Thursday Thoughts – The Patriarchy

Take A Breath

February 12, 2026 ∙ 34 mins
Episode 12

About

On this week's Thursday's Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking all about the patriarchy.

This social system that historically centres white men as the default holders of power, money, status and authority, is woven into the very fabric of society.

It shows up in a million subtle - and not so subtle - ways: women playing small because they’ve been taught to be pleasing, quiet, polite and accommodating; women taking on the ‘invisible load’ of housework and kid-min; women being put down at work or at home because of the inherent and subconscious belief that men are somehow superior.

In this conversation, Lucy and I talk about how the patriarchy has shown up in our own lives, as well as how things are so much worse for women in other countries and cultures. And this is exactly why women need to start speaking up and standing up for both themselves, and the many, many women who are less fortunate than those of us in western cultures.

We hope you’ll find something interesting in here.

Love,
Polly & Lucy x

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Information

Podcast

Take A Breath

Episode

12

Date

February 12, 2026

Length

34 mins
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Take A Breath

A podcast for creating practical calm in the messy middle of midlife. This is your space to pause.  Because life in midlife is full-on. Between work, family, menopause, and the mental load, your nervous system can easily end up in constant overdrive — leaving you feeling exhausted, reactive, and overwhelmed by even the smallest things.  […]

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