Caregiving is essential. So why does it feel so impossible to afford?

In this episode, we’re joined by Sondra Goldschein, Executive Director of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, for a conversation that blends personal experience with the bigger picture of caregiving policy in the U.S.

We dive into childcare costs, paid family leave, and why the U.S. still doesn’t have a guaranteed federal policy in place. In our “Make It Make Sense” spirit, we unpack how policy, economics, and everyday life collide for families trying to balance it all.

We explore the rising cost of childcare often comparable to major household expenses and the challenges behind it, from childcare deserts to workforce dynamics. Sondra also shares her own experiences with caregiving, offering a personal lens on issues many families are navigating today.

What will it take to move these conversations forward both in everyday life and at the policy level and make caregiving a bigger part of the national conversation?

New York Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000010708448/vermont-affordable-childcare-act-76.html?smid=url-share

Family Friendly Economy: https://familyfriendlyeconomy.org/

(0:00) - Intro

(0:41) - Weekly life updates

(3:16) - Pop culture: Oscars & new TV shows

(6:02) - Costco offering affordable fertility treatments

(7:52) - Kristi Noem fired / New DHS pick

(10:55) - Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales scandal

(14:15) - Pardon My Reaction clips

(19:42) - Women's History Month: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler

(22:58) - Guest: Sandra Goldin on the family economy crisis

(44:30) - DGAF segment: Unfiltered mom talk

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The State of the Union makes big promises. We’re here to talk about what they actually mean.

In this episode of Momarchy, we react to Trump’s second State of the Union of the term and break down the themes and claims that stood out most. In our “Make It Make Sense” segment, we walk through five key takeaways from the speech, starting with the administration’s optimistic economic messaging and how it compares to what many families are experiencing right now with affordability challenges, layoffs, and tariffs.

We also discuss the speech’s focus on immigration and crime, looking at how statistics and rhetoric shape the broader political conversation. From there, we unpack proposals around prescription drug pricing and why the plan raised questions about how it would realistically move forward without clear support from Congress. The conversation also touches on the “Delilah law” and how cases like this are being used to frame the narrative around undocumented immigrants.

Another major topic is the SAVE Act, which we examine through the lens of voter access and the potential complications it could create—particularly for married women whose legal documents may not match after name changes. We also discuss escalating tensions with Iran and concerns about U.S. military planning.

To close the episode, we highlight a story for Women’s History Month: Mary Surratt, a Washington, D.C., boardinghouse owner who was convicted of participating in the conspiracy that led to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. She became the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government. Surratt maintained her innocence until her death, and historians continue to debate how much she actually knew about the plot.

(0:00) Intro

(1:50) Pop Culture Updates

(1:57) The Traitors Finale & Rob's Win

(4:08) Connor Bedard Hosts SNL / Women's Hockey

(6:23) Ashley Tisdale's Toxic Mom Group Article

(12:04) Iran & Pete Hegseth

(15:50) Shoutouts & Subscribe

(16:21) Make It Make Sense: State of the Union Edition

(34:18) Pardon My Politics: Reactions to the SOTU

(37:34) Women's History: Mary Surratt

(40:52) Hot or Not: Millennial Mom Edition

(45:08) Closing & Outro

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The State of the Union was long, but when the applause fades, what actually changes for families?

In this episode, we’re joined by Oregon Congresswoman Rep. Janelle Bynum, mom of four, small business owner, and former state legislator, for a conversation that moves beyond political theater and into real life. Janelle shares why she first ran for office in 2016 to fight for fully funded school years, and how she balances serving in Congress with running a family restaurant and raising four kids.

We talk about governing in what can feel like two different Americas, and why she believes Democrats need to drop “purity tests” and refocus on kitchen-table economics: housing, childcare, groceries, gas, and healthcare. She reflects on Trump’s first year back in office, supports bipartisan efforts like drug pricing transparency, and recounts an unexpected moment of common ground with a MAGA hat wearing colleague on expanding homeownership.

Janelle’s advice for voters is simple: choose one issue that truly matters to you and start there. And she explains why a growing wave of young people stepping into the political process gives her real hope for 2026.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:42) State of the Union Reaction

(2:37) US Men's Hockey Team Controversy

(11:13) Women's Olympic History

(16:42) Interview: Congresswoman Janelle Bynum

(26:18) Winning Swing Districts

(29:49) Economic Justice & The Two Americas

(34:02) Talking Politics With Your Kids

(44:58) DGAF Mom: Hot or Not

(50:50) Hope for 2026

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March marks Women’s History Month, a moment to consider how women shape culture and politics, often without the spotlight.

In this episode, we start with developments in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie and the unsettling contradiction of living in a world saturated with surveillance yet still short on clear answers. Then we pivot to pop culture, Hilary Duff’s comeback tour (and those very real ticket prices), the chaos of The Traitors, and our disappointment with Love Is Blind: Denver. We also debut a new segment, Pardon My Reaction, unpacking viral moments that feel almost too absurd to be real and, at times, unintentionally hilarious.

From there, we zoom out to something bigger. AI isn’t just a buzzword, it's accelerating fast and quietly reshaping how we work. We talk about how it’s already changing day to day tasks, the growing conversation around job disruption, what it could mean for our kids’ futures, and how to hold both optimism and uncertainty at the same time.

Last but certainly not least, we close by honoring Women’s History Month with the story of Phoebe “Febb” Ensminger Burn, the mother whose letter helped secure the deciding vote for the 19th Amendment. It’s a powerful reminder that some of history’s most consequential moments start at home, and that conviction, courage, and a well-timed nudge can change everything. We could all stand to channel a little more Febb energy.

