On this week’s episode of The Waves, historian and original Waves host, Marcia Chatelain is joined by sociologist Danielle Lindemann to talk all things reality TV. They discuss Danielle’s new book, True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us and why we don’t take reality television as seriously as we should. Later in the show they talk about why women are more successful at monetizing their reality TV brand and how the genre takes us on a tour of the class system.  In Slate Plus: Is The Bachelorette feminist? Recommendations:Marcia: The True Crime Obsessed podcast, Let the Women Do the WorkDanielle: The Netflix series Selling Sunset Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, we’re reflecting on the impact of Bitch Media, which started as a zine in the 90s, and grew into a print publication and website . Slate staff writer Heather Schwedel is joined by Bitch co-founder Andi Zeisler to talk about the history of Bitch. Then, they explore why feminist media is struggling, despite maybe being more necessary than ever. In Slate Plus: Is asking if things are feminist, feminist?Recommendations: Heather: Ghosts by Dolly AldertonAndi: Time Zone J by Julie DoucetMentioned in the Show: “Bitch and the End of Independent Feminist Media” by Jude Ellison S. Doyle Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.comThanks Avast.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, we start with a conversation with upcoming Slow Burn: Roe v Wade host, Susan Matthews and Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth about the implications of the recently leaked Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe. In the main show, we shift focus to gender violence as the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard trial continues. Cheyna sits down with Dr. Nicole Bedera about what happens when fans try to play detective and how we should actually be talking to victims of violence. Later in the show they talk about Men’s Rights Activists and the broader implications of suing people who accuse someone of assault. In Slate Plus, is Mother’s Day feminist?  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior writer, Christina Cauterucci and Slate science editor Shannon Palus, talk pineapples on sticks. Christina’s new piece, “What’s Eating Edible Arrangements” on the changes at Edible Arrangements sparked a conversation about gender roles that likely led to the success of the company that now goes by Edible. Then they unpack the company’s pivot to CBD and what its attempt at “wellness culture” really means. In Slate Plus, are workout selfies feminist?Recommendations:Shannon: Harry & David fruit boxes.Christina: Season 2 of HBO’s The Flight Attendant.  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by freelance science writer Eleanor Cummins to talk about the possible resurgence of Ecofeminism. Eleanor recently published “Is Ecofeminism Due for a Comeback?” in The New Republic. They discuss how the term came to be “passe,” what places are embracing the concept of combining feminism and the environment (and trying to save the Amazon in the process), and why the time is right for feminists to embrace the planet.  In Slate Plus, the waves of Ecofeminism, and where the term “tree-hugger” came from. Recommendations:Cheyna: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman Eleanor: Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate senior editor Shannon Palus is joined by science journalist, Rachel E. Gross to talk all about female anatomy. They discuss Rachel’s new book, Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage and how much science has to learn when it comes to diagnosing female maladies. Then they get into ovaries and all the misconceptions about these “egg baskets.”In Slate Plus, is the term “pussy” feminist? Articles discussed in this episode: The Word for Anatomy That Shouldn’t Be “Vulgar”  by Zoe Mendelson Seventeen Years of Bad Sex by Allyson Rudolph Ovaries Are Prone to ‘Exhaustion’ and ‘Fatigue.’ Or Are They? By Rachel GrossRecommendations:Shannon: Wearing wide-legged jeans. Rachel: Showing yourself some, ah-hem, love.  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and Alicia Montgomery. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate staff writers Rebecca Onion and Lili Loofbourow are talking about the prepper community. Is it all toxic masculinity? Is there already a space for women in the community, or do they have to carve their own space? They dig into Lili’s piece on the schism in the prepper reddit community and explore the gender dynamics of a culture that ranges from coupon clipping to hoarding guns. They also discuss Rebecca Onion’s 2016 piece on what prepper fiction reveals about American virtues. In Slate Plus: Martha Stewart was in the news for an Instagram post about her dead cat. Is her empire feminist? Recommendations:Rebecca: The PBS series Sanditon.Lili: Wearing men’s sweatpants. Thanks Avast.com!Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, the co-host of Slate’s internet culture podcast ICYMI, Rachelle Hampton sits down with Slate associate editor and romance author, Marissa Martinelli to talk about romance novels and, of course, the television show Bridgerton. In the first half, they dig into the longstanding race and gender politics at play within the romance writing community and gatekeeping, why we need more Short Kings and Fat Women in romance, and of course…Fabio. Then they get into the Netflix phenomenon, Bridgerton and talk about the problematic dynamics the show didn’t sort out when it “solved” racism, why making Daphne pretty ruined season one for Rachelle, and how season two kinda, sorta, almost cured some of the problems of season one.  In Slate Plus, are corsets feminist? Recommendations:Marissa: The romance novel book club podcast, Hot and Bothered. Rachelle: Season one of Netflix’s Virgin River.  Further Reading:Dangerous Books for Girls by Maya Rodale“Inside the List” by Gregory Cowels “How Bridgerton Touches on Colonialism in India” by Desiree Ibekwe“The Biggest Changes Between Bridgerton Season 2, and The Steamy, Ridiculous Book It’s Based On” by Marissa Martinelli “Under the Covers” by Anne Wallentine “One Romance Novelist’s Fight for Diverse Love Stories” by Rachelle Hampton Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, we’re saddling up and taking the reins to talk Westerns. Film critic and host of the podcast Watch With Jen, Jen Johans is joined by Washington Post TV critic and host of the All About Almodóvar & All About Campion podcasts, Inkoo Kang.First they dive into the history of the genre: What makes something a Western, and how the genre has challenged stereotypes when it comes to the sexes. Then they explore Jane Campion’s Oscar-nominated film, and the latest big Western, Power of the Dog. In Slate Plus, Jen and Inkoo talk about whether pianos are feminist.  Recommendations:Jen: The films of Terrence Malick and Wim WendersInkoo: Jane Campion’s 1999 film, Holy Smoke  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Waves, it’s all about getting paid. Slate Money co-host Emily Peck is joined by Phoebe Gavin, a career coach and executive director of talent and development for Vox.com. In the first part of the show they unpack Emily’s New York Times article, “What Do You Think You Should Be Paid” and the trap of that question. In the second half, Phoebe gives her advice on how to make sure you are paid what you’re worth. You can find Phoebe’s career coaching information here. In Slate Plus, is International Women’s Day feminist? Recommendations:Emily: These Precious Days: Essays, by Ann PatchettPhoebe: Watching Gardeners’ World while wearing Nuit de Feu perfume.  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus and June Thomas. Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices