Momarchy with Sarah & Tanya

There’s no such thing as balance, just trade-offs, mom guilt, and trying to keep up with a world that won’t slow down.In this week’s episode, we get real about motherhood: why balance feels impossible, how screen time guilt sneaks in, and the unspoken pressure on women to look and act a certain way just to be taken seriously at work.After catching up on nostalgic pop culture news—including The Devil Wears Prada 2, Practical Magic 2, and Taylor Swift’s latest perspective shift—we turn to a week of headlines that are getting harder to ignore.From a security scare at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to broader conversations around public safety, media narratives, and domestic violence, we unpack what these moments say about trust in our institutions. We also touch on headlines involving Jack Schlossberg and Kash Patel, along with growing concerns around harmful online spaces.We close with a grounded conversation about time, motherhood, and the gap between real life and the advice we’re constantly given plus a quick “hot or not” to keep things honest.(0:00) – Intro: Life before vs. after kids(0:12) – Welcome back & the motherhood episode premise(0:42) – Work-life balance this week(1:14) – The myth of "doing it all"(4:11) – Pop culture: Practical Magic 2 & Devil Wears Prada 2(5:58) – Taylor Swift's New York Times interview(9:54) – White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting(18:07) – Kash Patel drama & The Atlantic article(20:31) – The Rape Academy website(23:20) – Pardon My Reaction: Trump & Norah O'Donnell clip(25:57) – Diving into motherhood: What "busy" really means(42:30) – Don't Give a Fuck segment (appearance, nails, clothes)(47:24) – Hot or Not: Millennial Mom Edition(50:00) – Outro & Momarchy refresh announcementLearn more about:Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.Website: momarchypodcast.comYouTube: @momarchySubstack: @momarchyInstagram: @momarchypodcastTikTok: @momarchypodcastEmail: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Extremists are louder than ever, and we’re asking what happens to everyone stuck in between.In this week's episode we dive into the growing sense of political homelessness so many people are feeling right now. After opening with personal updates and pop-culture chatter, we unpack recent political headlines, including the resignations of Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales amid disturbing allegations, and discuss why accountability should never depend on party affiliation.From there, we explore five major forces fueling political extremism and the shrinking middle: social media algorithms, a fractured media landscape, primaries that reward the loudest voices, purity tests and messaging on the left, and MAGA’s transformation of the Republican Party. We also react to some of the more surreal moments in today’s political culture, from AI-generated Trump imagery to headline-chasing political stunts, before wrapping up with a “hot or not” segment on navigating political conversations with more nuance, honesty, and perspective.(0:00) – Intro / Teaser(0:11) – Welcome & Life Updates(7:27) – Political News: Swalwell & Gonzalez Resign(11:41) – Trump Updates (AI Jesus photo, Diet Coke, etc.)(13:10) – Door Dash Grandma(17:23) – Feeling Politically Homeless(21:36) – The Rise of Political Extremism: Overview(22:24) – #1: The Social Media Algorithm Problem(25:14) – #2: The Media Ecosystem Split (Fox, MSNBC, Podcasters)(30:07) – #3: The Primary System Rewards Extremists(32:46) – #4: The Left's Own Extremism Problems(41:04) – #5: MAGA & the Radicalization of the GOP(47:06) – Hot or Not: Millennial Mom Political Edition(52:02) – Outro & Final ThoughtsLearn more about:Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.Website: momarchypodcast.comYouTube: @momarchySubstack: @momarchyInstagram: @momarchypodcastTikTok: @momarchypodcastEmail: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

What is Christian nationalism and why is it becoming such a central part of the political conversation?In this episode, we're joined by CNN’s Chief Investigative Reporter reporter Pamela Brown to discuss her documentary on the rise of Christian nationalism and the viral interview that sparked widespread debate. Pamela explains how she defines the movement, why she believes it’s gaining political traction, and how it connects to conversations around education, policy, and political power.We also talk about navigating misinformation in the age of AI, how motherhood has shaped her perspective as a journalist, and the realities of balancing reporting with raising three kids — from childcare costs and parental leave to maternal mental health. What role does the media play in a polarized moment, and how should families make sense of the information coming at them from all sides?We discuss:(0:00) – Intro / Teaser(0:10) – Welcome & Host Check-in (Sarah's son's ER visit, Easter hosting)(5:13) – Trump's Easter Tweet & Iran Nuclear Threats(9:34) – Pop Culture: The Bachelorette / Mara Higgins(11:48) – Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Case Update(13:23) – Barbie Dreamhouse Conference (Fyre Fest of conferences)(14:45) – Trump on Daycare & Federal Programs (reaction)(17:58) – Isabelle Brown Clip: "Have More Kids"(22:34) – RFK Launching a Podcast(23:12) – Trump's Executive Order to Limit Mail-In Voting(29:21) – Pam Bondi Fired(31:17) – Kristi Noem's Husband's Double Life(35:16) – Guest Intro: Pamela Brown, CNN(37:53) – Interview with Pam Brown Begins(51:34) – Christian Nationalism Deep Dive(1:11:16) – DGAF 2026 Segment(1:18:58) – OutroLearn more about:Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.Website: momarchypodcast.comYouTube: @momarchySubstack: @momarchyInstagram: @momarchypodcastTikTok: @momarchypodcastEmail: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

