Backtalk

Latest Episodes:

Student Moans May 02, 2019

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy get upset about student loans. Elizabeth Warren's campaign recently unveiled a student loan forgiveness plan as part of her platform, finally seriously centering the student debt crisis as something the government should help alleviate. How we talk about the student loan crisis is important because it can shift the focus from student responsibility to how predatory loaning is screwing us all. And we still want to know what you want to see re-booted in Amy vs Dahlia! Text "reboot" to 503-855-6485 to let us know what you think!

WATCH Barry Jenkins's deeply moving "If Beale Street Could Talk" is now on Hulu and a must-watch of this James Baldwin adaptation about Black love against a harsh reality of structural anti-Black violence.

Backtalk: That's not consent. That's capitalism. Apr 18, 2019

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy get into the newest marketing ploy around consent: condoms that require four hands to open. These kinds of throwaway, viral products commodify ideas around sexual violence without actually working to solve a problem (while hoisting the blame for sexual assault away from the perpetrator), and we're sick of it. And in Amy vs. Dahlia, we argue about what blast-from-the-past TV show needs to make a comeback. Text "reboot" to 503-855-6485 to let us know what you think!

Popaganda Revisited: Who Writes Our History? Apr 11, 2019

Show notes

Rebroadcasted from February 2017: History isn't static—it's the stories we tell ourselves about the past. And that story changes depending on who's doing the telling. On this episode, we explore what it means to tell your own history in three different ways. Iranian-American comedian Negin Farsad talks with us being a super patriotic teen and her new book, How to Make White People Laugh. Then, writer Jessica Machado discusses the life and music of blueswoman Bessie Smith, who told her own story in song in the 1920s and 30s. Finally, we call up brilliant scholar Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz to dig into her work, An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States. Listen in!

Backtalk: What about "Us"? Apr 04, 2019

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy dig into Jordan Peele's latest horror film, "Us." Lots of spoilers while they talk about how the film fits into genre canons, symbolism, and what can it all mean? And in Amy vs. Dahlia, an argument about the worst of adulting. There are so many terrible things to choose from, but is it paying your bills on time or having to cook yourself? Let us know what you can't stand about being grown. Text "Adult" to 503-855-6485 to let us know what you think!

Popaganda: Revisited - You Feel Me? Mar 28, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, we're going to be talking about an emotion you've probably heard a lot about lately: empathy. The way we talk about it, it's almost like a superpower: it's like we want to believe that the cure to political divisiveness, racism, and even war lies in the act of imagining exactly how someone else feels. But is empathy really going to save the world?

First, Dr. Carolyn Pedwell, associate professor in Cultural Studies at the University of Kent, explains how different people define "empathy" and use it to achieve various, and sometimes opposing, goals. One of those parties is the virtual reality industry, and tech journalist Rose Eveleth explains the potentials and pitfalls of empathic VR experiences. Then we go into another sort of empathy experience with cartoonist Ben Passmore, whose comic and animated short, "Your Black Friend," tackles empathy in a different, sharper way. Finally, we talk with scholar and activist Frances Lee (of the Bitch 50!) about how we can practice empathy better: in a way that acknowledges the humanity of other people without making it all about ourselves.

Backtalk: Scammer SZN Mar 21, 2019

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy get into all things scammy. The recent news of what the FBI called "Operation Varsity Blues" has revealed a multi-million dollar college admissions scheme run by an organization to aid wealthy parents in bribing university administrators and college prep tutors to pay their way into elite schools. Another day, another story about the wealthy taking advantage of systems built to maintain their status! And Amy vs. Dahlia wants to know who's the worse scammer: baritone Silicon Valley liar, Elizabeth Holmes, or Fyre Fest disaster bro, Billy McFarland! What's your choice? Text "Scam" to 503-855-6485 to let us know what you think!

Popaganda: Revisited - Sex Work is Work Mar 15, 2019

Show notes

From the archive: Discussions of sex work often get mired in a couple basic questions: is it "good" or "bad"? Are sex workers empowered or not? But sex workers are a diverse group—their experiences aren't all good or bad. On this show, we try to reframe the issue by exploring the legal and financial realities of sex work.

For example: How does a dominatrix do her taxes? What kinds of healthcare do sex workers need? How would decriminalizing sex work change peoples' lives?

Backtalk: YA's Cancel Culture Mar 07, 2019

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy dig into the world of YA drama. Recently, two YA authors have chosen to cancel their own debut novels after being called out by some readers for "problematic" issues in the text. Dahlia and Amy talk about the effects of cancel culture that demands perfect art. Also, a Petty Political Pminute on what may be the road ahead to 45's impeachment. And Amy vs. Dahlia are debating the worst of the worst: manspreading vs mansplaning! What's your choice? Text "Man" to 503-855-6485 to let us know what you think!

Backtalk: Haute Couture Blackface Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy are back! They've got pop culture picks! They've got read, watch, and listen recommendations! They've got so many rage-induced opinions! In recent months, controversies have popped up in the news with the discovery of prominent politicians and actors donning blackface and prestige design houses releasing couture designs with unmistakable references to blackface. Amy vs. Dahlia wants to know who should win the Oscar's Best Picture award! Amy thinks the beautifully-filmed "Roma" is the winner and Dahlia's brilliant pick is "The Favourite." What's your choice? Text "Oscars" to 503-855-6485 to let us know what you think!

Backtalk: Our Favorites of 2018 Dec 28, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Dahlia, Amy, and special guest Soleil share their pop culture faves that got them through this year, from Shirkers and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, to online hoaxes, sandwich outfits, and Queer Eye. We've celebrated the best of this year's pop culture, and now we're ready for you, 2019.

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