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Before She Was Sinful: How We Lost the Sacred Feminine & What We Teach Our Children Next

When did women become something that needed to be controlled? When did our bodies become shameful, our sexuality sinful, and our power something to fear?

In this episode of That's What She Said, we're going back thousands of years to explore the history of women, goddess worship, religion, and patriarchy—and how those beliefs continue to shape our lives today.

From ancient goddesses to Eve, Mary, and Thomas Aquinas, we explore how women came to be associated with temptation, obedience, and sacrifice. But this isn't just a conversation about women. It's about the expectations we've placed on men, too, and the generations of beliefs we're still carrying.

As a mother of two daughters and a son, I keep coming back to one question: What are we teaching our children, and what are we finally ready to stop passing down?

Because healing isn't about restoring a world where women are worshipped or placing one gender above another. It's about creating a world where everyone is free to experience their full humanity.

We don't need women to be goddesses to deserve respect. And we don't need men to be dominant to be powerful.

Maybe the greatest gift we can give future generations is the freedom to become fully themselves.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! What beliefs about women and men have you had to unlearn?

Follow along on Instagram: @amandabryantherapy

Thanks for listening, and for being part of the conversation!

Amanda

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After a few weeks away from the microphone, I’m back—and getting honest about why it’s been hard to record. The political overwhelm, the self-doubt, and the question: Does anyone care what I have to say?

Your check-ins reminded me that we don’t need to have everything figured out to say something meaningful. Sometimes we need to hear someone say, “I see it too. I’m still here.”

In this episode, I explore feminism, women’s worth, and what it means for men to stand beside us. I reflect on the sexual assault allegations at Cornell, the difference between strength and dominance, and why respect needs to show up in everyday conversations—not just public statements.

Of course, there’s a little astrology, too: Pluto in Aquarius, its historical overlap with the French Revolution, and the questions that symbolism raises about power and collective change.

In this episode:

• Political overwhelm, self-doubt, and finding my voice again.
• Feminism, autonomy, and women’s right to be heard.
• What I mean by the “divine masculine.”
• Raising daughters who trust themselves and a son who respects boundaries.
• How men can challenge disrespect and support women.
• Staying engaged while making room for rest.

My invitation this week: Call out disrespect. Give women credit. Listen without immediately defending or explaining. Choose one action that helps turn concern into participation.

We don’t need you to have all the answers. We need you to stand beside us.

Content note: Includes discussion of sexual assault allegations, without graphic details.

If this episode resonates, share it with someone who might be ready for this conversation. And to everyone who asked when I’d be back—thank you. You helped me find my way to the microphone.

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What happens when you’ve spent most of your life thinking politics “isn’t really your thing”—until suddenly, doing nothing no longer feels like an option?

In this episode of That’s What She Said, Amanda sits down with Greta Roberts, Board Chair of the New Hampshire Bridge Brigade for Democracy, for a conversation about civic duty, intuition, activism, community, and the courage to show up.

Greta spent more than 40 years building a career in technology, including founding and eventually selling a predictive analytics company. Political activism was never part of the plan. But after watching the political landscape change, she felt an unmistakable pull to get involved.

That pull eventually led her to the New Hampshire Bridge Brigade for Democracy, a statewide grassroots movement making resistance to authoritarianism visible on bridges across New Hampshire.

Greta shares what it was like to go from political observer to grassroots organizer, how the Bridge Brigade grew from a handful of people into a statewide network, and why something as simple as standing on a bridge with a sign can actually matter.

We talk about:

• What finally moved Greta from the sidelines into action
• Trusting your intuition—even when everyone around you says, “Wait and see”
• The power of making resistance visible
• Why people take courage from seeing other people show up
• How small acts of civic participation can create momentum
• Building inclusive spaces where people feel safe enough to participate
• The importance of “Democracy for All”
• Why community can be an antidote to political exhaustion
• Finding hope by connecting with people instead of constantly consuming the news
• Why no act is too small when it comes to civic engagement

And because this is That’s What She Said, we end with a little tarot.

Amanda pulls cards for Greta and finds a beautiful message about resilience, new beginnings, stepping into your power, and sharing what you've learned with others.

Whether you consider yourself politically active, completely overwhelmed by politics, or someone who has never thought of yourself as an activist at all, this conversation is a reminder that civic duty doesn't have to look a certain way.

Sometimes it's a rally.

Sometimes it's a conversation.

Sometimes it's a sign.

Sometimes it's simply showing up.

And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is take courage—and then give it to someone else.

Want to get involved?
Learn more about the New Hampshire Bridge Brigade for Democracy and find a bridge near you at NHBBD.org

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