Could Gilead Happen? Is The Testaments a Warning?

Could Gilead Happen? Is The Testaments a Warning?

What happens when a society stops seeing women as fully human and begins seeing them only for what they can provide? In this episode of What Was She Thinking?, we discuss The Testaments and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and explore why the world of Gilead continues to resonate today. We examine how power, fear, religion, and indoctrination shape society, the role women play in both resisting and supporting oppressive systems, and how cultural expectations influence the way we think about womanhood, marriage, fertility, and freedom. From Aunt Lydia's origin story to Agnes and Daisy's journeys through Gilead, we discuss the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of questioning the systems we inherit. Join us as we unpack Atwood's cautionary tale and ask: Could some of the ideas behind Gilead be closer to our reality than we'd like to admit? Timestamps 0:00 Opening & Life Updates 5:00 Introduction to The Testaments 6:00 The Handmaid's Tale Recap & Life in Gilead 13:00 Aunt Lydia Then and Now 15:30 Costumes & First Impressions of Gilead 18:00 Women Supporting Oppressive Systems 24:00 Fear, Power, and Compliance 27:00 Recruitment Tactics, Cults & Trafficking Comparisons Episode 1 28:45 Agnes' World & Indoctrination 33:00 Daisy Arrives in Gilead 36:00 Classism and Marriage Prospects Episode 2 37:00 Teaching Girls About Relationships 42:00 Clothing, Modesty & Generational Differences 48:00 Agnes and the Dentist Episode 3 51:00 Daisy's Story & Victim Silence 53:00 Romance, Weddings & Social Expectations 58:00 Predators, Gender Roles & Marriage 1:03:00 Why Women Are Taught to Shrink Themselves Episodes 4 & 5 1:07:00 The Tea Ceremony & Debutante Culture 1:19:00 Marriage Matches in Gilead 1:23:00 Exploitation of Young Girls 1:27:00 Fertility, Puberty & Motherhood Pressures 1:31:00 Aunt Lydia's Origin Story Episode 7 1:39:00 Daisy Volunteers for Gilead 1:39:00 Agnes' Marriage Strategy Episode 8 1:50:00 Periods, Women's Health & Growing Up Female 2:02:00 Sex Education in Gilead 2:09:00 Learning About Sex in the Real World 2:13:00 Teaching Boys to Respect Women 2:16:00 The Familiar and Uncomfortable Lessons of The Testaments 2:19:00 Final Thoughts: Aunt Lydia & Daisy 2:28:00 Wrap-Up 🎙️ Listen, subscribe, and join the conversation about the books, movies, and television shows shaping how women see themselves and the world around them.

Would you trust them… or stay behind?

This week on What Was She Thinking?, we dive into Paradise (Season 1 + Part of Season 2) by Dan Fogelman—and the decisions that could cost everything. 👉 Should Teri have gone to Atlanta? 👉 Should Annie have left with those men at Graceland? 👉 And when is it smart not to listen to a man? Conspiracies. Survival. Trust. Let’s talk about it. Watch, then tell us—what would YOU have done? Timestamps 0:00 – Intro: What’s going on, spring break, past teaching days, should professors take roll? 15:30 – Conspiracy theories: Who can you trust? 29:40 – Season 1 recap: Xavier & conspiracy theories; Dan Fogelman’s timeline jumps; Columbo-style mystery; Sterling K. Brown spotlight 35:20 – Cold opens & keeping attention; the president’s death; Truman Show-like artificiality 38:00 – Sinatra’s backstory: grief, power, and saving the world 41:31 – President Cal shut down by his father 44:00 – Power, patriarchy, and shifting demographics 49:00 – Nontraditional power lens: Sinatra as the billionaire 51:00 – The “haves vs. have-nots” and access to safety 53:00 – Episode 3: Xavier’s past, turning in his father, and moral gray areas 1:02:00 – Episode 4: Life outside the bunker; lies, Billy & Sinatra; Season 1 wrap (Cal’s father holds power) 1:09:00 – Xavier’s wife, independence, and who gets saved; could everyone have been included? 1:16:00 – Sterling K. Brown, chemistry comparisons (Terry vs. Beth) 1:21:00 – Season 2 begins: Annie/Shailene; life without a “golden ticket”; new characters 1:27:00 – Women’s vulnerability in apocalyptic settings; Annie’s isolation 1:30:00 – Why Annie didn’t leave; saving Xavier; connection with children 1:33:00 – Jane kills the new president; Annie & Xavier dynamic 1:35:00 – Trust, connection, and Annie’s fate 1:41:00 – Xavier on the move with a newborn; Episode 4 wrap 1:44:00 – Themes: father-son tension, trust, appearances, and women as agents of chaos 1:48:00 – What Was She Thinking?: Nicole & Teri 1:54:00 – Building a bunker: what would you do?

