Forever35 Podcast Replay – Episode 351: “Do Something, Somewhere, Soon” with Stacey Abrams (December 24, 2025)
Episode Overview
In this replay of a May 2025 conversation, co-hosts Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu sit down with the indefatigable politician, author, and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams. This lively, insightful, and inspiring episode touches on the intersection of empathy and advocacy, fear, ambition, creative craft, and the practical realities of self-care, all wrapped in Abrams’ signature warmth and humor. While the original release aired in spring, the team considers the lessons evergreen—perfect for year-end reflection or new year motivation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Early Lessons in Courage and Empathy
- First Plane Trip Story (07:45)
- Stacey recounts her first flight at age 12 or 13 as a Girl Scout, where she was left behind due to apparent, possibly race-related disagreements amongst parents.
- Instead of giving up, she insisted on going anyway, influenced by her parents’ example as civil rights activists.
- “My very first plane trip was an act of, you know, bravery, stupidity, whatever you want to call it.” – Stacey Abrams (08:29)
2. About “Stacy Speaks Up”: Empathy Paired with Action (10:08)
- Abrams’ newest children’s book, Stacy Speaks Up, focuses on the journey from recognizing a problem to taking action, modeled in a school lunchroom scenario.
- Key theme: Marrying empathy and advocacy—helping children understand that while you can't always solve problems for others, you can create space and support for them to solve it themselves.
3. The Reality of School Lunches & Action Steps for Listeners (11:27)
- Insights on current threats to federally subsidized meals, underlining that almost a quarter of U.S. children experience hunger at any given moment.
- Urges listeners to contact their representatives at every government level and involve children in advocacy.
- “Often as adults, we want to do the thing to fix the problem, but we forget that the problems keep coming back.” – Stacey Abrams (12:40)
4. Modeling Empathy and Responsibility to Children (14:06)
- Abrams lays out a three-step approach for adults:
- Honesty – Acknowledge and share mistakes with children.
- Remorse – Demonstrate genuine apology.
- Remedy – Actively work on solutions and involve kids in the process.
- “Everything Everywhere All at Once is a great title for a film. It is a terrible mission statement. Our job is to do something somewhere soon.” – Stacey Abrams (15:22)
5. On Her Thrillers & Writing Process
- On Avery Keene Series (17:02)
- Next book: Coded Justice coming July 15, featuring legal intrigue, corporate cover-ups, and charismatic protagonists.
- Incorporating Real-World Complexities (19:02)
- Abrams translates intricate social issues (cryptocurrency, bioethics, grid resilience) into gripping, accessible narratives.
- “My job is to pull [big, hairy problems] closer, to make it interesting and fun and exciting to learn about.” – Stacey Abrams (20:40)
- Writing Methodology (24:02)
- Genre-first approach; outlines fully before characters inevitably “do what they're going to do.”
- Both disciplined and flexible—admits to being “a conduit for my imagination.”
6. Self-Care Practices: TV, Books, Comfort and Escapism
- Abrams describes watching “an inordinate amount of television” as her go-to self-care (26:30).
- Comfort watches: The West Wing, Reacher, The Diplomat, Black Doves.
- Enjoys TV for its emotional matchmaking, easy return to favorites, and challenge to herself.
7. Future Writing Ambitions
- Next genre target: Science Fiction, inspired by her love for Star Trek and Doctor Who (29:47).
8. On Community and the Power of Storytelling
- Emphasizes the importance of being among writers and readers for collective imagining of better worlds (30:55).
- “When people say, pick a lane, I've just decided I'm on a freeway.” – Stacey Abrams (30:59)
- Writing is intertwined with her activism; both are about crafting the narrative of who we are.
9. Desert Island Books (32:55)
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman
- Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts
- The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead
- Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
10. Midlife Career Changes, Fear, and Ambition
- Guidance for those seeking pivots:
- Recognize your ambition
- Make friends with your fear (“Take my fear out to lunch, find out its favorite wine...” – 34:25)
- Ask for help—don’t go it alone
- Age isn’t a barrier: Shares her parents became ministers at 40, even with six kids at home (36:33).
- “It’s not that bad if you don’t get it. I don’t define myself by what I get, I define myself by what I try.” – Stacey Abrams (37:34)
11. Finding Hope and Providing Leadership in Troubled Times
- In the face of “hostile government takeover”:
- Listen to Abrams’ podcast (Assembly Required) for demystification and practical guidance.
- Focus on the problems you can touch; collective efforts matter.
- Leadership is not about new figureheads, but about people stepping up together.
- “The best way to defeat tyranny is to not let it defeat us... We can all be part of providing leadership.” – Stacey Abrams (40:46)
12. Beauty & Skin Care Indulgences (41:22)
- Abrams’ favorites: Rare Beauty (for quick, easy fixes), Fenty (for a hydrated look), and Pat McGrath (for “lightest weight things that make you look like you were born to somebody who actually had money”).
- “I still don’t know how to contour, but I can fake it.” – Stacey Abrams (42:34)
13. Upcoming Projects & Engagement Opportunities
- Coded Justice out July 15; tour and updates via Abrams’ social media.
- Invitation for listener engagement: “Let me know what you want to read about. I know I’ve got to get a science fiction novel written soon...” (43:18)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Taking Action:
“Everything Everywhere All at Once is a great title for a film. It is a terrible mission statement. Our job is to do something somewhere soon.” – Stacey Abrams (15:22) - On Living with Fear:
“Fear is real, but it can’t be the only thing you feel... I like to take my fear out to lunch, find out its favorite wine…” – Stacey Abrams (34:25) - On Trying New Things at Any Age:
“It’s not that bad if you don’t get it. I don’t define myself by what I get, I define myself by what I try.” – Stacey Abrams (37:34) - On the Power of Stories:
“The way we imagine a world is often how we create the next moment that we live.” – Stacey Abrams (31:29) - On Skincare Joys:
“Pat McGrath puts out some of the lightest weight things that make you look like you were born to somebody who actually had money.” – Stacey Abrams (41:50)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 07:45: Stacey Abrams’ first plane trip & life lessons in courage
- 10:08: Introduction to Stacy Speaks Up and its message
- 11:27: School lunch policy & practical advocacy advice
- 14:06: Modeling empathy and responsibility with children
- 17:02: The next Avery Keene thriller & writing about real-world issues
- 24:02: Abrams’ step-by-step writing process
- 26:30: TV as self-care; comfort viewing recommendations
- 29:47: Plans to write a science fiction novel
- 30:55: On the power and necessity of community among writers/readers
- 32:55: Desert island book selections
- 34:25: On fear, ambition, and changing careers
- 36:33: Age is not a barrier to change
- 38:20: Guidance for seeking hope and leadership in tough times
- 41:22: Beauty favorites and skincare must-haves
- 43:18: Where to follow Abrams & invitation for engagement
Final Thoughts
This episode is a masterclass in pairing self-acceptance and ambition with concrete action, whether you’re a creative, a parent, or a citizen looking for your place in change-making. Abrams inspires listeners to claim ambition without apology, to know and listen to fear, and to understand that progress starts with small, intentional acts—“do something, somewhere, soon.”
Her warmth, candor, and humor light up every exchange, making this replay as fresh and timely as ever. For fans of her fiction, activism, or just great conversation, this is not to be missed.