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Earthsayers Podcast

About This Collection

Earthsayers Podcasts are a series of interviews for publication on the Earthsayers Cinema on LinkedIn. The podcasts support the purpose of the Cinema, which is to amplify the voices of transformational leaders through documentary film screenings and podcasts paired with thought-provoking conversations, igniting action among those who care about life on Earth. Our intention is to bring to the LinkedIn audience examples of leaders who live life with purpose, while caring for one another at home and in the workplace, leaving no one behind. And, we do this in the context of the many challenges each of these leaders are addressing on our behalf. 

Curated by mokiethecat

October 22, 2026
In this episode of Earthsayers in Conversation, host Shannon sits down with Alex, a pediatric nurse, VA nurse, and founding member of the Handmaids of Minnesota — a protest group that uses the haunting imagery of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale to sound the alarm on the erosion of women's rights in America. Alex traces her journey from first-time protester at an International Women's Day march in 2025 to becoming what she calls a "hardcore activist." She explains the deliberate choice to dress in full Handmaid attire — the red cloaks, white bonnets, and masks — as a form of silent protest that is both art and activism. The costume's wings, she explains, are blinders: a symbol of women being told to be seen and not heard. The conversation covers the emotional weight of bearing witness — from supporting a fellow nurse through domestic violence proceedings, to mourning the death of community member Renee Good, to showing up at an ICE protest after a federal shooting in Minneapolis. Alex speaks candidly about the personal toll, the safety concerns, and the complex PTSD that comes with witnessing atrocities firsthand. Alex also addresses the privilege inherent in the movement, the importance of inclusivity, and her vision for what comes next: organization, mutual aid, and moving in tandem rather than in scattered directions. She shares her hope that love and community can transcend the political moment, while acknowledging the difficult road ahead. Visit http://www.handmaidsofmn.org to learn more or connect with Handmaids groups nationwide. This episode looks at Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that ran from December 2025, to March of 2026. It was concentrated in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. Background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Metro_Surge Agency and Resilience, a photojournalism book on the operation: https://agencyandresilience.com

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