In this energizing episode, host Nan Whaley sits down with Katie Paris, founder of Red Wine & Blue, to talk about how suburban women are reshaping politics and reclaiming the power of community.

From kitchen tables to neighborhood text threads, Katie shares how real conversations among women can change hearts, minds, and outcomes—and why humor, authenticity, and connection are some of the most powerful organizing tools we have.

Their conversation covers:

• The origin story of Red Wine & Blue and what inspired Katie to start it

• How women are creating change in their communities through connection, not conflict

• Why showing up as your full self is key to leadership and persuasion

• Lessons in balancing motherhood, advocacy, and public life

• The importance of joy, laughter, and friendship as fuel for political courage

Guest Bio

Katie Paris, founder of Red Wine & Blue, is an Ohio suburban mom and 20-year political veteran. In 2019, Katie quit her job in national politics to found Red Wine & Blue because she saw an opportunity to mobilize suburban women. Red Wine & Blue is an empowered community of over 700,000 diverse women working together to organize their communities against extremism, one friend at a time. They provide women with trainings, resources and a supportive community. Red Wine & Blue has year-round, on the ground organizers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan and Virginia, as well as a nationwide local group organizing program that has over 800 groups across all 50 

states.

Resources Mentioned

• Red Wine & Blue

• How to Not Lose Your Sh!t Podcast: https://redwine.blue/podcast/

• How to Talk About Hard Things (Red Wine & Blue guide)

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