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Today, every websites homepage looks likeReductressin 2016: an endless parade of misogyny and poorly thought out thinkpieces.
How are you two coping, generally?
Getting up every morning and all that.
Beth:I think weve all become a little desensitized to it all.
it’s possible for you to only focus on what it’s possible for you to control.
Sarah:Im the same way.
There are still big fights to fight and big conversations to have, so focus on the big stuff.
How is it different to parody current events and media while having to disengage from it for self-care reasons?
It really is a new person being accused of sexual misconduct every day.
How has that affected your work?
Beth:I would say some are more exhausting than others.
Media stuff is a little closer to our hearts, being involved with comedians and the entertainment industry.
It hits a little closer to home.
Its not nearly as much of a shock to us now.
Its sort of part of the grind now.
Beth:Yeah, I often find people are misreading the article.
And no one said he was.
Why is this being brought up?
Tell me more about the new podcast.
But best of all, its short.
Its less than 30 minutes, so its going to be a quick digest of what you see onReductress.
Thats going to be markedly different fromMouth Time, which seemed quite labor-intensive.
Beth:This will be us as ourselves, more or less.
Were still doing bits, obviously.Mouth Timewas in-character, and required a lot more scripting and planning in advance.
Sarah:We still loveMouth Timeand will be doing it on occasion.
It also seems like a good idea because online journalism and writing is allegedly dying.
Have you changed anything to cope with this emerging landscape?
Sarah:Fortunately, were likewater bears.
Were kind of too small to die.
Everything Matt [Klinman] said inthe previous articlewas 100 percent on-point.
Facebook is a huge part of that.
A lot of companies poured a lot of money into building this platform that they dont technically own.
And that is definitely affecting things, too.
The same thing happened with branded content, whereBuzzFeedwas killing the game and a lot of people followed suit.
There was no guarantee that there would be another one coming next quarter.
So theres a lot to it beyond Facebook, but Facebook having all this control is definitely an issue.
Speaking of branded content, if you could partner with anything, what would it be?
Sarah:Like a brand?
If you want to partner with a nonprofit or an abstract construct, thats totally fine.
Sarah:My favorite abstract construct is the Kardashians.
Beth:Were partnering with female empowerment.
[laughter] I think we have lightly partnered with a sex toy store.
Stuff like that is always on-brand.
Speaking of the Kardashians, hows the Kylie baby news cycle treating you?
I had to skim through that video and catch the highlights, but it seems like shes doing well.
I teared up, which is not something I expected to happen.
Beth:I had the same reaction.
In her announcement, she said her pregnancy and giving birth was the most empowering experience she ever had.
That word gets bandied around a lot.
What does empowerment mean to you?
Beth:I think childbirth is definitely empowering.
I dont want to go too far down a rabbit hole of my views on childbirth.
I have a lot of strong feelings about it, as a mom.
Its something Im always lecturing people about.
For something to pay off, it usually involves a lot of effort being put in.
So thats why I feel like something like childbirth is empowering, because its not an easy task.
A lot of things are empowering.
Quitting your job is empowering, setting boundaries with people is empowering.
Sarah:I just want to hear like one guy say that hes empowered, though.
Just one man saying anything is empowering.
When you talk about whats empowering, youre implying that before you were de-powered.
That could be why it doesnt come up so much.
Sarah:It must be crazy to just be born empowered.
How do you parody or satirize things that you find displeasing in media without becoming those things?
How doyoustare into the abyss without it staring into you?
Beth:It can be tough.
We try not be too inflammatory or triggered by anything in the moment.
Sometimes we have to process our frustration then come up with jokes.
How do you negotiate being inclusive when the object of satire is not?
We like original ideas.
They just have this massive blind spot and think that theyre doing something good by finally acknowledging queer people.
We attempt to address it with a certain amount of understanding.
Thats, again, a more nuanced response and with more empathy than one would expect.
Especially from internet culture.
Its a systemic problem.
The first episode ofThe Reductress Minutepremieres tomorrow.
