S4 Ep 10: Abolitionist Socialist Feminism with Zillah Eisenstein

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Zillah Eisenstein is an influential scholar, writer, and activist who has engaged in feminist action and inquiry for over 40 years. Her book Abolitionist Socialist Feminism profoundly affected me when I read it last year, so I was thrilled when she agreed to come on the show to discuss her career and the state of the world. Among many other topics, we talked about being a white woman raised as an anti-racist, why protests of police brutality gained so much traction in 2020, the many social hierarchies COVID has exposed, and how she stays engaged and inspired after 40-plus years of feminist and progressive activism. One particular powerful mantra she shared: “Whatever you do, you don’t wait.”

S4 Ep 9: Women and the Far Right with Heidi Beirich

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Warning: This episode contains disturbing themes and bigoted language. Listener discretion is advised.

This episode may not be a very joyful one, but it is fascinating and urgent—possibly more urgent than ever. My guest is Dr. Heidi Beirich, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at the nonprofit organization Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.

Heidi is an international expert on the far right. Our conversation focused on the role of women within anti-democratic movements and the relationship between feminism, misogyny, and extremism. We talk about what it means for women globally that far-right political candidates are gaining power in countries around the world, including the U.S. And we explore the uncomfortable question: How does the supportive role white women play in white nationalist movements mirror the role white women have played in supporting white supremacy throughout history? (Music by Ava Luna and Loyalty Freak Music.)

S4 Ep 7: Calling Each Other In with Loretta J. Ross

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It's not every day you get to interview a woman who has inspired you for decades. In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with feminist icon Loretta J. Ross, activist, writer, and scholar, and a critical voice who has helped shape many aspects of the Women's Movement and the ongoing struggle for human rights worldwide.

Over the course of her career, Loretta has worked to center Black women and girls in conversations about sexual and gender-based violence, sterilization abuse, violent extremism, and reproductive justice (a framework she co-created). Her more recent work focuses on helping activists hone the skills they need to hold each other accountable without undermining their humanity—an approach she refers to as "calling in," an alternative to "calling out." For anyone who needs a beautiful reminder of the benefits of treating each other more gently, this episode is for you.

S4 Ep 5: The Social Justice Doula with Lutze B. Segu

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What conditions are necessary for you to practice the kind of feminism you want to practice? This question is at the heart of today's episode featuring Lutze B. Segu, also known as the Social Justice Doula. Lutze specializes in helping people and organizations create conditions that support deep, sustained social justice work. There's no box-checking on her watch: If you're in Lutze's orbit, you're interrogating white supremacy, un-gentrifying intersectionality, and answering the question, "What do you want your feminism to do?" 

This episode is a call to action and the perfect way to spark your thinking about what you want your feminist practice to look like in 2021. Happy New Year! (Music by Ava Luna and Loyalty Freak Music)

Read the transcript here.

S2. Ep 13: The Limits to Our Justice with Jana Schmieding

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If you’re not tuned in to Jana Schmieding and her awesome podcast Woman of Size, you’re missing out. Jana is a comedian, writer, educator, and artist with a talent for getting to the heart of why we need to expand our vision of justice. She is also a Lakota woman who navigates feminism in white and decolonized spaces and has a lot to say about both. We talked about how she uses her platform to advance both Native and fat liberation, dug into the distinctions between body positivity and fat positivity, and celebrated the badassery of Wilma Mankiller. (Music by Ava Luna and Loyalty Freak Music.)

S2. Ep.9: The T Is Usually Silent with Hazel Edwards

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I've wanted to interview Hazel Edwards ever since I started Feminist Hotdog. At the tender age of 22, she's the interim director of the Bryson Institute, the education and training department for Philadelphia's Attic Youth Center. Pushed out of a school that refused to affirm her gender, she now advocates for trans youth and educates service providers. Listen and get your education on intersectional feminism and being an ally to trans and nonbinary people. Her story will make your liberationist heart sing! (Music by Ava Luna and Loyalty Freak Music.)

Stuff We Talked About on This Episode:

S2. Ep.8: I Don't Know What That Is, But I Googled It with Alissa Medina

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This week I got to nerd out with Fembot co-founder and chief digital officer Alissa Medina! Alissa’s been all about that magazine lyfe since she founded her first online pub at SIXTEEN. We talk about keeping content intersectional (not just using the word), dealing with trolls (while still benefiting from the algorithm boost they provide), and continuously evolving her platform to meet the changing needs of feminist readership. Thanks for sharing your magic, Alissa! (Music by Ava Luna and Loyalty Freak Music.)