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).
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
Jul 6, 2026
Jul 6, 2026
40 min
Raise your hand if you've ever turned a hobby into a side hustle and accidentally sucked all the joy out of it. 🙋♀️
This week, I'm joined by my friend and former coworker, Landon Phillips, to talk about hobbies, burnout, work-life balance, and why doing something simply because it makes you happy is becoming a radical act. We unpack hustle culture's obsession with productivity, the guilt of "wasting time," and why protecting your leisure time might be one of the best forms of resistance we've got. We also get into preventing burnout, reconnecting with your inner child, and giving yourself permission to be gloriously mediocre at something for once.
And because we can't be serious all the time, we wrap things up with a rapid-fire round full of comfort shows, abandoned hobbies, and our completely unqualified—but deeply held—hot takes on Trump, the zodiac, and other matters of great national importance.
Turns out touching grass, knitting badly, reading for fun, or hyperfixating on a weird little craft isn't laziness—it's self-preservation. Who knew?
👇 Tell me in the comments: What's a hobby you've rediscovered—or one you've always wanted to try?
👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who needs permission to have fun again.
Jan 25, 2026
Jan 25, 2026
1hr 14 min
My first interview of 2026 is one I’m honored to share. I sat down with Rachel Garrett Steele to talk about the life-changing choice she made to leave the U.S. in search of safety, freedom, and joy. As political attacks on trans people escalate — from restrictions on gender-affirming care to federal language rewritten to erase entire communities — Rachel’s story offers clarity, courage, and a reminder of what’s at stake. We talk about belonging, rebuilding a life abroad, what “home” means now, and the victories in choosing yourself even when the world refuses to make space for you.
If this conversation resonates, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who needs to hear Rachel’s story.
TW: suicidal ideation
Follow Rachel:
https://rachelgarrettsteele.com/
@momfriend64 on Bluesky & Instagram
Resources for helping the trans community:
Crisis SupportTrans Lifeline: https://translifeline.orgThe Trevor Project: https://thetrevorproject.org
Legal AdvocacyACLU LGBTQ & HIV Project: https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbtq-rightsLambda Legal: https://www.lambdalegal.org Transgender Law Center: https://transgenderlawcenter.org
Mutual Aid & Direct SupportBlack Trans Femmes in the Arts: https://www.btfacollective.orgTLDEF: https://transgenderlegal.orgSylvia Rivera Law Project: https://srlp.org
Oct 2, 2025
Oct 2, 2025
21 min
Is Taylor Swift political? Some say no — but her lyrics tell a different story. In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into Taylor Swift’s most political songs — 16 tracks that span themes of feminism, power, religion, LGBTQ+ rights, and resistance. From gaslighting and double standards to purity culture, political despair, and queer visibility — Taylor’s songs are more than breakups and fairytales. They’re cultural critiques, whispered protests, and sometimes, battle cries. If you’ve ever been told Taylor’s music “isn’t that deep,” this is the episode to send them.
Sep 24, 2025
Sep 24, 2025
4 min
RFK Jr. is back with another dangerous claim — this time saying that Tylenol causes autism. Not acetaminophen, not evidence-based science — but Tylenol, the brand name. And here’s why that matters: Tylenol is the only safe, widely recommended pain reliever for pregnant women. Which means this misinformation isn’t just sloppy — it’s cruel. It’s another attack on women’s health.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about Tylenol. It’s about power, autonomy, and whether women’s suffering is treated as inevitable — or as something worth taking seriously.
✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you believe women’s pain matters.
Sep 19, 2025
Sep 19, 2025
9 min
What if I told you states are using maps like power plays—drawing lines not for fairness, but for political survival? That’s gerrymandering. In this episode of For Love & Justice, I break down what gerrymandering is, why it matters, and how California and Texas are battling it out over redistricting. From Texas Republicans aiming for five extra House seats to Gavin Newsom going full Trump on Twitter, these fights will shape U.S. politics for the next decade.
