The Patriarchy’s New Branding: From Tradwives to Soft Girls With Dr. C. Nicole Mason

The patriarchy is getting a rebrand. From tradwives to “soft girl” culture, conservative influencers are using the language of feminism to sell women a polished version of submission. In this episode, Dr. Nicole Mason, the policy expert who coined the term “she-cession,” explains how this messaging is pulling women out of power and why the left still doesn’t have a strong counter-narrative. The conversation digs into the unfinished business of feminism, why equality feels so hard to sustain, and how younger women are being seduced by curated fantasies of homemaking and “letting men lead.” Nicole also shares insights from her groundbreaking U.S. Women’s Power and Influence Index and breaks down what is really behind the stubborn wage gap. This is a conversation about power, work, motherhood, and the cultural battle over women’s choices and how we can finally stop carrying it all alone. Subscribe to Dr. Mason's newsletter here. Learn more about Future Forward Women here. Follow Dr. Mason on Instagram here. Join our newsletter community here. ORDER EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices