Redhead Ranting

Day 26 of my 90-Day Monetization Challenge, and things are not going quite the way I expected.

When I started this experiment, I decided to spend 90 days consistently creating content and tracking what happened across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and, eventually, this podcast.

One platform has suddenly taken off. Another isn't growing nearly as quickly as I expected. I'm actually losing followers on a couple of them. And somehow, the podcast is making money too.

In this update, I share where everything stands on Day 26, what I'm learning about growing an audience, and...

I’m 60, I can’t afford to retire, and my savings aren’t going to last forever. So instead of pretending that isn’t happening, I decided to do something about it.

In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind my 90-Day Monetization Challenge and why I decided to see whether I could turn the things I’m already doing, writing, making videos, telling stories, and sharing my opinions online, into something sustainable.

This isn’t a “get rich on social media” story. I’m not selling a course, and I don’t have a secret formula. I’m...

I first interviewed Erica/Hendrix, better known online as The Pissed Off Lawyer, shortly after she announced that she was detransitioning. A lot has happened since then.

Erica identified as a trans man for seven years and became a vocal trans rights activist, after spending much of her life involved in gay rights activism. Her decision to detransition was public, complicated and, by her own account, anything but a straight line. It also came with consequences. In this conversation, she talks about losing friends, family relationships and positions with LGBT organizations, as well as the effect the...

Caregiving can be a blessing. It can also be exhausting, frustrating, lonely and incredibly difficult. And sometimes caregivers have thoughts they’re afraid to admit out loud. In this “very special episode” of Redhead Ranting, I’m talking about the side of caregiving we don’t see nearly as often: caregiver burnout, anger, resentment, guilt, and those moments when you simply don’t want to do it anymore. I cared for my mother in one way or another for most of my life after she suffered a brain injury when I was four. As her needs increased, there came a point when...

I started hormone replacement therapy after menopause, and in this episode I’m talking about what the experience has actually been like for me.

I share why I decided to try HRT, the changes I’ve noticed, what surprised me, and some of the things I wish I’d understood sooner. This isn’t medical advice or an argument that HRT is right for everyone. It’s simply my experience as a postmenopausal woman who decided to give it a try.

Menopause is something half the population eventually experiences, yet we still don’t talk nearly enoug...

Why do I write about my life, including the messy parts?

In this episode, I talk about why I've spent years turning my own experiences into stories, from bad dates and divorce to family, caregiving, getting older, and all the strange little moments in between.

Some stories are funny. Some aren't. Some are uncomfortable to tell. But I've learned that the stories we think are uniquely ours are often the ones someone else needs to hear.

This is why I keep telling mine.

I take the scenic route in this episode, but stick with me. The long introduction is part of what inspired the story I eventually get to, and I think the conversation is worth having.

We hear a lot about cutting toxic people out of our lives, and sometimes that's absolutely necessary. But what about the relationships we end over disagreements, hurt feelings, politics, or differences we simply can't get past?

People don't live forever. Neither do our opportunities to repair relationships.

This is a conversation about family, estrangement, memory, and the people whose...

This week Scott Cardinal of Strange History Cafe, and I sat down and discussed the dark pop of the 70s. We took a deep dive into the song The Nights The Lights Went Out In Georgia by Vicki Lawrence in Part One, and continue the discussion in this episode. You can listen to Part One here.

In this engaging interview, prolific author Mike Faricy shares insights into his writing process, publishing journey, and the evolving landscape of indie publishing. Discover how he balances multiple series, leverages AI, and targets young readers with his innovative stories.

In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Jennifer Brown sits down with Hendrix, a former trans man and legal advocate, to discuss gender ideology, transition and de-transition, activism, healthcare, social media, and the growing cultural and legal debates surrounding identity.

Drawing from personal experience, Hendrix shares insights into the pressures of modern activism, the role of online communities, and what happens when personal truth collides with public narrative. Together, Jennifer and Hendrix explore the emotional, political, and social complexities of gender identity in a time when nuance is often lost to outrage and algorithms.

This episode...

Most of us are exhausted by the constant political chaos, yet we still feel powerless to make sense of it all — until now. In this eye-opening episode, Dave Van De Walle and Jennifer Brown peel back the layers of modern politics, media, and society's retreat into bias and fatigue to uncover surprising insights on power, truth, and hope.

You’ll discover how the rise of social media and real-time surveillance has transformed privacy into a mirage — making it harder than ever to trust what we see or hear. Dave and Jennifer dive into intriguing stories from the corrid...

I had a little pity party today, I learned yesterday that my Minnesota property tax money is going to fund all kinds of charities I don't approve of and I am irritated.

The fraud in Minnesota is getting out of hand. I discuss my interactions with the Somali community in the Twin Cities, the Wisconsin woman who was fired from Cinnebon for her racist rant against a Somali couple. I also discuss snow plowing, walk shoveling and car boogers.

Happy Monday. I'm still without my HRT and I'm pretty crabby about it. I need to laugh or cry and I need some chocolate. I talk about the media and how both sides want to keep us divided and why that's not working.

It's the end of the week and I'm pooped. Short episode talking about my gratitude for all of those who have reached out to me and offered to help promote my book Ginger Snapped on their podcasts, radio shows and other mediums. I am beyond touched and grateful for the support. I rant a little about how cute boot season is being cut short due to this unseasonably warm fall. My dog Lilith has not patience today and she lets me know. Have a great weekend!

Just a few thoughts about my mammogram, menopause and the guy who replaced my gas meter.

We have the power to cultivate the algorithm by being active participants in our online experience. Stop mindlessly scrolling and interacting with the content that gets your blood boiling and start engaging with the content you wish to see more of. We have the power to make this a better world by being active in what the algorithm shows us.

I am not a doctor or a lawyer, I do not play one on TV, do not take any advice from me. Talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any medications and all that other stuff.

In this episode I talk about the correlation between acetaminophen and autism, how when I grew up we all took aspirin until the correlation between aspirin and Reyes Syndrome was discovered.

I also talk about some books by Scott Adams that everyone should read so they can be more discerning and maintain an open mind.

My...

Thoughts on Charlie Kirk's celebration of life, Erika Kirk's message of forgiveness and our roles in society.

In this episode I talk about my book Ginger Snapped in more detail, giving the backstory to my complicated family and growing up GenX. I also talk about influencers online and how we have the power to curate a better algorithm for our social media enjoyment.

It's been two years since I made my last podcast. I'm hoping to be more regular. In this episode I talk about the assassination of Charlie Kirk and how the media has been handling it - unfairly in my opinion. I also discuss, very briefly, my new book Ginger Snapped. A humor book which could have been titled Get Off of My Lawn, but Ginger Snapped was cuter. You can find the various links to my book on my website https://redheadranting.com/ginger-snapped/.

Still practicing, trying to figure out the audio issues. Saying "um". Peloton, TV and wine.

Post election thoughts and a little about me.

More rambling while I practice this new format.

My first episode! Mostly practice and trying to figure all of this out. Bear with me, it will get better.