Episode 340: Feminism, Divorce, and The Legacy of Judy Blume with Rachelle Bergstein

Judy Blume and feminism? Yes, please. Add in divorce… and we got ourselves a cool (albeit, a bit different) podcast episode this week!

I’m thrilled to welcome Rachelle Bergstein to the show, a lifestyle writer, bestselling author, and editor whose work explores the intersections of style, pop culture, and family. Her latest book, The Genius of Judy, takes us on an intimate and unflinching journey through Judy Blume’s life and legacy, examining how her stories have shaped generations of women and girls while challenging cultural norms around gender, sexuality, and growing up.

Throughout this episode, we explore Judy’s willingness to tell the truth when others wouldn’t, along with her ability to normalize the experiences and emotions of childhood. We also discuss what her work continues to teach us about liberation, identity, and the messy, beautiful realities of life.

✨ If you’d like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Judy’s groundbreaking decision to write honestly about divorce, adolescence, and growing up (1:58)

• How It’s Not the End of the World helped normalize divorce for children in the 1970s (16:10)

• The feminist brilliance of Judy Blume’s book Forever (8:30)

• How the feminist movement influenced Judy's work (18:21)

Learn more about Rachelle Bergstein: Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, bestselling author, and editor, focused on style, pop culture, and families. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, The New York Times, NPR, and more. She is the author of three books: Women from the Ankle Down, Brilliance and Fire, and The Genius of Judy. She lives with her husband and son in Brooklyn.

Resources & Links:

Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate’s Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

Rachelle on InstagramRachelle’s SubstackRachelle’s book, The Genius of Judy Blume

Judy Blume books as mentioned in this episode: It’s Not the End of the WorldForever Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.Just as Long as We’re Together Superfudge (part of the Fudge series)

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DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

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Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-340-feminism-divorce-and-the-legacy-of-judy-blume-with-rachelle-bergstein/