Christen Gall
@christengall.bsky.social
Freelance reporter, researcher, & fact-checker. Formerly at Chicago Magazine and Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. Researcher for "Raising Them Right." http://www.christengall.com
"Reading between the lines of the complaints about employer ghosting, the anger seems to be not so much about failing to get the role as about the display of cruelty that they feel the ghosting represents."
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
When Did the Job Market Get So Rude?
Employer ghosting is on the rise. Now candidates are punching back.
www.theatlantic.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"Reading between the lines of the complaints about employer ghosting, the anger seems to be not so much about failing to get the role as about the display of cruelty that they feel the ghosting represents."
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
Last Friday the president told a reporter on Air Force One, “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.” We should all really take in that level of misogyny from our highest ranking elected official and consider what it says about how many men actually see women as equal human beings. www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
President Piggy
This is what consequence-free misogyny looks like.
www.theatlantic.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Last Friday the president told a reporter on Air Force One, “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.” We should all really take in that level of misogyny from our highest ranking elected official and consider what it says about how many men actually see women as equal human beings. www.theatlantic.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Christen Gall
These Chicago restaurants are offering free or discounted meals during SNAP pause: blockclubchi.co/47DM5Ys
November 4, 2025 at 1:01 PM
These Chicago restaurants are offering free or discounted meals during SNAP pause: blockclubchi.co/47DM5Ys
Zadie Smith talks about her new essay collection, “Dead and Alive,” and why we should all spend less time on our phones.
www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-...
www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-...
Zadie Smith on Politics, Turning Fifty, and Mind Control
The author’s new essay collection, “Dead and Alive,” addresses debates on representation in literature, feminism, and how our phones have radicalized us.
www.newyorker.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Zadie Smith talks about her new essay collection, “Dead and Alive,” and why we should all spend less time on our phones.
www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-...
www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-...
If you haven't read this article yet, you really should.
www.thecut.com/article/job-...
www.thecut.com/article/job-...
The Job Search Has Become a Humiliation Ritual
“It feels like I’m trying to make my robots talk to their robots.”
www.thecut.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
If you haven't read this article yet, you really should.
www.thecut.com/article/job-...
www.thecut.com/article/job-...
Reposted by Christen Gall
One of the most prolific and successful nonfiction writers of her generation, Susan Orlean made her beat out of no beat. “Writers have to figure out how to make a small story seem urgent. They have to sell it,” she says, in a new interview.
Susan Orlean Knows She’s Had a Charmed Career
But the longtime New Yorker writer doesn’t want to dwell on journalism’s bygone days.
www.vulture.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:48 PM
One of the most prolific and successful nonfiction writers of her generation, Susan Orlean made her beat out of no beat. “Writers have to figure out how to make a small story seem urgent. They have to sell it,” she says, in a new interview.
Reposted by Christen Gall
The U.S. revoked the visas of at least six foreign citizens whom it accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the State Department said in a series of social media posts on Tuesday.
U.S. Says It Revoked Visas of Some People Who Criticized Charlie Kirk
The State Department’s X account listed six examples of people who it said had made comments about the assassination of Mr. Kirk, a right-wing activist, and said it was withdrawing their visas.
nyti.ms
October 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The U.S. revoked the visas of at least six foreign citizens whom it accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the State Department said in a series of social media posts on Tuesday.
"While the price tag varies widely, a year’s worth of child care for an infant costs more than in-state college tuition in most of the country, and more than rent in 17 states," according to a report from the Economic Policy Institute. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Women are taking pay cuts as companies mandate return to office
Researchers are identifying several key factors behind why gender pay gap – which had narrowed steadily over the years – has suddenly widened.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:20 PM
"While the price tag varies widely, a year’s worth of child care for an infant costs more than in-state college tuition in most of the country, and more than rent in 17 states," according to a report from the Economic Policy Institute. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
If you aren’t following what ICE has been up to in Chicago, this is a good podcast to listen to. @blockclubchi.bsky.social is one of many local news outlets doing really important reporting about the ways the surge in ICE agents is impacting the city and how Chicago is responding to them.
