
The Waves: Gender, Relationships, Feminism
Each week a pair of writers and guests talk through one news story we can’t stop thinking about, and unpack what gender has to do with it.
Latest episodes

Jun 23, 2023 • 9min
And Just Like That…Carrie Killed Her Podcast
On this week’s episode of the And Just Like That recap, Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth and Slate senior supervisor of audio Daisy Rosario talk about season 2, episodes one and two of the Sex and the City sequel. They dig into what’s missing from the first two episodes (besides Samantha Jones), Tony Danza, and what was going on with Carrie’s pigeon purse. To get the full episode, sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 22, 2023 • 55min
A Year Without Roe
On this week’s episode of The Waves, one year after the Supreme Court decision that set off a national crisis in reproductive health care, we’re taking a look at what the end of Roe has wrought. Countless lives have been affected: There's the people who've traveled across the country to get their lives back, the people who've been forced against their will into pregnancy and childbirth, and those who've been denied life saving medical care because their doctors are afraid of the law. There's also the people doing what they can to mitigate the damage—with ballot measures, and abortion funds, and the tools and knowledge to help someone manage an abortion on their own.Slate senior writer Christina Cauterucci talks with Diane Horvath and Morgan Nuzzo, who opened an abortion clinic in Maryland just as Roe fell. She also sits down with Elaina Ramsey, who leads a faith-based pro-abortion group in Ohio that’s been charting new ways to use the specific assets of faith communities to help people get abortions, and Jessica Valenti, a journalist who’s been tracking the warp-speed rollback of abortion access across the country, and telling the stories of people whose lives have been upended because of it.Some of Christina’s Writing on Abortion:Birth Control Is NextYou Will Still Be Able to Get a Medication Abortion—Even if This Barbaric Ruling StandsWhat Anti-Abortion Advocates Really Think of Women’s LivesIf the “Abortion Pill” Gets Banned, There’s Still One Good MoveThe Religious Left Has Found Its MissionIf you liked this episode, check out: What the F*** Do We Do Now? Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 20, 2023 • 2min
TRAILER: ...And Just Like That Recap Show
We couldn’t stop thinking about And Just Like That. Now Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte are coming back for a second season and The Waves is going to be covering it all. Every week, Slate Plus members will get a very special And Just Like That recap episode, hosted by myself, Cheyna Roth, with a very exciting lineup of your favorite Slatesters like Daisy Rosario, Luke Wilkie and Heather Schwedel. Look for the And Just Like That recap in The Waves Plus feed. And if you’re not a Slate Plus member, you can join now by going to Slate.com/thewavesplus to get all these special episodes along with tons of other bonus goodies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 15, 2023 • 35min
Your Period Deserves Respect
Dr. Kate Clancy, author and anthropologist, joins the show to discuss the shame surrounding menstruation and its impact on healthcare. They delve into the neglect of women's health in scientific research and the challenges faced by gender minorities. The importance of inclusive language and de-gendering menstruation is also highlighted.

Jun 13, 2023 • 37min
Whose Turn Is It? From Love Letters
Explore how couples balance career dreams, merging finances, realistic parenting, finding love on Valentine's Day, and the importance of negotiation in relationships.

Jun 8, 2023 • 35min
Finding Love Without Romance
In this episode, author Amy Key discusses her book and her experiences living without romantic love. They explore the impact of the absence of romantic love on various aspects of life and challenge societal assumptions. The speaker reflects on using materialistic purchases as a substitute for love, leading to debt and unhappiness. They also discuss redefining life milestones and share favorite and least favorite songs from the album 'Blue'.

Jun 1, 2023 • 39min
The Hustle of Being Beautiful
On this week’s episode of The Waves, it’s all about the beauty industry. Senior writer and editor at New America, Julia Craven is joined by author and NPR host-at-large Elise Hu. They discuss Elise’s new book, Flawless - a remarkable investigation into the Korean beauty world. They also unpack the hustle culture inherent in beauty, how Eurocentric beauty trends are everywhere, and more. In Slate Plus: Is Shiv Roy from HBO’s Succession misunderstood? If you liked this episode, check out: Who’s Getting Rich Off Menopause? Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.This Pride Month, make an impact by helping Macy’s and The Trevor Project on their mission to fund life-saving suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 25, 2023 • 35min
I Don’t Care If You Like Me
On this week’s episode of The Waves, are female characters becoming less likable? Slate senior supervising producer, Daisy Rosario is joined by author and comedian Jena Friedman. Jena’s new book Not Funny explores likeability and what that means for women in comedy and the world. They talk about unlikeable female characters and anti-heroines in shows like Rosanne, Killing Eve, and more. How unlikeable female characters have evolved - and how streamers actually helped bring down some gatekeepers making more room for complex women on TV. In Slate Plus: When Jena asked famous male comics the questions so many female comics get asked every day.If you liked this episode, check out: How to Survive in Hollywood. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 18, 2023 • 31min
Why Medical Mysteries Plague Women
Allison Behringer, host of Bodies podcast, talks about medical mysteries in women's bodies and their impact. They discuss personal stories, painful sex, gender disparities, and trauma. The podcast explores systemic issues and connects sick people on social media.

May 11, 2023 • 38min
What E. Jean Carroll Did For Women
On this week’s episode of The Waves, E. Jean Carroll won, but what now? Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth talks with Slate senior writer Christina Cauterucci about the use of civil trials in cases of alleged rape and domestic violence, how the #MeToo movement influenced the trial, and what Carroll’s win could mean going forward. More About Carroll:“Not My Type” by Christina CauterucciLie Detector by Christina CauterucciThere’s a Remarkable Piece of Evidence in the E. Jean Carroll Trial by Christina Cauterucci Make No Mistake About the $5 Million E. Jean Carroll Verdict Against Trump by Christina CauterucciIn Slate Plus, the stupidity of one of Trump’s lies. If you liked this episode, check out: What Amber Heard’s Makeup Palette Says About the Legal System Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Tori Dominguez with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus.Make an impact this Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund APIA Scholars. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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