From political organizing to prison reform, activists can look to science fiction for inspiration. Detroit writer and activists Adrienne Maree Brown discusses the real-world lessons from science fiction and her work as the co-editor of upcoming anthology "Octavia's Brood." 

This interview is part of our hour-long episode on feminism and science fiction. 

Learn more about "Octavia's Brood": http://octaviasbrood.com/

What Can Social Justice Activists Learn from Science Fiction?

Bitch editors Amy and Sarah talk about what the deal is with Amy Schumer, bemoan how the United States is still funding abstinence-only education, and rant about the family featured in TLC show "19 and Counting." 

Backtalk: Amy Schumer, Sex Ed, and the Duggars

Writer and disability advocate Caitlin Wood talks about reclaiming the word "crip" and what it means. 

For more on the crip culture, check out Criptiques, the anthology of writing by people with disabilities that Caitlin Wood edited: http://criptiques.com/

Let's Talk About Crip Culture

Ever thought about what Disney films say about race in society? Scholar and activist Walidah Imarisha discusses the class she teaches on Race and Disney, and comments on the messages of films like The Jungle Book and The Lion King. 

The Racial Politics of Disney Animals

When Scottish trio CHVRCHES blew up after the release of their first album, Lauren Mayberry suddenly found herself fronting a wildly popular band. In this interview, she talks about learning to hold her ground while dealing with pressure from fans and music industry professionals alike. 

CHVRCHES' Lauren Mayberry Talks Music and Fandom

Amy and Sarah reflect on what they learned from pop culture this year, including lessons from How To Get Away With Murder and Ta-Nehisi Coates, and on how they grew as feminists. 

Plus: A favorite new song of the year. 

Backtalk: What We Learned This Year

In the new horror film, terror stems from Puritanical control of women's bodies. 


Review of Horror Film "The Witch"

Your ability to drink clean water, breathe unpolluted air, and eat healthy food shouldn't depend on your income or your skin color. But as stories from Flint and elsewhere prove, all too often race and class play a role in access to environmental quality. We talk about the meaning of "environmental justice" and hear from three activists who are working to make the world a better, greener place. This episode features interviews with a co-founder of indigenous rights movement Idle No More, African American farmers in Wisconsin, and the late Nobel Prize winner Wangari Matthai. 

The photo on this track is a Creative Commons image by James Mitchell. 


Environmental Justice

Soleil Ho is a chef and writer. In this essay, "Craving the Other," she explores the politics of race and food. 

Read Soleil's article here: https://bitchmedia.org/article/craving-the-other-0

And check out her brand-new podcast on race and food: Racist Sandwich. 

One Woman’s Beef with Cultural Appropriation and Cuisine

A wave of transphobic "bathroom bills" is sweeping the nation, with Republican legislators from Wyoming to Washington proposing 50 such laws this year. How did fighting over public bathrooms become a right-wing cause célébre? Why do politicians care what bathrooms people use, anyway? This episode explores the history of gender segregation in bathrooms and highlights the work of activists who are leading the resistance to the new discriminatory laws.  

Bathroom Panic

Right now in the United States, there are more people with psychiatric disabilities in jail or prison than there are in psych hospitals, 

Writer and filmmaker Cheryl Green explores that reality. 

Locked Down: The Link Between Disability and Prisons

People don't always see prison activism and feminism as linked - but it's important to understand how mass incarceration plays a big role in making our country more unequal. 

Prisons are a Feminist Issue

If you're a woman married to a man, people will often assume you're straight... even when that's not the case. #GoodMuslimBadMuslim co-host and stand-up comedian Zahra talks about how she decided to come out as bisexual to her parents at age 56.

Hear more from Zahra at #GoodMuslimBadMuslim: http://www.goodmuslimbadmuslim.com/

Coming Out As Bi When You're Muslim and Married

On Backtalk, Bitch editors Amy Lam and Sarah Mirk talk about this week in feminist and pop culture. On the docket this week: The surreal brilliance of Black Mirror, a show that forces us to think about the way technology shapes our emotional lives. Then, we talk about the role race places in the treatment of the protesters at Standing Rock compared to the recent acquittal of seven militia members who staged an armed takeover of federal land in Eastern Oregon last spring. Plus: People who think Hillary Clinton is a literal demon. 

The song on this week's show is "Joke" by Flock of Dimes.

Popaganda

Backtalk: Black Mirror & Standing Rock Arrests

Editor and writer Maya Dusenberry talks about her upcoming book called Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick.

How Doctors Often Dismiss Female Pain

Feminist researcher Miriam Sweeney delves into the world of virtual assistants that have female voices and bodies, from the modern Siri to the old-school Ms. Dewey.

Siri, are you real?

"Family values" has been co-opted by right-wing folks. But what the hell! Feminists have strong values and we have strong families, too. On this episode, we're queering family values. We talk with two queer feminist activists about how they've redefined family values for themselves: Magaret Jacobsen and Yasmin Nair.

