In our 50th episode, we celebrate a woman so talented, kind, sincere, and funny that many people call her “Saint Dolly.” That’s right - it was long past time that we dedicate an episode to singer, actress, philanthropist, and Christmas-enthusiast Dolly Parton.  We’ll discuss her history, her rise to fame, some of our favorite Dolly songs and films, her charitable work and giving, and how she became the best thing about 2020 and just about the only thing all Americans can agree on.  Want extra...

In our second episode celebrating and discussing Women’s Suffrage and the 100th-anniversary of the 19th Amendments, we interview best-selling authors Fiona Davis and MJ Rose, who edited the short story collection Stories from Suffragette City.  Their book focuses on one day in the history of women’s suffrage in the United States - October 23, 1915 - the day of the suffrage parade in New York City (about 25,000 women marched). Many of the stories include historical figures, such as Ida B....

In our third (!) Halloween episode, we discuss cults - how they affect women, how they work, and historical and modern American cults.  What do silverware, self-help groups, and science fiction actors have to do with cults? You’ll find out! Misty discusses the Oneidas - their surprising beliefs on gender roles and their dangerous approach to communal living. Allegra shares an overview of how Keith Raneire built NXIVM on misogyny.  Whether it’s a doomsday cult or a utopia gone wrong, cults are...

In this episode, we discuss the fight for women’s suffrage, the imperfect history of suffragists, and what it means for women to vote. Misty gives us the history (of course), Allegra recommends some books, and both share insights about voting patterns, voter suppression, and important women in the battle for universal suffrage.  Women gained and lost the right to vote a few times in American history, and even when we achieved the victory of the 19th Amendment in 1920, not all women were able...

We’re back! In this episode, we discuss women in Social Media, including some famous women from social media and internet history, a recent social media whistleblower, and facts and research about what happens to women online (it’s not all bad, but it’s mostly bad).  Women are more active on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, though they are less likely to be listened to and more likely to be harassed. Allegra shares some history about Radia Perlman, whose inventions helped make the...

In our first of three episodes about Unstoppable Texas Women, we discuss two women who were great friends, awesome political forces, and very funny Texas women: Ann Richards (our 45th governor) and Molly Ivins (reporter and writer). We’ll get into what made them unstoppable, some favorite quotes from each, ordeals they overcame, and their best barbs aimed at the Bush family. We’re inspired by Ann Richards and Molly Ivins because they told the truth, worked hard for others, and weren’t afraid...

We’re back, and we’re ready to share what we’ve been watching (binging) and loving. We discuss the (possible) gains the TV + movie industries made toward better representation, what’s terrible about the Oscar nominations (basically everything), and lots of great shows and movies we’ve been watching and want to share.  We’ll discuss feminism, female representation, gender, sex, language, and why they can’t say “vagina” on a medical drama.  In this episode: Little Women, The Good Place,...

This episode is all about Elsa, Anna, and all your favorite (or least favorite) Disney princesses - Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Moana, Tiana, Merida, Mulan, Jasmine, Ariel, Pocahontas, and Belle. We discuss why folks love Disney, what princesses do to girls and girl culture, how to keep girls from being “eaten” by Cinderella, and the impact of Disney around the world. We get into unhealthy body images and relationships models, giving your voice away, and getting “princessified.” It’s not all...

In our second episode about Witches, we talk about women who embrace the label of witch because they don’t accept typical gender roles, and women maligned as “witches” by others, including Hillary Clinton and AOC. Plus, WITCH protest groups, Lindy West, and pop culture witches that made a statement about gender and feminism, including The Craft, AHS: Coven, and Sabrina. We also discuss Disney witches, including Maleficent and Ursula. It won’t surprise you to know that most witches in film and...

In our Halloween-themed first of two episodes about Witches, we’re both really in our elements - Misty gets to talk about history, and Allegra gets to talk about witches. We focus on historical witches and witch hunts, the Hammer of Witches, Salem, Macbeth, the Crucible, what made someone more likely to be seen as a witch (surprise: Being a woman! Being a marginalized woman! Not having a husband or children!), and a lots of modern pop culture references to witchery.  Want extra reading? Check...

Many women who became famous in the 1990s were and continue to be misunderstood. In the second of two episodes about these women, we’ll discuss Joycelyn Elders, Anita Hill, Monica Lewinsky, and Marcia Clark, and what why it seems like we’ve started repeating themes of the 90s in the last few years.  The 1990s were full of scandals and crimes that continue to grab our attention, including two political sex scandals that somehow publicly shamed the women and left the men relatively unscathed,...

Many women who became famous in the 1990s were and continue to be misunderstood. In the first of two episodes about these women, we’ll discuss Anna Nicole Smith, Tonya Harding, Nancy Kerrigan, and what life was like for women and girls in the decade that was supposed to make everything better for us.  1992 was supposed to be “The Year of the Woman,” and women had more career and educational opportunities than ever before. We still somehow ended up having to walk a fine line in both public and...

