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This episode of Moms Against the Machine doesn’t do “short news week.” Chelsey and Jenn dig into two stories that powerful people would rather you scroll past: the continuing revelations from the Epstein files, and the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Part I: Epstein
Chelsey traces the story through the voices of survivors — Marina Lacerda, Haley Robson, Liz Stein, Lisa Phillips, and others — who are standing on Capitol Hill, demanding that America stop pretending their trauma is a hoax. She walks listeners through decades of institutional betrayal: the FBI ignoring Maria Farmer in 1996, Alex Acosta’s 2007 sweetheart deal that protected Epstein’s network, the Department of Justice giving Ghislaine Maxwell yoga classes and interviews while survivors were silenced, and Congress burying real transparency under political stunts. Survivors call it what it is: a cover-up. And Chelsey doesn’t hold back on naming names — from Cornyn’s silence to Cruz’s selective outrage to Gooden’s cowardly disappearance.

Part II: Gaza
Jenn turns the mic toward Gaza, where famine is official, children are starving, and siege is being enforced with bullets, bombs, and silence. She tells the story of the Global Sumud Flotilla — ordinary people from 40+ countries sailing flour and medicine straight into danger, carrying a moral conscience world leaders abandoned. She describes Palestinians etching “We Are Waiting” and “Sumud” into the sand, American veterans dragged out of Senate hearings for demanding accountability, and journalists killed in record numbers to erase the witnesses. Jenn’s message is urgent: silence is not neutral. AIPAC money, U.S. complicity, and political cowardice are fueling this atrocity, and it will only end if people refuse to look away.

Together
This episode is about survivors — of trafficking and of siege — standing in their truth when every institution failed them. It’s about the systems that protect the powerful, silence the vulnerable, and rely on public exhaustion to keep their secrets. And it’s about refusing that silence. Because whether it’s a teenage girl in Epstein’s mansion or a starving child in Gaza, the question is the same: who will be brave enough to keep telling the truth when power demands you shut up?

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In this episode of Moms Against the Machine, Chelsey and Jenn dig into the true history of American policing — a story rarely told in textbooks. From slave patrols in the South to strikebreakers in the North, from the Thibodaux Massacre in Louisiana’s sugar fields to the brutality of Jim Crow sheriffs, Chelsey traces how policing was designed not to protect the public but to enforce control. She connects this legacy to the Civil Rights Movement, the beating of John Lewis, the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson, and the long line of modern victims — Sandra Bland, Freddie Gray, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Tyre Nichols, and more.

Jenn brings the story into the present: what became of the calls to defund the police, the reforms promised under Biden, the rollbacks under Trump, the militarization of local departments, and the sight of American cities under what looks like military occupation. Together, they confront the uncomfortable truth: police violence is not an aberration, but a system functioning exactly as it was built to do.

This is not a light episode, but it is a necessary one — for anyone who grew up believing the myth that police exist to protect and serve, and who is ready to hear the history that Black communities and other marginalized groups have long known firsthand.

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This week on Moms Against the Machine, we connect the dots between a White House bent on control and a Texas government following suit. From Trump’s weaponized TikTok—used to intimidate protesters and bury scandals—to ICE’s secretive detention empire stretching from Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” to Fort Bliss’s new mega-facility, the message is clear: silence dissent, erase rights, and call it “order.” Add in armed National Guard patrols in D.C., a looming federal ban on mail voting, and Trump cozying up to Putin while his DOJ shields Epstein’s network, and you’ve got a blueprint for authoritarianism masquerading as governance.

Meanwhile, Texas is perfecting that playbook. Gerrymandered maps, detained legislators, over 100 polling sites erased in Tarrant County, and a public education system gutted for donor profit show how far state leaders will go to lock in power. Flood victims are ignored, vouchers drain classrooms, and Abbott’s billionaire backers cash out while Texans pay the price. This isn’t isolated chaos—it’s coordinated control. And we’re here to call it what it is, expose the players, and demand better.

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🌵 Wildfires, Park Crimes, and Trail Snacks

This week, Chelsey and Jenn welcome a guest who lives right outside Joshua Tree National Park. She’s worked in California’s state park system, survived wildfires too close for comfort, and is a walking ad for the library pass program.

We talk wildfire realities, behind-the-scenes stories from park work, and the fight to protect Joshua trees as protections roll back. Plus: a trivia game on “park crimes,” quickfire trail snack debates, and a few confessions you probably shouldn’t make in front of a ranger.

Part serious, part absurd — just like the fight to keep our parks safe, wild, and for everyone.

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This week we’re covering ICE’s latest due process violations in New York and Dallas, the Miccosukee Tribe’s fight against “Alligator Alcatraz” in endangered species habitat, dangerous NIH cuts and the return of eugenics-era “autism lists,” and the Texas aquifer battle over water privatization. We dig into Congress ducking a vote on the Epstein files, Trump’s shifting excuses, and Texas redistricting chaos — from bomb threats to Beto suing Ken Paxton, who’s still dodging his own subpoena. We close with a call to action: get trained as a Volunteer Deputy Registrar, help register voters, and join efforts like Powered by People to turn frustration into real political power.

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/622514/

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In this episode of "Moms Against the Machine," we delve into the intricate web of political decisions affecting our national parks. From budget cuts and corporate land grabs to the rise of eco-fascism, we explore how these actions threaten the very essence of our public lands. Join us as we highlight the stories of women like Minerva Hamilton Hoyt and Rachel Carson, who fought tirelessly to protect these natural treasures. Discover the ongoing challenges and what you can do to stand up for our parks and preserve them for future generations.

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In this episode, Jennifer and Chelsey dive into the heart of cultural and social commentary, exploring the chaotic landscape of current events. From the intricacies of local protests and community resistance to the broader implications of political decisions, they offer a candid look at the issues shaping our world. Join them as they navigate through the noise, offering insights and sparking conversations that matter. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and encourages active engagement in today's pressing matters.

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In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss the challenges and triumphs of working at the NIH with Chelsey's Aunt Vicky, particularly focusing on the journey of a woman who rose from an administrative assistant to a grant funding specialist. They explore themes of gender discrimination, the importance of science funding, and the impact of political changes on public health initiatives. The discussion also touches on personal stories, the challenges of navigating the workplace, and the significance of trust in science, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges of navigating illness in a work culture that often prioritizes attendance over health. They reflect on the contributions of women in science, the historical lack of representation in education, and the importance of mentorship and leadership in scientific fields. The impact of political climate on scientific integrity and public health communication is also explored, particularly during the Trump era. The speakers emphasize the significance of funding in scientific research and share personal reflections on their careers, offering advice for future generations considering public service.

📝 “Dear America, I’m a mom and I…”
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📧 citizensagainstlancegooden@gmail.com
📸 Insta @citizensagainstlancegooden
🎥 TikTok: @citizens.vs.gooden