Queering Family Values

Ev'yan Whitney, the host of the podcast "The Sexually Liberated Woman," takes the plunge: she interviews her mom about her sexual history. The conversation bridges a gap between the sexy selfie generation and a woman who was raised in an era when even saying "butt" was forbidden.

I Interviewed My Mom About Sex

Too often, we don’t see the ability to stay alive, regardless of your income, as a basic foundation that our society can agree on. The fact that the idea that everyone deserves to have healthcare is controversial—that shows one way American identity is steeped in capitalism. 

That’s what today’s show is about: life in late capitalism. “Late capitalism” is a phrase that was first used by Marxist theorists at the turn of the 20th century. Over that time, it’s been used in different ways by different people, but right now, it’s popping up all over as a both funny and cutting term to describe the absurdity and lack of dignity that comes with our world’s gaping inequality. 

This show features interviews with disability rights activist Stephanie Woodward, POOR magazine founder Tiny Grey-Garcia, and community organizer Jessica Lee.

Life in Late Capitalism

Does your family look down on your for not making enough money? What's the way to define "success," anyway? Those are the big questions that community organizer Jessica Lee and Backtalk host Amy Lam tackle.

Family, Finances, and "Success"

The editor of POOR magazine talks about living on the streets and what it's like to make media by and for low-income and no-income people.

"The U.S. Makes It Illegal to be Poor"

Caring for other people is hard work! Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha sets some ground rules for the often-invisible work of emotional labor.

Let's Talk About Emotional Labor

As Julia was starting to plan a new album, disaster struck. The genderqueer performer fell into a coma after getting gender-confirming top surgery. Julia shares the story here.

Julia Weldon on "Comatose Hope"

The beach is supposed to be a place of relaxation. But, as we all know far too well, it’s also a place of high anxiety. Nothin’ puts body positive feelings to the test quite like slipping into what’s essentially colorful underwear and parading around in the midday sun in front of a bunch of strangers. This episode of Popaganda, “Beach Bodies,” takes listeners from the sandy sun to the woods, to the pool, and back again, all while having conversations about how we feel about our bodies and how to deal with the anxieties people have around having their bodies being on display outside.

We talk with Unlikely Hikers creator Jenny Bruso about diversifying outdoor-industry media, hear from model Sawyer DeVuyst about telling visual stories from trans perspectives, and dish on fat-positive fashion with style blogger Jessica Torres. We also share oral histories of a 1930s resort called Dreamland, which catered to African Americans living in the segregated Jim Crow South.

Popaganda: Beach Bodies

Style blogger Jessica Torres talks with us about fat-positive fashion.

Interview with Jessica Torres

Model Sawyer DeVuyst talks with us about presenting visual narratives from trans perspectives... and going to the beach.

Transgender Representation... at the Beach!

Sarah hit the clothing-optional beach outside of Portland, Oregon to talk to people about body image.

On the Nude Beach, Every Body is Welcome

Soleil Ho joins us to talk about food and cultural appropriation—a topic she often discusses on the Racist Sandwich podcast and recently covered for travel platform On She Goes—and about not catering to white tastes as the chef of her new restaurant, Bonito Kitchen.

Eating and Making Food Without Cultural Appropriation

If you ever heard someone gush about how "Filipino food is so hot right now," then you'll appreciate Thrillist editor Khushbu Shah's take on the problems with declaring an entire cultural cuisine to be an up-and-coming trend.

When a Culture's Cuisine Becomes Hip

Big bittersweet news! Popaganda host Sarah Mirk is leaving the show. Bitch editorial director Lisa Factora-Borchers talks with Sarah about her favorite moments from four years hosting the podcast and about what's next for her creative life. 

Popaganda will return in 2018 with all-new episodes.

Popaganda: Goodbye for a While!

Dahlia and Amy ring in the new year (yay!) talking about how the world is burning down (boo!). The beginning of this decade can feel hopeless, but all hope is not lost: stay informed, organize, and create change. 

WATCH 
Not to be confused with “Celebrity Couples Therapy,” “Couples Therapy” on Showtime is a really interesting look at the work of being a therapist. There’s also a very strange and engaging new “Dracula” miniseries on Netflix. 

READ 
“Severance” by Ling Ma is the apocalyptic dystopian consumerist novel of our times. 

LISTEN 
“Fresh Blood” by Eels

Backtalk

Backtalk: Happy New Year! The World Is On Fire!

Host Carmen Rios tries to figure out what sustainable fashion looks like—and assesses the devastating impacts of the industry on the planet—in the third episode of Popaganda’s GLAMOUR season. Featuring: Cat Chiang (The Restitchtance), Sarah Dupont (“River of Gold”), Aditi Mayer (ADIMAY), Leah Musch (The Un-Material Girl) and A. Tianna Scozzaro of the Sierra Club.

GLAMOUR: Climate Anxiety, But Make it Fashion

Popaganda: Climate Anxiety, But Make it Fashion

This week Dahlia and Amy talk about the beginning of the trial against Harvey Weinstein in New York. Weinstein was first exposed in 2017 in part due to the investigative reporting by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey at the “New York Times.” The story of that investigation is documented in their book, “She Said,” and reveals all of the work that went into their story. 


WATCH
“Watchmen” is a multivalent exploration of justice and corruption. Plus superheroes and great acting. 


READ
“The Friend” by Sigrid Nunez explores grief, canine companionship, and writing life.  


LISTEN
“Hit Reset” by The Julie Ruin

Backtalk: Weinstein in Court

In the fourth episode of Popaganda’s GLAMOUR season, host Carmen Rios heads to Oakland, California to visit feminist artist Michele Pred—and find out how she makes the political purses you’ve seen on red carpets and across the Internet.

Popaganda: Inside Michele Pred’s Feminist Artist Studio

This week, Dahlia and Amy get into the controversy over the publishing industry and the book that’s too big to fail. “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins, and her publisher, Flatiron Books, have been at the center of discussions about how the industry decides who deserves huge advances and to have their books championed, and what writers get left behind. Will this literary drama change the publishing landscape? 

READ 
“I Know What I Am: The Life and Times of Artemisia Gentileschi” by Gina Siciliano is a gorgeous look at the life of the seventeenth-century painter.

WATCH 
“Gloria Bell” stars Julianne Moore as a middle-aged woman living her ordinary life in this tender film. 

LISTEN 
“religion (u can lay your hands on me)” by Shura

Backtalk: Cleaning Up After “American Dirt”

Host Carmen Rios investigates the labor crises facing women who work in fashion’s supply chain—and challenges listeners to become part of a better fashion economy—in the fifth episode of Popaganda’s GLAMOUR season. Featuring: Ethan Snow (UNITE HERE), Ruth Ogier (WAR ON WANT), Sarah Ditty (FASHION REVOLUTION).

Popaganda: Class War, But Make it Fashion

This week, Dahlia and Amy discuss comments made by Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer, Donna Rotunno, insisting that women could avoid sexual assault by not placing themselves in risky situations. Plus we read some great listener notes that start conversations. 

READ 
“Ceremonials” by Katharine Coldiron is a twelve-part lyric novella inspired by Florence + the Machine's 2011 album of the same name. Between prose and poetry, it’s about two girls who fall in love at boarding school and the ghosts that follow.

WATCH 
Netflix’s “Next in Fashion” features amazing designers and garments, with a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process. 

LISTEN 
“Sullen Girl” by Fiona Apple

Backtalk: VictimblamingToo

In the sixth episode of Popaganda’s GLAMOUR season, host Carmen Rios meets up with Davida Hall from Lipstick Lobby in Los Angeles—and finds out the stories behind each shade of the feminist beauty brand’s movement-oriented products.

Use the code “Bitch15” for 15 percent off your favorite feminist shade at https://thelipsticklobby.com! Share a selfie in your favorite shade with the hashtag #ProtestWithABoldLip!

This episode of Popaganda is sponsored by Lewis & Clark College’s 39th annual Gender Studies Symposium in Portland, Oregon, from March 11–13. Don’t miss out on this exciting series of free lectures, workshops, and panel discussions, an art exhibit, and keynote talks by Jack Halberstam and Feminista Jones. Learn more at go.lclark.edu/gendersymp. We’ll see you on campus!

Popaganda: How to Lipstick it to the Man

This week, Dahlia and Amy reflect on the past years of pop culture, feminism, and rageful conversations. Backtalk couldn’t have happened without its listeners and all of the thoughtful feedback that have sparked convos in each episode. We’ve giggled, we’ve cried, and we’ve learned so much along the way. Thanks so much for all of the support. 

Always and forever, your rage cheerleaders!

You can follow Amy at: 
https://twitter.com/amyadoyzie
https://www.instagram.com/amylamjam
https://www.byamylam.com

You can follow Dahlia at: 
https://twitter.com/salvadordahlia
https://www.instagram.com/dahliabalcazar
https://www.salvadordahlia.com

Backtalk: Rage On

Capitalism has complicated our cultural definition of “glamour”—and in the process, it has corrupted how we see and express ourselves. Host Carmen Rios talks to journalist Tansy Hoskins, who’s the author of 2014’s Stitched Up: The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion and 2020’s Foot Work: What Your Shoes Are Doing To The World; girls’ empowerment speaker Brie Mathers (Love the Skin You’re In) and People Tree founder and author Safia Minney (“Naked Fashion: The Sustainable Fashion Revolution,” “Slow Fashion: Aesthetics Meets Ethics,” “Slave to Fashion”) in pursuit of something better—glamour beyond capitalism—in this episode of Popaganda.

GLAMOUR: Beyond Capitalism

Feminist response to pop culture! 

We post a new podcast episode every Thursday, digging deep on everything from Beyonce to geek girls. Tune in. 


Bitch Media

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks