Forever35 Podcast

Episode 375: The Places We Have Real Power with Melissa Walker
Release Date: October 27, 2025
Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Guest: Melissa Walker (The States Project)

Overview of Episode Theme

In this episode, Doree and Elise welcome back Melissa Walker—author, political strategist, and leader at the States Project—to discuss where individuals can reclaim and exert real power in American democracy, particularly through state legislatures. Along with practical organizing advice, Melissa shares hopeful perspectives on how local action can reverberate nationally. The conversation also weaves in the hosts’ characteristic warmth, humor, and real-life anecdotes about self-care, family routines, and personal intentions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up: Libraries, Decluttering, & Family Life

Timestamps: 01:13–11:26

• Doree shares highlights from her parents’ visit, including discovering the Beverly Hills Library
  • “Fun fact… if you are a resident of California, you can get a library card in any city.” (04:26, Doree)
• Elise gets nostalgic upon finding her grandfather’s 1980s St. Louis County Library card
• The hosts discuss the joys and occasional absurdity of decluttering family spaces
  • Elise’s husband Rob brings humor to Facebook Marketplace ads (“…when else can I write advertising without bosses telling me to fix it or edit it or tone it down or whatever?” – 09:02, Elise)

2. Melissa Walker on Self-Care

Timestamps: 16:08–17:56

• Melissa’s current self-care: a luxurious weighted, lilac-scented sleep mask gifted by her 10-year-old daughter
  • “It’s just this like homemade one from a BO in Brooklyn… it rests on my eyes. It’s a nice little weight. It has a lovely lilac scent and I find it very relaxing.” (16:47, Melissa)

3. Power of Protest and Civic Action

Timestamps: 18:03–21:13

• Acknowledging the recent mass “No Kings” demonstrations across the U.S.—the largest single-day protests in American history
  • Melissa remarks on the “joy and togetherness” in the crowds and stresses the necessity of unafraid assembly as a democratic value
    • “It is a key element of democracy that we have to keep alive.” (19:05, Melissa)
    • “It all sounds kind of like a soft skill… but us all coming together to be out there protesting is very important to keep that fear at bay…” (19:23, Melissa)
• Elise raises skepticism about whether national opposition is strong or effective, cueing up a deeper discussion of where lasting power can be claimed

4. Why State Legislatures Matter Most

Timestamps: 21:13–24:05

• Melissa reframes the power landscape:
  • State legislatures function as 50 “mini congresses” with major influence over daily life (education, healthcare, environment, civil rights)
  • Media and public attention defaults to Congress/Presidency, but real and fast change often happens at the state level
• Example wins:
  • Holding the Pennsylvania House by 63 votes, flipping 14 seats in Wisconsin, and breaking a North Carolina supermajority by 228 votes
    • “This is real governing power…” (23:13, Melissa)

5. 2025 Elections: The Make-or-Break Role of Virginia

Timestamps: 24:05–27:43

• Virginia's House of Delegates election on November 4th is the immediate focus for the States Project and the Forever35 Giving Circle
• With current Democratic one-seat margins in both chambers, the outcome can:
  • Maintain a wall against the right-wing governor’s agenda (especially re: abortion access)
  • Set up a potential “trifecta” (Governor, House, Senate)—unlocking more progressive policies and resilient inter-state alliances
    • “If we lose… the message… is that there is no political gravity for the Trump administration, that there is no electoral consequence for what they are doing.” (25:28, Melissa)
    • “But if we… deepen [the majority] by a couple seats… we really could show that there is momentum on our side and give us great, great, great movement going into the midterms.” (26:58, Melissa)