This week’s episode is called “Everything Is Terrible.” We couldn’t help it. In this episode, we run down all the things that terrible for women right now, and unfortunately - it’s a lot. We discuss why it’s important to discuss things that aren’t positive, keeping the powerful in check and recognizing the work and challenges that women have experienced.  We discuss sexual harassment and assault and criminal justice, women not being believed by doctors, a terrible list by Forbes, and why...

Our episode about Summer Movies is here! We discuss Wine Country, Spider-Man: Far From Home, It Chapter Two, The Kitchen, Toy Story 4, and Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. Plus Aladdin, John Wick 3, and The Lion King. We also get into this summer’s biggest winners and losers at the box office, and which of this year’s movies inched us forward in their discussions of gender. Misty shares some summer movie history - from the first season of summer hits to the origins of the terms “Blockbuster”...

We have a lot of fun discussing summer TV: reality shows, Stranger Things 3, OITNB, Handmaid’s Tale, Euphoria, and lots more. What did these shows tell us about gender? How well are they reflecting us? Which ones made us laugh? What makes a show “prestige TV”? We also discuss some random summer competition shows, like Holey Moley, Blown Away, and Ink Master, what Fall shows we’re looking forward to, and why summer TV is so different.  Want some extra reading? Here are the sources we used or...

Getting a job is hard for everyone - but can it be harder for women? Why are women less likely to apply for jobs, and what can workplaces do to make applying, interviewing, and hiring more equitable? This is Part 2 of our 2-episode series on the challenges women encounter in job ads, in interviews, and sometimes even when building their resumes. We have stats, personal experience, advice (good and bad), and some good news, too. We'll discuss applying, interviewing, negotiating salary,...

Getting a job is hard for everyone - but can it be harder for women? Why are women less likely to apply for jobs, and what can workplaces do to make applying, interviewing, and hiring more equitable? This is Part 1 of our 2-episode series on the challenges women encounter in job ads, in interviews, and sometimes even when building their resumes. We have stats, personal experience, advice (good and bad), and some good news, too. We'll discuss gendered language in job ads, what makes women want...

We get to recommend some great books with female lead characters, relatable story lines and realistic development, plus compare them to their on-screen counterparts. We also discuss the success of female authors, and the rise of women-written books being adapted into successful movies and shows.   In this episode, Allegra celebrates three women-led books: Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler, Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, and Big Little Lies  by Liane Moriaty, and gets into the strengths and...

Take his name (or hers) or don't, throw bouquets or keep them forever, toss garters or never wear them: it's all up to you.  This one is about feminist weddings, the history of weddings and Western wedding traditions, and some literary weddings you might love (or hate).  In this episode, we each get to share some details about our own weddings and the choices we made about dresses, decor, and being “given away.” Misty gets to talk history, but promises not to stay in the Middle Ages too long,...

We’re very excited to discuss the influences, context, and legacy of one of our favorite books, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Misty gets to talk about history, Allegra gets to discuss literature, and they both share what they think the book means, and why it’s still so important. We include what we know about how and why Atwood wrote this book, what literary and historical influences helped shape the novel, and what its themes are. We also discuss why the book resonates with so many...

In our 30th episode we talk about women during WW2, their service, work, and achievements. Women were helping to win more than one war, as they made contributions to the nation’s efforts abroad, while also moving women closer to equality and fair treatment. Misty schools us on Rosie, rationing, Victory Gardens and the AWVS (American Women’s Voluntary Service). Allegra recommends some great books about women during WW2, including Code Girls, a nonfiction book researched and written by a woman...

Girls are gamers, too. How far have we come since Ms Pac-Man? How many women play video games, and why don’t all women feel welcome? In this episode, we talk about female players of all ages, from the 80s until now. We get into all-female esports team, Overwatch leagues, tournament play, barnacle characters in WOW, and whether Candy Crush counts. Links and extra credit reading: Blackgirlnerds.com blog entry on WOW: https://blackgirlnerds.com/world-warcraft-women-problem/ More info on...

Women warriors have always been pretty common, and women have played major roles in historical combat and modern special operations command forces. In this episode, we’ll talk about some women whose stories you (probably) haven’t heard, including gladiators, a short-term warrior queen, and someone nicknamed “angel of death.” Misty gets back to history - ancient history! - and Allegra shares stories from more recent women at war. To see the statue we discuss, click this link and scroll down:...

In our last Game of Thrones episode, we first address some questions about the show’s depictions of women and sex, and focus on the Warrior Women of Westeros, including Arya Stark, Brienne of Tarth, and Yara Greyjoy. No season 8 spoilers! Of course, we can’t resist talking about gender roles or the show’s portrayal of gay characters, along with some male characters who grapple with the patriarchy, including Ned Stark, Ser Loras, Renly, and Theon Greyjoy. Of course, a Game of Thrones episode...