“I saw so many of my good friends engaging in this culture. It shouldn’t be a transaction like a credit card. I don’t believe this is empowerment,” says Franklin, speaking about what she witnessed as a student at Berkeley in California.
“I completely agree,” says Kinsey. “I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I’ve never posted a bikini photo. But I’ve grown up. You can also change and grow from it. It’s OK to swim against the current.”
The pair are both married, but they have remained career-driven despite their otherwise trad leanings. Franklin is also a mom of Vivienne, who is two and a half. In many ways, they embody the synthesis necessary to make it as a woman in right-wing media at the moment: part professional, part homemaker, part influencer, all MAGA.
“We shouldn’t try to put women in a box,” Kinsey says. “We can pursue creativity and really embrace the family unit.”
While their podcast will be competing against a lineup of others by high-profile right-wing women—Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, Chicks on the Right, and even the recently launched Katie Miller Podcast, hosted by the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller—what sets Sincerely American apart, its hosts say, is its explicit interest in the minds of conservative Gen Z women. From why they dress like they do (Prada platform heels and Louboutins for the debut), to how faith intersects with dating, to how they’ve landed at some of their political conclusions.
For now, the plan is to focus on building the rapport between the pair as the episodes develop, but there are plans to add guests further down the line. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is a dream guest, as is Melania Trump, of course. “We both love Paige Lorenze,” Franklin tells me, “I also love Olivia Culpo.”
“We saw Kevin O’Leary yesterday at Cafe Milano,” says Franklin to Kinsey as they take a break at the end of the recording.
“I would’ve asked him to be a guest; you should’ve told me,” Kinsey says.
