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Mighty Forces is the podcast for people who give a damn. We go deep, and we get stupid, because the best conversations do both. Hosted by story coach Amanda Hirsch.

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COMING SOON - Episode 5: Curiosity & The Courage to Begin with Suzanne Ehlers and Johanna Derlega

This is an episode about living and leading with integrity, finding spaciousness, and the courage to put the first draft out there — on the page, in the world, and in our lives.

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Episode 4: Less Hierarchy, More Community with Vanessa Van Burek and Jean Michel David

From reimagining education without hierarchy to building a comic book store that doubles as a safe haven for queer and neurodivergent kids, my guests this week — Vanessa Van Burek and Jean Michel David — reveal how their work helps people of all ages feel seen and empowered.

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Episode 3: Picking Our People & the Power of Creative Outlets with Jordan Hirsch

This week’s episode is extra special: I get to sit down with my husband, Jordan Hirsch, for a conversation that covers everything from how we fell in love (awww) and what he knows about me that others might not, to how we pick our people in this life; finding meaning in work through friendships with coworkers; the energizing power of creative constraints; and more.

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Coming soon

10.21.25 - Jordan Hirsch, aka Hubby

10.28.25 - Vanessa Van Burek and Jean Michel David

11.4.25 - Suzanne Ehlers and Johanna Derlega

11.11.25 - Lisa Gates and Jay Moon Fields

11.18.25 - To be announced

11.25.25 - Michelle Hynes and Kimberly Wilson

12.2.25 - Christie George and Jessica Clark

12.9.25 - To be announced

12.16.25 - Giving a Damn
End of season 1

About The Podcast

Mighty Forces is the podcast for people who give a damn — about other people, about the state of our world, and about prying this one wild and precious life from the jaws of fascism, white supremacy, and automated customer service menus.

We go deep, and we get stupid, because the best conversations do both.

More info

In each episode, host and story coach Amanda Hirsch (that’s me!) chats with smart, funny guests about how to live a meaningful life right now, giving what they most want to get, and whatever the hell else is on their minds, from the trivial to the profound. Hear from artists and activists, healers, teachers, and entrepreneurs, plus folks doing super cool work that defies easy job titles.

You’ll leave each episode feeling lighter, less burdened, and with enough optimism in the tank to last at least seven to ten seconds.

Original music by Jordan Hirsch (aka my husband)

“Give a damn” shout-outs

I invite each guest on the Mighty Forces podcast to shout out an organization they wish more people knew about.

Please take a moment to check out the list, and consider how you can use your platform — whether you have 5 followers, or 5 million — to help amplify the good in this world.

Check the list

Overheard on the pod

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Overheard on the pod 〰️


(an ever-growing compendium)

Reminding myself of my humanity ★ Zhuzh the egg ★ “Hi, you don't know me, but I am putting together an informal salon where we will bloviate” ★ Sure, I'll go to Shabbat dinner at your mom's house… ★ We found our nerds! ★ If you want it to happen in a meaningful way, you actually have to go about designing for it ★ I don't take the news after a certain time in the morning ★ We are, on the surface, so different — and yet we have this core that is so deeply connected. ★ I was watching who drinks a Mountain Dew at 10 a.m. ★ A dollop of apricot jam ★

To be continued...share your favorite quotes to add to the list!