Shannon Watts: Gen Z Should Stay in the Game

PUSH The Next Generation

In this episode, Shannon Watts joins PUSH The Next Generation host, Ashley Jackson, for a post-election conversation on Gen Z’s unique position to reshape the political landscape through grassroots activism. As the founder of Moms Demand Action – the largest grassroots group fighting gun violence in the United States – Shannon reflects on the power of coalition-building to drive legislative change. Embracing her political calling to mobilize white women, Shannon recounts hosting “White Women: Answer the Call” – a record-breaking Zoom event inspired by Win With Black Women that raised over $11 million for Kamala Harris’ campaign. Shannon underscores the importance of celebrating wins and embracing setbacks as opportunities to “lose forward,” highlighting how incrementalism can spark revolutions.

Together, she and Ashley confront the dual threats of misinformation and disengagement, while exploring the importance of allyship and accountability in activism. Shannon dissects former President Trump’s appeal to young men and the widening gap between college-educated and non-educated women at the polls. She speaks to the role of spiritual grounding and righteous anger, stressing the value of holding space for grief and cautioning against rushing to conclusions without the full picture. True to her “firestarter” spirit, Shannon calls for more women to run for office, reminding listeners that there is no “right time” to step into leadership. Her message to Gen Z and Gen Alpha is clear – stay engaged, keep showing up, and remember, “if you’re not at the table, you may be on the menu.”

Don’t miss this special episode of PUSH The Next Generation—tune in today!

Pre-order Shannon Watts's book, Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame at Any Age.

Produced by MurMur Impact.

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