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Equal Agenda

Author: Martine, Jameena, and Hazel

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Exploring the complexities of gender equality and shedding light on the everyday discrimination women face. Insightful, thought-provoking conversations, inspiring change, fostering connection, and reminding you that you’re not alone in the pursuit of equality. Brought to you by YWCA Hamilton, a community organisation dedicated to empowering and supporting women across the Waikato to achieve success.

Season 1 (Eps 1-10) hosted by Isabelle and Mollie from the University of Waikato. They speak with experts across fields to unpack topics like Women in Leadership, Women’s Health, Communication, and Consent, sharing knowledge and experiences along the way.

Season 2 (Eps 11-20) hosted by Martine, Jameena, and Hazel – three bold voices with big questions. A conversational deep dive into the realities of modern life through a feminist lens. From the pressure to always be kind, to myths around gender differences, to the influencers shaping (and shaking) culture – no topic is off limits.
15 Episodes
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Reproductive rights, periods, birth control, and the quiet fear so many women carry. Join your hosts as they unpack the realities women have been taught to downplay. Throughout this episode, they trace how control over women’s bodies has shifted from husbands once approving contraception to a present where laws like Roe v. Wade can still be overturned. Along the way, they confront the stigma surrounding periods, the failures of sex education, and the lingering anxiety many feel around fertility and contraception. This episode is raw, honest, and full of the conversations society was never encouraged to have. Because fear thrives in silence, and we’re done being quiet!
Influencers are everywhere, shaping our fyp, conversations, and even our worldviews. But are they truly shaping culture for the better, or are they shaking the very foundations of progress? Join your hosts as they examine Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign and its contradictions, Andrew Tate and Bonnie Blue’s controversial podcast and its dehumanising impact, and Ilona Maher’s celebration of strength and authenticity as a counterpoint. Across these stories, one thing is clear: influence is never neutral.
Why does life for women feel like a never-ending checklist? From being pushed into career choices as teenagers, to constant questions about relationships and marriage, to the pressure of the reproductive clock — expectations never seem to stop. In this episode, your hosts unpack how these timelines shape women’s lives, exploring the clash between career goals, relationships, and fertility. They reflect on how societal pressures judge women more harshly and ask what it means to choose a path that feels right, even when it doesn’t align with the norm.
Join your Equal Agenda hosts as they dive into the hidden ways comparison steals our joy. They focus on hustle culture and fitness fads to the polished perfection of Instagram and TikTok. While unpacking how algorithms amplify unrealistic standards and why they’re so hard to escape. Hazel, Martine, and Jameena open up about their own experiences and share how we can push back, protect our peace, and reclaim control in a world that profits from our insecurities.
Hazel, Martine, and Jameena are here to kick off Season 2 of Equal Agenda! In this first episode, your new hosts introduce themselves, sharing a bit about who they are, where they’re from, and what drew them to the podcast. They reflect on growing up, figuring things out, and how their experiences have shaped their perspective on the world. They also chat about the YWCA, what the organisation stands for, and where this podcast began. Season 2 takes a fresh direction, featuring more personal stories and honest conversations. This episode sets the scene for what’s to come and why these conversations matter now more than ever.
Outro Episode - Mollie and Isabelle We’ve reached the final episode of Mollie and Isabelle’s season of Equal Agenda! This is a candid reflection on what they’ve learnt, highlights and challenges and common themes across the episodes. A big shoutout to all the wonderful guests who were so open and authentic about their stories and ongoing mahi, we couldn’t have done this without you.
Endometriosis is more common than you think and too often misunderstood. Annette Evans, manager and educator at Insight Endometriosis, joins Isabelle and Mollie to unpack the reality of diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment. They also explore the ways in which gender inequality continues to impact healthcare, and why change is urgently needed.
Anna Britz doesn’t shy away from the tough conversations and that’s exactly what makes them so powerful. As a consent and sexual violence researcher and educator, she shares her passion for working with young people. Mollie and Isabelle learn how culture shapes our inner and outer worlds, and how open, honest dialogue about consent can be truly transformational.
Louise Hutt is a trailblazing politician and Hamilton City Councillor! She opens up to Isabelle and Mollie about stepping into leadership as a young woman, combating online abuse, and her vision for empowering young people to engage politically.
Gen Z content creator Faith is passionate about navigating the age of social media as a young woman. Join Mollie and Isabelle as they talk about the pressures of social media, how beauty standards are shaped (and warped), and why authenticity is more important than ever.
Women in the Workplace - Suzette. Why are women still fighting for equality in the workplace? Suzette, a senior lecturer in the Division of Management at the University of Waikato, is passionate about exactly this. She shares her insights with Mollie about strategies for achieving equity and empowerment for women in professional spaces.
From educator to entrepreneur, Sinead, the founder of ‘Meadow and Wild’ is following her passion and building her dream business. This wholesome episode is all about the collective power of women supporting and inspiring each other. Join Isabelle and Mollie as they explore what it means to carve your own path and do what lights you up!
Wendy, a dedicated advocate from Women’s Refuge shares her perspective on family violence and the important mahi she does supporting survivors. Join Mollie and Isabelle as they unpack how to spot the signs, recognise power imbalances in relationships, and how to support people experiencing harm.
Slay and Logan from RainbowHub are passionate about what it means to redefine traditional gender norms! As proud members of the rainbow community, they generously share with Isabelle their lived experiences and deep wisdom. It’s a thought-provoking episode focusing on identity, decolonisation and how we can all create a future that celebrates gender diversity.
Isabelle and Mollie kick-start the podcast together in this first episode! Get to know them a little better as they share who they are, where they’re from, and why this podcast matters. They chat about their own journeys growing up and becoming young women, the YWCA’s goals, and future episodes.
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