
Show Notes
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Unladylike
Why is the EPA testing drinking water for nonexistent medication abortion contamination? Cristen breaks down how anti-abortion groups, led by Students for Life, are weaponizing environmentalism to build support for more bans, surveillance and restrictions like the GOP’s Clean Water for All Life Act, which would effectively end telehealth medication abortion through in-person mandates and “catch kit” disposal requirements, with criminal penalties for providers. She also traces the disinformation campaign’s funding and coordination through dark money networks, the Liberty Counsel and Alliance Defending Freedom.
Sharing a new podcast Cristen is loving. Is She Game? is a hub for the world of women’s sports – building community by serving fans and creating new ones. Each week, Coach Jackie J breaks down the week’s news in sports and culture, plays a fun game with a special guest, and sets you up with moments to look forward to in the week to come. She’ll talk to the legendary Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn, WTA tennis pro Daria Kasatkina, and so many more.
What does white women’s hair mean beyond beauty? Cristen talks with culture critic Sarah Mesle about her book TANGLED and how white women’s hair in America signals power that often goes unrecognized. From Utah curls emanating Nordic whiteness to MAGA hair extensions signifying loyalty and hierarchy, Sarah contextualizes our hair cares in the shifting political landscape and structural betrayals they respond to. Plus, “expensive-looking” hair, Gwyneth Paltrow’s blonde luxury branding, Bama Rush aesthetics as a display of time and resources and Cristen’s curling ironed childhood bangs.
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When Cristen took a financial hit a few years ago, it didn’t take long for her credit card debt to start spiraling. And the more it grew, the more the shame and self-loathing attached to it compounded. But in this hellish economy, where does our personal responsibility end and financial predation begin? Debt Heads hosts Jamie Alyson Feldman and Rachel Webster break down the rigged systems and career myths that got us here, who actually profits from our dirty little (or big) debt secrets and how to detach our worth from how much we owe. Plus, Cristen does the scary thing and airs the debt number that’s been keeping her up at night.