The Riley Gaines Show

Episode Title: How Is Ethel Cain Allowed to Post This?
Host: Riley Gaines
Date: April 10, 2026

Episode Overview

In this solo episode, Riley Gaines delves deep into a viral Instagram post by singer Ethel Cain, critiquing both the explicit content and the broader cultural, psychological, and political context surrounding it. Drawing from her vantage point as an advocate for women’s rights and faith, Riley unpacks Ethel Cain’s background, musical persona, various controversies, her feud with Lana Del Rey, and what Riley sees as the cultural double standards exhibited by social media moderation. The episode further explores concepts such as autogynephilia and the perceived impact of gender ideology on women’s spaces—with Riley’s characteristic direct, opinionated, and unfiltered style.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Viral Ethel Cain Instagram Post

• Description of the Content ([00:31 – 02:09])

  • Riley describes being shocked by a photo on her Instagram feed:

    “Who is Ethel Cain? And why is Instagram showing me his junk like I'm talking full bush and beans?...”

    • The photo: Ethel Cain (real name Hayden Silas Anhedonia) sitting on a bed, wearing a corset and exposing male genitalia.
  • Riley is disturbed both by the content and by the affirming comments on the post from fans and trans individuals.

• Community Response ([02:16 – 03:39])

  • Reads supportive comments that mention validation for transgender individuals and mocks the emotional reactions.

    “If you cry when you see a photo of another man's junk because it makes you feel validated, then there is something deeply wrong with you.” ([02:53])

2. Who is Ethel Cain?

• Background and Artistic Persona ([03:40 – 08:00])

  • Ethel Cain is the stage name of Hayden Silas Anhedonia, born 1998 in Florida, known for Southern gothic music dealing with dark themes (religious trauma, abuse).
  • The meaning behind the name: evokes “faded old-fashioned femininity” and biblical allusion to Cain.

    “Ethel Cain, of course, comes straight from the Bible...generational trauma, sin, family, betrayal, wandering and exile, violence and religious guilt.” ([05:20])

  • Riley draws comparisons between Cain and Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey regarding narrative-driven music and cult-like followings.

• Biography and Rise to Fame ([08:00 – 10:36])

  • Raised in a Southern Baptist family, left the church at 16.
  • Debut album ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ (2022) hit #10 on Billboard 200 (first for a trans artist).
  • Riley emphasizes why Cain’s music resonates with “queer or gender-nonconforming” young people from religious backgrounds.

3. Past Controversies and Social Media Behavior

• Old Posts and Apologies ([10:37 – 14:50])

  • Old tweets surfaced from Ethel Cain’s adolescence, including racial slurs, rape jokes, fat-shaming, and use of real missing child flyers for album promotion.
  • Reference to a photo of Cain in a “legalize incest” T-shirt.
  • Cain’s response: a lengthy apology, references inability to fully understand the harm due to being white.

    “I was young and angry and lashing out at the world. It is deeply shameful and embarrassing to see that dredged back up.” ([13:45], quoting Cain).

• Selective Accountability in Media ([14:51 – 16:30])

  • Riley contrasts Cain’s forgiven past to the treatment of other public figures (e.g., Scott Adams), arguing that identity politics dictate who receives grace.

    “I guess accountability or forgiveness, it depends on who you are, not really what you did.” ([15:47])

4. Feud with Lana Del Rey

• Origins and Escalation ([16:31 – 20:39])
  • Cain started as a fan; over time, irritation grew from frequent comparisons.
  • Feud escalated: Ethel allegedly edited Wikipedia pages, made body-shaming comments about Lana, and inserted himself into her personal life.
  • Lana responds via lyrics:

    “Ethel Kane hated my Instagram post, thinks it's cute reenacting my Chicago pose.”

  • Riley speculates political affiliations may play a role in the feud, with Lana’s recent marriage nudging her into more traditional/conservative aesthetics.

5. Riley’s Analysis: Fetish vs. Gender Identity

• Arguments Against “Born in the Wrong Body” ([20:40 – 24:13])

  • Riley asserts the Instagram post is about “fetish on full display,” not about sincere gender dysphoria.

