Freed From Feminism Podcast freedfromfeminism

In this continuation of our Literature Series, we bring to you a fascinating Papal Decree issued by Pope Pius XI in 1930 entitled "A Papal Decree Concerning Modesty - The Marylike Standards of Modesty in Dress". As we mention in the episode, it is the most specific guidance we've ever come across from the Church with regards to modesty in dress. It is strong, specific and extremely practical--and quite controversial--even Beth and I have differing opinions on the applicability of the Decree’s specific standards in today’s world. Despite it's jarring strength and specificity, and as so typical with Mother Church, She ties these standards so beautifully and logically with Our Lady’s virtues, and the innate splendor and value and dignity of womanhood that one cannot leave this Decree with any concerns of trying to stifle or repress the beauty of women (if you know the theology behind it, the value that the Church acknowledges in the virtue of modesty and the dignity that She recognizes in each and every woman).
Therefore we present this Papal Decree for further discussion and in order to perhaps inspire us all to a deeper and more profound understanding of the beauty of the virtue of modesty. We would really love to hear what you think of this! Please leave a comment, send us an email or DM us on Twitter.

In this episode, Beth and Theresa interview Dr. Rachel Fulton Brown, a medievalist scholar and tenured professor at the University of Chicago, about Marian devotion in the middle ages. We have been meaning to do an episode exclusively about the Blessed Mother for quite awhile and this gave us a perfect opportunity: we discussed one of Dr. Fulton Brown’s books, Mary and the Art of Prayer: The Hours of the Virgin in Medieval Life and Thought. She gives us a shocking, yet beautiful and inspiring, vision of a culture in which Our Lady was as present as the air we breathe and fundamental to interpreting the Catholic Faith in every day life in medieval Christendom.
We had significant technical issues during the recording of this podcast, and thus the episode has been heavily edited and in fact is cut quite short; usually we wouldn’t upload an unfinished podcast, but it would be truly a shame to lose, as you will hear, the amazing and inspiring information with which Dr. Fulton Brown was kind enough to enlighten us. 
Dr. Fulton Brown's webpage at the Univ. of Chicago: https://home.uchicago.edu/~rfulton/
Selected works: 
Mary and the Art of Prayer: The Hours of the Virgin in Medieval Christian Life and Thought: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/mary-and-the-art-of-prayer/9780231181686
From Judgment to Passion: Devotion to Christ and the Virgin Mary, 800–1200: https://www.amazon.com/Judgment-Passion-Devotion-Christ-800-1200/dp/0231125518/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214338793&sr=8-1
History in the Comic Mode: Medieval Communities and the Matter of Person: https://www.amazon.com/History-Comic-Mode-Medieval-Communities/dp/0231133685/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214338844&sr=1-2
 

In this episode, Beth and Theresa discuss a particularly disturbing viewpoint prevalent in *both* American political parties: the idea that wives & mothers are only of value if they work outside the home (or, in this specific case, have more than 2 children...lol). While being a political orphan could be scary to some, it isn't for Catholics, who hold allegiance to the only true Shepherd and His Church. They also discuss why being a SAHM (stay-at-home-mother) is valuable to society (does this really need to be said?), and why being a SAHW (stay-at-home-wife) is equally as valuable, even if the couple isn't blessed with children. 

In this episode, Beth and Theresa discuss the propaganda--both hidden and obvious--found in so much of the entertainment we consume, from Disney to sitcoms to Hallmark, and in virtually every decade of motion picture entertainment. 

In this episode, Beth and Theresa discuss the mental, physical and spiritual  challenges of working in a job/career when you've realized that you'd rather be living your vocation, and provide some encouragement to those of us who are still working by providing some ideas for how they would do things differently if they worked today. 

In this episode, Beth and Theresa discuss the challenges and joys of transitioning from a career to being a stay-at-home-wife/mother, and give organizational and spiritual tips that have helped them along the way. Please let us know what you think by reviewing and rating the podcast!