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

On the radio show this week, we start out covering the importance of age-appropriate sex education and why it's a fundamental plank of a healthy democracy. After that, we dive into two new reports from CLASP that detail the harmful ripple effects of out-of-control immigration enforcement on the safety and development of our youngest children. Following that segment, we recognize Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, discussing the prevalence of perinatal mood disorders and how to break the stigma. Finally, we close the show with an update on MomsRising's Mother's Day advocacy events in Washington, D.C., where moms are bringing their "receipts" to the Hill to share how moms are experiencing an affordability crisis; and to demand solutions for families. SPECIAL GUESTS: Jaclyn Friedman, EducateUS, @educateusaction.bsky.social; Suma Setty, Senior Policy Analyst & Kaelin Rapport, Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), @clasp_dc, @clasp.org; Jessie Colbert, Massachusetts Mind the Gap Coalition; Lauren Hipp, MomsRising, @MomsRising @MamasConPoder.

On the radio show this week, we start out talking about the importance of having the freedom to read age-appropriate educational materials and how to push back against harmful book bans across the country. After that, we touch base on the beauty and power of "purple places" in the United States, exploring the unique role these areas play as epicenters of local organizing and democracy. Following that segment, we dive into Black Maternal Health Week, discussing the urgent need for maternal health equity and the specific policy solutions that support Black moms and families. Finally, we close the show talking about the student loan crisis families are facing across America, the impact of new repayment rules, and how to take action to abolish student debt. SPECIAL GUESTS: McKenna Samson, PEN America, @penamerica; Beatriz Beckford, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamásConPoder; Tina Sherman, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @TinaShermanNC; Julia Barnard, Debt Collective, @StrikeDebt, @debtcollective. On the radio show this week, we start out talking about the importance of having the freedom to read age-appropriate educational materials and how to push back against harmful book bans across the country. After that, we touch base on the beauty and power of "purple places" in the United States, exploring the unique role these areas play as epicenters of local organizing and democracy. Following that segment, we dive into Black Maternal Health Week, discussing the urgent need for maternal health equity and the specific policy solutions that support Black moms and families. Finally, we close the show talking about the student loan crisis families are facing across America, the impact of new repayment rules, and how to take action to abolish student debt. SPECIAL GUESTS: McKenna Samson, PEN America, @penamerica; Beatriz Beckford, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamásConPoder; Tina Sherman, MomsRising, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @TinaShermanNC; Julia Barnard, Debt Collective, @StrikeDebt, @debtcollective.

On the radio show this week, we have a powerful health care takeover – and hear from experts, advocates, and leaders about the attacks on health care that are happening right now despite the fact that everyone gets sick, and everyone needs a chance to get better. The situation is an emergency: Trump's proposed budget plans to cut billions from Americans' health care to supersize spending on the military at a time when health care premiums are skyrocketing and 15 million Americans already risk losing health care coverage completely. On the show this week, we find out what you can do to help protect (and expand) health care access. *Special guests include: Adam Hoyer, Protect Our Care, @ProtectOurCare; Natalie Kean, Justice in Aging, @KeanNatalie; Reggie Hubbard, Active Peace LLC, @oreggieglobal; Donna Norton, MomsRising, @MomsRising @MamásConPoder

On the radio show this week, we dive into the dangerous voter suppression that would happen with the SAVE Act, and how sharing our stories with members of Congress can protect our democracy. We hear about the horrific conditions for children detained in Dilley, Texas and the urgent movement to close family detention facilities and to free detained kids. We cover why marching matters—from the massive "No Kings" actions to everyday civic engagement—and how Trump's out-of-touch child care comments ignore the nationwide affordability crisis facing families. We also discuss America's aging and failing water infrastructure and what we must do at every level of government to ensure safe, clean water for all; plus, how climate change is driving flooding, drought, and water contamination. SPECIAL GUESTS: U.S. Representative Luz Rivas, Democratic Women's Caucus, @RepLuzRivas, @DemWomenCaucus, @demwomencaucus.bsky.social; Alida Garcia, Director, Care Can't Wait Action; Lauren Hipp, MomsRising & MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org; Radhika Fox, Principal @ North Star Strategy

Tune in to the opening panel of the National Summit on the Caregiving Crisis, recorded live at the the US Library of Congress in Washington, DC. We learn how Representative Jimmy Gomez started the Congressional Dads Caucus. Next, we dive into how care candidates and care policies are winning at the state and local level. We discuss how the paid and unpaid work of care is both individual and invisible and why we should treat is as a core public good. Then, we hear about the importance of connecting caregiving to family budgets and the impact of care on multiple generations. We also discuss the importance of public demand in driving policy change and the need for elected officials who reflect and respect our contributions and needs. Special Guests include: US Representative Jimmy Gomez, @RepJimmyGomez, @gomez.house.gov; Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, MomsRising, MamásConPoder, @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, @momsrising.org, @mamasconpoder.org; Fatima Goss Graves, National Women's Law Center, @nwlc.org; Nicole Jorwic, Caring Across Generations, @caringacrossgen, @caringacross.org; Dawn Hucklebridge, Paid Leave for All, @PaidLeaveforAll, @paidleaveforall.bsky.social‬; Sondra Goldshein, Campaign For a Family Friendly Economy, @FamFriendlyEcon, @cffe.bsky.social