We're Gonna Talk About It
Buffie Blesi & Carolyn Pool
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Two great friends, Buffie Blesi and Carolyn Pool, along with their guests unearth, dissect and discuss topics around being a woman that are unknowns, unspoken, taboo or just downright perplexing.
Available episodes
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Jul 25, 2022
Ep 23 | Taking Back the Funeral Industry - Women and the Business of Death
Hosts Buffie & Carolyn of the We're Gonna Talk About It podcast discuss women in the death and funeral industry. This includes the history of women taking charge, what happened to switch to a male dominated field, and why women are once again dominating the industry. Over 65% of graduates from university mortuary programs are women. While these numbers are impressive, a lot of skepticism and sexism block women from moving up in the profession. Many industry experts believe however, that women are the future of funerals (see what I did there?)
Joined by guest Angela Woosley, owner of the Midwest’s first woman-owned and client-centered natural death care provider called Inspired Journeys.
Carolyn also interviews Buffie about Rock What You Got's latest offering, Love Letters Films. Love Letters Films helps funeral homes stand out above the rest with broadcast-quality livestreaming and documentaries of life
Resources:
Women in Death Care: Coming Full Circle in the Funeral Service (connectingdirectors.com)
Women bring new life to the funeral industry (democratandchronicle.com)
How Women Disrupted the Funeral Industry | Beyond the Dash Support the show
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Jun 24, 2022
Episode 22: June 24, 2022 - The Day the Supreme Court Overturned Roe
Hosts Buffie & Carolyn discuss what it means to live without the protection of Roe v. Wade, and the rights that could possibly be taken next.
Music clips covers of We're Not Gonna Take It performed by Kulturskolan i Lessebo - We're Not Gonna Take It (Cover) - YouTube and We're not gonna take it ( Dee Snider/Twisted Sister)- Ballad cover by Anika - YouTubeSupport the show
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May 19, 2022
Ep. 21 | Play Like A Girl - Women In Sports
This episode celebrates all things that are *WOMEN IN SPORTS!* From some early trailblazers, to the fiftieth anniversary of Title 9, to our remarkable teams that continue to amass victories surpassing their male counterparts and Olympic athletes that always inspire us.
Yet, maybe unsurprisingly, these athletes are still woefully underpaid, sometimes to the tune of earning as much as one hundred percent less than their male counterparts.
Hosts Buffie & Carolyn will also welcome our newest female sports team, Minnesota Aurora, a female-led & community owned pre-professional women's soccer team that will
begin to play in the new USL W League in May 2022.
*Sources:*
The Pride of Minnesota Sunisa Lee
U.S. Women's Players and U.S. Soccer Settle Equal Pay Lawsuit - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Quite simply the best organized sports team in Minnesota, the Minnesota Lynx
Women’s History Month 2022: Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX | INSIGHT Into Diversity
Minnesota Aurora FC: Women-Led, Community Owned Soccer (mnaurora.com) Support the show
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Apr 21, 2022
Ep 20 | The Pink Tax
This weeks We’re Gonna Talk About It podcast episode is about The Pink Tax & all the ways women get hosed buying everyday items.
Annually, the pink tax costs about $2,300.00 in overpayment for items marketed to women.
Listen in to hear more about this economic phenomenon and how it is evident in everyday items & even necessary health needs/medicine.
With special guest Shanan Custer. Shanan and Carolyn make up the 2 Sugars Show and have performed together in 2 Sugars, Room for Cream, Sometimes There’s Wine, and the upcoming Bad Things, Good Whiskey.
Additional audio by Katy Pence
Sources:
The Pink Tax: The Ridiculous Reason It Costs More to Be a Woman (dollarsprout.com)
The Pink Tax: What's the Cost of Being a Female Consumer In 2022? (listenmoneymatters.com)
* *The Pink Tax: Economic Gender Discrimination (thoughtco.com) Support the show
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Apr 7, 2022
Ep 19 | LOOK OUT! There's a Gap There.
