏫 Meet JackieFormer Osseo School Board member (6 years; board chair), current pre-K teacher, and a frontline witness to what she describes as “a whole other level” beyond the crises schools carried through COVID and George Floyd.🏫 Columbia Heights Right NowA richly diverse district — roughly 40% Latina (many Ecuadorian refugee families) and about 25% Black/African American, including African immigrants — with a majority of students identifying as children of color.🧸 The Liam Ramos StoryWe discuss the incident that shook the community: families afraid to send children to school, a parent followed from school, a child used to draw a mother outside, and the impossible choices no parent should ever face.📄 DOPA Forms & Emergency PlanningSchools are helping families prepare Delegation of Parental Authority forms in case parents are detained, assisting with notarization, and ensuring emergency guardianship plans are in place.🧑‍⚕️ Teachers as the Last Line of CareEducators and community members are delivering food and supplies, purchasing medicine for families afraid to leave home, transporting students, and stepping in as trusted guardians when needed.📱 Pre-K Online — Built From ScratchJackie created a remote learning option so children can stay safe without losing access to education — designing phone-accessible lessons and supporting families nights and weekends.🧑‍🏫 Leadership That Shows UpPrincipal Jeff Sosick is recognized for leading with compassion — turning meetings into supply drives, preparing food packages for families, and consistently prioritizing care over optics.🚨 How ICE Targets the CommunityReports of activity during school arrival and dismissal, targeting workers at closing time, door-to-door presence near apartment buildings, and a level of surveillance that has reshaped daily life.🧠 The Trauma on KidsChildren struggling to concentrate, fear becoming normalized in playground conversations, and educators carrying the weight of collective trauma alongside their students.💔 The Emotional Toll“We’re not doing well.”Instead of asking “How are you?”, staff now greet each other with:👉 “I’m glad you’re here.”🗳️ Local Elections MatterA reminder that school boards shape communities — research candidates, stay engaged locally, and remember that major political movements often begin at the local level.✨ Hope in the HenhouseMutual aid networks rising, retired educators stepping in, neighbors using their skills to help, and a guiding truth from Paul Wellstone:👉 “We all do better when we all do better.”🛑 Final WordThis is a marathon — not a sprint.Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Take care of yourself. Love will win.❤️ Support Families Impacted in the Columbia Heights School DistrictThese fundraisers directly benefit families across the district:Columbia Heights High Schoolhttps://gofund.me/1b26e2c3cColumbia Academyhttps://gofund.me/b9b785a26Highland Elementaryhttps://gofund.me/271c89166North Park School for Innovationhttps://gofund.me/b9406a952Valley View Elementaryhttps://give.mn/g1iz7gFamily Centerhttps://gofund.me/e090e916a👉 You can also find these links on the Columbia Heights Public Schools website.📚 Jackie’s Donors Choose Project — Tools for Little Mathematicianshttps://www.donorschoose.org/project/tools-for-little-mathematicians/9919647/💌 If this conversation moved you, challenged you, or made you see the world differently — please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and expands this growing community.📱 Follow us everywhere: @thepoliticschicks on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.We are always stronger together.— Christy & Monica
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    45 min
  • GROUND ZERO: Life Under Occupation in Minnesota

