Parenting and Politics
Parenting and Politics is a podcast for parents who want to make a difference (and change the world!) where we look at parenting through a political lens. It was created and is hosted by Diana Limongi. It was created with the following goals: To help parents use their voice to harness their political power To shed light on the political process, and how it affects families To highlight the work (and wins!) that is being done in different areas To give parents ideas on how they can make a difference To remain hopeful in these uncertain times.
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Ep. 63: How Parents Are Fighting Anti-LGBTQ Policies in Florida with Nadine Smith
04/04/2024
Ep. 63: How Parents Are Fighting Anti-LGBTQ Policies in Florida with Nadine Smith
In this episode Diana talks to Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, about everyone should be paying attention to what is happening in Florida, how the tide is turning and she remains hopeful abotu the future. Nadie discusses how Equality Florida is fighting anti-LGBTQ policies in Florida (and how they're winning). In this candid conversation, Nadine also shares the incredible organizing that is happening on the ground, in what she calls "Frontline Florida," and how parents from all over the country can support actions and efforts on the ground. Listen to find out what organizing tactics have worked in Florida, why they issued a travel advisory to Florida, how Equality Florida is combatting book bans and fighting to #bringbooksback, and how parents are raise their voices against anti-LGBTQ policies in Florida. Nadine also has some GREAT ideas about how you can support Florida (even far afar!) Make sure to follow Equality Florida on Instagram If you like this episode, check out Diana's great conversations with: Until next time, don't forget hope is our superpower.
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Ep. 62: Birth Control Without a Prescription: Is the Opill Safe and Affordable? with Victoria Nichols
03/14/2024
Ep. 62: Birth Control Without a Prescription: Is the Opill Safe and Affordable? with Victoria Nichols
In this episode, Diana chats with Victoria Nichols, the project director of to discuss the Opill, which is the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill which will be available online and on store shelves soon. The coalition is a group of more than 200 reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations, research and advocacy groups, youth activists, health care providers, prominent medical and health professional associations, and others who share a commitment to ensuring more equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable birth control to people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in the United States. In this conversation Diana and Victoria discuss: how the availability of the Opill would decrease barriers to birth control access The cost of the Opill and what "over the counter" means for insurance coverage What does the science say about the effectiveness of over the counter birth control pills How did the FDA come to their decision to make Opill available? What is next for the Free The Pill coalition AND MORE! If you liked this episode, check out: with Lupe Rodriguez Share this podcast episode with your friends, and leave a review, it hleps the podcast grow!
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Ep. 61 Why Centering Our Youth's Wellbeing is a Win for Our Society with Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson
02/28/2024
Ep. 61 Why Centering Our Youth's Wellbeing is a Win for Our Society with Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson
In this episode, Diana talks to Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, the Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund, an organization which focuses on advocating for the whole child. CDF envisions a nation where marginalized children flourish, leaders prioritize their well-being, and communities wield the power to ensure they thrive. In this heartwarming and powerful conversation, Diana and Dr. Wilson discuss why poverty is a public policy choice -- and why centering our youth's wellbeing is a MUST and a win for our society. Diana and Dr. Wilson discuss: CDF's work across 30 states CDF's annual report, the How CDF centers joy into their work Why childhood poverty is a policy choice and how we can hold our leaders accountable CDF's policy agenda for the coming six years How Christianity and religion has been used as a reason to marginalize and exclude Why It's important to expose young people to those who are different than them What parents can do to build a "beloved community" and combat hate AND MORE! If you liked this episode, make sure to check out: If you liked this epiosde, please leave a review, follow us on Instagram and tell your friends about the podcast! Got ideas for guests? Share them with us at
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Ep. 60: Why Mom Power Is More Important than Ever with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner
01/16/2024
Ep. 60: Why Mom Power Is More Important than Ever with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner
What happens when your infant child has medical needs you need to tend to, but there is no paid family medical leave in place? You get pushed out of the workforce, an that is exactly what happened to Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and Co-founder of It was this event, which Kristin appropriately calls an unforeseen "health crisis" that pushed Kristin out of the workforce. She found herself unemployed, taking care of an infant and going down a rabbit hole where she went looking for answers (and stats!) about what moms were facing in the United States... surely she wasn't the only one going through this... That stressful and life-changing event that led to her co-creating and leading MomsRising, a movement of more than a million people working to increase family economic security, stop discrimination, and build a nation where everyone can thrive. In this episode, Diana has a candid conversation with Kristin about how heer personal experiences led her to join other moms to be advocates for change. Today, Kristin and the entire MomsRising team work hard to ensure that moms' voices and experiences are taken into account when policymakers (at the state and federal level -- yes even the White House!) listen to moms when they're crafting policies. In this powerful conversation they also discuss: Why moms' voices and stories matter What's at stake in the 2024 elections Why we should be vigilant and fight disinformation Why "parental rights" movements like M4L are not winning MomsRising's efforts to mobilize moms all over the country .... AND MORE! You can follow (and join) MomsRising -- (they've got members in all 50 states!) by going to If you liked this episode make sure to check out: Ep. 19 () Ep. 42: Ep. 46: Make sure to share this episode with your powerful mom friends and subscribe, leave a review and follow Until next time, don't forget hope is our superpower.