Chicago’s @blockclubchi.bsky.social Is Ready for ICE: The independent digital startup has been on the ground covering ICE’s surge and the attacks on journalists. Listen in with host @joshuahersh.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
October 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
If you aren’t following what ICE has been up to in Chicago, this is a good podcast to listen to. @blockclubchi.bsky.social is one of many local news outlets doing really important reporting about the ways the surge in ICE agents is impacting the city and how Chicago is responding to them.
Reposted by Christen Gall
After federal agents smoke bombed a Logan Square street, area businesses are reporting slow sales and "fear in the air." blockclubchi.co/4h3k3tt
October 8, 2025 at 4:01 PM
After federal agents smoke bombed a Logan Square street, area businesses are reporting slow sales and "fear in the air." blockclubchi.co/4h3k3tt
Reposted by Christen Gall
"There’s a certain level on which you just decide that this is the right word...one of the elements of making the decision is the unconscious.”
Ian Battaglia's interview with Ann Goldstein, Elena Ferrante's translator, is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/06/t...
Ian Battaglia's interview with Ann Goldstein, Elena Ferrante's translator, is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/06/t...
The Translator’s Voice — Ann Goldstein on Translating Elena Ferrante’s “Neapolitan Quartet” - Chicago Review of Books
The Translator’s Voice is a monthly column from Ian J. Battaglia here at the Chicago Review of Books, dedicated to global literature and the translators who work tirelessly and too often thanklessly t...
chireviewofbooks.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
"There’s a certain level on which you just decide that this is the right word...one of the elements of making the decision is the unconscious.”
Ian Battaglia's interview with Ann Goldstein, Elena Ferrante's translator, is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/06/t...
Ian Battaglia's interview with Ann Goldstein, Elena Ferrante's translator, is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/06/t...
This feels like an important reminder considering the current state of the economy. What you do for a living is not who you are as a person.
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/s...
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/s...
Remember: What You Do Is Not Who You Are (Published 2021)
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This feels like an important reminder considering the current state of the economy. What you do for a living is not who you are as a person.
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/s...
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/06/s...
"The rising cost of living is squeezing women much more than men, and they report more concern about how they’re going to pay their bills, according to a new 19th News/SurveyMonkey poll."
19thnews.org/2025/09/poll...
19thnews.org/2025/09/poll...
When it comes to rising costs, women are more worried than men — about everything
A new 19th News/SurveyMonkey poll found that women — especially women of color — were more worried about covering the cost of groceries, housing, medical bills, child care and rent.
19thnews.org
September 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"The rising cost of living is squeezing women much more than men, and they report more concern about how they’re going to pay their bills, according to a new 19th News/SurveyMonkey poll."
19thnews.org/2025/09/poll...
19thnews.org/2025/09/poll...
This episode of "The Political Scene" from @newyorker.com is worth a listen.
www.newyorker.com/podcast/poli...
www.newyorker.com/podcast/poli...
Charlie Kirk and the Long Shadow of Political Violence
“We’ve lived through moments of more violence,” the staff writer Jane Mayer notes. “So we know it’s possible to quiet this.”
www.newyorker.com
September 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This episode of "The Political Scene" from @newyorker.com is worth a listen.
www.newyorker.com/podcast/poli...
www.newyorker.com/podcast/poli...
Reposted by Christen Gall
In a video statement, Trump said Kirk's death was a direct consequence of people demonizing those they disagree, and then turned his ire to the political left.
Trump blames rhetoric from the left for political violence after Charlie Kirk murder
In a video statement, Trump said Kirk's death was a direct consequence of people demonizing those they disagree, and then turned his ire to the political left.
n.pr
September 11, 2025 at 12:29 PM
In a video statement, Trump said Kirk's death was a direct consequence of people demonizing those they disagree, and then turned his ire to the political left.
Reposted by Christen Gall
BREAKING: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been shot at an event at Utah Valley University, a spokesperson says.
Turning Point USA confirms CEO Charlie Kirk shot at Utah college event
Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, has been shot at an event at a Utah college, Turning Point said.
bit.ly
September 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
BREAKING: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been shot at an event at Utah Valley University, a spokesperson says.
This is really important reporting about how JPMorgan profited from and enabled Jeffery Epstein's crimes even though bank leaders knew he was engaging in shady activities. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/m...
