What happens when the “good girl” finally breaks? According to bestselling author Sam Beck-Bessinger, she might just become a werewolf.

In this thought-provoking and wildly entertaining episode of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, Liz Brohan sits down with author, screenwriter, and creative writing professor Sam Beckbessinger to discuss her new novel, Femme Feral—a darkly funny feminist horror story about a woman who believes she’s experiencing perimenopause, only to discover she’s transforming into a werewolf.

Together, Liz and Sam explore the cultural silence surrounding menopause, the pressure women face to “have it all,” and the hidden cost of decades spent suppressing anger, ambition, and authenticity. Sam shares how the book emerged from her own experience of burnout and what she calls the moment when all of a woman’s coping mechanisms stop working.

The conversation dives deep into female rage—not as something destructive, but as a powerful force for truth, justice, and self-discovery. Sam discusses why women are often conditioned to disconnect from their anger and how that buried emotion can eventually demand to be heard.

Listeners will also enjoy stories about Sam’s unusual research process, including interviews with stalking experts, a real-life cat serial-killer vigilante, and the strange intersections between horror and humor. Along the way, she reveals why “weirdness” is essential to creativity and how originality comes from exploring the unexplored corners of our own minds.

The episode also touches on Sam’s South African upbringing, the lasting impact of apartheid, intergenerational healing, and the responsibility many women feel to carry forward the voices of those who came before them.

Ultimately, Femme Feral is an invitation to stop apologizing for your anger, embrace your wildness, and ask yourself an important question: What might happen if you finally danced with your beast?

5Resources & References Mentioned

1. Femme Feral 
2. Manage Your Finances Like a F***ing Grown-Up 
3. Stephen King 
4. Brandon Sanderson (recommended creative writing lectures) 
5. Bath Spa University 

Highlight Quotes

“Women’s anger doesn’t disappear because society tells us not to feel it. It waits. It grows. And eventually, it demands to be heard.” #KickAssWomen #FemaleRage

“Having it all turned out to mean doing it all. The real power comes when women stop performing perfection and start listening to themselves.” #WomenLeadership #WordsOfWisdom

“Rage can be a force for justice. Rage can be an expression of love. When it’s given a purpose, it can change the world.” #FemmeFeral #KickAssWomenPodcast

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