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Sharon McMahon inspires during contentious election season

A woman in a white dress and blue blazer poses with her book in front of a white background.
Contributed
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Hey Becca Photo from sharonmcmahon.com
Sharon McMahon poses with her book "The Small and the Mighty."

Sharon McMahon of Duluth is known as America's government teacher. Her new book is "The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Heroes Who Changed the Course of History from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement."

In the week before the 2024 election, when political differences are heightened and misinformation is rampant, author and podcaster Sharon McMahon has become somewhat of a beacon of hope.

"You do have an important role to play," she said on the KAXE Morning Show, acknowledging each individual matters and can make a difference. "You must not grow weary of doing good. Rest if you must, but do not quit."

Origin story

"What I think is often missing in political discourse is how to actually make progress, because let me tell you, being angry on the internet is not active. It does not actually solve problems."
Sharon McMahon

McMahon's journey into government and politics began when she became a newspaper carrier at age 12 for the Duluth News Tribune. The early morning routes, often dark and cold, spurred a deep interest in news, government and society.

She said, “By the time I turned 15, I saved up my babysitting money to buy a Newsweek subscription ... and then I became a government teacher, and here we are today.”

Today, McMahon hosts the podcast Here's Where It Gets Interesting with a huge following on Instagram @sharonsaysso.

Listen to Sharon McMahon on the KAXE Morning Show above!

Her latest book, The Small and Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement, is a New York Times bestseller, showcasing the power of ordinary people to make extraordinary impacts on history.

Where we are now

As Nov. 5 approaches, McMahon noted it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed.

“What I think is often missing in political discourse is how to actually make progress, because let me tell you, being angry on the internet is not active. It does not actually solve problems.”

It's not surprising, McMahon said.

“If you think your only contribution to democracy is casting one vote every four years, then you can understand how people might feel disempowered. They might feel as though it makes no difference.”

The time is now for real change, McMahon said, believing that the majority of Americans are seeking it.

"There are very few Americans who are like, 'This is all going great!'"

Disagreement is real and expected, she explained, but there is not one person or one candidate who can deliver everything. “We all want to see positive improvement in our community and that has to start with changing our own behavior.”

Check out KAXE's Election Guide and tune in to Dialed In on Friday, Nov. 1, from noon-2 p.m., as well as coverage on Election Day with the Wednesday Morning Show from 6:30 a.m.-noon on Nov. 6.


Do you have election questions? Let us know!

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Heidi Holtan is Director of Content and Public Affairs. She manages producers/hosts and is the host of the KAXE Morning Show, including a variety of local content like Phenology, What We're Reading, Area Voices, Sports Page and much more, alongside Morning Edition from NPR.