Silenced, Mocked, Dismissed: The 'Karen' Effect".m4a

In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on a cultural trend that might seem harmless, but actually functions as a form of social control: the "Karen" meme.

While it may have started as a way to call out rude or entitled behaviour, it’s morphed into something much darker—something that often punishes women for speaking up, setting boundaries, or simply taking up space. Especially as they age.

Drawing on personal experience and research, April unpacks how the Karen label is weaponized to silence assertiveness in women, while men exhibiting the same behaviours are often rewarded or even celebrated.

What We Explore in This Episode:

• 🔹 Why calling someone a “Karen” is more than just a joke—it’s a tool of silencing
• 🔹 The disturbing double standards women face in leadership, public, and social spaces
• 🔹 The emotional cost of always having to be “extra nice” just to avoid backlash
• 🔹 Why male assertiveness is respected—and female assertiveness is often resented
• 🔹 How this meme reinforces internalized misogyny among women themselves
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Stats You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🧠 33% of women in performance reviews were told they’re “too opinionated” — compared to just 4% of men source

🗣 Women’s perceived competence drops 35% when they are described as assertive source

👔 66% of women receive feedback about their personal style (tone, demeanor) vs. 1% of men source

A Personal Story:

April shares a moment during a family trip in Amsterdam when she found herself at risk of being labeled a “Karen”—just for holding her ground about a café table she’d been given.

This episode is an invitation to:

• Question how we treat assertive women
• Notice how we might be unconsciously policing each other
• Start calling out sexism—even when it’s hiding behind a meme
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If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy:

• Silence or Truth? Two Times I Bit My Tongue—And One Time I Didn’t
• The Ugly Truth About Long-Term Love
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Thanks for listening.

If this resonated with you, share it with someone else who'd benefit from hearing it. And if you have a story or topic you'd like April to talk about on the show, feel free to reach out.

✨ This podcast is a place for nuance, honesty, and taking up space with dignity.

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Please note:

This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed

All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.