In the early 1930s, Mae West’s dirty talk and hip swiveling walk made her one of the biggest movie stars in America. But before West hit the big-screen, she was prosecuted for staging not one, but two scandalous plays. In this episode, we look at how West honed her persona when she was under the bright lights of Broadway and the flashbulbs of the tabloids — and briefly behind bars. More than a century later, her career arc offers a blueprint on how to survive a scandal…and maybe even come out ah...
Aug 16, 2022•46 min
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior editor Shannon Palus is joined by the managing editor of Future Tense, Mia Armstrong. This week is all about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs commonly used to treat depression and anxiety. Shannon and Mia discuss their own experiences with their mental health and SSRIs. Then they dig into the cultural narrative around using medication for anxiety and depression,a recent study disproving an old adage about depressi...
Aug 11, 2022•34 min
New abortion restrictions following the repeal of Roe v. Wade have turned some reproductive care into a criminal liability. After a traumatic ectopic pregnancy, one Texas woman is wondering whether state laws delayed her diagnosis and treatment, ultimately leaving her with a ruptured fallopian tube. Guest: Fatima Abdelwahab of Houston, Texas. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of sh...
Aug 11, 2022•28 min
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior writer Christina Cauterucci and Slate books and culture columnist Laura Miller talk all things Liz Cheney. They discuss Laura’s piece on how the Republican Congresswoman is coming across like a disappointed mom during the January 6 hearings—and whether comparing women politicians to mother figures is always sexist. Then they dig into what Cheney’s long-game is as she defies the Republican party and goes against Donald Trump. In Slate Plus, Christ...
Aug 04, 2022•32 min
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by staff writer Molly Olmstead to talk about the much-hyped threat against the Catholic Church in the wake of Roe’s dismantling. They talk about Molly’s piece, “Is the Catholic Church Under Attack” and where the vandalism against churches stacks up against other religious persecution. Then they take a look at “Cafeteria Catholics” - those who follow the religion, but not all the teachings at the top of the male hier...
Jul 28, 2022•31 min
Harry Blackmun wasn’t Richard Nixon’s first choice to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court. But after Blackmun was confirmed, he got the assignment of a lifetime: writing the majority opinion in Roe v. Wade. His approach to that case would have consequences he never imagined. Season 7 of Slow Burn is produced by Susan Matthews, Samira Tazari, Sophie Summergrad, and Sol Werthan. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts. Editorial direction by Josh Levin, Derek John, and Johanna...
Jul 23, 2022•12 min•Season 7Ep. 4
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior editor of Jurisprudence, Nicole Lewis is joined by Susan Matthews, Slate’s executive editor and host of Slow Burn: Roe v. Wade. Earlier this month, a story about a 10-year-old girl seeking an abortion after she was raped went viral, and Nicole and Susan dive into how themedia’s handedthe story, before questioning how news outlets should handle the influx of first-person abortion narratives in a post-Roe world. In Slate Plus, is asking Vice Presid...
Jul 21, 2022•36 min
Soon after Ann Hill arrived at Yale Law School in 1968, she realized she was pregnant. Her options were limited: she could give birth—or get an illegal abortion. The decision she faced inspired her to take on Connecticut’s abortion ban. The legal battle that followed would set the stage for Roe v. Wade. Season 7 of Slow Burn is produced by Susan Matthews, Samira Tazari, Sophie Summergrad, and Sol Werthan. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts. Editorial direction by Josh L...
Jul 20, 2022•10 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Abortion is now illegal in eight states, and more trigger laws banning the procedure are expected. The new state policies usher in an era of criminalized abortion. In Missouri, one liberal prosecutor is still struggling to predict how strictly these laws will be enforced. Guest: Jean Peters Baker, elected prosecutor of Jackson County, Missouri. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of ...
Jul 19, 2022•30 min
Jack and Barbara Willke got their start on the Catholic speaking circuit talking about the pleasure of sex within marriage. Their daughter would convince them to shift their focus to another hot-button issue. The Willkes’ Handbook on Abortion, and the photographs they distributed along with it, would help kickstart the right-to-life movement. To see the cover of the Handbook on Abortion, some of the photos the Willkes used, and the brochure “Life or Death,” go to slate.com/handbook Season 7 of S...
Jul 18, 2022•12 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In 1970, 22-year-old Shirley Wheeler got an illegal abortion in Florida. When she refused to tell the police who performed the procedure, she was arrested and charged with manslaughter. In the months that followed, she’d be prosecuted and publicly condemned. She’d also become the unlikely face of the fight for reproductive rights. Season 7 of Slow Burn is produced by Susan Matthews, Samira Tazari, Sophie Summergrad, and Sol Werthan. Derek John is Sr. Supervising Producer of Narrative Podcasts. E...
Jul 15, 2022•57 min•Season 7Ep. 1
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by Amira Rose Davis, professor, historian, and co-host of the feminist sports podcast Burn It All Down to talk about Brittney Griner. The WNBA superstar has been detained by the Russians for months. Cheyna and Amira talk about how Russia treats its women athletes like superstars (until they don’t), while in America it takes weeks for people to really notice when a star WNBA player is missing. Later in the show, they...
Jul 14, 2022•30 min
In 2019, Brenda took a year off from their PhD program to try to feel pleasure again…with anything. Brenda has come a long way since then but there’s one thing that’s still elusive—they’ve never experienced an orgasm. Whenever they try, anxiety kicks in and they’re left feeling frustrated and, in their words “broken.” On this episode of How To!, we bring in Ev’Yan Whitney, sex educator, author, and host of the podcast Sensual Self. Ev’Yan has some wonderful wisdom for learning about your body an...
Jul 05, 2022•41 min
Karin always thought of herself as the mom of two boys—that is, until last year when her oldest child told her they were nonbinary, meaning they don’t identify as either male or female. Karin loves her kid deeply, but she’s struggling to get used to their new name and pronouns, especially because her town—and husband—aren’t very accepting. On this episode of How To!, we bring in Lisa DelCol, a fellow mom of a nonbinary child and former president of PFLAG Oklahoma City, to help Karin come to term...
Jun 07, 2022•35 min
In this special episode marking the CENTURY 21 Brand’s 50th anniversary, Kristen Meinzer talks to two leaders who embody the brand’s uniquely relentless spirit: Global Chief Marketing Officer Cara Whitley and Mary Lynn Stone, Owner and President of CENTURY 21 New Millennium. Throughout their careers, they’ve both excelled by listening, adapting, and improving every aspect of the customer experience. Cara spearheaded the Brand’s recent transformation by emphasizing innovation, experiences, and re...
Aug 20, 2021•30 min
Whether you’re looking to engage new clients or find a romantic partner, it’s more important than ever to reach people in the digital space, form real connections, and develop those relationships. In Episode 2, we’re talking to someone who is an expert in standing out when selling yourself online: Melissa Hobley, the Chief Marketing Officer of the popular dating app OkCupid. Melissa built OkCupid’s marketing team from the ground up and helped craft the brand’s now famous message of inclusion and...
Jul 23, 2019•23 min
What’s it like to be the president of the U.S. Tennis Association? For the season finale of Women in Charge, Allison Benedikt talks to Katrina Adams, former president of the U.S. Tennis Association, about the pressures for Americans to win championships, how being the first black woman leader of the USTA shaped the way she did the job, and that infamous Serena and Osaka tennis match. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupiter Learn more about your ad choic...
May 27, 2019•41 min
What’s it like to be the president and CEO of a children’s hospital? On this episode of Women in Charge, Allison Benedikt talks to Madeline Bell, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, about creating a culture of innovation in a culture where mistakes can be dangerous, the difference between talking to donors and politicians, and how the power dynamics between nurses and doctors are changing. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupite...
May 20, 2019•38 min
What’s it like to be the senior and founding rabbi of a synagogue?On this episode of Women in Charge, Allison Benedikt talks to Sharon Brous, the senior and founding Rabbi of the Los Angeles Congregation, IKAR, about the financial challenges of running a synagogue, how women are faring in Jewish institutions, and how to manage difficult rabbis. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 13, 2019•47 min
What’s it like to be the director of the nation’s leading voice for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States? On this episode of Women in Charge, Allison Benedikt talks to Ai-Jen Poo, director of the National Workers Alliance, about how to build an advocacy organization, why visibility is such an important part of leadership, and the practical challenges of representing a diverse group of women. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production...
May 06, 2019•41 min
What’s it like to be in charge of the Syracuse Fire Department?On this episode of Women in Charge, Allison Benedikt talks to Sara Errington, District Chief of Syracuse Fire Department, about when to trust science over your gut when making tough calls, how she handles being a boss in a male dominated field, and the importance of team bonding when fighting fires. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...
Apr 29, 2019•44 min
What’s it like to be in charge of an Ivy League newspaper?On this episode of Women in Charge, Allison Benedikt talks to Kristine Guillaume about the pressures of being the ‘first’, how to get the most out of an all-volunteer staff that also have finals and papers to do, and how to earn the respect of peers. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 22, 2019•41 min
What’s it like to be the longtime principal of a Brooklyn public school? On this episode of Women in Charge, Allison Benedikt talks to Anna Allanbrook, the principal of the Brooklyn public school, The Brooklyn New School. They talk about what to look for when hiring teachers, why she’s okay with her kids not taking standardized tests, and how she manages to move forward with the times. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupiter Learn more about your ad cho...
Apr 15, 2019•48 min
We are so excited to be back for season two of Women in Charge. This season returns with Allison Benedikt as your host and we kick off the first episode talking with Virginia Johnson, the artistic director and founding member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. We talk about how she navigated from principal dancer to founding member to artistic director. Virginia also shares stories about what it meant to grow up as a black ballerina and what progress is being made in the dance culture now. Learn mo...
Apr 08, 2019•42 min
Allison Benedikt talks about what's in store for season two of Women in Charge and then chats with Seth Stevenson, host of Slate's new podcast, Who Runs That? It's a show about brands people love and the CEOs who shape them. Allison and Seth preview the upcoming season and introduce the first episode, which features Karla Gallardo, CEO of the women's fashion company, Cuyana. If you enjoy this episode of Who Runs That, please subscribe using the Apple Podcast link below or whichever podcast liste...
Nov 21, 2018•38 min
What’s it like to be the woman who runs an online magazine and podcast network? On this episode of Women in Charge, we flip the mics and Slate’s Executive Editor Allison Benedikt interviews Julia Turner, Slate’s departing editor-in-chief. Turner talks about her career trajectory, discusses the concept of female mentorship, and reveals what excites her about her new move. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...
Oct 29, 2018•42 min
What’s it like to be the woman who runs one of the most visited museums in the world? Ellen Stofan talks about her path to leadership and the importance of female role models, as well as how the story of one great man is being reimagined as the stories of teams. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 22, 2018•42 min
What’s it like to be the woman who runs the runs the U.S. Army Medical Command? On this episode of Women in Charge, Julia Turner talks to Army Surgeon General Nadja West. West speaks about being born into a military family, choosing medicine, and discovering her place as a leader. You can email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Jessica Jupiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 15, 2018•35 min
What’s it like to be a woman who runs a small empire of restaurants? On this episode of Women in Charge, Julia Turner talks to Jen Agg, the Toronto-based restauranteur, formerly of The Black Hoof and Agrikol, whose newest venture is a reimagined diner called Le Swan. In this interview, they speak about building a team you trust, the careful art of creating atmosphere, and navigating the masculinity of the restaurant business. You can email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad ...
Oct 08, 2018•46 min
What’s it like to be a woman who leads a university of 55,000 students? On this episode of Women in Charge, Julia Turner talks to Ana Mari Cauce, the president of the University of Washington, who progressed from assistant professor to president, all at the same institution. You can email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 01, 2018•38 min
