Holly Whitaker is super intolerant and it doesn't help me.
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“I stopped listening to Home a long time ago, and I didn’t even miss it. But at the recommendation of a friend, I checked out a particular episode last night—she said it would make me laugh at the podcast's approach. It did, and it reminded me why I cancelled my subscription. I'm giving the show two stars because the hosts certainly give some important information—for example, people need to hear that there’s more than one way to recover, that the 12 steps are by far not the only way, and that in many ways 12-step literature is outdated.
But about a year ago, in a bid to boost their own visibility, Laura and Holly chose to ignore interviewing ordinary sober women and chose instead to interview high-profile, big-platform self-help gurus (and drooling while they do it, which makes me feel embarrassed for them—minus one star).
On the show, Holly plugs her business, Hip Sobriety, as if it were actual clinical work, which would be funny if it weren’t so dangerous. There are scores of women out there who say she "saved" them, and she eats up this star-treatment, but her business model actually encourages women to depend on her, which is hardly empowering. And then she tries to talk on the show about theories and the history of psychiatry and psychology and treatment, and she uses clinical terms incorrectly. (Gosh, Holly, please: figure out what the word "bolus" means before you keep saying it in the wrong context.) Minus one star.
And Laura thinks of herself as a writer, despite the fact that she repeatedly tries haltingly to express herself and then gives up, saying, "I just don't have the words to tell you what I mean." Isn’t it a writer’s job to be able to pick words to tell us what she means? Maybe she doesn't even know what she means. Minus one more star.
I guarantee you there are other people who have similar criticisms of this podcast. But critics are too afraid to speak up because of how vindictive Holly and Laura get when anyone disagrees with them. Should deduct another star, but I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I used to like listening to this show when their purpose was to help other women stay sober. But now their show has become a blatant tool to support their businesses, and to gather sycophants around them. I get that I’ll be criticized for calling these women “angry”—Holly herself would say you can’t be considered a feminist if you call another woman “angry.” I don’t want Holly and Laura (or anyone) to shut up and be sweet and small and just smile. Anger is important. Women need to use it. But there are ways to slam ideas and people that are kind, loving, tolerant, productive. (Pema, her superhero, does it all the time.)
That's what the podcasters I listen to have—kindness, love, moderation, and desire to be productive, even in the middle of offering intense criticism.”Read full review »
The Wife of Bath via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/05/18
More reviews of HOME Podcast
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“I can't even begin to describe how much I love and treasure this podcast. It is total soul recovery. I like to take long hikes and bring Laura and Holly with me in my headphones. I laugh out loud. I roll my eyes. I nod in agreement. I will say out loud "Ohhh I get it now.", I cry...”Read full review »
ShannonHSS via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/21/16
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“I stumbled upon this podcast after finding Holly's Instagram account, @hipsobriety, and it has truly been a gift from the universe. Holly and Laura are both so raw and real, it's practically impossible not to fall in love with them and their message. For anyone who is struggling with...”Read full review »
RunnerGirl_287 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/02/15
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“Wow, this is a great podcast. If you need some real, raw and totally relatable gals to hang out with listen to this. Holly and Larua are honest, funny and just great. You can feel their love and intention shine through every episode. One of the best podcasts around. Enjoy!”
Jensen33 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/13/16
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