Alex Cross: Good on Paper, Dangerous in Practice

In this episode of What Was She Thinking, we break down the complicated relationship between Alex and Elle from Cross Season 2. Alex appears to be the total package—emotionally aware, thoughtful, and committed to growth. But when his actions put Elle in danger without her consent, we’re forced to ask: Is being a “good man” enough if he’s not safe for you? We explore the tension between emotional intelligence and emotional responsibility, and why apologies don’t always repair broken trust. Beyond the relationship, we also dive into the deeper themes shaping the series, including sex trafficking, mistrust of the police, and the ongoing impact of grief. These real-world issues influence how the characters move, love, and make decisions—and reflect larger conversations happening in our communities. At the core of it all: What does it really look like to choose yourself, even when something feels good? 0:00 – 6:30 — Opening 6:30 – 9:50 — Intro to Cross: books, film legacy, and Aldis Hodge (plus… yes, he and Mustafa are easy on the eyes 👀) 9:50 – 18:00 — Season 1 recap: trauma, grief, mistrust of police, Black identity in policing, Alex & John’s friendship, and Alex & Elle 18:00 – 22:00 — Season 2 setup: Alex & Elle’s shifted relationship, her connection to the kids, and Alex & Kayla (…no chemistry?) 22:00 – 25:20 — Season 2 themes: sex trafficking, immigration, and systemic issues 25:20 – 29:00 — Introduction of Luz & Donnie; billionaire under threat 29:00 – 33:50 — Vigilante justice + Kayla’s personal struggles 33:50 – 37:00 — Season 2 storyline recap; John’s biological mother returns 37:00 – 40:00 — Black men and vulnerability; emotional support and parenting decisions 40:00 – 45:00 — John’s mother, incarceration, and revisiting old wounds 45:00 – 47:00 — Episode 2: Luz targeting those indirectly tied to trafficking 47:00 – 53:00 — Luz’s backstory, her network, realism of vigilante movements, and protecting children (Epstein comparison) 53:00 – 57:30 — Society’s view of women; Alex’s internal conflict; “reap what you sow” 57:30 – 1:01:00 — Luz discovered by a supporter; key decisions unfold 1:01:00 – 1:04:00 — End of Episode 5 + predictions for Alex & Elle 1:04:00 – 1:09:00 — Final thoughts: Aldis, standout moments, and Kayla predictions 1:09:00 – 1:13:00 — Why it’s binge-worthy: eye candy, real conversations, and relevant issues 1:13:00 – End — What Was She Thinking final thoughts

