What Can I Do

“There will be a November 6th.” (w/ Sara Guillermo, CEO of IGNITE)

Has anybody ever told you that you should run for office? What did you do or say in response?This week we spoke to Sara Guillermo, the CEO of IGNITE, which trains and empowers young women to become advocates and political leaders. We spoke to Sara about her own journey to supporting women’s political power, some of the challenges women face in both elected office and advocacy environments, and how IGNITE approaches training, support, and building community for young leaders. In the process we discussed why it’s so important that women get this kind of support and what kinds of opportunities become available when they do.Episode Links:IGNITE: Website | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Follow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends! Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

“How does my message align with this person's cultural identity?” (w/ Kelsye Adams, Director of DC Vote)

Do you remember the slogan of the American colonists "no taxation without representation" and want to ensure that American citizens today all have that representation?This week we spoke to Kelsye Adams, Director of DC Vote, about her work as an artistic activist, advocating for the fundamental rights of DC residents to equal representation in Congress via statehood. She discussed where the fight for DC statehood is, what it will take to get it over the finish line, and how she incorporates art and especially go-go music into her work.Episode Links:DC Vote: Website | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Follow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends! Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

“Government’s not the problem, it’s the prize.” (w/ DaMareo Cooper, co-Executive Director of Popular Democracy, formerly CPD)

Are you interested in learning more about coalition-building and how to contribute to the creation of a more representative government? This week we spoke to DaMareo Cooper, one of the co-Executive Directors of Popular Democracy (formerly the Center for Popular Democracy or CPD), about how different layers of individual involvement and action can help transform government into something that works for us all. He talks about his background as an organizer, how Popular Democracy works with their local affiliates to build networks, share information, and empower community organizations, and where people can slot into that work. Episode Links:Popular Democracy (Former Center for Popular Democracy): WebsiteFollow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends!Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

“Work doesn’t feel like work when it’s fun.” (WCID Jr. w/ Joan Galat, author of Make Your Mark, Make a Difference)

It’s a special episode of What Can I Do Junior, hosted by Teddy and Arthur!Are you a young person looking to make a difference? Do you have kids in your life who are eager to make their voices heard? This week we spoke to Joan Galat, author of Make Your Mark, Make a Difference—A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up For People, Animals, and the Planet, about all of the ways young people can get engaged and get active! Joan spoke about the many kinds of political action available to children, how young people can choose an issue to get involved in, and what other kids are doing to make a change in their communities and the world. A great listen for kids and adults alike!Episode Links:Joan Galat: Website | Instagram | Twitter Buy Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: WebsiteFollow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends!Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission. 

"Find the joy in today." (w/ Dr. Deborah Vinall, psychologist, Author of Gaslighting and the Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens)

Wondering how to protect your mental health during this election season?This week we spoke to Dr. Deborah Vinall, a psychologist and author based in Southern California, about how to engage in the political process in a way that’s both productive and protective of your mental health. She shared tips for how to check in with yourself as you do political work, how to protect yourself from the stress of a major electoral cycle, how to keep perspective despite the constant torrent of frustrating and scary news, and how to talk to others about how you’re feeling.Episode Links:Dr. Deborah Vinall: Website Books: WebsiteFollow Lila on Twitter/XFollow Kelly on Twitter/XFollow the podcast on Twitter/X at @WhatCanIDoPodTo contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at:  hello@WhatCanIDoPodcast.com. Please rate and review and tell your friends!Credits:To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Upbeat Energetic Rock by Vivaleum and we hold a license for use of the song through Pixabay.Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.