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

On the radio show this week we cover the problems with the damaging effects of the proposed cuts to Medicaid; the latest with the maternal health emergency in America; how access to childcare is under attack; and how to use a no cost direct file tool for your taxes. SPECIAL GUESTS: Joan Alker, Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, @JoanAlker1, @georgetownccf, @georgetownccf.bsky.social; Tina Sherman, MomsRising, @TinaShermanNC @MomsRising @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org @mamasconpoder.org; Martin Balben, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, @IdahoAEYC; Susan Harley, Public Citizen, @Public_Citizen, @publiccitizen.bsky.social.

On the radio show this week, we cover how Musk, Trump, and Republican leadership actions are causing chaos and undermining our economy; we dive into what’s at stake in immigration policy; hear about a program to build community and democracy; and find out how education is under attack along with hear ways to push back. SPECIAL GUESTS: Derrick Johnson, NAACP, @NAACP; Beatriz Lopez, Immigration Hub, @USImmHub, @usimmhub.bsky.social; Joan Blades, Living Room Conversations, MomsRising, MoveOn, @LivingRoomConvo, @MoveOn,; Beatriz Beckford, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @momsrising.org.

On the radio show this week we discuss the single largest program for maternity care in the United States, Medicaid, and why we’re fighting to protect it. Next, we dive into the many ways the Trump administration’s “cost-cutting” measures will actually end up costing all of our families and our economy more in the long-run, from decimating the Department of Education and school safety to the terrible tariffs creating trade wars and massive economic instability. We also cover how, disproportionately, a lot of these adverse impacts will be felt by the very people who helped put Trump in office. Learn also how we break through the disinformation and help people see the truth. SPECIAL GUESTS: Monifa Bandele, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @momsrising.org; Kelly Booz, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), @AFTunion, @aftunion.bsky.social; Sari Beth Rosenberg, Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, @saribethrose, @teachersunify.bsky.social; Jessica Peterson White, Content Bookstore, Main Street Alliance, @mainstreetweets

On the radio show this week we hear from teachers and parents about how they are fighting to protect the Department of Education and our students from Trump’s threats, and how you can join the fight! Next, we discuss why Trump’s cruel immigration policies are compounding the child care crisis by putting immigrant workers at risk, and a new report that provides real solutions for the industry and for Latina workers. Finally, we dive into the importance of your personal health care story when it comes to protecting Medicaid, which is currently on the chopping block to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. SPECIAL GUESTS: Michelle Ringuette, American Federation of Teachers, @AFTunion, @aftunion.bsky.social, @ringuette.bsky.social; Beatriz Beckford, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @momsrising.org; Karla Castillo, National Women's Law Center, @nwlc, @nwlc.org; Jennifer Sullivan, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, @CenterOnBudget, @centeronbudget.bsky.social

On the radio show this week we dive into the power of policy at the state level, including paid family & medical leave and more, to “Trump-proof” your state. We hear the latest with immigration policy and the importance of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. We cover the negative impact of Trump’s immigration and tariff policies on farmers and rural communities. We close the show discussing the attacks on Medicaid and why your voice is needed in the fight to save this essential health care. SPECIAL GUESTS: Washington State Representative Liz Berry, @LizBerryWA; Juan Gomez, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), @CLASP_DC, @clasp.org; Juliette McAvoy, King Orchards, @kingorchards; Natasha Murphy, Health Policy Director, Center for American Progress, @amprog, @americanprogress.bsky.social

On the radio show this week we cover the ways in which Medicaid is under attack by Republican leaders in Congress, Trump, and Musk – and how to fight back; then we dive into the maternal health, and maternal mental health, crisis in America and what you can do; after that we cover how the work of federal workers makes America work and how you can stand up and speak out; and we close the show covering the power of women’s purses, and wallets, and spending, along with tips for financial health. SPECIAL GUESTS: Tory Cross, Caring Across Generations, @CaringAcrossGen @caringacrossgen.bsky.social; Monifa Bandele, MomsRising, @MomsRising @MamásConPoder @momsrising.bsky.social @mamasconpoder.bsky.social; Dawn Huckelbridge, @PaidLeaveforAll @paidleaveforall.bsky.social; Jacki Zehner, SheMoney, @JackiZehner

