Episode 66: B*tches Get Stuff Done
Guests Heather Ryan, Founder & Blythe Potter, Indiana Chapter Lead
Full show notes at https://hoosleft.us/
https://www.bitchesgetstuffdone.org/
Welcome to the HoosLeft Podcast, a show about Indiana politics, history, and culture from the unapologetic perspective of the social democratic left. My name is Scott Aaron Rogers and I’m recording from Bloomington.
I apologize for the late episode this week. Had a little problem getting all the guests’ videos to upload, but we eventually got it done. Plus, I put out two last week, so cut me some slack. Anyway, I’m glad we got the kinks worked out because I get to share a really fun conversation.
Last week, Dr. Michael Shaffer told us it was okay to be mad, and we shouldn’t be afraid to use some choice words, if necessary. That’s permission, an invitation even, from a longtime school principal to swear - not that I needed it; I was swearing plenty already, which you know if you’ve been following me here. I’ve been preparing for this moment since I was like ten. Now, I didn’t plan it this way, but serendipity would have it that the next interview on my calendar was with my guests today, who represent an organization called Bitches Get Stuff Done.
Blythe Potter is a repeat visitor to HoosLeft. A veteran and small business owner, she is a two-time Democratic candidate for office, coming up short in a 2023 run for Bargersville town council and again in a 2024 bid for county council in the Republican stronghold of Johnson County. Blythe is the Indiana Chapter Lead for Bitches Get Stuff Done.
Heather Ryan is also a veteran, former candidate, and a longtime political activist in Iowa. She founded the organization in 2022 shortly after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned women’s constitutional right to abortion. Through networking and training, Ryan motivates others to use a more brash style of activism to bring awareness to often-overlooked state politics in this attention economy.
In this conversation, we’ll talk about Bitches Get Stuff Done, its humble beginnings, and how the organization has grown. We’ll talk about how you can get involved, we’ll laugh a lot, and we’ll swear a lot.
Before we turn to the interview, I want to thank all of you for your support, especially those who have made the leap with a paid subscription. Your contributions have helped me make meaningful connections with fascinating people from all over Indiana, and beyond. We are building a network of Hoosiers dedicated to making this state, and its government, work for all of us, not just the wealthy and connected few.
Now, I work as a handyman/contractor to pay the bills and work on this project when I can. I have so much more to give you, this community, and Indiana’s future. My body and my brain would both prefer if we could afford to direct more of our energies here, but for that I need you. All I’m asking is $5 a month, or $50 a year, to help me write more, research more, organize more, and keep improving HoosLeft.
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Now here are Blythe Potter and Heather Ryan.
Cited in the Interview
BGSD on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@usbitchesgetstuffdone
Hoosier BGSD: https://blythepotter.com/bgsd
AOC “bitches get stuff done” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/21/aoc-ted-yoho-confrontation-congress-capitol
Tina Fey “bitches get stuff done” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfpiqm4tuLM
Freedom Rocks: https://www.thefreedomrock.com/iowa-fr-tour/
Heather Ryan harasses DeSantis: https://x.com/therecount/status/1690013104170557440
“Puddin’ Fingers” https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/ron-desantis-pudding-fingers-ad-trump
Heather trolls Kim Reynolds: https://www.tiktok.com/@usbitchesgetstuffdone/video/7315874590658432298
January 2025 Women’s Marches: https://19thnews.org/2025/01/womens-march-efforts-opposition-trump-inauguration/
Bible Reading in Iowa Capitol Building: https://www.facebook.com/reel/936631785102480
Seven Mountains Mandate: https://religioninpublic.blog/2024/05/13/belief-in-the-7-mountain-mandate-appears-to-be-growing-in-the-last-year/
MADVoters: https://www.madvoters.org/
LGBTQ+ Action Day at the Indiana Statehouse: https://www.aclu-in.org/en/events/lgbtq-day-statehouse
Tesla Owners Regret Musk Association: https://heatmap.news/electric-vehicles/anti-elon-bumper-sticker-tesla
Michelle Obama Ditches, “We Go High” https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/21/michelle-obama-dnc-speech-chicago-2024-00175324
Bloomington City Councilman Dresses in Chicken Suit: https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/2006/12/26/city-0607/48242849/
Illegal to Use Military for Domestic Law Enforcement: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/posse-comitatus-act-explained
Oklahoma Looks to Bring Back State Guard: https://bartlesvilleradio.com/pages/news/443552025/oklahoma-state-guard-plan-unveiled
Indiana Tax Reform Bill Hurts Localities, Schools: https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/01/16/governors-budget-would-trim-5-across-agencies/
BGSD PAC: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bitches-get-stuff-done-pac-1
Reclaiming “Bitch” https://swaay.com/reclaiming-power-bitch
Persistent Puritanism in American Culture: https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/01/04/burning-books-banning-art-and-the-persistence-of-american-puritanism/
Tik Tok Ban Snuck in Foreign Aid Bill: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tiktok-ban-house-speaker-johnson-foreign-aid-package-whats-next/story?id=109391334
“When You’re Accustomed to Privilege” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/when-youre-accustomed-to-privilege_b_9460662
Politics as Pro Wrestling: https://josie.zone/welcome-to-neokayfabe
BGSD Weekly Zoom Call: https://www.bitchesgetstuffdone.org/event-details/nationwide-strategy-call-for-bad-assed-b-tches-2025-01-26-14-00
Once again, that was Heather Ryan, founder, and Blythe Potter, Indiana Chapter Lead, of Bitches Get Stuff Done. Few words in the English language carry as much historical baggage and cultural charge as the word "bitch." We all know its original meaning as a female dog - that’s why it didn’t make George Carlin’s list of “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” but over time, it evolved into an insult used primarily against women - to belittle, dismiss, or control them. Yet, in recent decades, women have begun reclaiming the word, imbuing it with power, defiance, and solidarity.
