This week’s episode of The Waves considers whether there is a uniquely feminist way to divorce your skeevy rich husband. Slate executive producer of podcasts, Alicia Montgomery, and business journalist and co-host of Slate Money, Emily Peck, delve into the stories of two billionaire women who have both recently ended their marriages—Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott. The two discuss whether French Gates and Scott bear any responsibility for the sins of their ex-husbands companies. They ta...
Jun 24, 2021•32 min
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior writer and host of Outward Christina Cauterucci and Julia Craven, Slate staff writer covering race, politics, and health disparities, talk about one woman: Kyrsten Sinema. From her wardrobe to her position on the filibuster, Sinema has been in the news a lot recently. The hosts talk about the Arizona senator’s political evolution—she moved from the Green Party to run as a progressive Democrat, but when she got to the U.S. Senate, she tacked towar...
Jun 17, 2021•40 min
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior editor Allegra Frank and Robin Boylorn, a professor at the University of Alabama and occasional Slate contributor, discuss the enduring appeal of Keeping Up With the Kardashians as the E! reality show it comes to a close at the end of its 20th season. The pair digs into the show as a backdrop for the creation of a family dynasty of internet celebrity, track the diminishing role of television in their multi-billion-dollar empire, and parse out the...
Jun 10, 2021•33 min
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate Senior Editor Allegra Frank and Slate Production Assistant Madeline Ducharme talk about the latest season of Netflix’s Master of None. The pair digs into the show’s depiction of a queer Black relationship and breakup, and discusses if the show even a comedy anymore. Also: how are we supposed to care about a relationship when we first see it at its end? After the break, Allegra and Madeline go outside of the show to talk about Season 3’s creators, Aziz A...
Jun 03, 2021•38 min
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior writer and Outward podcast co-host Christina Cauterucci talks to Robin Marty about the Supreme Court’s plans with Roe v. Wade, and what women can do to prepare for the worst. Robin Marty is the author of The New Handbook for a Post-Roe America. She’s also the communications director of the West Alabama Women’s Center and the Yellowhammer Fund, which provides funding and logistical support to women in need of abortions. They discuss what abortion ...
May 27, 2021•38 min
Blake Bailey gained fame for telling the stories of famous men. But before that, he was a beloved middle school teacher—who went on to have questionable sexual relationships with several of his former eighth grade students. When his biography of Phillip Roth was published this spring, some former students started to speak out about their experiences with Bailey. A few revealed that after years of staying in touch with them as a mentor of sorts, he had made unwelcome sexual advances. Former stude...
May 20, 2021•40 min
The Waves has been gone for a while, but we’re coming back soon ... with a few changes. Every week, two hosts will chat about a topic they just can’t stop thinking about. Whether it’s pop culture, politics, sports, or family, if you’re thinking about it, we’ll be talking about it—and we’ll try to figure out what gender has to do with it, too. The Waves will be coming to you every Thursday starting this week on May 20th, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...
May 18, 2021•2 min
For The Wave’s final episode before a temporary but indefinite hiatus, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole have a coronavirus check-in and talk about inequalities amplified by the pandemic. They also review Feel Good, a semi-autobiographical series on Netflix from comedian Mae Martin. Finally, the panel discusses who they want Joe Biden to select as his running mate, who they think he should pick, and who they think he will choose. In Slate Plus: Is it sexist that liquor stores are considered e...
Apr 23, 2020•1 hr 7 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole talk to Emily Oster about pregnant women choosing to give birth at home instead of going to hospitals during the pandemic. They also discuss parenting visibility and additional labor while working from home. Then, they review FX’s new show Mrs. America, the story of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the countermovement headed by Phyllis Schlafly. Finally, the panel discusses the sexual assault allegations against Joe Bi...
Apr 09, 2020•1 hr 9 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss being cooped up at home during coronavirus. Then, they review the new Hulu show Little Fires Everywhere, based on the 2017 novel by Celeste Ng. Finally, the panel discusses Sarah Viren’s New York Times Magazine piece “The Accusations Were Lies. But Could We Prove It?” In Slate Plus: Is it sexist to tell a woman she’s “really blossomed” since getting divorced? Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on The Waves each...
