

Breaking Down Patriarchy
Amy McPhie Allebest
Breaking Down Patriarchy is a podcast for everyone! Learn about the creation of patriarchy and those who have challenged it as you listen to bookclub-style discussions of essential historical texts. Gain life-changing epiphanies and practical takeaways through these smart, relatable conversations.
Breaking Down Patriarchy is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization. Donate to support our work by visiting breakingdownpatriarchy.com/donate
Breaking Down Patriarchy is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization. Donate to support our work by visiting breakingdownpatriarchy.com/donate
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 20, 2021 • 1h 29min
This Bridge Called My Back: Writings By Radical Women of Color, by Cherrie Moraga
Amy is joined by guest Jenn Lee Smith to discuss This Bridge Called My Back by Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldua. Topics include the burden of being a cultural ambassador, false equivalencies, and how white supremacy hurts people of all races. Jenn Lee Smith was born on the friendly, vibrant island of Taiwan. She is a filmmaker who focuses on women-led stories of underrepresented people. In a previous life, she worked on a PhD in feminist geography. She began her producing career focused on stories at the intersection of religion and sexual/gender orientation, and has since collaborated on BIPOC and environmental films. She welcomes your recommendations for live comedy and films of all genres @bewilderfilm

Jul 13, 2021 • 1h 9min
Roe v. Wade, Part 2
Amy is joined by guest Lindsay McPhie Hickok to conclude their discussion of Roe V. Wade. This is Part Two of Two and covers personal stories of loss, the health and life of mothers, the right to privacy, the remaining text of the decision. Lindsay McPhie Hickok is a labor and delivery nurse and a mother of three children. She loves biochemistry, the Rocky Mountains, and water slides. She especially loves caring for new babies and empowering mothers because the process of labor and delivery is, to her, a true miracle.

Jul 13, 2021 • 57min
Roe v. Wade, Part 1
Amy is joined by guest Lindsay McPhie Hickok to begin their discussion of Roe V. Wade. This is Part One of Two and covers the language of Pro-Choice and Pro-Life, the preamble to the supreme court decision, the life of Jane Roe, and the history of abortion. Lindsay McPhie Hickok is a labor and delivery nurse and a mother of three children. She loves biochemistry, the Rocky Mountains, and water slides. She especially loves caring for new babies and empowering mothers because the process of labor and delivery is, to her, a true miracle.

Jul 6, 2021 • 1h
Title IX
Amy is joined by guest Whitney McPhie Griffith to discuss the congressional bill known as Title IX authored by Patsy T. Mink. Topics include sexual assault on school campuses, lived experiences with Title IX, and how much progress still needs to be made to keep our students safe. Whitney McPhie Griffith is a musician, graphic designer, and interdisciplinary artist. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, she eventually made her way to the Pacific Northwest by way of Utah and Northern California. Now living in Portland, she sails the Columbia River, plays Mario Kart, and goes for bike rides with her partner.

Jun 29, 2021 • 1h 42min
Our Bodies, Ourselves by The Boston Women's Health Collective
Amy is joined by guest Jessica Harder to discuss Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective. Topics include shortcomings of representation, birth control, shame, and the liberation that comes with knowing our bodies.Jessica Harder has spent her life revolved around the human body. She began filtering her creativity into designing clothing for the body at the age of four, which led into a fifteen-year career in the fashion industry. At the age of 23 she moved to the Netherlands, where she ,met her husband and lived for six years. After moving back to the United States she changed careers and began teaching yoga and meditation. As a yoga teacher, Jessica has taught athletes training for the Olympics, rock climbers, senior citizens, babies, children, convicted convicts, people with drug and alcohol addiction, yogis, mothers, and pregnant women. She has devoted her career to teaching individuals to come into a deeper awareness of the body and mind. During the pandemic, she started a women’s group called Moms Together Six Feet Apart, which provides support to mothers giving birth during the pandemic. Jessica is currently working on her first book about prenatal yoga and raising her two children.

Jun 22, 2021 • 1h 11min
Sexual Politics, by Kate Millett, Part 2
Amy is joined by guest Maxine Hanks to conclude their discussion of Sexual Politics by Kate Millett. This is Part Two of Two and covers sexism among the leftist authors of Millett’s time, interior colonization, distinctions between constructivist and biological ideas of identity, and the possibility of sexual revolution. Maxine Hanks is a historian and theologian who lectures and writes on Women’s Studies, History, and Religious Studies, particularly Mormon and Christian traditions and liturgy. Her bachelor’s degree was in Gender Studies and her master’s degree was in History, with additional graduate work in Theology and Religion.

