Double X Gabfest

On this week’s episode of The Waves, show producer and true crime author Cheyna Roth sits down with Rebecca Lavoie, co-host of the Crime Writers On podcast and fellow true crime author. The pair start by talking about the current state of true crime and beg Hollywood to stop making sexy serial killer movies. After the break, Rebecca and Cheyna dissect how the genre treats victims and whether criticisms of true crime are sexist.Recommendations:Cheyna: The pyramid scheme podcast series The Dream and the 2018 episode of Decoder Ring, Clown Panic.Rebecca: True crime documentary Murder on Middle Beach on HBO; Season 1 of The Staircase on Netflix; and the podcast Canary from the Washington Post. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior editor and science writer Shannon Palus is joined by staff writer Rebecca Onion to talk parenting and family life during the Delta wave. They start by talking about how they get through the days when all the news feels apocalyptic and Rebecca’s fears for her unvaccinated child. Then they get real about their varying levels of optimism and tolerance for those who refuse to get vaccinated. Recommendations:Rebecca: The Paramount+ show Evil.Shannon: The young adult novel They’ll Never Catch Us, by Jessica Goodman. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Waves producer Cheyna Roth and Slate senior culture editor Allegra Frank take a trip to FBoy Island. They discuss the ups and sexisms of HBO Max’s newest dating show and question why the narrative of women saving men persists. Later in the show, Allegra and Cheyna talk about the deception inherent in these shows and ask why everyone is the same type of beautiful. Recommendations:Allegra: Keeping your hands busy during the final days of summer with Pokémon UNITE.Cheyna: The children’s books authors and illustrators Lauren and Natalia O’Hara, especially their book The Bandit Queen. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Waves, it’s all about the Olympics. Amira Rose Davis, assistant professor of history and African American studies at Penn State University and co-host of the feminist sports podcast Burn it All Down, is joined by Slate’s gymnastics reporter Rebecca Schuman. The pair start with a discussion of the racial and gender inequalities that have permeated the Games, past and present. Then they get into whether it’s time for us all, like Simone Biles, to “nope” out of this complicated tradition. Davis also talks about a recent piece she did for Slate, in which she interviewed several Black women Olympians about their experiences in the Games.Recommendations:Amira: Rooting for Guan Chenchen on the beam. She also recommends the podcast Blind Landing, about a disastrous equipment error that had a massive impact on the gymnastics competition in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.Rebecca: Watching Anna Cockrell in the 400-meter hurdles and Idalys Ortiz in judo. She also loves Ted Lasso. Podcast productio

On this week’s episode of The Waves, author and professor of history at Georgetown University Marcia Chatelain and Slate staff writer Lili Loofbourow dissect Bill Cosby’s release from prison, and what that could mean for the #MeToo movement. First they unpack exactly what happened in the Cosby case. Then they get into the potential ripple effects it could have on victims seeking justice more broadly. RecommendationsLili: The Netflix show Money Heist. Marcia: As much Real Housewives on Bravo that you can handle.  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Waves, June Thomas, senior managing producer of Slate podcasts and a host of Working, talks with Willa Paskin, Slate TV critic and host of Decoder Ring, about the reboot of Gossip Girl. They discuss how the show messed up by making its characters too nice, why the teachers may be the most interesting part of the reboot, and whether Gossip Girl has finally figured out its class politics.RecommendationsJune: Reality competition show about ball culture, Legendary on HBO Max.Willa: The Succession meets Agatha Christie new show, The White Lotus on HBO. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate Supreme Court reporters Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern join forces to dissect Amy Coney Barrett’s first term on the bench. They talk about how her confirmation hearings were shaped by Democrats’ desire to paint her as an enemy of health care, and how her recent decision upholding the Affordable Care Act has gotten her outsized praise. Then, they dissect her desire to be seen as an academic rather than a conservative, and unpack what we can expect from her in the years to come.RecommendationsDahlia: A Supreme Women Mug from Resistance By DesignMark: A Washington D.C. statehood tank top from DC Statehood Gifts & ApparelPodcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of The Waves, a conversation with Atlantic writer, Elizabeth Bruenig. In the first half of the show, Elizabeth talks about her recent New York Times article, “I Became a Mother at 25, and I’m Not Sorry I Didn’t Wait” with Slate’s news director Susan Matthews. The two get into why pregnancy is both so personal and yet so public, how society and particularly the job market deals with that, and the randomness of deciding when the right time is.After the break, Susan and Elizabeth delve into the backlash the piece received from the left, and then the backlash that backlash received from the right, and what we can take from that cycle. Elizabeth talks about whether she was trying to be provocative, and only being “happy stupid” on Twitter.In Slate Plus, the women each share a piece of their past that made them feminists. For Susan, it was taking all the classes for a gender studies degree … without getting the degree. And Elizabeth talks about reading Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale in

