FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Lip Gloss, Fertility, and Fascism

Stories that will make your life better, make you smile and 3 small things you can do

Hey friends,

If you’ve been hanging out with me for a while, you already know I’ve been banging the drum about how conservatives are building a girlypop influencer ecosystem. And not just in politics — in culture, in identity, in community. They’re giving women something to belong to.

This week I was quoted in two pieces that dig into all of this.

First, The Guardian published a story about the “womanosphere,” investigating the right-wing lifestyle media machine that’s targeting women. I talked to them about why it’s working, and why it’s a lot bigger and scarier than it looks on the surface. You can read it here.

Second,

Taylor Lorenz

took a look at the Democratic’s recent attempts to “engage creators.” I talked about why real investment in independent media, not just campaign season photo ops, is the only way to actually meet this moment. That article is here.

I’m so thankful to you all who have supported me to build EYP into the thriving independent women’s media space it is today. During the past 6 months, a time when stress literally almost killed me, I’ve been able to keep talking about issues that matter without resorting to outrage bait or shilling bras full time. (but I do really love my fave bra’s new cosmic colorway! Code EMILYA15). But sincerely, I’m forever grateful to be able to keep doing this work because of this space.

Because of you.

Because of the support, the community, that we’ve built here.

Thank you for making it possible for me to keep doing this work. Thank you for making it possible for me to stay in the fight.

I’m not done. Neither are you.

More soon,

Emily

P.s. The conservative girlypops have already turned The Guardian article into a new rallying cry:

—> And if you’re looking to connect with people in your area, don’t forget to use the comments. You never know, you might find new friends here.

• Delete one app that stresses you out. (Looking at you, TikTok.) You know the one. The app that promises joy but somehow leaves you anxious, overstimulated, and vaguely worse about your life. The one you open to relax and 47 minutes later you’re neck-deep in some stranger’s infertility journey, paranoid about microplastics, and convinced you need a new face serum and a new personality. You don’t have to quit forever. Just try deleting it for a day or two. (I use Opal to block from 10pm-7am)

• Unfollow one person on social media who makes you feel like crap. Not because they’re bad. Not because you’re petty. But because your peace matters more than their content. You are not obligated to keep anyone in your feed who triggers your shame, your competitiveness, your self-doubt. You’re allowed to curate your reality. Hit unfollow. It’s not a moral failure. It’s maintenance.

• Stretch like a sleepy cat for 2 minutes. Close your eyes. Let your body lead. Reach your arms up, wiggle your spine, roll your shoulders, sigh like you mean it. Let it be weird. Let it be gentle. Let it be enough.

Blue Origin's All-Woman Space Flight Made History, But Not In The Way It's Promoting (Salon)

While celebrated as a milestone for women in space, the mission reveals concerning patterns about billionaire-funded space tourism and its environmental impacts during our climate crisis.

Nearly 1 In 4 Out-Of-State Abortion Patients Come To Illinois, New Report Finds (Northern Public Radio)

A new study shows Illinois has become a critical access point for abortion care, with 24% of patients traveling from other states as surrounding regions implement stricter abortion restrictions.

Elon Musk's Luck Runs Out (The Atlantic)

Could Elon be on his way out? Some experts say yes, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

How Kids Are Harmed by Trump's Budget Cuts (ProPublica)

Federal funding for programs investigating child abuse, enforcing child support, and providing child care has been dramatically cut or frozen by the Trump administration. Head Start preschools that teach and feed toddlers from low-income families may be forced to shut down en masse, with some closures beginning as early as May 1.

Crypto Buyers Told They Could Party with Trump - Millions Purchased (The Washington Post)

After $TRUMP meme coins promoters said the top 2220 coin holders would be invited to a night to remember at the President’s golf club, 27 crypto wallets have each acquired more than 100,000 $TRUMP meme coins, worth roughly $100 million. Trump is selling personal access in exchange for a crypto coin which has no intrinsic value.

This Fridge Storage Hack Is So Smart, I Had To Steal It. This clever refrigerator organization idea keeps skincare products fresh and accessible. Read more here.

17 Ways To Cut Your Risk Of Stroke, Dementia And Depression All At Once. A new study identified overlapping factors that affect your odds of developing these brain diseases late in life. Read more here.

35 Bedroom Ideas For A Dreamy, Elevated Sleep Space. From statement headboards to soothing color palettes that will transform your room. Read more here.

This Military Method Can Help You Fall Asleep In Just 2 Minutes. Developed for pilots who needed to rest in noisy, stressful conditions, this technique has gone viral on TikTok. Read more here.

How To Host An Eco-Friendly Birthday Party Your Kids Will Love. Simple swaps for decorations, gifts, and activities that reduce waste without sacrificing fun. Read more here.

The TV series we didn’t know we were waiting for. A Clueless show is coming to Peacock and yes, Alicia Silverstone is on board. Read more here.

Let’s all eat this carrot cake for every meal. This spring-perfect dessert with cream cheese frosting is the ideal Easter weekend treat. Read more here.

Inside Gustaf Westman's tiny Stockholm studio apartment. The influencer-approved designer shows off his quirky furniture creations in his compact living space. Read more here.

Man sinks in quicksand and emerges with a girlfriend. A Michigan man who ended up waist-deep on an unstable beach was rescued, and found himself in a relationship. Fall in love with their story here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY: Every week, I give away a book to my paid subscribers (U.S. only). This week, I’m excited to offer a copy of Jenny Wood’s Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It.

After years climbing the ranks in Silicon Valley, Jenny Wood realized that playing by the rules wasn’t enough—it was playing small that mattered. In Wild Courage, she reclaims nine traits women are often taught to suppress—like ambition, audacity, and even selfishness—and shows how embracing them can help you finally go after what you want and get it.

This book is your permission slip to stop being "nice" and start being unstoppable.

→ COMMENT ‘COURAGE’ below for a chance to win.