For all those still feeling the moon joy—Artemis II was brought to you by public schools and publicly funded science. Copy that! 👩‍🚀🚀💕

*All four astronauts went to public schools!

At The Story Exchange, we're still thinking about the recent #NASA mission. In my latest, I sit with part of why humanity was so drawn in by the #ArtemisII crew's journey - which is, because they showed us who and what we are ALL capable of being. Read it below:

The Aubrey Plaza Pregnancy Backlash is as Hypocritical as it is Misogynistic (and Gross) The actress announced she’s expecting a child. But her ex died by suicide just over a year ago, some complained in response. Let’s look at how men handle illness and death in partners.

Had some #AubreyPlaza thoughts... stayoffmybeat.substack.com/p/the-aubrey...

A Twinkle of Hope Found Amid the Artemis II Crew’s Playlist Astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft were awakened this week by Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” – a queer anthem by a queer artist. Dr. Sally Ride would have loved it.

The #ArtemisII crew woke up one day of their historic flight to the sounds of "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan - a moment both small and big in nature.

Pam Bondi Reminds Us: Women Can’t Save Themselves By Selling Their Souls The former AG’s ouster follows years of loyalty to Donald Trump – the latest example of how kowtowing to sexist leaders will only take women so far, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.

My implication in this op-ed for @thestoryexchange.bsky.social isn't that recent firings were motivated by gender. It's that these men – the ones women like Bondi, Noem and Leavitt defend… they don't care about “useful” women either, when it comes down to it: thestoryexchange.org/pam-bondi-re...

Reports: Cesar Chavez Assaulted Dolores Huerta, Girls in Farmworkers’ Movement The now-deceased labor leader has been accused of sexually abusing girls and women who worked with him in defense of farmworkers’ rights, including fellow leader Huerta.

What we know so far about the distressing allegations against #CesarChavez - as well as brief thoughts on a culture that still tells women to be silent, instead of telling men to be better, and how women carry on anyway. Now live on @thestoryexchange.bsky.social: thestoryexchange.org/reports-cesa...

Women are reviving a historic resistance tactic at protests: singing In a return to form for U.S. social justice movements, organizers are turning to group singing to unite crowds and sustain demonstrations against Trump and ICE.

Psyched to say that my article on #women #singing the U.S. #resistance, originally on @thestoryexchange.bsky.social, has been republished by @19thnews.org!

If you haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, here's the link on their site: 19thnews.org/2026/03/wome...

The Growing Chorus of Resistance, and The Women Holding the Baton Protests against the Trump administration have been increasingly scored by voices joined in song. It’s a return to form for U.S. movements – and it’s largely women leading the way.

Now live on @thestoryexchange.bsky.social: My project on #women #singing the #resistance. Their work is joyful, and it is vital - and I encourage everyone to read / share all about it. thestoryexchange.org/the-growing-...

What If... Not Everything is a Woman's Fault? A 30-year-old man says something stupid - and the internet turns it into an excuse to blame and mock the woman in his life. Because, of course.

A brief reminder that how we talk about things - even the seemingly less important things like #TimotheeChalamet and #KylieJenner - matters.

Now live on the ol' Substack: stayoffmybeat.substack.com/p/what-if-no...

The U.S. Men’s Hockey Team Reminds Us How Complicit – and Lame – Men Can Be President Donald Trump invited the team to appear as honored guests at this year’s State of the Union address. They accepted – and that’s the problem, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.

Very much done with men's smiling quiet in the face of women's harm. Wrote about it in an op-ed on the #SOTU and #TeamUSA's men's hockey team for @thestoryexchange.bsky.social: thestoryexchange.org/the-u-s-mens...

Automatic Reconnection Thoughts and appreciation inspired by a bit of tech, and a bunch of people.

On people... and WiFi - now on my Substack (which you're forever welcome to subscribe to): stayoffmybeat.substack.com/p/automatic-...

Saving Nature: 11 Women to Watch in Science These women are using their hard-earned knowledge to protect our planet already ravaged by brutal storms, epic floods and intense wildfires.

In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we present our list of 11 Women to Watch in Science. Prepare to be inspired! #womeninscience

I just need to note that this recent spate of extreme-weather days has resulted in a... rather character-revealing moment for New York City's dog owners. (I'm sure the folks I know aren't the ones getting all lawless, but... someone out there is. Because, damn.)

It’s 2026, And The President is Telling Women to Smile – to Shut Them Up It’s an age-old sexist refrain, and the Trump administration is using it to quiet women journalists who ask about the Epstein files, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.

Wrote an op-ed about #Trump's repeated attempts to evade questioning on the #Epsteinfiles by disrespecting women journalists - and the particularly insidious nature of his latest try - for @thestoryexchange.bsky.social: thestoryexchange.org/its-2026-and...

Here’s to Catherine O’Hara, Life’s Answer to Bogus Claims That Women Aren’t Funny The award-winning Canadian-American actress was a comedic titan – despite men’s tendency to assert, time and time again, that women aren’t able to dole out the laughs.

My reflection on the brilliant #CatherineOHara: stayoffmybeat.substack.com/p/heres-to-c...

I Will Stop Writing About White Women When We Stop Being Ridiculous We are SO privileged, and we do SO little with that power. This failure merits calling out, again and again and again.

Had some #SydneySweeney thoughts, now live on Substack: stayoffmybeat.substack.com/p/i-will-sto...

13 Protest Songs by Women Artists to Light Your Social Justice Fires Music can be a balm. But as these performers demonstrate, it can also provide the necessary spark for fighting back against injustice.

Some music for the moment, over on @thestoryexchange.bsky.social... thestoryexchange.org/13-songs-by-...

The Revolution Might, In Fact, Be Televised Whatever form the resistance takes - it must be honest at its core. We genuine artists and creatives can handle that.

Words on what our next acts of resistance must be grounded in - and the role creation can absolutely play in that - now live on my Substack: stayoffmybeat.substack.com/p/the-revolu...

Experts: Rural Women's Healthcare Crisis Won’t Be Solved By Robots Remote areas of the U.S. that lack OBGYNs and clinics need more than the non-human solutions recently touted by Dr. Oz, medical professionals say.

My feature on rural women's healthcare access in the U.S. - and Trump administration officials' supposedly "cool" proposed solution - is now live on @thestoryexchange.bsky.social: thestoryexchange.org/experts-rura...

New York Vocal Collective - No Machine YouTube video by NYVC (New York Vocal Collective)

Special, tender work here in the latest from New York Vocal Collective... ❤️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eJx...

‘The Artist’s Way,’ and the Limitations We Place on Women’s Imaginations A 12-week exercise in nurturing my “inner artist” became an extended contemplation of how our society cuts off women’s genius at its knees.

Beginning my 3rd #ArtistsWay journey today, so I'm re-upping a piece I wrote for @thestoryexchange.bsky.social abt how the marginalized are kept from creative processes bc of the additional labor demanded of them... and the creation we miss out on as a result. thestoryexchange.org/the-artists-...

And, just to add... The monsters can't take away all of our joy. They can't take away the act of creation. They can't stop us from joining our voices together - in any context.

New York Vocal Collective - I Blame You YouTube video by NYVC (New York Vocal Collective)

Bringing a little fun to your feeds courtesy of New York Vocal Collective, to offer a brief respite as we continue to bear witness to - and push back against - our nation's ever-ongoing backslide into fascism. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrVr...

As we watch news develop regarding the U.S. attack on Venezuela - and regarding the unfolding case against its former dictatorial nightmare of a leader - there is another pressing matter that Trump perhaps hoped folks would forget about amid the din. Wrote a brief op-ed on the matter...

New York Vocal Collective - The End of Love YouTube video by NYVC (New York Vocal Collective)

One more Christmas present, courtesy of the New York Vocal Collective. This performance, this arrangement, the tender moments of rehearsal and reflection behind the finished product... just all rather special to me. I hope you'll take a few to enjoy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QSs...

Never Fall In Love With An Elf ft. Morgan Billings Smith YouTube video by Broadway Goes A Cappella

One of my favorite arrangements I've sung this year. (And I've sung... a lot this year.) Enjoy, and Merry Christmas! www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkNL...

They’ll Never Have Hummingbirds Contemplating the scourge of ever-developing AI technology - and what the point of its persistent march forward even is, especially as a "creative" tool.

Wrote about imperfect humanity as a vital component of creation, and #AI as a needless desecration of that act, while I was ensconced in show-day backstage comfort with BIV. (Also, if you haven't yet, feel free to subscribe! 🙂) stayoffmybeat.substack.com/p/theyll-nev...

The Dangerous Annoyance of Lovely White Women's Tears Writer Olivia Nuzzi and student Samantha Fulnecky have been elevated because they enjoy a privilege that can cause real harm, Candice Helfand-Rogers writes.

New for @thestoryexchange.bsky.social - on how white women are continuing to use our tears to get ahead, and what we could and SHOULD be doing with our privilege instead: thestoryexchange.org/the-dangerou...

'Presence' in a Block Universe An alternative view of what it means to ~ be in ~ a given moment.

Forgive me, for I have waxed philosophical: stayoffmybeat.substack.com/p/presence-i...

Viewcy | New York Vocal Collective: 𝑔𝑒𝓃𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓈 **NOTE**: if you're on your phone and can't see the **get tickets** button, you may need to tap "open in external browser". We at the **New York Vocal Collective** are beyond excited to bring you our...

Performing on 12/6 with an AWESOME new choir, the New York Vocal Collective. Check us out - live or livestream! www.viewcy.com/event/nyvc2025