What does reproductive healthcare actually look like on the front lines and why is there so much confusion around what’s legal?In this episode, Tanya and Sarah are joined by AJ Jacobs and Dr. Crista Irwin of Atlanta’s Feminist Center for Reproductive Liberation, featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary The Devil Is Busy, for a candid and eye opening conversation about providing care in Georgia today. We dive into what the documentary reveals from the stark contrast between protesters outside clinics and the reality of care happening inside, to the full scope of roles required to support patients safely and compassionately. AJ and Crista share what stood out most from the film and why these stories matter right now.In our “Make It Make Sense” spirit, we unpack Georgia’s law tied to early fetal cardiac activity, what it actually means in practice, and why confusion around abortion terminology and access is often intentional. We also explore what care is still available, including miscarriage management, certain exceptions, and the referral networks providers rely on when they cannot serve patients directly.AJ and Krista break down common myths like the idea that banning abortion stops it and explain how restrictions ripple far beyond abortion, impacting contraception, IVF, and gender-affirming care.What does it take to continue this work every day and what role do storytelling and advocacy play in shaping what comes next?(0:00) - Intro(0:10) - Host introductions & weekly check-in(1:22) - Guest teaser (Oscar-nominated documentary)(1:46) - Pop culture: Laguna Beach reunion(4:17) - Mom Talk drama (Jesse & Chase)(6:53) - Taylor Swift wins iHeartRadio award(9:56) - Political updates: Iran war & meme videos(15:27) - Guest intro: AJ & Crista from Feminist Center for Reproductive Liberation(20:05) - Discussion: The Devil Is Busy documentary(29:40) - What led our guests into reproductive healthcare work(33:57) - Making sense of reproductive rights & myths(41:38) - Pardon My Politics: Biggest myths about abortion, IVF, contraception(48:54) - OutroLearn more about:Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.Website: momarchypodcast.comYouTube: @momarchySubstack: @momarchyInstagram: @momarchypodcastTikTok: @momarchypodcastEmail: momarchypodcast@gmail.com 

March may be over, but it delivered no shortage of travel chaos, political tension, and headline-worthy pop culture moments, and we’re breaking it all down.In this episode, we start with the real-life stress so many are feeling right now: travel disruptions, long lines, and the growing presence of ICE agents at airports amid ongoing shutdown challenges. From TSA callouts in Atlanta to surprisingly smooth stroller-line wins, we share our own experiences while unpacking the broader concerns and how eerily accurate some of it feels compared to what we’re seeing portrayed on TV. From there, we zoom out to the political landscape, diving into divisions within Colorado and national Democratic politics ahead of the state convention. We talk about what’s at stake, the importance of unity, and react to Trump’s response to Robert Mueller’s passing.Then, the cultural side of the conversation, where accountability takes center stage. We break down the cancellation of the latest Bachelorette season featuring Taylor Frankie Paul after a resurfaced 2023 domestic violence video, and compare how different industries from reality TV to the NFL handle controversy, casting, and consequences.We also highlight Blue Wave Postcards as a simple, at-home way to stay engaged and take meaningful political action.From everyday experiences to bigger picture conversations, this episode ties together how the personal, political, and cultural are all more connected than they seem and why paying attention to all of it matters more than ever.(0:00) - Intro: The Bachelorette canceled & ICE at airports(0:09) - Welcome / Traveling with a toddler (TSA chaos)(10:34) - Democratic Party infighting & political update(17:42) - Blue Wave Postcards (get involved in elections)(21:08) - Pardon My Reaction segment(25:57) - Bachelorette canceled — Taylor Frankie Paul breakdown(25:57) - Reality TV accountability (Colton, Jessie Draper, Dakota)(25:57) - Caroline Levitt's press briefing reaction(28:39) - Trump's Pearl Harbor comment to Japan's PM(30:38) - Shoot the Shit — fun Q&A with Tanya & Sarah(37:30) - Hot or Not: Millennial Mom EditionLearn more about:Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.Website: momarchypodcast.comYouTube: @momarchySubstack: @momarchyInstagram: @momarchypodcastTikTok: @momarchypodcastEmail: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

