The Girl's Guide

Issue 104: Labor of Love (feat. Sarah Gustafson)

Welcome back to The Girl’s Guide — WE’VE GOT MERCH NOW!!! (Keep reading to find out more.) If you missed the most recent issue, find it here.

Find me on Instagram and Twitter so you don’t miss anything Girl’s Guide.

Read My Latest Article

I just published a deep dive into the world of home birth at The American Conservative. Read it here: The Women Having Babies Underground.

The piece will also be in TAC’s print magazine — find out about becoming a member and receiving your copy here.

My daughter at a few hours old.

This article was definitely a labor of love (sorry, not sorry — I’ve been waiting to use that pun). I did hours and hours of interviews with home birth moms and underground midwives, both anonymously and on the record, about why women make the very personal choice to deliver at home.

I’m really lucky to live in an area where I have access to both Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Nurse-Midwives, but many women in the U.S. aren’t near that kind of care or can’t afford it. Making birth less scary and more empowering for women is a topic I’m really passionate about and hope to continue covering. If you’re the producer or host of a show, I’d love to join to talk about U.S. birth trends. Just shoot me an email at girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com.

Interview with Sarah Gustafson

Today’s interview is with Sarah Gustafson, who is no stranger to DC but is excited to now call the city home! Connect with Sarah on Instagram.

What does your life look like right now?

I recently started as an Assistant Professor in the Politics Department at Catholic University after defending my dissertation at Harvard, so at this moment, much of my life is taken up by teaching, the occasional speaking engagement or conference travel, and setting up life in DC. With that comes the joy of connecting with friends here; it’s a gift to move somewhere where you already have a strong community. Of course there are the normal things of life too like faith, exercise, and good food! 

“Much of my life is taken up by teaching, the occasional speaking engagement or conference travel, and setting up life in DC.” - Sarah Gustafson

What books are in your to-be-read pile and why?

There are a number of books of political philosophy I have not yet gotten to that are in that pile: a book on Pascal by the French political philosopher Pierre Manent, my Harvard professor Harvey Mansfield's new book on Machiavelli, and Carter Snead's book on bioethics. (As an academic, the line between books you ought to read and books you want to read is very murky.) Also in that pile is C.S. Lewis's Surprised by Joy, which I realized recently I hadn't read. Of another sort entirely is a book by Old Hollywood clothing designer Edith Head.   

What's your favorite clothing purchase of 2023?

In the fall, I found a wonderful vintage brown tweed wool blazer and matching A-line midi skirt. Both ladylike and academic (complete with elbow patches) at the same time, and that combination can be hard to find. I was very pleased! 

“I recently started as an Assistant Professor in the Politics Department at Catholic University.” - Sarah Gustafson

What's your advice to a young woman who is considering academia?

The academic life is not for everyone; it should be discerned carefully. It has its joys, perks, and almost irreplaceable opportunities. I’m very glad I chose it. It also has its downsides, challenges, and sacrifices. But young women (and also men) should know that, if they feel called to academia or graduate school, choosing it does not have to mean postponing marriage or having a family. I know so many people in my field and adjacent fields who began or grew their families while in graduate school, and who benefitted in raising their families from both the contemplation and the flexibility graduate school offered. One of my closest friends began grad school with one child and ended grad school with four; she is an intellectual powerhouse and a fantastic wife and mom. That is just one of the many examples I could cite. 

What's a passion or hobby you have that surprises people?

It often surprises people that I am a fan of men's college basketball — my father played D1 basketball in college, my mother went to Duke, and I went to Davidson, so it is a family trait. Those who do not know me well are also often surprised by my appreciation for pop culture. I love my discipline of political theory and I also love analyzing movies, television shows, and other pop culture — "Barbie" is an easy example but also Nora Ephron comedies, the Marvel universe, the television show "Succession", to name a few examples — in light of questions and themes that arise in philosophy and political theory. I find it hard not to do this; it is a natural inclination for me, but I also would like to think that it follows the example of Alexis de Tocqueville, a political philosopher who was very attentive to the ordinary things of life and their potential significance for politics.

“It’s a gift to move somewhere where you already have a strong community.” - Sarah Gustafson

Merch Collab with 917 Strategies

I know what you’ve been thinking — when can I get my hands on some Girl’s Guide merch? I’m excited to announce a merch collab with 917 Strategies, the conservative PR firm recently founded by Sarah Selip. Sarah has an entire merch shop you’ll want to check out, and I’m very excited for our "Girl’s Girl” collection available now. It’s a cheeky way to acknowledge that just because you don’t feel like you can get behind modern feminism, that doesn’t mean you love or support your fellow women any less.

Use promo code GIRLSGUIDE to get 20% off your mug, tote bag, or sticker!

The Haps

RIP, Toby Keith

Country music legend Toby Keith passed away in February after a two-year battle with stomach cancer. He certainly had a life well-lived — he was married to his wife Tricia for 40 years. He leaves behind three kids and four grandkids. The singer had too many iconic songs to name them all here, but some of my favorites include “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” (if you don’t play this song on July 4, are you even an American?) and “As Good As I Once Was” (a song that definitely went over my head as a child). Remind yourself of all his best songs with this roundup.

Rest in peace, Toby Keith.

Here are more links for you to check out:

• A Love Letter to Love Letters: Patricia Patnode reminds us to channel our inner romantic, stop texting, and start writing.

• Video shows police officer in Valentine's Day bear costume take down suspected lady drug dealer: Okay, now this is hilarious.

• Ina Garten quietly reveals release date for highly anticipated memoir: Garten is a class act — I can’t wait to read her memoir!

• ‘The Golden Bachelorette’ Officially Ordered by ABC, Set to Air This Fall: Where are my fellow Golden Bachelor fans at? Who do you want to be Golden Bachelorette?

Special Delivery

Nick and I have an extra special announcement — Margot is going to be a big sister! Baby Solheim #2 arriving in August 2024.