Unladylike – Details, episodes & analysis

Is wellness the new purity culture? In part 2 of Gender War Games, host Cristen Conger and Cadence Dubus (@brooklynstrength), founder of Brooklyn Strength Virtual Fitness and Wellness Studio, 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?

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Is feminism dead—or just shadowbanned? In part 1 of the Gender War Games miniseries, host Cristen Conger and Diabolical Lies 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. Get in touch on Instagram @unladylikemedia, and/or subscribe to the newsletter at 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.

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

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How does a feminist podcast (Unladylike, specifically) make money? Cristen chats with Amanda McLoughlin of Multitude Productions about indie podcasting, surviving Big Podcast Industry and whether it's possible to make a podcast living without selling your soul to the capitalist gods. Plus, a special request to for listeners who appreciate quality podcast ads!

• Advertising inquires and tips: [email protected]
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What happens when women in long-term relationships with straight men realize they're bi, and why are they less likely to come out? Writer Maggie Zhou shares her own reckoning with the "Bittersweet Privilege of Straight-Passing in Queer Communities," queer imposterism and bisexual erasure. Maggie and Cristen also offer advice to two married unladies feeling stuck in the bisexual closet.

Episode mixed and mastered by Multitude.

Want to directly support Unladylike? Join the Patreon

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How do you empower nonbinary and trans kids struggling with their changing bodies? Gender Spectrum executive director Cameron Van Fossen shares their expert advice on distinguishing gender congruence from beauty norms, checking in with kids about their mental and emotional wellbeing and responding to critics who don't get it. But first, Cristen has a question for nonbinary unladies listening.

Episode mixed and mastered by Multitude.

Want to directly support Unladylike? Join the Patreon

Interested in advertising on the podcast? Contact Multitude

Keep in touch? Follow @unladylikemedia on IG, Twitter, TikTok

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit 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.

What happens when women are the primary or sole earners? Is it only stigmatized if they're coupled up with men? Maya Lau, Journalist and host of Other People's Pockets, helps unpack the gender baggage around breadwinning, household finances and divorcing unsupportive husbands. Plus, Cristen tracks down the origins of the male breadwinner ideal and how it got SO baked into domestic life. 

Episode mixed and mastered by Multitude.

Want to directly support Unladylike? Join le Patreon

Interested in advertising on the podcast? Contact Multitude

Keep in touch? Follow @unladylikemedia on IG, Twitter, TikTok

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit 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.

Special correspondent to the Met Ball / Unladylike intern Anuli debriefs Cristen on the “Super Bowl of Fashion in this Unladies Room (aka the Patreon) bonus. Why is the Met Gala such a big deal? What’s its history? Who‘s Karl? How is AOC under congressional investigation for attending in 2021??

Like Rihanna in her Valentino cape, we cover it all! 

Listen to the full episode (and support an indie Unladylike!) by joining the Unladies Room.   

PS: The Maintenance Phase episode Anuli mentions is Diet Book Deep Dive: The Karl Lagerfeld Diet.

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Unladies, have y'all hear the Love Letters podcast? Love Letters tells stories about romance, marriage, partnership, sex, loss, and the human heart. Served with a side of advice.

On the new season, host Meredith Goldstein explores all the ways money plays into love, dating, and relationships. Like: What happens when two partners come from different wealth backgrounds? What if someone is harboring secret debt? Who should pay for drinks on a first date? How do couples decide whose “turn” it is to pursue a career dream? Find out on the new season of Love Letters.

Listen on Apple | Spotify.

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How do you solve a problem like an adrift niece who won't add you on Snapchat? Intern Anuli helps Cristen advise an unlady trying to get through to a distant 14-year-old, a 16-year-old unsure how to tell her mom she wants an IUD, and a job-seeker feeling hopeless about finding a meaningful career path.

Do YOU want some advice? We're all ears! Send requests and voice memos to [email protected].

Episode mixed and mastered by Multitude.

Want to directly support Unladylike? Join le Patreon

Interested in advertising on the podcast? Contact Multitude

Keep in touch? Follow @unladylikemedia on IG, Twitter, TikTok

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit 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.