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Ep. 59: Why Prioritizing Children's Rights Benefits Us All with Adam Benforado
12/12/2023
Ep. 59: Why Prioritizing Children's Rights Benefits Us All with Adam Benforado
What would happen if we put children first in our country? What would happen if we empowered children at all ages and centered the law to protect our youngest citizens? In this episode Diana talks to Adam Benforado, a children's rights expert, an award winning author and law professor at Drexel University, about how prioritizing children's rights would benefit us all. In his critically acclaimed new book, A Minor Revolution: How Prioritizing Kids Benefits Us All, Adam criticizes America’s failure to invest in, protect, and empower its youngest citizens and presents a bold plan for reorienting society to put children first. Through historical context, personal stories and compelling arguments, Adam makes an important case as to why prioritizing our kids will help everyone in society. Diana and Adam discuss: The 1989 Convention on the Rights of Child (and why the USA hasn't ratified it yet) What "parents' rights" mean in the context of children's rights then and today what happens when the law doesn't center children in making decisions The paradox between expecting kids to grow up quickly Why young activists and teenagers should be allowed to vote AND MORE! Adam's book is divided into the following sections where he makes the case for the following rights in a child's life: First years: the right to attachment Early childhood: the right to investment Late childhood the right to community Early adolescence the right to be a kid Late adolescent the right to be heard On the cusp of adulthood: the right ot start fresh Thank you everyone for tuning in for this episode of Parenting and Politics. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, recommend the podcast to your friends and follow us on IG: You can also email your comments and ideas for guests at If you liked this episode make sure to check out
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Ep. 58: How Do We Parent Boys to Combat Man Box Culture? with Mark Greene
11/29/2023
Ep. 58: How Do We Parent Boys to Combat Man Box Culture? with Mark Greene
In this episode, Diana talks to Mark Greene, an expert on healthy masculinity and author of The Little #MeToo Book for Men, and founder of a community called “Remaking Manhood” on Instagram. They discuss what man box culture means, how it affects our boys, and what we can do as parents to ensure that our boys are not adhering to the precepts of man box culture that can hurt their ability to be full human beings with a wide range of emotions. Mark also highlights powerful that show how man box culture affects men in the USA, Mexico and the UK. Mark shares fascinating insight on how man box culture hurts boys and men, and how man box culture affects the politics of today (think MAGA and men feeling like they are losing) He also discusses why it's important to be in relationship with our boys and gives examples of how building those solid relationships can support our boys as they get older. Mark is the co-author with Dr. Saliha Bava of The Relational Book for Parenting, and in our conversation he provides a few examples of games to play with our kids to help have conversatoins and talk about our feelings, and help them express their emotions in a safe and engaging way. Make sure to follow Mark on Instagram ' If you liked this conversation, be sure to check out Don't forget to leave a review, share this episode with your friend and follow us on Instagram,
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Ep. 57: The Youth Vote and Disinformation in the Latinx Community with Maria Teresa Kumar
11/14/2023
Ep. 57: The Youth Vote and Disinformation in the Latinx Community with Maria Teresa Kumar
Why are Latinx voters being targeted with disinformation? What does young Latinx Voting Power in 2024 look like? In this episode Diana talks to Maria Teresa Kumar, the Executive Director of Voto Latino, about the possibilities that young Latino voters bring as so many turn 18 before the 2024 election. They also discuss why and how bad actors are targeting the Latinx community by spreading disinformation to wreak havoc in USA elections, and what we can do as a community to ensure disinformation doesn’t spread, especially to older adults targeted with direct messaging by nefarious groups such as M4L. Listen to find out why Maria Teresa excited about the coming electoral cycle and what makes the young Latino community those that can turn the tide and make a real difference in 2024. Make sure to follow Voto Latino on Instagram If you like this episode, make sure you to listen to Got ideas for guests? Email [email protected] Help us grow! Make sure to subscribe, share with your friends and leave a review, and like us on social media. Until next time, don’t forget hope is our superpower.
