Moira Donegan

In 1995 a bestselling book proposed a simple dating strategy for women: Lose weight, wear bright colors and become a completely different person for the rest of your life.Thanks to Moira Donegan for helping us with this episode! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPodWhere to find us: TwitterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources:From Front Porch to Back Seat: Courtship in Twentieth-Century America Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s essay, “Stuff Your ‘Rules’” The More Things Change: The Rules And Late Eighteenth‐Century Conduct Books For Women Shrinking Violets and Caspar Milquetoasts: Shyness and Heterosexuality from the Roles of the Fifties to "The Rules" of the Nineties From Mountain Peak to Total Woman: An Evolutionary History of Pre-feminist Dating Advice The Mating Game: How Gender Still Shapes How We Date by Ellen Lamont So Many Rules, So Little Time Abiding by The Rules: Instructing Women in Relationships What leads to romantic attraction: similarity, reciprocity, security, or beauty? Evidence from a speed-dating study "Playing Hard To Get": Understanding An Elusive Phenomenon Egalitarian Daters, Traditionalist Dates Aspirational pursuit of mates in online dating markets Disintermediating your friends: How online dating in the United States displaces other ways of meeting Playing Hard To Get  Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

Moira Donegan and Adrian Daub, co-hosts of the In Bed with the Right podcast, dive into the life of Roy Cohn—a lawyer infamous for his controversial tactics and role in historical events. They explore Cohn's manipulative methods during the Rosenberg trial and his influential position within McCarthyism, highlighting his complex identity as a gay man leading anti-gay efforts. The discussion unveils the psychological underpinnings of Cohn's character and the ironies of his legacy, showcasing his profound impact on American politics and culture.

Moira Donegan, a columnist for The Guardian, dives deep into the unsettling implications of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony amid intense questioning by Senator Elyssa Slotkin. They discuss how Hegseth's reluctance to clarify the military’s stance on unarmed protests reflects a troubling loyalty to Trump’s agenda. Donegan links this to the authoritarian flair of Trump’s military parades, emphasizing their role in cultivating a spectacle of power that threatens democracy. The conversation sheds light on the dark dynamics of military and political allegiance.

Moira Donegan, co-host of 'In Bed With The Right,' and Adrian Daub, a fellow co-host, dive into the complexities of current right-wing sexual politics. They dissect Elon Musk's controversial relationship with influencer Ashley St. Clair, questioning women's roles in a patriarchal framework. The discussion further explores evolving standards of masculinity and the contradictions within conservative values. With insights on the impact of influencer culture, they reveal the tensions between traditional expectations and modern expressions of femininity.

Moira Donegan, a Guardian US columnist, dives into the rising pro-natalist movement in America, highlighting the desire for higher birth rates among different groups. She discusses the controversial ideologies surrounding this movement, including the impact of figures like Elon Musk and the troubling connections to eugenics. The podcast also contrasts the limited success of pro-natalist policies with the realities faced by modern parents, examining how economic pressures and societal attitudes shape reproductive choices today.