You Should Run with Elizabeth Fiedler
On Episode 5, we cure our political fatigue with an interview with Elizabeth Fiedler, a progressive Democrat running for a seat in the PA House. We also chat about wage equity laws, salary negotiations, and why you\u2014yes, you\u2014should run for office.\n\nIf you\u2019re anything like us, you\u2019re tired as hell of what\u2019s happening in politics: corruption, sexism, and misogyny are on full display. Immigrants are under attack, reproductive rights are under attack, environmental protections are under attack. The list could go on. But despite it all, we\u2019re not about to sit and sulk. Instead, we want to talk about the legislation and candidates we\u2019re excited about\u2014because we could all use some hope right now.\n\n> So many of us are held back just by that feeling that like, \u201cHmm, maybe there\u2019s someone else out there who is more qualified. Maybe there\u2019s someone else who would be better at this.\u201d And in some cases: sure, there is. In many cases, there is not. It\u2019s us! We\u2019re the ones. \n> _\u2014[Elizabeth Fiedler](https://elizabethfiedler.com/), Candidate for PA House District 184_\n\nHere\u2019s what\u2019s on the docket in Episode 5:\n\n### Hey employers: pay up\n\nFirst up, we talk about one of our favorite topics: getting paid\u2014fairly. Here in Philly, we\u2019re upset about more delays on our first [wage equity ordinance](http://www.phillymag.com/business/2017/11/17/philadelphia-wage-equity-law-ordinance-ban-salary-questions/), which would bar prospective employers from asking about your past salary (which is one of the major ways employers justify continuing to underpay workers from marginalized groups). The law was supposed to take effect in January, but the Chamber of Commerce filed suit\u2014again. Their first lawsuit, last summer, was thrown out for lack of evidence that it would harm businesses.\n\nBut wage equity laws are coming. California\u2019s went into effect in January, and a bunch more are cropping up all over. And when an economy the size of California makes a law, it tends to have a ripple effect. Now some [big employers are announcing](https://www.bna.com/amazon-bofa-join-n73014474845/) that they won\u2019t ask for past pay info, either.\n\nWhile we\u2019re on the topic of compensation, we also chat about how to negotiate those challenging money conversations\u2014and how to avoid getting backed into a corner (or in Katel\u2019s case, a phone booth) to accept an offer that\u2019s not up to snuff.\n\n### Elect. More. Women.\n\nNext on the show, we talk with Elizabeth Fiedler, a candidate in May\u2019s primary for a seat in the PA House, representing the 184th District. That\u2019s the heart of South Philly, where Sara and Jenn both live. Lizz took a break from knocking doors (literally\u2014she is always out there knocking doors) to talk with us about her run. We cover:\n\nShowing up at campaign events with an infant strapped to your body. \nHow much we need single-payer healthcare in Pennsylvania\u2014and everywhere. \nWearing blue blazers and real pants. Like, without stretch. \nHow to know if you should run for office (hint: if you\u2019re thinking about it, you probably should do it).\n\nWe love