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Ep. 56: Why Abortion Bans Affect Latinas the Most with Lupe Rodriguez
10/30/2023
Ep. 56: Why Abortion Bans Affect Latinas the Most with Lupe Rodriguez
In this conversation, Diana talks to Lupe Rodriguez, the Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, about why Latinas are the group most impacted by abortion bans around the country and what the Latina Institute is doing to fight for abortion rights, particularly in the states where latinas are the most affected: Arizona, Texas and Florida. In this episode, Diana and Lupe also touch on: the intersectionality of reproductive justice work what on-the-ground organizing for abortion rights looks like in the Latinx community how reproductive rights and abortion care will impact the 2024 election How to combat myths surrounding abortion in the Latinx community what is keeping Lupe hopeful during these times If you like this episode, make sure to check out: Make sure to follow **If you liked this episode, please leave a review and share the podcast with your friends!
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Ep. 55: La Marea Verde and What We Can Learn from the Abortion Rights Fight in Latin America
10/21/2022
Ep. 55: La Marea Verde and What We Can Learn from the Abortion Rights Fight in Latin America
At a time when the USA has struck down Roe v. Wade and there are attacks on women's reproductive freedoms, the opposite has been happening in Latin America. In this episode, Diana talks to Paula Avila Guillén, the Executive Director of the Women's Equality Center about the Abortion Rights Fight in Latin America and La Marea Verde-- the Green Wave-- that has arrived in the USA. They discuss the abortion rights movement in Latin America and how it went from being a small movement to something much. bigger that people marched into the streets-- and to the courts -- and how they're winning and guaranteeing that women have bodily autonomy -- in some of the most traditionally Catholic countries in the world. The work abortion rights activists are doing in Latin America is great and Paula gives great insight on what we can learn from what they've accomplished. You can follow Paula on social media: Listen to this podcast episode, share it with your friends and don't forget to leave a review! If you like this episode, check out:
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Ep. 54: Latinas' Access to Reproductive Care in a Post-Roe World with Lupe Rodriguez
09/28/2022
Ep. 54: Latinas' Access to Reproductive Care in a Post-Roe World with Lupe Rodriguez
“The decision to become a parent is one of the most life decision that anybody can make.” In this episode Diana has a candid conversation with Lupe Rodriguez, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice about Latinas’ and the Latinx community’s access to reproductive care: -what that looked like before the overturning of Roe v. Wade -the specific barriers to access that Latinx communities face to access abortion care (hint hint Border Patrol has something to do with it) -how we can shift cultural narratives -Marianismo and Catholicism and how they play a role -birth control and abortion stats -La Marea Verde why THIS is the moment to step up, speak out, get involved and do something. “Aquí se respira lucha…Here we breathe resistance.” Make sure to check out the Latina's Institute's great work and follow and if you can, support their work!
