25. Spotlight : with Asha Dornfest // Author and Engaged Citizen

WELCOME TO EPISODE 25. OF GET YOUR HEART ON!

“Political engagement doesn’t have to be a grand gesture it can literally be small actions that people take an hour in a week or even just once that they can fit into their regular life. – There are lots and lots of ways to have an impact “ – Asha Dornfest

It’s Guest Feature time on Get Your Heart On – Who’s ready?!

In this Spotlight episode, I can’t wait for you to meet today’s truly inspiring, go-getter guest Asha Dornfest!

I know you’re going to be so fired up after today’s episode and ready to get that big heart of yours into some serious democracy action!

Asha Dornfest is a writer, podcaster, and community builder. She’s the author, most recently, of PARENT HACKS, 134 Genius Shortcuts for Life with Kids. – – –

She’s the co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast, and the parent of two almost-adults. She’s currently working to spread the word about Democracy Club, a model for political participation that’s as fun and easy as a book club.

Asha lives in Portland, Oregon with her family.

Today, In this Spotlight feature, we’re going to be talking about all the tangible, step by step ways we can help play a part in our democracy, no matter how you feel about politics or which candidates you support.– Plus we’ll be talking self-care, community building, and why it all matters….

Ok, Let’s go!

HIGHLIGHTS // SHOW NOTES

00:35 Forward
3:23 Introduction
9:20 Getting to know Asha: Hobbies, Interests
12:00 Work Backstory leading up to where she is today
17:45 How Asha got started with grassroots democracy work via an online community she created called Persisters PDX as a way to gather friends to lobby congressional representatives.
23:00 The Democracy Club Overview – A book club, but for democracy.
27:00 Having fun and energy while doing big important work
30:00 The Democracy Club // The Details + The Benefits + Sample Ideas of what you could do in your club.
37:00 Voting – How to register? Should you vote by mail? How to help friends.
39:00 Does my vote matter? What if my favorite candidate didn’t get picked? Asha shares her thoughts.
41:30 How to talk to friends or family about politics?
43:20 What else could I do to help with the election coming up this November?
45:00 Asha’s top 2 self-care tips + How to keep going when BIG THINGS happen?
52:38 1 way to Pay it Forward
53:50 Wrap up

GET YOUR HEART ON // CALL TO ACTION

In every Spotlight episode, I’m going to ask my guest if there’s one way we can collectively Get Our Hearts On to help them to help someone or pay it forward right now.

Are you ready to help Asha spread some Super Love?! – Heck YES!

Then join in to Get Your Heart On by participating in a meal train or cooking your fav dish, baked goods or yummy treat to share with someone! I think my mouth is watering already! 🙂

And / Or put little notes in your neighbor’s mailbox and offer to drop off their ballots on election day!

RESOURCES // LINKS // GOODIES

• Asha Dornfest – Website
• Book – Author, most recently, of PARENT HACKS, 134 Genius Shortcuts for Life with Kids.
• Podcast – Co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast
• Asha Dornfest – Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – Say hello + follow along!
• The Democracy Club + Download your Free Guide
• One stop shop for all things Voting – vote411.org
• Asha’s favorite action video series: voteplus1.org – Helping you to do more than Vote.

Asha, Thank you so much for spending your time with us today and for openly sharing your work and personal stories. This was so informative and positive and helpful!

I have to say I was kind of giggling at myself while researching for this episode wondering what the heck I was doing talking about politics and democracy as it’s not typically my comfort zone – but you made it so easy and not intimidating and supportive!!

And Thank YOU to everyone who joined us today…. I hope you are even more inspired and ready to share your big amazing heart with others in your own beautiful way.

Let’s Go!
: ) gia

P.S. Make sure to hit SUBSCRIBE on Apple podcasts or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. And if you want me to also personally let you know when a new episode comes out all you have to do is sign up right here and I’ve got you!