Big Reputations

In this episode, We discuss a controversial fictional character:  Dawn Summers, little sister to Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. After explaining who she is and how she was included in the show, we consider the interactions she had with other characters and their opinions of her. Then we dig into some of the audience opinions of her that are out there, to see why she was even a character worth covering on this podcast. Finally we think about the world that Dawn shows up in, how she struggles with her role, her reality, and her grief when she loses those that she loves. And we suggest why maybe she doesn’t need to be included on any of those “TV’s worst character lists” after all!

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

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Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

• "Why Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fans Hated Dawn," by James Hunt

In this episode, we discuss the multi-record holding tennis superstar, Serena Williams. We look at her early life and experiences with the sport. Then we consider the ways in which the media has covered her over the years including comments on her size, race, and gender as it relates to the game and even beyond the tennis court. We follow this up by breaking down the realities behind the comments on her sportsmanship, the double standards she has been held to and how racism and sexism by reporters and more have twisted reality. And finally, we wrap up with a discussion of what Williams has achieved so far in her life, how she has given back to her community, and the different women she has inspired both on and off the court. 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

• "Despite Decades of Racist and Sexist Attacks, Serena Williams Keeps Winning," by Jenée Desmond-Harris

In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, this week we are discussing Mexican icon and super-genius, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. From her rebellious childhood to her time in the royal court and later her life as a nun. Then we explore how she became known as the “The Tenth Muse” and how it affected her personal and professional life, including connections to other important figures in Mexico at the time. Later we dig into some rumors about her and how her writings made her enemy number one in the eyes of the church. Lastly we talk about her impact on literature, music, film, theater and more.

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

• Complete Works, by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz

In this episode we learn about the actress, singer, songwriter and rapper Lauryn Hill from the start of her career at age 13 to today. Then we discuss the things that the media has said about her over the years regarding her musical performances, acting gigs, and romantic relationships. Next we break down some of these judgements and discuss what was really going on in Hill’s life and career. We address rumors that were started by twisting her words, and what really happened. Finally we look at the impact of her music on other creators and artists, as well as the ways in which she has given back to her community. 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

• The Mystery of Lauryn Hill by Toure

Welcome to our 50th episode!!!

In this episode we discuss the history of women in soccer from creation to today. We talk about the women who pioneered the sport and the challenges they have faced. We, of course, dig into the judgments, the scandals, and the media coverage (or lack there of), when it comes to the women who play. Then we consider how the double standards and comparisons to the men's team can effect the sport. Lastly we explore the future of soccer, and the impact that women have had on the game.

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

• The History of Women’s Football, by Jean Williams

In this episode, we discuss the plastic woman with a heart of gold, Barbie. We talk about why she was created and the changes she’s been through over the years. Then we look at her many many careers and consider what the media had to say about her and her body. Then we will breakdown some of the missteps made by her creator Mattel, and how Barbie was able to rise above it all. Lastly we consider how Barbie is working to reflect the ever changing world around her.

Trigger Warnings: unrealistic expectations of women’s bodies, brief mentions of anorexia and eating disorders

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

• Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie, a documentary on Hulu

In this episode, we discuss Anna Nicole Smith, from her early life to her first marriage, and from the moment she meets her second husband until her untimely death. We look at her career in modeling and film and consider what the media had to say about her and her body. Then we break down some of the names she was called and labels she was assigned to uncover the realities of her life. Finally, we look back at her untimely death and the circumstances that might have put her in that situation in the first place. 

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

• Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me directed by Ursula Macfarlane
  

In this episode, we discuss the Queen of Power Ballads, Ms. Celine Dion. We cover some of her early life and what got her into the music industry. Then we explore some of the things the media has said about her over the years, especially in regards to the most epic of all of her power ballads, "My Heart Will Go On," written and sung for the Titanic soundtrack. Next we dig into some truths behind her life experiences and choices. We consider why people stigmatize her based on the genre she sings, and the issues they have with the fact that she expresses her emotions. We question the concerns people have with the age difference between her and her husband and the fact that she is unapologetically herself at all times. Finally we talk about where she is now, what she’s up to, her relationship with fans, and her philanthropic efforts.  

Trigger warnings: Cancer, death, miscarriage, brief mention of rape, and VERY bad French pronunciations

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

• The Oral History of Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’: Controversies, Doubts & ‘Belly Pains’ In the Studio By Mickey Rapkin

In this episode we discuss the Queen of Soul, the one and only, Aretha Franklin. We talk about the influence of her family life on her career, the ups and downs of her experiences in the music industry, and how she has been perceived as a diva - both in the positive and negative sense of the word. Then we cover some of the reasons she may have made the decisions she did both in her personal life and her career. Finally, we look at her activism, awards, and influence on the world of music today. 

Trigger warnings: Domestic violence, sexual assault, teen pregnancy, alcoholism

Follow the podcast:

Twitter: @BigRepPod

Instagram: @BigReputationsPod

Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois

Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo

Music: Shawn P. Russell

Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell

Research: Kimberly Kunkle

Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

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Sources:

"Aretha Franklin: The Little-Known Traumas That Fueled Her Music", by Julie Miller

Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin, by David Ritz

"The Counterfeit Queen of Soul," by Jeff Maysh

"How Aretha Franklin Earned, and Deserved, Her Diva Reputation," by Lisa Robinson

We're taking a little break from our regularly scheduled content this week to do a fun AMA (ask me anything) episode and dropping our bloopers from the first half of the year.

Thank you to all who sent in questions and to all of you for continuing to listen! We really do love this podcast and love that you all seem to enjoy it as well.

Special thanks to our Patreon subscribers: Naomi A, Ashley C, Kristen E, TJ, Ron P, and Rachel S! You help us keep things thing going!