Who Gets a Mid-Life Reinvention? Podcast Episode · Culture Study Podcast · 09/24/2025 · 1h 1m

Great conversation from two of my faves. One of the listener questions made me swear loudly in my car because it so had my number, and their answer just knocked me on my butt.

Former FBI director James Comey indicted on two charges James Comey says he is innocent and the charges are politically motivated, as they follow Trump pressure on prosecutors to act.

The Justice for Hillary and Martha part of me thinks this is kind of a delicious irony but the part of me that loves DEMOCRACY is way bigger and screaming into the void right now.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Week of August 18 Round-Up Things in no particular order

I put together a round-up of some resistance-related things I was reading/watching/listening to this week, plus a couple learning opportunities to join next week.

open.substack.com/pub/umsandfr...

Let's Resist Together What does it mean for United Methodists to "resist evil, injustice, and oppression" in the midst of rising authoritarianism and Christian Nationalism?

I started a newsletter or to share resources with local churches in our area around justice work. Here's a first post - a reflection on Resistance from a UMC perspective. If you subscribe, I promise you I do not have the energy to spam you with a ton of emails.
buff.ly/rOyM5j0

On June 10, we take our faith to the streets.
Join clergy and people of faith at the U.S. Capitol for a Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget.
We will sing, pray, read Scripture, and urge Senators to protect the vulnerable.
✍️ Sign up: tinyurl.com/3cxmt5ar
#PentecostWitness #MoralBudget

This Pandemic Parent is Exhausted I have THOUGHTS about the removal of vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and children.

This Pandemic Parent is Exhausted buff.ly/Y1KQ7H2

Uh oh, JD Vance.

Looking forward to this event! Join us!
us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../W...

Megan Shitama Weston on Substack I recently saw a local law enforcement office roll his eyes when asked what recourse Maryland residents have if wrongly detained. He scoffed and said something like "Well that's what the court system…

They are creating a precedent with people you aren't as likely to care about or speak up for, but it could be someone you care about before you know it.

They Know Not What They Do I Guess I accidentally clicked on a reply notification from a comment I left 6 weeks ago, which was fairly flip.

They Know Not What They Do I Guess

Bury me in a “But her emails” t-shirt.

It’s almost like he doesn’t want us to be able to participate in this town hall.

We’ve been through so much since Youth Rally and Rock Retreat last gathered in OC. I’m filled with hope as we gather together for a new thing - Ignite - to carry on the legacy of those events.
Photo text from “And Are We Yet Alive” by Charles Wesley, obvi.
#BeUMC

Slow Growing Remember, you are dust.

My Lenten commitment this year is to plant a seed each day - literally, spiritually, politically, or relationally. One identifiable thing each day, hopefully this will ground me in the midst of …. all this.

Megan Shitama Weston on Substack Don’t panic, prepare! Given the ham-handed approach DOGE has been taking, benefits are likely to be interrupted in the short term due to the staff being gutted. In the long-term rural folks are…

A few thoughts as we’re looking at probably interruptions in Social Security benefits, in addition to the mass firings and looming government shutdown.

NAACP Responds To DEI Cuts With New Spending Guide For Black Shoppers NAACP have announced its Black Consumer Advisory, a spending guide for Black consumers as more companies rollback on DEI efforts.

📢 NAACP Responds To DEI Cuts With New Spending Guide For Black Shoppers

Ok, who’s got a great lawn sign slogan to start an #AnyoneButAndy2026 campaign? Must be non-partisan, family neighborhood appropriate.

The best I’ve got so far is “Andy shore doesn’t represent us” I know it’s cringe.

#Boycotting is better with friends! Met with pastor pals to livestream a conference - and for lunch we got local Indian food! On the way home I was tempted to stop for a fountain soda, but I drank the last third of a bottle of Coke from yesterday that was still in my bag. 😆🥤
#boycott #shoplocal

Ok non-MAGA MD-1 friends, I think one of our top priorities for the next two years should be getting Andy Harris out of office. Are there republican/moderate orgs working on this? Progressives need to be able to partner with a wider spectrum to get things done on the shore.

Fight Against Elon Musk’s Government Takeover ⭑ 5 Calls UPDATE (02/02/25): Musk and his DOGE team of personal allies have also now gained access to classified material including high-security intelligence …

Another action item: tell your reps to get Elon out the treasury!

This site makes it really easy to call your representatives and has helpful scripts.

The architect of Project 2025 is about to be confirmed for a government position that sounds boring, but the policy impact could be devastating. #project2025 #democracy
https://buff.ly/4jS9gDE

Hi. Who’s ready to talk about a primary challenge to Andy Harris? Let’s build out our democrat network on district 1 too, but in the meantime we have to get of this mess 👇🏼

Family waiting to cross border learns their CBP One appointment is canceled Migrants who waited months to cross the U.S. border with Mexico learned their CBP One appointments had been canceled moments after Donald Trump was sworn in as president.

www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...

Saying people need to follow the law and come here through legal channels, then closing the legal channels…. This is just the beginning.

I’ve been thinking about how I refuse to call the DOGE what Elon wants us to call it. Heather Cox Richardson just pronounced it “doggie” and I’m in. 😂😂😂

Please keep my husband and children in your thoughts and prayers. I’ve rediscovered my love of singing the entirety of the #wicked soundtrack from beginning to end.

I’m playing around with using Substack as a place to store/post resources and recommendations. I wrote my first post, and now I need to figure out how to edit posts in the app…
https://buff.ly/4hXPS75

it's official — 1,000,000 people have joined Bluesky in just the last day!!!

welcome and thank you for being here 🥳