A Renaissance of Our Own by Rachel Elizabeth Cargle Summary
Overview of A Renaissance of Our Own
In "A Renaissance of Our Own," Rachel Elizabeth Cargle transforms from small-town wife to influential queer feminist, offering tools for personal liberation. With 4.25/5 stars from 1,300+ readers, this memoir-manifesto asks: What life could you create if freed from society's expectations?
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Key takeaways
When Everything You Were Taught Stops Making Sense
Picture a moment when your entire worldview shatters. For some, it's a quiet unraveling. For others, it's an earthquake. Rachel Elizabeth Cargle's transformation began with both - a phone buzzing in a museum and a question that wouldn't let go: *Why are you supporting a movement that has never supported you?* Standing among artifacts of the Hohokam people who lived communally, she was confronted with a viral photo of herself at the Women's March. While white platforms celebrated her image, Black readers challenged her participation in a movement that historically excluded them. This wake-up call sparked a complete reimagining of her life - from feminism to family, from work to rest. Rachel's childhood in Akron, Ohio was anchored in Baptist faith - a sanctuary where she felt safe among other Black children, away from her predominantly white suburban world. Church wasn't just Sunday services; it was the rhythm of her family's life. But when her father died despite her fervent prayers, when her sisters succumbed to addiction, when she found herself raising their children with her mother, the promises of faith began to crack. Fast-forward to her early twenties: married to Manny in a yellow sundress and khakis, trying to build safety through traditional vows. Yet a persistent voice whispered that something was wrong. After divorce, living in her uncle's basement eating burritos and watching *Scandal*, she tasted freedom for the first time - responsible only to herself, with no one dictating her thoughts or choices. What follows isn't just one woman's story. It's an invitation to question every inherited script you've been handed and ask: *What would my life look like if I designed it myself?*
Finding Your Own North Star: Values, Learning, and Self-Trust
Love Without a Script: Rewriting Intimacy and Building Chosen Family
The Feminism They Didn't Teach You: Confronting Whitewashed History
Work as World-Building: Creating Enterprises That Reflect Your Values
Rest as Resistance: Reclaiming the Right to Simply Be
Your Renaissance Is Waiting: Writing Your Own Script
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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