This episode is about the thing that started it all for Rock What You Got™ (RWYG), the Gender Pay Gap. Hosts Buffie & Carolyn talk about the origins of RWYG’s mission, the highlights & challenges, & how much work lies ahead with gender gaps.
Buffie & Carolyn will also introduce RWYG's exciting Pub & Club summer events that will center around education and awareness of gender gaps including pay, education, housing, digital, & more.
Sources:
The U.S women's soccer team reaches an equal pay settlement : NPR
The pay gap was mentioned in the first 3 minutes of the 2022 Oscar's broadcast: The best of Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes’ 2022 Oscars opening | Page Six Celebrity News - Bing video
Exploring the data on Hollywood's gender pay gap (theconversation.com)
WFMN-2022-Status-of-Women-Girls-in-MN.pdf (netdna-ssl.com)
A Proclamation on National Equal Pay Day, 2022 | The White House
Research Roundup: How Women Experience the Workplace Today (hbr.org) Support the show
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Mar 24, 2022
Ep 18 | Terrible Tales
This episode is a look at the stories children learn through books, movies & video games that teach screwed-up gender roles. Hosts Buffie & Carolyn discuss the origins of those stories, (commonly known as Fairy Tales), how Hollywood & pop culture has perpetuated these harmful myths, & what is changing.
*Featuring guest Lily Baber-Coyle*, founder and owner of *Beaver Pond Press** *and author of Princess and the Pee, a feminist play on the classic story.
For more resources on fairy tales for feminist kids, check out resources like A Mighty Girl Damsels in Charge: 40 Fairy Tales Starring Mighty Girls | A Mighty Girl
Art Educators check out this play for schools: The Princess and the Pee by Lily Baber Coyle | Playscripts Inc.
Feminist Bookclub selections: Retelling Fairytales: Feminist, Alternative, and Encouraging - Feminist Book Club Support the show
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Mar 10, 2022
Ep 17 | Women in TV & Film
Hosts Buffie & Carolyn talk about the history of women in TV & film, why women’s stories matter, what’s gotten better, & what the data tells us about how far there is to go.
*This episode’s guests include nationally known filmmakers and television writers:
*Gabby Reese, Filmmaker & host of Shot of Influence
Emily Schmidt, writer and performer for film and television, currently on “Ghosts” on CBS
Maya Washington, Rock What You Got’s February social media spotlight of women who are #MakingMovesNow Support the show
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Feb 14, 2022
Ep 16 | The New ‘F’ Word: Do You Call Yourself a Feminist?, Part 2
Feminism needs to do better.
The good news is, there is a way.
Intersectional Feminism is the current wave of feminism in America and it’s about time it was. In this episode, We’re Gonna Talk About It podcast hosts Buffie & Carolyn discuss Intersectional Feminism. What does it mean, and how can you actively incorporate it into your daily actions and interactions?
If you believe equality is for everyone and want to make a personal difference, listen in to learn how to get started.
Show resources:
What is "Intersectional Feminism"? | Women's & Gender Studies (denison.edu)
About The Center | The Program in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s StudiesThe Center for Research in Feminist, Queer, and Transgender Studies (upenn.edu)
Get to Know bell hooks - The bell hooks center (berea.edu)
A Look into the Women Behind Intersectional Feminism – Black Feminist Collective
About (mnnow.org)
Feminist Book Club a Complete Feminist Experience Support the show
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Jan 24, 2022
Ep 16 | The New ‘F’ Word: Do You Call Yourself a Feminist?, Part 1
Part one of “The New ‘F’ Word: Do You Call Yourself a Feminist?" delves into a brief history of feminist movements in America, questions if there is a fourth or even fifth wave coming, & what that means for the future of the feminist movement.
Hosts Buffie & Carolyn talk about their personal histories and feminist journeys, and wonder loudly and proudly on why some who support equality for women refuse to identify as a “feminist”.
