Badass Rants and Raves

Let’s be honest: the world’s on fire and I have thoughts. Welcome to Badass Rants & Raves — a space for sharing what’s fueling us, what’s frustrating us, and how we keep going anyway.

In Evangelical homes across the United States, sex outside of marriage is a sin against God. So, when Abbi becomes pregnant at 16, her devout parents hide her away at the Liberty Godparent Home, a little-known facility for pregnant teens on the campus of Liberty University. The Home says it helps girls decide what comes next – whether that’s parenting their babies or placing them for adoption. But inside the facility, the girls hear a different message: God wants their babies to go to more “deserving” Christian couples. Some girls will find the strength to fight back. Others will have no choice but to give in. And some, like Abbi, will turn their grief into resistance – and take a stand against the system before more mothers lose their children to adoptions they never wanted. You can listen to the Liberty Lost podcast here.

People aren’t going out to Happy Hours anymore. (TBH, glad to know it’s not just me…) The answer why probably won’t surprise you.

An actual college class on the politics and beliefs and joy of Dolly Parton? Sign me up! Washington University is offering a course that dives deep into Dolly Parton’s cultural and political legacy. Read all about it here.

Speaking of music and icons, Taylor Jenkins Reid and The Chicks Team Up for New Jukebox Musical

I have just fallen into the world of cozy murders and I love it. Turns out I’m not the only one! You can read more about this new book trend here. I just finished Laura Lippmann’s latest, Murder Takes a Vacation, and I highly recommend it if you love this genre.

This Michelle Obama interview gave me all the feels. Gah, I miss her so much!

Until next time, keep living your best badass life!

Gina