The Everyday Feminist

Gestalt theory offers a way of looking at how people can change through their interactions with their environment: the cycle of experience. In this episode, Lois explains how this model can be used to change how we experience housework and caring for our homes and relationships. She and co-host Stephanie explore the stages people go through as they see what is, imagine what could be, and integrate...

Research shows that women smile more than men. Why does this happen and what does it mean? In this episode, Lois and Stephanie review a large metaanalytic study involving all scientific data on gender and smiling. They go point-by-point thrugh the findings in order to understand the circumstances under which women smile more and men smile less and and those where men and women smile equally. Check...

According to Lyz Lenz, in America, marriage is "a relationship made unequal not by accident, but as a function of a society that relies on inequality to fill in the gaps that it refuses to fund--childcare, eldercare." In this episode, Stephanie and Lois discuss the newly-released, powerfully candid book, "This American Ex-Wife," emphasizing its instant resonance not just with them and this show, b...

"But I don't have anything to say." In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois explore the meaning of non-responsive silences, often by men toward women, by asking, what is someone really saying when they say they have nothing to say?

Love: Brought To You By Valentine's Day. In this February-14th-inspired episode, Lois and Stephanie reflect on Valentine's Day and discuss the varying ways it's viewed in American culture. They ask, is it a sweet day for showing genuine love and affection, or is it a heteronormative, capitalistic, sexist pseudo-holiday? (Or is it just a day for kids?) And, also: What exactly is love anyway? Check...

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 pressi...

The meaning of a word can sometimes depend on the context in which it’s stated. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie talk about well-intentioned but now-aggravating words that, to them at least, have been corrupted by mis- and over-use.

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.

Why aren't people dating and getting married at the same rates as before? Why do women get told, instead of asked, what the problem is? In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois explore the social and psychological issues that play out in modern relationships.

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving, many would say, is the leftovers. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie discuss common Thanksgiving Leftover Fantasies and go on to explore the underlying gender dynamics of food, cooking, and feeding. It’s important to notice who feeds whom, and to make sure that everyone, especially the cook, is getting fed.

Thankfulness is in focus at this time of year. In this episode, Stephanie and Lois explore the secret to finding, feeling, and practicing deep gratitude…and explain why we must do it.

Not every problem has to be someone’s fault. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie explore the human tendency to assign blame, either to ourselves or others, even when it’s not necessary. What’s *that* about?

To have better relationships, we have to step out of ourselves to imagine what it is like to be someone else. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie explore the (very) American notion if individualism. They discuss how it develops, what function it serves, it’s potentially detrimental consequences, and how we can overcome it to build fulfilling alliances at home and elsewhere.

“Why are we doing this?” is a question JJ Bola encourages men to ask themselves and each other. He joins Stephanie and Lois from London to discuss his powerful and important book, written for men, “Mask Off: Masculinity Redefined.” Together, they explore his views on the social construct of maleness and his thoughts on how a little self-reflection can give men the power to live fuller, more connec...

If someone’s feelings are hurt by something you say, does that make you “mean”? Or does it make the hurt person “sensitive”? Or does it reflect another dynamic altogether? In this episode, Stephanie and Lois talk about perceptions (and misperceptions) of female meanness and what it says about how women are experienced by others, and how they, in turn, experience themselves.

Being born male has advantages. In this episode, hosts Lois and Stephanie review some of the benefits of being a man, and explore ways men can make more room at the table for women…or not.

What qualities come to mind when you think of a “good man”? In this episode, hosts Lois and Stephanie review a list of internet-generated qualities to see if they agree with its conception of a “good man.” (Nice Surprise: it turns out the list is not gender-specific.)

For women, saying what you mean is often complicated by gender and relationship dynamics. In this episode, Stephanie and Lois disentangle the common experience many women have when they speak up and offer ways that men and women can shift this dynamic to create unbreakable relationships.

The new feminist satire film "Barbie" has caused quite a stir in theaters and on the internet. In this episode, hosts Lois and Stephanie discuss what they each loved about the layers and themes in movie...and then go on to give several solid reasons why every *man* out there should go watch it right now! (Spoiler alert! This movie is described in detail, so you may want to watch it before you list...

Have you ever been told to stop “acting like a victim”? In this episode, Stephanie and Lois deconstruct the idea of victimhood, exploring how being accused of “playing the victim” actually victimizes women.

Women commonly have no choice but to do more than one thing at a time, often without conscious choice or awareness. In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois explore the complex underpinnings of women's multitasking...and discuss ways to still find joy at moments when it becomes overwhelming.

Sometimes, women need encouragement...and other times, they need HELP. In this episode, hosts Lois and Stephanie talk about the importance of listening to women when they tell you what they need (and then giving it to them)!

Mothers notoriously have no time-even on Mother’s Day. In this episode, hosts Stephanie and Lois explore the busy lives of mothers and the impossibility of “making the time” to do it all.

In this episode-Lois and Stephanie discuss a question that was recently trending on social media: “Men, what feminine qualities turn you on?” They look to the answers to this question to see if (1) they can figure out what the men who replied consider to be “feminine” and (2) to see if they agree. Check it out!

Not giving someone what they want can be hard, especially when you have been socialized to prioritize the comfort of others. In this episode, Lois and Stephanie explore the difficulties that women, in particular, have with saying “no”…and offer some ways that women can overcome them!