For Love & Justice
For Love & Justice is committed to shedding light on the real issues, building connections, and laughing while we do hard things together. Host Elise Williams Rikard, writer and recently diagnosed neurodivergent person, does her best to make sense of all the BS hurled at Americans daily— while spilling the tea with the best and brightest of her central Arkansas communitea. Join us for candid talks on politics, relationships, mental health, grief, books,reality TV, and pop culture – and brace yourself for an unapologetically unlimitless dose of Mean Girls quotes and all things Taylor Swift (the limit does not exist).
Episodes
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Faith, Politics, and Washington's New Law: Is It Anti-Catholic?
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Washington State just passed a law requiring clergy to report suspected child abuse—even if it’s revealed in confession. The Catholic Church calls it a violation of religious freedom, and Trump labeled it “anti-Catholic.” Is it a necessary safeguard or an unconstitutional overreach?
I’m joined by my friend and devout Catholic, Chris Eden, to break it all down—from legal implications to faith-based tensions. We also dive into Trump’s rhetoric, Catholic voter misconceptions, and how the Church can balance confession with child protection.
Plus, rapidfire political questions, hot takes on trending headlines, and a reminder to check out Ground News for media bias transparency.
Subscribe, share, and join our community for more love, justice, and critical conversations.
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Trump’s Big BS Bill, $400M Jets, & Other BS You Might’ve Missed
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Today we’re talking billion-dollar jets, billion-page bills, and about a billion bad decisions — with a dash of June Gemini chaos and cucumber safety, of course.
In this episode, I break down the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — a 1,000-page disaster passed by the House that basically takes from the poor to give to the rich. Even Elon Musk called it an abomination, and Marjorie Taylor Greene regrets voting for it (which should tell you everything). From permanent tax cuts for the wealthy to bans on gender-affirming care and Medicaid work requirements, it’s Robin Hood in reverse.
We also cover some wins — including a judge blocking Trump’s order to abolish the Department of Education and Oklahoma stopping the country’s first religious charter school — and some deeply dystopian updates, like a braindead woman in Georgia being kept alive to carry a pregnancy to term.
Oh, and Trump just accepted a $400 million jet from Qatar. Casual. We’re talking corruption, capitalism, food safety (don’t eat the cucumbers), and why it makes perfect astrological sense that the man is a Gemini.
Other headlines you might’ve missed:— A trans man in SC was arrested for using the “right” bathroom according to the law— Native actor Jonathan Joss was murdered outside his home in what appears to be a hate crime— The average first-time homebuyer is now 56— Megan Thee Stallion is giving us anime realness, and we love to see it
It’s a chaotic week. But not a hopeless one.
🎧 Hit play for feminist rage, dry wit, astrological shade, and a few real reasons to hope.🪧 Protest June 14.🥒 Grow your own food.📣 And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe — it helps the algorithm show this show.
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Viktoria Capek on Dear Reader & Taylor Swift's Lyrical Legacy
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
In this special episode of For Love & Justice, I sit down with author and Swiftie scholar Viktoria Capek to dive deep into her enchanting new book, Dear Reader: An Immersive Literary Journey Through Taylor Swift’s Lyrics. We’re diving into the magic of Taylor’s words, the inspiration behind Viktoria’s book, and what it was really like bringing Dear Reader to life. Let's get into it!
📚 Preorder Dear Reader: https://watkinspublishinglinks.com/dearreader
📷 Follow Viktoria: @viktoriaacapek
💌 Subscribe for more heart-led convos at the intersection of love, justice, and lyrics.
Thursday May 29, 2025
The It Ends With Us Drama Part 2: Taylor Swift Subpoenaed?!
Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
Welcome back to Part 2 of the It Ends With Us drama breakdown—because yes, more has gone down. I recorded Part 1 months ago when things were still fresh, but now the dust has barely settled and the chaos is still escalating. From feuds and lawsuits to Taylor Swift being dragged into the mix (!), it’s time to revisit the mess.
In this episode, I:
Break down the full timeline from 2023 to now
Cover the latest updates
Share my unfiltered thoughts on the case and the Hollywood PR war behind it all
Let’s be honest: this is no longer just a behind-the-scenes spat—it’s a full-on reputation battle with disturbing allegations, retaliation claims, and two public figures clawing for control of the narrative.
Will Taylor Swift actually testify? What even is the truth? Let's talk about it. 👇
Resources to stay updated:
📺 Legal Eagle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adosUgK_lEo
📺 Dr. Ramani on What the Film Gets Wrong About Abuse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMlOP1p5Hos
🔔 Subscribe for more pop culture deep dives, media analysis, and messy breakdowns.
Thursday May 29, 2025
Reputation Fantasy Draft: New Swiftie Obliterates OG Swiftie
Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
In this episode, I’m joined by my bestie for a no-holds-barred Taylor Swift Reputation fantasy draft—and things get spicy. One of us is a longtime Swiftie, the other’s a newer convert, and neither of us is holding back when it comes to picking our ultimate Reputation tracklist.
Expect passionate debates, lyrical deep dives, and a few shocking snubs (sorry in advance). Whether you’re team OG or team New Swiftie, you’ll want to stick around to see who walks away with the better lineup. May the best Swiftie win.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
The Importance of Doing Hobbies With Friends
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
What if joy was the point? In this feel-good episode of For Love & Justice, I’m joined by my best friend and longtime creative partner, Meleah Bowles, to talk about something that deserves way more love: doing hobbies just for fun — and especially doing them with a friend.
