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Secret Feminist Agenda

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because feminists are inherently interesting

Secret Feminist Agenda

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Bonus Episode: A Sentimental Education

What’s that? Another bonus episode??? Kind of! On September 22 (I say October in the episode and I’m too lazy to go back and fix it, but it was September) I launched my new book, A Sentimental Education, at Iron Dog Books. The launch took the form of a conversation between me, Minelle Mahtani (Associate … Continue reading Bonus Episode: A Sentimental Education

Bonus Episode: Burning Out

For no other reason than I felt like it, here’s a bonus episode. This is an audio version of the essay “Burning Out” that I published in 2020, in the Hair issue of Room Magazine. Content warning for discussion of weight loss and disordered eating, suicide and death, and racism and settler colonialism. The podcast … Continue reading Bonus Episode: Burning Out

Episode 4.30 Thinking Intergenerationally Toward a Future with Eugenia Zuroski

In this, the final episode of Secret Feminist Agenda, I sat down with Eugenia Zuroski to talk about hope, planifestos, collectivity, mentorship, and where we know from. As far as final conversations go, this one felt absolutely perfect. Here are some links! Learn more about Gena’s work on her website, by following her on Twitter, … Continue reading Episode 4.30 Thinking Intergenerationally Toward a Future with Eugenia Zuroski

Episode 4.29 Saying No! Again! Forever!

It’s here! The final minisode of season four (and frankly, probably, all?) of Secret Feminist Agenda! Ending this podcast series, in its current form at least, is a way of saying no to one thing so that other things will be possible. So join me for one last exploration of the feminist power of refusal. … Continue reading Episode 4.29 Saying No! Again! Forever!

Episode 4.28 Welcoming the Roasting of the TikTok Youth with andrea bennett

Brace yourself for the lively energy of an interviewer who has been pandemic-isolated for too long and an interviewee who really just wants to talk about reality television. I sat down with author and person-I-want-to-trick-into-being-my-IRL-friend andrea bennett to talk about their new book, Like a Boy but Not a Boy, out now with Arsenal Pulp … Continue reading Episode 4.28 Welcoming the Roasting of the TikTok Youth with andrea bennett

Episode 4.27 Asking For Help (Again)

This week we’re revisiting one of my all-time favourite conversations: asking for help! I’m asking some of the Big Questions(TM) that have been keeping me awake lately, such as: why do I find it so much harder to ask a colleague for help than a friend? What is the relationship between asking for help and … Continue reading Episode 4.27 Asking For Help (Again)

Episode 4.26 Becoming “The Man” with Lily Cho

In this episode I sat down (virtually, of course) with Lily Cho to talk about feminist mentorship, the importance of boundaries, and trying to make change from within institutions. What if mentorship wasn’t based on intimacy but on clear boundaries and structures? What if the best way to transform the university is to really understand … Continue reading Episode 4.26 Becoming “The Man” with Lily Cho

Episode 4.25 Mentorship

Are you ready to talk about mentorship? Because that’s what we’re doing for (checks watch) about 18 minutes. While we’re at it, here are a few articles on feminist mentoring: “Feminist Co-Mentoring: A Model for Academic Professional Development” by Gail M. McGuire and Jo Reger “‘Will you be my mentor?’ Feminist mentoring at mid-career for … Continue reading Episode 4.25 Mentorship

Episode 4.24 Providing Some Helpful Discomfort with Cicely Belle Blain and Vivek Shraya

I’m back from a much-needed hiatus and ready to jump into the final half-dozen episodes of season four, starting with a doozy. I talked to Vivek Shraya and Cicely Belle Blain about Vivek’s imprint VS Books, Cicely’s new book Burning Sugar, and the importance of mentorship. Also, dinosaurs. Also, links: You can read Audre Lorde’s … Continue reading Episode 4.24 Providing Some Helpful Discomfort with Cicely Belle Blain and Vivek Shraya

Episode 4.23 Being a Demon Bitch About Justice

This week I’m announcing a wee hiatus as I regather my resources to finish up season four. I’m also talking about what it might look like for us to collectively reject civility and instead become a hoard of demon bitches for justice. Also here are some links: For the millionth time I’m recommending the Sandy … Continue reading Episode 4.23 Being a Demon Bitch About Justice

Episode 4.22 Disability Art is the Last Avant-Garde with Sean Lee

This week I sat down virtually with Sean Lee, Director of Programming at Tangled Art + Disability, to talk about radically accessible curation, the transformative possibilities of disability as disruption, and the exciting work of Tangled and Bodies in Translation. So many links! To learn more about Tangled Art + Disability, check out recent exhibits … Continue reading Episode 4.22 Disability Art is the Last Avant-Garde with Sean Lee

Episode 4.21 Introducing the Amplify Podcast Network

Are you ready to learn all about the Amplify Podcast Network? Great. The podcast theme song is “Mesh Shirt” by Mom Jeans off their album “Chub Rub.” Listen to the whole album here or learn more about them here. Follow me @hkpmcgregor and tweet about the podcast using #SecretFeministAgenda. Want to email me about your killjoy survival kit? Send … Continue reading Episode 4.21 Introducing the Amplify Podcast Network

Episode 4.20 Producing Queer Media with Stacey Copeland

In this very special cross-over episode, I’m talking to Stacey Copeland, audio producer extraordinaire and the project manager of the SpokenWeb Podcast, which I also host! We talk about our feminist scholarly awakenings, the gendered policing of women’s voices, what queer media sounds like, and why we should be listening to archival audio more. Here … Continue reading Episode 4.20 Producing Queer Media with Stacey Copeland

Episode 4.19 Listening

This minisode is dedicated to the newest episode of the SpokenWeb podcast, which it’s preemptively responding to (that episode will be out on Monday, and I’m going to have to insist that you listen to it). That episode is thinking about how we are listening differently right now, and it prompted me to think for … Continue reading Episode 4.19 Listening

Bonus Episode: Secret Feminist Agenda and Peer Reviewing Podcasts at Mount Royal University

