In this episode of Two Millennials and Mom, Callie and Mecca dive into the lies, myths, and outdated rules society tells women to keep them "in their place." With Cole out sick (don’t worry—he’s already reserved the right for his rebuttal in a future episode), the ladies are taking full advantage of the opportunity to rage against the patriarchy! They are breaking down everything from beauty standards and age myths to double standards in the workplace and relationships. Are women "too emotional" to be leaders? Do we really have to dress a certain way after 40? And why does society keep pushing these narratives? Buckle up—this one’s a wild ride!

10,000-Foot View of this Episode:

Breaking the "Rules": Society has a long history of feeding women outdated and oppressive expectations, from beauty standards to career limitations. From childhood fairytales to workplace norms, we dig into some common myths surrounding women, from aging and beauty expectations to the idea that women "expire" after a certain age. Spoiler: We don’t.
Fashion & Beauty Double Standards: Who decided white after Labor Day was a crime? Why does bold makeup suddenly become "too much" after a certain age? Is long hair offensive as we age? We debunk some of the weirdest fashion policing out there and the myth that women "peak" in their 20s. Aging is not something to fear but embrace.
Personality Rules & Gaslighting Narratives: Be nice, but not too nice. Be independent, but not too independent. Be smart, but not too smart. We discuss how women are constantly expected to walk impossible tightropes. We also talk about the fallacy of "you’ll just know when it’s the right person" and why being picky in choosing a partner is actually smart. We discuss the unrealistic expectations placed on women in dating and relationships and the importance of self-awareness and personal growth.
The Workplace Double Standard: The Taylor Swift anthem "The Man" sums it up: when a man speaks up, he's assertive. When a woman does? She’s "too emotional." We unpack the infuriating reality of gender bias in leadership and success and why women’s emotional intelligence is actually a superpower, not a weakness. We explore how emotional awareness enhances leadership, decision-making, and relationships.
Weird Thought: What if we flipped sexism on its head? A thought experiment imagining a world where traditional gender norms are reversed—because if it sounds ridiculous the other way around, why are we okay with it now? We challenge listeners to rethink their biases by presenting everyday scenarios with reversed gender roles.
Good News: The All-Female Auto Shop: We share a feel-good story about an all-female auto shop in PA that is not only breaking stereotypes but also creating a supportive and empowering environment for women in an often male-dominated industry.

Memorable Quotes:

“There should be no shaming and it doesn't take away from a woman being a woman, if she chooses not to have children.” – Mecca
“I think it all comes down to your perspective and being willing to understand the shoes of somebody else.” – Callie
“We need to somehow become a stronger matriarchy; to appreciate each other and love on each other and encourage each other.” – Mecca
“Why is it okay to do this to women? Is it just because that's what we've always done and that's all we know? Are we too scared to learn to do things differently?” – Callie
“You don't go get a boob job because whoever you're dating wants bigger ones. If that's the case, you need to get rid of him.” – Mecca
“Nobody can give 100% 100% of the time. You have to recharge and regroup and reinvigorate your own soul.” – Callie
“I think our world would be very different if we allowed ourselves some space and the opportunity to be who we really are supposed to be and not measure that against some designated idea that we don't even know where it came from or who started it.” – Mecca
“I just don't think that greatness has a gender.“ – Callie

Resources Mentioned:

Mecca's "Some of y'all don't know what happened to Earl and it shows" t-shirt (affiliate link)
GM's CEO Mary Barra's two-word dress code
Brene Brown’s discussion on relationships and emotional bandwidth on the Tim Ferriss Show
Taylor Swift’s "The Man" – because, well, it’s all too relevant

If this episode made you think (or laugh, or roll your eyes at the ridiculousness of some of these "rules"), good! Please, share it with a friend! Tag us on social media @TMAMPod and tell us what outdated rule you think needs to be smashed next. And if you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media. We all need the occasional reminder that some "rules" are meant to be broken!

The ‘Rules’ Are Rigged: Smashing Myths We Tell Women