We Can Do Hard Things - Episode: Inside a WTF Week: Stock Market Nosedives, Dept of Ed Decimated & the Elon Circus with Jessica Yellin

Release Date: March 13, 2025
Hosts: Glennon Doyle, Amanda Doyle
Guest: Jessica Yellin, Founder of News Not Noise

Introduction and Guest Welcome

At [02:15], Glennon Doyle introduces Jessica Yellin, the founder of News Not Noise, an independent news platform aimed at helping listeners manage information overload. Jessica is also a former Chief White House Correspondent for CNN and a recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Emmy, Peabody, and Gracie Awards. The hosts express excitement about launching Glennon's new book and tour, noting the strong community support already evident from sold-out tour dates.

Stock Market Nosedives and Tariffs

[07:33] Jessica delves into the week's significant economic turmoil, beginning with President Trump's recent refusal to rule out a recession. This uncertainty sent shockwaves through the stock market, leading to a massive sell-off. Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on all aluminum and steel imports from Canada, China, and Mexico further exacerbated investor anxiety.

Jessica Yellin: "The market plunged Monday and then Tuesday was even worse... It's a game of chicken. Like, who can endure the most pain before they say enough." [09:31]

Glennon compares Trump's reassurances to a parent comforting a child, highlighting the dissonance between public statements and private anxieties.

Glennon Doyle: "It's like a parent with your kid and you're like, it's all going to be fine... but you go back into the room in the fetal position because you don't have a plan." [08:14]

Jessica explains the mechanics of how tariffs impact both consumers and businesses, ultimately contributing to a potential recession by increasing costs and reducing consumer spending.

Potential Government Shutdown

At [29:35], Jessica outlines the looming threat of a government shutdown due to Congress’s failure to pass a budget. Despite Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, internal disagreements have stalled the approval of a continuing resolution, effectively kicking the can down the road rather than addressing budgetary concerns directly.

Glennon emphasizes the significance of Congress’s power of the purse and the implications of transferring budgetary control to the executive branch without proper legislative oversight.

Glennon Doyle: "One of the fundamental ways that the checks and balances of our three branches of government works are that Congress has the power of the purse... it's ceding part of that decision-making on where the money goes to the executive branch." [31:00]

Elon Musk and the Tesla White House Infomercial

[34:47] The conversation shifts to the bizarre event where President Trump hosted a Tesla infomercial on the White House South Lawn. Elon Musk brought five Teslas to the event, with Trump promoting them to the American public.

Glennon Doyle: "It's not right. What you saw is not right... It's like some kind of Shakespearean shit that's happening here." [36:53]

Jessica provides context, mentioning Tesla’s significant stock decline of 55% since mid-December, attributed to Musk’s distraction with political endeavors and public backlash against his actions. Protests led to graffiti on Teslas, further harming the brand's reputation among its environmentally conscious customer base.

Jessica Yellin: "Musk is trying to get more contracts from the government for all his businesses... he is entirely dependent on the American people and the American taxpayers to stay the richest man in the world." [38:11]

Glennon highlights the irony of Musk’s situation: his initial success was bolstered by government subsidies, yet he now undermines the government that supported his ventures.

Department of Education Cuts

At [45:50], Jessica reports on a significant reduction of the Department of Education’s workforce by 50%, particularly targeting the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). This office plays a crucial role in ensuring equal access to education for all students, regardless of race, gender, disability, or socioeconomic status.

Glennon Doyle: "Only 10% of any funding for public schools flows through the federal government... [the Office of Civil Rights] is what enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act." [49:24]

Jessica explains that these cuts aim to privatize education further, stripping away federal oversight and support, thereby jeopardizing programs that protect vulnerable student populations.

Call to Action: Local School Board Involvement

Towards the episode’s conclusion, Jessica urges listeners to take immediate action at the local level, specifically by engaging with school board elections. By researching and supporting school board members who align with their values, citizens can influence educational policies and resist the broader governmental shifts undermining equal access to education.

Glennon Doyle: "Find out today who represents your community on the school board and figure out a way to support those people who reflect what you want to see in your community." [55:42]

Jessica adds that understanding and participating in local governance is essential to maintain control over educational standards and prevent further federal encroachment.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the tumultuous week, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and active within one’s community to combat the ongoing political and economic challenges. Glennon and Jessica reaffirm their commitment to helping listeners navigate these "hard things" with clarity and purpose.

Glennon Doyle: "We have talked about a lot of hard things, but the good news is that your government was at work this week... We can do hard things." [59:44]

Key Takeaways:

1. Economic Instability: President Trump’s ambiguous stance on a recession and aggressive tariff policies have plunged the stock market into uncertainty, threatening a potential recession.

2. Government Shutdown Risk: Internal conflicts within the Republican-controlled Congress are putting a government shutdown on the horizon, which could have widespread implications for federal operations and funding.

3. Corporate and Political Entanglements: Elon Musk’s entanglement with the Trump administration, exemplified by the Tesla infomercial, highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between big businesses and government policies.

4. Educational Policy Shifts: Significant cuts to the Department of Education, particularly the Office of Civil Rights, signal a move towards privatization and reduced federal oversight, threatening equal access to quality education.

5. Community Action: Empowering listeners to engage in local school board elections as a means to influence and safeguard educational policies against federal overreach.

This episode of We Can Do Hard Things provides a comprehensive analysis of a week fraught with economic and political upheavals, offering listeners both an understanding of the underlying issues and practical steps to take action within their communities.