Another bonus episode coming at you! This one was recorded on April 4, 2019 at Mount Royal University and features me and Siobhan McMenemy interviewing one another about our collaborative work on peer reviewing podcasts. I don’t think there are a lot of links to add beyond that link to our own work, but I … Continue reading Bonus Episode: Secret Feminist Agenda and Peer Reviewing Podcasts at Mount Royal University

Episode 4.18 Running out of Fucks to Give with Carolyn Camman

This week I’m talking to evaluation consultant and podcaster Carolyn Camman about radicalizing the apocalypse, queering objectivity, learning to listen to our bodies, and what the heck evaluation actually is. I learned a ton from this conversation, and I think you will, too! Here are some links! To learn more about Carolyn, read this recent … Continue reading Episode 4.18 Running out of Fucks to Give with Carolyn Camman

Bonus Episode: Response to Review of Season 3

Those of you who have been following along at home probably already know this, but Secret Feminist Agenda is part of a collaborative project with Wilfrid Laurier University Press looking at ways to edit and evaluate podcasts as a form of scholarly communication. The first two seasons of the podcast received an open peer review, … Continue reading Bonus Episode: Response to Review of Season 3

Bonus Episode: Season 3 Peer Review of Secret Feminist Agenda

Those of you who have been following along at home probably already know this, but Secret Feminist Agenda is part of a collaborative project with Wilfrid Laurier University Press looking at ways to edit and evaluate podcasts as a form of scholarly communication. The first two seasons of the podcast received an open peer review, … Continue reading Bonus Episode: Season 3 Peer Review of Secret Feminist Agenda

Episode 4.17 It’s Okay Not to Be Okay

It’s time for Feelings 101, aka wow what a completely wild and difficult time to be a person who feels things, let’s talk about that. I’m exploring being okay with not being okay, taking a strange comfort in recognizing my own grief, and building feminist survival kits for a moment when survival is our main … Continue reading Episode 4.17 It’s Okay Not to Be Okay

Bonus Episode: Fireside Chat with Alex Ketchum

Welcome to the first of a whole series of bonus episodes coming your way over the next few weeks! This one is a fireside chat with Dr. Alex Ketchum, recorded as part of the Feminist and Accessible Publishing and Communications Technologies Speakers and Workshop Series. If you’d prefer to watch this as a video, you … Continue reading Bonus Episode: Fireside Chat with Alex Ketchum

Episode 4.16 Choosing Love with Kai Cheng Thom

The original plan was for Kai Cheng Thom and I to talk while she was in town to deliver the keynote at the Growing Room literary festival, but plans change, don’t they? So we talked on Skype instead, about creative ways to sustain communities in midst of crisis, the importance of choosing love, and the … Continue reading Episode 4.16 Choosing Love with Kai Cheng Thom

Episode 4.15 #WorldObesityDay

In this week’s minisode we’re celebrating #WorldObesityDay by talking about how everything you thought you knew about obesity is wrong and also why fat people are brilliant and gorgeous and worthy of celebration. Links! Here’s the original post by Sofie Hagen on reclaiming #WorldObesityDay Here’s why “Everything You Know About Obesity Is Wrong” And here’s … Continue reading Episode 4.15 #WorldObesityDay

Episode 4.14 #Mood with Hilary Atleo

Last week I went to Iron Dog Books after hours to hang out with co-owner Hilary Atleo and talk about settler-colonial mind-fucks, problematic favs, the pleasures of queer feminist sci-fi, why cities thrive on independent arts businesses, and whether or not grapefruits have gotten sweeter. Here are some links! If you want to learn more … Continue reading Episode 4.14 #Mood with Hilary Atleo

Episode 4.13 Empathy Fatigue & Hopepunk

This week’s minisode is a little more leisurely than last time, as I think my way through empathy fatigue aka burnout in the face of crisis, and whether hopepunk is a possible way through feelings of numbness and overwhelm. And to accompany this slightly longer episode, here are some unusually concise links! Anne Helen Petersen’s … Continue reading Episode 4.13 Empathy Fatigue & Hopepunk

Episode 4.12 Cool Poet Mom with Dina Del Bucchia

To make up for the very mini minisode, here’s an extra-long interview with extra-awesome human being Dina Del Bucchia! We talk about poetry, publishing, cats, farts, and basically everything in between. Here are a million links! First! Check out the rest of Dina’s stuff here on her website, and then subscribe to her awesome podcast … Continue reading Episode 4.12 Cool Poet Mom with Dina Del Bucchia

Episode 4.11 Cozy Resolutions

I’ve set a new record in this, the first minisode of 2020, for just how mini a minisode can be. Turns out? pretty mini! But that’s okay, it’s a new year and we’re being gentle with ourselves. This week’s topic was inspired by this tweet. And here’s the thread of great responses about how people … Continue reading Episode 4.11 Cozy Resolutions

Episode 4.10 Our Categories of Knowledge Suck with Tina Sikka

This week I’m talking with Dr. Tina Sikka about her work in feminist science studies, from feminist analysis of geoengineering to the intersections of race and the diet industry. This is one of those episodes where I probably learned as much as you’re going to. I love these episodes! Come learn with me. Also, links: … Continue reading Episode 4.10 Our Categories of Knowledge Suck with Tina Sikka

Episode 4.9 Abundance

This minisode is about taking stock and resisting the urge to turn our own lives into listicles or “best of the decade” featurettes, but instead residing in the messy and complex abundance of it all. You know, just some low-stakes early December thoughts. Also, here are some low-stakes early December links: Much of my thinking … Continue reading Episode 4.9 Abundance

Episode 4.8 I Wish I Had A Mustache with Max Collins

In this episode I’m talking to Max Collins, campus radio advocate and producer behind the new investigative podcast “Dragged Out.” We discuss about four thousand things, including: community-based podcasting, drag performance and gender, Vancouver real estate, funding/monetizing art, and queer community building across generations. Also I say some shit that just might upset Toronto listeners. … Continue reading Episode 4.8 I Wish I Had A Mustache with Max Collins

