Episode #5 - the final one of the mini series! We talk to Maya Tutton, who co founded the Our Streets Now campaign with her sister, Gemma. We discuss how the HE launch has gone, share some of the work from the HE Ambassadors and talk about how the OSN campaign has evolved since it's launch.
Episode #4 is with Meggie, a OSN Higher Education Ambassador for SOAS University in London, discussing her role. Ellen & Helena will also talk about how you can get involved in the Ambassador programme at your own University.
Episode #3 we talk to Queenie a participant of 'Snapshots of Sexual Harassment' a collaborative photo series with photographer, Eliza Hatch originally released as part of the #16DaysOfActivism campaign with @ourstreetsnow and @UNWomenUK. All of the photos were taken by Eliza Hatch, founder of Cheer Up Luv and can now be viewed as an online virtual exhibition and you can see Queenie's image and written testimony linked in the show notes.
This mini series is a collaborative project with Our Streets Now to coincide with the launch of their #StudentsNotObjects Campaign, which highlights the issues around Public Sexual Harassment in higher education institutions. Episode #2 we talk to Architecture Student and founder of The Gender Step Gap, Pippa. We discuss travel, transport and the built environment in relation to PSH and Pippa's award winning dissertation which centres on her personal research on how architecture has the ability to positively impact the experiences of women and marginalised genders in public space.
This mini series is a collaborative project with Our Streets Now to coincide with the launch of their #StudentsNotObjects Campaign, which highlights the issues around Public Sexual Harassment in higher education institutions.
On today’s episode I talk to the lovely Rach who is the founder of The Black Book Blog, which you’ll be hearing more about in this episode! We discuss childhood reading including the books that influenced us, and discuss the lack of black representation in the stories we read growing up. We talk about why there needs to be changes in the school curriculums regarding the literary texts we study and how problematic past choices have been. Rach explains why she started The Black Book Blog and talks about the importance of reading diversely. She also shares her thoughts on 75-80% of the publishing industry being white and we discuss ways this is changing. We do also have a discussion around what’s been happening online between feminist authors Florence Given and Chidera Eggerue. *A quick note that things have progressed since we recorded this episode (On 11th Dec) and further statements have been released including one from Florence*.
Today I am joined by the wonderful Eliza Hatch! She’s probably best known for her online campaign Cheer Up Luv which is a photo series that recounts incidents of street harassment from the survivor’s perspective. Since her original campaign launched it’s gained an enormous response and has gone global! Eliza has since partnered with multiple organisations and charities to continue campaigning against street harassment, she has written for numerous publications, done a tedX talk and most recently started her own podcast! She has many strings to her bow and it was a delight to talk to her about the brilliant work that she continues to do!
On today’s episode I have two wonderful guests talking all about refugee rights. I am joined by Basma who came to the UK seeking asylum and wanted to share her story and talk about her lived experience as a refugee. In addition to Basma I have the lovely Sol, founder of social enterprise, Give Your Best, which you’ll hear more about in the episode. She is someone who is passionate about bridging the gap of misunderstanding around migrants and trying to re frame the negative media portrayals that cause so much stigma.
On today’s episode I talk to Youth Activist, University Student and all round mega babe, India. We discuss the difficulties of moving to University during a global pandemic and why it’s so important to reach out and seek help if you’re feeling like it’s impacting your mental health. India talks at length about her 'accidental' activism around Anti Racism and Black Lives Matter that has lead to her continuing to vocalise her views and use her platform to speak up against racism. In this episode we discuss her thoughts on the reactions to the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert and why she wasn’t shocked by it. India talks about why we need to acknowledge racism within the UK and how being shocked isn't enough if you aren't going to act. We also talk about the online platform she co-founded called The Speak Up Space, which is a safe space for people to come forward about their experiences of sexual violence & harassment. At the end of this episode we have a bit of laugh about how not funny
On today’s episode I talk to the incredible Deeba Syed about her work as a harassment and discrimination lawyer and the incredible organisation she works at, Rights of Women. We talk at length about sexual harassment - what it is, how it’s defined and why it’s so rife in the workplace. Deeba also shares her thoughts on #MeToo and how the pandemic is affecting women’s confidence in reporting incidents of harassment in the workplace.