On the radio show this week we cover Trump's attack on federal workers, the critical services they provide and the disproportionate impact on women and people of color. We dive into how we can win at the state level, even in red states, with bipartisan support for issues like maternal health. We hear about Trump's dangerously unqualified pick for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, and why you should call your Senators to oppose her nomination. Finally, we discuss the negative impacts that trade wars and tariffs are having on Main Street America, and how you can help in your own community. SPECIAL GUESTS: Judy Conti, National Employment Law Project, @nelpnews, @nelp.org; Tina Sherman, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @momsrising.org; Ruthanne Buck, SquadBuck; Richard Trent, Main Street Alliance, @mainstreetweets

On the radio show this week we dive into a snapshot of uplifting news between the headlines as we hear from a mom and small business owner who recently testified before Congress about how tariffs and trade wars hurt our families and our economy – and why childcare and a care infrastructure policies lift businesses and families alike. We also hear about a new campaign “Families Over Billionaires” and how you can get involved in making the tax code more fair. We then cover the rise of women’s engagement and activism in politics. Finally, we discuss the need for white allies to step up and dismantle white supremacy and fight for racial and economic justice. *Special guests include: Molly Neitzel, Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, @mollymoon; Chad Bolt, Families Over Billionaires, @TaxWarRoom, @TaxWarRoom.bsky.social; Rhonda Foxx, Persist, @PersistNetwork, @rhonnief.bsky.social; Erin Heaney, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), @showup4rj, @surj.bsky.social

On the radio show this week we dive into the far-right's push to eradicate public schools and undermine sex education, and how you can get involved locally to stop this in your community. Next, we hear about Trump's unconstitutional actions infringing on our civil rights, from immigration to workplace policy, and how to fight back to protect our rights and our democracy. We also discuss how to take care of yourself in a tough and often toxic news environment. *Special guests include: Jacqueline Friedman, EducateUS, @educateusaction.bsky.social; Mike Zamore, ACLU, @ACLU, @aclu.org; Monifa Bandele, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @momsrising.bsky.social; Emily Martin, National Women's Law Center, @nwlc, @nwlc.org

On the radio show this week we cover what’s expected in the upcoming Congressional session and how you can help protect and advance core policies for women and families; how you can help protect the Department of Education (and democracy too); the ways in which healthcare is under attack and what you can do about it; and we close the show catching up with Donna and Ruth of MomsRising about new hope, new challenges, and tips for keeping going with power and joy. *Special guests include: Jocelyn Frye, National Partnership for Women and Families, @npwf; Randi Weingarten, AFT (American Federation of Teachers), @AFTunion; Joan Alker, Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, @JoanAlker1 @georgetownccf; and Donna Norton and Ruth Martin, MomsRising/MamasConPoder, @MomsRising @MamásConPoder.

On the radio show this week, we cover what’s expected to happen in Congress when Trump takes office in 2025; the urgent need for policy for the fair treatment of immigrant families, including TPS and DACA; how you can get involved in the push for accurate education and equity; and the ways ballot measures in states are paving the way forward. *Special guests include: Catherine Rowland, Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, @webuildprogress; Linda Stone, MomsRising/MamásConPoder, @MomsRising @MamásConPoder; Heather Fleming, Missouri (MO) Equity Education Partnership; Elena Langworthy, State Voices, @statevoices.

On the radio show this week we cover Nightbitch and how movies can move legislation; we dive into our hopes and worries for 2025; we check in with what we can learn from the legislative battles and victories in Florida (and it’s a lot!); and we close the show with silly tips for fun in the new year. *Special guests include: Lydia Storie, Caring Across Generations, @CaringAcrossGen; Monifa Bandele, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamásConPoder; Holly Bullard, Florida Policy Institute, @FloridaPolicy; and Donna Nortan and Ruth Martin, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamásConPoder.