    GROUND ZERO: Life Under Occupation in Minnesota
    Jan 31 2026
    🌟 Welcome to Episode #9 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟🎙️ After a pause from podcasting, we’re back — not because it’s convenient, but because it’s necessary. Minnesota is at ground zero, and what’s happening here demands to be witnessed, documented, and shared.This episode is not analysis from afar. It’s lived experience.🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:👋 We return to the micChristy and Monica explain why now is the moment to bring the podcast back — as Minnesota faces what many residents are describing as life under occupation.👤 Meet our guest: Anton FriantA lifelong Minnesotan, parent, designer, former MCAD instructor, and community organizer. Anton joins us after writing a powerful Facebook post that captured what it feels like to live inside this moment — a post that resonated far beyond state lines .🗺️ What it’s really like in Minnesota right nowThis is not “just Minneapolis.”ICE activity has spread across suburbs and greater Minnesota — St. Cloud, Rochester, St. Louis Park, and beyond. The Twin Cities are not insular. We are deeply interconnected, and what happens in one neighborhood ripples everywhere .👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting young kids in unprecedented timesAnton shares heartbreaking, honest conversations with his 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter:Children who already know the names, faces, and detailsKids asking if this is normalMiddle schoolers grieving strangers as peopleElementary school kids crying at the sound of whistles, afraid they’ll come home to empty apartmentsThis is collective trauma — and our children are carrying it .🚨 When ICE shows up near a schoolAnton recounts witnessing ICE raids across the street from his daughter’s elementary school — patrols forming human chains, whistles blowing, rapid response networks activating — while children inside panic, believing their parents may be taken .🤝 Community response: the quiet miracleOut of fear has come extraordinary coordination:Parents on patrol at school drop-off, recess, and dismissalNeighborhood rapid-response teamsFood, supplies, and mutual aid networksPeople skipping appointments, enduring subzero cold, and showing up day after day — simply because their neighbors need themThis isn’t centralized.It isn’t funded.It’s organic, hyperlocal, and deeply Minnesotan .🕯️ Honoring Alex Pretti and Renée GoodWe reflect on loss, on helping professions, and on what it means that Alex’s final words — spoken while protecting someone else — were “Are you okay?”Their names will live on. So will what they represent .🌍 The ripple effectAnton shares a moment that stopped us cold: his words reached the UK, where a Member of Parliament is organizing a solidarity rally in Nottingham — reading his letter aloud for Minneapolis.The world is watching. And responding .🧠 How people are copingThis is a marathon, not a sprint. We talk about sustaining ourselves, taking breaks, and protecting one another so the work — and the people — endure.🐥 FINAL WORD:This isn’t about politics as sport.This is about human beings, children, neighborhoods, and the refusal to normalize cruelty.Resistance doesn’t only look like marches.It looks like whistles, human chains, shared food, missed appointments, extra hugs at bedtime — and neighbors who refuse to leave each other behind🧭 HOW YOU CAN HELP:We’ll include links in the show notes to:Link to Anton’s Article on our Substack https://substack.com/@thepoliticschicks/p-184814003Stand With Minnesota https://www.standwithminnesota.com/Community support and eviction-prevention efforts https://www.givemn.org/story/arpbcg Calling Governor Walz to support an eviction moratorium is one concrete way to act right now.💌 We’d love to hear from youIf you have resources to share, stories from your community, or topics you want us to cover — reach out. This podcast exists because of you.💌 If this episode moved you, challenged you, or helped you understand what’s happening here — please like, comment, and share.It helps more than you know. It puts these stories in front of more eyes and helps grow this community of people who refuse to look away.📱 Find and follow us on:Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook👉 @thepoliticschicks🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.We are always stronger together.— Christy & Monica
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    41 min
  • RESIST and RECHARGE

    RESIST and RECHARGE
    Aug 14 2025

    🌟 Welcome to Episode #8 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

    🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform!

    🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:
    This week’s conversation covers the “podcast that wasn’t” (thanks, copyright police), a stormy in-person lunch in Minnesota, the chaos and charm of banana ball, a protest in Dana Point, and a sweet surprise—custom Politics Chicks cookies from one of our listeners. We also share an update on Finley’s diagnosis and how you can support his family, break down a few What the Cluck?! political moments, and wrap with the everyday joys that give us hope.

    💬 We cover:
    🍪 Monica’s trip to Minnesota, a stormy lunch with Christy, and a sweet gift from listener Kelly of Cute and Delish—custom Politics Chicks cookies that were as delicious as they were adorable. (Contact Kelly at cuteanddelishbykel.com or cuteanddelishbykel@gmail.com)

    🍌 Christy introduces Monica to Banana Ball—a Harlem Globetrotters-style twist on baseball with trick plays, dancing umpires, and nonstop fan interaction.

