HOW IT BEGAN
In the spring of 2022, the writer, podcaster and teacher Meghan Daum led a group of ten women into the California high desert for three days of brainstorming about an exciting new project. In a series of candid, intense, deeply informed, and often emotional discussions, they wrestled with some of the most vexing and complicated issues of our times: the chaos of COVID policies, the new gender ideology, the state of the #MeToo movement, gun rights, reproductive rights, the ideological capture of fine arts and culture, and much more. These women, who were of different ages and came from a variety of backgrounds and regions, couldn’t believe how much they’d been craving honest conversation. It was a life-changing experience.
It was also the start of The Unspeakeasy.
The Unspeakeasy, sometimes called a “women’s shelter for the politically homeless,” is a community for free-thinking women who crave honest conversations about subjects that don’t come with easy solutions. Designed in the spirit of a Prohibition-era speakeasy, it's an underground world full of intellectual curiosity, good-faith debate and real humor.
WHY IS IT ONLY FOR WOMEN?
Because women don’t speak up often enough.
In recent years, Meghan has heard from countless people who tell her they feel like they’re going crazy. They say that ideological polarization makes them feel like they can no longer be themselves around friends and family members with whom they once felt perfectly aligned. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Meghan noticed that the effects of this alienation were especially pronounced for women, who are often more sensitive to the social penalties that come from speaking up. As a result, they often stay silent. From there ensues loneliness, self-doubt, and a disconnection from the authentic self.
Meghan also noticed that most of the spaces that do discuss these issues are dominated by “bro” podcasters and their male audiences. But she knew the women were out there. And she knew they needed a space of their own.
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW?
Through almost entirely word of mouth, The Unspeakeasy’s online community has grown to approximately 450 members from countries ranging from the U.S. and Canada to India, Australia, and the U.K. The community offers subject-specific discussion forums, guest lectures, writing groups, book clubs, opportunities to organize local in-person meetups, and more. It is a private, secured space and all conversations are off-the-record.
The Unspeakeasy’s flagship offering is the so-called free speech vacation or “sanity spa retreat.” Since the fall of 2022, retreats have taken place in Vermont, New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Minneapolis, Seattle, Denver, Louisville, Chicago, Santa Cruz, Washington’s Cascade Mountains, and Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Several more are planned for 2025.
The Unspeakeasy also offers courses through The Unspeakeasy School of Thought. Currently, courses are writing workshops and related webinars, but we’re developing a larger curriculum covering a broad range of subjects. Stay tuned!
THE UNSPEAKEASY IN THE MEDIA
Meghan talked about The Unspekeasy in an interview with Michael Callahan on his podcast Where We Go Next.
The Unspeakeasy was featured in this 2023 Spectator article about rise of the underground free speech groups.
