Motherhood for Good with Kate Duffy

Angela Ferrell-Zabala and the Moms are Taking on the Gun Industry, One State at a Time

Motherhood for Good — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:29:38 GMT

Episode Summary

Kate sits down with Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action — one of the largest grassroots gun violence prevention organizations in the country — for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring and eye-opening. They talk about what really drives gun violence in America (hint: it's way bigger than school shootings), what regular moms can actually do about it, and why Angela still has hope.

What You'll Hear

Angela shares how growing up watching her mother and grandmother show up for their community planted the seeds for a lifetime of advocacy. She talks about what it felt like to become a mom of four and how that deepened her sense of urgency around keeping all kids safe, not just her own.

Then they get into the real stuff: the full picture of gun violence in America. Kate gets honest about her own learning curve: coming in mostly worried about school shootings, and realizing the issue is so much bigger. Angela walks through some stats that might surprise you (like the fact that Black Americans are 12 times more likely to die from gun violence than white Americans, and that guns are now the leading cause of death for children and young people in the U.S.).

They also talk about what's actually working, including wins in red states that never make the headlines, and what you can do right now, no matter how busy or overwhelmed you are.

Topics Covered

How Moms Demand Action started at Shannon Watts' kitchen table after Sandy Hook and grew into a nationwide movement
Why gun violence looks very different depending on where you live - and why all of it matters
The difference between the gun lobby and actual gun owners (spoiler: a lot of gun owners support common-sense reforms)
What the NRA's influence actually looks like today — and why it's not what it used to be
The Be SMART program and why asking "is there a gun in your home, and is it locked up?" is as normal as asking about a pool fence
Wins from 2025
What's on the agenda for the 2026 midterms
The Students Demand Action movement and why young people give Angela her biggest source of hope

Get Involved

Text READY to 64433 to join Moms Demand Action in your state.

About Angela Ferrell-Zabala

Angela Ferrell-Zabala is the Executive Director of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of the Everytown for Gun Safety network. A mother of four, she has spent her career working on reproductive health, immigrant rights, education, and economic justice — and brings that whole-person lens to the fight to end gun violence.

Surveillance Nation: The Hidden Costs of Being Constantly Watched

Motherhood for Good — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 15:57:39 GMT

Surveillance isn’t just a conspiracy theory, it’s a centuries-old tactic of power, targeting marginalized communities and expanding into every corner of our lives.

In this eye-opening episode, Amanda Merkwae, Advocacy Director at the ACLU of Wisconsin, reveals how government and corporate surveillance have intertwined, influencing everything from police policies to everyday privacy. Discover how historical tactics of control still echo today, from the secret tracking of civil rights leaders to modern facial recognition at your local grocery store.

You'll learn about the steady erosion of privacy rights as legislation like the Patriot Act paved the way for sweeping data collection, and how new technologies, from data brokers to AI-powered facial recognition, urn your everyday routines into open books. Amanda breaks down the alarming scope of surveillance at the local level, including Milwaukee’s recent push to regulate facial recognition tech, and why community activism often remains our strongest defense.

This episode unpacks critical questions:

Are you truly anonymous online?
Do supposedly innocuous apps secretly keep tabs on your every move?
How can ordinary citizens push back against the unseen forces surveilling us all?

Whether you’re a parent concerned about your children’s digital safety or a civically-minded individual eager to protect your community, this conversation offers essential insights for reclaiming your privacy in a surveillance-saturated society.

Amanda Merkwae is an experienced civil rights lawyer and the Advocacy Director for the ACLU of Wisconsin. With deep expertise in surveillance policy and a passion for community organizing, she sheds light on a hidden system that impacts us all—often without our knowledge or consent.

Catelin Drey is Bringing Eldest Daughter Energy to the Iowa Senate

Motherhood for Good — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:57:44 GMT

What happens when a regular mom decides to step into power? In this episode, I sit down with Catelin Drey, founder of Moms for Iowa and newly sworn-in state senator, to talk about her advocacy journey, what she’s learning in her first legislative session, and why moms need a seat at the table.

THE BILL IS OVERDUE | Lawmakers Need to Invest in Child Care Now with Corrine Hendrickson

Motherhood for Good — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 17:00:00 GMT

Child care is the foundation of our economy—the industry that makes all other industries possible. Yet, in many states, including Wisconsin, the state government invests *nothing* in this critical sector. Why is that, and what can we do about it?

In this episode, we sit down with Corrine Hendrickson, a passionate advocate and experienced provider in the child care industry, to discuss the state of child care in Wisconsin and across the country. As another biennial budget session approaches, we explore what’s at stake and how Governor Tony Evers and the Joint Finance Committee can take action to support the people who care for our kids.

Corrine shares:

Why child care is essential to a thriving economy.
The challenges providers face due to lack of funding including the lives and safety of children.
The tangible benefits of investing in child care for families, businesses, and communities.
Practical steps listeners can take to advocate for change.

This is not just a conversation about budgets—it’s about valuing the workers who make all other work possible and ensuring a brighter future for our children and economy.

Take Action:
Sign the petition to tell state lawmakers you want to include funding for child care in the new state budget: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIOmmpwor-tGmtezP9oj5Ar6FQyieI3HT0pt-WkuvxSHci8A/viewform?pli=1&pli=1

Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach more listeners and amplify important conversations like this one.

