Welcome to Myths and MISSconceptions! In this brief episode, I'll offer some context for this project and a roadmap for what to expect from each segment.

Segment 1, Competing Narratives, looks into the way we understand, morph, and view narratives of sexual assault. In this episode, we begin a deep-dive into the Stanford Rape Case, specifically Brock Turner's side of the story. We will see the way Brock's story was framed by the both media and his lawyers, and how it was received.

In the second episode of Segment 1, we look into Chanel Miller's story. We will hear it, in her own words, and then understand the way it was used against her. We will discuss why Chanel's story should always be of the utmost importance when we consider this case.

In the final episode of Segment 1, we zoom out from the Stanford Case a bit, and look into all the ways it is NOT abnormal. We consider the message of the Stanford Rape Case, and where that same message shows up time and time again.

In Segment 2, Looking Inward, we turn inwards and investigate the role WE play in rape culture. Episode 1 focuses psychologically, with an emphasis on the Just World Bias and how this directly correlates to our problem at hand.

In this episode, we continue to ask the question: WHY? Why (and how) do we allow for sexual assault to continue? With the help of research by philosopher Kate Manne and others, we look into how all of our expectations and understandings of sex, women, and gender contribute to a massive power imbalance fueled by subtle, everyday misogyny. 

In the third episode of Segment 2, we examine a plethora of tangible myths about women and gender that perpetuate the expectations discussed in episode 2. We see the stunning prevalence of our misconceptions in the sheer amount of tropes and archetypes that solidify harmful expectations.

In Segment 3, Where Next?, we recap what we've discussed, and look towards what we can do to subvert our problem of rape culture. In the first episode of Segment 3 we think intangibly, at all the places we can change our thinking and challenge the expectations of ourselves and others.

In the final episode of the series, we talk about tangible measures we can take: what legislation to support, what conversations to have with kids, and what organizations are really doing the work and deserve our recognition. We wrap up with my final thoughts about myths and sexual assault, and of course, some optimism.