The Dr. Kristin Lyerly Show

Judge Chris Taylor on her race for Wisconsin Supreme Court State courts are the last line of defense. And what's happening in Wisconsin is a blueprint for the rest of the country. Between 2023 and 2025, Wisconsin made national headlines twice: first by flipping its Supreme Court to a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years, then by defending that majority against Elon Musk's $22 million spending spree. Both races shattered records. Both became tests of whether grassroots organizing could overcome dark money. Both succeeded. Now comes the next chapter. Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Judge Chris Taylor is running to expand the court from a 4-3 to a 5-2 progressive majority, not just to maintain control, but to build something more durable. Something that can withstand the next decade of attacks on abortion rights, voting rights, worker protections, and democracy itself. Judge Chris Taylor's story is one you need to hear. She spent years as the public policy director at Planned Parenthood Wisconsin, lobbying on what she calls "the hardest issues in politics": reproductive healthcare, sexual assault protections, domestic violence prevention. When Scott Walker's anti-union Act 10 passed and the political landscape shifted, she ran for State Assembly with a newborn and a four-year-old at home. She won. She served nine years fighting for working families and authored groundbreaking legislation protecting survivors of violence. Then Governor Tony Evers appointed her to the circuit court, she was elected to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and now she's running for the state's highest court. In our conversation, we dig into what it means to go from advocacy to lawmaking to the bench, and whether those experiences make you a better judge or compromise your impartiality. We talk about the cases coming before Wisconsin's Supreme Court that will shape the next decade: challenges to union-busting laws, redistricting fights that will determine fair representation through 2030, and the flood of Trump administration policies that are ending up in state courts across the country. We explore how state constitutions often provide stronger protections than federal law, and why that matters more than ever right now. We also talk about the human side of running for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat where judicial independence is sacred, but voters deserve to understand your values.  This episode isn't just about the Wisconsin Supreme Court 2026 election. It's about the role state courts are playing as a check on federal power. It's about what it takes to win these fights in an era of unlimited spending and nationalized judicial elections. It's about the pipeline from advocacy to power, and whether people who've spent their lives fighting for justice can also be impartial arbiters of the law. If you care about reproductive rights, if you're watching Trump-era policies roll out and wondering where the resistance will come from, if you believe courts should protect people's fundamental freedoms rather than serve partisan agendas—this conversation is for you. Guest: Chris Taylor

The Texas Abortion Ban Nearly Killed Me Amanda Zurawski, reproductive rights advocate and one of Time Magazine’s Women of the Year, joins Dr. Kristin Lyerly to share the devastating reality of pregnancy complications under Texas's abortion ban and how she has used her own life-threatening experience to fight back. At 18 weeks pregnant with a wanted baby, Amanda’s water broke and she was denied standard medical care until she developed a life-threatening infection - because Texas politicians decided they knew better than her and her doctors. In this powerful interview, Amanda discusses: Her near-death experience under Texas's abortion ban and the medical nightmare of "waiting to get sick enough" How she turned personal tragedy into national advocacy, including her testimony before the Senate Judiciary and appearance at the 2024 Democratic National Convention The landmark Zurawski v. Texas lawsuit and the documentary that followed Her role in the 2024 election and why reproductive freedom will be a critical issue in the 2026 midterms Advice for survivors and advocates in Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin and other states with abortion bans Dr. Lyerly, a board-certified OB-GYN who successfully challenged Wisconsin's 1849 criminal abortion ban, brings her medical expertise to explain why abortion restrictions are dangerous medical policy - and why this issue isn't going away despite the Trump administration's shock-and-awe political environment. As we approach the 2026 midterms, Amanda's story is a crucial reminder of what's at stake when politicians practice medicine. This is required listening for anyone who cares about reproductive healthcare, maternal mortality, pregnancy complications, and holding lawmakers accountable for the human cost of abortion bans. Guest: Amanda Zurawski

Jess Craven on Making Fear Your Fuel How do you turn political fear into sustained action? Jess Craven has been answering that question for her massive Substack community every weekday since November 2016. In this episode of The Dr. Kristin Lyerly Show, Dr. Lyerly welcomes the face of “Chop Wood, Carry Water”, Jess Craven: political activist, content creator, and widely-followed organizer. The daughter of legendary horror director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream), Jess has unironically applied lessons about confronting fear to building one of the most engaged grassroots organizing communities in America…and she’s just hitting her stride! (Image copyright Wireimage) Topics include:  How to get involved in political activism (even if you're new) The evolution of digital organizing and new media Concrete actions for protecting democracy Parenting a queer teenager while fighting political battles Avoiding activist burnout and finding joy in resistance The "Chop Wood, Carry Water" daily practice philosophy Where to find real hope in 2026 Whether you're a longtime activist or someone who's never made a political phone call, this conversation offers practical tools, inspiring stories, and a roadmap for turning anxiety into impact. Guest: Jess Craven