Sep 17, 2025
Sep 17, 2025
9 min
In this episode of For Love & Justice, I’m unpacking not just the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, but the explosive reactions that followed. Why did this one act dominate the feeds while other tragedies barely registered? What does the rush to blame reveal about the culture we’ve built—where outrage is currency and projection replaces truth?
I talk about:
-The immediate politicization of Kirk’s death
-Why selective empathy fuels division
-How projection drives false narratives
-The role of social media and echo chambers in radicalization
-What it takes to resist outrage culture and build something better
I’m not here to dissect the crime itself—I’m here to look at what our reactions say about us right now, and why it matters for the future of our democracy.
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on love, justice, politics, and culture.
Sep 10, 2025
Sep 10, 2025
14 min
Gerrymandering vs. Voter Suppression: what’s the difference? And why do they matter for our democracy?
This week’s episode breaks down how maps are manipulated, how access to the ballot is restricted, and why both strategies tilt elections. Plus—what we can do to fight back.
Aug 26, 2025
Aug 26, 2025
15 min
From rescue stories to black cat myths to why adoption matters — join me (and my furbabies!) for a cozy, heartfelt dive into animal advocacy. Today’s episode is a little different — and a lot furrier. I’m joined by my very special co-hosts: my rescue cat Lazarus, my gentle pup Ginger, and my chaos-loving ferret Mochi. Together, we’re diving into the messy, magical, and meaningful world of animal advocacy and adoption.
✨ What we cover in this episode:
The origin stories of Laz, Ginger, and Mochi (and the life lessons they’ve taught me 🐕🐈🦦)
Why adopt don’t shop matters — and how adoption saves lives
The tough stuff: vet bills, underfunded shelters, and misinformation about “difficult” animals (pit bulls, ferrets, black cats & more)
The JOY animals bring: from emotional support to the literal healing power of a cat’s purr
How loving animals is also an act of justice, compassion, and everyday care
📊 Quick stats: In 2024, 5.8 million cats and dogs entered U.S. shelters. 4.2 million were adopted, but over 600,000 were euthanized due to lack of space and resources. Adoption, fostering, and advocacy truly make a difference.
🐾 How you can help: Adopt or foster from a shelter near you
Donate or volunteer at local rescues (many have Amazon wishlists!)
Support community spaces like cat cafés that partner with shelters (shoutout Gibson’s Cat Café in Conway, AR!)
💌 If this episode made you smile, please like, subscribe, and share — it helps spread the For Love & Justice message and supports animal rescue. Because at the end of the day, loving animals isn’t just cute — it’s a radical act of compassion.
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025
12 min
In this episode, we’re recapping the stories you might’ve missed in July — the ones that slipped through the cracks of your algorithm but still matter. From Harry Styles selling out vibrators and Travis Kelce feeding the Swifties, to WNBA players demanding equal pay and Ms. Rachel shutting down billionaire worship, the “love” portion of this roundup is just the beginning.
We’re also getting into the thick of it: Donald Trump’s bizarre war on late-night television, his bragging about getting Colbert fired, and his sudden boost in net worth thanks to selling everything from dogecoin to Bibles. Meanwhile, twelve states are pushing for Congressional term limits, a judge just made it easier for medical debt to tank your credit score, and rural Arkansas is in crisis — with hospitals at risk of closing, health insurance rates spiking, education funding delayed, and even the National Weather Service cutting back.
We talk Trump, Epstein, and the far-right group trying to establish a whites-only community in Arkansas — while the state’s attorney general scrambles to clean up the mess. Also: Hailee Shoffner is running against Tom Cotton for Senate in 2026, and we are absolutely here for it.
Don’t forget to like and subscribe — it helps the algorithm and makes sure this kind of content reaches more people who give a damn.
Jun 12, 2025
Jun 12, 2025
1hr 10 min
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.

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