Spring brings no shortage of headlines, but some feel almost too strange or too revealing to ignore.In this episode, we kick off with a mix of political and cultural commentary, from eyebrow raising reports of federal spending on seafood and a Steinway piano for the Air Force chief of staff to a DHS promotional video that left us with more questions than answers. We also react to a Turning Point USA clip promoting conservative “Club America” high school groups and unpack rising gas prices tied to tensions with Iran.Then we shift into pop culture chaos: Age of Attraction, the allegations involving Taylor Frankie Paul that paused Mormon Wives, and Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar win for Sinners. From there, we dive into the world of “looksmaxxing” where self-improvement tips like mewing quickly spiral into darker corners of the internet, intersecting with incel culture, the manosphere, and influencers like Andrew Tate, and increasingly bleeding into mainstream platforms and political identity.Finally, we zoom out to the bigger picture: why so many young men feel culturally and politically out of place, how that perception is shaping voting patterns, and what it signals for the future. We close with a reminder for parents to stay engaged with what their kids are consuming, model healthy values, and teach respect and self-worth early because in a world shaped online, what happens at home matters more than ever.We discuss: (This will be input towards the end of production) (0:00) Intro(0:11) Welcome to Momarchy(0:37) Pete Hegseth's $24M Seafood Scandal(4:29) Erica Kirk's "Young White Male Men" Speech(6:18) Joe Rogan on Gas Prices & the Iran War(8:19) Age of Attraction Reality Show(9:27) Taylor Frankie Paul & Bachelorette Drama(12:02) Michael B. Jordan Wins Best Picture(12:49) Main Topic: Looksmaxxing & the Manosphere(15:00) What Is Looksmaxxing?(15:41) What Is Mewing?(16:10) Avilar & Bone Smashing Explained(21:03) Andrew Tate on Women & Beauty(25:12) Why Young Men Are Struggling(34:16) The Manosphere as a Political Strategy(37:59) Advice for Parents(40:34) OutroLearn more about:Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.Website: momarchypodcast.comYouTube: @momarchySubstack: @momarchyInstagram: @momarchypodcastTikTok: @momarchypodcastEmail: momarchypodcast@gmail.com 

Caregiving is essential. So why does it feel so impossible to afford?In this episode, we’re joined by Sondra Goldschein, Executive Director of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, for a conversation that blends personal experience with the bigger picture of caregiving policy in the U.S.We dive into childcare costs, paid family leave, and why the U.S. still doesn’t have a guaranteed federal policy in place. In our “Make It Make Sense” spirit, we unpack how policy, economics, and everyday life collide for families trying to balance it all.We explore the rising cost of childcare often comparable to major household expenses and the challenges behind it, from childcare deserts to workforce dynamics. Sondra also shares her own experiences with caregiving, offering a personal lens on issues many families are navigating today.What will it take to move these conversations forward both in everyday life and at the policy level and make caregiving a bigger part of the national conversation?New York Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000010708448/vermont-affordable-childcare-act-76.html?smid=url-shareFamily Friendly Economy: https://familyfriendlyeconomy.org/(0:00) - Intro(0:41) - Weekly life updates(3:16) - Pop culture: Oscars & new TV shows(6:02) - Costco offering affordable fertility treatments(7:52) - Kristi Noem fired / New DHS pick(10:55) - Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales scandal(14:15) - Pardon My Reaction clips(19:42) - Women's History Month: Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler(22:58) - Guest: Sandra Goldin on the family economy crisis(44:30) - DGAF segment: Unfiltered mom talkLearn more about:Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.Website: momarchypodcast.comYouTube: @momarchySubstack: @momarchyInstagram: @momarchypodcastTikTok: @momarchypodcastEmail: momarchypodcast@gmail.com

The State of the Union makes big promises. We’re here to talk about what they actually mean.In this episode of Momarchy, we react to Trump’s second State of the Union of the term and break down the themes and claims that stood out most. In our “Make It Make Sense” segment, we walk through five key takeaways from the speech, starting with the administration’s optimistic economic messaging and how it compares to what many families are experiencing right now with affordability challenges, layoffs, and tariffs.We also discuss the speech’s focus on immigration and crime, looking at how statistics and rhetoric shape the broader political conversation. From there, we unpack proposals around prescription drug pricing and why the plan raised questions about how it would realistically move forward without clear support from Congress. The conversation also touches on the “Delilah law” and how cases like this are being used to frame the narrative around undocumented immigrants.Another major topic is the SAVE Act, which we examine through the lens of voter access and the potential complications it could create—particularly for married women whose legal documents may not match after name changes. We also discuss escalating tensions with Iran and concerns about U.S. military planning.To close the episode, we highlight a story for Women’s History Month: Mary Surratt, a Washington, D.C., boardinghouse owner who was convicted of participating in the conspiracy that led to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. She became the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government. Surratt maintained her innocence until her death, and historians continue to debate how much she actually knew about the plot.(0:00) Intro(1:50) Pop Culture Updates(1:57) The Traitors Finale & Rob's Win(4:08) Connor Bedard Hosts SNL / Women's Hockey(6:23) Ashley Tisdale's Toxic Mom Group Article(12:04) Iran & Pete Hegseth(15:50) Shoutouts & Subscribe(16:21) Make It Make Sense: State of the Union Edition(34:18) Pardon My Politics: Reactions to the SOTU(37:34) Women's History: Mary Surratt(40:52) Hot or Not: Millennial Mom Edition(45:08) Closing & OutroLearn more about:Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.Website: momarchypodcast.comYouTube: @momarchySubstack: @momarchyInstagram: @momarchypodcastTikTok: @momarchypodcastEmail: momarchypodcast@gmail.com