Bonus Content for Episode 13
Elisa Camahort-Page shares ideas for getting politically active this election cycle
This week’s episode of Feminist Founders podcast features
of and . She’s the co-founder of BlogHer, which she later sold, and is now a fractional executive and strategic consultant.While her main episode is all business, this bonus contest is tips for how politically minded folks can get more active in creating change. It’s a little taste of the sorts of information she shares in the book she co-wrote, “Roadmap for Revolutionaries.”
Watch our 7-minute conversation or read the summary below.
Connect with Elisa:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Threads | TikTok | Facebook
Becky Mollenkamp: Thank you for chatting with me. If you didn't hear Elisa’s whole episode, make sure you go and listen. This is a little different because it's not exactly about business—except as we know, everything is political, especially business, so really it is still about business.
Your book, “Roadmap for Revolutionaries,” is about ways to get involved and create change. You’re going to share four tips for how to be a more effective everyday activist.
Elisa Camahort Page: First is to triage. I wake up every morning and I'm upset about 30 different things, but I cannot be an effective activist on behalf of 30 different causes. We have to act as a collective, and trust that other people are working more directly and consistently on topics we care about.
Pick just one, two, three at the most, where you will focus your time, attention, money, and effort. When all else fails, what is the thing that you’ll keep working on and still be interested?
Becky Mollenkamp: The hills that you're willing to die on. I think it relates to business because less is more. When we stretch ourselves too thin, we get far less done than if we did one thing at a time. Same thing here. Really smart. Next?
Elisa Camahort Page: The next step is to join. You are not going to have to be an island. Google to find out who else is working on this already. What are the organizations?
If you want to activate on behalf of LGBTQ people, for example, look for organizations led by LGBTQ people. If you want to work on racial justice, look for organizations that are led by people of color.
Join and support other organizations first. Sometimes you may not find what you’re looking for. Sometimes the very best organizations are formed by someone seeking something they couldn't find and wanting to provide it, and that's okay too.
Becky Mollenkamp: And the next one, which you already told me, is contribute. What does it mean to contribute vs. join?
Elisa Camahort Page: When people think about how they can help, contribute makes them think of money and money's great. My income has been high and low, but I make sure that I’m giving 10% of my income to nonprofits, political candidates, GoFundMe campaigns, etc. No matter how much money it is, I'm giving 10%. When I make more, I give more. When I make less, I give less. Money is part of it, but money isn't all of it.
You are needed in many different ways. Sometimes we need feet on the street. Not everybody can go on a march, if you can then go. A nonprofit might be able to leverage your professional skills. Or a nonprofits might be happy to have your old printer you don't use anymore. You can contribute your voice or your platform. What do you have to give? It will be accepted gladly.
Becky Mollenkamp: And giving of yourself in any way is better than giving yourself, giving of yourself not at all.
Elisa Camahort Page: No one can do it all. It is better to take two steps than zero. Is it better to take 45? Sure. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, a vegan activist I know, says ‘don't do nothing because you can't do everything.’ And I love that.
Becky Mollenkamp: And the last tip?
Elisa Camahort Page: I really want people to track the wins. So often we have to take the L, as they spay in sports land. You gotta take the loss. Your candidate isn't elected. The vote doesn't go your way. Sometimes that shit happens.
You also have to remember the wins. It's a long game. The world is imperfect. People are imperfect. It is a constant pathway to improving. You have to track the winds along the way or it's really hard to stay motivated and not burn out.
Becky Mollenkamp: Or become apathetic, which has happened to me at various points in my life.
Elisa Camahort Page: I believe in taking breaks and that you can't be balls to the wall every election cycle. Some people can and more power to them. I've definitely had moments where I need to chill out and count on other people to do the right thing. I needed to not be so fully in it for one cycle and that's okay.
Becky Mollenkamp: It is okay because we have to protect ourselves because otherwise we can't do it at all. We are well into the election cycle, and I'm sure many people are feeling it acutely.
If you’re at that place where you need to take a break, take a break. But if you’re in a place of feeling activated and ready to help create change, your book, “Roadmap for Revolutionaries” is as relevant as ever.
Thank you so much, Elisa, for doing this bonus content.
Elisa Camahort Page: Of course, Becky, it was my pleasure. Thank you for having me. It was great talking with you.