    ✊ Monica’s protest in Dana Point along the Pacific Coast Highway—and why showing up still matters.

    🎉 An update on the Dahlson Twins and Finley’s diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy—plus how you can help the Dahlsons via their GoFundMe: http://bit.ly/45tSDZu

    💣 What the Cluck?!
    🚨 We unpack a week’s worth of political absurdity, including:

    🗣️ Trump on the White House roof pitching a $200M ballroom and joking about nuclear missiles—while actually stationing nuclear subs near Russia.

    🌙 A reality-TV-star-turned-NASA-head pitching a nuclear reactor on the moon—because apparently there’s no problem here on Earth more urgent.

    📉 Trump blaming the Bureau of Labor and Statistics for unfavorable jobs numbers and accusing them of election manipulation—despite bipartisan confirmation of its leadership and decades of routine data revisions.

    🐥 Peep Cheeps:
    This week we share three personal joys that have nothing to do with politics:
    🎹 Christy learning piano at 55 as a form of mental escape.

    🎶 Monica auditioning for the Orange County Women’s Chorus and looking forward to singing with others again.

    🌳 Being outside, making art, playing games, and spending time with loved ones—because self-care is political, too.

    💡 Hope in the Henhouse:
    💙Our big hope this week? Texas Democrats walking out to block an extreme new gerrymandering push ordered up by Trump himself. They’re making it clear this fight is bigger than Texas—it’s about protecting democracy nationwide.

    🥊And for once, Democrats in other states are signaling they’re willing to respond in kind, even if it means gerrymandering in blue states to level the playing field.

    🙌 Final word?
    Laughter, joy, and connection aren’t luxuries—they’re tools for resilience. Whether it’s calling out political absurdity, standing up for democracy, or savoring a moment of everyday joy, the way we spend our energy matters.

    💌 We would love your input! If you have topics you’d like us to cover, news to share, or a shout-out to give—let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

    💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps us get these stories in front of more eyes and keeps growing this incredible community of listeners who care deeply.

    📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
    @thepoliticschicks

    🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark. We are always stronger together.
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    49 min
  • LOVE is LOVE

    LOVE is LOVE
    Jul 23 2025


    🌟 Welcome to Episode #6 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

    🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform!


    🌈 This week, we’re honored to welcome Cody and Adam Dahlson to the podcast—a married couple who, less than a year ago, became the proud parents of twins. But their path into parenthood has been anything but easy. From a premature birth and days spent in the NICU to the devastating discovery that both Finnley and Hadley have a rare neurological disorder, their story is one of courage, grit, and the kind of love that shows up, even when the future is uncertain.

    👶🏼 In this moving conversation, we talk about:

    • How they met and built a life together 💕
    • The decision to grow their family and the logistics of parenthood as a same-sex couple 🏳️‍🌈
    • What it was like finding out they were having twins 👶🏻👶🏻
    • The early arrival and what life in the NICU taught them about fear, strength, and hope 🏥
    • Noticing something different with Finnley and the long road to answers 🧠
    • Getting a life-changing diagnosis—for both twins—and what that means going forward 💔
    • How they’re turning pain into purpose through advocacy and community 🫂
    • The upcoming KAND conference and what they hope to gain and share there 🎤

    💡 Learn more about KIF1A-Associated Neurological Disorder (KAND):

    🔗 https://www.kif1a.org/

    〽️ To support Ronald McDonald House:

    🔗http://bit.ly/4lcBJnb

    💚 Want to support Cody, Adam, and their twins directly? Donate to their GoFundMe:

    🔗 http://bit.ly/4m8TYKL

    🕯️ This episode is a reminder of what love looks like when it’s tested. When it digs in. When it refuses to give up. Cody and Adam’s story will move you, challenge you, and stay with you.

    💬 If this conversation touched you, please like, comment, and share. It helps us bring these powerful stories to more people—and helps build the kind of compassionate community we all need right now.

    📲 Follow us @thepoliticschicks on Substack, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, TikTok, and Bluesky.

