Assigned Reading with Becky Mollenkamp: Conversations about Feminist Essays

Becky Mollenkamp

This isn’t your average podcast—it’s a radical little book club for your ears. Each week on Assigned Reading, feminist business coach Becky Mollenkamp invites a brilliant guest to read and unpack a feminist essay. Together, they dive into the juicy, nuanced, sometimes uncomfortable questions these texts raise about power, identity, leadership, liberation, and more. If you’ve ever wanted to have big conversations about big ideas—but without having to get dressed, make small talk, or leave your introvert bubble—you’re in the right place. 🎧 This show is for the nerdy, the thoughtful, the socially conscious. 💬 It’s for people who crave deeper dialogue, new perspectives, and human connection in a world full of sound bites. 📚 Think of it as a feminist book club you don’t have to RSVP for. Assigned Reading is here to help you feel less alone, more seen, and newly inspired—with accessible essays, warm rapport, and the kind of smart conversations that stay with you. 🚨 Sign up for Becky's newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower: https://beckymollenkamp.com/rants 🎤 PROUD MEMBER OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE 🎤 http://feministpodcastcollective.com/

  1. Another show you may love from the Feminist Podcasters Collective

    JAN 26

    Another show you may love from the Feminist Podcasters Collective

    Check out the Season 10 trailer for Here’s What I Learned with Jacki Hayes, a fellow member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective. This season is built around real experiments. Jacki isn’t just talking about ideas. She’s inviting coaches and service providers to assign her an actual experiment from their area of expertise. She runs it in her business, then they come back together to break down what worked, what didn’t, and what the results actually show. If you like practical insight, honest reflection, and learning from real-world tests instead of polished theories, this season is worth a listen. Find the show wherever you listen to podcasts or visit https://www.jackihayes.co/podcast

    1 min
  2. New podcast for you! Check out Just Rest

    12/30/2025

    New podcast for you! Check out Just Rest

    Our friend Nicole just dropped the trailer for her new podcast Just Rest — and we're SOOO excited! We’re both part of the Feminist Podcast Collective, and watching this show come to life has been such a joy. Just Rest is for people who care deeply, work hard, and are tired of being told burnout is just the price of caring. This podcast is all about rest as resistance, sustainable change, and staying human in a grind-obsessed world. It’s thoughtful, grounded, and deeply compassionate — the kind of show that feels like a long exhale. Give the trailer a listen, then rate & review if it resonates. It makes a huge difference for indie, values-driven podcasts. 🎧 https://justrest.buzzsprout.com

    4 min
  3. How to Stop Using the Master’s Tools: A Convo with Cher Hale

    07/29/2025

    How to Stop Using the Master’s Tools: A Convo with Cher Hale

    What does it really mean to dismantle systems of oppression? In this episode of Assigned Reading, Becky is joined by writer and publicist Cher to unpack Audre Lorde’s iconic 1979 speech “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House.” They explore tokenism, parenting under patriarchy, the trap of girlboss feminism, and how discomfort is often a necessary part of real allyship and liberation. From personal storytelling to deep analysis, this conversation is a powerful, intersectional reflection on how we show up—for ourselves and each other. This week’s text: ✍️ “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House” by Audre Lorde This week’s guest: Cher Hale is a publicist, writer, and creative multi-hyphenate who explores the intersections of identity, equity, and expression. She’s known for her radical integrity, boundary-setting magic, and powerful voice. Find Cher: 🌐 https://www.cherhale.com 📱 https://www.instagram.com/cherhale Discussed in this episode: Tokenism in feminist spacesParenting without power-over dynamicsCreating diverse friendships with intentionWhy TERFs are not feministsRejecting girlboss, hyper-capitalist feminismNavigating rejection and community buildingThe challenge of creative expression under capitalismResources mentioned: The Messy Liberation PodcastErica Courdae (imperfect allyship)The Peanut appJordan Maney’s episode on rest and asking for help👉🏼 Sign up for Becky’s newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower  🎤 Proud members of the Feminist Podcasters Collective

    58 min
  4. Relinquishing the Patriarchy: Talking adrienne maree brown with Sandhya Sudhakar

