Electric Ladies Podcast spotlights stories, democracy and policy ahead of midterms

Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson and journalist-entrepreneur Melissa Jun Rowley are using two June events in Washington, DC, to push a simple message: narratives shape culture, civic engagement and policy. The conversation lands as AI, misinformation and polarization raise the stakes for how people judge what is true and who gets heard.

Why it matters: - Stories shape what people believe, what communities protect and how policy gets made. - The conversations are aimed at helping voters, advocates and leaders recognize how narratives influence democracy before the 2026 midterm elections. - The topic lands amid rising AI-generated content, misinformation and political polarization.

What happened: - Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson speaks with journalist, entrepreneur and author Melissa Jun Rowley in two conversations focused on narrative, leadership and public discourse. - The podcast episode is live now on all major podcast platforms and at Electric Ladies Podcast. - Michelson and Rowley will also appear at an event on June 17 at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC. - The June 17 roundtable will include Samantha Schmidt of Mom’s Clean Air Force, Sweta Chakraborty of We Don’t Have Time, social sculptor Philippa Hughes and audience participation.

The details: - Rowley’s new book, Beyond the Mic Drop: How Our Stories Shift Culture, Power, and Policy, lays out frameworks for understanding narratives affecting individuals, organizations and communities. - Rowley said the ability to speak up and to recognize, question and tell stories responsibly has become one of the most important skills in an era marked by First Amendment infringements and competing visions for the future. - Michelson said Rowley offers practical insights that help people step back from assumptions and separate narratives from facts. - The podcast conversation examines how narratives gain traction, including which ideas and voices are amplified and who gets to take part in decisions affecting communities and institutions. - Michelson and Rowley encourage audiences to think more critically about all media, including social media.

Between the lines: - The push to frame storytelling as a civic skill reflects a broader attempt to counterinformation overload with media literacy and civic participation. - The roundtable format suggests the message is meant to move beyond commentary and toward community discussion and action. - Rowley’s background in journalism, entrepreneurship and activism gives the conversation a mix of media, policy and advocacy perspectives.

What’s next: - The June 17 event is expected to extend the podcast themes into live discussion with community members in Washington, DC. - Michelson and Rowley are encouraging listeners and attendees to use their own voices more actively in democracy and public discourse. - The episode remains available on major podcast platforms as the midterm election cycle intensifies.

The bottom line: - The project treats storytelling not as a side issue, but as a tool that can shape policy, participation and power.