Jun 22, 2021 • 1h 13min
Sexual Politics, by Kate Millett, Part 1
Amy is joined by guest Maxine Hanks to begin their discussion of Sexual Politics by Kate Millett. This is Part One of Two and covers the author’s biography, the repressive context which created Second Wave and Radical Feminism, compulsory heterosexuality, and bridging the gap between academics and public discourse around gender. Maxine Hanks is a historian and theologian who lectures and writes on Women’s Studies, History, and Religious Studies, particularly Mormon and Christian traditions and liturgy. Her bachelor’s degree was in Gender Studies and her master’s degree was in History, with additional graduate work in Theology and Religion.

Jun 15, 2021 • 1h 20min
The Equal Rights Amendment
Amy is joined by guests Emily Bell McCormick & Kelly Whited Jones to discuss the Equal Rights Amendment authored by Alice Stokes Paul. Topics include the history of equal rights legislation, common counter-arguments against this legislation, and the ongoing struggle to pass the ERA today. Emily Bell McCormick is founder of The Policy Project— a group of individuals and like-minded organizations that help move forward healthy, long-term policy at a local and national level. Emily is also the editor of Utah’s NBC affiliate KSL Studio 5 “Smarter” series–informing viewers about issues, government, policies and politics of the time and helping to empower viewers to find their place in it all. She also co-presents “The State of Women in Utah” on local news radio, KSL. She is co-president of the Utah ERA Coalition. Emily earned a Master’s degree from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University.Kelly Whited Jones is a life-long Utahn raised on a small farm in Utah County. She is an educator, fundraiser, and activist and holds a master’s degree in Environmental and Health Communication from the University of Utah. Kelly teaches college communication and is co-founder and co-president of the Utah ERA Coalition, a group of 35+ local and national organizations committed to passing equal rights legislation in the Beehive state. She served two years as chair of the ERA Committee for Utah Women Unite, a group responsible for reviving ERA legislation in Utah in 2016 and staging the largest march on the Utah Capitol in Utah history — in a snowstorm. In 2018, she consulted with Rep. Karen Kwan on HJR 021, the Reaffirm the Value of Utah Women Resolution, a first-step bill that passed unanimously. In 2020, a year celebrating Suffrage, she stood with women outside the House of Representatives as a Silent Sentinel at the Capitol every day of the 45-day legislative session. Though bills to ratify have been held in Rules Committee every year since 2016, progress is being made, and 71% of Utahns now support ratification efforts. Most recently, in 2021, Sen. Kathleen Riebe and Sen. Kirk Cullimore ran a bi-partisan bill to ratify SJR 008, the first time both major parties have come together in support of equal rights. Kelly believes that constitutional protection under the law is worth the conversation.

Jun 8, 2021 • 1h 20min
Living the Revolution, by Gloria Steinem
Amy is joined by guest Amy Pal to discuss the speech “Living the Revolution” delivered by Gloria Steinem. Topics include feminism as a humanist movement, the work of unlearning hurtful ideas, the damaging influence of Sigmund Freud, and how women’s liberation is men’s liberation as well. Amy Pal grew up in California and Utah. She attended Boston University where she completed her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and master’s degree in speech and language pathology. As part of her career in education, Amy was drawn to issues related to social justice, gender equity, and multiculturalism. She enjoys learning about topics through various people’s perspectives. Amy also loves to run in nature, read, and spend time with her family.

Jun 1, 2021 • 1h 21min
Double Jeopardy: To Be Black and Female, by Frances Beal, Part 2
Amy is joined by guest Rayna Clay MacKay to conclude their discussion of Double Jeopardy: To Be Black and Female by Frances Beal. This is Part Two of Two and covers reform versus revolution, the history of medical cruelty carried out against Black bodies, and the fallacy of thinking all women face oppression equally. Rayna Clay MacKay is a wife, mom, and Obstetric Anesthesiologist. She married a dreamy Scotsman for much more than his accent and gained two fantastic bonus kids as a result. They added three more kiddos to the mix, including identical twin boys, and a daughter. They also have the best Cavoodle in the world named Hamish. She is a firm believer that differences are what make us great, and they should be applauded and supported. As she’s gotten older and wiser, She’s found her voice becoming louder championing for the injustices in the medical system, and society as a whole. Her hope is that the future is more glorious with a rainbow of differing people and opinions that are equally acknowledged.