A More Perfect Mother

Explicit content warning

02/04/21 • 42 min

3 Listeners

It’s two in the morning and journalist and author Jo Piazza cannot stop scrolling and scrolling through Instagram, gazing at picture-perfect images of motherhood that look nothing like her own life mothering her baby and toddler. But she realizes that with just one click she can attempt to buy these women’s perfect lives...because every other mother on Instagram is trying to sell you something. Who are these women? Why are they so mesmerizing? Dive down the rabbit hole of the billion dollar mom influencer world with Jo as she pulls back the curtain on this under-reported and under-valued industry. Stop number one, the Mormon Church. Why are so many successful mom influencers members of the LDS community? Have they cracked the code to getting paid for the unpaid labor of motherhood? And how does this all relate to porn? At the end of the day Jo begins to wonder, as she watches her own media industry crumble around her, could this be the future of content? The future of her career? Could she get paid to be a more perfect mother?

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Previous Episode

Under the Influence with Jo Piazza

Under the Influence is a deep dive into the Mom Internet, a place haunted by aspirational marketing where every mom is a social media influencer trying to sell you something, all while posed in white kitchens that never seem to get messy...with toddlers in cloth diapers that never ever leak; a bastion of carefully curated lives that are #blessed. Behind the airbrushed perfection is a multi-billion dollar industry that is dominated and consumed by women, yet largely ignored by the mainstream media. Journalist and mom Jo Piazza looks at how we got here, what it all means, and how the commodification of motherhood is driving women a little insane.

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Next Episode

Women's Work

1 Recommendations

Mom influencing is a multi-billion dollar industry. How the hell did we get here? How did influencing become a job? Why doesn’t Wikipedia mention mom bloggers in their history of women and what does the 19th Century economic philosopher Thorstein Veblen have to do with why we are so enchanted by people who seem wealthier than we are. Consider this your history lesson of women influencing other women to attempt to lead more perfect lives. We start in 1896 with the creation of Vogue, wonder if Lucille Ball was actually the first mom influencer, and scroll all the way to the the beautiful mess of the early Mom Internet. Moms have been commodified since the beginning of moms, the only difference now is who is making the goddamn money. And if past is prologue, will answering all these questions help Jo figure out how to become the influencer of her dreams?

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Under the Influence with Jo Piazza - A More Perfect Mother

Transcript Summary

In this episode titled "A More Perfect Mother," the speaker takes us on a journey through their nightly routine, inadvertently diving into the captivating world of mom influencers on Instagram. As they scroll through feeds consumed by women, they uncover the multibillion dollar industry driven by advertisers and marketers. Comparing mom influencing to pornography in terms of profit and performance, the speaker discusses the addictive nature of Instagram and its normalization for women. They explore the prominence of Mormon women in this industry and the concerns about its impact on women's self-esteem. The episode delves into the origins of this influencer phenomenon within the Mormon community, emphasizing the value placed on motherhood and domestic arts. Through mommy blogging, women find financial independence and empowerment, challenging societal exploitation of unpaid labor. Amid the challenges faced by working mothers, personal branding and influencing emerge as opportunities to thrive in an uncertain job market. This thought-provoking episode raises questions about the future of content creation and the continued curiosity surrounding the lives of influencers. Whether you're interested in the influencer industry or pondering societal perceptions of women's work, this episode offers unique insights to consider.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:14.400

I want to tell you about my nightly routine. My husband Nick is asleep next to me. That man passes out every night like a bear fatted up on salmon.

Speaker 100:00:25.839

My kids, a couple of tiny terrorists, are finally asleep.

Speaker 100:00:31.559

I always know better, but my hand reaches from my phone and I start scrolling and scrolling through pictures. Seconds later, I'm immerse

A More Perfect Mother Top Questions Answered

How much money can mom influencers make on Instagram?

Mom influencers on Instagram can make salaries ranging from $50,000 to over $1 million per year.

Do Mormon women dominate the mom influencing industry?

Yes, Mormon women are prevalent in the mom influencing industry and were among the pioneering mommy bloggers.

Why are Mormon mom influencers admired?

Mormon mom influencers are admired for their aesthetics and ability to balance motherhood with multiple children, appearing happier and more energetic than others.

How does Instagram impact self-esteem and societal expectations for women and girls?

Instagram can negatively impact self-esteem and create unrealistic societal expectations for women and girls, as it promotes a curated and idealized image of life and motherhood.

What industries generate profits and create feelings of inadequacy, according to a blogger?

According to a blogger, both the mom influencing industry and the porn industry generate profits and create feelings of inadequacy.

Why did Mormon mom bloggers become pioneers in the mommy blogging sphere?

Mormon mom bloggers became pioneers in the mommy blogging sphere due to their emphasis on documenting family life, which aligns with existing practices within the Mormon community.

How does the Mormon Church view motherhood and domestic arts?

The Mormon Church places a high value on motherhood and domestic arts, which sets it apart from other social circles.

How has Instagram become a multibillion-dollar industry?

Instagram has become a multibillion-dollar industry by attracting advertisers and marketers who leverage influencer partnerships to reach their target audience.

How can women turn their success as mommy bloggers into a profitable venture?

Women can turn their success as mommy bloggers into a profitable venture by using their content creation skills to monetize their platforms through brand collaborations and sponsored content.

Why is personal branding and influencing important for working mothers?

Personal branding and influencing have become important for working mothers as they provide a way to navigate uncertain job security and create their own power and financial stability.