This week’s episode of The Waves considers whether there is a uniquely feminist way to divorce your skeevy rich husband. Slate executive producer of podcasts, Alicia Montgomery, and business journalist and co-host of Slate Money, Emily Peck, delve into the stories of two billionaire women who have both recently ended their marriages—Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott. The two discuss whether French Gates and Scott bear any responsibility for the sins of their ex-husbands companies. They talk about the extent to which each woman worked to rehabilitate their partner’s image during their marriage, including unpacking French Gates’ obsession with telling the story of how she convinced her husband to drive their daughter to school (some of the time, at least). Alicia and Emily also talk about whether there’s an expectation, just because they are women, that Scott and French Gates use the billions of dollars their husbands have amassed to better the world. And finally, they talk about how Gen Xers were taught

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior writer and host of Outward Christina Cauterucci and Julia Craven, Slate staff writer covering race, politics, and health disparities, talk about one woman: Kyrsten Sinema. From her wardrobe to her position on the filibuster, Sinema has been in the news a lot recently. The hosts talk about the Arizona senator’s political evolution—she moved from the Green Party to run as a progressive Democrat, but when she got to the U.S. Senate, she tacked toward the center—and whether she is currently exhibiting any signs of political coherence. Christina unpacks the high note of Sinema at the Capitol: her wardrobe, noting that the flashy fashions that once brought visual interest to the normally drab walls of Congress have taken a turn for the worse. As Sinema started to stymie Democratic plans, her “fuck off” ring and “dangerous creature” sweater took on a whole new meaning.After the break, Julia and Christina dive deep into the filibuster. While standing in the way of the

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior editor Allegra Frank and Robin Boylorn, a professor at the University of Alabama and occasional Slate contributor, discuss the enduring appeal of Keeping Up With the Kardashians as the E! reality show it comes to a close at the end of its 20th season. The pair digs into the show as a backdrop for the creation of a family dynasty of internet celebrity, track the diminishing role of television in their multi-billion-dollar empire, and parse out the curious appeal of the sisters who became famous just for being famous. After the break, Allegra and Robin dig deep on the Kardashian-Jenner clan’s history of appropriation of Black culture, and discuss the impact of their adopting working-class Black aesthetics to great personal gain as several of them became mothers to Black children themselves. The sisters haven’t shied away from airing their learning moments for the world to see. But have they been able to use their enormous platform to any meaningful end? For Slat

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate Senior Editor Allegra Frank and Slate Production Assistant Madeline Ducharme talk about the latest season of Netflix’s Master of None. The pair digs into the show’s depiction of a queer Black relationship and breakup, and discusses if the show even a comedy anymore. Also: how are we supposed to care about a relationship when we first see it at its end?After the break, Allegra and Madeline go outside of the show to talk about Season 3’s creators, Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe. Ansari and Waithe have both stirred controversy in the past few years. At the height of the #MeToo movement, a now shuttered site called Babe.net reported an alleged unpleasant sexual encounter between a 22-year-old woman and Ansari. In response, Ansari stepped out of the spotlight for a couple years, though he said at the time that the encounter was consensual. Meanwhile, Waithe has worked on several projects, including 2019’s Queen and Slim and Amazon’s Them, that have been accused of propagatin

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior writer and Outward podcast co-host Christina Cauterucci talks to Robin Marty about the Supreme Court’s plans with Roe v. Wade, and what women can do to prepare for the worst. Robin Marty is the author of The New Handbook for a Post-Roe America. She’s also the communications director of the West Alabama Women’s Center and the Yellowhammer Fund, which provides funding and logistical support to women in need of abortions. They discuss what abortion access might look like if the justices further erode Roe. They also talk about why Robin once said she was ready for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe, and why national exhaustion has caused her to change her mind.In the second half of the show, it’s all about survival. Christina and Robin focus on the ways women will (hopefully) still be able to get access to reproductive health care, why self-managed abortions could become crucial, how privacy will take on increasing importance, and how people can help. Plus, they’ll

