Most Popular EYP Posts!

And a few gems you might have missed, plus what’s coming next

Hello all! Happy Monday!

Wow, what a month it has been. We’ve welcomed over 11,000 new subscribers to the EYP Substack in just the past few weeks, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! Seeing this community grow so rapidly is both humbling and exhilarating. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just joined, I want you to know this space is for you - for all of us who are trying to make sense of the chaos, fight for what matters, and refuse to look away. So today, I want to take a moment to reintroduce myself, celebrate my most-read posts (I’ve written 133!), and dive into one of the biggest political scandals that somehow just… vanished.

About me.

I’m Emily. I grew up in Texas, went to Wellesley College, then somehow collected degrees from Alabama (journalism), Columbia (law), and Amsterdam (international criminal law). I’ve spent my career fighting for people, domestic violence survivors, terrorism victims, and everyday Americans trying to make sense of a political system that too often is rigged against them.

I worked in the Senate as counsel to Chuck Schumer, where I saw firsthand how power is wielded. And I’ve taken on foreign governments in court. I wrote Democracy in Retrograde because I know the world can feel overwhelming, but you have more power than you think. And together, we can make a difference.

I believe in the power of women who refuse to be ignored. I believe in our ability to shape the world when we choose to stand up and pay attention. And I believe in making politics make sense; because the more confusing it is, the easier it is for powerful people to get away with their bullshit.

When I’m not yelling about democracy, I’m a devoted mom to Poppy (dog) and Weasel (cat), a needlepoint enthusiast, and the kind of person who starts a DIY home project at 9 p.m. just to see if I can figure it out. If you’re here, I hope you stay. Let’s make sense of this mess together.

This is the scandal that keeps popping up in my group chats.

The RFK Jr. Affair Explained

Let's talk about something that keeps popping up in my group chats, maybe you’re curious too. Whatever happened to that big Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sex scandal from last year? It has seemingly disappeared from the national conversation, despite Kennedy’s continued rise in power.

This is interesting for a few reasons. First, Republican men seem to have kryptonite-level immunity to sex or sexual abuse scandals, whereas Democratic politicians are so often taken down and flagellated for the remainder of their political careers, if they even have one left.

My post about RFK Jr.’s strange affair with Olivia Nuzzi was one of my most read and shared stories of the year, so it’s a good place to kick off this newsletter:

A Quick Recap:

Until last week, the RFK scandal had all but disappeared from the news. Here’s a refresher on what happened last fall:

New York Magazine put Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi on leave after discovering she allegedly had a relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The magazine stated that had they known about this relationship, she wouldn’t have been allowed to cover the campaign.

The affair itself was strange. Nuzzi is 31. RFK Jr., who is very married to Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Cheryl Hines, is 70. According to CNN, the relationship was “digital” in nature. New York Magazine’s editor-in-chief David Haskell revealed that the relationship lasted nearly nine months, from December 2023 to late August 2024. They met in person only once, when Nuzzi wrote a profile on Kennedy and went hiking with him. It must have been quite a hike. Endorphins do strange things to people.

The scandal led to Nuzzi’s departure from New York Magazine, where she had been the Washington Correspondent for nearly eight years. And then…silence.

Until last week…

The Latest:

The Daily Mail recently reported that RFK Jr.’s wife, Cheryl Hines, issued an ultimatum, she must move to D.C. with him out of fear that his new cabinet post will reignite his “lust demons.”

According to the Mail:

“The Curb Your Enthusiasm actress has ordered RFK Jr., 71, to move her to D.C. ‘forthwith’, fearing the notoriously womanizing Kennedy scion’s self-proclaimed ‘lust demons’ will resurface if he's allowed to be ‘even a part-time bachelor’ in the nation’s capital where the female population dominates.”

Sources say Hines is still recovering from the emotional shock of last September’s scandal and was blindsided by the revelation. She has reportedly given him a strict ultimatum, move her to D.C. or else.

Right now, this is just gossip. Let’s see if the story keeps going this time. I’ll keep you updated.

Here are my most read and shared stories.

