Backtalk

Latest Episodes:

Backtalk: Junot Diaz & MeToo May 10, 2018

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy talk about the latest in this #MeToo movement and what accountability can look like. More and more stories are coming out across industries of those who are abusing their power and we're beginning to see more claims within the literary world. Last month, Junot Diaz published a heartbreaking account of his own rape, sharing his #MeToo moment. This is in contrast to recent allegations against him as the source of other's #MeToo stories. Can Junot Diaz reckon with his own history of abuse without further abusing others? Plus Petty Political Pminute and a Golden Girls Amy Vs. Dahlia!

Birth of the New May 03, 2018

Show notes

End of the world getting you down? We may never truly know what the future holds, and to some of us, the looming threat of an apocalypse is the most effective birth control. In this episode of Popaganda, Soleil digs into parenting and the end of the world: whether that means a total lifestyle change or global environmental calamity.

First, she talks with Chicago DSA podcast producer Eleanor Russell about the ways in which reproductive justice is tied with economic justice. Then, she discusses the revelatory work of Octavia Butler and her imaginings of the future with essayist Jade Sanchez-Ventura. Along the way, she muses about Cormac McCarthy's book, The Road; familiar dystopias; and Cardi B's drive to have it all.

SHOUT-OUTS

Talkin' Socialism, the official podcast of the Chicago DSA.

You can read Jade Sanchez-Ventura's brilliant essay, "Raising Babies in End of Days," over at Mutha Magazine.

Here's more info on the anthology, Octavia's Brood.

More on the racist undercurrents of overpopulation discourse.

The Revolutionary Women book of stencils mentioned by Jade.

Backtalk: Summer Music Fests Apr 26, 2018

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy talk about summer music fests, Beychella, and the dismal treatment of sexual harassment at festivals. This year's Coachella was a moment with Beyoncé being the first Black woman artist headlining and featuring a very pregnant Cardi B. doing her thing. But it wasn't without concerns, as outlined in a "Teen Vogue" piece where a writer documented all of the times she was sexually harassed. Plus we've got a literal Petty Political Pminute!

Popaganda: I Saw the Sign Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

Do you believe what you read in horoscopes? In pop culture, we imbue the zodiac signs with certain stereotypical behaviors. Virgos are judgmental, Leos are always starving for attention, Geminis are two-faced. The general gist is that the sun's position in the sky relative to 12 astrological signs at the time of your birth can tell you all about the kind of person you'll be. At least, enough to receive the same advice once a week. On this episode of Popaganda, you'll be hearing from two people whose lives are entangled in astrology. We'll talk about finding yourself in horoscopes, zodiac pie, and how astrology might work alongside social justice.

First, we speak with Claire Comstock-Gay, a.k.a Madame Clairevoyant, who writes weekly horoscopes for The Cut. We actually covered her in Bitch last year! Then we hear from Candace Kita, a community organizer who attends the Portland School of Astrology, who explains what it means to "queer" the study of the zodiac. And she reads Soleil's birth chart! Cool!

Backtalk: Nat Geo's Racism & Spring Break Mar 22, 2018

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy talk about how the National Geographic is finally coming to terms with its racism and how we think about spring break in pop culture. Finally, in its 130th year, National Geographic is beginning to acknowledge its history of perpetuating colonialism through racist editorial decisions. Like, duh. The impact that the magazine has had on how folks view many parts of the world can't be understated. The same can be said about pop culture references to spring break and popular destinations that are seen as party towns without thinking about how these cities are homes to entire communities. And of course, we've got a new Amy vs. Dahlia—and this is a spicy one.

Popaganda: Faking It Mar 15, 2018

Show notes

On today's show, Soleil will be talking about one of her favorite subjects: the act of faking it. Why do we do it, and what does it mean when we accuse others of doing it? And what does the impostor tell us about the boundaries we erect in order to define ourselves and our place in the world? To answer those questions, she'll take on the Portsmouth Sinfonia, the phenomenon of the "fake geek girl," Rachel Dolezal, and the awful—but perhaps enlightening—film White Chicks.

We have two guests on the show this week: first, Soleil talks with Michi Trota, managing editor of the two-time Hugo Award-winning Uncanny Magazine, about how to it feels to be pushed out of a community is supposed to be all about celebrating outcasts. Then Soleil speaks with Amalia Nicholson—a content producer and cohost of the podcast Borrowed Interest, a show that focuses on the experiences of Black women in advertising—about everyone's favorite Wayans Brothers movie (besides Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, of course).

Backtalk: Good, Bad & Problematic at The Oscars Mar 08, 2018

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy are back to grumble and celebrate the Academy Awards. They dig into the limits of #MeToo in an industry that would continue to celebrate known abusers Gary Oldman and Kobe Bryant and overlook Ryan Seacrest's abusive behavior so he can stay on the red carpet. And the tale of two white women actors, Emma Stone and Frances McDormand, and how their different remarks reflect what White Feminism or true allyship can look like at the Oscars. And of course the latest update on the clown car show that is the Trump administration in Petty Political Pminute, and don't forget the latest Amy vs. Dahlia!

Popaganda: Watching What You Eat Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

What does it take to get "well"? When we think about wellness, especially right now, we tend to think of it as everything we do to make our lives and bodies healthy. Rather than defining health through the negation of sickness, wellness advocates press that being "well" is an ongoing process of maintenance and care. But so much of what we think about wellness is so wrapped up in watching and being watched—through fitness apps, Instagram, bureaucracy, or just the day-to-day experience of going to the grocery store.

On this episode of Popaganda, Soleil will be talking with a few folks about that peculiar facet of wellness. First, food writer Serena Maria Daniels shares her experience of growing up in a family that participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and how it feels to apply for the program as an adult. Then she talks to Dr. Elizabeth Hoover, assistant professor of American Studies at Brown University, about the ways in which Native American communities have fought for control over their food supply. Finally, eating disorder specialist Renee McGregor walks her through the trouble with "clean eating," and the ways in which food bloggers can inadvertently encourage disordered eating.

Backtalk: Stoneman Douglas & The Olympics Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

This week, Dahlia and Amy talk about the growing anti-gun student movement that's happened since the shooting at the Parkland, Florida, high school and an update about the Winter Olympics. After the latest horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school, students have rallied together to demand serious gun control and that the NRA get out of the pockets of politicians. And at this year's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, a #MeToo moment with Shaun White and some incredible performances from Chloe Kim and the American figure skating team. Plus, a Petty Political Pminute and a new Amy vs. Dahlia poll!

Popaganda: You Feel Me? Feb 17, 2018

Show notes

Popaganda is back! 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.

This episode of Popaganda is also our new host's first with us! Soleil's excited to jump on board and we hope you're looking forward to all that she'll be bringing to the table, too.

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