Breaking Through with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner (Powered by MomsRising)

Mothers of Massive Resistance in Minneapolis, Stacy Abrams, Getting Women to Run for Office, Closing the Wage Gap

On the radio show this week we dive into the "Mothers of Massive Resistance" in Minneapolis, the impact of the ICE surge on local residents, and the on-the-ground organizing and mutual aid efforts. We also hear about the need for more women to run for office and the importance of political parity. Then we cover the importance of resilience, action, and rebuilding trust in democracy in 2026 with award-winning author and national leader Stacey Abrams. After that, we close the show discussing the high number of women being pushed out of the labor force; how the wage gap is unfairly widening with Black women experiencing a disproportionately negative impact; and what solutions are possible.   SPECIAL GUESTS: Beth Hawkins, the 74 Million, @The74, @bethhawkins.bsky.social, @the74.bsky.social; Erin Vilardi, Vote Run Lead Action, @VoteRunLeadAction, @vrlaction.bsky.social; Stacey Abrams, @staceyabrams, @staceyabrams.com; Emily Martin, National Women's Law Center, @nwlc.org

Rep. Grace Meng, Protecting Women & Children Online, Life-Threatening Abortion Restrictions, Child Care Under Attack

On the radio show this week we dive into the importance of bodily autonomy and access to contraception and the full suite of reproductive healthcare, at home and abroad, with U.S. Representative Grace Meng. Then, we hear about Ultraviolet's campaign against Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, which generates sexualized images without consent, and how to protect women and children online. After that, we cover the impact of the Dobbs decision and the ensuing abortion restrictions, bans, and preventable deaths. Finally, we discuss the Trump Administration's coordinated attack on child care, using many unfounded claims of fraud to justify cuts and restrictions.   SPECIAL GUESTS:  U.S. Representative Grace Meng, @RepGraceMeng, @meng.house.gov; Jenna Sherman, Ultraviolet, @ultraviolet.bsky.social; Tina Sherman & Nina Perez, MomsRising / MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org.

Community Organizing, Hopeful Health Care Moment, Inclusive Education, Child Care Culture War

On the radio show this week we dive into the importance of coming together ahead of the midterms, drawing parallels to historical examples of resistance and resilience. We hear about the devastating impact of Republican cuts on health care, and a hopeful moment in the ongoing fight to lower costs. We also cover inclusive education and embracing the fullness of humanity in the classroom, and why we need to protect the education programs that make this happen. Finally, we discuss how the far-right is launching a culture war against child care that led the Trump Administration to freeze funding to blue states.    SPECIAL GUESTS:  Nadine Smith, Color of Change & Equality Florida, @ColorOfChange, @EqualityFL; Felicia Burnett, & Lauren Hipp, MomsRising / MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org; Dr. Kim Pickney, National Education Association, @NEAToday, @neatoday.bsky.social

Stacey Abrams, Care Wins and Losses of 2025, Taking the Fight to 2026

On the radio show this week we dive into the political landscape in 2025 with Stacey Abrams and we cover the need for resilience, action, and rebuilding trust in democracy in 2026. We also hear about the severe Medicaid cuts in the Big Bad Betrayal Bill, and what this means for children's health care and long-term care. After that we cover the power of storytelling to shift public policy and public opinion, and how to share your story effectively. Then we close the show with a look back at 2025 and some of our hard-fought victories in health care, child care, and more -- and how we'll continue the fight in 2026.    SPECIAL GUESTS:   Stacey Abrams, @staceyabrams, @staceyabrams.com; Joan Alker, Georgetown Center for Children and Families, @JoanAlker1, @georgetownccf, @joanalker1.bsky.social; Felicia Burnett & Donna Norton, MomsRising / MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org

The Care Economy & Affordability, Saving IDEA, Vaccine Disinformation, Preventing a Health Care Crisis

On the radio show this week, we dive into the economic benefits of investing in the care economy —including child care, paid family & medical leave, and aging & disability care — and how these policies boost productivity, reduce stress, and make life more affordable. We hear about the need to protect public education, particularly the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), from political attacks. We cover where parents can find trustworthy information on vaccines, and why your personal story is so important to defeating disinformation. Finally, we discuss the impending health care crises if enhanced ACA subsidies expire, particularly affecting parents and children in states that did not expand Medicaid.    SPECIAL GUESTS: Julie Kashen, The Century Foundation, @tcfdotorg, @tcfdotorg.bsky.social; Moira Kaleida, Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, @reclaimourschls;  Tina Sherman, MomsRising, MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org; Jennifer Haley, Urban Institute, @Urban_Inst, @urbaninstitute.bsky.social