Resources:
Get to Know bell hooks - The bell hooks center (berea.edu) Biography of bell hooks, Feminist Scholar (thoughtco.com)
What Are The Three Waves Of Feminism? » Science ABC
Four Waves of Feminism | Pacific University
Half Of Millennial Women Say They Are Not Feminists (refinery29.com)
What is "Intersectional Feminism"? | Women's & Gender Studies (denison.edu)Support the show
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Jan 6, 2022
Ep 15 | The Reset Button
In this episode called 'The Reset Button', hosts Buffie & Carolyn welcome 2022 and talk about their hopes for this year. They discuss why New Years resolutions are so hard to keep, and the emotional damage “failing” can cause. Instead, they offer alternatives to making resolutions while still concentrating on goals.Support the show
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Dec 20, 2021
Ep. 14 | Looking Back, Looking Forward
In the final episode of 2021, Hosts Buffie & Carolyn re-cap what they’ve learned, highlights of past episodes, and what they’re looking forward to in 2022!
If you’re a listener, thank you. Tell your friends about We’re Gonna Talk About It, especially if you think they should listen to a specific episode. If you have ideas for upcoming shows, don’t hesitate to contact “We’re Gonna Talk About It” at Podcast | Rock What You Got™ (rockwhatyougotlive.com)
See you next season! The first episode of Season 2 will drop on January 6, available everywhere you get your podcasts. Support the show
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Dec 9, 2021
Ep. 13 | Supreme Failure
It’s shake up time gearing up for a new year of the “We’re Gonna Talk About It” podcast, but before that, take a detour to talk about the latest assault on women’s health care, the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Your hosts are fired up as they navigate questions of why women’s health care is always under fire, and the issues facing those seeking help.
Learn more about how you can support these organizations.
Still fighting. No matter what. (weareplannedparenthoodaction.org)
Home • Abortion Access Front (aafront.org) Support the show
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Oct 18, 2021
Ep. 12 | Bet a Dude Made This Thing
From microphones being designed to amplify lower voices, phones being too big & pockets too small, nowhere to put purses in a car or restroom, and male-only car crash test dummies, it is clear that male-dominated design isn't just inconvenient for women, but can be dangerous too.
Buffie & Carolyn discuss these issues, and welcome guests Tina Nguyen and Danika Hannon to tell us about careers for women in STEM and design!
Sources used for this episode:
4 Main Reasons Why There Is a Lack of Women in STEM - Built By Me
Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
Find out more about today’s guests here:
Tina Nguyễn | LinkedIn
Danika Hannon | LinkedIn and danikahannon.com Support the show
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Oct 7, 2021
Ep. 11 | What Are You Reading? With The Feminist Book Club
Did you know that International Podcast Day was last Thursday? To celebrate, We're Gonna Talk About It's guest is one of our favorite podcasters, Renee Powers! Renee is the Founder and CEO of The Feminist Book Club, and host of the Feminist Book Club Podcast! Get ready for a lively discussion about new feminist literature, why the term “chick lit” is BS, the books that shaped and inspired us as kids, and what we are reading now.
Learn more about and subscribe to Feminist Book Club here: Feminist Book Club a Complete Feminist Experience
Listen to Feminist Bookclub Podcast: Podcast Shownotes - Feminist Book Club
Learn more about the September book of the month that Renee mentions: Wordslut – Amanda Montell Support the show
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Sep 8, 2021
Ep 10, Part 3 | Body Image: Death to Diets!
The diet industry makes $72 billion a year and has a 95% FAILURE RATE. This is just one reason why we say... DEATH TO DIETS!
This episode is part 3/3 (or maybe not, this is a huge topic) of We're Gonna Talk About It's series on Body Image. Buffie & Carolyn speak on their own struggles with the diet industry and welcome an amazing guest, Jillian Lampert, CSO of The Emily Program. The Emily Program - A national leader in eating disordersSupport the show
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Aug 26, 2021
Ep 10, Part 2 | Body Image: Mirror, Mirror
The journey to loving and accepting your body can be difficult.
This week on the We’re Gonna Talk About It podcast is part 2 of our 3 part series on Body Image. ‘Mirror, Mirror’ explores body dysmorphia and disordered eating with hosts Buffie Blesi & Carolyn Pool, joined by guest Julie Wenzlick ( https://www.instagram.com/julie.better.everyday/ )
RWYG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockwhatyougotlive/
RWYG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockWhatYouGotLive
RWYG Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWYGmnSupport the show
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Aug 12, 2021
Ep 10, Part 1 | Body Image: How Did We Get Here?
