In this episode, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into the emotional and political turmoil of the current moment, discussing RFK Jr.'s appointment, Project 2025, and the SAVE Act's potential impact on voter suppression. They explore the balance between political despair and activism, the importance of self-care as resistance, and how communities can organize in the face of systemic attacks. With a focus on economic activism—including the upcoming February 28th no-spend protest—they discuss ways to resist burnout while staying engaged. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone.

Discussed in this episode:

• The emotional toll of political anxiety and how to manage it
• RFK Jr.'s appointment to Health and Human Services and why it’s concerning
• Project 2025 and its potential impact
• The SAVE Act and how it could suppress voter rights
• Title IX rollbacks and the future of women’s rights
• How to fight political burnout and stay engaged
• The role of self-care as political resistance
• How mutual aid and community support can help in times of uncertainty
• The February 28th no-spend day protest and how to participate
• The importance of economic activism as a form of resistance

If you’re looking for ways to navigate the current political landscape without feeling paralyzed, this episode is for you. Tune in and join the conversation.

What’s a hall pass, and who would be on yours? In this episode, Becky and Taina dive into the fun (and slightly messy) world of celebrity crushes and the famous faces that make their lists. From Paul Rudd’s dad bod appeal to Charlize Theron’s effortless elegance, and even the surprise pick of Jeff Goldblum, they unpack the psychology of attraction, the cultural fascination with hall passes, and whether they’re just harmless fun or something more. Plus, do we really have a type, or is attraction totally random? Let’s get into it!

Discussed in This Episode:

• What is a hall pass in a relationship?
• Our ultimate celebrity crush picks (and why we chose them)
• Paul Rudd, Robert Downey Jr., and Jeff Goldblum – crush-worthy or not?
• The allure of Charlize Theron and Emma Stone
• The hottest male and female celebrities we’d put on our lists
• The psychology behind attraction—do we actually have a type?
• Is a hall pass considered cheating, or is it just harmless fun?
• Why we love funny, confident, and slightly rebellious people
• Our audience’s favorite celebrity crushes (send us yours!)

💬 Who’s on YOUR hall pass list? Let us know!
📧 Email us at messyliberation@gmail.com with the subject line Hall Pass.
💬 Comment on YouTube to share your picks!

Grief isn’t just about losing a loved one—it’s also about losing a sense of security, hope, or the future we envisioned. In this episode, we explore collective grief, political trauma, and how to navigate grief in uncertain times. Whether you're dealing with election grief, managing stress and burnout, or struggling with systemic trauma, we share practical strategies for self-care during political turmoil, coping with overwhelming news, and finding comfort when the world feels heavy.

We’ll also discuss how grief manifests in the body, somatic healing techniques, and the surprising connection between burnout and grief. If you’ve been wondering how to survive grief in tough times and keep going despite everything, this episode is for you.

Discussed in this episode:

• Processing political and social grief and why it’s more than just about death
• How political changes impact mental health and everyday life
• The relationship between burnout and grief (and how to manage both)
• How to navigate grief in difficult times without shutting down
• Self-care strategies for dealing with election grief and political overwhelm
• Somatic healing and grief: How our bodies hold onto stress and trauma
• How to find comfort during uncertain times and create safe spaces for healing

Resources mentioned:

• “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily & Amelia Nagoski
• SmashingPatriarchy.com - feminist merch
• Taskmaster on BBC
• Follow Becky on BlueSky
• Follow Taina on BlueSky
• Taina’s post about the Lunar New Year