Why Protest Works—The 3.5% Rule with Erica Chenoweth

Why Protest Works—The 3.5% Rule with Erica Chenoweth

Author: Treat Media and Glennon Doyle July 8, 2025 Duration: 56:25
426. Why Protest Works—The 3.5% Rule with Erica Chenoweth Harvard professor and leading expert on political resistance, Erica Chenoweth, joins us to answer a critical question: Is the United States still a democracy, or have we already slipped into authoritarianism? Professor Chenoweth lays out where we stand—and shares a powerful, evidence-based strategy for reclaiming our collective power while we still can. -The warning signs of democratic decline—and how they’re unfolding in America right now -How just 3.5% of the population can spark unstoppable, long-term change -Why nonviolent resistance works—and why it’s our most underused superpower -What it really means to defect—and how to reclaim power from authoritarian forces Erica Chenoweth is professor at Harvard University who studies political violence and its alternatives. Erica directs the Nonviolent Action Lab, an innovation hub that provides empirical evidence in support of movement-led political transformation. Erica has authored nine books including, with Maria Stephen, Why Civil Resistance Works and Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs to Know. Erica maintains the NAVCO Data Project, one of the world’s leading datasets on historical and contemporary mass mobilizations around the globe.

Life is rarely simple, and the conversations on We Can Do Hard Things reflect that beautiful, messy reality. Hosted by Glennon Doyle, her wife Abby Wambach, and her sister Amanda Doyle, this podcast creates a space where the difficult, tender, and triumphant parts of being human are examined without flinching. The dynamic between the three hosts-their laughter, debates, and shared vulnerability-turns each episode into a genuine conversation you’re invited to overhear. They tackle topics spanning relationships, societal expectations, personal growth, and the quiet struggles often faced alone, all with a blend of raw honesty and unexpected humor. This isn’t about abstract advice; it’s about real people navigating real life, which is why the community around this podcast, known as the Pod Squad, has become such a powerful force for connection and tangible change. The title is a mantra put into practice, a reminder that strength isn’t about avoiding hardship but about moving through it together. Tuning in feels like joining a candid kitchen-table talk where pretense is left at the door. You’ll find a unique mix of comfort and challenge in every episode, a combination that has resonated deeply, leading to an incredible collective impact far beyond the audio itself. For anyone looking for a thoughtful, unvarnished, and compassionate take on modern life, this podcast offers a refreshing perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

We Can Do Hard Things
Podcast Episodes
Liz Gilbert on Loving Without Losing Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:30
443. Liz Gilbert on Loving Without Losing Yourself Glennon and Liz Gilbert go deeper into Liz’s relationship with Rayya, into the tender, messy, miraculous place where caring for someone else pushes hard against caring f…
Elizabeth Gilbert on Losing the Love of Her Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:56
442. Elizabeth Gilbert on Losing the Love of Her Life Elizabeth Gilbert comes to Glennon’s home to talk about her love with Rayya Elias—the joy, the devastation, and the truth-telling that came after. Liz opens up about…
The Best Advice We’ve Got on Loneliness & Jealousy (Best Of) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:38
Who do we go to for advice? And do we really even WANT advice — or just a good listener? Glennon, Abby, and Amanda tell us who they each go to when they don’t know what to do next — and offer their best advice to Pod Squ…
WELCOME TO THE PARTY! Abby’s Big Secret Reveal with Julie Foudy! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:40
441. WELCOME TO THE PARTY! Abby’s Big Secret Reveal with Julie Foudy! Attention Party People! Abby has BIG news—she’s launching Welcome to the Party, a video-first women’s sports podcast with legends Julie Foudy & Billie…
Becoming Full of Yourself | Austin Channing Brown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:46
440. Becoming Full of Yourself | Austin Channing Brown Author, speaker, and racial justice leader Austin Channing Brown joins us to share why centering the lives and voices of Black women isn’t just powerful—it’s transfo…
The Closure Myth: How Do We Really Move On?  (Best Of) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:05
368. The Closure Myth: How Do We Really Move On? Abby, Glennon and Amanda delve into your voicemails and discuss matters of the broken heart, closure, self-sabotage, moving toward or away from family, and more. Discover:…
Get Free from Perfectionism | Live on Tour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:32
439. Get Free from Perfectionism | Live on Tour For anyone ready to break free from perfectionism and finally choose themselves – join us today, live from our We Can Do Hard Thing tour. Glennon, Abby, and Amanda talk abo…
How to Protect Kids from ICE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
438. How to Protect Kids from ICE Right now in America, children are standing alone in immigration court—no lawyer, no advocate, no protection—forced to represent themselves against government attorneys from Homeland Sec…
How to Have *Healthy* Conflict with Amanda Ripley (Best Of) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:22
351. How to Have *Healthy* Conflict with Amanda Ripley Conflict expert and investigative journalist, Amanda Ripley, is back to give us a conflict resolution 101 guide and delve into some real-life examples from Abby and…