If you’ve ever felt bad about your body, you aren’t alone. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, but messages from media and society seem to be saying (over and over!) that there’s only one kind of “perfect” body, and if we don’t have it, we need to spend all of our time, effort and money to change. Women especially also get damaging messages about their bodies and sexuality, specifically from institutions dedicated to the subjugation of women and girls such as many religions, and “purity culture”.
This week, hosts Buffie Blesi and Carolyn Pool on We’re Gonna Talk About It are launching a three part series exploring “Body Image”, it’s history, disordered eating and diet culture, the negative and frequently violent messages women get about their bodies, and how it’s time for us to accept and even celebrate the body we have.
Our special guest this week is Sophia Elrae.
Website: https://sophiaelrae.com/
Instagram: @sophia.elraeSupport the show
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Jun 24, 2021
Ep 9 | In The Name of Pride, Part 2
Episode 9 is In The Name of Pride! A great way to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community is to continue to learn and ask questions. Rock What You Got podcast, We’re Gonna Talk About It, welcomes guest Emma VanVactor Lee, Educator, to answer questions as a guide for “Allyship 101”. This discussion also covers the emotional labor that LGBTQIA+ and persons of color go through daily, and how an ally can pull their weight when it comes to educating themselves.
You can support and tip Emma (Instagram: @emmavanvactorlee) for this educational podcast episode on Venmo @emmavvl or PayPal @emmavvl95. To learn more on Allyship, visit https://pinkmantaray.com/allyship, or follow Schuyler Bailar on Instagram: @pinkmantaray.
For Pride 2021, the Rock What You Got production crew is producing The Twin Cities Pride Grand Marshal MASKqueerade event! This event will be held at The Women’s Club of Minneapolis on July 8, 2021. Awards, music, comedy, dance, drag, and more! This event is a fundraiser t…
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Jun 10, 2021
Ep. 9 | In The Name of Pride, Part 1
Do you have questions about the LGBTQIA+ community or terms used (pronouns, etc.)? Send them to hello@rockwhatyougotlive.com!
A great way to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community is to continue to learn and ask questions, and Rock What You Got will have an expert on the next podcast episode who can answer these questions.
This year for Pride Month, RWYG is the producer of the Grand Marshal MASKqueerade Party at the Granada Theater & Amsterdam Bar on June 17th! Music, comedy, dance, drag shows, can you think of anything better?!
Tickets will fundraise to support pride and can be found here: https://tcpride.org/event/pride-grand-marshal-maskqueerade-party/Support the show
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May 26, 2021
Ep 8 | But You Seem Fine
Buffie and Carolyn tackle a difficult but necessary conversation – finding help for those who struggle with mental illness and the people who love them, including Carolyn and Buffie themselves.
Guests Sarah Webster Norton of Serving Those Serving, Jean Mills of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, and Sue Abderholden of NAMI MN (National Alliance on Mental Illness) are joining to discuss the current mental health crisis, have an honest conversation on mental health discrimination, and share resources to support those struggling with mental illness.
Help spread the word to support those struggling with mental illness, and fight to have lawmakers prioritize mental health and provide accessibility for those to receive help.
Mental health resources:
National suicide prevention hotline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ (1-800-273-8255)
NAMI MN (National Alliance on Mental Illness) https://nami.org/Home
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community Mental Health Ministry https://www.saintjoano…
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May 11, 2021
Ep 7 | The Other Mother
You don’t have to give birth to be a mom. Dedicated to the admired woman who take on unconventional motherhood with courage and abundant love.
“You are not alone if you have a village of support.”
Amber Schindeldecker, is a single mother by choice. She will meet her newly adopted baby boy this month, after braving through to the end of a 6-year biological fertility journey.
“The more you bring in the better. It’s all about expanding.”