Mar 26, 2020•1 hr 8 min
This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan look at comparisons between the COVID-19 pandemic and AIDS with Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign. Then they conduct a post-mortem on Pete Buttigieg with DC lawyer and Pete supporter Brooke Clagett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2020•1 hr
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss how we got to such a white, male set of options for President. Then, they dive into the gendered responses to coronavirus. Finally, the panel discusses a new movie about abortion: Never Rarely Sometimes Always. In Slate Plus: Is It Sexist that Tulsi Gabbard has been treated like a joke and left out of mainstream assessments of the race? Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on The Waves each week, and no ads. Sign...
Mar 12, 2020•1 hr 2 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss the Harvey Weinstein trial verdict. Then, they dive into the reality show Love Is Blind. Finally, the panel interviews artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh about her book Stop Telling Women to Smile. In Slate Plus: Is it sexist to call woman in the workplace “helpful”? Other items discussed on the show: “The Weinstein Verdict Is Both a Victory and a Disappointment,” by Christina Cauterucci in Slate. Recommendations: Marcia:...
Feb 27, 2020•1 hr 6 min
In this special bonus episode, Christina Cauterucci, Bryan Lowder, and Rumaan Alam are joined by John Paul Brammer of the Hola Papi column to offer some sex and relationship advice. They answer listener questions about asexuality and navigating intimacy, reconciling fantasies with reality, taking the first steps into queer dating, and reconsidering why you might not identify with a community you’re already a part of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 14, 2020•58 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss Alexis Coe’s George Washington biography You Never Forget Your First. Then, they dive into Taylor Swift and Jessica Simpson’s recent characterizations of how fame has shaped them. Finally, the panel talks about a string of recent studies and op-eds centered on women and alcoholism. In Slate Plus: Is ghosting sexist? Other items discussed on the show: “You Remember Jessica Simpson, Right? Wrong” by Lindsay Mannering...
Feb 13, 2020•1 hr 8 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, and Marcia take on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Netflix show The Goop Lab. Next, the panel discusses Donald Trump’s appearance at March for Life—the first time a sitting president attended the annual anti-abortion event. Finally, the panel dives into a 1,000-word job description for a “household manager/cook/nanny” posted by a single working mom in Menlo Park that went viral. In Slate Plus this week, is it sexist that the Washington Post suspended its r...
Jan 30, 2020•1 hr 1 min
This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan break down exclusively gay moments in film and television, exploring why they can feel so craven, and if there’s any way to get it right. Then they interview Richie Jackson about his new book Gay Like Me, a letter to his gay son about the importance of being gay. They discuss the significance of Harvey Fierstein, growing up gay, and why queer identities are so essential. Then we close it out with a usual update to the gay agenda, looking at good versions ...
Jan 29, 2020•1 hr 2 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss the recent drama about whether Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren that a woman can’t be president. Then, the panel adds to the chronic (but desired) over-coverage of Megxit. Finally, the panel discuss Women on Food, an anthology edited by Charlotte Druckman. In Slate Plus: Is it sexist for a listener’s parents to say she spends too much time on her son’s hair each morning? Recommendations June: Michael Apted’s “U...
Jan 16, 2020•1 hr 5 min
On this week’s episode the Waves, Christina, June, Nichole, and Marcia kick off 2020 by answering listeners’ “is it sexist?” questions. The hosts tackle bathroom etiquette, male presidential candidates, the term “girly girl,” and much more. In Slate Plus: Is it sexist to call someone a douchebag? Other items discussed on the show: The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters by Rose George Recommendations Nichole: Orange World and Other Stories by Karen Russell Ju...