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Ep. 53: Abortion Rights Victory in Kansas with Kansas Abortion Fund
08/05/2022
Ep. 53: Abortion Rights Victory in Kansas with Kansas Abortion Fund
Earlier this week, the people of Kansas went out to the polls and had their voice heard… coming out in record numbers to say they want abortion rights protected in the state constitution. In this episode, Diana chats with Josh Siebenaler, organizer with the Kansas Abortion Fund. They discuss what organizing for abortion rights looks like in traditionally red-state like Kansas, what other states are having abortion rights in ballot measures this coming year, and why abortion rights is one of the top issues of the midterms. Josh has excellent advice for those looking to get invovled in abortion rights activism, and shares with us a list of local Kansas-based businesses that support the Make sure to listen and share this timely and passionate conversation filled with great insights on how you can advocate for abortion rights. Make sure to follow on Instagram. If you liked this episode, Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, recommend the podcast to your friends and follow us on IG: You can also ideas for guests at [email protected]
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Ep. 52: Parents Must Rise Against Mass Shootings with Sarah Montoya
05/27/2022
Ep. 52: Parents Must Rise Against Mass Shootings with Sarah Montoya
In this episode, recorded a day after the Uvalde mass shooting where elementary school children and teachers were murdered, Diana talks to Sarah Montoya, a joyful motherhood coach and mom in San Francisco. They discuss why parenting IS political, how politics affects every part of our children's lives and why we must be engaged and pay attention to what elected leaders are doing-or not doing. They join to process the awful reality that our children have become casualties in a world where elected leaders answer to the NRA and not to their constituents. They are angry and to make a plea to parents to get involved, to hold elected leaders accountable-- to vote out the ones that don't support and protect families. You can follow Sarah on Instagram If you like this episode, make sure to check out Make sure to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends- and follow on Instagram,
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Ep. 51: Why We Should Build a Parent Nation with Dr. Dana Suskind
05/20/2022
Ep. 51: Why We Should Build a Parent Nation with Dr. Dana Suskind
In this episode, Diana talks to Dr. Dana Suskind, the author of Parent Nation, Unlocking Evey Child's Potential, Fulfilling Society's Promise Dr. Suskind is a pediatric neurosurgeon who decided to use her experience working with children and families and brain research to write a book about what families need and how a society can help families thrive through policy. They discuss: What is happening in a baby’s brain in the early years? What is the Return on investment of investing in children in the early years? How do we get the lawmakers to use the science to inform policy? Why Parents and Caregivers should join together as a voting bloc AND MORE! Make sure to follow Parent Nation on Instagram and Dr. Suskind on and
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Ep. 50: God, Abortions and Kids
05/13/2022
Ep. 50: God, Abortions and Kids
We are kicking off Season 2 with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft from and we're chatting about abortion rights, how we can talk to our kids about what is happening-- and where does God and faith fit into all this, as parents who are committed to raising empathetic, respectful citizens of the world. Amanda shares what her Christian faith teaches her about abortion and how we can talk to our kids about difficult topics. She invites us to TAKE action by: 1. Participate in rallies #BansoffourBodies (happening tomorrow May 14th and 2. Donate to independent clinics. 3. Educate yourself on abortion pills. REMEMBER! As of this recording, abortions are still legal! You can follow Amanda at Don't forget to share this episode with your friends and check out our other conversations with Amanda: and
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Ep. 49: Parenting During a Global Pandemic: Let's Check In
02/06/2022
Ep. 49: Parenting During a Global Pandemic: Let's Check In
As we're getting close to the second anniversary of the pandemic, we wanted to talk about how parents and children are feeling-- what's normal? What isn't? How should parents be coping with (what feels like) incessant changes to every day life. Diana talks to Lina Acosta Sandaal, a parenting and child development expert, about what is considered normal for the times we are living in, and what to look out for in ourselves and in our kids. We also discuss when we should seek professional help. You can follow Lina on Instagram: and
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Ep. 48: What Happens When You Deny Women Abortions with Dr. Diana Foster
01/22/2022
Ep. 48: What Happens When You Deny Women Abortions with Dr. Diana Foster
What happens when a woman is denied an abortion? That's exactly what Dr. Foster set out to find out in the groundbreaking which followed two sets of women for five years: one who had access to a wanted abortion, and a group who was denied. In this very timely discussion on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Dr. Foster shares her findings about what the physical, financial, emotional impacts of women how are denied abortions are and what real implications denying abortions can have to families across the country.
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Ep. 47: Paid Leave, Child Tax Credit, Affordable Childcare, and UPK - Why Families Need Them All
10/18/2021
Ep. 47: Paid Leave, Child Tax Credit, Affordable Childcare, and UPK - Why Families Need Them All
In this episode we talk to Julie Kashen, Director of Women's Economic Justice at the Century Foundation, about the family friendly policies that parents need-- paid leave, affordable child care, child tax credits and universal pre-k-- and why these policies cannot be looked at separately, but why we need them together.
