Them Before Us Podcast Summary

Episode: #062 | Post Election Recap | What Does a Trump Presidency Mean for Children's Rights?
Release Date: November 7, 2024
Hosts: Jenn and Katy
Guests: Josh Wood and Patience Sunny

1. Introduction

In this special post-presidential election edition of the Them Before Us Podcast, hosts Jenn and Katy welcome guests Josh Wood and Patience Sunny. The discussion centers around the implications of the recent election results for children’s rights, examining shifts in political landscapes and the future of advocacy.

2. Election Results and Overview

Jenn opens the conversation by breaking down the election outcomes using Fox News election desk numbers:

• Donald Trump secured 277 electoral votes, maintaining a map that appears typical with expected red and blue states.
• Senate Majority: The Republicans gained three seats, holding a total of 52 seats.
• House of Representatives: The Republicans picked up four seats, now holding 198 seats.

Jenn notes, “It does feel like a mandate” (02:00), reflecting on the uniform swing towards one direction, though recognizing it’s not exclusively a pro-child mandate.

3. Abortion Amendments and Voter Confusion

Patience Sunny delves into the specifics of abortion-related ballot initiatives:

• Florida’s Amendment 4 was defeated, a significant victory for children’s right to life, especially with a heartbeat ban in place.
• South Dakota also saw its constitutional right to abortion amendment defeated.
• Nebraska had closely contested pro-life and pro-choice initiatives, both winning by narrow margins, highlighting voter confusion.

Patience observes, “there's a lot of confusion among voters about what these various amendments do when they go to the ballot” (04:00), emphasizing the complexity and mixed emotions voters face on abortion issues.

4. Republican Coalition Shifts and Values-Based Voting

Josh Wood discusses the evolving Republican coalition:

• The coalition is more diverse than ever, with increased support from Black and Hispanic men.
• Emphasis has shifted towards values-based voting rather than identity politics.
• Effective Republican messaging focused on common sense values and family protection.

Josh remarks, “Trump is going to win Hispanic men outright as a category, which, again, is wild” (03:30), highlighting the unexpected breadth of support.

5. Critique of the Left's Compassion and Empathy Limits

The conversation turns to the left’s approach to compassion and empathy:

• Criticism of liberal policies perceived as overreaching empathy, such as the ad showing Kamala Harris advocating for free transgender care for illegal migrants.
• Concerns that unchecked compassion can lead to policy extremes that may harm societal structures, especially the nuclear family.

Josh states, “the left catches those people who maybe lack opportunity... but when that compassion goes unchecked, it does create a situation where empathy has no limits” (07:00), underscoring the need for balanced compassion.

6. Future Directions for Children's Rights Advocacy

Patience and Josh explore the future landscape for children’s rights advocates:

• Shift Towards the Center: Both parties may move towards more centrist positions as a response to the election results.
• Evolution of the Republican Platform: Adaptations on abortion and marriage issues indicate potential alignment with children’s rights.
• Necessity for Continued Advocacy: Emphasis on presenting data and personal stories to influence legislative and cultural changes.

Patience notes, “We're going to see possibly both parties shifting towards the center” (10:43), suggesting a strategic pivot in political approaches.

7. Importance of Personal Stories and Data in Advocacy

Jenn highlights the significance of combining data with personal narratives in advocacy efforts:

• Impact of Personal Stories: Sharing individual experiences can humanize issues like IVF and abortion, making the case more compelling.
• Data-Driven Arguments: Utilizing statistics and factual information to support the pro-child movement.

Jenn explains, “the kids' stories are really important... it's the story of children impacted by these things” (16:07), emphasizing the dual approach of data and storytelling.

8. Role of Corporate Policies in Supporting Children's Rights

Patience Sunny discusses the influence of corporate policies on children’s well-being:

• HR Policies: Companies’ benefits can significantly impact children, such as healthcare coverage for families.
• Open Enrollment Season: Encourages individuals and organizations to adopt pro-child HR policies.

Patience advises, “people can get involved in learning about HR policies and how the benefits that companies are offering can either hurt or help kids” (31:40), advocating for proactive engagement in corporate settings.

9. Final Thoughts and Resources

As the episode wraps up, Jenn and the guests share final insights and resources for listeners:

• Optimism for Advocacy: Confidence in the movement’s ability to change hearts and minds through continued efforts.
• Resources Available: Encouragement to visit thembeforeus.com, join newsletters, engage with local events, and utilize the podcast as an educational tool.
• Small Group Curriculum: Introduction of a video series integrating the movement’s principles with Christian ethics, complete with workbooks for personal or group study.

Jenn concludes, “if you want to support what we're doing, you can always head to thembeforeus.com... tune in to our podcast to learn more” (34:11), inviting listeners to take actionable steps in supporting children’s rights.

Notable Quotes

• Patience Sunny (04:00): “There’s a lot of confusion among voters about what these various amendments do when they go to the ballot.”
• Josh Wood (03:30): “Trump is going to win Hispanic men outright as a category, which, again, is wild.”
• Jenn (02:00): “It does feel like a mandate.”
• Josh Wood (07:00): “The left catches those people who maybe lack opportunity... but when that compassion goes unchecked, it does create a situation where empathy has no limits.”
• Patience Sunny (10:43): “We're going to see possibly both parties shifting towards the center.”

Conclusion

In this comprehensive post-election recap, Them Before Us delves into the implications of Donald Trump's victory for children’s rights. Through detailed analysis of election results, discussions on abortion amendments, and critiques of political strategies, the podcast offers valuable insights for advocates. Emphasizing the importance of values-based voting, data-driven advocacy, and the role of personal stories, the episode provides a roadmap for continuing the fight for children's rights in a shifting political landscape.

For more information and to get involved, visit thembeforeus.com and tune into future episodes of the Them Before Us Podcast.