(00:00) Introduction

(04:24) Pop Culture Update

(13:10) Pardon My Reaction - RFK & Kid Rock

(17:45) Pardon My Reaction - Traitors

(21:22) Make It Make Sense: AI Edition

(36:07) Women's History Month: Phoebe Ensminger Burn

(43:59) Next Week's Preview & Wrap Up

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Motherhood doesn’t end at the edge of our homes. So what does political power actually look like for moms right now? Because if campaigns are still running outdated playbooks, the real influence might be living in our feeds.

In this episode, we’re joined by Liz Minnella, Democratic organizer, digital strategist, founder of Creators for Change, and mom of two. Liz works at the intersection of politics, culture, and content, training influencers and everyday people to turn authenticity into action.

We dive into her shift from corporate marketing into digital-first organizing, and how she applied influencer strategies after Uvalde and Highland Park — partnering with trusted mom and lifestyle creators to deliver clear calls to action that helped build pressure for gun safety legislation, including Illinois’ assault weapons ban.

Liz breaks down why mom influencers are uniquely persuasive, why Democrats often resist decentralized digital strategy, and what a fully funded internet plan should really include from micro-creators to rapid response to online to offline organizing.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your platform big or small can shape policy, this episode is for you.

(0:00) - Introduction & Week Check-in

(3:46) - New Year's Resolutions Update

(5:59) - Bad Bunny Halftime Show & Pop Culture

(9:46) - Winter Olympics Discussion

(15:49) - Olympians Speaking Out on Politics

(17:08) - Traitors TV Show Recap

(20:48) - Guest Introduction: Liz Menella

(22:22) - Rapid Fire Questions

(31:00) - Liz's Career Transition to Political Organizing

(39:53) - The Power of Mom Influencers in Politics

(48:45) - Why Democrats Struggle with Digital Strategy

(50:46) - Texas Influencer Drama & Campaign Strategy

(55:18) - Out-of-State Influencers in Local Races

(1:02:47) - Advice for Getting Started as a Political Creator

(1:08:50) - Hot or Not: Millennial Mom Edition

(1:14:50) - Final Thoughts & Closing

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Valentine’s Day may be behind us, but it’s one of those holidays that always seems to linger.

In this episode of Momarchy, we catch up on our week and talk through what’s been sitting with us from holiday expectations to the way light and heavy topics seem to collide more than ever.

We react to unsettling headlines, including the kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie’s mother and the tragic news involving Jill Biden’s ex-husband, before shifting into Trump Math, where we break down exaggerated claims and political spin with facts and skepticism.

From there, we move into Valentine’s plans, rom-com favorites, and the very online experience of reading troll comments, because apparently that’s part of modern life now. We wrap things up with genuine gratitude for everyone who listens, engages, and keeps this community thoughtful, funny, and honest.

(0:00) Introduction

(2:11) Current Events: Savannah Guthrie's Mom & Political News

(7:43) Trump Math: Fact-Checking Exaggerated Claims

(16:13) Galentine's Day & Valentine's Day Discussion

(20:08) Favorite Rom-Coms of All Time

(27:07) Hot or Not: Millennial Mom Valentine's Day Edition

(31:14) Actually Romantic: A Love Letter to Our Trolls

(40:17) Closing & Thank You

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Civic engagement isn’t just voting every few years. So what does it look like in real life for parents? Because if change isn’t coming from the top, it has to come from us, by building power locally.

In this episode, we’re joined by Emma Bloomberg, founder and CEO of Murmuration, an organization strengthening democracy by equipping local civic groups and everyday people with the tools to build power where they live. Emma has spent her career at the intersection of public service, philanthropy, and civic tech, focused on how democratic engagement really works on the ground, not just in theory.

We dive into why parent voices matter so much, what grassroots organizations are up against, and why lasting change takes long-term support, not quick fixes. Emma shares how Murmuration uses tech and data tools to help local organizations grow their impact, build stronger coalitions, and move communities forward.

She also breaks down why the best progress doesn’t come from waiting on one national leader to save the day, but from people coming together locally showing up, staying connected, and staying engaged beyond election season. We talk about how civic responsibility fits into parenting, the power of human connection, and what gives Emma hope for the future.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay civically engaged without burning out—or how to turn “I care about this” into real action this episode is for you.

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We entered the year with fresh calendars but quickly realized survival was the only real goal.

In this episode, we talk through the very real energy of 2026 so far, one marked by political noise, parenting overload, and the realization that “doing it all” is no longer the goal. Instead, we’re leaning into our survival kits, lowered expectations, and doing what we can to keep life moving without burning out.

We unpack what modern motherhood looks like when everything feels loud at once, from toddler gymnastics and calendar chaos to learning when to say no, step back from doomscrolling, and protect our peace. We talk about why boundaries matter more than ever, and how adjusting expectations can be an act of survival, not failure.

We also share what feels actionable right now supporting local efforts, focusing on community impact, and resisting the pressure to carry the weight of everything at once. Sometimes it’s the small, practical choices that help us get through the collective chaos we’re all navigating this year.

We discuss:

(0:00) - Introduction & Welcome to Momarchy

(5:44) - The Traitors Drama: Michael & Colton Discussion

(11:41) - Year of the Horse: Fresh Start for 2026

(14:29) - Parenthood Survival Kit: Toddler Gymnastics & Lowered Expectations

(23:18) - Politics Survival Kit: Opting Out of Doom Scrolling

(31:30) - Taking Action: Supporting Your Community

(34:47) - Bonus Round: Non-Negotiable Boundaries for 2026

(44:48) - Ask Momarchy Lightning Round

(49:13) - Wrap Up & Next Week's Guest: Emma Bloomberg

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.