Divided States of Women

Vox Media

3.8 (227)
POLITICS

Too often, women are thought of as a monolithic bloc, and they were often discussed that way throughout the 2016 election. But women are in fact divided on major issues. Liz Plank (a progressive) and Hitha Herzog (a conservative) are friends who get along, but don't always agree. Together, they cover the complicated, multifaceted, intersectional debates that make up the life of the modern American woman. Produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network.

11/30/2017

It's Here: the Backlash for Exposing Sexual Misconduct

As powerful men are toppled one after the other for their sexual predation, why are some women still missing from the dialogue? Women in service industries, who are often subject to severe power imbalances with their customers, have not been centered in the conversation about harassment. And one response to widespread sexual misconduct allegations has been the implication (or veiled threat) that exposing sexual harassment will lead to fewer women being hired. So how will working-class women get attention around abuses in the industries? And what do these allegations mean for all the women who already have to be "twice as good"? We're joined by Vox.com Race and Identities Senior Editor Michelle Garcia, and Nell Bernstein, author of "Burning Down the House: The End of Juvenile Prison." Show Notes: The Floodgates Aren't Open Until Working Class Women Tell Their Stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

33 min
11/16/2017

The Women Who Get Left Out of #BlackGirlMagic

CaShawn Thompson is credited with creating the social media movement that is #BlackGirlMagic. The hashtag is widely used as a celebration of black womanhood, beauty, and perseverance. But not every black woman endorses the term. When Dr. Linda Chavers saw the ubiquity of #BlackGirlMagic, she bristled—and she published an essay about why she felt the term was exclusionary. That's when the online backlash from other black women began. Writer and producer Aisha Turner brings us the story of how #BlackGirlMagic became a cultural phenomenon, and why it remains divisive for some black women. Show Notes: Here's My Problem With #BlackGirlMagic by Linda Chavers Black Girl Magic: song from "Empire" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 min
11/09/2017

Lessons from a year full of toxic masculinity

This week, an interview with Wade Davis, the NFL's first Diversity and Inclusion consultant and, well, a professional feminist. (Ok, maybe that one's not on his business card). Davis uses his public platform to talk to men and boys about masculinity as a societal construct -- one that is a performance as harmful to men as it is to women. We'll also hear from Vox.com reporter Anna North, who attended the Women's Convention in Detroit and talked to women interested in running for office in 2018 about how Donald Trump's win, and Hillary Clinton's loss, have motivated their candidacies. Wade Davis: Taking off the mask of masculinity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umKKrbmdHFM Anna North: https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/11/6/16571570/female-candidates-trump-clinton-2016-election Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

52 min
11/02/2017

Esther Perel: Why Women Cheat and Why Women Stay

Today, women are cheating nearly as much as men. But why do we judge women more harshly than men, whether they're the cheater, the victim of the cheating who decides to stay, or the mistress? Our guest today is Esther Perel, preeminent couples and family therapist whose new book, "The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity" looks at infidelity from multiple perspectives and attempts to contest some of the cultural stereotypes we hold about cheating. Also: we hear from women who say post-election politics has hurt their intimate relationships, and get Perel's advice on how to navigate this discord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

49 min
10/26/2017

Is It My Fault If I Hate My Body?

Women of all shapes and sizes feel insecure about their bodies. Hitha and Liz compare notes, and discuss the economic and cultural ramifications of our stereotypes about "overweight" women. We hear from Emily Martin at the National Women's Law Center about how women's bodies are used against them in the workplace. And we'll hear from two women who are living with chronic illness about the insecurities and social pressures that come with the territory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

51 min
10/19/2017

Let's Talk About Disability Porn

You've probably seen it in your social media feeds without even knowing it. "Disability porn": those stories that use disabled people's narratives to inspire the able-bodied. Some disabled people reject these narratives, especially when they're in the form of memes that travel across social media. But there are plenty of disabled people who endorse and participate in "inspirational" storytelling, or don't see anything wrong with it. The distinctions in these perspectives can be nuanced, as you'll hear from our show guests today. Also, we'll also get a dispatch from journalist Raquel Reichard, who has been reporting from Puerto Rico, where she lived as a child, and where only 19 percent of the island's residents have power, and around one million Americans still don't have running water a month after Hurricane Maria. She's there with a group of media makers called PR On the Map. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 min
10/12/2017

Does Marriage Make Women Happy?

What are the benefits of marriage for women? Liz talks to feminist writer Jill Fillipovic about how the institution has changed over the last decade, and what that means for women's happiness and economic stability in 2017. Hitha is hiding in a closet at her sister's wedding, but she calls in to talk about the pragmatism of her marriage being governed by "1950s" values. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

32 min
10/05/2017

Hugh Hefner, American Hero and Sexist Pig

Hugh Hefner was an exceptional businessman whose legacy is built upon the exploitation of women. Our hosts and guests, including Liz’s mom, debate how Hugh Hefner should be remembered, and discuss the role of the Playboy empire in the sexual revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 min
09/28/2017

Is That a Gun I See in Your Corset?

We visit the NRA's first concealed carry fashion show, and learn about the firearm equivalent of a "nip slip." We also talk with Dr. Angela Stroud (a gun owner herself), who studies how race, class, and gender identity shape Americans' perceptions about private gun ownership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

46 min
09/21/2017

Can You Be A Conservative And A Nasty Woman?

In our debut episode, Liz talks to young women at a conservative summit in Texas to find out if they agree with her on...anything. We also interview the editor of the new anthology "Nasty Women," Samhita Mukhopadhyay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34 min
SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

Introducing: Divided States of Women

Hosted by Liz Plank and Hitha Herzog, Divided States of Women uncovers the complicated, multifaceted, intersectional debates that make up the life of the modern American woman. Liz (a progressive) and Hitha (a conservative) may be friends who get along, but they certainly don’t always agree. They’ll bring prominent feminist thinkers, politicians, and celebrities onto the show as guests, and they’ll report from the field to hear from women around the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 min

TRAILER

Introducing: Divided States of Women

Hosted by Liz Plank and Hitha Herzog, Divided States of Women uncovers the complicated, multifaceted, intersectional debates that make up the life of the modern American woman. Liz (a progressive) and Hitha (a conservative) may be friends who get along, but they certainly don’t always agree. They’ll bring prominent feminist thinkers, politicians, and celebrities onto the show as guests, and they’ll report from the field to hear from women around the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1, E1

•

5 min

Liz Plank

Host

3.8

out of 5

227 Ratings

Lively and informed take on relationships

02/10/2022

Rachel Kramer Bussel

I was a recent guest on #single and am also a fan. Jeanette brings such enthusiasm for her interviews, which always go much deeper than surface level. They’re real about the upsides and downsides of modern dating, and give valuable insights, whether the listener is single or not. I especially liked the Alexandra Laplante episode on her journey to polyamory.
#Truth Spoken Here

05/03/2021

MayflowerDAR

These are smart ladies who cover interesting topics & present the facts w/in the scope of their personalities. Unfortunately, certain people feel the need to bash those who examine the world through their narrow world view & feel the need to go full blown whiny Karen in the review section Seriously, there is a lot to be gleaned here & whether you agree or not, these women make it interesting
Great!

10/29/2018

BaileyEHen

I have a hard time reading the low scores posted for this podcast. I found the women to be insightful despite me not agreeing with *everything* they said. It opened a door for me to learn and listen to a perspective outside of my own (something most of America needs to do!). I introduced the podcast to my boyfriend, and we listened to a few episodes together. He too found it insightful and we had some very evolving conversations. I would recommend to all people, even those who don’t call themselves feminist or liberal, it’s two intelligent women, intelligently laying out their perspective on our society.
Identity politics

10/12/2019

MitsBC

This show treats people as groups, not as individuals.

Too often, women are thought of as a monolithic bloc, and they were often discussed that way throughout the 2016 election. But women are in fact divided on major issues. Liz Plank (a progressive) and Hitha Herzog (a conservative) are friends who get along, but don't always agree. Together, they cover the complicated, multifaceted, intersectional debates that make up the life of the modern American woman. Produced by the Vox Media Podcast Network.