How JPMorgan Enabled the Crimes of Jeffrey Epstein
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This is really important reporting about how JPMorgan profited from and enabled Jeffery Epstein's crimes even though bank leaders knew he was engaging in shady activities. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/m...
Reposted by Christen Gall
Benny Johnson, a right-wing podcaster, is among the new media figures who enjoy rare access to the Trump administration in exchange for their promotion of the White House’s agenda to millions of online followers. He stands out for his record of plagiarism and promoting false claims. nyti.ms/4gb5yn1
August 30, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Benny Johnson, a right-wing podcaster, is among the new media figures who enjoy rare access to the Trump administration in exchange for their promotion of the White House’s agenda to millions of online followers. He stands out for his record of plagiarism and promoting false claims. nyti.ms/4gb5yn1
Reposted by Christen Gall
Leading conservatives said they hoped Swift’s engagement would help achieve one of their top goals: Inspire a nationwide boost in (heterosexual) marriage and birth rates.
Right-wingers hope Taylor Swift will inspire a new generation of trad wives
But Swift herself once sang: "No deal / The 1950s shit they want from me."
www.motherjones.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Leading conservatives said they hoped Swift’s engagement would help achieve one of their top goals: Inspire a nationwide boost in (heterosexual) marriage and birth rates.
Reposted by Christen Gall
Will Trump send troops to Chicago next? City and state leaders call the threat an "authoritarian power grab." blockclubchi.co/45wD5Vd
August 22, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Will Trump send troops to Chicago next? City and state leaders call the threat an "authoritarian power grab." blockclubchi.co/45wD5Vd
This doesn’t surprise me that fewer Americans read for pleasure than they did 20 years ago, but it’s also sad that we’re losing the ability to just enjoy a good book.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Why so few Americans read for pleasure
The decline in Americans’ leisure reading comes as attention spans are shrinking and print book sales are in decline.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 20, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This doesn’t surprise me that fewer Americans read for pleasure than they did 20 years ago, but it’s also sad that we’re losing the ability to just enjoy a good book.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Christen Gall
Who’s running for office? Amid a rise in threats of political violence and harassment, parents with young kids are increasingly weighing the risks. 19thnews.org/2025/08/pare...
The threat of political violence is keeping parents out of elected office
Persistent harassment and threats of violence may be impacting who decides to become an elected official or candidate — especially for parents of young children.
19thnews.org
August 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Who’s running for office? Amid a rise in threats of political violence and harassment, parents with young kids are increasingly weighing the risks. 19thnews.org/2025/08/pare...
Reposted by Christen Gall
“What you’re meant to eat, or what powders you should be taking, changes day by day, week by week,” Meher Ahmad tells Jessica Grose on “The Opinions," discussing the rise of Christian diet influencers — and why the right’s obsession with thinness is resonating with women.
Opinion | Thin, White and Right: The Ideal Christian Woman
How skinny became a conservative calling card.
nyti.ms
July 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
“What you’re meant to eat, or what powders you should be taking, changes day by day, week by week,” Meher Ahmad tells Jessica Grose on “The Opinions," discussing the rise of Christian diet influencers — and why the right’s obsession with thinness is resonating with women.
This is a really fascinating story about the dental industry and the lengths some Americans are willing to go to get better teeth for a low price.
What are good teeth worth? Burkhard Bilger reports on the rising cosmetic dentistry industry in the U.S.—and the Mexican border town that caters mostly to Americans who can’t afford dental care.
Mexico’s Molar City Could Transform My Smile. Did I Want It To?
More than a thousand dentists have set up shop in Los Algodones. Their patients are mostly Americans who can’t afford the U.S.’s dental care.
www.newyorker.com
August 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This is a really fascinating story about the dental industry and the lengths some Americans are willing to go to get better teeth for a low price.
Reposted by Christen Gall
Candace Owens’ baseless claims that France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, is a man is one example of a wider trend of conspiracy theories targeting prominent women in politics and culture. From @politifact.bsky.social:
Beyond the Macrons’ lawsuit: Why do people accuse powerful women of being men?
Candace Owens’ claim is one example of a wider trend of conspiracy theories targeting prominent women in politics and culture.
19thnews.org
July 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Candace Owens’ baseless claims that France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, is a man is one example of a wider trend of conspiracy theories targeting prominent women in politics and culture. From @politifact.bsky.social: