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Good morning,
The night before my daughter’s wedding, we walked into her rehearsal dinner and froze. At a large table beside our head table sat George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and Laura Dern. They were filming at the venue and, by sheer cosmic humor, sharing the room with us.
My daughter looked at me, took a breath, and said, “I’m going over there.”
And she did—not timidly, not apologetically. She introduced herself, chatted like she belonged there, and invited them to the wedding.
They didn’t come. But as he walked out, Adam Sandler turned back and announced that George was picking up the tab for the entire room—wink included.
The point isn’t the celebrities. It’s that she chose herself. She didn’t shrink. She didn’t wait to be picked. She stood in her own agency—unafraid.
Clooney’s new film, Jay Kelly, drops Friday. It’s about the lives we could have lived and the courage it takes to pivot. And that’s the energy I’m choosing right now.
Whether it’s exploring non-monogamy out of curiosity—not shame.
Calling out Pinktober hypocrisy instead of smiling politely.
Choosing GLP-1s without apology.
Or eating the holiday cookies.
Eat the cookie. Every damn time.
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Welcome to Dear Reader—These stories come straight from our readers: smart, funny, fearless, and unfiltered.
BY VICTORIA WESTERLIEGH
Pinktober is over, but the fallout isn’t. Now that the pink ribbons have disappeared from cereal boxes and coffee cups, the emotional hangover remains. This survivor calls out the trauma triggers, the corporate hypocrisy, and the reality behind “Pinktober.” And as we enter peak donation season, she asks the question no one wants to say out loud: Who’s actually being helped—and who’s cashing in?
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Please Support Our Sponsor
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MONEY
BY MARGIE ZABLE FISHER
Choosing Medicare shouldn’t feel like a reality show elimination round. But with Parts A, B, C, and D all competing for your attention—and penalties waiting if you miss a cue—it can get overwhelming fast. This guide breaks down what each part does, the deadlines that matter, and how to pick the path that protects you and your wallet. And if you’re still deciding, the Medicare enrollment window closes this week—so now’s the moment to get clear, not confused.
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TAKE NOTE
Timely and worth your attention.
🎭 Carol Burnett (92) just gave back—big time. Comedy legend and UCLA alum Carol Burnett is donating more than 140 awards (yes, her Emmys, Golden Globes, the Grammy, the Tony, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, all of it) to UCLA—plus endowing a major scholarship for theater students. A woman whose legacy spans The Carol Burnett Show, Annie, and seven decades of barrier-breaking brilliance is now investing in the next generation.
🚗 Crash test equality—finally. After 45 years, automakers will now be required to use crash test dummies modeled on real female bodies. Women are 73 percent more likely to be seriously injured in head-on crashes—this change will save lives. Innovation we shouldn’t have had to wait half a century for. About damn time.
⚠️ The EPA just approved a new pesticide containing a PFAS-style “forever chemical,” now cleared for use on everyday crops like potatoes, tomatoes, leafy greens, oats, almonds, and citrus. Scientists warn these chemicals persist in the body and environment and are linked to serious health risks. Bottom line: Know what’s on your plate—and wash like your life depends on it.
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💬 Help shape PROVOKED.
We’re always tweaking the newsletter, and your opinion actually decides what stays and what goes.
It’s eight questions. Forty seconds. Talk to us here.
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READER SPOTLIGHT
✒️ Here's what one fabulous reader had to say this week:
"Now in my late 60s after decades solo, I carve out and revel solo time. In my early 40s after uncoupling from numerous relationships, I learned to create a life that thrilled me. Over two decades solo, I’m deeply in love and still crave and carve out solo time. I encourage women of all ages to go solo for their souls."— Keri on Crone Alone: Why Solitude Is My Healthy New Addiction Want to be featured next? Drop a comment on your favorite piece—we read them all.
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OUR SHORT LIST
December means beautiful, glitter-covered chaos. Here are five things making life easier, brighter, and a little more bearable this week. Some of these are affiliate links. Yes, they support PROVOKED. And yes, we appreciate the support.
🛌 Cozy Pajama Set: The chicest pajamas I’ve worn in years, a Dior-inspired Toile de Jouy set. Dior’s version is $5,000. These are $75. I’ll take the $4,925 savings in cashmere, champagne, and plane tickets. Thank you very much.
🎧 Noise-Canceling Ear Loops: Low-profile loops that silence snoring partners, crying babies, barking dogs, and anxious brain chatter. I have sensitive ears, and these are unbelievably comfortable.
🎄 Oh. What. Fun. Streaming on Prime. Michelle Pfeiffer (67) plays a midlife mom who vanishes after being ignored one too many times. Pfeiffer is feral perfection. A warning or a mirror? Maybe both.
♥️ Shapewear That Doesn’t Punish You: Squeezing into those holiday sequins? This onesie is smoothing, breathable, and built for real women. I actually feel sexy in this one.
🥨 Pretzel Bag Charm: The purse-charm craze is real, and I’m buying these for every woman I love. Tiny joy, oversized applause. Clip it to anything—because who doesn’t need a pretzel swinging from her bag?
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🛍️ Some links in this newsletter are affiliate or sponsored links. If you buy something we recommend, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Every product is independently selected and obsessed over by our team.
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📝 Missed a Thursday drop? All of our past newsletters are waiting for you right here.
⌨️ Our newsletter and articles are written by Susan and the talented writers of PROVOKED. Get to know the women behind them here.
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