On the radio show this week, we cover what’s expected to happen in Congress when Trump takes office in 2025; the urgent need for policy for the fair treatment of immigrant families, including TPS and DACA; how you can get involved in the push for accurate education and equity; and the ways ballot measures in states are paving the way forward. *Special guests include: Catherine Rowland, Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, @webuildprogress; Linda Stone, MomsRising/MamásConPoder, @MomsRising @MamásConPoder; Heather Fleming, Missouri (MO) Equity Education Partnership; Elena Langworthy, State Voices, @statevoices.

On the radio show this week, we covered what happened in the November 5th Elections, where to find hope, how your voice and your story is more powerful than ever before, and what we can all do to lift democracy. We also cover the importance of disability economic justice, equal pay, and the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act. *Special guests include: Donna Norton and Ruth Martin, MomsRising, @MomsRising; U.S. Representative Teresa Leger-Fernandez, @DemWomenCaucus; Marissa Ditkowsk, National Partnership for Women & Families, @npwf; Christine Pelosi, author and Democratic National Committee.

On the radio show today, we discuss the 2024 Election, the results, and some of what it all means; we dive into how to protect democracy; we cover the Trump cabinet nominees chaos; and we talk taxes and how Trump tax policies in 2025 could impact real people (not just billionaires). *Special guests include: Avra Siegel, Lev Collective; Barbara Arnwine, Transformative Justice Coalition, @barbs73 @BarbaraArnwine @TJC_DC; Ruth Martin, MomsRising, @MomsRising; Samantha Jacoby, Center on Budget and Policy Priority, @CenterOnBudget

On the radio show this week, we covered what happened in the November 5th Elections, where to find hope, how your voice and your story is more powerful than ever before, and what we can all do to lift democracy. We also cover the importance of disability economic justice, equal pay, and the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act. *Special guests include: Donna Norton and Ruth Martin, MomsRising, @MomsRising; U.S. Representative Teresa Leger-Fernandez, @DemWomenCaucus; Marissa Ditkowsk, National Partnership for Women & Families, @npwf; Christine Pelosi, author and Democratic National Committee.

On the radio show this week we put a spotlight on Vice President Harris’ announcement of a new policy in her platform: Medicare at Home, and how expanding Medicare to cover in-home care could have a big impact in rapidly aging swing states like Wisconsin. As we dive into public policies that are in the headlines we take a look at: Why MORE headlines are needed about them, which candidate supports them, which candidate opposes them, and how you can use that information as you cast your ballot. Next up, we cover paid family & medical leave, why it matters to our economy, to businesses, and also to parents and people too. After that, we discuss the intersection of pop culture and politics, particularly in this moment when we have a groundbreaking woman leader potentially about to be our first woman president! We close the show talking about how voters are rising! Find out who, what, where, when, how, and why and how you can be sure to make your ballot count. *Special guests include: George Goehl, Senior Voters for Care, @georgegoehl; Emily Andrews, Center for Law and Social Policy, @clasp_dc; Jessica Milli, Research 2 Impact, @jlmilli; Carri Twigg, Culture House, @carritwigg; Donna Norton, MomsRising, @MomsRising @MamásConPoder.

On the radio show this week, we cover excitement that the VP Kamala Harris economic agenda includes policies that have long been shown to help families and businesses alike like childcare and paid family/medical leave; we dive into the attack on women and families' freedoms by the far right and how to protect democracy; we hear about the Embrace Race program and how to get more info and stay engaged over time, including with kids; and we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and lift up the importance and power of Latina voters. *Special guests include: Dawn Huckelbridge, Paid Leave PAC, @dhuckelbridge; Kalisha Dessources Figures, KDF Strategies; Andrew Grant-Thomas, EmbraceRace; and Xochitl Oseguera, MomsRising / MamásConPoder, @MomsRising @MamasConPoder.