“When the heart is afire, some sparks will fly out of the mouth,” Thomas Fuller
Meet Shannon Watts
I’m a speaker, author and Founder of Moms Demand Action, the largest women’s volunteer organization in America. I’ve been called a “summoner of women’s audacity,” and I’m honored to have been named a Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People, a Forbes 50 over 50 Changemaker, and a Glamour Woman of the Year. My first book Fight Like a Mother: How a Grassroots Movement Took on the Gun Lobby and Why Women Will Change the World, was published in 2019.
My newest book, Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age is now available for preorder, releasing in June 2025. This book is for any woman who believes she’s too old, too busy, or too inexperienced to go after what she really wants. Fired Up will invite you to shatter your self-imposed limitations and unleash your potential, and teach you to become a firestarter so you can finally start living the life you want and deserve.
What’s a firestarter?
Any woman who makes the choice to prioritize her desires over societal expectations. Firestarters own their narratives and trust themselves above all else, letting their desires guide them in life. They’re fiercely alive and unapologetically themselves, taking risks and embracing failure. And they’re always open to finding and following their next fire, no matter where it takes them.
Playing with Fire
I built this Substack community because…
…we all need to surround ourselves with badass women and supporters who encourage us to find the spark inside us. Women – especially women of color and older women – are often told they have nothing valuable to offer. But our wealth of experiences and expertise are actually the answer to many of the world’s most pressing problems.
…I’m passionate about fostering a world in which women’s voices and talents flourish. I’ve learned so many lessons about myself and about the unique ability of women to step up, as well as the urgent, crucial need for women’s unique talents in the public square.
…we all need a supportive space to take steps toward transformation. I’ve spent the past decade encouraging thousands of women to get off the sidelines of their lives by coaxing out their desires and stories, showing them how to stand up for themselves and others, and encouraging them to take on roles they never imagined they were qualified for.
Let’s fan the flames together.
Let’s name our burning desires.
Let’s play with fire. 🔥
What you’ll get when you subscribe:
Each week, I share some of the insights I’ve gained after decades of activism, leadership and women’s advocacy in my newsletter. Feminism is at the center of my advocacy and writing, but this newsletter spans politics and policy, popular culture, and whatever else is interesting at the moment. You’ll also have access to my podcast, Firestarters; a chance to chat with the community in our weekly threads; and information about my upcoming book.