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Post-Election Feels, Current Circus, and Joy (Yes it still exists)

Motherhood for Good — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Welcome to our first episode! We have no idea what we're doing BUT we're spilling all the post-election feels, plotting how moms and women can save the world (again), and trying to make sense of Trump’s cabinet picks—it’s like watching a reality show, but scarier. Plus, we’re sharing the small joys keeping us sane. Laugh, strategize, and crack a crispy cold one with us—because it’s time for Diet Coke and Democracy.

Breaking Barriers with Emily Tseffos

Motherhood for Good — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Motherhood for Good, we sit down with Emily Tseffos—Outagamie County Chair, recent assembly candidate, mom, and millennial—to explore what it really takes to create inroads on America’s back roads. Emily opens up about the misconceptions people have about rural communities (and even some Republicans). We dive into her thoughts on the future of the Democratic National Committee and what a new DNC chair needs to prioritize. Plus, Emily shares her insights on the power of local leadership and how we can break down barriers by starting from within our own communities. Tune in for our conversation about the intersection of politics, motherhood, and grassroots action.

The Wicked Witch of Congress, Gaetz pulls an Irish Goodbye, WWBWD: What would (will) Ben Wikler do?

Motherhood for Good — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:00:00 GMT

This week, we’re talking politics and real life! From Nancy Mace’s bullying to Sarah McBride’s inspiring rise, we cover it all. We’ll also unpack Trump’s cabinet chaos (more, unfortunately), what’s next for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and make some guesses about Ben Wikler's next move.

Plus, a little Thanksgiving chatter—managing expectations and why the internet is faker than your aunt’s “perfect” holiday table.

This Is Why We Fight: A Personal Story of Medicaid and Miracles

Motherhood for Good — Fri, 16 May 2025 15:00:00 GMT

In this special episode, I’m joined by my sister-in-law, Morgan, to share the story of my nephew Jaxon—a joyful, thriving four-year-old who wouldn’t be here without Medicaid. At just one year old, Jaxon was diagnosed with a rare and serious condition that required intensive brain surgery and long-term therapy. The care he needed wasn’t optional, and it wasn’t affordable even with private insurance. Without Medicaid, he wouldn’t have survived. This episode is about what happens when policy gets personal, why the fight to protect programs like Medicaid is one we can’t afford to lose, and how it is a lifeline in rough seats for moms like Morgan, who hope to someday graduate from it, and go back to work full time.

Francesca Hong Isn’t the Establishment Pick—and That’s the Point

Motherhood for Good — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Francesca Hong is running for governor of Wisconsin, and while some in the political establishment have written her off as a wild card, voters clearly haven’t. Since launching her campaign, she’s already inspired more than 1,400 volunteer sign-ups, packed rooms across the state, and built real momentum both online and in person.

Some have endearingly nicknamed her the “Mamdani of the Midwest,” but in this conversation, Francesca explains why it's her service industry roots—and the lived experience that comes with them—that give her a clear-eyed understanding of what people actually need, and why the solutions she’s talking about aren’t actually radical at all.

This is a conversation about authenticity, power, and why the so-called underdog might be exactly the main character this moment calls for as we head into the 2026 Midterms.

Links:
Fran's Campaign Site: https://francescahong.com/
Reddit AMA: / im_francesca_hong_candidate_for_gov_of_wi_ama

Maternal Health in Crisis with Moms Mental Health Initiative

Motherhood for Good — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Maternal health has been top of mind for us as we continue to push for postpartum Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin. Too many moms are falling through the cracks, and today, we're diving into why that needs to change.

We’re joined by Sarah Ornst Bloomquist and Casey White from Moms Mental Health Initiative, an organization dedicated to helping moms navigate perinatal mental health challenges. Together, we explore the many reasons moms struggle in the postpartum period and why losing access to care after just two months can have catastrophic consequences. The need for ongoing support is critical.

Join us for this essential conversation about the policies that impact maternal health and what we can do to advocate for change.

⚠ If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Let your healthcare provider know and visit Moms Mental Health Initiative or Postpartum Support International for resources and support. You are not alone.

🔗 Resources & Links:

📢 Get Involved:

Follow Motherhood for Good on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter for advocacy updates
Share this episode to help spread awareness
If you live in Wisconsin, contact your legislators and push for postpartum healthcare expansion

Look to the Midwestern Skies (A chat at the center of the Wicked x Politics Venn Diagram)

Motherhood for Good — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:00:00 GMT

This week, another MFG leader, Danielle Scampini Linn, joins us to talk all things Wicked (SPOILER ALERT!). Buckle up and grab your broomstick as we dive into its parallels with today’s political landscape, from power and propaganda to redemption and resistance. How does the story of Elphaba and Glinda resonate with a society grappling with divisions, shifting narratives, and the search for common ground? Politics and parenting meet Oz—because somewhere over the rainbow, we’re all just looking for a better world.

Community, Connection & Coexistence

Motherhood for Good — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 04:00:00 GMT

We’re back from the Thanksgiving food coma and ready to regroup! In this episode, we talk about the joys (and challenges) of reconnecting with IRL community, especially after the isolating past few years. We dive into navigating relationships with people we don’t agree with and spotlighting ways to support small businesses during the holiday season. Shopping local isn’t just good for the economy—it’s good for the soul.

Pop Culture and Politics | The Celebrity Effect on Elections and Ideology

Motherhood for Good — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Motherhood for Good, Brittney from the Instagram account @momsfororegon joins us as we dive into the fascinating crossroads of pop culture and politics. Do celebrities really shape our political atmosphere and elections? What strategies are content creators on the right using to influence the narrative? And how do political movements handle disagreements with stars who challenge their values? Join us as we explore the power of celebrity culture, its role in shaping ideologies, and the ripple effects it creates in our society.