What Makes a Woman (And Who Gets to Decide?)

In this fierce and timely episode of The Scenic Route, we unpack the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that redefines “woman” based solely on biological sex, excluding trans women from legal protections, political representation, and basic recognition.But this isn’t just a courtroom debate. It’s a culture war dressed in legal robes. We follow the funding behind the ruling, expose the billionaire feminists fueling the backlash, and dismantle the persistent myths about biology, gender, and identity.This episode asks hard questions: Who really benefits from the binary? Why do so many defend it so violently? And what does it mean that we wreck Teslas, but not Harry Potter books?“If you want to burn Teslas but not Harry Potter books… ask yourself why.”We draw insights from Judith Butler, bell hooks, Laurie Penny, Simone de Beauvoir, and others to examine why trans women are not a threat to womanhood: they are its most powerful proof.In this episode:Why the UK ruling matters far beyond BritainJK Rowling, Elon Musk, and the weaponisation of wealthWhy biological sex is a spectrum, not a binaryHow gender is assigned, performed, and punishedThe role of evangelical power and purity culture in gender politics10 takedowns of the “biological women only” mythSee you on the Scenic Route, because sometimes the long way is the shortest way home.Send me a DMSupport the show_____________________________________________________________________🔮 Daily Affirmation Cards The free Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say? 👉 Pull your daily affirmation🐨 Crave something Soft?Sign up for Soft — one gentle email each month to help you ground before everything speeds up again, complete with the meme de jour and a roundup of my favourite things.⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other midlife women find their way to the Scenic Route podcast.