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.”

S3 Ep 8: Reading for Liberation

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Today’s episode is a celebration of the written word in honor of a major milestone—the completion of the Feminist Hotdog book manuscript! (Coming January 2021 from Lit Riot Press.)

Since words have been dominating my psyche, I decided to devote this week’s episode to reading (and writing!) for liberation. I spoke with Stef Bernal-Martinez of 1977 Books, poet Angbeen Saleem, and Alana Baumann and Samra Michael of the new podcast She Well Read about the role books and poems are playing in their pandemic lives, and the writers who help them envision a more just and intersectional future. (Music by Ava Luna and Loyalty Freak Music.)

S3 Ep 7: Managing Trauma While Isolating

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Yep, we’re still inside. Is anyone else scraping the bottom of their self-care toolkit? 

If virtual happy hour and Tiger King aren’t cutting it anymore, you need this episode. The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on our mental health, especially for the millions of people in this country who suffer from mental illness or have a history of sexual trauma. My guests this week are two mental health providers who each have unique and helpful resources to share. 

Stephanie James, host of The Spark podcast, joined me to talk about techniques she uses to help her clients stay grounded. She also extends an invitation to a free online summit for survivors of sexual abuse seeking to reclaim their power. Alexandra Pajak provided mental health services in the prison system for a decade, and has composed a gorgeous album of music inspired by mental illness and recovery from trauma. Sample a few tracks and then buy the album; all proceeds go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. (Music by Ava Luna and Loyalty Freak Music.)

S3 Ep 6: Feminism in the Time of COVID-19

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Unique times call for unique episodes. This week, I spoke to four different people about how they are experiencing the COVID-19 epidemic and their visions for how they see the virus influencing our human future. Listen in on my conversations with Erin and Maria of the podcast Feminists Without Mystique, my good friend Joanna Williams, and my 8-year-old niece and first-time podcast guest Evelyn. (Music by Ava Luna and Loyalty Freak Music.)