Chop Wood Carry Water with Jessica Craven (Jessica Craven)

Jessica has thoughts—and some nautical metaphors--on Congress’s stalemate, the filibuster, and why each of us needs to start rowing hard, now. Also, a bad environmental bill in California and lots of good gratitude.

Jess's computer display dies moments before taping, leading to an all-from-memory discussion of great new CA legislation, signs of COVID hope, what's wrong at the USPS, and Vote Forward's new data dump on the Big Send! Your Resistbot codes for this week are: text SIGN PZQZPE to 50409 and text SIGN PAQYGH to 50409.

Jessica talks about the many good things that happened last week—including Rudy’s likely disbarment, the Trump Org's indictment, a pause on federal executions, and more—and gives us a couple of quick opportunities to take action around voting rights and a racial justice travesty unfolding in Louisiana.

Chopping wood and carrying water through this week’s ups and downs, Jess talks about the Cleveland Guardians, Louise Erdrich, a strike resolved at Frito Lay, the GQP recall election in California, and Brett GODDAMN Kavanaugh. Again.

Jess covers the results of a special Congressional election in TX-06, attacks on abortion rights in GOP legislatures, more bad donations by AT&T, and what writing and activism have in common. Plus, your weekly gratitude list.

Jess tackles burnout and despair, invokes Marcus Aurelius, explains why DC Statehood matters, and gives a tiny bit of homework involving three bad corporate actors. Plus this week’s gratitude list!

Jess talks about Juneteenth, the ACA, what real racial justice looks like, the midterms (again!) and what this week’s call to your Senator should sound like.

Jess talks the dangers of “hyper-activism," good news for Bristol Bay, bad news for chasing-arrow abusers, VACCINE MANDATES!, the joys of canvassing, and stickers for choice!

Jess talks about special elections in Texas and Pennsylvania, voter suppression bills in the Lonestar State, bad-behaving corporations, and a couple of ways you can help. Plus, relational organizing, the politics of stop signs, and a gratitude list featuring…Dr. Drew?

Jess discusses: activism as “the struggle of a lifetime,” a local victory for clean air, adventures on a votercade, and lots and lots of small victories. Plus voting rights, bill markups, and many reasons for gratitude.

Jess talks Rebecca Solnit, hope in tough times, the evils of Amazon, leveraging the IPCC report, Infrastructure deal-o-rama, and supporting the Warrior Met strikers in Alabama.

Jess talks great new CA legislation, her hatred of leaf-blowers, AT&T’s crush on facscism, and the TP that’s killing our planet. Find out more about all of it at bit.ly/jesspage!

Jess celebrates the Child Tax Credit, cheaper insulin, vanished Confederate statues, and a rare gesture of decency from ICE. She also explains an easy way to help reduce child poverty in the US, why the Texas Democrats are heroes, and how you can continue to help get voting rights legislation passed in Congress. Plus a reminder of how uniquely capable YOU are of making a difference.

In this episode, Craven breaks down what the filibuster is and why passing voting rights legislation—and so much more!--depends on getting rid of it. She also tells us what we can do about voter suppression bills that have passed in Georgia, and that are coming down the pike in Arizona. Finally, why YOU should help win an election in Wisconsin on April 6th. Let’s do this!

Jess talks Heather Cox Richardson talking Frederick Douglass, shares gratitude for progressive victories last week, revisits the abortion question—do you know where YOUR state stands?—the importance of down ballot races (yes, again), what we mean by “call your reps,” SCOTUS’s thin skin,

Jess covers victories in rooftop solar, healthcare, carceral justice, and on Facebook, then tackles Joe Manchin…again, and tells you how to help pass a bill preventing sexual assault in the military. Plus, a quick meditation on loving a dysfunctional country.

Jess talks about becoming the superhero we seek, what went well last week, (including defunded private prisons in Alabama, Medicaid expansion in Mississippi, Native representation on federal courts, NRA’s judicial slapdown, Biden’s wind farms, dropping COVID deaths, and more!), a special election in New Mexico, and an attack on reproductive rights that’s--yikes!--going all the way.

Jess talks about the Hyde Amendment, LeBron James, paternity leave for Congressmen, wild horses, Line 3 Pipeline, and the looming eviction crisis. Plus, the perspective gained from “Four Lost Cities."

Jessica talks Lyndon Johnson and the Voting Rights Act, where we’re at with Joe Manchin, and what’s next with the For the People Act. Plus Trump gets reversed—a lot--and Stacey Abrams needs a favor.

In this episode, Craven covers more state-level voter suppression, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, ATT’s bad choices, and Texas’s upcoming Congressional election. Plus: Wind power! Legalized weed! Diverse judges! And lots more reasons to celebrate.

Jess talks activist overload (or “large horizon” syndrome), the *$#*^& RECALL, Frances Perkins and the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, the Child Tax Credit, local politics (and why they're national), and the Texas Abortion Ban.

We discuss the next state-level voting rights crisis, this time in Arizona, as well as Senator Sinema’s strange opposition to reforming the filibuster. Which brings us to the For the People Act—AGAIN. Plus, how corporations joined the fray and why it’s a good thing. Plus a GIANT gratitude list and a democracy pep talk!

In this inaugural episode, Craven talks about the podcast’s title, how activism can save us, and why each person’s actions are critical to positive change. Then she covers Biden’s spectacular cabinet nominees, HR1 the For the People Act, a special election in Louisiana, and the part corporations like Coca-Cola are playing in voter suppression.

Come to listen, stay to get fired up.

Jess talks about the overlap between politics and spirituality, China’s move away from coal, EPA’s move towards cleaner refrigerants, vaccine equity, good moves by Democratic state legislatures, bad moves by corporate Congressional Democrats, drug prices, and oh wow, Virginia!!

Jess talks about chlorpyrifos, Scott Pruitt, Georgia’s “miraculous" voter registration numbers, North Carolina’s voter enfranchisement decision, and FINALLY FDA approval! She dives into the CA recall and its “confusing ballot syndrome,” and reminds you how you can help (https://tinyurl.com/howtostoptherecall). Finally, let's lend a hand to the #shutdownberks coalition! Here’s your doc o’ the day: tinyurl.com/berksdoc.

Jess talks evergreen family mottoes, WTF with the ERA, and why the Build Back Better Plan means taxing Jeff Bezon more effectively (definitely text SIGN PIRAME to 50409!) Sign up for the newsletter at bit.ly/jesspage.

Yikes. A stressful week! Jess finds things to be grateful for, talks about the courts (the courts the courts!), reminds us that elections have consequences, gives an update on voting rights, nudges us about Resistbot, and gives us the low-down on saving the USPS. Also? Be a boss! Go to a Town Hall!

Jessica offers an inspiring quote from R. Hubbell, celebrates good news from Virginia, California, and New York — Marsha P. Johnson!-- talks about SCOTUS and why pushing for court expansion matters, and encourages you to take the #NoOffYears stance.

In episode 2, Craven highlights last week’s small victories, discusses GOP opposition to the Violence Against Women Act, unpacks the “Boyfriend Loophole,” talks Louisiana outcomes and spotlights an upcoming Wisconsin election. Let’s #DoSomething!

Jess talks about the Recall victory (!!), Biden’s modified filibuster stance, victories in North Carolina, Colorado and New York, the Build Back Better Plan (which *would* be way better,) lower drug prices, why you should text SIGN PCKYTS to 50409, and the Freedom to Vote Act. Also, cynicism is not your friend.