Women in Comics: Is Wonder Woman Wonderful?

In our discussion of women characters and the portrayal of women in graphic novels, we go back and unpack the history of women in comics and early characters. We take a look at how the portrayal and story lines of women in comics have changed over time, and the contemporary women characters, as well as interest by girls and women in graphic novels. We uncover an unappreciated but potentially important aspect of graphic novels in getting young girls interested in reading. We discuss the recent Wonder Woman movie, and determine if the character is really wonderful, especially for women and girls.

Harassment and a Smile: Conversation with Actor Rebecca Blaine Carton

I have a discussion with the incredibly talented Rebecca Blaine Carton about her independent short on harassment and catcalling, Smile. We talk about how this is an almost universal experience for women and girls, and how it is very difficult to avoid. We discuss the sense of shared experience we sometimes feel when we see another woman being harassed or another woman is our witness, but the same sense of powerlessness. These catcalls and harassment can often cross the boundary into feeling unsafe or even threatened.

Rebecca's independent short, called Smile, which was featured by Hollaback and Upworthy, takes a light-hearted look at one woman experiencing a catcall, and running through in her mind the various reactions that she could have to a man harassing her. We have an open and honest discussion about what led her to make this movie short, and the other projects that she has coming out. You won't want to miss my "behind the scenes" talk with Rebecca Blaine Carton.

Follow Rebecca Blaine Carton on Facebook @IrritableBeccaSyndrome, on Twitter @IrritableBeccaS, on Instagram @irritablebeccasyndrome, and on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rebeccacarton

Special Episode: Contraception, Rape & a Bad Week for Women

In this special episode, we discuss what was a bad week for the United States after facing several back-to-back tragedies including hurricanes and a mass shooting. We focus on four important policy changes that were very quietly implemented by the Trump administration over the last week while media attention was diverted to these tragedies. All of these policy changes are relevant and important to the health, safety, and rights of women, girls, and families. All of these policy changes will be damaging in some way, whether at a large or small scale, big or small dollar amount, to women and girls. The common thread of these policies seems to be that they take away agency of women - control of one's own body and the ability to make decisions that will impact you on a deeply and intimately personal level. Listen for my informative interview with Dr. Colleen Begley, an activist and OB/GYN, as we discuss and dispel mythology around contraception and what you should be doing right now to protect yourself from the potential impact of these policies.

Parenting Girls in a Patriarchy

In this episode, I have a fascinating discussion with psychologist Dr. Dahlia Topolosky about how to raise a healthy girl in a patriarchy. We discuss the influences of gender norms, stereotypes, and how to be an active and present parent. Dr. Topolosky talks about nature vs. nurture and what aspects of a healthy development parents can play a critical role in. Whether you have a daughter or a son, or no children at all, you will find this an enlightening listen.

Season 1 Recap - Season 2 Teasers!

We have a conversation about Season 1, our favorite episodes and guests, and our favorite moments from the 26 episodes of Season 1. We tease our upcoming Season 2 episodes, and some of the exciting topics we will be covering. Hope you stay tuned and subscribe if you haven't already!

Escalating Ideology of the Alt-Right

Listen to my interview with Dr. Paul Johnson from University of Pittsburgh, an expert in studying right-wing extremism and the Alt-Right. This is a rebroadcast of an earlier episode, which is unfortunately extremely timely right now. Our discussion highlights some fascinating information about the start of the Alt-Right, what their shared ideology is, who supports it, and who has joined.

Toxic Masculinity & Teen Girls: Slam Poetry Perspective

Lots of women have been hurting since the ugly discourse of the Trump campaign and eventual election, as well as the acceptance by many of the rise of toxic masculinity. We haven't spoken aloud about it very much, but women are feeling trauma. What we have neglected to notice perhaps in our own contemplation and grieving, is whether girls and young women are suffering.

My interview with a young slam poet sheds light on how adolescent women are feeling. As we discuss in this interview, they are not immune to the pain and misogynistic blowback that Donald Trump has set loose in our society. My guest, Dani Miller, a young slam poet, shares her thoughts on this issue, as well as some of her very powerful and moving poetry on our patriarchy. This one is not to be missed!

Body Image, Fat Shaming, & Loving Ourselves

This episode, I have a powerful discussion with Jennifer Rollin, a therapist who specializes in body image and eating disorders. We take a deep dive into body image and fat shaming. No one will be surprised to hear that the ideal body in our culture is thin. Very thin. And not everyone is very thin. Or even thin. In fact most of us aren’t. So let’s consider the space between the ideal and real. The chasm between what we are, and what the idealized perfect is.

We discuss how fat shaming and the thin ideal have become so acculturated and normalized that it pervades nearly every aspect of women's lives and can seriously undermine our confidence. We discuss how we can break this unhealthy fixation and help our girl children grow up feeling good about themselves.

Women and the Alt-Right

In this fascinating discussion, I talk with Dr. Paul Johnson from University of Pittsburgh about the Alt-Right, their beliefs and ideologies, and a brief history of how they started. 

The Alt-Right, is a general umbrella term for a set of right wing ideologies, groups, and individuals whose central belief is that white people, and most particularly white men, are under attack in our society by a system of multi-culturalism, and in their thinking political correctness gone out of control. The foundation of Alt-Right thinking is that white men have been displaced and emasculated by women and minorities, who are NOT equal to white men.

The Alt-Right movement has had significant success attracting social misfits who hear the message that if they are rejected by women, then it is not their fault, but it is the fault of our societal power structures which are systematically undermining the overall success of white men. They are the victims of an emasculating power struggle with women and minorities, which contributes to a bitter resentment toward both.

 

Patriarchy, Parenting and Boys

When the audiotape of Donald Trump on Access Hollywood leaked recording his discussion of his ability to grab women without permission, men from both parties expressed outrage. Some Republican lawmakers withdrew their support of Mr. Trump, including Paul Ryan, who said "I am sickened by what I heard today." Men of both parties said "As a father of daughters...."  But why must a man have a daughter to feel or express moral outrage over such behavior? What about our sons?

In my discussion with blogger Jacque Gorelick, whose blog www.writewhereiam.com discusses the importance and challenges of raising boys in a patriarchy, with an understanding of male privilege.

Politics, Aggression, & Women's Malaise

The level of rancor and divisiveness in our country right now is hard to miss or deny. In the midst of this ugly political discourse, the status of women has been under attack with some particularly misogynistic elements being given a platform, and some might say tacit approval in the lack of outrage or pushback.

This general feeling of a diminishment of women weighs heavily on many, often not even aware that it is there. I speak with my guest, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who talks about how the generally aggressive public discourse about women has impacted those who have experienced trauma in the past and find themselves triggered by this new and negative norm. We discuss signs to watch for in yourself, and in those you care for to be sure you are taking care of yourself and each other.