Shannon Watts, The Activist Who Set Her Life on Fire

Our guest today is Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America—the largest grassroots movement in the country. Back in 2012, Shannon began her career in activism when she posted a call to action on Facebook to end gun violence, in response to the horrors of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Her message was met with an overwhelming response, and soon after, the mother of five and former communications executive founded Moms Demand Action. Although Shannon stepped down as the founder in 2023, she continues to work to mobilize massive change on the boards of Emerge America—an organization dedicated to recruiting and training women to run for office—and Advance Peace—a community-based organization focused on ending gun violence. And now, she’s joining us right ahead of the launch of her second book, Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age. Her inspiring story includes:completing her education while battling undiagnosed ADHD.unexpectedly becoming the leader of the largest grassroots movement in the countrytaking on the gun lobby and facing frightening pushback.avoiding the trap of “founders’ syndrome.”and what it means to live a life that’s on fire.On Sali: Argent Copain Blazer and Maybelle Pocket TeeOn Shannon: Argent Tuxedo Blazer, Stretch Blouse, and Cropped Straight Leg Trouser Work Friends Credits:Hosted by Sali Christeson @salichristesonProduced by Gina Marinelli @ginaalilbitEdited by Ryan WoldoffTheme Song by Karina DePiano @sheplaysdepiano & Melanie Nyema @melanienyemaRecorded at Podstream Studio @podstreamstudioWork Friends is produced by ARGENT (www.argentwork.com), a women’s clothing label on a mission to redefine workwear and drive forward women’s progress. For more, follow ARGENT on Instagram, @ARGENT, and subscribe to the ARGENT YouTube channel, @ARGENTWork, for clips and bonus content. To be featured on a future episode, email your work questions and dilemmas to [email protected] for a chance to have one of our amazing guests weigh in with advice.