More Than A Muse

Who gets to survive the horror story? The Final Girl was never just the last woman standing—she reflected what society believed a “good” woman should be and what made her worthy of survival. In this episode of More Than A Muse, Stauney and Sadie trace the Final Girl's evolution from Laurie Strode and Sally Hardesty to Sidney Prescott, Erin, Grace Le Domas, and the complicated, angry, morally messy survivors of modern horror. Along the way, they unpack the rules women were once expected to follow to make it to the end: be observant, responsible, resourceful, and, perhaps most importantly, sexually restrained.

But what happens when those rules start to change? From Halloween and Friday the 13th to A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, You’re Next, and Ready or Not, the Final Girl has evolved from the virtuous survivor into something much more complicated: a woman who can be angry, sexual, traumatized, flawed, violent, even monstrous—and still be the one we want to see survive. And ultimately, the question extends beyond horror. Because the stories we tell about women shape the women we believe, admire, protect, and encourage in real life. If horror has spent decades deciding which women deserve to live, what does that tell us about how we decide which women deserve to be believed?

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The pop girls are sad, the summer anthems are melancholy, and somehow we’ve all ended up in our feelings. Sadie and Stauney unpack the strange emotional shift happening in pop this year, from hints of Taylor Swift’s cryptic new era to the “song of the summer” debate, Olivia Rodrigo’s breakup album, Gracie Abrams’ Daughter from Hell, and the long-awaited return of Phoebe Bridgers.

But beneath all the sad songs is a bigger question: why does pop feel so much more human right now? Is the melancholy just a summer mood, or is it a reaction to an increasingly polished, algorithm-driven, AI-filled music landscape? Sadie and Stauney get into why artists seem to be leaning into messier, more vulnerable music, and whether all of this sadness might actually be pointing to a bigger shift in pop.

Basically, why does everything sound a little sadder right now? And are we entering a new era of pop? Probably. Maybe. We’ll see.

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What happens when working women decide they have had enough?

In this episode, we’re clocking in for a deep dive into 9 to 5, the beloved 1980 comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton. More than just a hit movie, 9 to 5 was rooted in the real-life experiences of working women who organized in the 1960s and 1970s to fight for better working conditions, equal treatment, and a voice in the workplace.

We explore the movement that inspired the film, including the women who organized through the 9to5 labor organization in Boston and Cleveland, and the Netflix documentary that tells their story. Then, we get into the making of the movie itself, from its journey to the big screen to Dolly Parton’s unforgettable film debut.

And of course, we have to talk about that song. Dolly’s “9 to 5” became an instant classic, earning her a Grammy and becoming one of the most recognizable songs about working life ever recorded.

From real-life workplace activism to one of Hollywood’s most iconic feminist comedies, we’re looking at how 9 to 5 captured the frustrations of working women, turned them into a cultural phenomenon, and helped change the conversation around women in the workplace.

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Women didn’t just take the stage at Lilith Fair; they changed who the music industry believed belonged there. Stauney and Sadie dive into the festival that pushed back against the “one woman per bill” mentality, became a massive commercial success, raised millions for women’s charities, and still exposed some of the complicated contradictions of feminism in the ’90s. From Sarah McLachlan’s unlikely idea to the meaning behind the name Lilith, this is the story of what happens when women stop waiting for the industry to make room and instead build their own stage.

And nearly 30 years later, that blueprint is still alive. Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields brought the same spirit into a new era: pairing an all-women-forward lineup with nonprofits, women-owned vendors, surprise legends, and a whole lot of joy. Stauney and Sadie explore the connection between these two festivals and ask a bigger question: What happens when activism doesn’t have to be angry, inaccessible, or serious all the time — but can be wildly successful, beautifully branded, and actually fun?

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In this episode, Sadie and Stauney cover a mix of current and nostalgic pop culture moments. They start with Olivia Rodrigo’s new song, then get into Coachella again, comparing Lana Del Rey’s minimal performance style with the expectations placed on artists like Justin Bieber. They also revisit Janet. by Janet Jackson and Homecoming by Beyoncé, talking through their cultural impact. A look back at The Devil Wears Prada leads into a conversation about how women are portrayed in media and how that’s changed over time. They wrap up by zooming out to broader cultural trends and what they reveal about how audiences think, respond, and evolve.

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In this episode, Sadie and Stauney trace its evolution from Pearl Jam’s anti-Ticketmaster rebellion to the glittering, influencer-filled spectacle it is today. Along the way, they unpack the performances that defined the desert stage—from Beyonce's boundary-pushing performance to the wildly different energies of Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber.

We also discuss why some performances feel effortless while others are picked apart, and try to answer the question of whether or not we are holding women to a higher standard on one of the biggest stages in the world. From iconic moments to uncomfortable questions, this episode breaks down the festival that somehow manages to be both a launchpad and a microscope for modern pop culture.

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In this episode, Sadie and Stauney explore the moral dilemma of loving art created by deeply flawed or even abusive individuals, asking whether it’s truly possible—or ethical—to separate the art from the artist. Drawing on insights from Claire Dederer’s Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma, they unpack how fandom, overconsumption, and social media intensify our emotional ties to creators, often blurring the line between admiration and complicity. The conversation challenges simplistic ideas of guilt, innocence, and “canceling,” while examining how gender biases, cultural myths like the “suffering artist,” and systems of wealth and power shape who gets forgiven and who doesn’t. Ultimately, the episode invites listeners to confront their own values and boundaries, offering a nuanced, honest look at the contradictions of modern fandom and the personal ethics behind what—and who—we choose to support.

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In this episode, Stauney and Sadie dive into the cultural aftershocks of the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal and the raw, cathartic power of Alanis Morissette’s iconic album Jagged Little Pill—two moments that helped define how the ’90s talked about women, anger, and public shame. From the media treatment of Monica Lewinsky to the way Morissette turned heartbreak into one of the most influential revenge albums of all time, we unpack how scandal, rage, and storytelling collide in pop culture. Along the way, we also revisit the surprisingly scrappy reality behind Hannah Montana’s reunion moment and the enduring mystery of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist—the $500 million robbery that still hasn’t been solved—connecting it all through nostalgia, fame, and the stories that continue to shape how women are remembered.

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In this episode, Sadie and Stauney dissect the dark side of TikTok’s impact: the pile-ons, echo chambers, and the skewed justice that often leaves public figures, especially women, unfairly villainized. They break down iconic cases like Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard, Olivia Rodrigo vs. Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Baldoni vs. Blake Lively, and the notorious beef between Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez: revealing how these digital outrage cycles distort perception and escalate drama to destructive levels. Tune in for a candid look at the viral age’s moral maze and learn practical ways to stay critical in a sea of sensationalism. The truth is more complex than the clips. Are we willing to see it?

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In this episode, we unpack the cultural spectacle of the female celebrity scandal and ask why women are so often judged differently when the spotlight turns harsh. From Janet Jackson’s infamous Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction” to Winona Ryder’s highly publicized shoplifting arrest, we revisit some of the most talked-about media controversies of the past few decades. Looking beyond the headlines, we examine how gendered expectations, tabloid culture, and public morality shape the narratives around these moments. Why do certain incidents become career-defining scandals for women, while men often escape with less scrutiny? Join us as we explore the double standards, media frenzy, and cultural fallout behind the scandals that captured the world’s attention.

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