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When womanhood is reduced to a capitalist identity, who gets erased—and who gets empowered to do the erasing? In the final episode of Gender War Games, host Cristen Conger joins Material Girls https://www.ohwitchplease.ca/ co-hosts Hannah McGregor and Marcelle Kosman to unpack how white womanhood is activated—politically, culturally, algorithmically—to reinforce systems of power. From tradwife aesthetics to terf rhetoric, strategic essentialism to state violence, discover how white femininity gets mobilized as both soft power and backlash engine in the so-called gender wars. (00:00) Gender Equality Survey Says... (00:59) The Real Societal Tension: Wealth Inequality (03:37) Strategic Essentialism and Gender Categories (08:37) Scapegoating and Transphobia (12:01) Gender as a Technology (14:45) Capitalism, Social Reproduction and Gender Roles (18:46) Masculinity Crisis By Design (26:44) Racial Capitalism (31:18) The Political Weaponization of Gender (39:59) Community Building Beyond Individualism For ad-free bonus episodes and uncut guest interviews, visit patreon.com/unladylikemedia http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia. Get in touch on Instagram @unladylikemedia http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia, and/or subscribe to the newsletter at unladylike.substack.com http://unladylike.substack.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When misinformation becomes a vibe, who gets caught in the crosshairs? In part 3 of Gender War Games, host Cristen Conger and linguist Amanda Montell https://amandamontell.com/ (Sounds Like a Cult, Magical Overthinkers) decodes the cognitive glitches, language games, and algorithmic dynamics fueling today’s gender panic. From the illusory truth effect and magical thinking to the viral power of weaponized words, learn how belief is built—not by facts, but by feelings, aesthetics and repetition. (00:00) "Gender War" Is a Shapeshifter (03:22) Decoding the Discourse (05:07) Cognitive Biases and Gendered Disinformation (05:56) The Illusory Truth Effect (06:40) The Rhyme Is Reason Effect (09:52) Algorithmic Influence (10:46) This Is Your Brain On Gender War (15:47) The Gender Nostalgia Trap (23:52) Moral Overconfidence and Social Justice (30:06) Radical Imagination For ad-free bonus episodes and uncut guest interviews, visit patreon.com/unladylikemedia http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia. Get in touch on Instagram @unladylikemedia http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia, and/or subscribe to the newsletter at unladylike.substack.com http://unladylike.substack.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Is wellness the new purity ring? In part 2 of Gender War Games, host Cristen Conger and trainer Cadence Dubus https://www.instagram.com/brooklynstrength/?hl=en breaks down how body control, aesthetic discipline, and "clean" femininity are being sold as self-care—while reinforcing the same old patriarchal power structures. From the rise of Ozempic and disordered wellness trends to body shame masquerading as moral virtue, what happens when femininity and fitness become political battlegrounds where women are expected to be skinny, soft, and silent? (00:00) Your Body Is a Battleground (00:52) The New Right's Body Ideals (01:23) The Wellness Grind (03:16) Functional Strength > Weight-Loss Goals (05:48) Women's Fitness Mirage (11:13) The Ozempic Effect (15:18) America's Health Hierarchy (17:28) Politicized Exercise (21:15) Class, Wealth and Commodified Wellness (28:29) What's a Body to Do? For ad-free bonus episodes and uncut guest interviews, visit patreon.com/unladylikemedia http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia. Get in touch on Instagram @unladylikemedia http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia, and/or subscribe to the newsletter at unladylike.substack.com http://unladylike.substack.com/. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Is feminism dead—or just shadowbanned? In part 1 of the Gender War Games miniseries, host Cristen Conger and Diabolical Lies https://www.diabolicalliespod.com/ co-hosts Caro Claire Burke and Katie Gatti Tassin dissect how feminism got hyper-commodified, beauty became capitalism's favorite control tactic, and reactionary gender politics took center stage. From antifeminist burnout to algorithmic aesthetics, what's behind the right-wing, conspiratorial rebranding of women and gender—and who's profiting off it? (00:00) Feminism Under Siege (01:34) Womanosphere Rising? (02:56) Diabolical Lies podcast (04:12) A Femininity Crisis? (07:40) Feminine Hierarchy and Gender Panic (13:45) Reactionary Feminism and Its Roots (19:33) Evie Magazine and Far-Right Women's Media (23:50) Antifeminism's Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (28:24) The 90s Evie Magazine (29:32) Echo Chambers vs Reality (41:27) Don't Underestimate Far-Right Women (43:18) Conclusion and Call to Action For ad-free bonus episodes and uncut guest interviews, visit patreon.com/unladylikemedia http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia. Get in touch on Instagram @unladylikemedia http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia, and/or subscribe to the newsletter at unladylike.substack.com http://unladylike.substack.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sharing a new show from our friends at Higher Ground, hosted by Michelle Obama. On IMO, Michelle and her big brother Craig Robinson bring their candid perspectives to the everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us. Each week, they’re joined by a guest to tackle real questions from real folks just like you offering practical advice, personal storytelling, and plenty of laughs. Topics range from dating and relationships, to family and faith. Michelle and Craig share stories about being there for each other throughout their lives, from first crushes and fraught college years, to landing at the White House, to losing their mom. For six decades they’ve been each others’ most trusted counsel—and now, they want to be that counsel for you. In this episode, they’re joined by actress Issa Rae for a topic we've discussed many times on Unladylike: female friendships. Issa helps a listener navigate the challenge of mismatched expectations in adult friendships. You can find more episodes of IMO at https://lnk.to/imomichellecraigUN See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Why do sex trafficking myths keep spreading—especially among suburban moms and TikTok girlies? Journalist Caitlin Dewey (Links I Would Gchat You http://linksiwouldgchatyou.substack.com/) unravels how viral misinformation, true crime culture and moral panic have turned Target parking lots into imagined danger zones. Caitlin and Cristen compare the realities of trafficking to "ladies, stay safe!!" rhetoric that insists we're always in danger. Subscribe to Conspiracy, She Wrote and hear the FIVE-part Ladies, Stay Safe miniseries. Scroll The Links x "Conspiracy, She Wrote" reading guide https://linksiwouldgchatyou.substack.com/p/fighting-the-cabal-on-your-kids-behalf to America’s sex trafficking panic. More Unladylike: __ __ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Gold digger. Ice queen. Punching bag. Why was a 22-year-old Robin Givens villainized when her whirlwind romance with boxer Mike Tyson spiraled into a living nightmare? In this bonus from the Unladies' Room, Susie Banikarim (In Retrospect) tells us the story of how their brief and tabloid-frenzying marriage ended with Robin declared "the most hated woman in America" and why she still hasn't gotten the cultural redemption she deserves. CW: intimate partner violence . . . Follow Unladylike: Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Patreon Shop merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gold digger. Ice queen. Punching bag. Why was a 22-year-old Robin Givens villainized when her whirlwind romance with boxer Mike Tyson spiraled into a living nightmare? In this bonus from the Unladies' Room, Susie Banikarim (In Retrospect https://pod.link/1707332867) tells us the story of how their brief and tabloid-frenzying marriage ended with Robin declared "the most hated woman in America" and why she still hasn't gotten the cultural redemption she deserves. CW: intimate partner violence . . . Follow Unladylike: Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room Patreon http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Shop merch http://unladylike.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Why waste a good passport marrying a fellow citizen? Is love strong enough to withstand deportation? Journalist and author Anna Lekas Miller shares what happened when she "proposed marriage fraud" to a Syrian refugee and how borders, visas and passports decide who gets to be together. Her book is Love Across Borders: Passports, Papers, and Romance in a Divided World. . . . Follow Unladylike: IG and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Shop merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why waste a good passport marrying a fellow citizen? Is love strong enough to withstand deportation? Journalist and author Anna Lekas Miller shares what happened when she "proposed marriage fraud" to a Syrian refugee and how borders, visas and passports decide who gets to be together. Her book is https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/62874314-love-across-borders. . . . Follow Unladylike: IG http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Shop merch http://unladylike.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
With the rise of the "perfectly imperfect" veneer ideal, it's the perfect time to revisit how beauty culture got here. (And subscribe to The Review of Beauty by Jessica Defino!) Why are more young women trading in their natural teeth for cosmetic veneers? What does it say about beauty standards, class perceptions and the dental healthcare gap? Writer Jessica Goldstein drills down on the rise of cosmetic dentistry, aesthetic veneers, head-to-toe "hotness creep" and her brilliant Washington Post feature, "Have you noticed that everyone's teeth look a little too perfect?" . . . Follow Unladylike on Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Shop merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the rise of the "perfectly imperfect https://substack.com/home/post/p-151981556" veneer ideal, it's the perfect time to revisit how beauty culture got here. (And subscribe to The Review of Beauty by Jessica Defino https://jessicadefino.substack.com/!) Why are more young women trading in their natural teeth for cosmetic veneers? What does it say about beauty standards, class perceptions and the dental healthcare gap? Writer Jessica Goldstein http://www.jessicamgoldstein.com/ drills down on the rise of cosmetic dentistry, aesthetic veneers, head-to-toe "hotness creep" and her brilliant Washington Post feature, "Have you noticed that everyone's teeth look a little too perfect https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/interactive/2023/teeth-celebrities-veneers-tiktok/?" . . . FOLLOW UNLADYLIKE ON INSTAGRAM http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TIKTOK http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia JOIN THE UNLADIES' ROOM http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia SHOP MERCH http://unladylike.