What do we do next?
What do we do next?
Podcast Description
Are you completely overwhelmed by the news cycle and find yourself just looking for direction, guidance, a plan and a semblance of hope? Finding yourself unsure of how to communicate with friends, family and professional relationships but feel compelled to do more? You are in the right place. The goal of this podcast is to give you actionable advice to empower you and enable you to empower others. It's not breaking news, you get enough of that. Together we will find a path forward by having conversations that move the needle and give us all the direction we are looking for. whatdowedonext.substack.com
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores themes of empowerment, community action, and political engagement, with episodes delving into topics such as local elections, the intricacies of immigration law, and navigating personal and parental conversations around sensitive issues. Specific episodes include deep discussions on running for office, engaging with local governance, and understanding the stakes of immigration terminology.
Feeling paralyzed by the news cycle? This podcast cuts through the noise to give you practical steps for engaging in democracy, communicating across divides, and making real impact—no breaking news, just direction.
Some conversations don’t stay on the stage. They follow you back into daily life—into the group chat, the family dinner, the quiet moment when you decide whether to speak up or let something slide.
In this episode of What Do We Do Next?, I sit down with Linda Chavez to talk about what it takes to hold a line when the pressure is real. We trace her long involvement with the Iranian opposition movement, including work connected to the PMOA and MEK, and her role at the United Nations pushing resolutions against the Iranian regime for human rights abuses and the treatment of women.
But the heart of this episode is bigger than any one organization. It’s about staying rooted in constitutional democracy, equal opportunity, and basic civil rights when misinformation spreads fast and public opinion shifts. We talk about the personal cost of resistance, the way sacrifice changes people, and why community matters when the work is long.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to say, or tired of watching principles get traded for convenience, this conversation offers a framework for thinking clearly—and a reminder of the question we keep coming back to: what do we do next, when staying silent starts to feel like a choice?
Chapters:00:00 – Introduction00:10 – Freedom, Equality, and Women’s Rights04:11 – Support for Iranian Freedom Movement08:06 – “Consistency and Principles Over Time”12:11 – “Staying Principled Over Popularity”15:04 – “Believe in Service, Not Self”17:31 – Universal Desire for Freedom19:15 – “Free Market Opportunities Endorsed”22:37 – “Media Silos and Algorithm Impact”27:44 – Legacy, Sacrifice, and Grief28:42 – “Change, Women, and Final Thoughts”30:00 – Outro
Quotes:Linda Chavez:“Serving others and being devoted to ideals isn’t just the key to a rich life—it’s how we build hope, freedom, and a future worth fighting for.”
Molly Ruland:“When I feel doubt or worry about what I might lose by speaking out, I remember those who’ve sacrificed so much—and think, if they can do it, so can I.”
Key Takeaways:Staying True to PrinciplesSacrifice for a Greater CauseServing Others Over Serving SelfThe Power of Community and DialogueHope for the FutureUniversal AspirationsKeep Hope Alive
Produced by Heartcast Media:
http://www.heartcastmedia.com
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