Advocacy Bites

A Podcast about two accidental education advocates, what they've learned and how you can get involved in making your corner of the world a better place, whether you have one minute or one hour.

108 Advocacy Day 05/04/2026

108 Advocacy Day Susan and Renee share their experiences from a recent advocacy day at the North Carolina General Assembly. From organizing behind the scenes to meeting with legislators face-to-face, they reflect on what it really means to be an everyday advocate—and why personal stories remain one of the most powerful tools for change. Susan shares what it was like helping coordinate the event, training new advocates, and encouraging people to move beyond talking points to speak authentically about their lived experiences in public education, disability advocacy, and community organizing. Renee reflects on nine years of advocacy work, the nostalgia of returning to the legislature, and the importance of holding lawmakers accountable for public school funding and educational equity. The episode also explores something rarely discussed in activism: the physical and emotional toll advocacy work can take. Renee and Susan openly discuss chronic pain, burnout, boundaries, aging in advocacy spaces, and why sustainable activism requires caring for both your body and your mental health. With honest conversations about coalition building, legislative visits, public education funding, Leandro, and the realities of long-term grassroots organizing, this episode is both a reflection and a rallying cry for anyone wondering how to keep showing up in difficult times. 🎧 In this episode: Advocacy at the North Carolina General Assembly Grassroots organizing and coalition work Storytelling as a tool for political advocacy Public education and school funding Legislative meetings and accountability Chronic pain, burnout, and sustainable activism Building confidence as a first-time advocate Why community and persistence matter in advocacy work Whether you’re a longtime activist, a parent advocate, educator, organizer, or someone looking for ways to get involved locally, this episode offers encouragement, honesty, and practical insight into the work of advocacy and civic engagement. Stay connected at: https://saveourschoolsnc.org/ /episode/index/show/advocacybites/id/41144350

106 With Prejudice: The Legacy of Leandro 04/13/2026

106 With Prejudice: The Legacy of Leandro Renee and Susan discuss the dismissal of the Leandro Case and where we go from here. We discuss the April 2nd court decision that saw Chief Justice Paul Newbie dismiss the 30-year-old Leandro case with prejudice. Renee pulls no punches as she breaks down the legal "reverse engineering" used to end this landmark case, which sought to ensure every North Carolina child receives a sound, basic education. From the "flimsy" arguments regarding subject matter jurisdiction to the dismissal’s implications for generations of students, this episode serves as both a legal autopsy and a call to arms. But the episode doesn't stop at the "primal scream." Susan provides a roadmap for hope, reminding us that while a court case may be dismissed, the North Carolina Constitution remains alive and well. Key Highlights: The "Newbie" Decision: Why dismissing the case "with prejudice" is a grave injustice that attempts to silence constitutional claims forever. The Racism of Rhetoric: A look at the historical context of the NC Constitution and how the recent opinion "sneers" at its post-Civil War origins. The Principles of Leandro: Why the focus on adequate, equitable, and accountable funding is more relevant now than ever. The Rise of "Little Leandros": Susan’s predictions on the future of educational advocacy, from rural districts to students with disabilities. Call to Action: Concrete steps you can take right now, including upcoming rallies at the General Assembly and the May 1st Teacher March. Important Dates for Advocates: April 21st: Join education advocates at the North Carolina General Assembly for a day of legislative meetings and action. May 1st: The "All Out" Teacher March – let’s make Raleigh a sea of red once again. November 2026: Every seat in the legislature is up for grabs. Make Leandro your litmus test at the ballot box. (0:13) - Leandro Ruling Shock (2:08) - Dismissed With Prejudice (4:20) - What With Prejudice Means (6:39) - Opinion Dissected (11:21) - Rhetoric and Citations (13:50) - Why It Matters (15:59) - Leandro Principles Live On (20:07) - Budget Season Roadmap (23:05) - Elections and Courts (25:48) - Action Steps and Events Show Notes: Join us April 21st for an Education Advocacy Day at the NCGA All out May 1st : Don't let the "L-word" die. Listen in to find out how you can help keep the fight for public education alive in your community. If you found this episode helpful, please rate, comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear this "primal scream of rage" and turn it into action. /episode/index/show/advocacybites/id/40822415

