The Sleek Rebrand of the Sex Industry with Dr. Rebecca Whisnant

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear the full conversation, visit keelysemler.substack.com.I have spent a great deal of time thinking about and honestly, grappling with, the sex industry and today’s narratives around sexual liberation. It’s often marketed as glamorous and empowering for women, but I’ve found myself questioning who it actually serves, and at what cost.In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Rebecca Whisnant, a professor of philosophy at the University of Dayton. We talk about feminism, what it really means, and how the word has been misunderstood, misused, and in many ways stripped of its integrity. Instead of being a movement to end all forms of oppression, feminism is now often co-opted to sell capitalistic and patriarchal ideas.We also explore the language we use around the sex industry, like the term sex work, and how it can obscure the realities of systems built on exploitation. Dr. Whisnant shares insight on how pornography and prostitution are connected to broader public health issues, especially for young people who are growing up in a culture shaped by these influences.Rebecca Whisnant is a professor of philosophy at the University of Dayton, where her research and teaching focus on ethics and feminist social theory. She co-edited the anthology Not For Sale: Feminists Resisting Prostitution and Pornography, and her recent articles include “Pornography, humiliation, and consent” and “But what about feminist porn?: Examining the work of Tristan Taormino.” Dr. Whisnant is vice president of the board of directors for Culture Reframed, a national nonprofit organization addressing pornography as the public health crisis of the digital age.This podcast is only made possible by the support of this community. Show you support by becoming paid subscriber at keelysemler.substack.com.3:57 Defining feminism5:38 Contradictions in the connotations of “feminism”8:51 Are sexuality and pornography empowerment or exploitation?13:17 How to critique the sex industry without shaming someone who is forced to work in it16:07 The social costs of sexual commodification20:44 Informed consent & choice: Is agency truly possible in the porn industry?25:06 The impact of porn on intimacy & relationships30:16 How porn dictates women’s experience and removes pleasure, safety, and enjoyment33:43 Sex robots and porn: how they avoid the human elements of relationship and connection and don’t solve lonelinessBehind Closed Doors Extended Interview includes:37:21 Hyper-capitalism, fascism, pornography, and the patriarchy are fodder for our loss of human decency42:03 The competing demands of sexual visibility and “liberation”45:14 How the sex industry exists because of men and their choices, not women and their choices48:43 Culture Reframed and the plethora of feminist literature that remains relevant and urgentWork with KeelyMOTHERLANDS: Online Education Program20% off code MOTHERLANDSPODFree Practical Guide for Curious Minds: Demystifying Medical ResearchConnect with Dr. Rebecca WhisnantFollow our Host, Keely SemlerFollow The Motherlands PodcastYour support keeps The Motherlands alive. Paid subscriptions help me to keep doing this work full-time, offering real support to women through life’s biggest moments.Can’t subscribe right now? You can still help…– Leave a review on Apple Podcasts– Subscribe to Motherlands on Substack– Follow us on YouTube– Share an episode with a friendIf your brand aligns with empowering women, let’s partner! Reach out at [email protected]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe