You can also listen to this episode on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action, where she spent 11 years as the full-time volunteer lead before stepping back in 2023 to start a new chapter. Under her leadership, Moms Demand Action became one of the largest grassroots movements in the country.

I love Shannon for so many reasons. Personally, I’ve learned so much about life from the way that she leads, the way that she approaches challenges, and the way she thinks about failure and success. And I think her new book is exactly right—it’s just what we need from Shannon now. It’s called Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age.

We talk about how Shannon teaches women to do this. We talk about a certain double bind that women face, and what to do about it. We talk about preparing for blowbacks…the value of failing forward…how Shannon learned to channel her anger, and also to help others find joy. We talk about why incremental change is seen as a dirty phrase in some circles. And we talk about being okay with being both hard and soft.

I have no doubt that you will be lifted up by so many things Shannon shares today.

Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age

Fight Like a MotherMoms Demand Action

Follow Shannon on Instagram

Shannon’s Substack

ELISE:

I feel like you're on fire and you're just like a machine over there pumping out newsletters and lives and what is happening. Just all that energy needs to go somewhere.