On this week’s episode of Femme Savante we examine the viral internet term Alpine Divorce. The phrase has been circulating online to describe a troubling pattern in hiking and mountaineering culture where women are pushed into dangerous alpine situations by partners who underestimate risk, ignore safety, or abandon them in extreme conditions. The conversation has exploded on social media after the manslaughter case involving Thomas Plamberger, who was found responsible for the death of his girlfriend on Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria.

We break down the Grossglockner case, the rise of the Alpine Divorce discourse, and why stories about risk-taking boyfriends, mountaineering accidents, and extreme hiking relationships spread so quickly online. The episode also looks at the cultural fascination with high-risk male adventurers, from the aviation history of John F. Kennedy Jr. to the global fame of free climber Alex Honnold.

This episode connects true crime, mountaineering culture, extreme sports, and feminist analysis to ask why dangerous behaviour is often framed as impressive or romantic and why women are sometimes pressured into risky adventures.

Keywords: Alpine Divorce, Grossglockner Austria case, Thomas Plamberger manslaughter, women abandoned on mountains, mountaineering accidents, dangerous hiking culture, risk-taking partners, extreme sports culture, Alex Honnold free solo climbing, John F Kennedy Jr aviation history, true crime podcast, feminist analysis outdoors.

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Instagram: @femmesavantepod

Email: [email protected]

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Sources:

EverAfterIya video: https://www.tiktok.com/@everafteriya

Emmiesurespeaks video: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmiesurepeaks/video/7595205354762423574?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Thomas Plamberger case:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/19/world/europe/austrian-man-girlfriend-death-mountain-hike-guilty.html

https://english.elpais.com/sports/2025-12-10/a-mountaineer-accused-of-manslaughter-for-the-death-of-his-partner-during-a-climb-he-silenced-his-phone-and-refused-a-helicopter-rescue.html

https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/climber-thomas-plamberger-appeal-girlfriend-lfrlzm682

JFK Jnr:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/an-unsettling-portrait-of-four-privileged-classmates-who-met-untimely-deaths/2019/07/25/0e8dab54-a196-11e9-b8c8-75dae2607e60_story.html

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/04/jfk-jr-christina-haag-201104

Alex Honnold:

https://www.banffcentre.ca/articles/climber-alex-honnold-taking-risks-and-breaking-records

https://www.alexhonnold.com/#bio

This week on Femme Savante, we dive into some of the most talked-about cultural moments and controversies. First, we break down the recent BAFTAs controversy and explore why it highlights the ongoing need for conversations about ableism, accessibility, and representation.

Next, we tackle the wild world of internet conspiracy theories, including the resurgence of satanic panic, bizarre claims about the elite and alleged “baby-eating” rituals, and how these ideas intersect with the shocking details of the Jeffrey Epstein case. We unpack why these conspiracies keep spreading and what they reveal about society’s mistrust of power.

Finally, we share our in-depth thoughts on Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, discussing the film’s cinematography, storytelling choices, and performances, and whether it lives up to expectations.

Join us for a mix of film commentary, cultural analysis, and true crime discussion as we examine the controversies shaping headlines and our screens.

Keywords: BAFTAs controversy, ableism in film, Wuthering Heights review, Emerald Fennell, Jeffrey Epstein, satanic panic, internet conspiracy theories, elite conspiracy, true crime discussion, film commentary, cultural commentary, Netflix Wuthering Heights, movie reviews 2026

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Instagram: @femmesavantepod

Email: [email protected]

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Sources:

BBC’s response to the John Davidson incident: https://abc7.com/post/bafta-awards-2026-bbc-alan-cumming-apologize-racial-slur-shouted-michael-jordan-stage-guest-tourettes/18638812/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6edwg06n1o

Wendell Pierce’s tweet: https://x.com/WendellPierce/status/2025784650677768256

Chappell Roan’s statement on Casey Wasserman: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewz1keql5no

The Free Press article on Epstein fallout: https://www.thefp.com/p/the-epstein-fallout-is-spiraling

In this week's mini-ep we discuss Norwegian Olympic biathlete Sturla Holm Lagreid's dramatic cheating confession and what happens when private issues enter the public sphere. We also discuss if Joan Didion would have thought he was really brave, actually.

The Grammy's, Kanye/Ye's latest apology, and a white Heathcliff??

In a first episode from our Paris apartment, we discuss the merits of celebrity activism, whether we can forgive Kanye, and the controversy surrounding Jacob Elordi's casting in Emerald Fennel's "Wuthering Heights". 

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Instagram: @femmesavantepod

Email: [email protected]