Home
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 powerful episode of Earthsayers in Conversation, host Shannon speaks with Alex — a pediatric nurse, wife, dog mom, and self-described "activist" who id a member of the Handmaids of Minnesota (https://www.handmaidsofmn.org) . What began as a single protest at International Women's Day in early 2025 has grown into a movement that uses the stark, chilling imagery of Margaret Atwood's (https://margaretatwood.ca) The Handmaid's Tale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Handmaid%27s_Tale) to make visible the stripping away of women's rights in America. Alex explains how the group adopted the full Handmaid uniform — red cloaks, white bonnets with wings that act as blinders, and masks — as a deliberate act of silent protest. The wings limit vision and hearing, symbolizing a world where women are meant to be seen, not heard. The masks add anonymity but also reinforce the message: women's voices are being silenced. Alex describes how this silence is both a strategy and a struggle, requiring immense patience and composure in the face of chaos. The conversation takes an emotional turn as Alex recounts some of the most meaningful moments of her activism. She shares the story of a fellow nurse experiencing domestic violence who asked for the Handmaids to show up at court — a moment that evolved into what prosecutors compared to "Bikers Against Child Abuse (https://bacaworld.org) " and sparked the idea of "Handmaids Against Domestic Violence." Alex draws a powerful parallel: "I feel like I'm in a domestic violent relationship with my country." Alex speaks candidly about bearing witness to tragedy — from the vigil for Renee Good, a mother and community member killed on the streets, to rushing to an ICE protest after a federal shooting in Minneapolis that claimed the life of someone who shared her name. She describes the out-of-body experience of witnessing atrocities in person and the duty she feels: "If not me, then who? Who is going to hear these stories?" The discussion also tackles difficult questions: the safety risks of being a visible protester, the privilege of predominantly white women in the movement, and the work being done to make participation more inclusive through donations and outreach. Alex talks about the importance of moving in tandem — organizing, building mutual aid networks, and exploring boycotts as tools for change. Looking ahead, Alex envisions an evolution from silent protest to active rebellion, symbolized by the upside-down flag of distress she carries when protesting solo. She also shares her creative outlets — her podcast *Once in a Millennial* and her Substack — as ways to process and document what she witnesses. Visit https://www.handmaidsofmn.org/ to learn more, connect with Handmaids groups in your state, or find out how to get involved. 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 (https://agencyandresilience.com/)

Video not loading? Watch directly on YouTube