‘At What Point’ will we feel safe? The Viral Wake-Up Call That Spoke to Millions, with Poet Caitlin O’Ryan

“We are so aware from such a young age that it might happen and that it could happen… As women, we’re just so normalised into hyper-vigilance constantly.” - Caitlin O’Ryan, Actor, Podcaster & Poet"This has got nothing to do with saying that every male causes danger. But it’s about, from a societal perspective, understanding … [that] these are just some of the considerations we navigate every single day before we go about our lives." - Jo Phillips, The Woman Behind The Women*This episode lands just in time for International Women’s Day 2025 (Saturday, March 8th), a day to celebrate women’s achievements and challenge the barriers that still hold us back.As we mark this occasion, The Chat Womb is bringing you a conversation that speaks to the daily realities women face, from safety and self-worth to the invisible weight - and cost - of societal expectations. Caitlin O’Ryan’s viral poem At What Point struck a chord with millions, and in this episode we explore what it truly means to exist, navigate, and push back against these norms.International Women’s Day is as much about celebrating progress and women’s achievements as it is about shining a spotlight on the work still to be done…*Episode Summary:Taking a seat in The Chat Womb with Jo Phillips today is Caitlin O’Ryan - actor, poet, and podcaster - to discuss the hidden costs of simply existing as a woman.Caitlin shares the story behind her viral spoken-word poem At What Point, which reached millions online, shedding light on the constant state of hyper-vigilance women live with daily. From assessing risks when walking alone at night to altering schedules, paying for safety, and feeling the weight of social expectations, they explore the gendered realities that shape female experiences.Episode Highlights:(02:10) – Introducing Caitlin O’Ryan: Actor, poet, and the woman behind At What Point(05:00) – The viral poem that struck a chord with millions(07:15) – The unseen cost of being a woman: Hyper-vigilance as second nature(12:30) – The paradox of women’s safety: Taxi vs. Walking Home Alone(15:45) – The fine line between politeness and self-preservation(20:10) – How women are conditioned to shrink themselves for others' comfort(25:00) – Caitlin on imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the power of authenticity(30:45) – Finding freedom in creativity and reclaiming childhood curiosity(35:20) – Caitlin’s advice to her younger self: Stay weird, stay loud, stay you.About Our Guest: Caitlin O’RyanCaitlin O’Ryan is an actor, poet, and podcaster. Best known for her role as Lizzie Wemyss in Outlander, Caitlin has captivated audiences with her heartfelt performances. However, it was her viral poem At What Point that propelled her into the public eye in a new and powerful way.Originally performed as a spoken word piece, At What Point struck a chord with audiences worldwide, addressing themes of womanhood, societal expectations, and the female experience with raw honesty...