From painting badly on purpose to wandering bookstores for hours, we share our favorite low-stakes hobbies, why they matter for your mental health and self-worth, and how they’ve helped strengthen our decade-long friendship. We also explore how making time for joy can actually be a radical act of self-care and resistance to hustle culture — and why it’s so much more fun when you have a buddy beside you.
You’ll hear:
🎨 Our own hobby journeys (including some hilarious fails)
🧶 Why hobbies matter more than ever, especially for women
💡 Easy, low-pressure hobbies you can try today
😂 The power of friendship-based accountability and shared adventure
🌻 Why joy isn’t a luxury — it’s a practice Whether you’re a hobby queen or haven’t picked up a paintbrush since childhood, this one’s for you.
📰 This episode is brought to you by Ground News — the app that lets you compare how different media outlets cover the same story so you can spot bias and think critically. It’s aligned with everything For Love & Justice stands for. Get the app now: https://ground.news/landingV8/welcome...
🎧 Listen, laugh, and maybe start that silly little hobby you’ve been thinking about. Bonus points if you invite a friend. 💕
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/he... https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/a...
Friday May 16, 2025
Wish-fulfilling Taylor Swift’s Stages of Grief Playlists
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
This one's for my fellow Swifties! In this episode, we dive into the official Stages of Grief playlists Taylor curated on Apple Music—and ask a very important question: why were Debut and Reputation left out? From the rose-colored haze of Denial to the clarity of Acceptance, we unpack each playlist’s emotional terrain—plus, we take our Swiftie magnifying glass to Reputation and Debut to figure out where they belong.
And if you love lyrical deep-dives like this one, don’t forget to like & subscribe—and sign up for my newsletter for even more pop culture + feelings: https://mailchi.mp/f36716b1b26c/for-love-justice-newsletter-signup
Taylor Watch episode mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLjQHVZsfrs
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—and in this episode of For Love & Justice, we’re breaking down what that really means in 2025. From a staggering rise in depression screenings to shady moves by policymakers who say they care about mental health but cut funding anyway, we’re naming the contradictions and calling for clarity.
We also dive into the latest shifts in astrology, relationship dynamics, and the messy intersection of AI and therapy. In the Justice segment, we highlight wins like the reinstatement of student visas in Arkansas and the powerful momentum of May Day protests. But we also confront disturbing headlines—from propaganda in Oklahoma classrooms to gut-wrenching abuse cases swept under the rug.
Whether you're here for love, justice, or a little bit of both—press play, and let's talk about what the hell is going on.
Links:
https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2025/05/02/visas-reinstated-for-all-university-of-arkansas-international-students-who-had-status-revoked
https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/04/29/new-academic-standards-set-to-pass-after-lack-of-vote-from-oklahoma-legislature/
https://people.com/4-accused-running-makeshift-child-fight-club-arkansas-school-11722655
Don't forget to like and subscribe! xoxo
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Make it Make Sense: Elon Musk's Villain Origin Story
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Is Elon Musk a misunderstood genius or a billionaire on his way to full-blown villain status? In this episode, we break down his rise from apartheid-era South Africa to becoming the most controversial figure in tech. We dig into his "power" moves at Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), his love for chaos, and the ethical gray areas fueling his empire. Plus, we take a closer look at what those closest to him have to say—his estranged father’s harsh critiques and his trans daughter Vivian’s decision to cut ties with him. Is he more Lex Luthor or Tony Stark gone rogue? Let’s get into it.
Sources:
Ashlee Vance's biography Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
Interviews with Rolling Stone
Interview with CEO of Axel Springer
Elon Musk is on track to become a trillionaire by 2027. Here’s why the rich keep getting richer
Interviews with Musk in Bloomberg Businessweek
Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover, Explained
Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover Is Now the Worst Buyout for Banks Since the Financial Crisis
Tesla Fires a Manager Who Criticized Elon Musk on Social Media
Understanding Elon Musk (archived)
Forbes’ World Billionaires List
Elon Musk Hit With First Formal Conflict Of Interest Complaint Over FAA-Starlink Deal
Elon Musk's Dad Debunks Bullying Memories And Much More In Freewheeling Interview
Vivian Jenna Wilson on Being Elon Musk’s Estranged Daughter, Protecting Trans Youth and Taking on the Right Online
What do you think about Elon Musk? And what topic should I make sense of next? Let me know by emailing me at forloveandjusticepod@gmail.com!
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Jumping Down the Conspiracy Theory Rabbit Hole (With Shannon Sanford)
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Get ready for a whirlwind tour through the wild world of conspiracy theories! We explore shocking truths about conspiracy theories rooted in history, from wars fought for oil to political profiteering, with a spotlight on Overthrow by Stephen Kinzer, a must-read on U.S. interventions. We also unravel lingering mysteries like the JFK assassination, eyebrow-raising claims about the 2024 election, and whether TikTok is truly a security threat—or if the 2-hour "shutdown" was just clever PR.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and keep that tin foil hat handy!
Resources:
Overthrow by Adam Kinzer
https://www.newsweek.com/2024-election-rigged-donald-trump-elon-musk-2019482
https://fox4kc.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/776992724/analysis-of-2024-election-results-in-clark-county-indicates-manipulation/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NfY2I75fdI

You Can Sit With Us!
If you'd like to join the communitea roundtable on a future episode, email me: forloveandjusticepod@gmail.com