The Joe Rogan Experience #2460 — Rachel Wilson
Date: February 26, 2026
Main Theme: A critical, revisionist look at the history and ideology of feminism, exploring its origins, occult influences, and effects on society through Rachel Wilson's book "Occult Feminism: The Secret History of Women's Liberation."
Episode Overview
Joe Rogan hosts author Rachel Wilson to discuss her controversial book, "Occult Feminism," which re-examines the origins of the women's liberation movement through a skeptical and conspiratorial lens. Wilson argues that modern feminism didn’t arise organically from women’s desires but was propelled by outside interests — including Marxists, elites, and the occult — with the intent of restructuring society for ulterior motives. Across a wide-ranging conversation, Wilson and Rogan break down foundational feminist myths, examine major figures (from Susan B. Anthony to Gloria Steinem), discuss the movement’s impacts on family and culture, and dig into the darker, often hidden, influences shaping feminist ideology.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Rachel Wilson’s Background and Motivation
[00:13–06:22]
- Raised by divorced parents representing ideological extremes: a "Rush Limbaugh Republican" father and a "Marxist feminist" mother—she grew up critically analyzing both worldviews.
- Early on, questioned received wisdom about equality, noticing natural talent and effort disparities and skepticism about socialist/Marxist ideals.
- Desired a traditional family life, choosing not to attend college despite societal pressure and a scholarship, which drew criticism.
- Quote [13:21]:
"A lot of the people in my office have degrees and, you know, they have careers, and some of them are very miserable people. So if you don't want to do that, you could always decide to go later." — Wilson’s father
2. Societal Shifts: Women in the Workforce & The 2-Income Trap
[19:17–27:26]
- Argues the push for women’s higher education and workforce participation was engineered, noting the historic shift starting in the 1970s.
- By the 1980s, labor force participation nearly doubled, depressing wages and locking families into needing two incomes.
- Much “feminist progress” rerouted traditional women’s work (childcare, teaching, housekeeping) into low-wage jobs serving corporations instead of the family unit.
- Quote [23:32]:
"We almost doubled the labor force by pushing all the women in. And men's wages have never recovered. So now you are stuck in a two-income trap." — Wilson
3. The True History of First Wave Feminism: Myths and Omissions
[27:37–43:53]
- Wilson asserts that most women did not support women’s suffrage; anti-suffrage groups outnumbered pro-suffrage.
- Feminist history, especially as taught in gender studies, was substantially rewritten (with help from elite foundations) to present suffrage as an organic, universally desired movement.
- Quote [32:21]:
"Most women in the United States and England...far outnumbered by joining the anti-suffrage groups, they were very much against it." — Wilson
4. Women’s Status Before & After Suffrage
[36:20–46:15]
- Pre-suffrage women enjoyed many protections and legal benefits, such as exemption from debtor’s prison and certain property rights.
- Some feared suffrage would reduce these protections.
- Post-suffrage predictions by anti-suffragists about family breakdown, divorce, and shifting priorities have, Wilson argues, come true.
5. Influential Figures: Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Margaret Sanger
[44:26–59:19]
- First-wave leaders involved in occult practices, con artistry, or were controversial figures; history sanitized by feminist textbooks.
- Margaret Sanger’s legacy as eugenicist and founder of Planned Parenthood highlighted as built on questionable stories/lies, according to Wilson’s research.
- Quote [52:39]:
"The promise of feminism looks something like you're going to have the corner office...but the average woman like me ends up working a basic...job, and I feel like I can't do it all. It's too much." — Wilson
6. Population, Eugenics, and Birth Control
[52:59–63:27]
- Examines links between feminism, eugenics, and social engineering via figures like Sanger and the Rockefeller Foundation.
- The promotion of birth control and abortion as population control, not just women’s liberation.
7. The CIA, Academia, & Feminist Ideology
[63:27–68:13]
- Explores how Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine were allegedly supported by the CIA in an effort to promote liberal democracy and disrupt traditionalism during the Cold War.
- The rise of gender studies as a means of cultural engineering and political mobilization.
8. Spiritualism, Occult & Satanic Roots
[100:03–111:11]
- Wilson’s research uncovered deep involvement of early feminists in spiritualism, theosophy, occultism, and even satanism.