Hundreds of Wins Against Trump While the Trump-Vance administration has attempted to freeze funding, strip healthcare coverage from millions, and attack reproductive rights, one organization has been fighting back in court - and winning. Democracy Forward didn't wait for Inauguration Day to prepare. Anticipating the threats of Project 2025, they built a strategic network of over 650 diverse partner organizations, positioning legal expertise exactly where it would be most effective: in the courts. The result? The moment Trump took office, they were ready, and they've been winning ever since. This week, Dr. Lyerly sits down with Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward and one of “TIME100’s Most Influential People in the World” to discuss the hundreds of legal victories they've secured since January 20th. From protecting immigrant communities to shielding medication abortion from legal attacks, Democracy Forward is serving as a critical check on executive overreach. If you're tired of feeling helpless, this conversation will remind you that resistance isn't futile - it's winning. Guest: Skye Perryman

Missy Hughes on Building a Main Street Economy Wisconsin's 2026 gubernatorial race is wide open - and the stakes couldn't be higher. With no incumbent for the first time since 2010, a large and diverse field of Democrats are vying for the nomination in what will be one of the most watched races in the country. In this episode, Dr. Kristin Lyerly sits down with Missy Hughes, the former CEO of Wisconsin's Economic Development Corporation and longtime Organic Valley executive who's running on a platform of economic opportunity for all 72 counties. Hughes isn't your typical candidate. She lives in western Wisconsin on a farm outside of Viroqua with 70 sheep, two donkeys, and a passion for growing dahlias. She's run eight marathons. She's a lawyer who spent 17 years in the dairy industry before leading the state agency that brought Microsoft, Eli Lilly, Milwaukee Tool, and Kikkoman to Wisconsin - securing over $10 billion in investment and 45,000 jobs. Her pitch? I'm not a politician, and that's the point. We talk about her unlikely path from growing up in New York to rural Wisconsin, what a "Main Street Economy" actually means in practice, how she plans to bridge urban and rural divides, and what sets her apart. This is the fourth in our series of conversations with candidates for Wisconsin governor across the political spectrum. Listen to other episodes from this series of conversations with candidates for Wisconsin governor across the political spectrum. Wisconsin State Senator Kelda Roys is running to be the state's next governor, leveraging years of legislative experience and proven bipartisan wins to make her case to Wisconsin voters. Listen HERE Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez joins Dr. Lyerly to discuss her campaign to become Wisconsin's first female governor. Listen HERE Mandela Barnes was Wisconsin's first Black Lieutenant Governor. In 2022, he ran a nationally watched Senate race against Ron Johnson and lost by just 27,000 votes. Now he's running for Governor, and Wisconsin voters have questions. Listen HERE State Representative Francesca Hong isn't your typical gubernatorial candidate - and she'll be the first to tell you that. Listen HERE Guest: Missy Hughes

Inside the Battle for Fair Maps Gerrymandering isn't just a political buzzword—it's the practice of manipulating voting district boundaries to predetermine election outcomes, and it's happening in states across America right now to stack the deck in favor of the people in power. In this episode, Dr. Kristin Lyerly sits down with Mark Gaber, Senior Director of Redistricting at the Campaign Legal Center, to break down the current battles over fair maps. From landmark cases in Texas and California to emerging fights in Indiana and Illinois, Mark walks us through how partisan gerrymandering undermines democracy, what's being done to stop it, and where fair maps have won in the past (hint: Michigan and Wisconsin, at least for now). You'll learn: How gerrymandering actually works and why both parties do it The legal strategies being used to challenge unfair maps in court What role technology and AI might play in creating neutral districts Why the Midwest is becoming the next major battleground for redistricting What everyday citizens can do to demand fair representation Whether you're new to redistricting or following these cases closely, this conversation offers critical insight into one of the most consequential—and least understood—threats to American democracy. Credits: Producer: Abraham Lyerly Music: Nic Tierman & Abraham Lyerly Guest: Mark Gaber

Sara Rodriguez on Making History Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez joins Dr. Lyerly to discuss her campaign to become Wisconsin's first female governor. Photo credit: Nick Garcia From their shared experience as healthcare professionals entering politics during the pandemic to the fight for Medicaid expansion and reproductive rights, this conversation explores what it takes to lead boldly in uncertain times. Sara shares her vision for Wisconsin's future and why healthcare expertise matters in the governor's office. This is the third in our series of conversations with candidates for Wisconsin governor across the political spectrum. Listen to other episodes from this series of conversations with candidates for Wisconsin governor across the political spectrum. State Representative Francesca Hong isn't your typical gubernatorial candidate - and she'll be the first to tell you that. Listen HERE Mandela Barnes was Wisconsin's first Black Lieutenant Governor. In 2022, he ran a nationally watched Senate race against Ron Johnson and lost by just 27,000 votes. Now he's running for Governor, and Wisconsin voters have questions. Listen HERE Wisconsin State Senator Kelda Roys is running to be the state's next governor, leveraging years of legislative experience and proven bipartisan wins to make her case to Wisconsin voters. Listen HERE In this episode, Dr. Kristin Lyerly sits down with Missy Hughes, the former CEO of Wisconsin's Economic Development Corporation and longtime Organic Valley executive who's running on a platform of economic opportunity for all 72 counties. Listen HERE. Guest: Sara Rodriguez

Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride on Leading Through 2020's Perfect Storm Dennis McBride won his hometown mayoral race in April 2020 with nearly 60% of the vote. One month later, his world - and America's - exploded. Over the next twelve months, the new mayor of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin navigated a pandemic, 98 days and nights of racial justice protests, a mass shooting at the local mall, and a high-stakes presidential election. For 40 nights, he and his wife barricaded themselves in their home while protesters chanted outside, flashed lasers through their windows, and threw trash on their lawn. He told his adult children there was a real possibility someone might take his life. Five years later, Mayor McBride has written "A City on the Edge: Pandemic, Protest, and Polarization," a gripping firsthand account of leadership during America's most turbulent year in generations. He argues that Wauwatosa was "a microcosm of everything that was going on in America" and that we still haven't escaped the forces unleashed in 2020. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Kristin Lyerly sits down with Mayor McBride to explore the impossible decisions leaders faced, the personal toll of public service, and whether there's a path forward for a deeply divided nation. As McBride says: "We only come out of things if we work hard to make good things happen, and we have to do that by reaching across the aisle to people that we don't normally agree with." This is a story about courage, resilience, and what it takes to lead when everything is falling apart. Follow Mayor Dennis McBride on Facebook @dennis.mcbride.737 Listen at CivicMedia.us or wherever you get your podcasts Find “A City on the Edge: Pandemic, Protest, and Polarization” at Amazon, IU Press, and more Guest: Dennis McBride

Dr. Anita Bublik-Anderson on Reclaiming Women’s Healthcare This episode is for every woman who has felt dismissed. Women have been told to suffer through menopause in silence for far too long. But physicians like Dr. Anita Bublik-Anderson are saying enough is enough. This week, I sit down with Dr. Bublik-Anderson, a colleague, breast cancer survivor, and the force behind a new groundbreaking menopause and sexual health clinic opening in Wausau. She’s filling a critical gap in care that has left countless women struggling without answers, without support, and without hope. The statistics are staggering: only 31% of OB/GYN residency programs include menopause curriculum. Just 2,500 specialists serve 1.3 million women entering menopause each year. One in three women are misdiagnosed, and 60% find their doctor’s advice unhelpful. This isn’t just a care gap—it’s a crisis. We talk about why this is happening. How medical education has failed women. How the politicization of medicine has created barriers to evidence-based care. How ageism and sexism intersect to dismiss women’s health concerns as they age. And how the shame and stigma around menopause have kept women suffering in silence when they should be getting comprehensive medical attention. But this conversation is also about hope and action. From Capitol Hill to Hollywood, advocates are rising up. Halle Berry—who was misdiagnosed with herpes when she was actually experiencing perimenopause—has become a powerful voice for change. Physicians like Dr. Bublik-Anderson and me are opening clinics, educating patients, and demanding that our medical system do better. And legislators including Rep. Robyn Vining and Sen. Dianne Hesselbein right here in Wisconsin have introduced a bill to ensure that women have the information they need to live their best lives.  During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Bublik-Anderson also shares her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor and addresses the unique challenges cancer survivors face navigating menopause—from treatment-induced symptoms to the complexity of hormone therapy decisions. This episode is for every woman who has felt dismissed, every patient who couldn’t get answers, every person who believes that half the population deserves better than a medical system that has historically ignored and underfunded their care. It’s time to break the silence. It’s time to demand better. It’s time to reclaim women’s health. Guest: Dr. Anita Bublik-Anderson

