Problematic Women

Conservative and Proud: Is the Right Representing Women?

The conservative movement has undergone drastic changes in the past decade, not least of which is the way the political right messages to women. The shift has been subtle; a movement built on the shoulders of conservative leaders who have spent years rejecting the harms of the feminist movement while recognizing that women can “have it all,” just maybe not all at once.   On this episode of “Problematic Women,” we are remembering our history, both as a show and as a member of a movement that has worked to tell women they can be feminine, strong, pro-life, and live out the call God has placed on their lives in the home and the workplace.   Also on today’s show, we announce that after a nearly decade-long run, “Problematic Women” is taking a sabbatical. Join us for the final episode – at least for now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Girl Boss vs. Trad Wife: Forced to Choose | Emma Waters

Are you a girl boss or a trad wife? Maybe somewhere in between? Seems like society is pressuring women to pick a side instead of learning to “Lead Like Jael.”   Emma Waters, a policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation's Center for Technology and the Human Person, joins "Problematic Women" us to discuss “seven timeless principles for today’s women of faith," principles she details in her new book, “Lead Like Jael.”   For decades, the feminist movement has lied to women, selling boss babe corporate work as the “American dream” instead of being in the home and fostering the next generation. On the flip side, many women are told they can’t be anything more than a stay-at-home mom. It’s important to follow the calling God has put on our hearts, have discernment, be guided by courage and convictions, and equip ourselves to make an impact in our homes and the world, Waters contends.   On today’s episode, we also discuss the importance of advocating for women’s health and the progress being made in conservative spaces on Capitol Hill. It’s not taboo to talk about the fact that birth control has been prescribed to millions of women in America as a pill Band-Aid, one-size-fits-all, and now we are in an infertility crisis. Women deserve root-cause care and we are talking about it on the show.   Enjoy the conversation and pick up your copy of “Lead Like Jael” wherever books are sold.   Follow us on Instagram for EXCLUSIVE bonus content and the chance to be featured in our episodes:  https://www.instagram.com/problematicwomen/     Connect with our hosts on socials!     Morgonn McMichael:  X: https://x.com/intent/user?screen_name=morgonnm  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgonnm/    Emma Waters:   X: https://x.com/emlwaters   Pick up a copy of the book: https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Like-Jael-Timeless-Principles/dp/1510783539   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't Make These Etiquette Blunders! How to Navigate 'Awkward Moments' | Alison Cheperdak

Knowing which fork to use or when to put your napkin on your lap at a formal dinner is important, but etiquette extends far beyond galas and black-tie weddings, according to Alison Cheperdak.   Etiquette is “ultimately about kindness and respect and integrity and leading a life with compassion where you see the dignity in every human person, including yourself,” Cheperdak, the founder of Elevate Etiquette, says.   An important part of practicing etiquette is slowing down enough to listen to the person in front of you and ask engaging questions, she explains.   We’ve all been there — standing in the break room at work trying to think of something to say to the coworker you don’t know well, or awkwardly trying to excuse yourself from a stale conversation at a party. These are the situations Cheperdak provides practical tools for navigating in her new book, “Was It Something I Said?: Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work and Life.”   Cheperdak joins “Problematic Women” to share her favorite tools for navigating some of life’s most common and awkward social settings. Plus, she explains how she is using her etiquette knowledge to train White House interns and what some of the most common social mistakes young professionals make today.   Enjoy the show and pick up your copy of “Was It Something I Said?” wherever books are sold starting March 17.   Connect with our guest and hosts on socials!    Alison Cheperdak: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevateetiquette/?hl=en Website: https://elevateetiquette.com/about Order a copy of "Was It Something I Said?" https://www.amazon.com/Was-Something-Said-Etiquette-Relationships/dp/1400350123     Virginia Allen:  X: https://x.com/intent/user?screen_name=Virginia_Allen5  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiaallenofficial/     Morgonn McMichael:  X: https://x.com/intent/user?screen_name=morgonnm  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgonnm/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Iran Operation America First? | Natalie Ecanow

The U.S. has hit hundreds of targets in Iran since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, and President Donald Trump says the U.S. will not accept anything less than “unconditional surrender” from Iran. While recent polling shows significant support for the operation, some Americans fear another “forever war” in the Middle East.   Fear over an extended conflict with Iran and its proxies, such as Hezbollah, is driven, at least in part, by the words “regime change,” Natalie Ecanow, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explains.   “Obviously, we would like to see regime change as an outcome of the current American and Israeli operation in Iran. As far as I know, and as far as I understand, that is not a stated objective of our campaign,” Ecanow says.   U.S. actions in Iran, according to the White House, remain focused on eliminating the nuclear and missile threat Iran poses to the U.S. and its allies, a mission that reasonably falls in line with Trump’s “America First” agenda.   “We can throw the door open to regime change. We can support regime change, but we’re not going in and doing the regime change ourselves,” Ecanow says on the “Problematic Women” podcast. “I think that’s a very important distinction to be made when it comes to that argument … about dragging us into another ‘forever war,’ doing another Iraq, etc. It’s really important to understand that the objectives of Operation Epic Fury are mostly military. They don’t really have to do with changing domestic politics in Iran.”   Ecanow joins the show to discuss the nuclear threat Iran has posed to the United States and breaks down the reasons why she believes the operation is in line with the “America First” agenda.   Also on today’s show, we discuss the feminist movement’s response, or lack of response, to the Iranian regime, which, as the European Union reports, has been responsible for the deaths of more women than any other nation in the world. Trump Says Iran Must 'Unconditionally Surrender' to US President Donald Trump says the only deal he will accept with Iran is “unconditionally surrender” to the United States.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Is Russia Taking Ukraine’s Children? | Jovita Neliupšienė

Russia is responsible for the largest “systematic child abduction operation” since World War II, according to European Union Ambassador to the U.S. Jovita Neliupšienė.   “This is actually a civilization erasure, when you actually try to destroy the future of your neighboring country,” Neliupšienė says.   It is estimated that more than 20,000 children have been abducted from Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion four years ago, according to the ambassador. Some of the older children who were taken are now being trained to fight for the Russian army, she explains on this week’s edition of “Problematic Women.”   “They will try to start to train them as little soldiers, in a way, to go through the brainwashing,” she said. First Lady Melania Trump has become an outspoken advocate for Ukraine's children and has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to return the abducted minors.   Neliupšienė joins the show to share the stories of Ukrainian children who have been abducted, and some who have been returned. She also explain why Russia is targeting a generation of young people.   Also on today’s show, the ambassador addresses U.S. concerns that Europe is losing its culture amid a growing migrant population that struggles to, or chooses not to, assimilate into Western culture.   Enjoy the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices