Season 2 of The Pledge Podcast focuses on the promise of people working together across ages, race, and even party to use their collective power on specific issues in Virginia. Once again I am primarily bringing you stories of inspiring women.

Listen to episodes below, or subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.

Episode 1: What the heck? why is this not a thing?

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Meet Lisa Sales

Hear how Lisa became a tireless advocate for women’s rights and is fighting to help Virginia tip the scales for the Equal Rights Amendment by becoming the 38th and last state required for ratification.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions, Christian Andersen

Warning: Contains description of sexual assault.

Episode 1 Resources

Episode 2: No Sir! Not on my watch!

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Meet Kim Sudderth

Learn how Kim experienced the growing threats of climate change amidst the increasingly powerful hurricanes on the coast of Virginia and became an organizer for Mothers Out Front. Her activism helped Kim transform her life, and led her to start helping and inspiring others. Also meet Cindy Burbank to learn about her efforts to bring more conservatives into the fight against climate change.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions, Scott Holmes

Episode 2 Resources

Episode 3: If I don’t say anything, nobody says anything!

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Meet Bethany Letiecq

Discover how Bethany persevered through her struggles as a teenager, got a PhD and now devotes her research and her activism to fight for the justice of marginalized communities and work to prevent dark money from compromising the integrity of our universities.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions, Christian Andersen

Warning: Contains description of sexual assault. Correction: Bethany was a professor at Montana State University

Episode 3 Resources

Episode 4: It’s painfully easy to be ignored.

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Meet Janine Gaspari

Janine worked with faculty and students to expose strings attached to some private donations to George Mason University. Hear how Janine grew into a leadership role, learning empowering lessons about her own abilities to make change. Her work with Transparent GMU co-founder Samantha Parsons brought them all the way to the Virginia Supreme Court.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions, Podington Bear and Bonnie Grace

Episode 4 Resources

Episode 5: You saw his greatness

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Meet Valerie Slater

Learn about Valerie Slater’s tireless efforts to transform the juvenile justice system in Virginia with her organization, RISE for Youth, and meet Douglas Johnson, one of the teenagers she has helped. Valerie’s remarkable journey from high-school drop-out through law school, together with her strong faith, helps her see the value and potential in every young person. Now, she is unstoppable at protecting the rights of youth and creating alternative solutions that support them so they have a chance to grow and thrive.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions and Christian Andersen

Episode 5 Resources

Episode 6

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Meet Althea, Kathryn,& Katrina

Three women—Kathryn Laughon, Althea Laughon-Worrell, and Miss Katrina Turner—had their worlds shifted by the events surrounding the hate rallies in Charlottesville, VA in August 2017. Hear their stories of how they were affected, and how it has motivated them to fight for justice in their communities.

Warning: Includes sounds of violence that may be triggering and strong language.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions and Miles Avida

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Vermont Helps Virginia

In the final episode of Season 2 we warm things up with some soup! Meet a dedicated group of chef-activists who have created a new recipe for change in Virginia, without ever leaving their home in state of Vermont. Their solution is inspiring, and delicious.

Music: Blue Dot Sessions and The Flax