  Wisconsin State Senator Kelda Roys is running to be the state's next governor, leveraging years of legislative experience and proven bipartisan wins to make her case to Wisconsin voters. From growing up in a converted one-room schoolhouse in rural Taylor County to leading fights for reproductive rights and workers' freedoms in the state legislature, Roys brings more than two decades of progressive advocacy to this race. As a mom and stepmom of five, small business owner, attorney, and longtime champion for women's health, Roys has built a reputation for seeing political threats before they materialize and building coalitions to fight back. She was in the streets protesting Scott Walker's Act 10 in 2011, helped pass Wisconsin's first pro-choice legislation in 30 years, and now co-chairs the Legislature's Reproductive Freedom Caucus. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss how she thinks about leadership and compromise in a purple state, her vision for education and healthcare, what drives her advocacy work, and how she manages the chaos of running a small business and raising five kids while serving in the state Senate. This is the first in our series of conversations with candidates for Wisconsin governor across the political spectrum. Listen to other episodes from this series of conversations with candidates for Wisconsin governor across the political spectrum. Mandela Barnes was Wisconsin's first Black Lieutenant Governor. In 2022, he ran a nationally watched Senate race against Ron Johnson and lost by just 27,000 votes. Now he's running for Governor, and Wisconsin voters have questions. Listen HERE In this episode, Dr. Kristin Lyerly sits down with Missy Hughes, the former CEO of Wisconsin's Economic Development Corporation and longtime Organic Valley executive who's running on a platform of economic opportunity for all 72 counties. Listen HERE. State Representative Francesca Hong isn't your typical gubernatorial candidate - and she'll be the first to tell you that. Listen HERE Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez joins Dr. Lyerly to discuss her campaign to become Wisconsin's first female governor. Listen HERE Guest: Kelda Roys

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Dr. Lyerly talks with Laura and Patrick DuSchane, the parents of a three-year-old boy who was present at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during the tragic shooting on August 27th that claimed the lives of two children and injured 18 others. In this raw and honest conversation, they share their story of that horrific morning - the chaos, the fear, and the immediate aftermath that no parent should ever have to endure. But this episode is about more than just surviving tragedy. These parents open up and share how their experience has transformed them, turning their grief and trauma into a driving force for change. They discuss the difficult journey of processing what happened, supporting their young child through the trauma, and finding their voice in the fight for school safety and gun violence prevention. Their message is clear and urgent: thoughts and prayers are not enough. This is a story about ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, choosing to channel their pain into purpose. It's about refusing to accept that such violence is inevitable, and demanding that we all "do something" to protect our children and communities. Guests: Laura DuSchane, Patrick DuSchane

When the Dobbs decision came down, Emily Kraynak and Sarah White weren't seasoned activists—they were working professionals with young families trying to make sense of a rapidly changing world. What began as a response to that pivotal moment has blossomed into Northern Door Activism, a Wisconsin-based community organization that's redefining what grassroots engagement can look like. In this conversation, Emily and Sarah share their journey from concerned citizens to skilled community builders, revealing how they and their neighbors have created space for others to find their own path into civic engagement. Rather than following traditional activist playbooks, they've crafted something uniquely their own—blending community building with advocacy in ways that reflect the character of their little corner, peninsula really, of Wisconsin. Featured Guests Emily Kraynak - Co-founder of Northern Door Activism Sarah White - Co-founder of Northern Door Activism Key Topics Discussed How the Dobbs decision catalyzed the formation of Northern Door Activism Balancing community building with political advocacy Creative approaches to grassroots organizing in small-town Wisconsin Making civic engagement accessible to busy families and working professionals Growing from a small group of concerned citizens to a thriving community organization Unique events and initiatives that reflect their local community Lessons learned from building something from scratch Featured Music by: Dorothy Scott & the Peacekeepers highlight the best of Pop, Folk, and Blues. About Northern Door Activism Northern Door Activism is a grassroots community organization based in Wisconsin that emerged in response to the 2022 Dobbs decision. The group focuses on blending traditional activism with community building events, creating accessible pathways for civic engagement while fostering meaningful connections among community members. Connect To learn more about Northern Door Activism or get involved in their initiatives, visit them on IG @northerndooractivism or www.northerndooractivism.com Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and share with others who might be interested in grassroots organizing and community building. Guests: Sarah White, Emily Kraynak, Dorothy Scott and the Peacekeepers