    “I think he put his fetish on full display for the world to see...I'm not going to act like I understand what is going on inside of his mind, because clearly I don't.” ([20:55])

  • Introduces the concept of autogynephilia (AGP):

    “Autogynephilia...is a male's propensity to be sexually aroused, either dressing as a woman, the thought or the image of himself as a female.” ([22:12])

  • Riley claims AGP is the “most likely driver for any man pretending to be a woman.”
  • Recommends listeners research Dr. Ray Blanchard for more information about AGP.

• Patterns and Differences Between Sexes ([24:14 – 27:18])

  • Argues women don’t exhibit similar behaviors (e.g., posting genitals online).
  • Riley discusses “genetically encoded” gender differences, connecting men’s assertiveness/dominance to the alleged transgression of women’s spaces.

6. Critique of Social Media Moderation and Double Standards

• Instagram/Meta’s Response ([27:19 – 28:36])
  • Riley reports the post but receives notification it doesn’t violate standards:

    “We did not remove Mother Cane's content...it does not go against our community standards on nudity or sexual activity.” ([27:46])

  • Compares this to how Meta censors her own and “XXXY Athletics” (a brand supporting biological sex distinctions) content.

    “Meta censored XXXY Athletics, but left up Ethel Cain's smushed and shriveled fruit cup. I don't know.” ([29:44])

7. Concluding Thoughts

• Cultural Commentary and Call to Action ([29:48 – 31:10])
  • Riley reflects on the episode’s themes: normalization of fetish as identity, perceived erosion of women-centric spaces, bias in tech moderation.
  • Invites audience feedback on future content.

    “But in the meantime, refrain from posting your junk online. Please. For my sake, for humanity's sake.” ([30:57])

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Who is Ethel Cain? And why is Instagram showing me his junk like I'm talking full bush and beans?” ([00:31], Riley)
• “If you cry when you see a photo of another man's junk because it makes you feel validated, then there is something deeply wrong with you.” ([02:53], Riley)
• “Ethel Cain, of course, comes straight from the Bible...generational trauma, sin, family, betrayal, wandering and exile, violence and religious guilt.” ([05:20], Riley)
• “I was young and angry and lashing out at the world. It is deeply shameful and embarrassing to see that dredged back up.” ([13:45], Ethel Cain, quoted by Riley)
• “I guess accountability or forgiveness, it depends on who you are, not really what you did.” ([15:47], Riley)
• “Autogynephilia...is a male's propensity to be sexually aroused, either dressing as a woman, the thought or the image of himself as a female.” ([22:12], Riley)
• “Meta censored XXXY Athletics, but left up Ethel Cain's smushed and shriveled fruit cup. I don't know.” ([29:44], Riley)
• “But in the meantime, refrain from posting your junk online. Please. For my sake, for humanity's sake.” ([30:57], Riley)

Important Timestamps

• 00:31 – Intro to Ethel Cain and initial Instagram post reaction
• 02:16 – Reading and critiquing community comments
• 03:40 – 08:00 – Ethel Cain’s biography and stage persona
• 08:00 – 10:36 – Musical success and fanbase nuance
• 10:37 – 14:50 – Old social posts controversies and responses
• 14:51 – 16:30 – Media double standards in accountability
• 16:31 – 20:39 – Lana Del Rey feud details and speculation
• 20:40 – 24:13 – Autogynephilia explained, distinction from gender dysphoria
• 24:14 – 27:18 – Gender differences and entrance into women’s spaces
• 27:19 – 28:36 – Meta’s moderation response and “XXXY Athletics” censorship
• 29:48 – 31:10 – Final commentary and call for audience engagement

Tone and Style

The episode maintains Riley’s signature forthright, unapologetic tone, blending pop culture critique, social commentary, and advocacy for women and faith-based values. The language is direct, sometimes sarcastic, and often emotionally charged, particularly when addressing what Riley views as social media double standards and cultural normalization of behavior she finds problematic.

Summary for First-time Listeners

This episode is a direct, critical take on a controversial Ethel Cain Instagram post, using it as a springboard for discussing wider issues in gender ideology, celebrity culture, social media moderation, and women’s rights. Riley is unfiltered in her opinions, using personal anecdotes, pop culture analysis, and sociological theory (notably autogynephilia) to frame her argument. She’s critical of perceived double standards that she believes both endanger women’s spaces and skew accountability in public life. The episode is equally about cultural commentary as it is about specific events or individuals, delivered with Riley’s signature blend of candor, skepticism, and advocacy.