• Lies, damned lies, and affirmative consent?
    May 18 2024

    Another day, another viral video begging for deconstructive interrogation by our heroines. Its central question: can women be trusted to know what they want? (Let alone say it?) Can men be trusted not to take everything literally? Is consent culture bad for the autistic among us, or just Sarah? Speaking of dishonesty, Meghan notices that a much-ballyhooed newcomer to the heterodoxy who is, as the kids/Sarah say, highly (maybe) "suss". Finally, the girls review a shitty list of "shitty zionists", and complain that they're not on it. (Kinda like they weren't invited to the natalist conference.)

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    Links

    * The viral clip in discussion.

    * Recent news items about Bumble.

    * The “Shitty Zionist” list.



    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • A LARP on Campus
    May 14 2024

    In this LIVE-STREAMED episode, the girlx/womxn weigh in on the Man vs. Bear discourse. If you're going to experience a #MeToo event in forest, who would you rather be able to sic a Title IX officer on later? A bear or a human man? The answer may (not) surprise you.

    Then, Meghan dishes about her time at Dissident Dialogues, a convention of heretics at which she dissented from the dialogue by not giving any talks or speaking on any panels. But she was still a VIP, and what else really matters? Finally, the women share their views on the neverending LARP on college campuses.Live-streamed episodes are released right after the recording (and entirely unedited) on YouTube for paying subscribers only. If you’d like early access and all the bonus content, subscribe and join in!



    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Harvey Weinstein Gets His Day
    May 5 2024

    Do all dogs go to heaven? Or just those euthanized by Strong Republican Women? Like Kristi Noem (with a dash of Glennon Doyle?), the girlx/womxn prove they Can Do Hard Things when it feels right. Listeners will be dismayed to discover that what feels right today is agreeing with the overturning of Harvey Weinstein case in New York and poking holes in the witness testimony. Act 3: Women's tears: a discussion. (Again.)

    Relevant Links

    * The Guardian on Kristi Noem

    * JoAnn Wypijewski's 2020 article in The Nation on Weinstein



    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Homeless, Zip-Tied, and Hungry
    Apr 24 2024
    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit aspecialplace.substack.com

    How is a cruise like BDSM? How is BDSM like this podcast? The girlx/womenx begin by clearing their throats about the last episode (TLDR: we are sorry you are mad), and Sarah recounts her tragic, abusive childhood (and in so doing provides living proof that hurt people hurt people).

    They then move on to the chaos at Columbia, sidestepping the political discussion entirely to wave their canes at the damned kids.

    Nothing in life is free, and especially not this podcast. To hear the full version, click on the red button. If you are a paying subscriber, thanks and welcome! Link to the YouTube video is below.

    Links

    * CRYING MYSELF TO SLEEP ON THE BIGGEST CRUISE SHIP EVER by Gary Shteyngart

    * No Dorm or Dining Hall: Ilhan Omar’s Daughter Recounts Protest Arrest

    * Isra Hirsi, Ilhan Omar's Daughter, On Columbia Arrests, Barnard Suspension, Palestine Protests

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    6 mins
  • Leisure for Deplorables, Therapy for Kids
    Apr 19 2024

    In the wake of the solar eclipse, the girls/women contemplate the state of American leisure, particularly, the Supposedly Fun™ pastime of cruise vacations. After taking an intermission to defend the TERF Queen from the usual suspects, they (aka Sarah) chastise second generation immigrants for being ingrates. Finally, another argument about psychotherapy (sorry!).

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    Links:

    * CRYING MYSELF TO SLEEP ON THE BIGGEST CRUISE SHIP EVER by Gary Shteyngart

    * Activist faces 18 felony counts for allegedly threatening Bakersfield City Council

    * SHIPPING OUT by David Foster Wallace

    * Tweet by Rivkah Brown on JK Rowling



    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Punching Down Variety Hour
    Apr 14 2024

    Our fearless heroines return once again to defend the indefensible. First, they throw their hat in with the chaotic billionaire of Twitter/X, no not Elon Musk (although him too), but terf-queen J.K. Rowling. Why is Scotland so fascist? Should America invade that country, if for no other reason than to water down those unintelligible accents? Then they ruminate over class, wondering why everyone is afraid of rural whites. Finally (and probably inevitably) Meghan defends the honor of Woody Allen, who she suspects is the Real Victim. All that said, we all know that the real victim is Justice – and also, you the listener.

    Links

    An Utterly Misleading Book About Rural America by Tyler Austin HarperTwitter/X thread by Hussein Aboubakr Mansour

    A Son Speaks Out, Moses Farrow on Woody Allen and Mia Farrow



    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • PREVIEW: Trans Messiah
    Apr 6 2024
    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit aspecialplace.substack.com

    On this live-streamed (and members-only) episode, the girls/women ponder the merits of yet another titillating essay by Pulitzer Prize winner and aspiring female Andrea Long Chu, who argues that transition should be understood and accepted as a matter of choice, of a “freedom of sex”.

    Has Chu finally gone too far? Or is this a preview of our glorious genderf*ck future?Then, Sarah finally reveals her misogynoir, appalling Meghan, who is still reeling from her last encounter with Intersectionality Twitter. Finally, they discuss yet another essay by Grazie Sophia Christie, a rising star in the personal essay genre (so say we). Is petty female envy the reason women will not take us to Mars?

    Did you know? Paying subscribers get bonus episodes AND unedited livestream videos! You read that right: For only $7/month, you can witness a more authentic version of us, feeling closer to your she-ros than ever before. Is this the beginning of a true (parasocial) love? Subscribe to find out.

    Links

    Freedom of Sex The moral case for letting trans kids change their bodies

    My Beautiful Friend

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    10 mins
  • Andrew Huberman: Optimizer of Love
    Apr 1 2024

    On this very long episode, the girls/women discuss the recent New York Magazine piece on Andrew Huberman’s allegedly womanizing ways. Meghan defends the magazine fact-checking process, but Sarah finds the whole thing disgusting. They both agree that attempting to optimize your poops is psychotic, unless of course it is done in the name of Science.

    They then move on to age gaps in dating, and whether Sarah is trash for dressing for the Male Gaze.

    Our little Special Place is supported entirely by listeners. Help us keep it going by becoming a paying subscriber, and get access to bonus episodes and the comment community!

    Links

    New York Magazine: Andrew Huberman’s Mechanisms of Control

    The Cut: The Case for Marrying an Older Man



    This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aspecialplace.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 42 mins