The Gender Knot

Latest Episodes:

Should men be involved in feminism? Feb 26, 2018

Show notes

We have our live show on Monday 26th February! We’ll be joined by guests Michaela Wain entrepreneur, contestant on The Apprentice, and Chris Hemmings https://twitter.com/hemmch journalist, author of ‘Be a Man’ as we discuss: can women break into boys’ clubs?
As we’re busy with our live show, we revisit the season 1 archive again this week and bring you our episode asking: should men be involved in feminism, and if so how?
There’s been a trend for more men to get involved in feminism and it makes sense; if women are to overcome hurdles, many men need to learn what these are and how they can do their job in creating a more equitable world. But sometimes men who want to help out do more harm then good. Do male feminists help the cause, or simply hijack it for their own gains? Should women learn to cater messages to get men on board, or that part of the problem? And what are some things that even progressive men think about but don’t share about feminism?
Note: Episode was first published on July 17th 2017.
One week-hiatus: We are taking next week off to rest after our show. We will be back with new episodes on Monday 12th March 2018.
Host and producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell
Guests:
Anonymous male essay writer
Lucy
Michelle Lim, Relationships coach https://www.michellelim.co/
Shea Wilson
Related links:
Jackson Katz’s Tedx talk “Violence against women, it’s a men’s issue” https://bit.ly/1iXu34B
Sheila Kelley’s Tedx talk “Let’s get naked” https://bit.ly/2EKEY4g
The Gender Knot podcast and Facebook Group
https://www.thegenderknot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/182851532302085/
Recommended podcast: Humans of Bitcoin](https://www.acast.com/humansofbitcoin/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons) 5 Pieces by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

Masculinity Crisis? Mark Manson weighs in Feb 19, 2018

Show notes

We’re gearing up for our first live show next week, so are replaying one of our favourite episodes from season 1.
Mark Manson is a self-development expert and the author of the book ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck’. He writes about how to improve your career, relationships and life in general. He told us about the so-called masculinity crisis that is going on right now; whether it exists, and if so what the crisis is exactly. He also tells us about the struggles of masculinity and how to make it healthier.
Live show: Monday 26th February, Ziferblat in London, 7 – 10 pm
Guests:
Michaela Wain - Entrepreneur and former The Apprentice contestant https://twitter.com/Michaelawain1
Chris Hemmings, Journalist, author of ‘Be a Man’ https://amzn.to/2Fc08tu
Question: Can women break into boys’ clubs?
Tickets: Available here https://bit.ly/2o9yBOq
Host and producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Cady Voge, Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell
Guests: Mark Manson, author of ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck’ https://markmanson.net/
Sponsor: A False Report: A true story of rape in America, by T Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong https://bit.ly/2Dzj3xE
Extra notes: The interview with Mark Manson was done on 12th October 2017 and we talk about current events within the context of that time. It was first published on 30th October 2017 . . . . .
Related links: The Gender Knot Podcast https://www.thegenderknot.com/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons) and 5 Pieces by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

Men and feelings: what’s the deal? Feb 12, 2018

Show notes

Many men seem to struggle with expressing their feelings, and with generally dealing with their feelings in the first place. It’s a complaint women often have, but how much truth is there to this? What’s the deal with men and their feelings? Why do so many men struggle, and what can be done about it?
Note: Live show in London on Monday 26th February – get your tickets here https://bit.ly/2tNUlT6
Host and producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell
Guests: Rotimi Akinsete, psychotherapist, Director of Wellbeing at the University of Surrey, Founder of Black Men on the Couch
Shad Tembo, early years teacher, leadership team at the Bristol Men in Early Years Network https://www.bmiey.co.uk/
Sponsor: White and Green – makers of luxury organic bed linen. Get a 15% discount with the promo code: GENDER https://www.whiteandgreen.ie/
Recommended podcast: Burst Your Bubble http://www.burstyourbubblepodcast.com/
**Related links:
The Gender Knot podcast and Facebook Group
https://www.thegenderknot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/182851532302085/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons) 5 Pieces by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

Does gender shape business? Feb 05, 2018

Show notes

The world of work was mostly made by men for men. As more women enter and rise through the economy, there’s a lot of dissatisfaction and discussion about how things are done; why is everything about achievement? Is making money really the be all and end all? And what’s the obsession with competition anyway?
Many women are forming their own ways of working to suit how they want to do business, which brings forth the question: does gender shape business?
Note: Live show – coming up on Monday 26th February, details below.
Host and producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell
Guests:
Alain de Botton, writer, philosopher, founder of The School of Life https://www.theschooloflife.com/
Emma Sexton, founder of [Make Your Words Work, co-founder of Flock Global and co-host of Badass Women’s Hour http://talkradio.co.uk/badass-womens-hour
Charles Michel, cook http://charlesmichel.co/
Sponsor: White and Green – makers of luxury organic bed linen. Get a 15% discount with the promo code: GENDER https://www.whiteandgreen.ie/
Related links: The Gender Knot LIVE - Mon 26th Feb in London, tickets and details here https://bit.ly/2tNUlT6
The Gender Knot podcast and Facebook Group
https://www.thegenderknot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/182851532302085/
Recommended podcast: Srsly by The New Statesman https://www.newstatesman.com/srsly
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons) and 5 Pieces by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