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Ep. 46: Why the Time to #SolveChildcare is Now with Nina Perez
09/22/2021
Ep. 46: Why the Time to #SolveChildcare is Now with Nina Perez
In this episode Diana is talking to Nina Perez, the National Director of Early Childhood at MomsRising.org about why this is the moment to make a comprehensive, high-quality child care and pre-k system for families a reality.
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Ep. 45: The American Families Plan: A Big, Bold Investment in our Children with Katie Hamm
07/28/2021
Ep. 45: The American Families Plan: A Big, Bold Investment in our Children with Katie Hamm
In this episode Diana talks to Katie Hamm, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development, at the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Biden Administration.
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Ep. 44: How This Mom Reimagines Education and Runs for City Council with Evie Hantzopoulos
03/17/2021
Ep. 44: How This Mom Reimagines Education and Runs for City Council with Evie Hantzopoulos
In this episode, Diana talks to Evie Hantzopoulos, a mom, educator and community leader who is running for NYC Council in District 22, in Queens, NYC.
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Ep. 43: Why We Need More Moms in Office with Liuba Grechen Shirley
03/05/2021
Ep. 43: Why We Need More Moms in Office with Liuba Grechen Shirley
You may know Liuba Grechen Shirley when she ran for office and requested to use her campaign funds for child care.
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Ep. 42: Representation, Storytelling and Motherhood with S. Nadia Hussain
01/22/2021
Ep. 42: Representation, Storytelling and Motherhood with S. Nadia Hussain
In this episode, Diana talks to Nadia Hussain, an advocate, mom and Senior Director at MomsRising.
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Ep. 41 Parenting and Politics Mental checkin for 2021
01/14/2021
Ep. 41 Parenting and Politics Mental checkin for 2021
2021 is here and it has started off with a bang. We wanted to do a mental check-in as we start 2021 and discuss how we are doing in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, and as we live through an attempted coup, racial injustice, remote learning and all the things in this pandemic life.
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Ep. 40: Through the Night Film: The Human Stories Behind 24-Hour Childcare
12/11/2020
Ep. 40: Through the Night Film: The Human Stories Behind 24-Hour Childcare
Who takes care of the children of those who work around the clock? People like Deloris and Patrick Hogan, who have been childcare providers since 1985, operating a 24 hour home based daycare, Dee's Tots.
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Ep. 39: Election 2020 Debrief with Jenna Arnold
11/18/2020
Ep. 39: Election 2020 Debrief with Jenna Arnold
In this episode Jenna Arnold is BACK to debrief with Diana on the 2020 election results. They talk about President Elect Biden, Vice President-Elect Harris, and discuss all the issues the results of this election have shed light on... how many people voted for Trump, why Trump is a cult leader, what is Trump going to do after this, why we need a baseline of beliefs and the work is only starting, and much more!
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Ep. 38: Women, Religion and Politics with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft
10/29/2020
Ep. 38: Women, Religion and Politics with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft
It's 5 days until Election Day 2020 in the most important election of our lifetime and in this episode we are talking to Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft about women, religion and politics!
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Ep. 37: Why Parents Should Only Vote Democratic in 2020
10/20/2020
Ep. 37: Why Parents Should Only Vote Democratic in 2020
This is the most important election of our lifetime. In this episode, Diana talks to Xochitl Hinojosa, Communications Director, and Muthoni Wambu Kraal, Political and Organizing Director at the DNC, about why we must vote Democratic up and down the ballot -- for our children and for future generations.
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Ep. 36: Latinx Moms for Climate Change with Natalie Carey
10/12/2020
Ep. 36: Latinx Moms for Climate Change with Natalie Carey
Latinx moms for Climate Change is what we're discussing in this episode with Natalie Carney, the Campaign Director of Vote Like a Madre, a movement that was created to mobilize Latinx moms to vote for candidates who believe that climate change is real, and that will support policies that will help save our environment.
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Ep. 35: Reimagining Schools without Police with Beatriz Beckford
10/01/2020
Ep. 35: Reimagining Schools without Police with Beatriz Beckford
How are our children and communities affected by the presence of police in schools?
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Ep. 34 - Remembering and Honoring RBG's Life and Legacy
09/25/2020
Ep. 34 - Remembering and Honoring RBG's Life and Legacy
In this episode, Diana and other mom activists (and an activist daughter!) share their thoughts on Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life and legacy.
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