On today’s episode I talk to Charlotte Amy Louise, body acceptance advocate who is probably most known for trying to de stigmatise having a stoma and raising awareness of EDS. If you’re not sure what EDS or a stoma is then stick with this episode as Charlotte will explain everything. We also talk about how after battling with an eating disorder, Charlotte has learned to accept her body just the way it is and why she celebrates it by posting lots of gorgeous photos in her underwear on Instagram! *Trigger Warning that we do discuss eating disorders at length in this episode*
On today’s episode I talk Amber Izzo about all things IVF & infertility. We discuss Amber’s journey of finding out she’s infertile and her decision to share her experience online through her blog and youtube channel. **A quick trigger warning that amber does talk about suicidal thoughts very briefly in reference to her lowest point after her diagnosis** We also talk about a campaign that we’ve launched together #FightForIVF in which we are fighting to end the IVF postcode lottery and want to see a fair system that means equal access to NHS funded fertility treatment across England. Thank you to Amber for the discussions in this episode! SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN #FIGHTFORIVF Sign the petition here Instagram @fightforivf Twitter @FightForIVF_ Facebook Fight For IVF Download a template letter to your MP here
Today I talk to the brilliant activist and advocate of all things gender equality Ben Hurst. We discuss Ben’s work at the Good Lad Initiative, the societal pressures of masculinity, why the bar is set so low for men and the challenging process of unlearning your own conditioning. We talk about Ben’s Ted Talk, titled, ‘Boys won’t be boys, they will be what we teach them to be’ - and we discuss what it is he means by that and why the patriarchy is literally shit for everyone!
On today’s episode I talk to Sophie Williams aka @officialmillennialblack - We discuss the overwhelm of having an Instagram account with 1k growing to over 100k within days and how that trajectory happened. We talk about how she manages with the pressure of a large following whilst also protecting her own energy and why the block button is something she doesn’t hesitate to use. In our discussions Sophie shares her thoughts on what it really means to be an anti racist ally, how to keep the momentum of the work going and shares her views on creating change moving forward. Sophie also talks about her career and how she’s always worked anti racism into her professional roles. She explains how she came to the decision that she needed to write a book when she couldn’t find the book she was looking for and why she went super extra with her book proposal - plus some tips if you’re thinking of looking at writing a book yourself.
I am launching into Series 2 with the wonderful trans model, activist & Bloody Good Period ambassador, Kenny Ethan Jones. I have been following Kenny’s work for a long time and so I was absolutely thrilled that he agreed to come on my podcast to talk about the incredible work he’s doing. We talk about Kenny's experience as being the first transgender man to front a period campaign and discuss how that opportunity had such a profound impact on making the conversations around periods more inclusive. We speak about trans rights and how to be a good ally to the trans community, where education is most needed and how Kenny deals with invasive questions in his DM's from a place of compassion.
Surprise mini-sode with the lovely Sabrina! [Trigger Warning & Spoiler Alert that we are mostly discussing I May Destroy You]
It's the last episode of series 1 of Discuss!!! So this episode is a bit different to usual, where it's largely me saying THANK YOU for your support and to all my incredible guests. There is DEFINITELY a season 2 coming...dates TBC but mostly likely September and I've got interviews with some MEGA guests lined up for it! There's also a mini interview with The J Spot AKA Jess & Jade who like me are independent podcasters who you should have a listen to and support! Links below to them...
On today’s episode I talk to the lovely Pheebs about Fatphobia and Body Acceptance/positivity/neutrality - the movement itself is nuanced and we discuss why that is. We talk about what it means to identify as a fat woman and the discrimination that comes with that. Pheebs talks really openly about the body shaming and bullying she’s experienced as a result of her size and how much it has impacted her on an emotional level. She wants to tackle the social stigmas and assumptions around fatness including the myth that you can’t be fat and healthy.
On Today’s episode I talk to climate activist and all round lovely human being Tori Tsui! We talk about Tori’s trajectory into climate activism and her passion for ensuring that her work is intersectional and what that means for her. We discuss extinction rebellion protests, Tori’s work with Stella McCartney, the different privileges within climate activism and how she uses her platform to cultivate an inclusive movement. Tori also opens up about her mental health journey towards the end of the podcast and speaks honestly about how it’s impacted her role as an activist.
On today’s episode I talk to Sophie Whitehead who works for SEXPLAIN, a UK based organisation which aims to provide comprehensive and inclusive sex and relationships education (SRE) to young people. They facilitate workshops on SRE tackling important social issues and stigmas that take place largely in educational settings. Sexplain pride themselves on having a feminist and intersectional approach as well as being advocates for the teaching of LGBTQ+ SRE to young people.