What to Do With Rage: Meggan Watterson - We Can Do Hard Things Recap

Podcast: We Can Do Hard Things

Published: 2026-03-10

Duration: 3560

Guests: Meggan Watterson

What Happened

Meggan Watterson describes sacred rage as an expression of love, emphasizing its power in times of injustice. She notes the validation she felt reading Deepak Chopra's comments in the Epstein files, which fueled her long-held anger towards him. This highlights the importance of trusting our inner voice amid external chaos.

The discussion on historical acts of resistance includes Mary Maloney, who disrupted Winston Churchill's speeches, and Julia Butterfly Hill, who lived in a redwood tree to prevent logging. These stories serve as powerful examples of women taking bold actions to confront oppressive systems. Meggan Watterson underscores the importance of these narratives in inspiring contemporary resistance.

Meggan Watterson delves into the historical devaluation of Mary Magdalene by the church, drawing parallels to the disbelief of women today. She references Thecla's story from the Acts of Paul and Thecla as an empowering narrative of self-baptism and women's unity against patriarchal structures. These stories were historically erased but are now reemerging as sources of empowerment.

The conversation touches on the manipulation of women by figures like Deepak Chopra and the misogyny in sports, as seen in the U.S. Men's Hockey Team's comments. Abby Wambach's experience at the Espys is mentioned to illustrate the gender disparities in sports retirements. These examples highlight systemic issues women face in pursuing recognition and equality.

Meggan Watterson shares her list titled 'How Women Pray When the World is on Fire' as a way to cope with the overwhelming societal challenges. She stresses that love is the ultimate source of power and encourages women to reclaim their narratives and worth. The episode emphasizes the need for women to stop waiting for external validation and to believe in their inherent value.

The podcast discusses the loss of faith in institutions due to abuses and cover-ups, advocating for women to reclaim power through self-acknowledgment and collective support. Andrea Gibson's perspective on viewing all emotions, including anger, as love, resonates throughout the episode. This redefinition of rage as love challenges traditional notions of acceptable emotions for women.

Meggan Watterson highlights the significance of reclaiming theological texts like the Gospel of Mary and the Acts of Paul and Thecla. These stories are now accessible in mass print, offering inspiration for women's empowerment. The episode concludes with a call for women to support each other and resist internalized misogyny.

Key Insights

• Meggan Watterson emphasizes sacred rage as a form of love, asserting its power in addressing injustices. She argues that rage, when rooted in love, can drive meaningful change.
• Historical acts of resistance, such as Mary Maloney's protests and Julia Butterfly Hill's activism, serve as inspiring examples of women challenging oppressive systems. These narratives highlight the impact of bold, individual actions.
• The historical erasure of women's empowering stories, such as those of Mary Magdalene and Thecla, underscores the need to reclaim these narratives. Their rediscovery offers a source of empowerment for women today.
• Abby Wambach's experiences in sports illustrate systemic gender disparities, showcasing the challenges women face in achieving equal recognition. This highlights the need for continued advocacy for gender equality.