Feminist Killjoys, PhD

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Mel is in Guatemala this week so Raechel had the pleasure of sitting down with media studies scholar Melissa ("Mish") Zimdars! Raechel asks Mish to share her analysis of representations of fatness in the media (and the intersections of race, gender, and disability), fat acceptance, and the social construction of health as a moral imperative. See below for more resources!

Today Melody and Raechel invite you to not listen to this episode of the podcast in favor of instead listening to the podcasts hosted Black women who have discussed Beyonce's Lemonade, as their perspectives are more important than ours. That said, if you want to listen to ours after you listen to those , know that our discussion is about the important and smart perspectives we've read, listened to, and learned from Black women. Specifically, we discuss bell hooks' response to the release, and Black feminist responses to perceived femme-antagonism. ALSO! Who's Ruining the Dinner Party (Raechel says it's women who police other women's language, but Mel disagrees), AND Mel's Feminist Pick of the Month: Rihanna.

Today Melody and Raechel talk about lifestyle politics. What are they, how we do/don't participate, and whether or not it's an effective way to create social change. (TLDL: the revolution will not be purchased....But, maybe we should try to live more ethical lives anyway?) ALSO! Dreams about Prince, working too much, and how media coverage is ruining the WNBA.

In today's episode, Melody and Raechel discuss their relationship to yoga. Raechel is a teacher and student of yoga, and Mel is a devoted student as well. But as critical scholars and activists, both struggle with being white Westerners participating in a practice that has been so commodified from its original roots in India. Throughout the episode, they reflect on whether or not practicing is a type of cultural appropriation, the roots of yoga and how it changed during the British occupation of India, and how, if at all, Western yogis can "decolonize" our practice. Also: Mel bought Drake tickets and Raechel had an awesome morning. Plus, return of Who's Ruining What? and What We're Reading/Watching/Listening To!

In episode 8, Raechel and Melody reflect on the death (and life) of Prince and what it means to collectively grieve (and celebrate) a star with whom so many people have a connection. What does it mean to lose someone we didn't know personally, but who touched our lives, as a musician ,a humanitarian, and a sex & gender icon? How does a celebrity death unite people? How does public memorializing alter the boundaries of public and private space?

We reflect on all this, PLUS: our respective schools' spring plays, and what we're listening to/reading/watching!

Today Melody and Raechel play the "Things We Have in Common/Things We Don't" game, and reflect on being vegan, activist Beliebers who have differing opinions on gluten and high heels. Also, a lengthy discussion about being Aquarians and our relationship to astrology.

Check-ins include updates on dance clubs and retirement parties, and we're back with our recurring segment, "Who's Ruining What?"! Also, we are super excited to bring your our feminist pick of the week, the Rise & Resist podcast! Raechel is so thankful Lacy and Holly fill the airwaves with posi, feminist, body-love. Listen and subscribe to these babes if you want a weekly hour of all things fitness, feminism, and just general ideas on how to be stoked af about your body and your life. <3

Today, Raechel and Melody get a bit more serious to talk about vulnerability and emotion in the classroom. We discuss navigating our personal feelings on heavy, and sometimes triggering and/or highly difficult, topics in front of our students. How do we get through conversations about #BlackLivesMatter, suicide, and sexual assault and still be "professional"? When might vulnerable emotion be productive? Isolating? We reflect on these questions and many more.

Also check-in updates (Mel played video games in class; Raechel gave a speech for her GSA), and What We're Reading and What We're Listening to On Repeat!

Melody and Raechel discuss all things Drake. Also a discussion of power bottoms, cultural appropriation, Jamar Clark, plus What We're Listening To & What We're Reading!

In episode 4, Raechel and Melody define terms and concepts that may be unfamiliar to some audience members, including: queer, cisgender, neoliberalism, among others. Also a discussion of recent transphobic bathroom bills and our Feminist Pick of the Month!

Episode 3: Unpacking 'Feminist Killjoy' by Feminist Killjoys, PhD