Beyond Nice: How Women Are Mad is Changing the Conversation

Psst, ladies, over here. It’s just us now. Let’s get real for a minute. Are you tired of smiling through gritted teeth when your coworker mansplains your own idea back to you? Fed up with being told to "calm down" when you're justifiably upset?  Feeling invisible in your own house while you restlessly take care of everything? Do you feel like you are losing your mind? You are not crazy. You are not alone. You are angry. Actually, a lot of women are angry. Lucky for us, there's a podcast discussing the madness and it is about to become your new BFF.

Women Are Mad (WAM) is a movement focused on giving women a space to voice their anger. The podcast feels like you are in the best conversation with your most trusted and badass friends. Each episode is a journey into the expansive minds of powerful women and begins with one question, what makes you angry? From celebrities spilling tea on industry sexism to everyday heroines discussing double standards, it's the raw, unfiltered content that you’ve been waiting for. It is a judgment-free zone where women discuss topics from everyday annoyances to deeper issues of inequality and societal expectations. 

Fair warning: this podcast is more addictive than those chocolate-covered almonds you hide from the kids. To say I am obsessed is an understatement. 

Salima Saxton and Jennifer Cox are the extraordinary duo behind the movement that's giving voice to women’s inner rage. These women are leading a revolution in how we think about and express our anger. Women are mad and it is time we start talking about it.

It all kicked off when Jennifer, a psychotherapist passionate about making psychoanalysis accessible, wrote a book, Women Are Angry. Inspired by the tragic story of Sarah Everard, Jennifer poured her frustrations onto the page. When Salima, an actress and writer, read it, something clicked. They realized they weren't alone, and Women Are Mad was born. What started as a small group of women chatting about their grievances has blossomed into a powerful movement. Their weekly podcast has become a go-to for women seeking validation and a place to express all the feels.

Why are women mad? From birth, we've been taught to be good girls: don't rock the boat, don't be difficult, don't cause trouble. We've stuffed down our discord, hiding it behind guilt and shame. But here's the kicker: we're not bad, wrong, or bitchy for feeling anger. We're frustrated, annoyed, and exhausted from living in a world that shuts us down. As Jennie says, "Kill the good girl before she kills you." It's time to embrace our anger and challenge the world's misconceptions about who we are. The change starts with us.

WAM is not just about being angry. It's about being "mad" in all its forms. Mad as in angry? Check. Mad as in frustrated? You bet. Mad as in feeling like you're losing your marbles in a world that often doesn't make sense? Bingo! But this isn’t just a gripe session, it is so much more. Women Are Mad podcast is about building each other up and finding strength in our shared experiences. As Salima puts it, "Ambition isn't just a beautiful swan. It's blood and guts. As women, we haven't been trained in war games."  This is our space, our place to suit and up, to learn, and a space to let our guard down, and to express ourselves, without apology.

Ladies, it's time to embrace our madness. Whether you're a rebel without a pause, a recovering perfectionist, or just someone tired of finding empty milk cartons in the fridge, there's a place for you in this movement. The Women Are Mad podcast is your daily dose of reality, validation, and empowerment.

So, in the meantime what's a mad woman to do? How do we learn to manage the madness? Salima and Jennifer offer empowering advice:

1. Practice radical honesty. Saying what you feel in the moment stops emotions from bottling up.

2. Approach situations with curiosity will help ease any stored aggression.

3. Embrace imperfections in yourself and others allows life to be messy at times. 

4. Create a safe space for self-expression releases tension and stress.

5. Curate your circle. It's okay to leave some people in the hallway!

Ready to join this mad and marvellous sisterhood? Tune into the Women Are Mad podcast, follow @womenaremad on social media for a daily dose of reality, and grab a copy of Women Are Angry (available in the UK, soon in the US). For more juicy content, check out Women Are Mad Substack.

Remember, being mad isn't just about anger – it's about breaking free from the cage of expectations and reclaiming our authentic, wonderfully imperfect selves. So go ahead, let out that primal scream. Get mad. Get even. Get listening to Women Are Mad. Your sanity (and your family) will thank you for it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I’ve got some trouble to cause and a podcast to binge.
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Beth is a wanderer, explorer and storyteller. When she’s not travelling, she can be found organizing just about anything, dancing just about anywhere and thrifting just about any time. She loves inspiring people to break up with old stories and align with their boldest, bravest selves. Find her on Instagram @fairyprincessjedi