Rosie Wheeler—better known to many of us as Rosie the Resister—joined TDWS for what will likely be her final public conversation. She’s terminally ill, and reached out to ask if she could come on our show one last time, to say goodbye.
Of course, we said yes.
And somehow, despite the sadness hanging over the occasion, what emerged was a remarkably beautiful hour.
We talked about journalism, resistance, billionaires, Christian nationalism, and the unfinished work of protecting democracy. But the conversation kept returning to something deeper: Rosie shared stories about her children and grandchildren, her final Mother’s Day, the letters she’s writing for her family, and the strange gift of having the chance to say goodbye.
She showed us how to face the end of a life with honesty and grace.
And most of all, she reminded us that the work continues—that the torch gets passed, not dropped.
It was an extraordinary act of generosity from a remarkable woman. We love you, Rosie, and we’re so honored to have had this hour with you. We promise the torch is safe with us.
Thank you Cat: Poli-Psych, Mr. Troy Ford, Mona Mona, Mandy Ohman, PJ Schuster, and many others for tuning in, and to Karen Marie Shelton and Yanni Hamburger for moderating with such grace.
Thanks for listening!
We’re Dana DuBois and Lawrence Winnerman, lifelong BFFs and co-hosts of The Daily Whatever Show — our independent home for smart, irreverent conversations about culture, politics, media, creativity, relationships, aging, and whatever else is shaping modern life this week.
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