As I promised last Friday, this week’s podcast is with Leah Libresco Sargeant about her book The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto.
In her book, Leah explores a vision of feminism rooted not in independence, but in the inherent dignity of human dependence. From kitchen counter heights to breast pumps, investment banking hours to factory design, we discuss how modern systems often demand standardization at the expense of human flourishing, especially for women and families. Leah challenges the myth of autonomy, celebrates the interdependence of men and women, and calls for workplaces, communities, and tools that serve real people—not abstract, interchangeable workers.
Whether you agree with her or not, her perspectives provide an interesting window into a certain strand of thinking on the Catholic right. It expands on some of what was discussed in the Financial Times weekend essay on the rise of Catholic right. Most of you aren’t FT subscribers, but I’ll have more to say on this along with some excerpts in Friday’s digest - not least of which because I’m quoted in the article.
