The Girl's Guide
Issue 122: Make American-Made Great Again (feat. Joanna Wischer)
Welcome back to The Girl’s Guide! If you missed the most recent issue, find it here.
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Interview with Joanna Wischer
Today’s interview is with
, who brings a joyful spirit to everything she does, whether it’s working out or working on a presidential campaign! Policy-minded friends, be sure to check out Joanna’s work — she writes about trade and manufacturing in her Substack, Revitalizing America's Industrial Heartbeat. You can follow Joanna on X here.What does your life look like right now?
Life right now has never been busier, but also has never been more beautiful. I served on the policy team of the Donald J. Trump for President 2024 campaign, and also had a baby this past May named Donovan. My husband and I have never been so overjoyed. My husband is in the mineral industry and started his own small business, and we both love what we do. However, the highlight of our day is spending time with Donovan after work.
Our hobbies include watching sports, reading, going on long outdoor walks with Donovan, and visiting new restaurants in Old Town Alexandria, where our home is located.
As far as what comes next, I look forward to serving Donald Trump in whatever capacity I can as a mom and a policy advisor who can help bring industrial jobs back to America.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned in your 20s?
The biggest lesson I learned in my 20s occurred when I became a mom. I learned that being flexible, rolling with the punches, and giving up control was essential to maintain peace in myself and in my family. I feel that there are spiritual implications of this too. Becoming a mom has taught me a new level of sacrifice and sanctification because one’s own schedule becomes about another tiny human being rather than your own. This has challenged me to try and respond with love in everything I do even while sleep-deprived at times.
Why are you passionate about trade and manufacturing?
I am passionate about trade and manufacturing because industry is what makes our country strong, impacts our culture, and ensures that Americans are not endorsing slave labor practices.
When industrial base workers lost their jobs over the last several decades before President Trump was elected, marriages and families broke apart, as once blue collar communities turned into rusted-over ghost towns. Additionally, when a country is self-sufficient, when an emergency hits, we are protected from being dependent on other countries who may need resources for their own people. Buying “Made in America” means that we are not just supporting workers who we so greatly depend upon when emergencies hit, but we know that the people making our goods are being treated fairly by our nation’s labor laws. Made in China manufactured goods, for example, are oftentimes made by forced labor — something no American should support or endorse.
Made in America Gift Guide
Inspired by my interview with Joanna above, today’s Gift Guide is all about Made in America gifts. There are so many amazing U.S.-made brands to support this Christmas season — which is why I’m bringing you this gift guide before Thanksgiving, so you have plenty of time to place your orders! Your friends and family will be happy with whatever you get them, but I always feel like one very special gift is more treasured than a bunch of miscellaneous items.
JOANNA’S PICKS
Red Land Cotton has luxurious sheets, towels and more for your home. Joanna says: “After my son was born, we received a special Made-in-America blanket from Red Land Cotton. They make excellent, high-quality textiles produced in Alabama, North Carolina, and Maine.” Link to Red Land Cotton baby blankets here.
Who doesn’t need a little sparkle on their face this holiday season? Joanna says: “Hope Beauty makes fantastic, high-quality makeup. The makeup lines are inspired by women of the Bible. Founder Hope Harvard was a colleague of mine at the White House, and I love her products.” Link to Hope Beauty’s cheek/lip sticks here.
Public Square isn’t a single manufacturer or brand but is an entire platform that features tons of Made in the USA items and American small businesses. If you don’t have time to peruse their entire website (it would take hours!), check out some of Joanna’s picks: Zelenko Labs vitamins for the kids and adults, BoldBody Active high-rise leggings in tiger print, and a Waterproof Camping Travel Backpack from 2 Pints Fishing.
MORE MADE IN AMERICA GIFTS
For the busy mom: Sometimes you need to snuggle your baby and get things done! That’s where baby carriers by Hope&Plum come in. Founded by two moms, Hope&Plum makes all of their products in Minnesota. My friend Claire Guiney received the beautiful Wildflower Ring Sling as a gift and uses it all the time. Claire says: “My Hope&Plum wrap is one of my favorite baby accessories I have received. The quality is excellent and I love that they're made by moms in the U.S. All of the patterns are fabulous. My sling makes any outfit a statement. I get compliments all the time. It's also super versatile. I'm 5'1" and my husband is 6'1", and we both comfortably wear the same wrap!”
For tiny tots: Montessori toys are all the rage, and for good reason. I’m always amazed by their ability to hold my daughter’s attention. If you want high-quality, U.S.-made montessori toys, then Bannor Toys is your one-stop shop. They’re known for their adorable Original State Rattles (“a great way to show your state pride and heritage”) and offer classics like this baby rattle and this alphabet block set. Oh, and be sure to check out their Christmas-themed options like the Nativity Play Set and Advent Calendar.
For stockings that must be stuffed: When someone mentions stocking stuffers, my mind immediately goes to chocolate. Sure, popcorn balls and oranges are nice, but everyone loves chocolate! There are many small American businesses that make mouthwatering candy. Boyer Candy Company, which is behind the Mallo Cup, is located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. If you’re not local, you can order various amounts of milk chocolate Mallo Cups and dark chocolate Mallo Cups (plus other goodies!) online.
Mallo Cups are goodies that adults and kids alike will enjoy, but this next recommendation is for the grown-ups only. Bourbon Truffles are made by Old Kentucky Chocolates in Lexington, Kentucky. If you’re feeling really generous, you could even get Bourbon Lover’s Tower for the bourbon enthusiast in your life. Old Kentucky Chocolates offers a variety of candies, including peppermint bark, buckeyes, malt balls, and more.
If flying your loved one to Hawaii for a chocolate farm tour is in your budget, more power to you. But if it’s not, allow me to suggest the next best thing, which is delicious Hawaii-grown chocolate from Lydgate Farms in Kauai. This is definitely a great tip if you have a chocolate connoisseur in your life. Some friends of mine recently visited Lydgate Farms on their honeymoon and said it was an amazing experience. Lydgate cocoa is internationally recognized, and they sell everything from chocolate to honey to vanilla on their website. Right now, their dark chocolate covered coffee beans are $20 for a quarter pound – and the coffee is grown in Hawaii too!
Bulletin Board
Independent Women’s Forum is seeking a Video Production Manager for IW Features, the organization’s branch dedicated to grassroots storytelling and original journalism centered on the biggest issues facing Americans today. This position is remote. Learn more and apply here.
The Haps
Here are some links to what I’ve been reading lately:
Ainsley Earhardt Talks Faith, Motherhood, & Her Fox News Ascent (The Conservateur): Patricia Patnode interviews the Fox star about her faith and more.
Between Faith and Fight: What Motivated Latino and Black Christian Men to Back Trump (Christianity Today): Harvest Prude talks to voters and faith leaders in the aftermath of the 2024 election.
Tom Barrett wins Capitol lottery by landing in great-grandfather’s office (Washington Examiner): Marisa Schultz talks to the Michigan Republican about his family legacy.
Not So Dead After All (Current):
on Dead Poets Society and today’s college students. It’s a must-read.
Reader’s Corner
If you’re looking for a great gift for someone who loves to be in the kitchen, my friend Harvest Prude recommends the (aptly named) Harvest recipe journal from Papier, available in softcover or hardcover (link here). Harvest says: “It’s elegant and easy to tuck away or display. Having it also motivates me to write down family recipes and other go-tos, as opposed to just having them in various text messages from my mom or on my notes app.”
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