The Man, the Myth, the Manipulation

Why do we equate macho bullying with competent leadership? The cautionary tale of Andrew Cuomo. 

From sexual harassment to intimating deemed rivals, the list of accusations against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo have crescendoed into a long awaited resignation.

But what kind of leader do we value? What makes a competent leader -- and why are we so often looking for a new hero? Kai explores these questions with Zephyr Teachout, Associate Law Professor at Fordham Law School, who challenged Cuomo in the 2014 primary. She talks with Kai about her essay in The Nation from March 2021. 

Companion listening for this episode:

How to End the Dominion of Men (03/29/2021)

Andrew Cuomo’s just the latest. Why is masculinity so often conflated with domination? And how do we separate the two? Kai turns to a historian and to a novelist for answers.

What Does the Right Kind of Woman Sound Like? (11/05/2018)

Shrill, strident, bossy. These are the misogynistic slurs women often face when they run for elected office. So what should power sound like?

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Notes from America airs live on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts.