This week, the girls/women are joined by writer Larissa Phillips, and the three discuss her recent essay in which she recounts her violent rape in the early 90s. Larissa shares her thoughts on the helpfulness of “trauma” discourse on recovery, the #metoo era, and the tension between personal responsibility and public trust. They also touch on Larissa’s work in adult literacy, a subject Sarah finds especially interesting, as she’s still learning how to read. Relevant Links Larissa’s Essay in Quillette   After Rape: A Guide for the Tormented by Celeste Marcus On Not Being A Victim by Mary Gaitskill, Harper’s Magazine, March 1994   Know someone who would love this episode? Gift a paid subscription! 

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A Guide For the Traumatized

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In this LIVE-STREAMED episode, the girlx/womxn weigh in on the Man vs. Bear discourse. If you're going to experience a #MeToo event in forest, who would you rather be able to sic a Title IX officer on later? A bear or a human man? The answer may (not) surprise you. Then, Meghan dishes about her time at Dissident Dialogues, a convention of heretics at which she dissented from the dialogue by not giving any talks or speaking on any panels. But she was still a VIP, and what else really matters? Finally, the women share their views on the neverending LARP on college campuses.Live-streamed episodes are released right after the recording (and entirely unedited) on YouTube for paying subscribers only. If you’d like early access and all the bonus content, subscribe and join in!   

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A LARP on Campus

Do all dogs go to heaven? Or just those euthanized by Strong Republican Women? Like Kristi Noem (with a dash of Glennon Doyle?), the girlx/womxn prove they Can Do Hard Things when it feels right. Listeners will be dismayed to discover that what feels right today is agreeing with the overturning of Harvey Weinstein case in New York and poking holes in the witness testimony. Act 3: Women's tears: a discussion. (Again.) Relevant Links * The Guardian on Kristi Noem * JoAnn Wypijewski's 2020 article in The Nation on Weinstein  

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Harvey Weinstein Gets His Day

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How is a cruise like BDSM? How is BDSM like this podcast? The girlx/womenx begin by clearing their throats about the last episode (TLDR: we are sorry you are mad), and Sarah recounts her tragic, abusive childhood (and in so doing provides living proof that hurt people hurt people).  They then move on to the chaos at Columbia, sidestepping the political discussion entirely to wave their canes at the damned kids.  Nothing in life is free, and especially not this podcast. To hear the full version, click on the red button. If you are a paying subscriber, thanks and welcome! Link to the YouTube video is below. Links  * CRYING MYSELF TO SLEEP ON THE BIGGEST CRUISE SHIP EVER by Gary Shteyngart * No Dorm or Dining Hall: Ilhan Omar’s Daughter Recounts Protest Arrest * Isra Hirsi, Ilhan Omar's Daughter, On Columbia Arrests, Barnard Suspension, Palestine Protests  Feeling alone? Want to “touch grass” and “make friends” and “feel like a person worthy of authentic human consideration”?   Sign up for the next Unspeakeasy retreat, here! 

Homeless, Zip-Tied, and Hungry

In the wake of the solar eclipse, the girls/women contemplate the state of American leisure, particularly, the Supposedly Fun™ pastime of cruise vacations. After taking an intermission to defend the TERF Queen from the usual suspects, they (aka Sarah) chastise second generation immigrants for being ingrates. Finally, another argument about psychotherapy (sorry!).  Feeling guilty about freeloading?  Subscribe and find relief (and bonus episodes)! Links:  * CRYING MYSELF TO SLEEP ON THE BIGGEST CRUISE SHIP EVER by Gary Shteyngart  * Activist faces 18 felony counts for allegedly threatening Bakersfield City Council * SHIPPING OUT by David Foster Wallace * Tweet by Rivkah Brown on JK Rowling  

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Leisure for Deplorables, Therapy for Kids

Our fearless heroines return once again to defend the indefensible. First, they throw their hat in with the chaotic billionaire of Twitter/X, no not Elon Musk (although him too), but terf-queen J.K. Rowling. Why is Scotland so fascist? Should America invade that country, if for no other reason than to water down those unintelligible accents? Then they ruminate over class, wondering why everyone is afraid of rural whites. Finally (and probably inevitably) Meghan defends the honor of Woody Allen, who she suspects is the Real Victim. All that said, we all know that the real victim is Justice – and also, you the listener.  Links An Utterly Misleading Book About Rural America by Tyler Austin HarperTwitter/X thread by Hussein Aboubakr Mansour A Son Speaks Out, Moses Farrow on Woody Allen and Mia Farrow 

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A Guide For the Traumatized

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