Motherhood for Good with Kate Duffy

Before there were campaign ads with his kids gently roasting him, Joel Brennan had one of the least flashy but most important jobs in Wisconsin: Secretary of the Department of Administration — basically the person who keeps the whole executive branch running. Think of the governor as the CEO and this role as the COO. He held it under Governor Evers, and two-thirds of his time on the job was during...

Next up in my series sitting down with the folks who want to be Wisconsin's next governor, I’m getting to know democratic candidate and current Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. AKA Disco David (IYKYK)  In a political moment where everyone's yelling, David Crowley is the guy who listens. When protesters showed up at an event he was at, he didn't get defensive or dig in. He walked toward th...

We’ve all been having the same conversations behind the scenes about the candidates running for Wisconsin governor — in one-on-one texts, in group chats, and off the record. After spending the weekend at the WisDems convention in Madison, it felt like time to bring those conversations into the open. This episode is a candid, thoughtful look at the candidates in the Wisconsin governor’s race, inclu...

What does a state Supreme Court actually do , and why should a busy mom care? This week I sit down with Judge Lyndsey Brunette, a circuit court judge, former elected district attorney, and mom of five who's running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2027. Lyndsey grew up in rural Wisconsin and won her DA seat as a Democrat in a deeply conservative county — because people trusted her to be fair, no...

Episode Summary Kate sits down with Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action — one of the largest grassroots gun violence prevention organizations in the country — for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring and eye-opening. They talk about what really drives gun violence in America (hint: it's way bigger than school shootings), what regular moms can actually do about i...

Surveillance isn’t just a conspiracy theory, it’s a centuries-old tactic of power, targeting marginalized communities and expanding into every corner of our lives.  In this eye-opening episode, Amanda Merkwae, Advocacy Director at the ACLU of Wisconsin, reveals how government and corporate surveillance have intertwined, influencing everything from police policies to everyday privacy. Discover how...

What happens when a regular mom decides to step into power? In this episode, I sit down with Catelin Drey , founder of Moms for Iowa and newly sworn-in state senator, to talk about her advocacy journey, what she’s learning in her first legislative session, and why moms need a seat at the table.

Francesca Hong is running for governor of Wisconsin, and while some in the political establishment have written her off as a wild card, voters clearly haven’t. Since launching her campaign, she’s already inspired more than 1,400 volunteer sign-ups, packed rooms across the state, and built real momentum both online and in person. Some have endearingly nicknamed her the “Mamdani of the Midwest,”  bu...

In this special episode, I’m joined by my sister-in-law, Morgan, to share the story of my nephew Jaxon—a joyful, thriving four-year-old who wouldn’t be here without Medicaid. At just one year old, Jaxon was diagnosed with a rare and serious condition that required intensive brain surgery and long-term therapy. The care he needed wasn’t optional, and it wasn’t affordable even with private insurance...

Maternal health has been top of mind for us as we continue to push for postpartum Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin. Too many moms are falling through the cracks, and today, we're diving into why that needs to change. We’re joined by Sarah Ornst Bloomquist and Casey White from Moms Mental Health Initiative , an organization dedicated to helping moms navigate perinatal mental health challenges. Toget...

In this episode of Motherhood for Good , Brittney from the Instagram account @momsfororegon joins us as we dive into the fascinating crossroads of pop culture and politics. Do celebrities really shape our political atmosphere and elections? What strategies are content creators on the right using to influence the narrative? And how do political movements handle disagreements with stars who challeng...

Child care is the foundation of our economy—the industry that makes all other industries possible. Yet, in many states, including Wisconsin, the state government invests *nothing* in this critical sector. Why is that, and what can we do about it? In this episode, we sit down with Corrine Hendrickson , a passionate advocate and experienced provider in the child care industry, to discuss the state o...

This week, another MFG leader, Danielle Scampini Linn, joins us to talk all things Wicked (SPOILER ALERT!). Buckle up and grab your broomstick as we dive into its parallels with today’s political landscape, from power and propaganda to redemption and resistance. How does the story of Elphaba and Glinda resonate with a society grappling with divisions, shifting narratives, and the search for common...

In this episode of Motherhood for Good , we sit down with Emily Tseffos—Outagamie County Chair, recent assembly candidate, mom, and millennial—to explore what it really takes to create inroads on America’s back roads. Emily opens up about the misconceptions people have about rural communities (and even some Republicans). We dive into her thoughts on the future of the Democratic National Committee...

We’re back from the Thanksgiving food coma and ready to regroup! In this episode, we talk about the joys (and challenges) of reconnecting with IRL community, especially after the isolating past few years. We dive into navigating relationships with people we don’t agree with and spotlighting ways to support small businesses during the holiday season. Shopping local isn’t just good for the economy—i...

This week, we’re talking politics and real life! From Nancy Mace’s bullying to Sarah McBride’s inspiring rise, we cover it all. We’ll also unpack Trump’s cabinet chaos (more, unfortunately), what’s next for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and make some guesses about Ben Wikler's next move.  Plus, a little Thanksgiving chatter—managing expectations and why the internet is faker than your aunt’s “...

Welcome to our first episode! We have no idea what we're doing BUT we're spilling all the post-election feels, plotting how moms and women can save the world (again), and trying to make sense of Trump’s cabinet picks—it’s like watching a reality show, but scarier. Plus, we’re sharing the small joys keeping us sane. Laugh, strategize, and crack a crispy cold one with us—because it’s time for Diet C...