In this special episode of Messy Liberation, Becky Mollenkamp’s eight-year-old son, Gus, makes his podcast debut! Gus joins Becky and co-host Taina Brown to discuss what it’s like being a young person in today’s world. Gus shares his thoughts on racism, LGBTQ+ rights, guns, and even a few of his business ideas. Later, Becky and Taina debrief on the experience of parenting through an intersectional feminist lens, navigating patriarchy’s impact on kids, and the complexity of raising children in a world steeped in societal expectations.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Racism & Social Justice: Gus tackles racism and LGBTQ+ rights, expressing his wish for a world where people stop discriminating against others based on appearance.
2. Parenting in a Patriarchal Society: Becky and Taina reflect on how patriarchy impacts young boys early in life, influencing how they express feelings and relate to peers. They discuss the challenges of raising a child in an intersectional feminist household while the world still reinforces harmful societal norms. Becky shares her philosophy of intuitive parenting, trusting her instincts over traditional parenting models.
3. Business & Creativity: Gus shares his entrepreneurial endeavors, including his summer juice stand where he sells watermelon juice and baked goods.
4. Patriarchy & Parenting: Becky and Taina get into a deep discussion about how patriarchy shapes childhood, especially for boys. They explore the pressure boys face to "man up" and how this starts as early as kindergarten.
5. Balancing Activism and Everyday Life: Becky and Taina share strategies for raising feminist kids, including focusing on empathy, respect, and care..

Resource Mentioned: Why Does Patriarchy Persist? by Carol Gilligan and Naomi Snider

Tune in next week for more insightful discussions on life, business, and social justice with Becky and Taina!

Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Messy Liberation on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you insightful conversations and valuable content.

LEARN MORE:

• Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
• Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS

In this special bonus episode, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown get messy while unpacking last night’s presidential debate. With raw honesty, humor, and some well-placed zingers, they break down Kamala Harris’ debate performance, Donald Trump’s unraveling, and what it all means for the upcoming election. While Kamala wiped the floor with her opponent, the hosts also explore their mixed feelings about her and the Democratic Party’s moderate stance. Expect sharp critiques, political insight, and a whole lot of shade thrown at mediocrity and narcissism in politics.

Key Discussion Points:

• Kamala’s Debate Dominance: Becky and Taina both agree—Kamala Harris owned the stage. From shaking Trump’s hand to dismantling his weak talking points, Kamala’s experience as a litigator shined. They reflect on how refreshing (and long overdue) it was to have a woman discussing abortion rights in a presidential debate.
• Abortion, Immigration, and… Eating Pets? Becky and Taina laugh, cringe, and rage at Trump’s bizarre claims, including the racist dog whistle about immigrants "eating cats and dogs." They dissect how Trump’s platform continues to rely on xenophobia, fear, and nonsense, while Kamala stays (mostly) on policy.
• Narcissism and the ‘Unraveling’: The hosts discuss the classic narcissist behavior Trump displayed, from interrupting Kamala to unraveling after she cleverly baited him about his crowd sizes. Becky explains why Trump’s inability to control his outbursts was the beginning of the end for him in the debate.
• Journalism Fails (Again): Both Becky and Taina express their frustration with the debate's moderators and media for not holding Trump accountable enough—especially when his mic wasn't muted, despite the rules.
• Progressive Disappointment: Becky and Taina dive into their complicated feelings about Kamala Harris. They respect her as a candidate but struggle with the Democratic Party’s pandering to moderates and Zionists. They discuss the need for a viable third party that represents true progressive values, beyond the capitalist and centrist agenda of the Democrats.
• Taylor Swift’s ‘Brave’ Endorsement? Becky and Taina call out Taylor Swift for her delayed endorsement of Kamala Harris and her contradictory friendship with Brittany Mahomes, a Trump supporter. They challenge the idea that Swift’s endorsement was brave, pointing out the stark choices in this election and why complicity isn't an option.

Resources Mentioned:

• Harris 2024 shirt at smashingpatriarchy.com
• Impact on Instagram

Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Messy Liberation on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you insightful conversations and valuable content.

LEARN MORE:

• Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
• Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS

In this episode of Messy Liberation, hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive headfirst into the murky waters of problematic favorites. From Kamala Harris' centrist policies to Taylor Swift's status as a billionaire, they explore how these public figures—who were once celebrated—raise ethical questions.

Key Discussion Points:

• Problematic Faves: Kamala Harris is at the center of the conversation, with the hosts dissecting her stance on Palestine, centrist politics, and identity politics.
• No Ethical Billionaires: The controversial statement that "there are no ethical billionaires" is applied to Taylor Swift, as Becky questions how billionaires accumulate wealth and its impact on climate change.
• Separating Art from the Artist: Should we continue to celebrate the work of problematic figures like Michael Jackson and JK Rowling? Becky and Taina tackle the complexities of enjoying art from problematic creators and wrestle with the concept of ethical consumption.
• White Feminism: The hosts don't hold back on critiquing peak white feminism, particularly when it shows up as support for high-profile figures like Kamala Harris.
• Celebrity Hall Passes & Gender Politics: Things get lighthearted as they reveal their celebrity hall passes, while also discussing the ethics of white celebrities adopting Black children, shining a light on deeper issues of race and privilege.

Resources mentioned:

• The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
• Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
• Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  
  

Be sure to tune in for a candid, sometimes messy, discussion on billionaire ethics, white liberalism, identity politics, and how we navigate the complicated relationships we have with our favorite celebrities.

Join the Conversation: Who are your problematic faves? Connect with us on social media or email us—we want to hear your thoughts!

Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Messy Liberation on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you insightful conversations and valuable content.

LEARN MORE:

• Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
• Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS