Hot Mic'd: The Soft Launch

Elected Official - Rose: All eyes have been on Tennessee, including mine, which makes this week’s MVP [most valuable politician] TN State Rep. Justin Jones. Let the GOP silence him and our generation? I don't think so.

Elected Official - Thorn: Alabama Senator Tuberville – or washed up football coach who doesn’t even live in the state he represents, continues to block 250+ military promotions that ensure the safety of our country’s security and military readiness because of his dangerous antics around the Pentagon’s policy on abortion related travel expense coverage. There is not enough side eye in the world for this man.

Political news story that caught my eye this week: New Hampshire has always been a mental bamboozle to understand politically, and the latest story coming out of the state that the attorney general is reviewing arguments about keeping Trump off the ballot via the 14th amendment continues to extend the proverbial head scratch. You can find me digesting and dissecting this on my next HGW.

Swoonworthy celeb x political crossover of the moment: The Kerry Washington x VP Harris collab gets five stars, tens across the board, and whatever other stamps of approval I can give. Love, love, love seeing them together, and I really hope to see more of that combo as we get into the depths of election szn. And side note, maybe it’s just me, but I do feel like I’ve seen more posting/action on VP Harris’s IG recently. Team digital is making moves.

Latest Follow: Katey Parham [kateyforchange] who is advocating for gun reform and a better world as a whole, especially for indigenous women. Her words on how we’re the mass shooting generation hit hard and true.

I’m obsessssssed with this TikTok trend: The Hinge voice notes trend has me wrapped around its little finger. It’s so on point, I can’tttttttttt. Basi these girls are acting out the absurd voice notes we all see on Hinge and making fun of these dudes that are bigger tools than a set from Home Depot. Exhibit A and exhibit B.

Episode (of ours) I’m hitting replay on rn: If you listened to the eppy, you know that we’re literally in love with Dr. Harper who came on the show to talk about affirmative action. Sooo, naturally re-listening to that eppy because he is legit instant endorphins to the ears. Listen with me on Apple!

Elected Official - Rose: I promise to highlight someone that’s still in office next week, but I just need space to fangirl over the Barrack and Michelle Obama at the US Open. I meannnnnnn, these fits, these vibes.

Elected Official - Thorn: Hopping on Sammy’s Tennessee train, TN Speaker Cameron Sexton for his undemocratic and authoritarian behavior during this special sesh. I mean his behavior was like that before this special sesh too, but it was particularly on display this past week or so. I saw TN Holler was calling him and hashtagging him as #kremlincameron and that really just spells it out. If I remember correctly, we included that hashtag in this week’s edition of #VIRAL.

Political news story that caught my eye this week: The Mitch glitch has been all over my feed. I feel badly for whatever medical issues he’s having, but I’m also super curious as to what’s happening with him. And, also v v v scared about who would replace him should he leave office…

Swoonworthy celeb x political crossover of the moment: This is like the opposite of a crossover, but Eminem serving Vivek Ramaswamy with a cease and desist on Vivek rapping his music, is iconic. Of all of Eminem’s beefs [guys, is this the plural version??], this is def my fave.

Latest Follow: Kelsey or kelseycruss, is doing really fun news breakdowns of stories in the NYT, and it hits. Normalizing being informed, reading the news, and supporting newspapers is it, and she does it in such a relatable way.

I’m obsessssssed with this TikTok trend: The ‘somebody’s cooked here’ audio + trend has me dead. It just does what TikTok does best and shows us all a universal experience or thought we’ve all had, but often don’t realize we’ve all had before. And in this case, it really is that thought when you’re dating a new dude that goes through your head when you observe them do or say something that shows evidence of them having learned from a past partner. So wild.

Episode (of ours) I’m hitting replay on rn: One of the most eye opening episodes recently was with Fraidy Reiss, the founder of Unchained At Last who talked about her fight to get child marriage banned in all 50 states – including CALIFORNIA where it’s still legal and there is no floor. Major wtf. Listening to it back is a must because the stories she articulates are not just mind blowing, but essential to keep top of mind when advocating for change. Listen with me on Apple!

Fall essential I’ve added to my cart: Well, I’m always dressed for a season that it isn’t, mostly because I only like summer, buttttt I do have my eye on these leather pants.

Tip for getting friends to vote: SO many. Offering to read and analyze their ballot with them to take some of the work off their plate [or the intimidation factor if it's their first or one of their first times voting]. Maddie actually did a wine and cheese night to go through all the California ballot props for the midterms, so not to steal her thunder but that’s a great way to help the medicine go down if you will.

Concert I want to go to this fall: I’ll have to ~circle back~ on that TBH, but I’ll def be looking at Headcount’s volunteer options. You can legit volunteer at concerts to register new voters.

Fall essential I’ve added to my cart: SF fall is more like NYC summer, so I’m vibing more with stocking up on loungey shorts.

Tip for getting friends to vote: Okay, so before Samantha totally stole mine, I was going to say have a little get together with friends to do election prep. In addition, I would slowly but surely integrate sending them DMs with positive political news – CAP Action does a great job of capturing it on IG. That way you can connect the dots between good things in action and who’s in office. Positive reinforcement if you will.

Concert I want to go to this fall: That’s so hard!! Get back to me on that, but i had so much fun at Drake, so if you’re looking for a concert to go to, def get tickets to that one.