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Feminism: the fight for equality between men and women.

Did you grow up thinking feminism was bad? 

That the word “feminism” was a dirty word?

That your faith had no space for feminism?

That women called to serve men?

This week, I’m talking with Meghan Tschanz— writer, speaker, and host of the Faith and Feminism Podcast— all about feminism. We talk about the things we grew up believing about women that we no longer believe, how we grew to become (and call ourselves) feminists, and why Jesus is a feminist.

The Narratives We’ve Been Told

• Not only does growing up in an Evangelical context shape the way you view your role as a woman, but so does society in general.

• Meghan talks about how as a kid she was taught that being competitive and strong was not her role and that her body was bad and shameful.

• She remembers thinking, “I don’t think this is God, but this is all I know.” And she accepted it because she didn’t want to be seen as un-Christian.

• “The text doesn’t ever say, ‘Well, men have a little more of the God image and women need to keep quiet.’” - Kat Harris

Changing the Narratives

• Meghan shares how women can be protectors, providers, and pursuers.

• We all love a good “the way they met” story. Meghan shares hers and I open up about my frustration in striking out constantly— always kissing the frogs and never getting the prince.

• I get honest about wanting a partner who will be a provider and how I have challenged myself to dig below the surface.

• Being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you’re not a feminist.

• “Overall, if we’re looking at the history of the world, if we’re looking at what is ailing women today, it’s a lack of choices, it’s being forced into a box.” - Meghan Tschanz

Women of the Bible

• We unpack Mary and Martha’s stories in the Bible.

• Junia’s name was changed to Junias to fit the gender roles.

• Esther disobeyed and didn’t conform to gender roles.

• Bottom line: women are very much in charge, empowered, and leading nations.

“The most damaging phrase is: it's always been done this way” - Grace Hopper

Growing up, what did you learn about being a woman?

From church? Culture? Home? School?

How have those narratives shaped how you view yourself + your experience today?

What do you think of the idea that Jesus could be a feminist?

What do you think feminism is? 

Write down your answers and process them. Be willing to go on a journey.

Resources

• Keep up with Meghan at MeghanTschanz.com and on IG @meghantschanz.

• Pre-order Meghan’s book, Women Rising: Learning to Listen, Reclaiming Our Voice.

• Check out Meghan’s podcast Faith and Feminism and my interview on her podcast here.

• Check out Beth Allison Barr’s book The Making of Biblical Womanhood.

• Listen to the episode of TRC where Tiffany Bluhm and I unpack Ephesians 5.

It is finally HERE! My book, Sexless in the City: A Sometimes Sassy, Sometimes Painful, Always Honest Look at Dating, Desire, and Sex is officially available online and in bookstores! If your copy arrives, make sure you post on social media and tag me! It makes my day to see it in your hands and I can’t wait for you to dive in.

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