105 Leading with Radical Love and Surviving the Emotional Labor of Advocacy 03/16/2026

105 Leading with Radical Love and Surviving the Emotional Labor of Advocacy Renee and Susan discuss the benefits of centering love and empathy in the work with so many negative voices and forces in the world. How do we continue to show up as advocates when the world feels increasingly polarized and heavy? In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book of Save Our Schools NC step away from the logistics of policy and primaries to have a vulnerable conversation about the emotional heart of advocacy. Renee shares a powerful experience from a recent conference in Washington, D.C., where she encountered the work of Valarie Kaur and the Revolutionary Love Project. Together, Renee and Susan explore how we can move past feelings of hatred and exhaustion by reclaiming love and empathy as tools for social change. In this episode, we discuss: The Revolutionary Love Project: A look at the philosophy of Valarie Kaur and how viewing "others" through the lens of wonder can transform our advocacy. Rebuking Hatred: Renee’s personal journey in trying to live in a world where she doesn't want to be driven by anger, even when facing opposing viewpoints. The "Labor" of Change: Why advocacy is like the labor of birth—it is painful, it is work, but it is necessary to bring something new into the world. Sustaining the Everyday Advocate: A candid discussion on the "emotional spend" of activism, dealing with burnout, and the importance of finding a community that shares your core values of love and empathy. Whether you’re feeling "emotionally spent" or looking for a reason to keep going, this episode is a reminder that the way we show up for others starts with how we choose to see them. (1:14) - Revolutionary Love Project (2:18) - See No Stranger Framework (4:13) - Rage and Listening Safely (5:49) - Minnesota Story and Doubts (8:33) - Susan on Love and Boundaries (9:53) - Repairers of the Breach March (12:16) - You Are Doing Enough (15:04) - Data vs Ideology and Stories (18:40) - Don’t Let Officials Gaslight You (21:33) - Empathy as the Core (22:58) - Closing and Listener Check-In Connect with Advocacy Bites: Join the Conversation: Visit the Advocacy Bites Facebook page and share how you’re getting through the day and what keeps you inspired. Learn More: Check out the work of the Revolutionary Love Project and stay connected with Renee and Susan at . If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe and leave a review to help us reach more everyday advocates. Keywords: Advocacy, Revolutionary Love Project, Valarie Kaur, Empathy in Politics, Save Our Schools NC, Social Justice, Activism Burnout, Personal Growth, Community Organizing. /episode/index/show/advocacybites/id/40503570

104 Primaries! 03/03/2026

104 Primaries! Primary season is here, and it’s one of the most critical times for everyday advocates to make their voices heard. In this episode, Renee and Susan from Save Our Schools NC pull back the curtain on how North Carolina primaries work, especially for the state's growing number of unaffiliated voters. From understanding "open primaries" to the nuance of "strategic voting," this conversation is designed to move you from feeling overwhelmed by a long ballot to feeling confident in the voting booth. Whether you are looking at local judicial races or major state offices, this episode provides the tools you need to vet candidates and ensure your vote aligns with your values. In this episode, we discuss: Navigating the Open Primary: How unaffiliated voters in NC can choose which ballot to pull and the different mindsets behind that choice. The "Down-Ballot" Dilemma: Why it is vital to research judges and local officials, and how these "quiet" races often have the biggest impact on your daily life. Vetting Candidates: Practical tips for researching candidates beyond their campaign websites—including looking at who is funding them and what their community reputation is. The Strategy of the Primary: Should you vote for the most "electable" candidate or the one who most closely matches your ideals? The Voter’s To-Do List: A step-by-step guide to using "Voter Lookup" tools to print your sample ballot and make your decisions before you ever head to the polls. Key Resources Mentioned: NC Voter Lookup: Google "voter lookup NC" to find your specific sample ballot. Save Our Schools NC: Stay connected with Renee and Susan’s work at . Connect with Advocacy Bites: Subscribe: Never miss an episode by following us on your favorite podcast platform. Join the Conversation: Share this episode with a friend who is new to the primary process or feeling "ballot fatigue." Remember: Every seat on your ballot matters. Be curious, do your research, and complete the whole ballot! /episode/index/show/advocacybites/id/40302640

103 Mantras and Musings 02/03/2026

103 Mantras and Musings Renee & Susan reflect on the beginning of a new(ish) year, and the ideas and thoughts they want to bring into 2026. We kick off the new year not with rigid resolutions, but with honesty, compassion, and intention. As they enter their fifth year of podcasting, Renee and Susan acknowledge that January doesn’t always feel like a fresh start—especially amid relentless bad news, family pressures, and the emotional weight carried by so many everyday advocates. Instead of traditional New Year’s resolutions, the hosts explore the power of mantras: simple truths we can return to when motivation is low and hope feels fragile. Renee shares her personal mantra, “I am capable,” reflecting on identity, self-worth, stay-at-home parenting, and reentering the workforce. Susan offers her own grounding reminder, “You’re enough”, and reframes survival, care work, and showing up imperfectly as meaningful and valuable. The conversation then turns outward, as Susan calls on advocates to recognize their collective power, especially at the local level. From school boards to county commissioners to the North Carolina General Assembly, this episode emphasizes why community action still matters and why special education advocacy must be front and center in 2025. The hosts discuss proven policy solutions, fair pay and training for educators and instructional assistants, and the urgent need to fully implement Leandro recommendations. In true Advocacy Bites fashion, Renee balances hope with sharp accountability, offering a blunt New Year’s wish for legislators: give a damn. The episode closes with concrete opportunities to take action, including upcoming public education demonstrations, teacher-led walkouts, and simple ways to practice showing up in community, even when it feels hard. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear about: Choosing mantras over resolutions Advocacy burnout, grief, and showing yourself grace Identity, caregiving, and self-worth Reclaiming personal and collective power Special education funding and policy solutions Leandro, public school funding, and educator support Practical ways to get involved locally in 2025 (02:18) - Choosing a Mantra: I Am Capable (06:15) - New Year's Resolutions and Social Media (07:53) - Empowering Advocates in Education (12:23) - Legislative Resolutions and Advocacy (15:46) - Hope and Action: Upcoming Events (20:31) - Conclusion and Call to Action /episode/index/show/advocacybites/id/39983765

102 Anatomy Of A Right-Wing Legislator 01/19/2026

102 Anatomy Of A Right-Wing Legislator Susan and Renee discuss their deep-dive into a right-wing legislator’s social media and the patterns they noticed. In this candid episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book take listeners inside what they call the anatomy of a right-wing legislator, not by naming names, but by dissecting the recurring patterns, priorities, and contradictions that show up again and again in state-level politics. Drawing from an extensive deep dive into a legislator’s social media presence, Renee unpacks how Second Amendment absolutism collides with so-called “school safety” policies, exposing the absurd cycle of putting more guns into communities and then demanding millions for armed officers, metal detectors, and security theater in public schools. Susan adds personal perspective on the real harm these policies cause, especially for students with disabilities and other marginalized kids. The conversation expands into education policy, highlighting performative “pro-education” messaging, school privatization, resistance to teacher pay increases, and the obsession with pork projects and oversized ceremonial checks, funded by taxpayers and used as campaign props. Renee and Susan question what true fiscal responsibility looks like when public schools remain chronically underfunded. As always, the episode leads back to the courts and the ongoing failure to enforce Leandro v. North Carolina, connecting legislative hostility toward public education with efforts to cap property taxes, weaken county funding, and undermine libraries and other public goods. The hosts explore how these moves are not accidental, but part of a broader strategy to starve public institutions while shifting blame to local governments. Despite the frustration and righteous anger, the episode closes on a note of hope, reflecting on community, tradition, and the power of collective action to sustain everyday advocates through difficult political moments. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear about: Second Amendment absolutism vs. school safety reality Why armed SROs don’t make schools safer Education privatization and performative advocacy Pork spending, “big checks,” and political theater Property tax caps, local funding, and the Leandro case How courts and legislatures enable systemic neglect Finding hope, community, and resilience in advocacy /episode/index/show/advocacybites/id/39791950