    07/22/2025

    Relinquishing the Patriarchy: Talking adrienne maree brown with Sandhya Sudhakar

    Becky Mollenkamp and Sandhya Sudhakar dive into adrienne maree brown’s blog post "Relinquishing the Patriarchy." This rich, layered discussion covers gender roles, emotional labor, discomfort, and how patriarchy harms us all. From parenting to dating, personal identity to privilege, they explore how internalized systems shape us—and what it really takes to unlearn them. With insights into Enneagram types, somatic therapy, and white womanhood, this is a powerful reflection on liberation, healing, and building a better future. This week’s text: ✍️ "Relinquishing the Patriarchy" by adrienne maree brown This week’s guest: Sandhya Sudhakar 🌐 https://www.selfatwork.com/ 🎧 Working Your Way Podcast 📱 LinkedIn Discussed in this episode: The emotional and practical challenges of raising a white son under patriarchyHow dating cishet men intersects with feminist valuesWhat men are “owed” by society (and what they aren’t)The emotional cost of privilege and powerEnneagram as a tool for understanding social rolesWhite discomfort, male fragility, and the journey to awarenessThe limits of "burn it all down" rhetoricSomatic therapy, internal safety, and how to actually do the work Resources mentioned: Somatic Experiencing International practitioner directory“My Grandmother's Hands” by Resmaa MenakemEnneagram InstituteThe Narrative Enneagram👉🏼 Sign up for Becky’s newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower, for more conversations that call in your heart and your brain: https://beckymollenkamp.com/rants  🎤 Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective: http://feministpodcastcollective.com/

    54 min
  5. Feminist Porn Critique: Unpacking Andrea Dworkin’s Legacy with Goddess Erica

    07/15/2025

    Feminist Porn Critique: Unpacking Andrea Dworkin’s Legacy with Goddess Erica

    This week, Becky and Goddess Erica discuss Andrea Dworkin’s 1988 essay on pornography and power. They explore ethical porn, sex education reform, and the intersection of pleasure, patriarchy, and AI. A bold, vulnerable conversation about dismantling shame and building new systems for healing and desire. This week’s text:  ✍️ “Pornography: Men Possessing Women” by Andrea Dworkin Goddess Erica: 🌐 https://goddesserica.com🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/goddess-erica-show📱 https://instagram.com/goddesserica Discussed in this episode Andrea Dworkin’s legacy and critiquesMainstream porn vs. feminist pornThe role of AI in shaping porn cultureTeaching kids sex education through pleasure and media literacyMake Love Not Porn and other ethical platformsThe difference between erotic and pornographicReclaiming bodily agency through semi-nude meditation Resources mentioned Make Love Not PornDipseaAudre Lorde’s 'Uses of the Erotic' 👉🏼 Sign up for Becky’s newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower 🎤 PROUD MEMBERS OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE

    1h 1m
  6. What It Means to Do the Work: Feminism Beyond the Hashtags (with Kim Romain)

    07/08/2025

    What It Means to Do the Work: Feminism Beyond the Hashtags (with Kim Romain)

    In this episode of Assigned Reading, Becky and Kim unpack Barbara Love’s essay on developing a liberatory consciousness. Using the framework of the “4 A’s”—Awareness, Analysis, Action, and Accountability—they reflect on the deeply personal work of moving from complicity to liberation. This episode explores queer identity, internalized oppression, white feminism, and how awareness shapes every step of meaningful change. This week’s text: ✍️ “Developing a Liberatory Consciousness” by Barbara Love This week’s guest: Kim Romain is a seasoned coach, facilitator, and intuitive guide who supports high-achieving women and gender-expansive folks to embrace their inner knowing, get unshackled from grind culture, and create spacious, values-aligned lives. 🌐 https://kimromain.com   🎧 https://anchor.fm/kimromain   📱 https://www.instagram.com/kimromain   Discussed in this episode: Barbara Love’s 4 A’s of liberatory consciousnessHow internalized oppression shows up in dominant and subordinate identitiesWhite saviorism and perfectionism in anti-racism workThe emotional process of coming out as queer later in lifeIntersectionality and identity overlapWhat liberatory embodiment *feels* like 👉🏼 Sign up for Becky’s newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower, for more conversations that call in your heart and your brain. https://beckymollenkamp.com/rants 🎤 PROUD MEMBER OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE

    53 min
  7. The Truth About Aging and Gender Roles (with Ana Xavier)

    07/01/2025

    The Truth About Aging and Gender Roles (with Ana Xavier)

    Aging, feminism, and power collide in this juicy conversation. Becky and podcast producer Ana Xavier discuss Susan Sontag’s The Double Standard of Aging and how it still resonates decades later. From gray hair and menopause to child-free choices and decentering men, this feminist talk gets real about the aging double standard and what it means to opt out of performative femininity. This week’s text: ✍️ “The Double Standard of Aging” by Susan Sontag  This week’s guest: Ana Xavier Ana Xavier is a podcast producer and strategist who helps creators amplify their voices through meaningful content. 🌐 Website | 🎧 Podcast |📱 Instagram  Discussed in this episode: Susan Sontag’s essay and its continued relevanceAging without shameGray hair and public perceptionChild-free by choice and societal pressureDecentering men from life decisionsPerformative femininity and gender rolesAging and career reinventionCultural differences in how aging is viewedResources mentioned: “The Double Standard of Aging” by Susan Sontag“Fearing the Black Body” by Sabrina Strings👉🏼 Sign up for Becky’s newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower, for more conversations that call in your heart and your brain. https://beckymollenkamp.com/rants 🎤 PROUD MEMBER OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE

    58 min
  8. Understanding Kimberle Crenshaw’s Landmark Essay on Intersectionality (with Tori Williams Douglass)

    06/24/2025

    Understanding Kimberle Crenshaw’s Landmark Essay on Intersectionality (with Tori Williams Douglass)

    What happens when the law can't see you? This episode dives into Kimberle Crenshaw’s landmark 1989 essay on intersectionality, exploring how courts systematically erase Black women. Becky and Tori break down Crenshaw’s trapdoor metaphor, legal analysis, and the continuing relevance of intersectional feminism today. This week’s text ✍️ “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex” by Kimberlé Crenshaw This week’s guest Tori, aka Tori, Etc., is a neurodivergent speaker and educator on deconstructing fundamentalism, white supremacy, and internalized misogyny. Raised in a far-right religious household, she now brings sharp analysis and vulnerable storytelling to conversations about identity, power, and liberation. Find TORI 🌐 https://instagram.com/tori.etc 🎧 https://www.torietc.com/podcast 📱 https://www.instagram.com/tori.etc Discussed in this episode  • The legal system’s failure to recognize Black women’s intersectional oppression • Crenshaw’s trapdoor and street intersection metaphors • Gaslighting in law and social discourse • Moynihan Report and structural racism • The burden of perfectionism in white supremacy and capitalism • Personal narratives of unlearning from fundamentalism Resource mentioned  • "My Grandmother’s Hands" by Resmaa Menakem 👉🏼 Sign up for Becky’s newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower 🎤 PROUD MEMBER OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE

    55 min
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

This isn’t your average podcast—it’s a radical little book club for your ears. Each week on Assigned Reading, feminist business coach Becky Mollenkamp invites a brilliant guest to read and unpack a feminist essay. Together, they dive into the juicy, nuanced, sometimes uncomfortable questions these texts raise about power, identity, leadership, liberation, and more. If you’ve ever wanted to have big conversations about big ideas—but without having to get dressed, make small talk, or leave your introvert bubble—you’re in the right place. 🎧 This show is for the nerdy, the thoughtful, the socially conscious. 💬 It’s for people who crave deeper dialogue, new perspectives, and human connection in a world full of sound bites. 📚 Think of it as a feminist book club you don’t have to RSVP for. Assigned Reading is here to help you feel less alone, more seen, and newly inspired—with accessible essays, warm rapport, and the kind of smart conversations that stay with you. 🚨 Sign up for Becky's newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower: https://beckymollenkamp.com/rants 🎤 PROUD MEMBER OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE 🎤 http://feministpodcastcollective.com/

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