    🌟 Thanks for being here. Thanks for caring.

    And remember:

    💙 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark 🔦, and we’re stronger together 🤲.
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    48 min
  • What the CLUCK is GOING ON?

    What the CLUCK is GOING ON?
    Jul 8 2025

    🌟Welcome to Episode #5 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

    🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform!

    🐓This week, we’re bringing you our take on some of the craziness in the world, but also some “Hope in the Henhouse:” reasons to keep hope alive.

    🎢 In this episode, we talk about:

    🐊 Trump teaching ICE detainees how to Run from Alligators 🙄

    😬 Lisa Murkowski's (well deserved) awkward moment after being told she was called a sell-out by Sen. Rand Paul.

    🧊 Continued ICE raids around the country and what that looks like:
    Masked agents with no identification or warrants, including the detainment of a father of 3 US Marines in California

    🎤 The Chicks sharing their top three independent journalists

    🌞 Some much-needed Hope in the Henhouse, including finding the beauty in everyday life 🖼️🎶🌹, realizing self-fulfillment by serving others 🎁 , and Monica's 30th wedding anniversary 💕.

    💌We would love your input! If you have topics you’d like to hear about, news to share, a shout-out to give - please let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

    💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps us get these stories in front of more eyes and helps us keep growing this incredible community of listeners who care deeply.

    📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

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    1 h et 2 min
  • What INCLUSION Really MEANS

    What INCLUSION Really MEANS
    Jul 2 2025

    How One School is Rewriting the Story for Kids Like Dempsey

    🌟 Welcome to Episode #4 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

    🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform!
    This week, we’re honored to bring you one of the most powerful and heartfelt conversations we’ve had so far. ❤️‍🔥

    👩‍🏫 Meet Sher U-F, a trailblazing educator who leads the Compass Classroom at Glen Lake Elementary—a space designed for students with the most significant disabilities.

    👩‍👦 And meet Kelly Becker, mother to Dempsey, a child with complex disabilities whose presence in the world is quietly revolutionary.
    🎢 In this episode, we talk about:

    What true inclusion looks like—and how it transforms everyone involved

    ❤️ How Dempsey, though nonverbal, is teaching his classmates kindness, empathy, and strength

    🧑🏻‍🦼‍➡️Why accessible playgrounds and classrooms are just the beginning

    💔 The pain of public misconceptions and the beauty of breaking them

    👀 Why being seen matters just as much as being accommodated


    🎥 Special thanks to Hopkins School District and videographer Thomas Riley for allowing us to share their moving video about the incredible work being done at Glen Lake Elementary. What they’ve built there isn’t just a program—it’s a model for how schools everywhere could and should show up for kids of all abilities. You can find the video here: https://vimeo.com/1031702405?&login=true#_=_

    📚 We also spotlight a beautiful children’s book A Swing for Samara by Minnesota author and illustrator Nancy Carlson, inspired by Glen Lake’s accessible playground. It’s a joyful reminder that all children deserve to swing, climb, laugh, and play—together. You can find more about Nancy here: https://nancycarlson.com/

    ♿ Build accessible playgrounds! What started as The Glen Lake Accessible Playground Project blossomed into a non-profit. Students at West Middle School in the Hopkins District continue to raise money to build accessible playgrounds across Minnesota. https://www.mnplayforall.org/

    ✨ Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student, policymaker, or just someone who believes in a more compassionate world, this episode is for you. Here are some useful links for inclusive education information:

    • The Pacer Center https://www.pacer.org/
    • The Inclusion Project https://www.inclusionproject.org/
    • The Nora Project https://thenoraproject.ngo/


    💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps us get these stories in front of more eyes and helps us keep growing this incredible community of listeners who care deeply.

    📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

    🕯️ Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

    💪 And remember: we are stronger together.

    #ThePoliticsChicks #InclusionMatters #DisabilityAwareness #AccessiblePlay #RepresentationMatters #DempseyStrong #KindnessIsPower #GlenLakeElementary
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    1 h et 19 min