Grabbing the Bullhorn

Popular culture may feel like an escape from everyday life, but the stories we watch, the music we hear and the content we encounter online influence how we understand women, power and equality. In this episode of Grabbing the Bullhorn, Natalie Bober and Karen Zimbler welcome Professor Elizabeth Benacka for a wide-ranging conversation about feminism and popular culture. Professor Benacka received her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from Loyola University Chicago. She earned her master’s degree and PhD in Rhetoric from Northwestern University, along with a Certificate in Gender Studies. During the last 18 years, she has taught courses including Argumentation and Advocacy, Introduction to Cinema Studies, Feminism and Popular Culture, Rhetoric of Humor and Rhetoric of Civil Rights. She currently serves as Chair of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois. The conversation begins by exploring what feminism means and why some people support gender equality while resisting the feminist label. Professor Benacka explains how rhetorical analysis can help audiences recognize the messages embedded in movies, television programs, songs, comedy and social media posts. The discussion then turns to representation. Including women in a story is not necessarily the same as giving them power within that story. A character may appear independent or progressive while still being defined primarily through her relationship with a man. Professor Benacka discusses how dialogue, plot and visual choices can reveal whether a female character possesses genuine agency. Natalie, Karen and Professor Benacka also consider the popular narrative of the exceptional woman who reaches the top. Her success may be inspiring, but one individual achievement does not automatically eliminate the barriers facing other women. The conversation asks audiences to look beyond symbolic victories and examine whether progress extends to women without wealth, status or a public platform. The episode also addresses what it means for women to support one another when they have different experiences, resources and political beliefs. That question leads to a discussion of intersectionality and the importance of recognizing how gender interacts with race, class, age, disability and other circumstances. When popular culture presents one woman’s experience as universal, whose story is left out? Because Grabbing the Bullhorn brings together a Baby Boomer and a Millennial, the conversation examines generational tensions within feminism. What do older and younger women misunderstand about one another? What can each generation contribute to lasting change? Finally, the episode honors Gloria Steinem and reflects on her influence as a journalist, author, organizer and advocate. Although Steinem became one of the most recognizable figures associated with the women’s movement, her work consistently emphasized listening, community and collective action. Professor Benacka considers which parts of Steinem’s legacy deserve greater attention and what the next generation can learn from her life. After listening, return to your favorite films, television programs, music and social media feeds with a new question: What are these stories teaching us about women? Then tell us: Which piece of popular culture first made you think differently about women or feminism?

It’s 90 degrees outside, the pool is open and the ice cream truck is driving through the neighborhood. So naturally… is it time for Christmas? On this episode of Grabbing the Bullhorn, Millennial co-host Natalie Bober and Baby Boomer co-host Karen Zimbler debate one big question: Does Christmas belong in July? We uncover the surprisingly long history of Christmas in July, from an opera in the 1890s and the 1940 film Christmas in July to World War II campaigns encouraging Americans to send Christmas packages early to troops overseas. Then we take on the modern Christmas explosion. Has the holiday season started too early? Does celebrating Christmas for months make December 25 less special? Or, if Christmas movies, music and traditions bring people happiness, why should anyone care what the calendar says? Plus, we explore the Hallmark effect and take you with us to Hallmark Stars Live in Waukegan, Illinois, where we spoke with fans about the movies, stars, traditions and sense of community that make Hallmark Christmas movies meaningful to them. Whether you start celebrating in July or refuse to acknowledge Christmas until after Thanksgiving, grab your bullhorn and join the debate. Let’s Grab the Bullhorn! #GrabbingTheBullhorn #ChristmasInJuly #Hallmark #ChristmasMovies #Podcast

When was the last time you picked up a book and couldn’t put it down? For Emma Kazian, reading is about finding stories she loves and sharing that experience with other readers. Emma is the creator behind the Instagram account @emma_feodora_reads. Emma has already read 18 books this year. Her reading list frequently includes authors such as Freida McFadden, Colleen Hoover, Elsie Silver and Liz Tomforde. Emma is a member of Chapter 7 Book Club. On this episode of Grabbing The Bullhorn , we talk with Emma about how she finds time to read, what makes her reach for a particular book, why she decided to share her reading journey online and how social media has created a new kind of community around an old-fashioned pastime. We also get into the questions that divide readers everywhere: physical books or e-reader? Movie or book first? And does a great screen adaptation ever beat the book? Whether you have already finished 18 books this year or have not opened one yet, this conversation might just help you find the story that gets you reading again. 📚 What book would you recommend to someone who says, “I don’t like reading”? #GrabbingTheBullhorn #BookTok #FreidaMcFadden #ColleenHoover #ElsieSilver and #LizTomforde #Chapter7BookClub

