Mama Needs a Minute! - with author Mary Catherine Starr
Amy is joined by Mary Catherine Starr, author of Mama Needs a Minute!, to discuss how even with the best intentions parents can easily fall into patriarchal and unequal gender roles, how to take a closer look at our relationships and households, and how comics can help us cope with the overwhelm of motherhood.Donate to Breaking Down PatriarchyMary Catherine Starr is a mother-of-two and a graphic designer, illustrator, yoga teacher, author, and the artist behind the viral Instagram account @momlife_comics. Mary Catherine's work focuses on the challenges of marriage, motherhood, double standards, and inequality in both the household and the workplace. She is passionate about speaking up for women and bringing awareness to the mental load and the invisible labor of motherhood. Her first book, a comic memoir entitled Mama Needs a Minute!, came out in March, 2025. Mary Catherine lives in Massachusetts with her husband, her children, and her sonās large collection of plastic dinosaurs. Learn more about Mary Catherine Starr at marycatherinestarr.com.
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One Fair Wage - with attorney Saru Jayaraman
Amy is joined by attorney and activist Saru Jayaraman of One Fair Wage to learn the eye-opening history of tipping culture, how the restaurant service industry is one of our nation's biggest propagators of patriarchy, and why it's time for consumers to say enough is enough.Donate to Breaking Down PatriarchySaru Jayaraman is co-founder and president of One Fair Wage, a national organization of nearly 300,000 restaurant and service workers, nearly 1000 restaurant owners, and dozens of organizations nationwide, all working together to end the subminimum wages in the United States and raise wages and working conditions in the service sector. Saru is also the author of the books One Fair Wage, Forked: A New Standard for American Dining, and Behind the Kitchen Door.
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Gender Reveals Revealed - with originator Jenna Karvunidis
Amy is joined by Jenna Karvunidis, originator of the Gender Reveal Party, to discuss where this trend came from, why it reinforces patriarchal ideas, and how she came to adamantly oppose the celebrations she created.Donate to Breaking Down PatriarchyJenna Karvunidis is a writer, artist, attorney, and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. She is a critic of the gender reveal party and has been featured in Vogue, NPR, The Guardian, BBC, and beyond for her cultural commentary and evolving perspective.
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Consequences of an Asian Fetish - with author Kaila Yu
Amy is joined by activists from I-WILL, a group dedicated to sharing the stories of Iranian women living under a patriarchal regime. These courageous women let us know how the situation in Iran has developed since the Women Life Freedom movement began, tell us about the incredible ways everyday women are resisting oppression, and let us know what listeners can do to help.Donate to Breaking Down PatriarchyInspired by the āWoman Life Freedomā uprising which started in Iran against the Islamic Republic regime in September of 2022 following the brutal killing of an innocent Kurdish Iranian girl, Mahsa Jina Amini by government agents, the Iranian Women Institute for Life and Liberty (I-WILL) seeks to provide a platform to raise awareness about, and support, women who have been victims of gender apartheid and discrimination. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we aspire to foster a society where immigrant women are empowered to contribute fully, enriching the fabric of our global community with their strength and resilience.We're honored to be joined by I-WILL activists Saghi Saghazadeh, Naseem Ghazanfari, Reina Rezaei, and Kelly O'Leary.
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
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