The word "bitch" dates back to Old English, where - like I said - it was a neutral term for a female dog. But by the Middle Ages, it also came to be used to describe women considered lewd or morally depraved. The term became a weapon, wielded against women who defied societal norms or didn’t "know their place."
In modern usage, "bitch" often describes a woman who is assertive, ambitious, or unapologetically vocal—qualities that society has traditionally associated with men. When a man is forceful, he is called a leader. When a woman exhibits the same traits, she’s often labeled a "bitch." This double standard highlights the patriarchal underpinnings of the insult: it’s less about a woman’s behavior and more about discomfort with her challenging established norms.
I remember growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, and the word sparking debate about misogyny in hip-hop. Teenage me, not entirely knowing what I was doing, rapped along with artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg in ways that demeaned women, reducing them to objects of sexual conquest or parasitic hangers-on. I reject the sentiment, but those tracks are still bangers, and the controversy highlighted a broader societal struggle with misogyny and how language reinforced it.
Yet, amidst this cultural backdrop, I also remember a counter-movement emerging, not just from pearl-clutching white women like Tipper Gore and the Parental Music Research Council, but by strong women in the community like Queen Latifah. “Who you callin’ a bitch?” she demanded, in 1993’s "U.N.I.T.Y." directly addressing the use of "bitch" as a slur, challenging its derogatory intent. In the song, which peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100, Latifah emphasizes respect and rejects the term’s traditional connotations. Her work inspired other female artists to redefine their roles in hip-hop and beyond. Pop-rock singer-songwriter Meredith Brooks reached number two on the charts with a song called, “Bitch” in 1997.
As the century turned, women began to reclaim "bitch" as a badge of honor. Pioneers like Tina Fey popularized the phrase "bitches get stuff done," celebrating the grit and determination of women who refused to be sidelined. Reclaiming the term doesn’t erase its history; rather, it flips its meaning, transforming it from a slur into a symbol of empowerment and resilience. This reclamation was evident in my discussion with Heather and Blythe. The organization’s very name embodies their mission: using boldness, humor, and grassroots activism to hold politicians accountable and foster change.
Reclaiming "bitch" is about more than embracing a word—it’s about dismantling a system that punishes women for being assertive. As Heather put it, "When they go low, I kick them in the balls." Her unapologetic energy captures the essence of the movement: a refusal to stay silent, a rejection of politeness politics, and a commitment to amplifying women’s voices. Their work also underscores how humor disarms opponents and energizes supporters. As Heather also noted, "Republicans are mean, but we’re funny." Their approach combines levity with seriousness, because you can wear yourself out real fast doing this work if you’re not having fun, too.
The reclamation of the word "bitch" is a microcosm of the broader feminist fight for equality. It challenges the societal narrative that women must be docile, agreeable, and deferential. By owning the term, women like Heather and Blythe are reshaping it into a symbol of defiance and determination. As Bitches Get Stuff Done expands, their grassroots model offers a blueprint for activism. They remind us that change doesn’t require perfection, it requires courage.
Being a bitch means standing up, fighting back, and refusing to let fear or complacency win. In reclaiming the word, women are not just taking back a term—they are reclaiming their power, their space, and their right to be heard. In doing so, they remind us all that getting stuff done often requires challenging conventions and embracing the boldness of being unapologetically yourself.
Thanks again to my bold and unapologetic guests Heather Ryan and Blythe Potter, and thank you for listening. You can support their organization and learn more at www.bitchesgetstuffdone.org. Please do so if you can. Also, if you’re able, head over to HoosLeft.US and help support this project with a paid subscription. Thats’s where you’ll find everything I publish, but you can also find me on Facebook, Bluesky, YouTube and TikTok at hoosleft and on most other social media sites at scottrog78. My DMs are open for feedback, tips, ideas, and concerns. You can also email me at scott@hoosleft.us. Forward the show to a friend and have them to forward it to another friend. Let’s keep building this project - and truly democratic state. Until next time, this has been the HoosLeft podcast. I’m Scott Aaron Rogers. Love each other, bitches.
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https://www.tiktok.com/@usbitchesgetstuffdone
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