What a Catholic feminist dares to say

About this episode

The episode discusses the interconnected struggles of men and women in the context of feminism and societal expectations.

In recent years, the idea of a “crisis of men and boys” has taken center stage in the cultural conversation. That can feel like a pendulum swing: from making space for women to examining men’s struggles, rarely holding both in view at the same time. Some see this moment as a reaction to the 2010s — an era shaped by “girlboss” ambition, #MeToo and a renewed focus on women’s advancement and autonomy. So, what gets missed when these struggles are framed as separate? Host Megan McArdle is joined by Leah Libresco Sargeant, senior policy analyst at the Niskanen Center and author of "The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto." Sargeant offers a different lens — challenging the idea that independence is the ultimate goal and instead pointing toward a more interconnected understanding of men and women. Subscribe to The Washington Post  here .

People in this episode

Host: Megan McArdle

Guest: Leah Libresco Sargeant

Topics covered

• gender issues
• feminism
• men's struggles
• women's advancement
• cultural conversation

Keywords

• Catholic feminist
• crisis of men
• girlboss
• #MeToo
• independence
• interconnectedness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Niskanen Center

Books & works: The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto

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