A 4-ton potato. A cross-country road trip. One unforgettable conversation. Have you ever wondered what it's like to spend your days traveling America with a giant 4-ton potato? This week on Grabbing The Bullhorn , Natalie Bober and Karen Zimbler welcome Jena Garofalo from the Famous Idaho Potato Tour for one of the most entertaining interviews we have ever recorded. From transporting a 28-foot-long potato across the country to meeting thousands of fans, Jena shares the incredible logistics, roadside stories and the mission behind one of America's most beloved promotional tours. We also explore how potatoes became an Idaho icon, the challenges facing today's farmers, the health benefits of potatoes and why this famous spud has captured the hearts of communities nationwide. If you have ever spotted the giant potato rolling down the highway—or wondered what happens behind the scenes—this episode is for you. 🥔 Grab your butter. 🥔 Grab your sour cream. 🥔 Don't forget the chives. Let's Grab the Bullhorn. #GrabbingtheBullhorn #IdahoPotato #FamousIdahoPotatoTour

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous: How Reality TV Createdthe Influencer Generation (Featuring Hallie Kolb) How did we go from reality TV stars to social mediainfluencers dominating pop culture? This week on Grabbing The Bullhorn , NatalieBober, Karen Zimbler and special guest Hallie Kolb explore how The Real World, Laguna Beach, The Hills and Jersey Shore transformed celebrity and helped create today's influencer culture. We debate whether Kim Kardashian would have become famous without reality TV and discuss questions like: • Who has more influence today—Taylor Swift or MrBeast? • If social media disappeared tomorrow, which influencers would still have careers? The episode also examines dangerous TikTok challenges, howwe can protect children from dangerous influencers, the influence of social media and how celebrity has evolved in the digital age. Who influenced your generation? #GrabbingTheBullhorn

When people think of Wrigley Field, they think of Cubs baseball, ivy-covered walls, the marquee, the seventh-inning stretch and, of course, food that is unique to Chicago. In this episode of Grabbing the Bullhorn , we go behind the scenes with one of Wrigley Field's most recognizable food vendors. This isn't just a conversation about baseball. It's about someone who makes the game unforgettable. If you have ever walked through the gates of Wrigley Field and bought food from a vendor yelling “EEEE! Hot Dog” or “The Goose Is Loose,” this episode is for you. Join us as we go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes at one of baseball's greatest cathedrals. We would like to hear from you. What is the best food you have ever purchased at a baseball stadium? What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you at a baseball game? Why does baseball continue to bring generations together? Don't forget to subscribe, share the episode and let us know your favorite baseball memory in the comments.

Is privacy dead? From smartphones and smart cars to AI, facial recognition and government databases, it seems like someone always knows where we are, what we are buying and even what we are thinking. In Episode 3 of Grabbing the Bullhorn , Natalie Bober and Karen Zimbler explore one of the defining issues of the digital age: Have we become a nation of Peeping Toms? Together, they discuss the generational divide over privacy, the tradeoff between convenience and freedom, the rise of surveillance technology, artificial intelligence, government data collection and whether Americans truly understand how much personal information they've already surrendered. It's not about telling you what to believe—it's about starting a conversation that affects every one of us. How much privacy would you give up for convenience? And can we ever get it back? Follow Grabbing the Bullhorn for new conversations every week where generations collide, perspectives differ and no topic is off limits.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Grabbing the Bullhorn explores what happens when the world comes to America—and what Americans can learn in return. Natalie Bober and Karen Zimbler welcome Chris Childers, co-host of Full Ride on SiriusXM, host of Show Pony Live , professor and author of Love Thy Neighbor. Actually Do It. Chris reflects on his unforgettable experience at the FIFA Club World Cup, where a match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uzbekistan became a powerful reminder that sports can unite people across cultures, languages and backgrounds. Chris discusses hospitality, curiosity, fatherhood, the American experience and why the simple act of getting to know one another may be one of the greatest lessons of America’s 250th year. Whether you’re a soccer fan, a sports fan or simply someone who believes in the power of human connection, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. After you listen, join the conversation: What’s one place, tradition or experience that makes you proud to call America home?

Welcome to Grabbing the Bullhorn , the podcast where generations collide, conversations get real and no topic is off limits. Hosted by Natalie Bober , a Millennial, and Karen Zimbler , a Baby Boomer, Grabbing the Bullhorn explores the stories shaping our world through two different generations and two unique perspectives. From sports and politics to television, entertainment, breaking news, current events and culture, we tackle the conversations everyone is having—and sometimes the ones nobody wants to have. Our goal isn't to tell you what to think. Rather, our goal is to encourage thoughtful conversation, respectful debate and a willingness to listen to different points of view. Everything discussed on this podcast reflects our personal opinions and experiences. We are not claiming to have all the answers, and we know you may not always agree with us—and that's okay. We believe the best conversations happen when people can share ideas respectfully and learn from one another. Whether you're a Baby Boomer, Gen X, a Millennial, Gen Z or anywhere in between, there is a place for you here. Join the conversation each week by following the show, leaving a rating or a review, and sharing your thoughts with us. Grabbing the Bullhorn —where every generation gets a voice, and every topic gets a conversation.