Laura Henshaw calls out podcast host for segment on women in the workforce

News.com.au

14-05-2025

A health and wellness podcast host has been publicly called out over his 'misogynistic' take on women and what a woman's stance should be when it comes to working.
Chris Griffin, who hosts The Pocket with Chris Griffin – an educational podcast which platforms 'conversations about life' – said he doesn't want his partner to work 'if she doesn't want to'.
'If you feel the need to go and work to make money and then you come home and you're complaining about your day — when we don't need you to make money because you're sorted,' he began.
'If we've got four hours to spend in the afternoon and I ask you 'how was your day today, babe' I want your eyes to light up in excitement about whatever the f*** it was.'
His co-host, Wade Papenfus, agreed, saying it was all about the 'energy' the partner was bringing back into the home. Mr Griffin added that a man with a busy life needs 'calm, harmony, peace and love' when trying to wind down.
'This is why I heavily encourage hot girl walks. I would love my partner to go on a hot girl walk with her friends every day. She gets this feminine energy, they get to talk their sh*t and they get to have a bit of excitement about their day,' he said.
'I don't think a girl needs to go through challenge, pain and hardship to be an amazing girl. I think she can fill her days with passion-filled things and still be amazing.'
A clip of the podcast was shared to social media two weeks ago, but it was Kic co-founder Laura Henshaw calling out Mr Griffin's assertions that led to the clip going viral.
Henshaw, 32, shared a snippet of the clip and said women don't exist to 'serve their partners. To live our days so we can be in a 'good mood' for them'.
She said women should feel empowered to be financially independent, establish a career and build up superannuation for retirement.
The fitness and wellness influencer said there was no judgement for women who didn't want to work but they needed to be empowered with all the information to make that decision. She shared screenshots from followers who revealed they stopped working once they had children, and their partners encouraged them not to go back to work. But, once the relationship broke down they were now stuck on minimum wage. Others said their job was the only reason they could leave abusive relationships.
'It's honestly dangerous,' one said.
Henshaw told news.com.au the video struck such a chord with her because of the dangerous messaging.
'It is just such a dangerous message, and sends such a terrifying message to the younger generation who are influenced by this type of content,' she said.
'Social media can be a really great place but there is also a dark side where content like this that is misogynistic and implies that women should 'serve' men is prevalent and running rife within the algorithm of young men and teenage boys.'
The media personality said since speaking out she's had a lot of commentary from single mothers or women who have experienced financial abuse and 'wished they had been empowered with the tools to understand what their choices meant and to have understood the types of behaviours to look out for'.
'This is why it is so important we continue the conversation and call out this type of content,' she said.
Henshaw wasn't the only one who called out Mr Griffin. Tarang Chawla, whose sister Nikita was murdered by her partner when she was just 23 in 2015 and is an activist against men's violence, said: 'I work in this area you're talking about and it's something I know a bit about and care about deeply. I'd love to sit down on your podcast to talk about it.
'I think we'll agree on a lot and disagree on some things but your audience will probably get something valuable out of it.'
Former reality star Tully Smyth said: 'Oh goodness. This ain't it my dude.'
Content creator and chronic illness advocate Jordan Darian Lambropoulos said: 'Should've finished this one with 'Blessed be the fruit', boys.'
Meanwhile another said, 'Wowweee. First, the video. Them boldly doubling down with zero self awareness. Very concerning stuff.'
When news.com.au reached out to Mr Griffin for comment regarding the backlash to his comments, he issued an invitation.
'Rather than going back and forth online, I'd love to invite Laura onto my podcast for an open and honest convo. If she's up for it, so am I,' he said.
He also addressed Henshaw in the comment section of the podcast's video and said he 'understands' her point of view, but insisted the key phrase in his clip was 'unless she wants to'.
'This isn't about control. It's about choice. If she wants to chase a career, I'll back her 100%. If she wants to stay home, I'll support that too. That's what freedom in a relationship should look like,' he said.
'I also don't measure a woman's worth by income. I see her value in things far more significant than a dollar figure.
'You mentioned financial abuse, and I agree, it's real. But it comes from manipulation, not from who earns the money. A healthy relationship built on trust and mutual respect, should prevent this.'
He said he doesn't think its fair to label traditional masculine values as 'toxic' and he simply wants to 'provide, protect and lead with strength'. The podcaster added that there were 'too many weak men out there' and that's how 'toxic femininity' — which he defined as hyper-independent women — was born.
'Men and women are equal, absolutely. But we are not the same. Pretending we are strips away our natural strengths and creates confusion instead of connection,' he said.
'I respect your view, I just don't share it. And I know not everyone will agree with mine, but that's okay. I'm not here to please everyone. I just stand by what I believe, with respect.'
Henshaw called the response 'disappointing' and wanted the clip taken down.