- "Occult" is interpreted both as "hidden" and literally: a fascination with spiritualist/occult practices and symbolism among feminist pioneers.
- The strong theme of transcending gender, self-deification, and moral relativism tied to Luciferian themes, as seen in occult feminism.
- Quote [100:39]:
"Most...were into spiritualism...theosophy, which combines like Eastern occult practices with...ancient goddess worship, New Age stuff, and even Satanism..." — Wilson
9. Social Consequences: Family Breakdown, Unhappiness, and Women's Well-Being
[112:11–148:44]
- Asserts “liberation” led to more single-mother and fatherless homes, decreased happiness, increased substance use, and family instability.
- Cites data on child safety, marriage outcomes, and the paradox of declining female happiness despite social advances.
- Feminist ideology is now dominant not just on the left but even among conservatives; both men and women pressured to fit new cultural scripts.
- Critique of the "girlboss" culture and the idea that only GDP-contributing work is valuable; devaluing motherhood and homemaking.
- Quote [145:18]:
"26% of American women are on at least one psychiatric prescription drug. Yeah, that's nuts." — Wilson
10. Modern Gender Roles, Dating, and Online Culture
[129:33–139:59]
- Conversation turns to current dating and relationship culture: hypergamy, social media, body image, and the impact of dating apps.
- Rogan and Wilson lament superficiality, performative self-promotion, and the difficulties faced by both young men and women.
- Emphasize the value and challenge of raising children, and the loss of community and family support systems.
11. The Need for a Balanced, Honest Conversation
[144:10–151:57]
- Wilson insists her critique comes from concern and love for women, children, and families—not misogyny.
- Calls for more women to know the true history and make informed choices about their life paths.
- Emphasizes the need for personal responsibility, accountability, and the value of traditional family life, contrasting with the promises of feminism.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On growing up with opposing parents:
"I grew up in, like, two worlds...Rush Limbaugh dad and Marxist feminist crazy mom." — Wilson [02:28] - On the 2-income trap:
"Now you are stuck in a two income trap where even women who want to stay home...it's really tough." — Wilson [23:32] - On feminist history being rewritten:
"They literally rewrote the history of how women's suffrage happened." — Wilson [28:17] - On the paradox of female happiness:
"On every metric they measured...women reported being less fulfilled, less happy, and less content than they did in the 70s before they were, like, fully liberated." — Wilson [148:45] - On the occult and feminist leaders:
"Most...were into spiritualism...theosophy...goddess worship...occult and even Satanism." — Wilson [100:39] - On the CIA and Ms. Magazine:
"Gloria Steinem was recruited out of Smith College...they give you this fellowship...start a magazine to promote women's rights...it was a little more sneaky..." — Wilson [64:02] - On kids and family:
"I am no longer willing to sacrifice the welfare of children on the altar of feminism ever again. I won't do it." — Wilson [146:17]
Important Timestamps
- Wilson’s upbringing & personal journey: [01:10–13:21]
- The economic shift post-1970s, women & workforce: [19:17–27:26]
- Debunking first wave feminist myths: [27:37–43:53]
- Legal and cultural status of women, suffrage impact: [36:20–46:15]
- Margaret Sanger, eugenics, and birth control: [52:59–63:27]
- Gloria Steinem, CIA, gender studies: [63:27–68:13]
- Spiritualism & the occult in feminism: [100:03–111:11]
- Paradox of female happiness, social effects: [148:45–151:57]
- Closing thoughts and summary: [144:10–152:36]
Episode Tone and Style
The discussion is frank, highly skeptical of mainstream narratives, and conspiratorial. Both Wilson and Rogan maintain a colloquial, occasionally irreverent tone, mixing humor and pop culture references with deep dives into history and social critique. They frequently oscillate between storytelling, debate, and banter. Wilson often appeals to personal experience, academic research, and statistical data, while Rogan interjects with cultural observations and questions drawn from his own life and podcasting experiences.
Summary Takeaway
This episode presents a blistering critique of feminism from an unconventional, deeply skeptical perspective. Rachel Wilson advances the thesis that feminism’s goals and outcomes sharply differ from its advertised promises, arguing that both women and society would benefit from a radical reassessment of its history, ideology, and social effects. Through historical revision, cultural observation, and controversial claims, the conversation challenges listeners to question familiar narratives about liberation, gender roles, and social progress.