The Tales We Tell

In this episode of The Tales We Tell, Clara Cook is joined by returning guest Annie Flowers to explore Naomi Alderman's novel The Power. We ask if this book is a cautionary tale on gender inequality or a feminist revenge fantasy and if we had 'The Power' what we would do with it ourselves.

In this special episode of The Tales We Tell, Clara Cook is joined by Ashley Bouchard to discuss the stories about women and by women that we are hoping to read, watch and listen to while we are living under lockdown during the current pandemic. We discuss the importance of maintaining good mental health, how stories can help and make a list of recommendations for our listeners. A list of stories to listen, read and watch can be found here: http://tiny.cc/dku1oz

In this episode of The Tales We Tell, Clara Cook is joined by California native Annie Flowers to discuss the musical comedy show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. We examine the many varied themes in the show including sexual health, friendship, mental health and female ambition. We ask if this award winning comedy could have been written by a man or if it exhibits a uniquely female perspective of the pursuit for happiness and self-fulfilment.

In part 2 of this two part episode of The Tales We Tell, Clara Cook is again joined by history buff Amy Neal to discuss the many visual representations of Queen Elizabeth I in both film and TV. We reflect on Elizabeth's later years and the portrayal of her physical appearance on screen. We ask if filmmakers have a responsibility to portray history accurately or if they should have creative licence in telling tales about the past however they wish.

In this episode of The Tales We Tell, Clara Cook is joined by history buff Amy Neal to discuss the many visual representations of Queen Elizabeth I in both film and TV. We examine the history behind the myths of the Virgin Queen and whether different productions have been historically accurate. We ask if film is a gateway for the general public to learning history and how many of the stories that filmmakers explore about Elizabeth are real and how many are part of the famous myths that surround her.

In this episode of The Tales We Tell, Clara Cook is joined by Leslie Knope fan Mar to discuss the TV comedy series Parks and Recreation. We examine the inspiring character of Leslie Knope, the show's portrayal of female ambition and sexism in local politics. We ask if it is important to have women in lead roles in comedy and if comedy can be useful in exploring and exposing gender stereotypes.

In this episode of The Tales We Tell, Clara Cook is joined by writer and podcaster Sarah Blair to discuss the film The Wife. We examine the role of the Wife in her marriage to her prize-winning husband, the concept of the mental load, who earns the money and who brings up the children and how a woman's talent can be exploited in a patriarchal society. We ask if The Wife is a realistic cinematic portrayal of a marriage in crisis.

Join us for a very special crossover episode in which The Tales We Tell joins forces with The Movie Palace podcast! Hosts Carl Sweeney and Clara Cook welcome regular guest Kelechi Ehenulo to talk about the famous film All About Eve and the recent stage adaptation of the story for London's West End. We talk about un-likeable women, female fandom and the experience of ageing in the world of female stardom.

In part two of our two-part episode on female interpretations of the Homeric Epics, host Clara Cook is once again joined by David Manasian to discuss the first female translation of The Odyssey, the different novelisations of the myths written by women and whether it is possible that the poet Homer could have actually been a woman.