Today on It’s Giving, host Ingela Travers-Hayward talks with the incredible August Ponthier. On top of releasing their fantastic debut album Everywhere Isn't Texas this year, August is a deeply thoughtful non-binary artist using their voice to champion trans advocacy and bodily autonomy.

In this episode, August takes us back to their roots in Texas, breaking down how old-school country music was actually working-class protest music -- and how they’re reclaiming that Southern space for the LGBTQ+ community. We talk about their personal journey coming out, why trans rights and reproductive rights are essentially the exact same fight, and what it really looks like to protect your community when the local politics get heavy.

Once you’re done listening, check out and support the incredible organization August works with: the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), a vital BIPOC trans-led policy group doing the literal boots-on-the-ground work to advocate, educate, and protect trans individuals at the Texas Capitol!

"The fight for reproductive rights and the fight for trans rights are essentially the same fight. It's about bodily autonomy."

Dive into exclusive behind-the-scenes insights by following our Substack: ⁠⁠https://itsgivingpod.substack.com⁠

If you loved this chat, please leave a rating, drop a review, and subscribe to support our mission. Don't miss next Wednesday's release, where I'll introduce another incredible artist leveraging their platform for meaningful advocacy!

On this week's episode of It’s Giving, host Ingela Travers-Hayward sits down with Dr. Dog drummer Eric Slick, a musician who has woven social justice into his creative life since his youth. They explore his foundational experiences organizing benefits in high school, his evolution navigating political accountability on tour, and his enduring focus on lifting up neurodivergent communities and individuals with special needs.

Eric shares a grounded perspective on the structural inequalities that impact touring artists and vulnerable neighborhoods alike, shedding light on the stark wealth disparities he witnesses across the country. He reflects openly on confronting imposter syndrome as an ally, the limits of online spaces when it comes to true nuance, and why localized, mutual aid is the ultimate antidote to global despair.

"If our own government can't take care of us, then we have to take care of each other."

Dive into exclusive behind-the-scenes insights by following our Substack: ⁠https://itsgivingpod.substack.com

If you loved this chat, please leave a rating, drop a review, and subscribe to support our mission. Don't miss next Wednesday's release, where I'll introduce another incredible artist leveraging their platform for meaningful advocacy!

On this episode of It’s Giving, host Ingela Travers-Hayward is joined by Sadie Dupuis from Speedy Ortiz, a musician whose life as a touring artist and passion for community building have always coexisted. This conversation dives into her history of advocacy, focusing on her work with United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) and her deep commitment to grassroots harm reduction.

Sadie opens up about the gritty reality of organizing music workers, from launching campaigns during the early days of COVID-19 to getting vital resources into nightlife spaces. She continues her work today, primarily focusing on the hyper importance of work at the local level in her home-base of Philadelphia. This conversation offers a candid look at why social media algorithms aren't built to save us, and how harm reduction serves as a deeply grounding, human-scale framework for navigating a tough world.

"Give five dollars. It makes a difference to people in your neighborhood. If you have the ability to donate your time, go pass stuff out with a group for an hour or two."

Follow along with behind-the-scenes notes and resources on the causes each musician champions: ⁠https://itsgivingpod.substack.com

Enjoyed the show? Rate, review, and subscribe to help us keep these essential conversations going. Keep an eye out for Episode 7 next Wednesday, where we continue to explore the intersection of the music industry and advocacy!