#6 Inside Gloria Steinem’s Life: Advocacy, Empathy, and the Pursuit of Equality

Welcome to this episode of Curveball, hosted by Scott Reich, where we dive into the stories of people who have faced life’s biggest challenges head-on. Today, Scott sits down with the iconic Gloria Steinem—trailblazing journalist, women’s rights advocate, and a defining voice of the feminist movement.

In this deeply personal conversation, Gloria reflects on the influence of her childhood, shaped by her mother’s struggles with mental illness, and the lack of female role models in her early years. She shares how these experiences led her to journalism and fueled her passion for social justice.

Together, Scott and Gloria discuss the origins of Ms. Magazine, the importance of community in driving social change, and her firsthand observations of landmark moments like the MeToo movement. Gloria also offers timeless advice for those navigating their own curveballs, speaks candidly about grief and resilience, and shares her thoughts on where we stand today in the fight for gender equality and political change.

This episode is a celebration of finding magic within ourselves, the power of collective action, and the importance of building supportive, diverse communities. Whether you’re facing challenges of your own or simply seeking inspiration, Gloria Steinem’s wisdom and warmth offer encouragement and hope for the journey ahead.

What Listeners Will Learn:

• Gloria Steinem speaks candidly about her mother's struggle with mental illness
• Gloria mentions being inspired by the work of Louisa May Alcott rather than by female journalists, as there were so few visible when she was young.
• Ms. Magazine played a critical role in the women’s movement.
• Steinem discusses working in male-dominated media spaces and being assigned stories based on her gender (like writing about pantyhose).
• Gloria describes finding strength and resilience through community.”
• The episode delves into the significance of the #MeToo movement and Gloria’s surprise at the swiftness of its global reach.
• Steinem says that turmoil—like the Civil Rights and anti-Vietnam War movements—can be positive.
• Throughout the interview, Gloria emphasizes the importance of connecting across differences and not being isolated by “otherness.”

Our Guest:

Gloria Steinem

Key Moments:

(00:00) Mother's Struggles with Addiction

(03:09) Gender Bias and Encouragement

(09:09) Collaborative Activism Overcoming Adversity

(09:59) Gloria's Resilience Amid Criticism

(14:45) Magic of Reading and Self-Discovery

(17:18) Political Divide and Societal Fear

(22:37) Progress Outpacing Representation

(26:08) Unique Love with Global Insights

(30:05) Future Leaders: Beyond Politics

(30:54) Connection: Humanity's Essential Force

(35:36) Building Community Through Connection