Frequently Asked Questions

The Burned Haystack Dating Method® is a feminist approach to dating that uses applied rhetoric - the study of how language reveals power and intention - to help women decode dating profiles, spot manipulation, and filter out incompatible matches before wasting time and emotional energy.
The method teaches you to analyze the language people use in dating profiles and messages to identify red flags, manipulative patterns, and communication styles that reveal character. By learning to "read between the lines," you can make faster, more confident decisions about who deserves your time.
The method is for women who are exhausted by dating apps, tired of bad advice telling them to "give people a chance," and ready to trust their instincts. It's especially helpful for women dating after divorce, coming out of difficult relationships, or returning to dating after years away.
No. While the method was developed for dating apps, the same rhetorical analysis skills apply to workplace communication, family dynamics, friendships, and any situation where you need to decode what people are really saying beneath their words.
You can learn the method through Jennie's Substack newsletter Burned Haystack, her 240,000+ member Facebook community, and her book Burn the Haystack (Spring 2026). All resources focus on practical application with real examples.

Applied rhetoric is the study of how people use language to persuade, reveal values, and navigate power dynamics. It's about recognizing patterns in communication—like when someone uses passive voice to dodge accountability or says "I don't do drama" to signal they won't handle conflict maturely.
Rhetoric shapes every interaction we have. The words people choose reveal their intentions, character, and how they view power. When you understand rhetoric, you stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting what people are actually telling you through their language choices.
No. Jennie translates academic concepts into practical, accessible skills anyone can use immediately. If you've ever had a "gut feeling" about someone based on how they communicate, you already have rhetorical intuition—this just helps you name and trust it.

Jennie Young is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, creator of the Burned Haystack Dating Method®, and author of Burn the Haystack. She's known for blending academic rigor with sharp humor to help women decode power dynamics in dating and beyond.
Jennie is a Professor of English, Writing Foundations, and Women and Gender Studies, and serves as Associate Dean for Outreach and Communication in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at UW-Green Bay. She specializes in applied rhetoric, humor studies, and feminist discourse analysis.
Yes. Her work has been covered by The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Washington Post, Newsweek, and Wall Street Journal. Her writing has appeared in McSweeney's, Ms. Magazine, and HuffPost.
After her divorce, Jennie returned to dating apps and was shocked by the manipulative communication patterns that had become normalized. She realized her training in rhetoric could help decode these patterns.
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Burn the Haystack releases in Spring 2026 from HarperCollins.
Burn the Haystack is a feminist dating guide that teaches you to decode manipulation, spot red flags, and filter dating profiles with confidence using applied rhetoric. It flips exhausting, bad dating advice on its head and gives you permission to trust your standards.
The book is for smart women who are tired of dating app nonsense, sick of being told they're "too picky," and ready to cut through the noise to find people who can actually meet their needs. It's especially valuable for women returning to dating after major life transitions.
While the book focuses on dating apps as a starting point, the rhetorical skills you'll learn apply to all relationships - romantic, professional, familial, and social. Once you learn to spot manipulative rhetoric in dating, you'll see it everywhere.
You can preorder here.

Jennie speaks on applied rhetoric, power dynamics in communication, feminist approaches to dating and relationships, workplace communication, and using rhetorical analysis to strengthen organizational culture. Her talks blend humor, academic credibility, and practical frameworks.
Yes. Jennie works with organizations to identify how applied rhetoric can strengthen team communication, reveal hidden power dynamics, and build more equitable workplace cultures. Contact her through the website to discuss speaking, consulting, or writing opportunities.
For media inquiries, contact Tess Day at HarperCollins: tess.day@harpercollins.com
Jennie's primary focus is teaching the method through group formats (newsletter, community, workshops, and the book) rather than individual coaching. Join the Burned Haystack community or newsletter for support.