Stephanie March, Food and Dining Editor, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, and sounding off on Weekly Dish on MyTalk 107.1, is a stepmother of 3 children and has one biological child of her own. The marriage ended, but the motherhood and family continue to grow.
“Being a stepparent, you may feel lost or stressed.”
Valerie Newbold is a Certified Step Family Coach with 15 years of experience helping step parents navigate the fun, but fear-filled ride of being a bonus parent.
Not therapy and very helpful in your stepparent path forward: www.…
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Apr 21, 2021
Ep 6 | Sheroes Among Us
Superhero powers derive from adversity and become amplified into something that can be honored. Wonder Woman is the gold standard for many generations of women. Female heroes might live next door to you, like teachers and healthcare workers. Guest Sheroes: Angie Haigh, Hospice Registered Nurse, and Sarah Salisbury, Stage Manager in waiting and Receptionist at Secondhand Hounds, recall heroic moments during the pandemic.Support the show
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Apr 8, 2021
Ep 5 | Get Your Laws Off My Body
She didn’t terminate your pregnancy. She terminated hers. Who gets to decide how and when you procreate? Regardless of what you decide, the choice is extremely personal, difficult, and your life is forever changed. Buffie Blesi and Carolyn Pool discuss abortion and the regulation war around women’s bodies. Special guests from Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS), Leah Montgomery, Director of Government Affairs and Health Finance, and BreAnna Bemboom, Field Manager, weigh in about supporting your choice from the frontline.Support the show
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Mar 25, 2021
Ep 4 | Hepeating to HERstory
Women’s ideas, inventions, and identities have been downplayed throughout history. It is likely you have experienced this feeling at work through a behavior known as repeating.
Hepeating is the idea you called out that was ignored and suddenly credited to a man. This episode gives credit to the contributions of extraordinary women that are unknown.
Guest Sara Given from the Anoka County Historical Society joins the conversation to show how historical research can be used to unearth the hidden influence of women.Support the show
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Mar 11, 2021
Ep 3 | The Bestie Bond
Famous best friends like Lucy and Ethel (I LOVE LUCY) and Rachel and Monica (FRIENDS), show us what best friends are for: keeping secrets, laughing until you snort, and going on regrettable adventures that are still great, because SHE is by your side.
Think back to the moment that made your friendship level up to the bestie connection. Was it the whisky or did you just need a place to live? Suddenly a deeper relationship blooms and you have traditions like watching the Tom Jone’s Holiday special each year. She becomes the essential part of how you survive when life gets hard.
Buffie Blesi and Carolyn Pool are joined by their guestie besties Karla Haben and Shanan Custer to chat about what unites best friends. A true best friend will never judge you...not even when you are dressed as a chicken mascot and a drunk man puts his cigarette out on your egg, or so the story goes.Support the show
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Feb 25, 2021
Ep 2 | Friendships Broken
Friendships are like waves; quietly lapping at the sand, calming our soul and making us happy. But sometimes those waves are non-existent, fierce or even dark. What happens to our friendships over time and how can we nurture them or make the tough and sometimes traumatic decision to let them go. We talk with friendship expert Dr. Marisa G Franco to find out how to solve your friendship problems.
Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rockwhatyougot)Support the show
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Feb 11, 2021
Ep 1 | Gal Pal Love
It's the month of love and we're celebrating that quintessential holiday - Galentine's Day! But first, we need to explore its origins, dissect the holiday that came before it - Valentine's Day - and talk about why you need to gather all your friends together (safely via video or masked and distanced) and have your own Galentine's celebration. Guests include Laura Roos, Founder of Minny and Paul and the host of the podcast So Fail So Good and or Gal Pals Amy Thompson. Support the show
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Feb 8, 2021
We're Gonna Talk About It - Trailer
Welcome to We’re Gonna Talk About It. The podcast that unearths topics around being female that are unknown, unspoken, taboo or just downright perplexing and we “Talk About it” with each other as well as our fabulous guests who will help you navigate through them. I’m Buffie Blesi, your co-host and founder of Rock What You Got, a social enterprise dedicated to gender equality and the creator and producer of We’re Gonna Talk About It. Support the show
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