6. Strategic Giving and Grassroots Action: How Listeners Can Make a Difference

Timestamps: 27:43–31:01

• Where do donor dollars go?
  • 100% to targeted candidates/districts in key states—never siphoned off by mailing lists or overhead
• Door Knocking Challenge (Melissa’s Favorite Tactic)
  • Candidates compete in direct voter contacts for additional funding; incentivizes real-time, localized persuasion (28:20–29:01)
  • Proven to “move the needle” in close-seat districts
• Ad Testing & Local Press Support
  • Ensures campaign messaging resonates with local voters and candidates get visibility in small markets
• Difference between candidate door-knocking (persuasion) and volunteer canvassing (mobilizing voter turnout)

7. The Supreme Court, Redistricting, and the Fight for Voting Rights

Timestamps: 34:59–40:09

• Melissa explains the cycle: state legislatures draft laws that rise to the Supreme Court
  • E.g., the Mississippi law that overturned Roe v. Wade; upcoming Louisiana case that may gut the Voting Rights Act
• Redistricting Wars: States with right-wing legislatures potentially reshaping the House “before a single ballot is cast”
  • “If you care about the Supreme Court, you should care about state legislatures because… many [cases]… come out of state legislatures.” (36:01, Melissa)
  • California (Prop 50) and other blue states are taking defensive action; listeners urged to “see where the power is” beneath the headlines

8. Hope, Career Change, and the Personal Side of Activism

Timestamps: 40:09–44:56

• Melissa’s personal path: From YA author and magazine editor to political strategist began out of “passion-slash-horror” following the 2016 election—proof that nontraditional careers can have big impact in activism
  • “One of my transferable skills… was taking complex things and telling a story about them in simpler ways… bringing that same, like, author presenting in a library attitude actually can be very helpful…” (43:39, Melissa)
• Encouraging words for others considering mid-career pivots

9. Strategic Giving: No More Donor’s Remorse

Timestamps: 44:56–46:03

• Donors to the Forever 35/States Project Giving Circles are not added to intrusive campaign lists (“you won’t get contacted by campaigns or candidates after giving to the community Giving Circle”—44:56, Melissa)
• “Friends don’t let friends give non-strategic political donations… my dollars really, really, really matter here.” (45:19, Melissa)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you care about the Supreme Court, you should care about state legislatures because… many [cases]… come out of state legislatures.” (36:01, Melissa)
• “There are places where we as individuals can do something… That is the hopeful part.” (40:23, Melissa)
• “It all seems very natural, even though it doesn’t make sense. And actually, I was just updating my resume, and it doesn’t make any sense… But I actually remind myself of that when we’re hiring at the States Project… You never know, you know?” (42:44, Melissa)
• “Friends don’t let friends give non-strategic political donations.” (45:19, Melissa)

Segment Timestamps

• Family & Library Catch-Up: 01:13–11:26
• Melissa’s Self-Care & Introduction: 16:08–17:56
• Protests & Power of Assembly: 18:03–21:13
• State Legislature Focus: 21:13–24:05
• Virginia’s Pivotal Election: 24:05–27:43
• Strategic Giving, Door Knocking, & Mobilization: 27:43–31:01
• Supreme Court, Redistricting & National Stakes: 34:59–40:09
• Hope, Career Change, & Storytelling in Activism: 40:09–44:56
• Final Push for Strategic Donating: 44:56–46:03

Tone & Style

Conversational, candid, and encouraging—with a blend of humor and urgency. The hosts’ rapport creates a safe, welcoming space, while Melissa Walker provides deeply strategic and hopeful wisdom without minimizing the challenges. The episode is both practical and inspirational, motivating listeners to channel anxiety into focused, local action.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• State legislatures are where everyday people can exert real power—often far more than in national politics.
• Giving strategically and supporting ground-level, local campaigns can have outsized impact.
• Hope is found in community and collective action, not doomscrolling or despair.
• Career shifts (even wild ones) are possible and can make real change.
• Self-care, joy, and activism can and should coexist.

Links Mentioned

• Forever 35 Giving Circle
• States Project

Summary prepared for Forever35 Podcast Episode 375
For listeners who want the essence—without missing the heart and humor—of this essential guide to reclaiming power in uncertain times.