Ep 13. Women Thought Leaders: Jill Filipovic

To the Contrary is a show dedicated to discussing issues that specifically affect women. In this episode titled "Women Thought Leaders: Jill Filipovic," the host, Bonnie Erbé, sits down with Jill Filipovic, a journalist, and the author of "The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness." They discussed various issues affecting women in current times.

The conversation begins with discussing the pandemic's impact on women. Jill argues that this pandemic has worsened inequalities for women, especially in terms of economic security. She says that women have been hit harder than men in terms of job loss because they were over-represented in the service industry, which was hit the hardest during the pandemic. Jill believes that this incident should be an eye-opener and should prompt policymakers to make policies that protect women's employment in the future.

The host and Jill Filipovic then move on to talk about politics, specifically Kamala Harris being elected as the first female, first Black and first Asian-American Vice President. Jill argues that this is a significant historical moment for women and minorities, and Representation matters. She believes that Kamala Harris's historic victory shows young girls that they too can be anything they want to be.

They also discuss the #MeToo movement and the changes it has brought to our society. Jill argues that the #MeToo movement has sparked a conversation around consent, which was long overdue. It has also brought about a cultural shift in how we view sexual harassment. However, Jill believes that there's still a long way to go before we achieve gender equality. Women still often face retaliation, and those who come forward to report harassment still disproportionately face more negative consequences than the perpetrators themselves.

Jill also talks about her book "The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness" and discusses how women are pressured to put their careers before their personal lives. She believes that women should be allowed to prioritize their personal lives and not be shamed for it. Women should have the freedom to make choices about their lives and the support to make those choices without fear of economic insecurity or stigma.

The conversation ends with a discussion on intersectionality. Jill believes that intersectionality is crucial and that discussions around feminism need to include the experiences of women from different racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds. She argues that we need to have a more inclusive feminism that recognizes the differences in women's experiences and challenges.

Overall, this episode of To the Contrary provides insightful commentary on important issues affecting women today. From politics to the pandemic, from #MeToo to intersectionality, Jill Filipovic and the host offer a unique perspective on these issues. This episode is worth a watch for anyone interested in women's issues.