January 6, 2021.

For some, it was an insurrection. A violent, shocking attempt to overturn the results of a democratic election.

For others, it was merely a protest, a stand for what they believe is right.

We’re not all operating on the same information. A significant portion of the country (around 30% according to recent polls) doesn’t believe January 6 was an insurrection at all, much less something Donald Trump incited.

This isn’t just about a difference in perspective, it’s about the collapse of shared truths. And it’s not just January 6. The institutions we’ve been taught to trust - the government, political parties, even democracy itself - aren’t doing what they claim to do.

No one is coming to save us.

So, what now?

We Are the Change We’ve Been Waiting For

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: democracy doesn’t work without us.

It’s easy to point fingers at “them” - the politicians, the media, the system - and demand they do better. And yes, we absolutely should hold them accountable.

But real change doesn’t happen from the top down. It happens in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our families. It happens when we stop biting our tongues in conversations that matter, when we speak up even when it’s uncomfortable.

I hate to break it to you: Change starts with us. 

The Role of Hard Conversations

Here’s the good news - you can totally learn to lean into conflict and feel safe while saying what needs said.

I’ll be the first to admit talking to people who don’t agree with us is hard. It’s messy, emotional, and our very identity feels like it’s on the line.

But it’s necessary.

Hard conversations are how we bridge divides. And when you learn to create safety in conflict, they build communities where everyone has a voice.

Here’s what that can look like:

• Saying the hard thing to a neighbor who repeats misinformation.
• Speaking up in a work meeting to advocate for marginalized voices.
• Calling out inappropriate behavior in your social circles, even if it feels awkward.

This isn’t about winning arguments or changing minds overnight. It’s about showing up, planting seeds, and modeling the kind of leadership we wish we saw more of.

A New Model of Leadership

This moment calls for a new model of women’s leadership, one that doesn’t just replicate the systems we’ve seen before. One that doesn’t wait until we’ve “made it” to speak up. One that uses political capital for those whose voices are not in the room.

This is leadership that says:

• I’m here to elevate everyone, not just myself.
• I’m willing to lean into tension on the way to creating a better community for all.
• I’m going to speak up, not because it’s easy, but because it matters.

It’s a lofty goal, yes. But it’s also the one 2025 demands of us.

What January 6 Teaches Us

January 6 reminds us of what we don’t want to be: a fractured nation, operating on mistrust and fear, tearing each other apart instead of building something better.

The way we prevent that isn’t by waiting for someone else to step in. It’s by using our voices, our political capital, and our courage in the spaces we already occupy.

Every conversation matters. Every moment of conflict you lean into instead of avoiding has an impact - not just on you, but on the community we all share.

Your Turn

What’s one hard conversation you’ve been avoiding? How would you like to approach it differently?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or send me a message. Let’s start a conversation about how we can lead boldly, create safety in conflict, and make the change we want to see.

We’re in this together,
Amy