Musa al-Gharbi, a sociologist from Stony Brook University and author of "We Have Never Been Woke," dives into the complexities of wokeness. He questions whether it genuinely uplifts marginalized groups or merely serves as a guise for elites to maintain the status quo. Musa shares his transformative journey from community college to Columbia University, highlighting the stark contrasts in educational environments. He explores the challenges faced by disadvantaged students in elite spaces and critiques how social justice discourse can sometimes reinforce existing inequalities.

Alex Grodd, founder and CEO of The Disagreement, delves into the alarming rise of sports betting addictions, particularly among young men. He explains how the 2018 Supreme Court ruling has turned gambling into a smartphone sensation, often leading to financial ruin. Grodd draws parallels between sports betting and online pornography addiction, discussing how both erode personal relationships and contribute to the masculinity crisis. He emphasizes the exploitative nature of the industry and urges a reevaluation of how technology impacts our lives.

Ben Ryan, an independent journalist focused on healthcare and science, discusses the provocative role of the trans debate in recent elections. He delves into the impact of the Cass Review on pediatric gender medicine, unpacking its controversies. Ryan also examines the legal implications surrounding gender transition treatments for minors, and how political pressures affect medical decisions. Plus, he tackles the contentious TERF Wars and debates the significance of using preferred pronouns. It's a thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of gender and politics.

Sandra Tsing Loh, a celebrated playwright and author, shares her journey in theater and the challenges faced by women over 50. She discusses her surprise hit play, Madwomen of the West, and the struggles in securing representation for middle-aged women in the industry. The conversation touches on the shift from traditional theater to independent productions and the changing dynamics in audience engagement. Sandra also reveals insights behind her new one-woman show, I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get To It, showcasing the importance of authenticity in storytelling.

Lionel Shriver, a provocative columnist for The Spectator and author of the bestseller 'We Need to Talk About Kevin,' dives into the current political landscape. She discusses the shifting priorities of female voters, such as the rise of trans issues over abortion rights. Shriver provocatively questions whether Kamala Harris might be relieved to avoid the presidency, reflecting on societal expectations of motherhood and the pressures within literary circles regarding political conformity. Her insights challenge conventional narratives and spark thoughtful debate.

Leigh Stein, a versatile writer and author of five books, dives into the evolving world of book publishing. She shares the transformative impact of social media platforms like TikTok on book promotion and marketing. Leigh believes that despite the challenges, there's abundant opportunity for authors willing to embrace these changes. She also highlights her successful strategies for helping others secure book deals and discusses the rising popularity of audiobooks. Plus, don’t miss her upcoming webinar on navigating the publishing landscape!

This week, journalist and legendary feminist activist Julie Bindel talks about her new podcast series, Julie in Genderland, which explores the complexities surrounding gender identity, particularly from the perspective of parents of children who’ve become caught up in gender ideology. Julie discusses the role of social services and educators in shaping children's understanding of gender, the intersection of class and gender issues, and the parallels with social justice movements around the sex trade and surrogacy. She also reflects on her reporting of grooming gangs in the UK, linking it to broader issues of misogyny and systemic failures in protecting vulnerable girls. GUEST BIO Julie Bindel is a British journalist, broadcaster, author and a feminist campaigner against male violence towards women and girls. Her latest book, Lesbians: Where Are We Now? will be published by Swift Press in Spring 2025 and her new podcast, Julie In Genderland, premiered in September 2024. Follow Julie on Substack. Listen to Julie in Genderland. Want to hear the whole conversation? Upgrade your subscription here. HOUSEKEEPING 📺 Visit The Unspeakable on YouTube! ✈️ The Unspeakeasy has new retreats for 2025. See where we'll be! Learn about our upcoming Unspeakeasy School of Thought coed courses in fiction, memoir, and “How To Get A Book Deal The Easy Way.” 🥂 Join The Unspeakeasy, my community for freethinking women.

Stephanie Lepp, a video artist and founder of Synthesis Media, joins to discuss her innovative project, Faces of X. This series creatively presents multiple viewpoints on complex topics through a single performer embodying various roles. Lepp elaborates on the challenges of confirmation bias and distinguishes between synthesis and both sidesism. With thought-provoking discussions encompassing gender rights, capitalism, and inclusive dialogue on contentious issues like abortion, she advocates for a future rich in nuanced public discourse.

Neal Pollack, a multi-talented author and three-time Jeopardy! champion, shares his insights on humor's evolution in a world that often feels grim. He discusses his amusing battle with sofa dermatitis and the triviality of life's quirks. Neal also critiques the cultural commentary found in provocative media, reflecting on today's comedic expression and societal challenges. Look out for his innovative course on 'Writing Humor in Humorless Times,' where he promises to teach students how to find and share laughter in everyday life!

If you have a pet, you’ve probably wondered lately what in the world has happened to veterinary medicine. Why is it so expensive? Why is it so hard to get an appointment? And why, despite all of that, do domestic animals seem to have more health problems than ever? In this conversation, financial reporter Helaine Olen, a longtime dog owner and author of the April 2024 Atlantic article Why Your Vet Bill Is So High, explains how a combination of advancing technologies, private equity, and let's face it, people being really, really attached to their pets have made it costlier and more complicated than ever to own a pet. GUEST BIO Helaine Olen is Managing Editor at the American Economic Liberties Project and a contributing columnist for MSNBC.com. She is the author of Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry and a co-author of The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated. A former columnist for The Washington Post opinion page and Slate, her work has also appeared in numerous other publications, including The Atlantic, where Why is Your Vet Bill So High appeared. Want to hear the whole conversation? Upgrade your subscription here. HOUSEKEEPING 📺 Visit The Unspeakeasy on YouTube! ✈️ We have new retreats for 2025. See where we'll be! ✏️ Learn about our upcoming Unspeakeasy School of Thought coed courses in fiction, memoir, and humor writing. 🥂 Join The Unspeakeasy, my community for freethinking women.