Episode 4.7 Trans Rights Are Human Rights

In this minisode I’m thinking through recent protests agains “gender identity debates,” which institutions need to have values, and how we sustain ourselves when doing organizing or activist work that can feel so completely exhausting sometimes. This feels like a sad episode to me, but also maybe a hopeful one. Also, here are some links: … Continue reading Episode 4.7 Trans Rights Are Human Rights

Episode 4.6 Rape is Real & Everywhere with Emma Cooper

Content warning for discussions of rape and sexual assault as well as a reference to torture. This week I sat down to talk with Emma Cooper, creator of the comedy show Rape is Real & Everywhere, which highlights the comedy and storytelling of rape and sexual assault survivors. I had a chance to see the show … Continue reading Episode 4.6 Rape is Real & Everywhere with Emma Cooper

Episode 4.5 International Day of the Girl

This is a slightly unusual episode, inspired by an email I got from Plan International Canada about International Day of the Girl which is, in fact, today! October 11! They shared with me some data they’ve gathered about how girls picture themselves (or don’t picture themselves) in leadership positions, and guess what, I’ve got some … Continue reading Episode 4.5 International Day of the Girl

Episode 4.4 Off-Mic Conversations with Khairani Barokka

Content warning for discussions of sexual abuse, child abuse, child pornography, racism and ableism. This episode was actually recorded in early May, and here it is over four months later, FINALLY seeing the light of day, and I’m so delighted because Okka–poet, writer, and artist–is a goddamn delight. But don’t just take my word for … Continue reading Episode 4.4 Off-Mic Conversations with Khairani Barokka

Episode 4.3 ENTHUSED!!!

Here are some things to look forward to in this minisode: the sound of my voice with a pretty bad head cold; a characteristic quantity of grappling; and the announcement of the new minisode segment [fanfare sound effect]. And while we’re at it, here are some links: My favourite piece on the culture of academic … Continue reading Episode 4.3 ENTHUSED!!!

Episode 4.2 Dreaming Big Wild Worlds with Dawn Serra

With apologies for its tardiness, I present to you the first interview of season four, and this one’s a doozy. I’m talking to rad queer fat genius, sex & relationship coach, and pleasure advocate Dawn Serra about shame, vulnerability, pleasure, boundaries, joy, imagining radical futures, and so much more. This conversation broke open my brain, … Continue reading Episode 4.2 Dreaming Big Wild Worlds with Dawn Serra

Episode 4.1 Growing Roots

HOLY SHIT IT’S SEASON FOUR! Can you believe it’s season four already? This season there are going to be a few changes. Kaarina won’t be joining us for Self-Care Corner, meaning I’m on the lookout for new segment ideas, plus I’m moving to a fortnightly release schedule. It’s all about sustainability, baby! Plus this season … Continue reading Episode 4.1 Growing Roots

Episode 3.30 Brilliant and Disgusting with Brenna Clarke Gray, Lucia Lorenzi, and Erin Wunker

It’s here! The final episode of season three! This episode responds explicitly to Carla Rice’s peer review of season two, specifically this sentence: “Follow-up episodes featuring panels of feminist scholars, educators and activists could have opened space to reflect on ethical processes of speaking out and listening to criticism—on how critique might engender difficult emotions … Continue reading Episode 3.30 Brilliant and Disgusting with Brenna Clarke Gray, Lucia Lorenzi, and Erin Wunker

Episode 3.29 Feminist Anecdotes

It’s the last minisode of season three, and I’m doing some very specific responding to Anna Poletti’s peer review of season two. Specifically, I’m taking up the genre of the anecdote, and the kind of work it does in Secret Feminist Agenda. I’m thinking about anecdotes as teaching tools and as central to feminist knowledge … Continue reading Episode 3.29 Feminist Anecdotes

Episode 3.28 Living a Feminist Life with Sara Ahmed

Content warning for discussions of cancer and death. This episode is an absolute dream come true: I spent a full hour talking to Sara Ahmed about feminism. Can you believe it??? Our conversation focused on Sara’s most recent book, Living a Feminist Life (pictured in this photo!). We talked about public scholarship, practical versus theoretical approaches to feminism, finding … Continue reading Episode 3.28 Living a Feminist Life with Sara Ahmed

Episode 3.27 Killjoy Survival Kits

This week’s episode continues our mini-cluster on feminist public scholarship by talking about a feminist genre of knowledge-creation that’s new to me: the killjoy survival kit. Want to know what a killjoy survival kit is? Then you should probably listen to this episode. Also, here’s an unusually short list of links! You can read Sara Ahmed’s … Continue reading Episode 3.27 Killjoy Survival Kits

Episode 3.26 Masters of Text with Ames Hawkins

This week we’re continuing the mini-arc on feminists who use podcasting for public scholarship, with the brilliant and delightful Ames Hawkins, scholar and artist and podcaster behind Masters of Text (that name tho). This episode seriously pushed forward my thinking on podcasting as creative-critical practice and conversation as the feminist co-creation of knowledge, and I … Continue reading Episode 3.26 Masters of Text with Ames Hawkins

Episode 3.25 Keep Podcasting Weird

Collectively, Kaarina and I are bringing you some ~extremely chill vibes~ today. I’m talking about why we need to embrace the radical potential of podcasting as a medium that has yet to be fully absorbed into the mainstream, but I’m lying on my couch while I do it. And Kaarina’s self-care corner features a very … Continue reading Episode 3.25 Keep Podcasting Weird

Episode 3.24 Trauma Queen with Jimanekia Eborn

This episode is the beginning of a mini-cluster or mini-arc that will conclude season three of Secret Feminist Agenda. The coming episodes will focus on other feminist podcasters and/or public scholars, starting with this week’s incredible guest, Jimanekia Eborn, creator and host of the podcast Trauma Queen. We talk about podcasting, sex education, respecting your guests, … Continue reading Episode 3.24 Trauma Queen with Jimanekia Eborn

