Hello Gorgeous Listeners! In this episode, we dive into an incredible story of strength, resilience, and the power of women coming together to create real change.
In December 2012, our nation was rocked by the devastating events at Sandy Hook. As moms across the country watched in disbelief, a collective rage and sadness swept through us all. Our guest this week, the incomparable and indefatigable Shannon Watts, was one of those moms who felt the profound impact of that tragedy.
Shannon is a force and one of my Sheroes! She’s an activist, speaker, author, and the Founder Emerita of Moms Demand Action, which stands as the largest women’s volunteer organization in America. Her journey has been nothing short of remarkable and I’m so honored to have her as a guest!
Shannon has earned titles such as a “summoner of women’s audacity,” bestowed upon her by Glennon Doyle (another one of my Sheroes), a Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People, a Forbes 50 over 50 Changemaker, and a Glamour Woman of the Year. Her book, “Fight Like a Mother: How a Grassroots Movement Took on the Gun Lobby and Why Women Will Change the World,” published in 2019, is a testament to her dedication. Shannon is currently working on a new book, set to be released in 2025, and publishes weekly in her Substack community, “Playing with Fire.”
In our conversation, Shannon shares her journey starting Moms Demand Action after the Sandy Hook tragedy and the resistance she faced from powerful gun lobbies. We also delve into her recent decision to step down from leading the organization.
We also touch on the unique challenges women face in midlife, from loneliness and making friends, to the sometimes overwhelming symptoms of menopause.
Throughout our conversation, Shannon delivers an inspiring message: Women should never let fear hold them back from pursuing their passions. She emphasizes the importance of supporting one another and cultivating meaningful friendships in midlife.
This episode is a celebration of midlife growth, support, and the unstoppable force of women who dare to dream, act, and change the world. Read: Summoning Audacity!
So, join us for this powerful and transformative conversation! It’s a reminder that we’re never too old to chase our dreams and create a better world!
Side note: I had to summon my own audacity to ask her to be a guest and look what happened! Go for what you want, ladies! Be audacious!
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me on Instagram @jenmarples! And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!
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Learn more about Jen Marples at https://www.jenmarples.com/
Unedited AI Transcript Here
CONNECT WITH SHANNON WATTS:
X (Formerly Twitter)
Fight Like a Mother by Shannon Watts (Amazon)
CONNECT WITH JEN MARPLES:
LINKS MENTIONED AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Ep 112: Menopause Bootcamp with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, OB-GYN
Ep 107: Busting Narratives + Finding Truth in Perimenopause, Menopause, and Midlife with Journalist Ann Marie McQueen
Ep 118: Taking the “Pause” Out of Menopause with Sally Mueller, CEO & Co-Founder, Womaness
The Upgrade by Louann Brizendine, MD (Amazon)
