Slate Money: The GOOP Face Oil Edition (April 27, 2019)
Overview
This episode of Slate Money, hosted by Felix Salmon, Anna Szymanski, and Emily Peck, features renowned magazine writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner, staff writer at The New York Times Magazine. The team dives into Taffy's recent investigative piece on Sterling Jewelers—parent company of mall mainstays like Kay and Jared—unpacking years-long gender discrimination lawsuits, the power dynamics of forced arbitration, and the persistence of institutional workplace sexism. The conversation then pivots into the modern "celebrity industrial complex," where stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kylie Jenner directly monetize personal brands, blurring the line between persona and business. The episode wraps with a lively "numbers round."
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introducing Taffy Brodesser-Akner and Her Work (00:10 - 02:40)
- Taffy is welcomed as "the greatest magazine writer of all time" (Felix, 00:29).
- Taffy mentions her novel, Fleischman Is in Trouble, coming out June 18, 2019, humorously billing it as "a filthy New Jersey novel" (Brodesser-Akner, 01:43).
Memorable quote:
"I would say it's the natural sequel to Anna Karenina...a little dirtier. It's a filthy New Jersey novel.”
— Taffy Brodesser-Akner (01:43)
2. The Sterling Jewelers Story: Unveiling a Culture of Sexism and Secrecy (02:40 - 17:39)
- Taffy spent two years investigating Sterling Jewelers, leading to a major piece in the NYT Magazine.
- The company (parent of Kay, Jared, and others) faced a class-action lawsuit from over 70,000 women for persistent pay discrimination and lack of promotion.
- Arbitration, meant to be speedy and confidential, dragged the case on for 14 years, with no public accountability.
Core insights:
- Company Structure and Secrecy: The convoluted parent company setup helps obscure responsibility.
- Forced Arbitration: Designed to keep disputes secret, preventing public scrutiny and dragging out justice.
- Systemic Sexism:
- Women regularly underpaid and overlooked for promotions, even when leading in revenue generation.
- Management told women inquiring about pay disparity: "He's a man. He has a family to support." (Brodesser-Akner retelling, 15:29)
- Lack of Resolution: The story and lawsuit remain unresolved, symbolizing the entrenched nature of gender discrimination.
Notable quotes:
"[Arbitration is] supposed to be faster and cheaper...but the advantages accrue in most cases to the employer."
— Taffy Brodesser-Akner (05:50)
“Diamonds are forever, and so is this lawsuit."
— Taffy Brodesser-Akner (08:04)
3. The Broader Context: Power, Policy, and Cultural Change (09:00 - 20:55)
- Discussion of how secrecy, forced arbitration, and workplace rules (like illegal bans on wage discussions) perpetuate inequality.
- The need for public exposure: journalism as a tool to break open systemic silence.
- Talks about a bill aimed at banning forced arbitration (09:40).
- Pushback against the idea that the gender pay gap is mythical; rebuttal to Stephen Moore's National Review arguments.
Notable quote:
"The thing about arbitration and policies that keep a company operating not as honestly...is that people...do not know that they are going to be held accountable. The things they do are tremendously terrible."
— Taffy Brodesser-Akner (16:51)
4. The Celebrity Industrial Complex: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kylie Jenner, and Beyond (21:56 - 34:34)
- Exploring the evolution of celebrity branding: from lending one's name to products (Elizabeth Taylor) to directly running businesses (Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, Kylie Jenner’s lip kits).
- Shift from "licensing" to ownership and active management—especially among women.
Goop & Entrepreneurial Women:
- Taffy underscores how Paltrow and peers are not just the face, but the driving force of their brands:
“Gwyneth is running her business...Why shouldn’t she profit off her image from something she feels passionately about?” (Brodesser-Akner, 25:46)
- These businesses serve as career longevity strategies for celebrities, especially women facing ageism in Hollywood.
Criticism vs. Success:
- Discussion over critiques of Goop (e.g., pseudoscientific products) versus the real consumer need it meets.
- Paltrow’s resilience to criticism and her desire to be recognized as a serious business owner.
Notable quotes:
"The difference between now and when Elizabeth Taylor was doing it is that they're not licensing their names. They are working very hard...but trying to appear they're not."
— Taffy Brodesser-Akner (27:42)
"[Paltrow's] fear is being thought of as a dilettante...I take her very seriously because of the health concerns and lawsuits. And because her company is so successful."
— Taffy Brodesser-Akner (34:02)
5. The Numbers Round (34:34 - 40:07)
Each host presents a striking number from the week:
-
Emily:
$1,225,987 — Jeopardy champion James Holzhauer’s winnings from a 16-day streak, “moneyballing” the game. (34:41) -
Felix:
$82 million — Revenue from Trump’s washing machine tariffs (to the U.S. Treasury);
$1.5 billion — Extra paid by U.S. consumers as a result. (36:13) -
Anna:
7.5 pounds — The weight of her newborn nephew, Ari. (37:38) -
Taffy:
$65.6 million — Disney CEO Bob Iger’s compensation, highlighted by Abigail Disney’s criticism of extreme executive pay. (38:00)“She said, ‘I could be a billionaire if I wanted to, but no one should have that much money. It's just, it's amazing.’”
— Felix Salmon quoting Abigail Disney (38:42)
6. Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
On arbitration’s endlessness:
"Diamonds are Forever. And so is this lawsuit." (08:04)
-
On the sexual harassment problem:
"You just had to put up with some bad stuff and like pool orgies."
— Felix Salmon (12:21) -
On investigative reporting’s role:
"[Journalists] are opening up this kind of door that for so long has been shut...We need to keep getting these stories so that people will see that this isn't...one company. This is something that happens to essentially everyone."
— Anna Szymanski (13:04) -
On the cultural double standard facing entrepreneurial women:
“When people dislike Gwyneth Paltrow, it’s almost like...she's taking advantage of people...she was so privileged.”
— Anna Szymanski (30:45) -
On the gap Goop fills for women:
"...the people I met on that story were not people inclined towards [pseudoscience]; they have tried everything else and are looking for any answer."
— Taffy Brodesser-Akner (34:20)
Important Timestamps
- 00:10–02:40 — Introduction and Taffy’s background
- 02:40–17:39 — Sterling Jewelers exposé
- 09:40–10:55 — New legislation to ban forced arbitration
- 21:56–34:34 — The rise of celebrity-founded businesses
- 34:34–40:07 — Fun and revealing numbers round
Tone & Style
Conversational, witty, and candid—true to Slate Money’s style. The group balances serious critique of institutional sexism with playful humor (particularly in the numbers round and “filthy New Jersey novel” jokes). Taffy’s stories—on everything from corporate secrecy to observing celebrities—are told with warmth, honesty, and a knack for highlighting the humanity (and absurdity) in both boardrooms and Hollywood.
For Listeners New to the Episode
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in corporate accountability, gender dynamics at work, and the rise of celebrity entrepreneurship. It features sharp reporting, real talk about power and culture, and enough personality to keep you engaged, enlightened, and entertained—even if you’ve never set foot in a mall jewelry store or bought celebrity-branded face oil.