The ones people couldn’t stop talking about and shape what I write next. If you missed any, click, read, and jump into the comments, I want to hear what you think.(I’ve *starred* my top picks)

• 12 Practical Steps to Protect Your Data from the Musk/Trump Chaos — Your personal information is at risk, and here’s what you can do to protect it before it's too late. With Musk’s influence growing and Trump’s chaos looming, now is the time to secure your accounts, freeze your credit, and take control of your digital footprint.

• *Why Are We All Feeling Broken? — If you’re exhausted, angry, and over being told to “stay positive,” you’re not alone. This piece explores the deep emotional toll of the political and cultural landscape, and why so many of us feel like we’re carrying an unbearable weight.

• Everything You Need to Know About Calling Your Reps — A simple method to make your calls to Congress faster, easier, and more effective. Stop wasting time searching for numbers and learn the #SaveAllSix method to make your voice heard without the hassle. I answer all your call your reps questions.

• Feeling Helpless? That’s Exactly What They Want — This administration thrives on making you feel powerless. This post breaks down the psychological game at play and offers practical ways to resist the urge to shut down when everything feels overwhelming.

• What is a Legal Coup? — The playbook for dismantling democracy is already in motion, and it’s more dangerous than ever. From the courts to the economy, I lay out how power is being seized without a single shot fired, and what we need to do about it.

• How to Break Up With Amazon — Cutting back on Amazon isn’t easy, but I’ve got practical tips to help you start. Whether it’s small swaps or a full boycott, this guide walks you through alternatives that align with your values without making your life harder.

• 10 Practical Things to Do to Prepare for the Trump Presidency — The political landscape is shifting fast. From reproductive rights to financial security, this guide covers the concrete steps you should take now to prepare for what’s ahead.

• 5 Signs of Hope in the Fight Against Trump and Musk — It’s bad, but there are still reasons to be hopeful. Despite the threats, there are real movements, real wins, and real people fighting back, and this post highlights exactly where that hope lives.

• *How MAGA’s Playbook Went From Joe Rogan to Candace Owens — The right-wing media machine has evolved, and we need to pay attention. This deep dive explains how the conservative movement strategically expanded its audience and why understanding its tactics is key to countering them.

Hidden Gems: Articles You Might Have Missed but Will Love

These pieces may not have been my most-read, but I think you’ll find them just as important, insightful, and thought-provoking. Give them a read and let me know what you think!

• There Is No Bipartisan Solution to Gun Violence — Some problems can’t be solved with compromise. I’ve worked on gun violence issues for a LONG time and I make the argument that the solution requires partisan politics.

• *The Right’s Wellness Lies Are Worse Than You Think — From diet fads to anti-vax conspiracies, the right has weaponized wellness culture in ways that are more insidious than they first appear.

• Let’s Talk About the White Woman Problem — A deep dive into the role white women have played in enabling conservative movements, and what needs to change.

• How the Tradwife Fantasy Delivered Us to This Moment — The rise of traditional wife influencers isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a calculated movement with real political consequences.

• How Did Raw Milk Become So Political? — A seemingly niche health trend has become a battleground in the culture wars. Here’s why.

• The Perfect Scotland Itinerary — Need a break from the chaos? If you’re dreaming of a trip to Scotland, here’s the ultimate guide to making it unforgettable.

• My Pep Talk for When Everything Sucks — I wrote this last July, when everything felt like it was falling apart, a path which has only continued. This is the pep talk for my fellow pragmatists. A reminder that things are always changing.

• Conservatives Don’t Get to Own Patriotism — The right has hijacked patriotism, but it’s time to take it back. Here’s why loving your country means fighting for its future, not blindly following those in power.

• I Watched the Dems Fail Big Time — I had a front-row seat to one of the biggest Democratic Party failures, and it was worse than you think. Here’s what happened and what I think needs to change.

I’m now putting out 3 Substacks a week with the Friday Roundup in regular rotation. I’m trying to build something new and unique to the information ecosystem and write content you actually want to read. Head to the comment section and let me know: what stories do you want me to cover next?

With love and rage,