If it feels like you’ve lived a year inside of a month right now, you’re not alone. The cycle of our times is relentless and demands more of our attention and emotional capacity than we were ever meant to carry.
This disorientation makes us more prone to disengagement, burnout, cynicism, and the lure of certainty. We also risk what social psychologists call moral narrowing, where our moral attention and empathy constrict to a smaller set of people or issues—often those we identify with directly—while excluding or devaluing others outside that circle. We can become more rigid, less able to tolerate complexity, and more likely to simplify moral dilemmas into “us versus them.”
Even the most caring people are susceptible to moral narrowing when they’re constantly overwhelmed. But we can build skills that help us move through grief, tolerate uncertainty, and stay engaged without losing ourselves.
We need to train for these times, not just intellectually, but relationally and somatically. We need to be able to stay in the room long enough to build lasting connections and coalitions.
My guest today models what it looks like to think and lead with the long game in mind while also tending to present-day relationships and her own well-being. She reminds us that despair is not a strategy and that steady, relational, local action is how we keep the future from being decided by the loudest and most reckless forces in the room.
A’shanti F. Gholar is the President & CEO of Emerge, the nation’s largest network of women elected officials and candidates. A’shanti co-founded Emerge Nevada in 2006, was named Emerge’s national policy director in 2016, and became the first Black woman to lead Emerge in February 2020. Under A’shanti’s leadership, Emerge has experienced unprecedented growth and success. With affiliates in over two dozen states, more than 1,200 alums in office, and over 6,500 Democratic women trained to run for office and win, Emerge has become a force to be reckoned with in the political landscape.
She is also the founder of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics and its award-winning podcast, which The Guardian recognized as a “practical guide to progressive activism.”
Listen to the full episode to hear:
- How A’shanti learned early on the power of getting involved at the local level
- How Emerge helps women recognize the value of their skills and lived experiences in holding political positions
- How centering the “why” helps Emerge candidates get elected, fight through the hard days, and get re-elected at high rates
- Why servant leadership is at the core of how Emerge trains candidates to lead
- How every day micro engagements in your community add up to make a difference and keep hope alive for the long haul
- Why representation, visibility, and mentorship are vital to changing the narrative of who can run for and hold office
Learn more about A’shanti Gholar:
Learn more about Rebecca:
- rebeccaching.com
- Work With Rebecca
- The Unburdened Leader on Substack
- Sign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader Email
Resources:
- Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, Shannon Watts
- Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President, E. Jean Carroll
- Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song
- Stranger Things
Favorite Moments
“I fell in love with politics… but I didn’t see people who looked like me. And that makes you wonder — is there room for me there?”
“That moment taught me: even if you can’t vote yet, you can still shape democracy.”
“It’s not just leadership. It’s servant leadership.”
“Everything you do every day — managing a household, solving problems, caring for people — those are the exact skills needed to run for office.”
“It’s already in you.”
“Pick up your phone. That’s your network.”
“They want us to feel overwhelmed and hopeless… but we’re not going to let that happen.”
“There are more of us than there are of them.”
“Cynicism is what got us here.”
“You don’t need a massive platform to make a difference — you just need to act.”
Conversation Highlights
02:00 — Falling in Love with Politics (and Not Seeing Yourself in It)
Ashanti shares how watching C-SPAN as a child sparked her love for politics — while also planting early questions about representation and belonging.
06:00 — The High School Moment That Changed Everything
A bold classroom exchange with a congressional candidate taught her the power of speaking up — and how even young voices can influence real outcomes.
10:00 — The Power of Early Mentors
From her government teacher to Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Ashanti reflects on the women who saw potential in her before she saw it in herself.
15:00 — What Emerge Does (and Why It Matters)
Ashanti breaks down how Emerge recruits and trains women to run for office — and shares the impact: over 1,200 women currently serving and win rates consistently above 70%.
20:00 — Why Women Are Running Right Now
In a moment defined by overwhelm and uncertainty, women are stepping forward — not because it’s easy, but because they refuse to let despair win.
25:00 — From Campaigning to Governing
Ashanti explains how centering your “why” sustains leaders through both the grind of campaigning and the realities of governing.
30:00 — Reframing “I’m Not Qualified”
One of the most powerful moments: Ashanti walks women through their daily lives to show them they already have the skills needed to lead.
35:00 — “Pick Up Your Phone — That’s Your Network”
A practical and empowering reframe: your community already exists — you just need to recognize and activate it.
42:00 — Moving Through Overwhelm Without Giving Up
Ashanti shares how she stays grounded during hard political moments — and why refusing cynicism is an act of leadership.
48:00 — The Power of Micro-Actions
From sending a text to organizing a small group, Ashanti emphasizes that meaningful change often starts with small, consistent actions.
52:00 — Why Cynicism Is Dangerous
Ashanti names it directly: disengagement and “nothing will change” thinking are part of how systems stay stuck.
57:00 — Representation, Visibility, and Possibility
When women see leaders who look like them, talk like them, and come from similar experiences, it reshapes what feels possible.
1:03:00 — What Leadership Really Looks Like
Ashanti defines leadership as servant leadership — rooted in integrity, compassion, and staying deeply connected to the people you serve.
1:10:00 — Meeting the Moment
From launching new training programs for displaced federal workers to adapting in real time, Ashanti shares how Emerge is evolving to meet today’s challenges.
1:15:00 — What Gives Her Hope
It’s the women stepping up, the community being built, and the refusal to give up — even when things feel hard.
Ashanti reminded me that leadership isn’t something reserved for a select few — it’s something we practice every day in how we care, organize, speak up, and show up for others.
This conversation is for anyone who has ever thought, “I’m not qualified,” or “What difference could I really make?” — and is ready to challenge that belief.
It’s also for anyone navigating overwhelm right now, trying to hold onto hope without bypassing reality, and wondering what their role is in shaping what comes next.
💌 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
What is one small action you could take this week to move from feeling overwhelmed… to feeling engaged?
I’d love to hear from you. 💛
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