‘A husband expects a yes’: wife schools and the Christian nationalist movement

In this episode, Elena Dimopoulos unveils the world of 'wife schools' led by Christian conservative influencers like Tilly Dillahay. The concept is built around women being taught to submit to their husbands to achieve marital happiness. Dimopoulos recounts her experience signing up for Dillahay's online class, only to find teachings that promote drastic self-submission and restrict women's voices within their marriages.

Dillahay, who has garnered a following through her friendly demeanor and persuasive teachings, instructs women to accept and even welcome their roles as submissive wives. This includes advice on how to handle conflicts by emphasizing personal change rather than seeking mutual understanding with their spouses. Dillahay's course also touches on sensitive subjects like sexual expectations within marriage, insisting that women should consent even when they feel unprepared.

The conversation extends to the potential consequences of these lessons, especially regarding women in abusive relationships, highlighting societal pressures that can exacerbate unhealthy dynamics. At the core of the movement is Doug Wilson, a prominent figure among conservative Christians, whose influence over Dillahay reveals a broader agenda that seeks to restrict women's rights. The episode draws attention to the alarming trend of such ideologies gaining ground and examines the power of female influencers in shaping public discourse and political attitudes.