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Good men aren't hard to find. What's "good" is where it gets complicated. Sociologist Emily Carian returns to the pod to share what she learned interviewing male feminists and men's rights activists for her new book https://nyupress.org/9781479821013/good-guys-bad-guys/. Highlights include: privilege renegotiation, women's roles in cishet men's paths to feminism and/or the manosphere and why a leftist Joe Rogan doesn't exist. Follow Unladylike on Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Patreon Get your new favorite sweatshirt http://unladylike.co/shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Good men aren't hard to find. What's "good" is where it gets complicated. Sociologist Emily Carian returns to the pod to share what she learned interviewing male feminists and men's rights activists for her new book Good Guys, Bad Guys: The Perils of Men's Gender Activism. Highlights include: privilege renegotiation, women's roles in cishet men's paths to feminism and/or the manosphere and why a leftist Joe Rogan doesn't exist. Follow Unladylike on Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Patreon Get your new favorite sweatshirt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
**UNLADIES' ROOM PATREON TEASER** It's a good thing, this bonus episode. Unladies, we're talking about a trio docs out that I'm calling the Venn Diagram of Peak White-Womaning and Girlbossery (really rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?): Martha on Netflix, Breath of Fire on Max and Anatomy of Lies on Peacock. I planned to watch none and ended up bingeing them all. To hear the full, ad-free episode, join the Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
**UNLADIES' ROOM PATREON TEASER** It's a good thing, this bonus episode. Unladies, we're talking about a trio docs out that I'm calling the Venn Diagram of Peak White-Womaning and Girlbossery (really rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?): Martha on Netflix, Breath of Fire on Max and Anatomy of Lies on Peacock. I planned to watch none and ended up bingeing them all. To hear the full, ad-free episode https://www.patreon.com/posts/extra-unladylike-116128598?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link, join the Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
They're trending, unfortunately. Sociologist Emily Carian https://emilycarian.com/ explains what the men's rights movement is, who it attracts and why. Cristen also talks to Emily about the mental and scientific challenges of interviewing anti-feminist men for her research. Follow Unladylike Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
They're trending, unfortunately. Sociologist Emily Carian explains what the men's rights movement is, who it attracts and why. Cristen also talks to Emily about the mental and scientific challenges of interviewing anti-feminist men for her research. This episode originally aired in November 2022. Follow Unladylike Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cristen has a big update about the future of Unladylike and why now's the time to make bittersweet changes. Plus, What Is the Most Unladylike Thing About You: The Supercut!!! Remember - the Unladies' Room Patreon stays open! That where I'll be recapping election results on Saturday's bonus episode. . . . Listen to Conspiracy, She Wrote Follow Unladylike on Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cristen has a big update about the future of Unladylike and why now's the time to make bittersweet changes. Plus, What Is the Most Unladylike Thing About You: The Supercut!!! Remember - the Unladies' Room Patreon stays open! That where I'll be recapping election results on Saturday's bonus episode. . . . Listen to Conspiracy, She Wrote https://pod.link/1756840630 Follow Unladylike on Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room Patreon http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How did Nobel Prize-winning scientist Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo become Mexico's first female and first Jewish President? Cristen maps her path into politics, the baggage she brings from her predecessor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (aka AMLO) and what–if any–difference Mexican feminists think this Presidenta will make. Follow Unladylike on Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Patreon Get your sweatshirts! Advertise with Multitude Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How did Nobel Prize-winning scientist Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo become Mexico's first female and first Jewish President? Cristen maps her path into politics, the baggage she brings from her predecessor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (aka AMLO) and what–if any–difference Mexican feminists think this will make. . . . This episode's sponsor is Wild https://www.wearewild.com/us/?discount=UNLADYLIKE20%20. Use code UNLADYLIKE20 for 20% off your first order. Follow Unladylike on Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Patreon Get your sweatshirts! http://unladylike.co/shop Advertise with Multitude Productions https://multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Prepare to