Playing with Fire | Shannon Watts | Substack

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My essays

Miscalculating risk: The real cost of playing small

Not acting isn't the safe option we think it is

Jun 2 • Shannon Watts

The Audacity Audit

An honest self-assessment for women who are done playing small

May 5 • Shannon Watts

What happens when women pursue their desires

How to fight fire with fire in a society that wants us to stay small

Apr 21 • Shannon Watts

Tolerating illiberal behavior and beliefs is a moral stain on our party — and a warning sign for its future

People who hold power need to be worthy of it

Apr 14 • Shannon Watts

If you’re going to change your life, you’re going to face blowback

And why it’s critical to withstand the resistance

Apr 7 • Shannon Watts

My journey to find friends helped me find community instead

Connection looks different than I expected, but it’s better than I imagined

Mar 3 • Shannon Watts

What I've been doing to get stronger than I've ever been

The changes I've made in my life and my weekly workout routine

Feb 24 • Shannon Watts

Women in midlife are having the best sex of their lives

Here are five ways women in midlife and beyond can enhance their sexual health

Feb 6 • Shannon Watts

Fireside Chats

Making informed decisions about your body with Nikki Sapiro Vinckier

A Q&A with the founder of Take Back Trust, an educational platform on reproductive healthcare

Mar 31 • Shannon Watts

Fighting the stigma around addiction with Lisa Kasteler-Calio and Doug Chapin

A Q&A with the leaders of the Matthew Perry Foundation

Dec 29, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Getting your needs met as a mom with Leslie Forde

A Q&A with the author of "Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom's Hierarchy of Needs"

Dec 26, 2025 • Shannon Watts

What to do when the rules stop working for you with Lauren Weiner

A Q&A with the bestselling author of "Unruly: Deconstruct the Rules, Defy the Norms, and Define Your Success"

Dec 22, 2025 • Shannon Watts

Substack Live

29:52

Kerry Docherty on why being selfish might be the most generous thing you can do

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

7 hrs ago • Shannon Watts and Kerry Docherty

20:15

Rep. Dan Goldman on why talk without results gets us nowhere

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jun 11 • Shannon Watts and D Goldman

32:05

Susan Piver on why meditation isn't a life hack

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jun 10 • Shannon Watts and Susan Piver

20:08

Alexis McGill Johnson on the real cost of taking away women's healthcare

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jun 3 • Shannon Watts and Alexis McGill Johnson

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Recent posts

20:15

Rep. Dan Goldman on why talk without results gets us nowhere

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jun 11 • Shannon Watts and D Goldman

32:05

Susan Piver on why meditation isn't a life hack

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jun 10 • Shannon Watts and Susan Piver

What would you do if time and money were no object?

Join us in the comments

Jun 9 • Shannon Watts

20:08

Alexis McGill Johnson on the real cost of taking away women's healthcare

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

Jun 3 • Shannon Watts and Alexis McGill Johnson

Miscalculating risk: The real cost of playing small

Not acting isn't the safe option we think it is

Jun 2 • Shannon Watts

The importance of young voters; Women running for office in red states; The leader California needs; Fighting special interests

Substack Live conversations you might've missed this week

May 29 • Shannon Watts

23:12

Jordan Wood on how to fight special interests with progressive values

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

May 29 • Shannon Watts and Jordan Wood

28:32

Michael Tubbs on why California needs a different kind of leader right now

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

May 28 • Shannon Watts and Michael D. Tubbs

19:03

Pia Dandiya on how we can help women running for office in red states like Florida

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

May 28 • Shannon Watts and Pia Dandiya

29:41

Rachel Janfaza on what matters to young voters and why every generation should care

Watch the replay of our Substack Live conversation

May 27 • Shannon Watts and Rachel Janfaza

Five books for women learning to take up space

On overcoming the internal and external forces encouraging us to stay small

May 27 • Shannon Watts

Invitation to Participate in Research Study on Women’s Fulfillment

I’m writing to invite you to participate in a research study exploring the factors that influence how women of all ages find personal, political, and…

May 26 • Shannon Watts

Recommendations

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Moon Notes with Heidi Rose Robbins

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Changing The Channel with Kirsten Powers

Kirsten Powers

Jodi Bondi Norgaard

Jessica Yellin

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