In this episode of BURNT, hosts Michelle Glogovac and Lauren Lehman Carter open up in a raw and unfiltered conversation about the intersection of motherhood, activism, and political awareness. They share the challenges of balancing parenting with social justice work, the emotional toll of political events, and the responsibility of using privilege to advocate for change.

Lauren and Michelle also dive into the complexities of relationships within activism, the urgent need to reclaim the meaning of “pro-life”, and the importance of amplifying diverse voices in the ongoing fight for equality and justice. Honest, heartfelt, and unapologetic, this conversation calls for reflection and action.

What We're Talking About...

• Activism is intertwined with motherhood for many women.
• Finding balance between personal life and activism is challenging.
• Political awareness can be emotionally taxing.
• Using privilege to advocate for marginalized communities is essential.
• Women are stepping into their power in new ways.
• Relationships can be impacted by differing political views.
• Regret over inaction can motivate future activism.
• Reclaiming the term 'pro-life' is necessary for broader social justice.
• Freedom should mean freedom from oppression, not freedom to oppress.
• Listening to others' stories is crucial for understanding and empathy.

Chapters

00:00 Pride in Place: A Chicago Vibe

03:40 Balancing Motherhood and Activism

06:28 Confronting Ignorance: The Weight of Awareness

09:41 Regrets of Inaction: A Call to Courage

12:46 Using Privilege for Good

15:30 Navigating Relationships and Activism

18:33 The Cost of Speaking Out

22:57 Navigating Political Shifts in Relationships

24:42 The Good Girl Conditioning and Its Impact

27:23 Women Leading the Charge

28:45 The Importance of Listening to Stories

30:41 Confronting Dehumanization and Aggression

32:47 The Complexity of Pro-Life Arguments

34:50 Shame and Judgment in Society

37:52 Reclaiming Freedom and Pro-Life

42:46 Burning It Down for Change

In the very first episode of BURNT, hosts Michelle Glogovac and Lauren Lehman Carter dive deep into today’s most pressing challenges. Together, they explore the realities of burnout, societal expectations, and the crucial role of authentic communication in modern life.

This powerful conversation unpacks the mental health toll of navigating public discourse, the impact of technology on daily living, and the urgent need for community resources to support children. Michelle and Lauren also discuss wealth disparities and the societal pressures that drive performance-based living, offering insights and inspiration for building a more compassionate and sustainable future.

What We're Talking About...

• Burning things can be a metaphor for releasing negativity.
• Public discourse can be risky but necessary for change.
• Perfectionism can hinder vulnerability and authentic communication.
• Modeling good communication is essential for future generations.
• Children today face different challenges than previous generations.
• Technology impacts our mental health and awareness of societal issues.
• Societal grief and trauma need to be addressed collectively.
• Performance pressure affects both adults and children.
• Wealth disparities are a significant issue in society.
• Community resources are vital for supporting those in need.

Chapters

00:00 Burning Down the Norms

03:00 Navigating Burnout and Public Discourse

06:04 The Weight of Perfectionism and Vulnerability

08:57 Modeling Communication for Future Generations

12:01 Creating Safe Spaces for Children

15:04 The Impact of Technology on Mental Health

17:58 Addressing Societal Grief and Trauma

20:57 The Burden of Performance in Today's World

24:13 Understanding Wealth Disparities

27:03 The Importance of Community Resources

29:59 A Call to for Change

BURNT is what happens when the world feels too heavy, the bullshit too loud, and the fire inside too strong to ignore.

Some days, we’re burnt out.

Other days, we want to burn it all down.

Hosted by Lauren Lehman Carter and Michelle L. Glogovac, BURNT is an unscripted, unfiltered space where we show up raw, honest, and ready to tackle the hard stuff—together. From deep conversations with friends to spontaneous vent sessions, we're here to explore what it means to live, speak up, and try to be good humans in a world that often makes that feel impossible.

No scripts. No filters. No pretending it’s all fine.

Just two women, some fire, and a lot of truth.

www.burntpodcast.com