When asked whether they'd rather be alone in the woods with a bear or a man, most women choose the bear - a startling reflection of how women perceive safety in modern America. Genesis CEO Jan Langbein joins host Maria MacMullin to explore this phenomenon and discuss the evolution of women's rights and domestic violence services as Genesis approaches its 40th anniversary.

We open season 5 of Genesis The Podcast reflecting upon how far women's rights have come—and how fragile those gains remain. Within the lifetime of Jan Langbein, married women couldn't open bank accounts, take out loans, or travel internationally without a husband's permission. Marital rape wasn't recognized as a crime. Women earned just 59 cents on the dollar compared to men. The right to vote came to all women in America only relatively recently, with barriers like poll taxes deliberately designed to discourage women of color from voting well into the 1960s.

Today, new threats loom on the horizon: proposals for one vote per household (cast by the man), efforts to repeal the 19th Amendment, and laws restricting women's healthcare access and freedom of movement. Drawing parallels to Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," Langbein warns that rights disappear gradually—like being in a "slowly heating bathtub"—if we fail to recognize warning signs and stand together.

Despite decades of progress, Genesis currently must turn away 50 people seeking shelter daily due to lack of capacity. Langbein envisions expanding shelter services and creating a societal paradigm shift from asking "why doesn't she leave?" to "why does he abuse?" She reminds us that communities can never be safe if people aren't safe in their own homes.

Join us for this thought-provoking exploration of women's equity, domestic violence, and the power of unity. Subscribe to Genesis the Podcast and follow us on social media to continue these crucial conversations about creating a safer world for everyone.