Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Documentary Book Club: Martha on Netflix (with Jo Feldman)
Host: Chelsea Devantez
Guest: Jo Feldman
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Introduction
In this special episode of Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast, host Chelsea Devantez teams up with longtime friend and frequent guest Jo Feldman to delve into the Netflix documentary Martha. Deviating from their usual focus on celebrity memoirs, this episode explores Martha Stewart’s life through a documentary lens, offering a nuanced portrait that captures both her glamour and the underlying complexities of her persona.
Discussion of Martha Stewart's Personality and Public Perception
Chelsea opens the discussion by highlighting the unique appeal of the Martha documentary, noting that Martha's control over her narrative is somewhat loosened, allowing for a more authentic portrayal.
- Chelsea Devontez [00:57]: “...it feels like her telling her story.”
Jo reflects on her personal takeaways, expressing a love for Martha's ability to build an empire from nothing, despite her unlikable traits.
- Jo Feldman [06:32]: “From just a woman's perspective of watching it, I was like, fuck, yeah. Martha Stewart, she built an empire, and she did it from nothing.”
The conversation underscores Martha's meticulous nature and perceived lack of self-awareness, which contributes to her complex public image.
- Chelsea Devontez [11:01]: “...she really lacks self-awareness and social awareness, but also is extremely astute in her judgments and her precision of process and order.”
Martha Stewart's Personal Life: Marriage, Divorce, and Relationships
The duo delves into Martha’s tumultuous personal life, particularly her marriage to Andy and subsequent divorce due to his infidelity.
- Jo Feldman [21:57]: “...and then she rewatch it with purpose. Honestly, my takeaway from it was like, I love her, and I would never want to work with or near her.”
They discuss Martha’s early marriage, the impact of Andy’s betrayal with her former assistant, and the emotional fallout from these events.
- Chelsea Devontez [17:09]: “She gets married at 19 to the first man she ever sleeps with. Andy.”
Jo humorously contrasts Martha’s severe reaction to infidelity with her own, highlighting Martha’s aggressive stance.
- Jo Feldman [22:44]: “...when someone has to vehemently say that it's like rare for them to be doing something...”
Business Acumen: Kmart Collaboration and Being the Original Influencer
Chelsea and Jo explore Martha's pioneering role in influencer marketing, particularly her collaboration with Kmart, which positioned her as the original influencer by bridging high-end aesthetics with mass-market accessibility.
- Chelsea Devontez [16:43]: “...she sees dollar signs, she sees gaps in the market...`
Jo draws parallels between Martha’s strategies and modern social media influencers, emphasizing her foresight and business acumen.
- Jo Feldman [37:07]: “Martha Stewart was the original influencer because she was showing you how she lives, how you should live, and giving you products to live and influencing you how to live.”
Martha Stewart's Time in Prison and Its Impact
The podcast addresses Martha Stewart’s five-month prison stint for insider trading, discussing how it humanized her and altered public perception.
- Chelsea Devontez [54:08]: “...she was like, this is weird and gross and horrifying...”
Jo reflects on the emotional toll and resilience Martha demonstrated during and after incarceration.
- Jo Feldman [58:09]: “...she is a person. She's crying, she's home.”
They emphasize how Martha's vulnerability during this period contributed to renewed public empathy and admiration.
Comparisons to Modern Influencers and Trad Wives
A significant portion of the discussion contrasts Martha Stewart with contemporary influencers and the "trad wife" movement, debating similarities and differences in their influence on women’s lifestyles and societal expectations.
- Jo Feldman [38:22]: “...like traditional values, meaning, like, cook everything from scratch...”
Chelsea counters by highlighting Martha’s continued business endeavors and independence, distinguishing her from traditional homemaker stereotypes.
- Chelsea Devontez [43:32]: “...the difference is Martha was doing that. She was selling a lifestyle while not adhering to the traditional trad wife mold.”
The Documentary's Unique Style and Effectiveness
Chelsea and Jo analyze the documentary’s stylistic choices, particularly the decision to focus solely on Martha’s perspective by using only her on-screen presence and overlaying audio from other interviews.
- Jo Feldman [64:38]: “...for someone like Martha, who is a singular brand whose whole thing is about her...”
They appreciate how this approach maintains focus on Martha, allowing viewers to form opinions based solely on her narrative and actions.
The Dict/Duckdill Test
Towards the end, Chelsea introduces the "Dictal Test" to evaluate the documentary, posing three questions to Jo:
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Was the person in the documentary vulnerable in the sharing of their truth?
- Jo Feldman [68:20]: “Yes, definitely.”
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Was it entertaining to watch?
- Jo Feldman [68:50]: “Yeah, definitely.”
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Did watching this documentary elevate your life in any way?
- Jo Feldman [69:08]: “It made me want to try my hand at a little more domesticity.”
Chelsea shares her reflections on how Martha's resilience and facing of hardships inspire her own personal and professional endeavors.
- Chelsea Devontez [72:58]: “...facing hardship was like her marriage breaking up... going to prison was the worst thing that could have ever happened for her...”
Concluding Thoughts
The episode concludes with Chelsea and Jo reiterating their admiration for Martha Stewart’s complex persona and enduring influence. They acknowledge the documentary's role in reshaping their views on resilience, vulnerability, and the construction of personal brands.
- Jo Feldman [73:49]: “Thank you so much...”
They encourage listeners to engage with the content thoughtfully, reflecting on how Martha's journey intersects with broader societal narratives.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Jo Feldman [00:48]: “Now the kingdom awaits.”
- Chelsea Devontez [05:27]: “I handed her a lipstick, and apparently that was wrong.”
- Jo Feldman [07:49]: “Very unlikable.”
- Chelsea Devontez [09:22]: “Which is like, you know, a true way to know that Martha would just hate me, even though I'm over here praising her.”
- Jo Feldman [22:44]: “I was like, if you're ever in a marriage with a guy who's cheating on you, fuck that guy.”
- Chelsea Devontez [37:07]: “...she was the original influencer because she was showing you how she lives, how you should live...”
- Jo Feldman [58:28]: “We love a woman failing. And we love resilience.”
- Chelsea Devontez [72:58]: “...facing hardship was like her marriage breaking up while she's putting a weddings book out...”
Conclusion
This episode of Glamorous Trash offers an in-depth exploration of Martha Stewart’s multifaceted life through the lens of the Netflix documentary. Chelsea and Jo provide a balanced mix of critique, admiration, and personal reflection, making it a compelling listen for both fans and newcomers interested in the intersections of celebrity, personal struggle, and business acumen.