#820 - Bridget Phetasy - “Sleep Your Way To Empowerment” Has Failed Women

At a Glance

• Regret and Reflection - “I regret how little I valued myself. I regret how little I valued my body and how little I valued my essence that I gave away so freely to these men.” This highlights the theme of regret and self-reflection in the conversation, showing the importance of learning from past experiences.

• YOLO Culture and Shamelessness - “YOLO. Like we only live once. I’m not going to regret something I did because it was interesting.” This point emphasizes the cultural attitude towards regret and shamelessness, reflecting on how society views past actions.

• Unexpected Reactions - “I was like, oh I fucked that girl. I was like, oh my god, this is fucking horrible.” This humorous moment showcases the unexpected reactions and consequences of sharing personal stories, adding a lighter tone to the conversation.

• Different Perspectives on Happiness - “Gilbert talks about how if you spent the rest of your life in a pool with a cocktail in your hand on a floaty, just enjoying your days, each individual moment was quite pleasurable.” This comparison of different perspectives on happiness adds depth to the discussion on living for the moment versus reflecting on past decisions.

What to Do

• ‘Regret can be a powerful motivator if used correctly’ - Regret can serve as a driving force for change and growth, pushing individuals to make positive changes in their lives.

• ‘Extract yourself from social trends to gain perspective’ - Taking a step back from societal pressures and trends can provide clarity and allow individuals to make decisions that align with their values and goals.

• ‘Men’s and women’s meetings in recovery can offer different perspectives on sexual regrets’ - By attending gender-specific recovery meetings, individuals can gain insights into how different genders experience and process regrets related to relationships and sexuality.

What to Get

• The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle - Amazon - To gain insight into the reason why humans don’t like to admit they’re wrong.

• David Goggins and Jocko Willink - Representing a male self-development perspective that contrasts with the speaker’s views on responsibility and regret.

  • Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins - Amazon

  • Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink - Amazon

Summary

In this podcast episode, Bridget Phetasy, a writer, comedian, and podcast host, discusses various topics with the host. They delve into the concept of regret, reflecting on past decisions and how they shape future outcomes. Bridget shares personal experiences, including regrets from her 20s and controversial thoughts on divorce. The conversation also touches on the idea of living a reflective life versus a hedonic life, and the importance of making decisions that future you would appreciate.

The episode explores the impact of sharing personal stories through writing, highlighting the cathartic and powerful nature of self-disclosure. Bridget discusses the viral success of an article she wrote, which led to publishers reaching out to her about a potential book. They consider the idea of a book titled “I Don’t Know If My Daughter Should Read This,” reflecting on the complexities of sharing personal experiences with a wider audience.

Additionally, the conversation touches on societal changes in parenting and family dynamics, comparing modern parenting practices to those of previous generations. Bridget and the host discuss the shift towards more involved father figures and the challenges of balancing work, parenting, and personal growth. The episode concludes with a discussion on the power of writing and the impact of sharing personal stories with others.