Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

8-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Communication

Degree Program

Communication, MA

Committee Chair

Coker, Calvin

Committee Member

Werking, Kathy

Committee Member

Heinecken, Dawn

Author's Keywords

motherhood; perfection; mom; Kristen Bell; podcasts

Abstract

This thesis explores how Kristen Bell’s articulation of imperfect motherhood, as heard on the popular podcast Armchair Expert, contributes to broader social discourses surrounding motherhood, empowering some mothers while inadvertently constraining others. Using rhetorical analysis grounded in Goffman’s dramaturgical approach, facework theory, and McGee’s theory of fragments, this study explores Bell’s discourse and performance of motherhood within the podcast medium. The podcasting medium provides a rich source for rhetorical analysis due to the long form interview content, and emotionally nuanced content, leading to a stronger connection with the audience. This is evident with the new headlines that follow Bell’s appearance on Armchair Expert. Findings reveal that Kristen Bell’s imperfect performance of motherhood disrupts traditional ideals of intensive mothering affecting all mothers and challenges normative expectations of celebrity motherhood. Bell’s embrace of imperfection also reveals issues surrounding motherhood within other races and classes, highlighting her own privilege. This study positions Kristen Bell’s rhetoric of (im)perfect motherhood as a site for ongoing cultural conversations for acceptable parenthood, gender norms, and the public portrayal of motherhood.

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