Episodes

A chat about women and work. When talking about labor, we divide paid work from unpaid work, men’s work from women’s work, domestic labor from professional work, and work that is considered valuable versus work that is invisible. In a conversation that goes far beyond the pay gap, we examine what “work” means to women. In this episode Elle and Natalie unpack the man-as-breadwinner myth, the working mother double bind, the varied reasons women exit the paid workforce, the mirage of the stay-at-h...

A chat about being single by choice. More and more women are opting out of not just marriage, but out of relationships with men altogether - and choosing new paths to economic independence, professional and personal fulfillment, and adventure - that does not include a man as part of the plan. Women are also connecting with each other across cultures and creating new, unconventional women’s communities at exponential rates - all while unsubscribing to patriarchal norms. In this hour we talk abou...

A chat about dating. In part two of our series on the 4B movement, Elle and Natalie take a read on what is happening in dating culture, listening to a diverse cross-section of women to try to understand why a growing number of women are saying no to dating. EPISODE LINKS Influence of Sex and the City | Emily the Recruiter Hook-Up Culture | Cunty Chanel Transactional Dating | Pure Michigangster Backlash to Women’s Standards | Shawnda Being Bitter vs Being Aware | Professional Sassatron Internet...

A chat about coming of age in a man’s world. As Rebecca Solnit says, “It gets you even if it doesn’t get you. You have to think every day of your life as a girl and a young woman, if I wear this what will happen? If I go out, what will happen?” and girls and women are getting the message that “this is not your world, this is not your street, this is not your city, this is not your adventure, you are not the protagonist.” In this hour, Elle and Natalie reflect on growing up female, and unpack th...

A continued chat about Project 2025 and the Trump Administration. In this episode we cover the gutting of the Department of Education and its ripple effects, and Trump’s inaugural-day declaration that there are only two sexes, and what that means for women. Elle and Natalie talk frankly about how the Democratic Party abandoned women during the Biden years and how the Trump administration capitalized on that. We also explore alternatives to US right-left party politics and how women leaders in ot...

A chat about the Trump Administration and their 180-Day Playbook. Were fears about Project 2025 justified or was it simply fear-mongering from the Left? In this 2-part series, Elle and Natalie attempt to decode key chapters of Project 2025 and what it means for women. Part 2 will be out next week. EPISODE LINKS Identity Politics - Jackson Katz | The Spectator Project 2025 Authors | Revolving Door Project Trump’s Denial of Project 2025 | Washington Post The Heritage Foundation - Kevin Roberts ...

A chat about marriage. In this first episode of our four-part series on 4B, the feminist movement from South Korea, Elle and Natalie dive into all things marriage. We explore why we marry, how women are faring within marriage, and why women are choosing not to marry. Episode Links 4B Movement | ABC Australia I Don’t | Clementine Ford Letters from a War Zone | Andrea Dworkin Leta Hong Fincher | Subject to Power Left Over Women | Leta Hong Fincher Mel Hamlett | TikTok GirlOnTheCouch | TikTok Lo...

A chat about the highs and lows of feminist movements past and present. We spotlight significant events across the world that have had huge impacts for women. We also take a hard look at the current state of feministing and its promises of so-called women’s empowerment and individual liberation. Episode Links Gail Dines | Subject to Power 1975 Iceland Women’s Strike | BBC Elisa in Iceland | Tik Tok Equal Rights Amendment | PBS Ann Pettitt | Greenham Commons Pray the Devil Back to Hell | PBS U...

A chat exploring a new perspective on coercive control. Natalie and Elle have a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of coercive control - as a behavior and as a covert strategy used by men to control women. Also discussing the many challenges in defining this behavior in law and language, as well as how we as a society, deal with men who ensnare women into long-term abusive relationships. Episode Links The Goodness Paradox | Richard Wrangham Carol Christ When Love Goes Wrong | Ann J...

A chat about relationship abuse. In this episode, Natalie and Elle have a provocative discussion about how men’s violence within the four walls of the home is never contained - it spills over into our communities and all of society. We also have a critical look at the well-funded industry built to respond to domestic violence and reflect on why men’s abuse is worse now than ever. Men’s violence in the home does not exist in a vacuum and we unpack the patriarchal bargain that continues to grant m...

A chat about women’s collective awakening to patriarchal backlash. At a time when women are enjoying unprecedented gains and liberties, we are also seeing a roll-back of rights and a rise of violent misogyny. The collective actions of yesteryear’s feminism won women significant freedoms, protections and material gains, but where are we now? In the first episode of Chat In The Commons, hosts Natalie and Elle reflect on coming of age and living life as a woman amidst the historical human rights s...