101 Justice Denied 12/23/2025

100 Advocacy Bites Turns 100! 12/08/2025

100 Advocacy Bites Turns 100! Renee and Susan celebrate our milestone 100th episode with a discussion of corruption and primaries. In this milestone 100th episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book celebrate four years of conversations about what it truly means to be an everyday advocate. From grassroots wins to tough legislative battles, this episode looks back at the moments that shaped the show — and the movement behind it. Renee and Susan share their favorite memories, from deep-dive episodes like the NC lottery breakdown to the unforgettable “Futurama Committee” series that perfectly captured how ordinary people can step into advocacy with nothing more than time, curiosity, and determination. They honor the early support of Every Child NC, reflect on their evolution as advocates, and highlight the powerful impact of elevating issues like Leandro, disability rights, and public school funding through a parent-centered lens. Then, in true Advocacy Bites fashion, they shift from celebration to action — tackling the topic of corruption in politics. Renee breaks down what corruption actually means, how it shows up in North Carolina, and why everyday people should expect more from their elected officials. Susan brings it home with a candid look at primaries, cronyism, long political memories, and how voters can make informed choices in a system that can feel messy, chaotic, and deeply flawed. Finally, the hosts ask for a small birthday gift: if you listen to the show, please leave a rating or review to help Advocacy Bites reach even more advocates across North Carolina. 🎧 In This Episode: Celebrating 100 episodes and four years of advocacy Behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of the podcast Why the Leandro case, disability rights, and parent-led advocacy matter What “corruption” actually looks like in local and state politics How to navigate primary season (and why it’s so hard) Why everyday voices still matter — maybe more than ever 👉 This week’s to-do: Leave a rating or review to celebrate 100 episodes — and then keep an eye on primary filings in your community. /episode/index/show/advocacybites/id/39327705

99 Winning In Big Ways And Small Ways 11/24/2025

98 Special Education From National News to Local Perspectives 11/11/2025

97 The Problem of Nothing? 10/27/2025

97 The Problem of Nothing? Susan discusses Medicaid cut impacts on our families and schools while Renee does a deep dive on what is going on with the University system. In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book dig into what happens when the North Carolina legislature simply… does nothing. From stalled Medicaid funding to the growing crisis in the UNC university system, this conversation exposes how legislative inaction and political meddling are creating real harm for students, families, educators, and care workers across the state. Susan unpacks how the General Assembly’s failure to reconcile its budget has left Medicaid providers, schools, and vulnerable North Carolinians facing devastating cuts — including $200 million in lost support for public schools. Then, Renee takes listeners inside the UNC System, revealing how decades of political control have eroded academic freedom, gutted funding, and fueled efforts to reshape higher education through partisan oversight and ideological censorship. It’s a revealing, infuriating, and deeply important conversation about public education, healthcare, and democracy in North Carolina — and what everyday advocates can do to fight back. 🎧 Listen now to learn: How the NC legislature’s inaction threatens Medicaid and school-based care. Why faculty across the UNC system are speaking out about political interference. What the new “School of Civic Life and Leadership” really represents. How citizens can pressure lawmakers to fund essential services and protect education. 👉 Subscribe to Advocacy Bites to stay informed and empowered about public education and advocacy in North Carolina. Keywords: North Carolina advocacy, public education, Medicaid funding NC, UNC system, higher education reform, legislative interference, academic freedom, healthcare cuts, NC General Assembly, civic engagement, Renee Sekel, Susan Book, everyday advocacy. /episode/index/show/advocacybites/id/38799190