🌵 Wildfires, Park Crimes, and Trail Snacks

This week, Chelsey and Jenn welcome a guest who lives right outside Joshua Tree National Park. She’s worked in California’s state park system, survived wildfires too close for comfort, and is a walking ad for the library pass program.

We talk wildfire realities, behind-the-scenes stories from park work, and the fight to protect Joshua trees as protections roll back. Plus: a trivia game on “park crimes,” quickfire trail snack debates, and a few confessions you probably shouldn’t make in front of a ranger.

Part serious, part absurd — just like the fight to keep our parks safe, wild, and for everyone.

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This week we’re covering ICE’s latest due process violations in New York and Dallas, the Miccosukee Tribe’s fight against “Alligator Alcatraz” in endangered species habitat, dangerous NIH cuts and the return of eugenics-era “autism lists,” and the Texas aquifer battle over water privatization. We dig into Congress ducking a vote on the Epstein files, Trump’s shifting excuses, and Texas redistricting chaos — from bomb threats to Beto suing Ken Paxton, who’s still dodging his own subpoena. We close with a call to action: get trained as a Volunteer Deputy Registrar, help register voters, and join efforts like Powered by People to turn frustration into real political power.

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/622514/

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In this episode of "Moms Against the Machine," we delve into the intricate web of political decisions affecting our national parks. From budget cuts and corporate land grabs to the rise of eco-fascism, we explore how these actions threaten the very essence of our public lands. Join us as we highlight the stories of women like Minerva Hamilton Hoyt and Rachel Carson, who fought tirelessly to protect these natural treasures. Discover the ongoing challenges and what you can do to stand up for our parks and preserve them for future generations.

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In this episode, Jennifer and Chelsey dive into the heart of cultural and social commentary, exploring the chaotic landscape of current events. From the intricacies of local protests and community resistance to the broader implications of political decisions, they offer a candid look at the issues shaping our world. Join them as they navigate through the noise, offering insights and sparking conversations that matter. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and encourages active engagement in today's pressing matters.

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In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss the challenges and triumphs of working at the NIH with Chelsey's Aunt Vicky, particularly focusing on the journey of a woman who rose from an administrative assistant to a grant funding specialist. They explore themes of gender discrimination, the importance of science funding, and the impact of political changes on public health initiatives. The discussion also touches on personal stories, the challenges of navigating the workplace, and the significance of trust in science, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges of navigating illness in a work culture that often prioritizes attendance over health. They reflect on the contributions of women in science, the historical lack of representation in education, and the importance of mentorship and leadership in scientific fields. The impact of political climate on scientific integrity and public health communication is also explored, particularly during the Trump era. The speakers emphasize the significance of funding in scientific research and share personal reflections on their careers, offering advice for future generations considering public service.

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July 2025: "Concentration Camps, Classroom Chaos, and Christian Nationalist Blueprints"

Welcome to your July solo news drop — where we pull back the curtain on what the GOP and Trump administration are doing while everyone’s distracted by sunglasses and soundbites. In this episode, we break down:

• Alligator Alcatraz – the Everglades-based migrant concentration camp that flooded on its second day open. No plumbing, no oversight, no humanity. With eyewitness accounts, whistleblower reports, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz demanding a federal investigation.
• School Funding Freeze – the Trump administration is illegally withholding $7 billion in education money already approved by Congress. We cover Rep. Terri Sewell’s July 11 letter, districts hit hardest (Alabama, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Missouri), and DeSantis’ Orwellian push to let political allies accredit colleges.
• Project 2025 – the Heritage Foundation’s fascist roadmap is no longer a warning—it’s a playbook in motion. From gutting the Department of Education to legalizing mass deportation and firing career scientists, we connect the dots from the headlines to the handbook.
• Measles Outbreak Cover-Up – how HHS is scrambling behind the scenes to keep a lid on rising measles cases, with vaccine distribution stalled and states reporting spikes in preventable illnesses.
• NIH and Science Under Attack – UMass Chan faces a $94M NIH funding shortfall. Research is halted, jobs slashed, and pediatric brain cancer trials frozen. The Trump budget calls scientists wasteful and dangerous — and it's costing lives and leadership.
• DeSantis’ Fake Accreditation Program – in his bid to MAGA-fy academia, the Florida governor wants political operatives to greenlight colleges. Because apparently facts now require loyalty oaths.

This episode isn’t about headlines — it’s about the hostile architecture being built underneath them. And if you're waiting for someone to sound the alarm, congratulations. You just pressed play.

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In this episode, Chelsey & Jenn discuss their personal updates, community engagement strategies, and the restructuring of their podcast to focus on fewer topics for deeper discussions. They highlight the contributions of women in science and politics, emphasizing the importance of representation and activism. The conversation also touches on current events, the political climate, and the historical significance of women's roles in shaping public health and policy. In this conversation, Chelsey Hockett and Jennifer Wisniewski discuss the alarming spread of misinformation in public health, particularly regarding vaccines and scientific integrity. They explore the consequences of recent cuts to health agencies and the impact on research, emphasizing the need for clarity and expertise in public health. The discussion also touches on the importance of community building and the future of public health amidst these challenges.

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In our premiere episode, we go back—way back—to the women who laid the emotional, intellectual, and literal groundwork for American democracy.
We’re talking Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, and Phillis Wheatley—three women who never got a seat at the table but still pulled up with receipts, rage, and revolutionary fire.

From letters to husbands to poems that challenged tyranny, these founding mothers were raising babies and raising hell. We explore what they might say about today’s school voucher battles, book bans, and ongoing fights for equality. Spoiler: they wouldn’t be quiet about it.

As suburban moms with a mic, we reflect on our own letters to America, the ways our lives echo theirs, and why joy is resistance in 2025.

What We Cover:

• “Remember the Ladies”: Abigail’s demand to be heard
• Mercy Otis Warren and the pen that mocked kings
• Phillis Wheatley’s poems of protest and power
• What Texas school voucher hearings have in common with revolutionary resistance
• What we would say if we could write our own Letter to America

Further Reading:

• Abigail Adams' letters: Massachusetts Historical Society
• Mercy Otis Warren bio: National Women’s History Museum
• Phillis Wheatley’s poetry: Poets.org
• Primary Source Material:
  Abigail Adams:
  • “Remember the Ladies” Letter (March 31, 1776)
    Massachusetts Historical Society
    🔗 https://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/archive/doc?id=L17760331aa
• Mercy Otis Warren:
  • Biography (NWHM) – Overview of her political writings and role in the Revolution
    National Women’s History Museum
    🔗 https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mercy-otis-warren
  • Selected Works:
    Observations on the New Constitution (1788)
    The Group (1775) – Political satire play
    Full text collection:
    🔗 https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/warren/revolution/revolution.html
• Phillis Wheatley:
  • Poetry Collection: Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773)
    Available through Poets.org
    🔗 https://poets.org/poet/phillis-wheatley
  • Letter and Poem to George Washington (1775):
    Library of Congress
    🔗 https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw4.028_0384_0385/?sp=1

📝 “Dear America, I’m a mom and I…”
Finish the sentence. Send us your voice memo or tag us on social:

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