The Everyday Feminist

Data show that even though women report far greater levels of stress and overwhelm than men, they also report feeling generally happier. What is going on? In this episode, Stephanie and Lois discuss the irony that women get little, if any, leisure time but still say they are generally happy, while men remain unhappy even though they have hours more leisure time and report far less overwhelm than women. Is there a way to make sense of these findings? Listen in and find out.

Connecting with song lyrics can be both powerful and healing. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie talk to NYC-based singer-songwriter Shilpa Ray about the fiercely resonant lyrics of the songs in her album "Portrait of a Lady." Shilpa describes the inspiration for the album, the stories behind each song, the critical role of truth and honesty in social change, and the necessity of pressing on.

*be advised this episode contains explicit language

Is unconditional love a basic emotion, a sweet fantasy, a birthright, or a spiritual achievement? And how does the expectation of condition-free love show up in our relationships, for better or worse? In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois explore their thoughts on unconditional love, asking whether or not love should, if fact, have conditions.

The majority of women don't feel safe walking after dark.  And on short winter days, when the sun sets early, women tend to feel even more vulnerable.  In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois discuss women's fears and their right to basic safety--both outside and inside the home.  They also offer up some ideas about how male allies can help women feel (and be) more secure.   

Do you sometimes feel cursed by your own competence?  Can you get things done when no one else seems able to, leaving you doing all the work?  If so, then this episode is for you.  Lois and Stephanie deconstruct strategic maneuvers of incompetence that people use to keep competent, conscientious women overworked, tired, frustrated, and feeling invisible. They also explore some ways out of this dynamic and into more harmonious and balanced relationships.  

"Not ALL men don't do the dishes."  What makes men need to be the exception to the rule when women share their experiences of men?  In this episode, Stephanie and Lois attempt to sort out the quandary of what makes male self-reflection seem so hard to come by.  Check it out! 

"We have begun to raise our daughters to be more like sons.  But few have the courage to raise our sons to be more like daughters."  -Gloria Steinam

Under a patriarchal system, as boys develop, they are encouraged away from warmth, relating, and emotional awareness/expression, and equality, and are instead encouraged toward power, dominance, anger, and hierarchy.  In this episode, hosts Lois and Stephanie use bell hooks' book "The Will To Change" to frame a discussion the damage patriarchy does to both men and women...and what we can all do to stop it.  

We all need to be supported in different ways and to different degrees.  In this episode, hosts Lois and Stephanie discuss relational & domestic support -- including how to give it, how to get it, and how it can benefit us all.  If you need more support in your life, if you want to learn more about how to be a support for someone else, or if you want some tips for building a supportive community--then this is the episode for you!

The Everyday Feminist cannot ignore the current threat to legal abortion in America, not even on Mother's Day.  In this special episode, hosts Lois Volta and Stephanie Heck speak with guest, abortion policy expert and author of "Labor Strike" and "Without Apology: The Abortion Struggle Now," Jenny Brown. They discuss the history, future, and role of abortion in America, as well as the collective power we have to change course.  If you want to know the behind-the-scenes story of what the abortion debate is really about, and what you can do about it, then you don't want to miss this powerful episode. 

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Everyday Feminist!  Press "play" to meet your hosts, Domestic Consultant and Entrepreneur, Lois Volta, and Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Stephanie Heck...and to learn what the show is all about.  Who is The Everyday Feminist? What does she stand for? And how can we all learn from her? Listen in and let her give you permission to speak out!