My Recommendations This Week

What to read, watch, and listen to this weekend

You don’t need to doomscroll this weekend. Here are some things that might help.

What Will Happen on Election Night and the Days After

I am planning for a very late night on Nov 5, and don’t expect any of us will know who won the presidency when we eventually go to bed. Here’s what to expect.

Advice for Undecided Voters

This is going to be a race won on the margins, so who actually shows up to vote matters a lot, and I have heard from some of you that you’re undecided who to vote for. There’s no one better than the Governerds to ask for advice in times like this.

I posed this question on my Instagram account: “Without using a candidate’s name, what advice would you give to an undecided voter?” Here’s some of that advice.

Our Final Reader Q&A Before the Election

I tackle questions like, “I cannot get my head around why this is going to be such a close vote for President. I am feeling panic and fear,” “What will you be watching for as results come in?” “What would abolishing the Department of Education actually mean?” This, and more, in our subscriber-exclusive post.

Jemar Tisby: Advice For Single Issue Voters

I talked to Jemar Tisby, a best-selling author, national speaker, faith leader, and public historian about single-issue voting.

What Exactly is Ranked Choice Voting?

On Election Day, voters in several states will be asked on ballot initiatives if they want to implement ranked choice voting in their state. I know a lot of you who use ranked choice voting in your elections love it, and a lot more of you have no idea what it is. Let’s talk through it. 

What I’m reading… 

Conservative outfits are scouring feds’ emails

By Robin Bravender, Politico

Conservative groups and activists have filed tens of thousands of Freedom of Information Act requests for federal employees’ emails throughout President Joe Biden’s time in the White House, according to records reviewed by POLITICO’s E&E News. 

The groups are seeking a broad range of documents, including specific requests for civil servants’ communications that could potentially be used to oust or target employees suspected of disloyalty to Trump. The groups have also requested details about political appointees schedules and meetings, as well as communications with congressional offices.

The 9 races and 3 long shots that could determine Senate control

By Hannah Recht and Liz Goodwin, The Washington Post

Republicans are all but guaranteed to pick up at least one seat, putting even more pressure on Democrats to win seven other highly competitive races, including two in red states.

FACT FOCUS: A look at false and misleading claims surrounding the 2024 election

The Associated Press 

A steady stream of false and misleading information is circulating online around the 2024 election. AP News looks at the facts. 

Conversations I had this week… 

Catching up with ‘America’s government teacher’

The Washington Post

I talked to The Washington Post about how the content you all love the most are the unheard stories: the people from history who did something extraordinary, without access to power, without access to money, without family privilege and without a famous last name.

‘Governerds’ pack State Theatre in Minneapolis for author Sharon McMahon

The Star Tribune

It was such an honor to speak to all of you in Minneapolis, and I loved this description from the Star Tribune: “But her tour, which packed the downtown theater Saturday night, felt more like a concert than a book talk, thanks to a DJ-led dance party and fans who had fashioned their own T-shirts, buttons and friendship bracelets.” That feeling is thanks to you all!

Sharon McMahon inspires during contentious election season

KAXE/KBXE

I was on KAXE/KBXE, a radio station here in Minnesota, because I wanted to remind everyone that we all have an important role to play. Everyone can make a difference. And you must not grow weary of doing good. Rest if you must, but do not quit.

Working with Your Enemies

Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

I shared with Elise a few historical secrets, my approach to judging people from the past, and my perspective on our current moment in time. I also discuss a remarkable story that may convince you to work with, instead of against, your enemies. 

Sharon McMahon: “America’s Government Teacher,” Hope for Better Things

For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast

Even the drafters of the Constitution worried about chaos, but they hoped for better things—and I talked to Jen about how the twelve lesser-known heroes I talk about in The Small and the Mighty not only made a huge impact on democracy, but how we can use their stories to shape our future today, no matter how small we feel. 

How to Talk Politics with Our Kids, Family and Friends with America’s Gov’t Teacher, Sharon McMahon

The Paula Faris Show

Do you think we need to agree with people in order to respect them or befriend them? Maybe you’ve been unfriended by someone who doesn’t see eye to eye with you politically, or your kid has come from school saying disparaging things about another kid’s family because of who they’re voting for. (It seems like we’ve all been there). And why can’t we have conversations about politics at the dinner table? I loved talking to Paula about all this and more!

What I’m listening to… 

John Lewis a Life with David Greenberg

Here’s Where It Gets Interesting

How does one man’s commitment to justice and equality change the course of history? David Greenberg takes us through the remarkable life of John Lewis, from his days as a civil rights icon to becoming a respected Congressman. He explores into the values that Lewis championed—nonviolence, collective action, voting rights and his powerful legacy of resilience, love, and an unshakable belief in a brighter future for America.

Join me at the… 

University of Pennsylvania: Sharon McMahon & Adam Grant

I will be doing a free event with Adam Grant, an author and professor, in Philadelphia on Nov. 14! I’d love to see you there. 

Don’t forget to… 

Make a plan to vote this Tuesday! Voting is the biggest tool in our toolbox to make active, powerful change in both our local communities and our nation’s democracy. 

Need help learning what else is on your ballot besides the presidential election? You can use my website’s voting resource to find all the answers. And if you want an explanation of the resource, I walk you through it on The Preamble.