Assigned Reading with Becky Mollenkamp: Conversations about Feminist Essays
Assigned Reading with Becky Mollenkamp: Conversations about Feminist Essays
Podcast Description
Assigned Reading is a feminist podcast for anyone who wants to go deeper into feminist theory—without needing a PhD or a damn dictionary. Each week, host Becky Mollenkamp (feminist business coach, writer, and intersectional loudmouth) and a guest read and discuss a powerful feminist essay. Think: bell hooks, Angela Davis, Zadie Smith, Lindy West, Adrienne Rich, Donna Haraway, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Roxane Gay, and other brilliant feminist thinkers past and present.
Together, they unpack the essay’s big ideas, messy emotions, and real-world relevance. What made them cry? What confused the hell out of them? What does it all mean for feminism, identity, liberation, and how we show up in the world today?
This isn’t academic. It’s not polished. It’s not homework.
It’s real talk about feminist texts—with rage, laughter, swearing, and no gatekeeping.
If you’re into intersectional feminism, social justice, anti-capitalism, queer liberation, racial equity, decolonization, or just trying to be a better human, this show is for you.
Whether you read the essays or not (they're linked in every episode!), you’ll leave each convo with new questions, deeper insight, and maybe a little fire in your belly.
Subscribe to Assigned Reading to explore feminist essays, feminist theory, and radical ideas in real, unfiltered conversation.
This show is for you if…
• You believe feminism is about action, not just vibes.
• You love a good essay and an even better rant.
• You’re tired of “both sides” bullshit and want conversations that actually go deep.
• You crave smart, messy, honest dialogue—not polished, performative nonsense.
• You want to rethink success, leadership, and liberation on your own damn terms.
• You miss the feeling of staying up late arguing big ideas with your smartest, fiercest friends.
• You’re ready to rage, cry, laugh, and reimagine everything with us.
• You want to be part of building feminist futures—and you know it starts with bold conversations.
• You’re here for nuance, not hot takes.
• You want media that actually respects your intelligence and your rage.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on a range of themes within feminist theory, discussing essays from influential thinkers like bell hooks and Roxane Gay, with episodes exploring topics such as intersectional feminism, social justice, and queer liberation, aiming to make complex ideas accessible and relatable.
This isn’t your average podcast—it’s a radical little book club for your ears.
Each week on Assigned Reading, feminist business coach Becky Mollenkamp invites a brilliant guest to read and unpack a feminist essay. Together, they dive into the juicy, nuanced, sometimes uncomfortable questions these texts raise about power, identity, leadership, liberation, and more.
If you’ve ever wanted to have big conversations about big ideas—but without having to get dressed, make small talk, or leave your introvert bubble—you’re in the right place.
🎧 This show is for the nerdy, the thoughtful, the socially conscious.
💬 It’s for people who crave deeper dialogue, new perspectives, and human connection in a world full of sound bites.
📚 Think of it as a feminist book club you don’t have to RSVP for.
Assigned Reading is here to help you feel less alone, more seen, and newly inspired—with accessible essays, warm rapport, and the kind of smart conversations that stay with you.
🚨 Sign up for Becky’s newsletter, Feminist Rants Are My Superpower: https://beckymollenkamp.com/rants
🎤 PROUD MEMBER OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE 🎤 http://feministpodcastcollective.com/
Welcome to Assigned Reading—the feminist podcast where we read bold, brilliant essays and talk about them like real people.
In this short trailer, host Becky Mollenkamp introduces the show and what to expect: weekly conversations about powerful feminist essays, deep questions, occasional confusion, and a whole lot of curiosity. Each episode features a different guest and a different piece of feminist theory—from classics to contemporary gems.
This isn’t a lecture. It’s not a class. There are no pop quizzes. Just honest conversations about big ideas and how they show up in our actual lives.
Whether you’re new to feminist writing or you’ve been digging into theory for decades, you’re invited to join the conversation.
🎙️ New episodes weekly
📚 Essays will always be linked in the show notes
💌 Want more? Subscribe to Becky’s newsletter: Feminist Rants are My Superpower
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.