Episode 3.23 Pain

Content warning for discussions of chronic pain and illness, drug addiction, and cancer. I jokingly tweeted a screenshot of the audio file for this episode with the caption “The telltale shape of a hard-to-record minisode.” I was referring to the long, conspicuous gaps that betray how hard I find it to talk about some topics. … Continue reading Episode 3.23 Pain

Episode 3.22 Interfering with the Legitimacy of the Settler State with Chelsea Vowel

Hold onto your hats it’s a LIVE EPISODE! This one was recorded at the University of Alberta, as part of the Canadian Literature Centre’s Brown Bag Lunch series. I’m talking to the brilliant Chelsea Vowel, aka âpihtawikosisân. The ostensible topic of the conversation is Refuse: CanLit in Ruins (which I co-edited and to which Chelsea contributed), … Continue reading Episode 3.22 Interfering with the Legitimacy of the Settler State with Chelsea Vowel

Episode 3.21 Citing Your Sources

This minisode topic is very close to my heart, not just because part of my job is teaching students how to properly cite their sources, but also because I think sound citational politics are both the cornerstone of what’s good about academia and the potential site of massive transformations in how we do our work. … Continue reading Episode 3.21 Citing Your Sources

Episode 3.20 A Trojan Horse of Radical Values with Zena Sharman

For this episode I sat down with the brilliant and luminous Zena Sharman to talk about her work as an LGBTQ+ health advocate (seriously click on that link and look at that website, it is a testimony to femme web design and I am in love). We talk about thinking strategically, changing systems, editing anthologies, … Continue reading Episode 3.20 A Trojan Horse of Radical Values with Zena Sharman

Episode 3.19 Dealing With Criticism

Oof! This week Kaarina and I are bringing you a minisode with many feelings in it, as we both process difficult aspects of being a human in the world: I’m talking about dealing with criticism, and Kaarina is talking about holding friends accountable when they’ve hurt you. Hopefully these experiences will resonate with some of … Continue reading Episode 3.19 Dealing With Criticism

Episode 3.18 The Monáe Test with Taylor Crumpton

Content warning for discussions of police violence. This week I’m talking to journalist and totally-not-a-bot Taylor Crumpton. We talk about how Taylor went from grad student to freelance journalist, how Twitter is a platform for both highlighting marginalized voices and exploiting Black women’s labour, and why it might not be a good idea to burn … Continue reading Episode 3.18 The Monáe Test with Taylor Crumpton

Episode 3.17 On Veganism

Content warning for a brief discussion of disordered and restrictive eating. In this week’s minisode I’m tackling a topic that I’ve been putting off for approximately two and a half seasons of this podcast: veganism. I talk about why I chose to be a vegan fourteen-and-a-half years ago, why it still brings me joy, and … Continue reading Episode 3.17 On Veganism

Episode 3.16 Being That Bitch Sometimes with Julie Frances

Two and a half years ago, at a Witch, Please meet-up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I met a rad artist and Harry Potter nerd who offered to tour Marcelle and me around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter if we ever made it down to Florida. A year ago we took her up on it. And this … Continue reading Episode 3.16 Being That Bitch Sometimes with Julie Frances

Episode 3.15 Doing Feminism in the Classroom

It’s minisode time, and this week I’m picking up some of the threads from last week’s episode plus the peer review for season two plus conversations from my own classroom and pulling them together in either a beautiful tapestry or a tangled knot. Either way, I’m talking about teaching and the politics of the classroom. … Continue reading Episode 3.15 Doing Feminism in the Classroom

Episode 3.14 Getting Shit Sandwiched with Vivek Shraya

In this long overdue (and also slightly late) episode, I talk to brilliant musician, writer, artist, and teacher Vivek Shraya about touring difficult books, finding more equitable ways to run your classroom, and the enduring power of the shit sandwich. And here are some links! Vivek’s newest book is I‘m Afraid of Men, which Vanity Fair … Continue reading Episode 3.14 Getting Shit Sandwiched with Vivek Shraya

Episode 3.13 Understanding White Supremacy

Content warning for discussions of racial violence. Happy 2019, you gorgeous humans. I hope everyone got a chance to take some time off and refresh before the calendar reset. I don’t really believe in resolutions, but I do like the way significant dates give us a chance to pause and refocus on what counts. And … Continue reading Episode 3.13 Understanding White Supremacy

Episode 3.12 Not Nice, Not White, and Not a Lady with Tara Robertson

CW for discussions of transphobia and violence. In this, the final episode of 2018, I got to talk to weightlifting pal and femme genius Tara Robertson about her work on diversity and inclusion at Mozilla — and like a million other things, including why we want an open Internet, whether libraries are neutral (hint: they’re not), … Continue reading Episode 3.12 Not Nice, Not White, and Not a Lady with Tara Robertson

Episode 3.11 Make Baby Cozy

IIIIIII’MMMMM SIIIIIICCCKKKKK and hoo boy can you ever hear it in this episode. Sorry for the garbage voice this weeks folks, and also for the very short episode, but for all my whining and rasping, I’m actually delighted to be sharing with you the new theme for all of our winters: make baby cozy. Coined by former guest … Continue reading Episode 3.11 Make Baby Cozy

Episode 3.10 A Trickle of Ladies with Amber Nash

Look at this straight up celebrity who totally agreed to talk to me! Amber Nash, the voice of Pam Poovey on Archer and a renowned improviser, joined me to talk about improv and gender, learning how to be body positive from fictional characters, and exactly what time of the day you should take your baths. Other … Continue reading Episode 3.10 A Trickle of Ladies with Amber Nash

Episode 3.9 Dungeons & Dragons & Feminism

FUN FACT November is my least favourite month of the year for all kinds of reasons, and by the end of this month I’m usually pretty worn down and exhausted (this year being no exception, as the quality of my vocal production in this episode demonstrates). But in this episode, instead of telling you how … Continue reading Episode 3.9 Dungeons & Dragons & Feminism

Episode 3.8 There’s Secret Feminism Under Everything (including lawyering) with Gloria Ng and Colleen Elden

This week’s episode is the first ever live Secret Feminist Agenda, recorded at the VPL as part of the Vancouver Podcast Festival. Don’t worry though, we all sound great and the sound of laughter/applause really adds something special. I’m considering having an audience at all future recordings. Anyway, I sat down in front of sixty of my … Continue reading Episode 3.8 There’s Secret Feminism Under Everything (including lawyering) with Gloria Ng and Colleen Elden

Episode 3.7 Refuse: CanLit in Ruins

Okay I obviously don’t normally use this podcast to promote my side hustles but I want very badly to tell you about this project I’ve been working on for the past year and a half, and which launched just yesterday! Refuse: CanLit in Ruins is a collection of essays and poems and dialogues and stories that tackle the … Continue reading Episode 3.7 Refuse: CanLit in Ruins

Episode 3.6 Dismantling the Patriarchy Has to be a Vocal Game with Clayre Sessoms

Content warning for discussions of sexual assault and transphobia. Like so many good things, this episode started one way and ended up another. I invited Clayre to chat about singing, and we ended up talking about community and harm and silence and what we do (or don’t do) to feel like we belong. Oh, and we … Continue reading Episode 3.6 Dismantling the Patriarchy Has to be a Vocal Game with Clayre Sessoms

Episode 3.5 Ableism and Doing a Bit Better Every Day

It’s been another rough week, folks! But rather than getting bogged down in despair at the seeming indestructibility of the goddamn patriarchy, I’m think about something that brings me a little bit of hope: the generosity of critique, and the possibility of doing a little bit better every day. That’s something we can all manage, … Continue reading Episode 3.5 Ableism and Doing a Bit Better Every Day

Episode 3.4 Parenting, Mental Health, and Drinking Wine in a Rec Room with Marcelle Kosman

Content warning for discussions of mental health, depression, and infertility. This episode opens with me explaining the entire premise of Secret Feminist Agenda to my long-term collaborator and dear friend Marcelle Kosman, because Marcelle does not listen to Secret Feminist Agenda, and the fact that my love for her is unimpeded by this negligence is a good … Continue reading Episode 3.4 Parenting, Mental Health, and Drinking Wine in a Rec Room with Marcelle Kosman

Episode 3.3 Reading for Alternative Futures, or Hannah’s Sad Bookclub

Not quite a content warning but definitely a heads up, that I’m talking a little bit this week about death and grief and apocalyptic despair. But only a little! Mostly I’m talking about the books that have been not just blowing my mind this year, but helping me to think differently about death, loss, climate … Continue reading Episode 3.3 Reading for Alternative Futures, or Hannah’s Sad Bookclub

Episode 3.2 Buffy Sainte-Marie and Music Journalism with Andrea Warner

I am extremely stoked that you get to meet one of my favourite Vancouver-based humans, the extremely brilliant author and podcaster Andrea Warner. We talk about her new book, Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized Biography, as well as the overwhelming whiteness of music journalism, different tactics for fucking shit up, and what it might look like … Continue reading Episode 3.2 Buffy Sainte-Marie and Music Journalism with Andrea Warner

Episode 3.1 JURASSIC PARK!

Welcome back! I missed you! I think you’re great! I think this podcast is great! And in keeping with the sheer exhilaration I am experiencing at the beginning of season 3, I’m going to tell you about a movie that holds a very special place in my heart. In fact, it was deeply formative in my thinking … Continue reading Episode 3.1 JURASSIC PARK!

Episode 2.30 Talkin’ Podcasts with ME (hosted by Lucia Lorenzi)

We’re switching things up for this, the final episode of season two. Instead of playing host, this week I’m playing guest, and being interviewed by my brilliant pal Lucia Lorenzi. Also, since this is the end of another season, I’m once more asking you to give me some feedback on the podcast. Questions below. But first? … Continue reading Episode 2.30 Talkin’ Podcasts with ME (hosted by Lucia Lorenzi)

Episode 2.29 Rereading/Rewatching/Rethinking

Get ready, because this is one of those extra-fun minisodes where I’m kind of figuring something out, out loud, as I record, so it’s a bit more like a word collage than a well-wrought urn, but it’s definitely ~20 minutes of me talking so you can’t say it doesn’t count as a minisode. Links! The Buffy … Continue reading Episode 2.29 Rereading/Rewatching/Rethinking

Episode 2.28 Girls Resist! with KaeLyn Rich

Content warning for some discussion of rape culture and sexual harassment. This week I got to chat with writer, activist, and organizer KaeLyn Rich, who (alongside a dozen other super impressive things) is the author of the new book Girls Resist! A Guide to Activism, Leadership, and Starting a Revolution. We talked about intergenerational feminist coalitions, how … Continue reading Episode 2.28 Girls Resist! with KaeLyn Rich

Episode 2.27 Slow Down!

This week I’m talking about slowing down within capitalism’s poisonous culture of speed, and how we can make our own slowness sustainable for ourselves and our communities. It’s complicated! It’s probably worth figuring out! Here are some links! First, I cite a bunch of articles about the slow movement in its various permutations, so let’s … Continue reading Episode 2.27 Slow Down!

Episode 2.26 Getting Deeply Into Sourdough with Emily Hoven

It’s hot as heck in Vancouver (and, apparently, most of the world) right now, but in this episode I’m harkening back to cooler days (i.e. May) when the ever-delightful Emily Hoven visited me to talk (and make) sourdough. We chat about the ethics of care, sourdough science, the new domesticity, and why everyone just wants … Continue reading Episode 2.26 Getting Deeply Into Sourdough with Emily Hoven

Episode 2.25 Soft Bois aka Tender Masculinity

Hey! Let’s talk about gentle men (not gentlemen) and how they’re subverting patriarchal expectations of masculinity and creating a wider range of possibilities for masculine-type-folks! Here are some links! First, in praise of tender masculinity Second, a video about how great Karamo Brown is Third, that final scene in Moonlight where Kevin strokes Chiron’s head Fourth, … Continue reading Episode 2.25 Soft Bois aka Tender Masculinity

Episode 2.24 Being a Little Bit Bigger and More Awesome than you Feel Most Days with Jennifer Askey

We’re getting deep into academic corner this week with academic coach Jennifer Askey. Together we talk about how grad school does or doesn’t prepare you for the work of being a professor (spoiler alert: it doesn’t), the relationship between academic coaching and the neoliberal university, and how to build space for yourself and others from within … Continue reading Episode 2.24 Being a Little Bit Bigger and More Awesome than you Feel Most Days with Jennifer Askey

Episode 2.23 #ImmodestWomen

Before we get into this week’s topic, I want to make sure you all know that there is an active struggle at the Saskatchewan Legislature right now as Camp: Justice For Our Stolen Children fights to stay in place despite the police attempting to dismantle them. Please read and share articles about this and, if … Continue reading Episode 2.23 #ImmodestWomen

Episode 2.22 Cameras & Kalashnikovs with Alba Sotorra

Content warning for some discussions of violence. This week I sit down with filmmaker Alba Sotorra to talk about her newest documentary, Commander Arian (shout out to Hot Docs for setting up the interview!). We tackle being a woman documentarian and what it means to be a feminist filmmaker, as well as the work of the YPJ … Continue reading Episode 2.22 Cameras & Kalashnikovs with Alba Sotorra

Episode 2.21 KITTIES!

When I sat down to record this episode, I was thinking about travel and family visits and how they take a toll on my mental health. I didn’t know that by the time I finished editing it, Doug Ford would have won a conservative majority in Ontario that threatens the livelihood, health, and safety of … Continue reading Episode 2.21 KITTIES!

Episode 2.20 Justice for Our Stolen Children with Robyn Pitawanakwat, Richelle Dubois, Satin Denny, and Gaylene Henry

Content warning for discussions of violence and death. This week I had the tremendous pleasure of sitting down in Regina, Saskatchewan with four of the women at Camp: Justice for Our Stolen Children. Robyn Pitawanakwat, Richelle Dubois, Satin Denny, and Gaylene Henry, along with their communities, are working to bring attention to the injustices facing Indigenous … Continue reading Episode 2.20 Justice for Our Stolen Children with Robyn Pitawanakwat, Richelle Dubois, Satin Denny, and Gaylene Henry

Episode 2.19 Growing Up

Content warning for discussions of death and family loss. HI IT’S MY BIRTHDAY! Listen, I know a lot of adults don’t like to make, like, a THING out of their birthdays, but I am not one of those adults. Let’s just blame it on my Leo Rising, which likes attention. Don’t worry though, this episode … Continue reading Episode 2.19 Growing Up

Episode 2.18 Landwhales and Fat Liberation with Jes Baker

Content warning for discussions of diet culture, mental health, and suicide. This episode is a real Momentous Occassion for me because I have been a fan of Jes Baker‘s work for YEARS. She was probably the first body positive activist who crossed my radar, and her “Attractive & Fat” campaign felt revolutionary to me. So … Continue reading Episode 2.18 Landwhales and Fat Liberation with Jes Baker

Episode 2.17 Brooklyn Nine-Nine

This episode is late because I am so so tired and couldn’t think of anything to talk about and then Fox cancelled Brooklyn Nine-Nine and my task was clear. Here’s a short article about why people love the show and whether it might be picked up elsewhere. This is the Twitter thread I mentioned about … Continue reading Episode 2.17 Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Episode 2.16 Feelings Are Dumb (but poetry is cool) with beni xiao and Tin Lorica

We’re officially done the “play” miniseries and so it’s time to put away childish things and focus on Very Serious Topics like Poetry jk poetry is hilarious and this episode is very funny. Join Beni Xiao and Tin Lorica as we talk about poetry and feelings and also feelings and also poetry. Oh, and also community … Continue reading Episode 2.16 Feelings Are Dumb (but poetry is cool) with beni xiao and Tin Lorica

Episode 2.15 Complaining About Your Crummy Week with Friends

I don’t know about you but I’m having a crummy week and I really didn’t feel like recording a minisode and Kaarina suggested that we could just chat about our crummy weeks instead so we did that. We talk about complaining, and cats, and roller derby, and barbershop, and teaching, and mentorship, and Glow, and just … Continue reading Episode 2.15 Complaining About Your Crummy Week with Friends

Episode 2.14 Pervert Evangelism with Carly Boyce

This week we’re continuing our “play” series by talking with sex radical, feelings-witch and facilitator Carly Boyce. Carly tells me what play means in kink communities, and then we delve into consent culture, queer family, the relationship between power and sex, and a whole lot more. Want to read more about any of these topics? Here … Continue reading Episode 2.14 Pervert Evangelism with Carly Boyce

Episode 2.13 Politicizing Tragedy

This episode is just one big content warning. I’m talking about politicizing tragedy, and public mourning, and I touch on a lot of hard things and recent, awful events, including the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, the Quebec City Mosque shooting, the death of Coulten Boushie, as well as mass shootings and school shootings, cancer and … Continue reading Episode 2.13 Politicizing Tragedy

Episode 2.12 Getting Fucked Up on Learning (& Roller Derby) with Gillian Roberts

By popular request, and despite my personal disinclination towards sports, I’m finally talking about roller derby! With none other than brilliant and badass literature-scholar-slash-derby-player Gillian Roberts. After she very patiently explains to me what exactly roller derby is and how it differs from Whip It, we chat about women in sports, the link between hobbies and … Continue reading Episode 2.12 Getting Fucked Up on Learning (& Roller Derby) with Gillian Roberts

Episode 2.11 Emotional Burritos

It’s a short one this week folks, but don’t worry, the feelings/minute ratio is exceptionally high. This episode isn’t about playing–not even in the killjoy sense of being about losing. Actually, it’s kind of about being sad, but it’s also about friendship and forms of care and what to do when someone you love is sad. … Continue reading Episode 2.11 Emotional Burritos

Episode 2.10 Fighting All the Scary Bad Guys in Video Games With Clare Mulcahy

Our series on play continues with a very special episode, requested by our own Kaarina Mikalson. Clare Mulcahy is a scholar and a gentleman, but in her free time she likes to play video games, and more importantly she likes to talk to her friends about them. Lucky you, you’re all her friends now, so … Continue reading Episode 2.10 Fighting All the Scary Bad Guys in Video Games With Clare Mulcahy

Episode 2.9 Knowing Your Limits

Gosh, first failure and now limits, I’m just a barrel of fucking laughs, aren’t I? Anyway, this week I’m talking/thinking (talk-thinking) (thalking?) about both feeling out my personal limits — in terms of energy, emotional labour, etc. — and feeling out my limits in relation to others, especially where my whiteness leads me to believe … Continue reading Episode 2.9 Knowing Your Limits

Episode 2.8 Being Bad at Poker with Emily Riddle

To clarify, I’m not claiming that the very brilliant Emily Riddle is bad at poker, but in this conversation we talk about dealing and playing cards, women’s relationship to recreational fun, and the liberating possibilities of being enduringly bad at something. We also talk about whether casinos, reparations, care work, tech bros, and cake. It’s a … Continue reading Episode 2.8 Being Bad at Poker with Emily Riddle

Episode 2.7 Playing, Losing, Failing

This minisode is the beginning of a short thematic arc on play, and like the good feminist killjoy I am, I decided to start it off by talking about failure. Specifically, I want to talk about a brilliant book — The Queer Art of Failure, by Jack Halberstam — that turned my understanding of failure inside … Continue reading Episode 2.7 Playing, Losing, Failing

Episode 2.6 Capitalism & Colonialism is Killing Us All with Alicia Elliott

Content warning for discussions of anti-Indigenous violence and residential schools. This week I’m joined by brilliant Tuscarora writer Alicia Elliott, who generously sat down with me during her time at the University of British Columbia here in Vancouver. We talked about Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s fascination with Haudenosaunee women, the food pyramid as a mechanism of … Continue reading Episode 2.6 Capitalism & Colonialism is Killing Us All with Alicia Elliott

Episode 2.5 FUN!

Three guesses what the theme for this week’s minisode is. Seriously, though, we need to talk about fun, and why it can feel so goddamn hard some time, and how it isn’t quite the same thing as self care, and whether there are sustainable ways to build more of it into our lives. Fun! It’s … Continue reading Episode 2.5 FUN!

Episode 2.4 Bringing Yourself to Work with Baharak Yousefi

Content warning for references to sexual violence. We’re back with another interview episode, and this week I’m chatting with the smart and cool and smartly cool Baharak Yousefi. We tackle what it means to bring your (whole) self to work, why emotional labour can transform a workplace (and why it might be threatening to white supremacist … Continue reading Episode 2.4 Bringing Yourself to Work with Baharak Yousefi

Episode 2.3 On Being Seen

GOSH this was a hard episode to record. For serious, I put it off until 9:30 at night and then had to edit these huge long silences out of the recording. This one made me feel really vulnerable, folks, but I wanted to talk to you about some incredible pieces of writing that have made me … Continue reading Episode 2.3 On Being Seen

Episode 2.2 Law School & Feminist Friendship with Kendra Marks & Sylvie Vigneux

Recording this episodes was so much fun because Kendra and Sylvie are smart and inspiring and interesting and funny. FEMINISTS ARE THE BEST END OF STORY. Anyway, come hang out and talk about why law school is saturated in oppressive structures and what some rad feminists are doing to try to make it a little more … Continue reading Episode 2.2 Law School & Feminist Friendship with Kendra Marks & Sylvie Vigneux

Episode 2.1 White Feminists & Listening to Criticism

Content warning for discussions of sexual violence and depression. HELLO IT’S HERE IT’S SEASON 2! As you’ll hear, we’re undergoing some format shifts in this, our second season, including a new division between minisodes (like this one) and interview episodes (starting next week). In this, the first of our new minisodes, I talk to you … Continue reading Episode 2.1 White Feminists & Listening to Criticism

Bonus Episode: Tis the Season for Feeling Feelings

Happy Solstice! We’re right in the thick of the holiday season (with the whoop-de-do and hickory dock) and all of the rich complexities of emotional experience that accompany this time of year. So in honour of all of that, Kaarina and I are bringing you a festive minisode about taking care of yourself at the holidays. … Continue reading Bonus Episode: Tis the Season for Feeling Feelings

Bonus Episode: Podcasting, Public Scholarship, and Accountability

DID YOU MISS ME duh of course you did. I’m back temporarily to share with you a talk that I gave in October for SFU’s Open Access Week. This talk delves a little deeper into what I’ve learned about public scholarship from podcasting, and why I think community accountability ought to matter more than institutional … Continue reading Bonus Episode: Podcasting, Public Scholarship, and Accountability

Episode 1.15 Rethinking Podcasts with THIS GUY (Points at Self)

Welcome to the end of the beginning! By which I mean, it’s time for a wee little break in this here podcast while we sort a few things out, most especially how we’re going to go about peer reviewing it (surprise! this podcast is going to be peer reviewed! maybe! somehow!). If you’d like to … Continue reading Episode 1.15 Rethinking Podcasts with THIS GUY (Points at Self)

Episode 1.14 Doctor Who & Planning Podcasts in Pools with Eugenia and Toya

Content warning for sexual violence. Hahaha remember when I wasn’t sick for a second there? I do. Those were the days/lungs. Anyway, I’m here, and I’m a little late but I’m super pumped to bring you my conversation with Eugenia and Toya, the brilliant women behind the podcast Woke Doctor Who. We talk about finding space for critique … Continue reading Episode 1.14 Doctor Who & Planning Podcasts in Pools with Eugenia and Toya

Episode 1.13 Laughing Disparagingly at the Google Memo Dude with Aadita Chaudhury

I’m back, babes, and better than ever, or rather, not actively sick any more. And after spending some time talking about sickness and rest (with some reading recommendations below), I’m thrilled to be bringing you my conversation with PhD student and feminist shit-talker Aadita Chaudhury. After Aadita tells me exactly what STS is (you have to … Continue reading Episode 1.13 Laughing Disparagingly at the Google Memo Dude with Aadita Chaudhury

Episode 1.12 Embracing “Good Enough” with Cynara Geissler PART TWO!

Content warning for depression and suicide. HEY GUESS WHAT there was still so much good stuff leftover from last week’s conversation with the very brilliant Cynara Geissler that I just went ahead and made it a two-parter. In this episode we ask what it would mean to embrace “good enough” and to learn to be … Continue reading Episode 1.12 Embracing “Good Enough” with Cynara Geissler PART TWO!

Episode 1.11 Lazy Women & Eating the Rich with Cynara Geissler

For this episode, I made an extremely fancy vegan charcuterie board and invited the always-immaculate Cynara Geissler over to talk about that thing where we’ll all slowly working ourselves to death in a desperate bid to prove our worth. You know, just a light summer afternoon chat. In addition to being a brilliant thinker on … Continue reading Episode 1.11 Lazy Women & Eating the Rich with Cynara Geissler

Episode 1.10 Baby Noises & Decoding Toxic Masculinity with Brenna Clarke Gray

There’s a lot of really great stuff in this episode: a wide range of exciting sounds from Baby Groot, discussions of feminist and academic mothering, and of course some generalized rage directed toward toxic masculinity. Not to mention our illustrious guest, Brenna Clarke Gray, academic and author and public intellectual. All that, framed by my thoughts … Continue reading Episode 1.10 Baby Noises & Decoding Toxic Masculinity with Brenna Clarke Gray

Episode 1.9 Emoji Faces & Feminist Friendship with Erin Wunker

Apologies if I sound a little drunk on the sheer joy of friendship in this episode. I was. Come hang out with me and Erin Wunker — academic, activist, award-winning author, and all-around treasure of a human being — as we talk about the politics of accessibility in feminist writing and also make emoji faces … Continue reading Episode 1.9 Emoji Faces & Feminist Friendship with Erin Wunker

Episode 1.8 Rising Signs & Anticapitalist Poetry with Adèle Barclay

We’re back, and only a little late, to talk about astrology, witchcraft, poetry, and queer love with the brilliant Adèle Barclay. You’ll probably want to: Read some of Adèle’s work (and buy her book!) Figure out your own rising sign Find out the details of this Joss Whedon nonsense Read up on UBC Accountable And … Continue reading Episode 1.8 Rising Signs & Anticapitalist Poetry with Adèle Barclay

Episode 1.7 Basic Witches with Jaya Saxena and Jess Zimmerman

This week I’m joined by authors/witches extraordinaire Jaya Saxena and Jess Zimmerman to talk about their forthcoming book Basic Witches (preorder it here!). If you’re in the New York area, you can head to the launch at The Astoria Bookshop on August 29th! If you think Jaya and Jess sound dope as heck (which they are, … Continue reading Episode 1.7 Basic Witches with Jaya Saxena and Jess Zimmerman

Episode 1.6 Taking Up Space & Feeling Safe with Leslie Allin

Content warning for racial violence and sexual assault. This week I’m joined by my dear friend Leslie Allin. We did our PhDs together, but we actually didn’t get together to discuss white masculinity in Victorian adventure fiction. Leslie is also a Wen-Do instructor, and she joined me to talk about women learning to claim our space. … Continue reading Episode 1.6 Taking Up Space & Feeling Safe with Leslie Allin

Episode 1.5 Can(n)ons & Revolutions with Andrea Hasenbank

This episode is a first: that is, the first podcast episode I’ve recorded with brilliant scholar and politicker Andrea Hasenbank in which we were both stone cold sober (if you want to know what I’m talking about, give this and this a listen). It’s charming nonetheless, and so coherent, as we get into questions of which knowledges … Continue reading Episode 1.5 Can(n)ons & Revolutions with Andrea Hasenbank

Episode 1.4 Hufflepuff Self Care with Kaarina Mikalson

I wanted you to hear this episode so badly that I went and got new cords for my recording set-up AND THEN I upgraded to the “Pro” level of Hindenburg so I could get noise reduction. Just saying. Come hang out with me and Kaarina while we drink wine on opposite sides of this big … Continue reading Episode 1.4 Hufflepuff Self Care with Kaarina Mikalson

Episode 1.3 Little Tiny Things and Big Huge Questions with Rebecca Caines and Michelle Stewart

This episode is brought to you courtesy of backyard wine and BBQ tacos! Sit in on my conversation with Rebecca Caines and Michelle Stewart, brilliant academics and artists and activists and collaborators from the University of Regina. Our conversation ranges from leg hair to police brutality with a few stops in between. As per usual, … Continue reading Episode 1.3 Little Tiny Things and Big Huge Questions with Rebecca Caines and Michelle Stewart

Episode 1.2 Social Media & Moana with Lucia Lorenzi

We’re back, and this time we’re chatting with academic, activist, and artist Lucia Lorenzi about her love for Moana and Maleficent, Twitter as a platform for feminist activism, and why sometimes it’s okay to not be okay. Here’s some conversation-adjacent reading: A few thoughts on Why We Need a Female Doctor in Doctor Who Some articles from teen-led feminist … Continue reading Episode 1.2 Social Media & Moana with Lucia Lorenzi

Episode 1.1 Eyeliner & Astrology with Xine Yao

It’s here! The first official episode! Join me as I talk cut-creases, deadlifting, and ill-advised teenage atheism with academic and podcaster Xine Yao. If you want more to read/listen to on these topics, here are some suggestions: Check out Virgie Tovar’s Take the Cake column on Ravishly Learn more about What We Mean When We … Continue reading Episode 1.1 Eyeliner & Astrology with Xine Yao

Episode 1.0 Let’s Start Something

Welcome to Secret Feminist Agenda! Every week* I’ll be interviewing a feminist about how they undermine the cisnormative heteronormative ableist imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy in their own lives. Mostly I just want to talk to amazing humans about how they enact resistance in both large and small ways. Get ready for laughter and tears … Continue reading Episode 1.0 Let’s Start Something

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