Take Your Power Back with Amanda Nguyen and Lewis Howes

TL;DR

Amanda Nguyen, founder of Rise, shares her personal journey of overcoming obstacles and rewriting laws to protect sexual assault survivors.

Transcript

politics is not about logic or facts it was we'd have a very different climate now it's all about emotion welcome everyone at the school grants podcast we've got a man to win in the house so good to see you yeah lovely to be here thank you for being here excited about everything that you've been up to you've been really a change agent and helping m... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🏭 Politics is often driven by emotion rather than logic or facts.
• 👮 Understanding the rules of the legislative process and engaging with decision-makers are essential in passing laws.
• 🥺 Activism and organizing are both important, but organizing can lead to more sustainable and effective change.
• 🥺 Hope, rather than anger, can sustain social movements and lead to lasting transformation.
• 👮 Passing laws requires empathy, coalition building, and the ability to engage with different perspectives.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Amanda Nguyen to start Rise and advocate for the rights of sexual assault survivors?

Amanda Nguyen was motivated to take action after discovering a broken criminal justice system following her own rape at Harvard. She realized that survivors in different states had different sets of rights, which was unjust and needed to change.

Q: How did Amanda Nguyen pass 21 laws in just 21 months?

Amanda Nguyen and her team at Rise used a gamified approach to lawmaking, called Hopeanomics, which breaks down the process of passing a law into manageable levels. They relentlessly organized, engaged with policymakers, and brought unlikely allies to the table, resulting in the passage of multiple laws.

Q: What rights are included in the Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights?

The rights included in the Survivor Bill of Rights vary from state to state, but common rights include the right to hold onto rape kit evidence for the duration of the statute of limitations, the right to not be charged for a rape kit, and the right to be notified of one's rights and have a copy of the police report.

Q: How can everyday people get involved with Rise or launch their own campaign?

Anyone can apply to Rise through their website, rise-now.us. Whether it's applying for support with launching a campaign or volunteering time to join existing campaigns, Rise provides resources, mentorship, and funding to empower individuals passionate about creating change.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Amanda Nguyen's background in astrophysics and national security led her to start Rise, an organization that advocates for the rights of sexual assault survivors.

• She discovered a broken criminal justice system after she was raped at Harvard, leading her to take action and rewrite the laws.

• Rise has successfully passed 21 laws in the past 21 months, impacting at least 40 million people, and continues to fight for the rights of survivors.