Blake Bailey gained fame for telling the stories of famous men. But before that, he was a beloved middle school teacher—who went on to have questionable sexual relationships with several of his former eighth grade students. When his biography of Phillip Roth was published this spring, some former students started to speak out about their experiences with Bailey. A few revealed that after years of staying in touch with them as a mentor of sorts, he had made unwelcome sexual advances. Former student Eve Crawford Payton says he raped her when she was 22 years old.On today’s episode, Slate news director Susan Matthews is first joined by colleagues Josh Levin and Molly Olmstead, who were her collaborators on “Mr. Bailey’s Class.” They unpack what it was like to work on the piece, which stories about sexual assault get told, and what that means for journalism as a mechanism for obtaining justice.Later in the show, Matthews is joined by Eve Crawford Peyton. Peyton wrote an essay for Slate, detailing her experiences

The Waves has been gone for a while, but we’re coming back soon ... with a few changes.Every week, two hosts will chat about a topic they just can’t stop thinking about. Whether it’s pop culture, politics, sports, or family, if you’re thinking about it, we’ll be talking about it—and we’ll try to figure out what gender has to do with it, too.The Waves will be coming to you every Thursday starting this week on May 20th, wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For The Wave’s final episode before a temporary but indefinite hiatus, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole have a coronavirus check-in and talk about inequalities amplified by the pandemic. They also review Feel Good, a semi-autobiographical series on Netflix from comedian Mae Martin. Finally, the panel discusses who they want Joe Biden to select as his running mate, who they think he should pick, and who they think he will choose.   In Slate Plus: Is it sexist that liquor stores are considered essential businesses, if excessive alcohol consumption is linked to domestic abuse and reports of domestic violence have increased since many people are staying at home?Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on The Waves each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Other Items Discussed: Stop Trying to Be Productive by Taylor LorenzSitting on the Couch Is My New Favorite Hobby by Josh GondelmanThe Trapped-at-Home Mother by Emily Gould The “All-Consuming” Emotional Labor Caused by Coronavirus—and S

On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole talk to Emily Oster about pregnant women choosing to give birth at home instead of going to hospitals during the pandemic. They also discuss parenting visibility and additional labor while working from home. Then, they review FX’s new show Mrs. America, the story of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the countermovement headed by Phyllis Schlafly. Finally, the panel discusses the sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden.In Slate Plus: Is the treatment of coronavirus task force member Dr. Deborah Birx sexist?Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on The Waves each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Other Items Discussed: “For Pregnant Women Who Are Scared of Hospitals Right Now, Is Switching to Home Birth Better?” by Emily Oster. “Biden accuser Tara Reade: "I wanted to be a senator; I didn't want to sleep with one"” by Katie Halper. “Has Deborah Birx Crossed the Line?” by Tim Murphy. Recommendations:Marcia

On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss being cooped up at home during coronavirus. Then, they review the new Hulu show Little Fires Everywhere, based on the 2017 novel by Celeste Ng. Finally, the panel discusses Sarah Viren’s New York Times Magazine piece “The Accusations Were Lies. But Could We Prove It?”In Slate Plus: Is it sexist to tell a woman she’s “really blossomed” since getting divorced? Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on The Waves each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Other items discussed on the show:“How to WFH With Your Partner Without Killing Each Other,” by Christina Cauterucci in Slate.“Life Inside the Title IX Pressure Cooker,” by Sarah Brown in the Chronicle of Higher Education.Radiooooo, a site where you can listen to music from different decades. Recommendations:Marcia: “Advice From a Prepper Mom on Surviving the Unthinkable,” by Mira Ptacin. June: The Arne & Carlos Daily Quarantine Knitting Podcast. Christin

This month, Christina, Bryan, and Rumaan look at comparisons between the COVID-19 pandemic and AIDS with Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign. Then they conduct a post-mortem on Pete Buttigieg with DC lawyer and Pete supporter Brooke Clagett. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s episode of the Waves, Christina, June, Marcia, and Nichole discuss how we got to such a white, male set of options for President. Then, they dive into the gendered responses to coronavirus. Finally, the panel discusses a new movie about abortion: Never Rarely Sometimes Always. In Slate Plus: Is It Sexist that Tulsi Gabbard has been treated like a joke and left out of mainstream assessments of the race?Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on The Waves each week, and no ads. Sign up now to listen and support our work.Other items discussed on the show: Coronavirus: Five ways virus upheaval is hitting women in Asia by Lara Owen in the BBC69 Percent of Men Don’t Wash Their Hands After Using the Bathroom?! by Amanda in The CutRecommendations: June: A Taste Of Honey (1961) Nichole: So We Can Glow by Leesa Cross-Smith Marcia: Freethinker, Sex Suffrage, an the Extraordinary Life of Helen Hamilton Gardener by Kimberly A. Hamlin Christina: The city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico  Hosted on Acas