Gloria Steinem died yesterday at the age of 92. Journalist. Writer. Organizer. Feminist icon. And, for generations of women, a voice who helped change what was possible. In this special episode of Curveball, Scott Reich looks back on his deeply personal conversation with Gloria Steinem—an extraordinary interview that, to our knowledge, was among the last she gave. Recorded in the spring of 2025, the conversation takes on new meaning now. Gloria spoke with the wisdom, warmth, humor and candor that defined her remarkable life. She reflected on the experiences that shaped her, the people who influenced her, the movements she helped build, and the lessons she had learned about resilience, equality, and human connection. Gloria spoke openly about growing up with a mother who struggled with mental illness and about the loneliness and absence of female role models she experienced as a young woman. She remembered finding inspiration in the books of Louisa May Alcott at a time when there were few women visible in journalism or public life. She recalled entering a male-dominated media world where women were often assigned stories based on their gender—stories about pantyhose rather than politics—and how those experiences helped propel her toward a different kind of journalism and, ultimately, the creation of Ms. Magazine. She became a writer because she was terrified of public speaking, she shared. Gloria talked about the power of community, describing human beings as “communal animals,” and reflected on the movements that changed America, from Civil Rights and the anti-Vietnam War movement to the women’s movement and MeToo. She spoke with particular wonder about the global reach of MeToo and about the ways social upheaval, while painful and frightening, can also create extraordinary progress. She also reflected on a deeply personal turning point: having an abortion in London at 22. She spoke candidly about how access to reproductive freedom gave her the ability to pursue the life and work she wanted—a reminder that the freedoms we debate politically can profoundly shape the course of an individual life. Throughout the conversation, Gloria returned to a simple but powerful idea: connection matters. She spoke about the danger of allowing differences to isolate us, the importance of finding common ground, and the extraordinary things people can accomplish when they refuse to be divided by “otherness.” Now, with Gloria gone, her words feel both intimate and timeless. This is a conversation about a life spent challenging the boundaries placed around women—and about the empathy, courage, community and imagination required to change the world. It is also a rare opportunity to hear Gloria Steinem in her own words, reflecting on the life she lived and the future she hoped we would build. We are honored to share it as a special episode of Curveball and as a remembrance of Gloria Steinem. What Listeners Will Hear:Gloria reflecting candidly on her mother’s struggle with mental illness and the profound influence it had on her childhood.Why Louisa May Alcott became an early source of inspiration when there were so few visible female journalists or public role models.The creation and significance of Ms. Magazine and its role in the women’s movement.Her experiences navigating a male-dominated media industry—including being assigned stories because she was a woman.Why Gloria believed community was essential to resilience and social change.Her reflections on the extraordinary global impact of the MeToo movement.Why periods of social turmoil, including the Civil Rights and anti-Vietnam War movements, can become catalysts for progress.Her experience having an abortion in London at 22 and why reproductive freedom allowed her to pursue her life's work.Her enduring belief in connecting across differences and resisting the isolation of “otherness.”Gloria’s wisdom on resilience, leadership, empathy, and finding strength through other people. Key Moments:(00:00) — Growing Up With Her Mother’s Struggles (03:09) — Gender Bias and Finding Encouragement (09:09) — The Power of Collective Action (09:59) — Resilience in the Face of Criticism (14:45) — The Magic of Reading and Self-Discovery (17:18) — Political Division and Societal Fear (22:37) — Progress Outpacing Representation (26:08) — Love, Connection and a Life of Global Perspective (30:05) — The Leaders Who Will Shape the Future (30:54) — Why Human Connection Matters (35:36) — Building Community Through Connection
