015: The Problem with Masculinity Rooted in Modern Feminism and How It's Taking Advantage of You

Modern feminism is everywhere—on T-shirts, in ad campaigns, and on your favorite influencer’s feed. But has the movement lost its way? In this episode of I Call Bullshit, Kristina Braly, MD takes a scalpel to the shiny surface of modern feminism and reveals a movement that’s been co-opted, commodified, and in some ways, masculinized. From power suits and “boss babe” energy to a dangerous lack of inclusivity, we explore how modern feminism often bypasses the collective fight for systemic change in favor of individual empowerment—and why that’s a damn problem.

Key Talking Points

• The history and evolution of feminism across four major waves

• How brands have hijacked feminist messaging for profit

• Why modern feminism is failing women of color, trans women, and the working class

• The irony of embracing masculine ideals in the name of female empowerment

• How a return to grassroots organizing and feminine leadership traits could revitalize the movement

Citations

• Equal Pay Act of 1963 – https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/equal-pay-act-1963

• Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 – https://www.justice.gov/crt/title-ix-education-amendments-1972

• Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color – https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf/vol1989/iss1/8

• The Guardian: How feminism became capitalism’s handmaiden – https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/14/laura-bates-everyday-sexism-feminism

• Harvard Business Review: Why We Need to Rethink “Power Suits” – https://hbr.org/2019/10/why-we-need-to-rethink-power-suits

• NPR: Feminism is Not a Brand – https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/01/24/511047775/feminism-is-not-a-brand

Listener Takeaways

• Don’t fall for feminist branding without investigating corporate practices.

• Feminine traits like empathy and collaboration are not just valuable—they’re necessary.

• True feminism is collective, not just individualistic.

• Start or support local, intersectional grassroots efforts in your community.

Contact Info

Email: contact@kristinabraly.com
Instagram: @icallbswithkb