Are women too compassionate? Jan 29, 2018

Show notes

Being understanding, empathetic, seeing the other side of the story, being compassionate: these are many very classic feminine traits. But the upside of someone who is too compassionate is often also someone who lets others walk all over them, or someone who doesn’t hold other people accountable for poor behaviour.
Women are often expected to be compassionate and to keep the peace in social situations. Why is this, and what are the consequences if they don’t? And should women simply stop being so compassionate if they want to live more fulfilled lives and help others too?
Note: Live show – coming up on Monday 26th February, join our Facebook group to find out more – details will be announced soon.
Host and producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell
Guests:
Lindsey Adler, journalist https://twitter.com/lindseyadler
Elizabeth Gray, Jungian Analyst
Recommended podcast: Out There http://www.outtherepodcast.com/
Related links:
Lindsey Adler’s article: ‘Harvey Weinstein wouldn’t take no for an answer’ https://bit.ly/2EKFNdm
Lindsey Adler’s article: ‘Why would this time be any different?’ https://bit.ly/2GXUCLS
The Broad Experience podcast: ‘2018: a year for women?’ https://bit.ly/2NMEvS1
The Gender Knot podcast and Facebook Group
https://www.thegenderknot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/182851532302085/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons) and 5 Pieces by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

Can men fail? Jan 22, 2018

Show notes

The pressure to achieve is often a big deal for men across many cultures. Notions of success and failure are closely tied in with masculinity. At the same time, the past decade has seen huge changes in the global economy, and together with the rise of women, many men are losing their places in society.
An MC and a teacher help us delve into this question of whether men can fail, a question that is key to so many men’s personal lives, as well as the big social and political changes taking place right now.
Host and producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell
Guests:
Dizraeli, MC and poet
Alice, teacher
Recommended podcast: That’s when you get a dog https://renayrichardson.com/getadogpod/
Related links:
Dizraeli http://www.dizraeli.com/
The Gender Knot podcast and Facebook Group
https://www.thegenderknot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/182851532302085/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons) and
5 Pieces by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

Sex and self-worth Jan 19, 2018

Show notes

We explore some differing experiences: from a young man who tried to get respect from men through sleeping with women, to sex in a long term monogamous relationship, to the in-betweens. And can we ever really get self-worth from sex in the first place?
Host and producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell
Guests: Matt
Rose and Gail Reid, hosts of the podcast Details Please http://www.detailsplease.org/
Related links:
The Gender Knot podcast and Facebook Group
https://www.thegenderknot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/182851532302085/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

How can men best help feminism? Jan 08, 2018

Show notes

We kick off season two with a question for men who want to be better allies to women: how can men best help feminism?
It’s a pivotal moment in history, and so many men want to help out, but what should they do more of and what should they avoid? And what can we learn from the push for racial equality which can be applied to the movement for gender equality?
Host & producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Sam Baker and Jonathan Blackwell
Guests:
Jackson Katz http://www.jacksonkatz.com/), author and educator
Eugene Ellis, psychotherapist, director of The Black, African, Asian Therapy Network https://www.baatn.org.uk/
Related links:
Jackson Katz’s Ted talk: ‘Violence against women, it’s a men’s issue’ https://www.ted.com/talks/jacksonkatzviolenceagainstwomenitsamensissue
The Gender Knot podcast and Facebook Group
https://www.thegenderknot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/182851532302085/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

How will #MeToo affect dating? Jan 01, 2018

Show notes

Many people have expressed concern about what behaviour is or isn’t appropriate when it comes to dating, including dating in the workplace. We explore the nuances.
We also welcome our co-host for season 2: Jonathan Freeman.
Host & producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-host: Jonathan Freeman
Co-producers: Sam Baker, Jonathan Blackwell
Guest: Daniel Carroll, co-host of the podcast Fine and Dandy with Dan and Andy https://fineanddandypod.com/
Related links:
The Gender Knot https://www.thegenderknot.com/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons)

Nico Tortorella: Family and Sexuality Dec 18, 2017

Show notes

The actor and model Nico Tortorella has talked about being sexually fluid, and explores his sexuality and his relationships in his podcast The Love Bomb. The star of the hit TV series Younger talks to us about his experiences with coming out to his family, as well as something he wishes he’d said but never did.
This interview with Nico was recorded in October 2016, so he talks in the context of his life back then.
We’ll be back with series two of The Gender Knot on January 8th 2018.
Host & producer: Nas aka Nastaran Tavakoli-Far
Co-producers: Sam Baker, Jonathan Blackwell
Guests: Nico Tortorella, actor and model
Related links:
Nico’s podcast The Love Bomb http://thelovebomb.us/
The Gender Knot https://www.thegenderknot.com/
Music: Government Funded Weed by Black Ant (used under Creative Commons) Sourpatch by Glass Boy (used under Creative Commons)

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