“I wish that people understood that [feminism] is not a bad word, that it doesn’t make you a man hater…Feminism is not about a binary choice [or] a set of rules that you have to follow in order to [be considered a feminist].” -Cristen Conger
With a motto like “Stay Curious. Build Empathy. Raise Hell.”, is it any wonder I invited Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin on the podcast?!
Cristen and Caroline are the co-founders of Unladylike Media and the co-hosts of the feminist podcast Unladylike – one of my absolute favorite podcasts. They also happen to be fellow Southerners – and enthusiastic supporters of using the word “ya’ll.”
As a Gen Xer, I have mixed feelings about the word “feminism;” it comes with all kinds of psychological and cultural baggage. But Cristen and Caroline’s empathetic, inclusive, well-researched, humorous, and HUMAN approach to feminist issues has transformed what it means for me to identify as a feminist.
More About Cristen and Caroline:
Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin are the co-founders of Unladylike Media and the co-hosts of the feminist podcast Unladylike. Both women are alumna of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. After years working together at HowStuffWorks as the hosts of Stuff Mom Never Told You, the two launched Unladylike to create the equality-focused media they wished had existed when they were growing up. Now, their mini multimedia empire includes their Webby award-winning podcast, various speaking engagements, an enthusiastic online community, and the book Unladylike: A Field Guide to Smashing the Patriarchy and Claiming Your Space. Throughout their work, Conger and Ervin strive to create groundbreaking conversations and make room for marginalized voices.
Highlights
- What being “unladylike” means to Cristen and Caroline – and why it matters
- Why Gen Y and Gen Z are more comfortable breaking the rules of “ladylike” behavior than their Gen X sisters (like me!) – and what different generations can learn from each other about feminism
- How the different generations experienced feminism and how it informs our comfort with identifying as feminists
- How being a feminist doesn’t mean automatically condoning anything a woman does – and why there are many different kinds of feminism
- The (often hidden) implications and cultural baggage of language and why making an effort to use more inclusive language is not about “being the word police”
- How different generations and different kinds of people can be teachers for each other – and why we need to stay curious to learn from each other
- Why Cristen, Caroline, and I are bringing “ya’ll” back to meetings, boardrooms, and all manner of serious situations
- What prompted Cristen and Caroline to take their feminist research and perspectives out of their corporate job and into their own media company
- What keeps Cristen and Caroline going when things feel hard in work and life
- Caroline shares the origin of the term “self care” – and it might surprise you
- Why self-care is critical for feminists and allies
- Why Cristen is totally okay with including “The Real Housewives” in her self-care routine
- Why Caroline and Cristen talk openly about the therapists in their self-care toolbox (and why you should too)
- Steps you can take to clarify your point of view and speak out more confidently about issues you believe in (whether they’re feminist issues or not)
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Unladylike: A Field Guide Smashing the Patriarchy and Claiming Your Space (Amazon affiliate link)
Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People podcast
Connect with Cristen and Caroline: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Thank You for Listening!
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xo,
