It's Been a Minute The not-so-secret lives of Mormon women
Dec 22, 2025
Join Jana Riess, a senior columnist at Religious News Service and author of The Next Mormons, as she explores the intriguing lives of Mormon women. They discuss how early Mormon mommy blogging laid the groundwork for today's influencer culture. Jana explains the cultural push for public sharing within the community and how journaling became intertwined with lifestyle blogging. The podcast dives into the appeal of the 'tradwife' aesthetic, analyzing its nostalgic roots and the complexities of modern femininity in a digitally driven world.
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Media Scrutiny Challenges Agency
- Nara Smith and Hannah Nealman became visible trad-wife influencers with large followings.
- Media scrutiny challenged how much agency these women have in their curated narratives.
Ballerina Farm's Prairie Popularity
- Hannah Nealman (Ballerina Farm) gained massive followings by showing prairie life and large-family routines.
- Her content emphasizes homemaking, kids, and cooking from scratch, creating a nostalgic portal.
Lifestyle As Missionary Storytelling
- Mormon culture treats everyday life as a form of missionary work and record-keeping.
- That habit translates into polished personal storytelling suited for blogs and social media.