burn your old bras and buy a new salad spinner! Custom bra maker, fitter and A Bra That Fits https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/ calculator https://www.abrathatfits.org/calculator.php creator Sarah McElvey https://www.instagram.com/hugsforyourjugs/ blows Cristen's mind with everything you never knew you needed to know about bra sizing, bust measuring and what fit actually feels like. Shopping tips and your new favorite laundry hack included. This episode's sponsor is Wild https://www.wearewild.com/us/?discount=UNLADYLIKE20%20. Use code UNLADYLIKE20 for 20% off your first order. Follow Unladylike on Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Patreon Shop merch http://unladylike.co/shop Advertise with Multitude Productions https://multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Prepare to burn your old bras and buy a new salad spinner! Custom bra maker, fitter and A Bra That Fits calculator creator Sarah McElvey blows Cristen's mind with everything you never knew you needed to know about bra sizing, bust measuring and what fit actually feels like. Shopping tips and your new favorite laundry hack included. This episode's sponsor is Wild. Use code UNLADYLIKE20 for 20% off your first order. Follow Unladylike on Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Patreon Shop merch Advertise with Multitude Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why do big breasts get so little support when it comes to bra shopping, clothes shopping, healthcare and wellness? Inspired by The New York Times trend piece on "The Power of a Smaller Breast," Cristen revisits past conversations with two listeners who got breast reductions and share why they made the decision to get that weight off their chest and differences it made. From the physical challenges like back pain and bra struggles to the emotional rollercoaster of body image, unwanted attention, and societal expectations of breastfeeding, this episode explores the unseen realities of abundant bosoms. Follow Unladylike on Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Patreon Shop merch Advertise with Multitude Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why do big breasts get so little support when it comes to bra shopping, clothes shopping, healthcare and wellness? Inspired by The New York Times trend piece on "The Power of a Smaller Breast," Cristen revisits https://www.unladylike.co/episodes/152/breast-reductions past conversations with two listeners who got breast reductions and share why they made the decision to get that weight off their chest and differences it made. From the physical challenges like back pain and bra struggles to the emotional rollercoaster of body image, unwanted attention, and societal expectations of breastfeeding, this episode explores the unseen realities of abundant bosoms. Follow Unladylike on Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Patreon Shop merch http://unladylike.co/shop Advertise with Multitude Productions https://multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It's a Halloween treat from the Unladies Room Patreon! Cristen gets to the bottom of the lady-poisoner trope, where it came from and how true it really is. Highlights include Lucrezia Borgia, prunes stewed in rat poison, Agatha Christie's pre-murder mystery career, misogynist criminal science and one fatal cheesecake. For more ad-free bonus episodes, join the Unladies' Room Patreon Follow Unladylike on Instagram and TikTok Shop merch Advertise with Multitude Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's a Halloween treat from the Unladies Room Patreon! Cristen gets to the bottom of the lady-poisoner trope, where it came from and how true it really is. Highlights include Lucrezia Borgia, prunes stewed in rat poison, Agatha Christie's pre-murder mystery career, misogynist criminal science and one fatal cheesecake. For more ad-free bonus episodes, join the Unladies' Room http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Patreon Follow Unladylike on Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Shop merch http://unladylike.co/shop Advertise with Multitude Productions https://multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How much is too much of an age gap in relationships, and do sexist double standards apply? Cristen answers a 31-year-old listener who feels self-conscious about dating a 25-year-old guy. Plus, we take a glance at "new MILF cinema," aka why Nicole Kidman is currently starring in everything. Follow Unladylike on Instagram and TikTok Join the Unladies' Room Patreon Shop merch Advertise with Multitude Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How much is too much of an age gap in relationships, and do sexist double standards apply? Cristen answers a 31-year-old listener who feels self-conscious about dating a 25-year-old guy. Plus, we take a glance at "new MILF cinema https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/64499/1/the-new-era-of-milf-visibility-in-film-ageing-idea-of-you-family-affair#:~:text=From%20The%20Idea%20of%20You,torrid%20affairs%20with%20younger%20men.," aka why Nicole Kidman is currently starring in everything. Follow Unladylike on Instagram http://instagram.com/unladylikemedia and TikTok http://tiktok.com/@unladylikemedia Join the Unladies' Room http://patreon.com/unladylikemedia Patreon Shop merch http://unladylike.co/shop Advertise with Multitude Productions https://multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices https://megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