Cul-de-Sac Dreams: Seeing Myself in the New The Burbs

In this episode, we review the new series The 'Burbs starring Keke Palmer. What happens when suburban curiosity meets modern conversations about race, motherhood, and belonging? We discuss cul-de-sac culture, raising kids in neighborhoods where you might be the minority, and how this reimagining of the classic The 'Burbs adds a fresh perspective to suburban life. 0:00 – Opening | Introducing the New The Burbs Intro to the series and why we wanted to review it. 3:00 – Do Neighbors Still Talk? Suburban Community Then vs. Now Remembering when neighbors actually knew each other. 13:30 – The Original The Burbs vs. Episode 1 Introducing Samira and the mostly white suburban world she enters. 16:00 – Blackness in the Suburbs Samira, her brother Langston, bonnets outside, and maternity leave boredom. 19:30 – The Mystery Begins How the TV series mirrors the stress-relief chaos of the original movie. 22:30 – Nosy Neighbors & Library Investigations Samira starts researching the mysterious house across the street. 25:00 – Forming the Suburban Investigation Team Episode 1 ends with alliances forming and Samira choosing suburban life. 29:00 – Episode 2 Begins | Meet Agnes & Gary The enforcer of suburban rules and the suspicious new neighbor. 34:00 – The Suburban Side-Eye Is everyone being cautious… or just nosy? 38:00 – Safety vs Suspicion What it means to live alone when the police come knocking. 45:00 – A Black Writer’s Perspective Questioning some of Samira’s decisions. 47:40 – Episode 3 & The Basement Breakdown Comparing Samira’s spiral to the movie’s finale chaos. 50:00 – Breaking Into Gary’s House? Comedy, bad planning, and questionable decisions. 56:30 – Samira vs Rob Trust, frustration, and wanting to be believed. 1:05:00 – Season Questions & Predictions What happened to childhood friends and where the series might go next. 1:09:00 – Cultural Themes & Representation Is suburban life really safer? And who’s writing these stories? 1:18:00 – What Was She Thinking Perspectives Final thoughts and reflections.

Can You Manifest a Man With a List?

In this episode of What Was She Thinking?, we’re diving into Relationship Goals, starring Kelly Rowland and Method Man. We found this film to be a pleasant, easy watch—very much in the spirit of something you’d catch on Lifetime or Hallmark with a faith-forward twist. Kim and Sharla unpack the movie’s Christian-based motivations around love and marriage, and we get honest about our own personal challenges with stepping back into the dating game. We also explore the cultural critiques surrounding Pastor Mike—whose book inspired the film—and the broader conversation about modern dating, faith, and relationship expectations. Is it aspirational? Unrealistic? Comforting? Let’s talk about it. 0:00 – 7:00 – Opening & Intro Introducing Relationship Goals + Valentine’s Day plans (including parenting teens on Valentine’s 👀) 7:30 – 12:20 – First Impressions Initial thoughts on the characters; the three relationship stages represented; Brenda and her long-term boyfriend; speaking up for what you want. 12:50 – 14:44 – Faith & Course Correction Faith-based themes; listening for God’s direction in relationships. 14:50 – 21:57 – Meet Leah Independent corporate woman energy; Lifetime-movie vibes; Leah’s emotional wounds; identity tied to work; comparisons to Think Like a Man; performances by Kelly Rowland and Robin Thede; connection to Michael Todd. 22:00 – 26:00 – Enter Clifford Method Man joins as the new hire; first impressions (yes, we discuss how good he looks 😅); Leah’s professional ambition and competition for the job. 26:40 – 33:57 – The List Superficial traits vs. deeper qualities; how “the list” evolves over time; using a list as a defense mechanism. 34:00 – 37:20 – Jarrod Arrives Jarrod enters the office and wins everyone over. 37:30 – 42:00 – Valentine’s Segment & Self-Reflection On-air Valentine’s Day segment; Triece gets left at the restaurant; beginning group reflections on the book Relationship Goals. 43:00 – 49:00 – Being Clear About What You Want Is a “job with benefits” enough? Emotional availability and safety; dating at different life stages; Leah and Jarrod navigating an age gap. 50:00 – 52:40 – A Changed Man? Jarrod’s transformation and church scene. 53:00 – 59:00 – Triece’s Turning Point Christian rom-com themes; desperation, pressure, and embarrassment around relationships; introducing Roland. 59:20 – 1:03:00 – Oversharing on the First Date? The trend of revealing everything upfront; practicing flirting; Brenda draws a line in the sand. 1:05:00 – 1:07:00 – Pastor Mike & Rekindled Romance Pastor Mike and his wife’s role in the story; Leah and Jarrod reconnect. 1:07:00 – 1:12:00 – Unresolved Wounds Leah faces competition-free success; grief and emotional healing; should the writers have gone deeper? Jarrod’s past infidelity explored. 1:12:00 – 1:15:00 – Letting Love In Leah becomes more comfortable being with Jarrod. 1:15:00 – 1:19:00 – Online Criticism Discussion of public criticism surrounding Pastor Todd and the film’s connection. 1:20:00 – 1:26:00 – What Was She Thinking? Perspectives Final reflections and takeaways