Jan 02, 2020•1 hr 16 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole reflect on The Morning Show, remember the ups and downs of feminist blogs that were popular in the early 2000s and ask whether open floor offices might be sexist. In Slate Plus: are Barack Obama's comments about women being better than men sexist? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 19, 2019•1 hr 3 min
This month, Christina, Bryan welcome Rumaan Alam as the official third host of Outward. First, June Thomas joins the team to discuss the new L Word reboot, how it compares to the original, ways it’s stepped past it, and if any of the characters will actually become unlikeable. Then the trio go through an extended segment of prides and provocations of the decade with Andy Bowen, a consultant on queer and economic social justice issues. They tackle marriage equality, PreP, lesbian bars, and the sa...
Dec 18, 2019•1 hr 6 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss Kamala Harris and her departure from the field of Democratic presidential hopefuls. Then, they talk about Frozen 2. Finally, the panel takes on Black Friday - the sales and the stores that are opting out.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 05, 2019•57 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss the newest season of The Crown, where Olivia Colman takes the throne as a middle-aged Queen Elizabeth II. Then, they break down a few sexist moments during the impeachment hearings. Finally, the panel dives into a recently published study on hookup culture that explores the relationship between casual sex on college campuses and race. In Slate Plus: Is it sexist to dismiss YA fiction as just for girls? Other items ...
Nov 21, 2019•57 min
This month, Christina and Bryan are joined again by writer and Slate advice columnist Rumaan Alam to talk about children. First, the team invites Slate executive editor Allison Benedikt to talk about the ways children learn about queerness and sexuality, what we can do to teach and be an example, and how kids often pick up this stuff without us. Then they interview clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Edwards-Leeper about a recent case in Texas involving a trans child, the best routes for handling pr...
Nov 20, 2019•58 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss former congresswoman Katie Hill’s resignation and revenge porn. Then, they break down the successes and failures of the new television show on female desire, Mrs. Fletcher. Finally, the panel is joined by Ronan Farrow to chat about his recent book, Catch and Kill, and the systemic sexism he highlighted in his intensive—and often dangerous—reporting on Harvey Weinstein. In Slate Plus: Was it sexist for Delta to edit...
Nov 07, 2019•1 hr 11 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, Marcia, and June dive into the tension between love and politics in light of a recent piece on Democratic women married to MAGA-loving men. Then, they talk about the implications of framing abortion as “safe, legal, and rare,” as Tulsi Gabbard did in the most recent Democratic presidential debate. Finally, the panel considers the lonely social media “It Girl.” Are influencers’ “getting real” posts truly authentic? In Slate Plus: Was it sexist for J...
Oct 24, 2019•1 hr
This month, Christina and Bryan are joined by writer drag performer Pretty Rik E. After talking about Ellen and Big Mouth during Pride and Provocations, they jump into CNN’s LGBTQ town hall where nine different candidates discussed the queer aspects of their platforms. Then they unwrap some toys, giving Mattel’s new Creatable World dolls a spin to see what it’s like to play with a gender-neutral doll, and how it fits into a child’s gender-learning experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
Oct 16, 2019•56 min
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Christina, Marcia, and Nichole discuss Rowena Chiu’s essay about Harvey Weinstein, and what her voice brings to the conversation about sex, race and power. Next, the panelists tackle whether the right women are getting credit for making the impeachment inquiry happen. And lastly, a chat about watching an intimate show about loss and grieving on Facebook - I’m Sorry for Your Loss Season 2. In Slate Plus: Was Bob Woodward’s approach to interviewing Jodi Kantor ...
Oct 10, 2019•1 hr 13 min
On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, Marcia, and June discuss the Washington Post profile of Kamala Harris that focuses on her years at Howard University and what that tells us about the candidate, HBCUs, and American political life. Then they talk about Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, specifically the chapter on alcohol and sexual assault, and find a theory wanting a foundation. Finally, the panelists talk through what they loved, and what they less than loved about Hustlers. In Slate P...
Sep 26, 2019•59 min
This month, Christina, and Bryan, and are joined by writer Rumaan Alam. After Pride and Provocations they talk about the news about searching for the gay gene and whether the endeavor has any positive use. Then they discuss McKrae Game, the conversion therapist who recently came out as gay and the difficulties of feeling pity and pain about this news at the same time. Then they close it out with a usual round of the gay agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 18, 2019•52 min
