Shannon Watts is someone who has forever changed the conversation around gun violence and what it means to be a woman on fire. She is the founder of Moms Demand Action, the grassroots movement she launched from her kitchen table the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy. What started as a single Facebook post quickly grew into the largest women-led, volunteer-driven organization in the country, now part of Everytown for Gun Safety, with chapters in all 50 states and nearly 11 million supporters.

Before all of this, Shannon was a stay-at-home mom of five and a former corporate communications executive. Today, she's one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People and a relentless advocate for women's leadership, gun safety, and personal transformation.

In this conversation, Shannon joins The Pain Gap to discuss her new book, Fired Up, which serves as both a rallying cry and a roadmap for women who are ready to stop living in their "shoulds" and start following their passion. We discuss burnout, bravery, the myth of balance, and why stepping into your power—at any age—isn't just radical, but necessary.

Whether your fire is personal, political, or quietly beginning to burn, Shannon reminds us that it's never too late to light it—and that we all have a role to play in lighting up the world.

Episode Resources:

The Pain Gap

Shannon's Website

Instagram: Shannonrwatts

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