Taboo on the Bus

Consider this an expansion to one of my recent episodes: Food as a Status Symbol, where I discussed how food is increasingly becoming a luxury item as it becomes more inaccessible. Today I HEAVILY deep dive the broken UK food system, discussing how healthy eating and foods remain a privilege as opposed to a right amid our current climate. Join in for a discussion about the barriers to healthy foods, food poverty, the appeal of ultra-processed foods, and what the government is trying to do to improve the UK’s diet.  Thank you so much for listening and creating space for this important discussion. Unless something upstream is done to tackle access to healthy, nutritious food then we will see widening health and nutrition gaps between those who can and can’t afford these items.  Some notable references from this episode are:-       Food Fight by Stuart Gillespie -       Source quoting Wan et al., (2014) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953615300629-       Broken Plate 2025 https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/broken-plate-2025-       https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/food-insecurity-tracking#tabs/Round-16-       The Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/30/obesity-crisis-uk-healthy-food-affordable-government-prices?utm_source=chatgpt.com Find me online: Instagram – WhatzaralovesTikTok – Whatzaraloves Taboo on the busEmail – collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk 

Full deep-dive episode is also live, join me on the bus for a mini discussion. here.Consider this an expansion to one of my recent episodes: Food as a Status Symbol, where I discussed how food is increasingly becoming a luxury item as it becomes more inaccessible. Today I HEAVILY deep dive the broken UK food system, discussing how healthy eating and foods remain a privilege as opposed to a right amid our current climate. Join in for a discussion about the barriers to healthy foods, food poverty, the appeal of ultra-processed foods, and what the government is trying to do to improve the UK’s diet.  Thank you so much for listening and creating space for this important discussion. Unless something upstream is done to tackle access to healthy, nutritious food then we will see widening health and nutrition gaps between those who can and can’t afford these items.  Some notable references from this episode are:-       Food Fight by Stuart Gillespie -       Source quoting Wan et al., (2014) ⁠https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953615300629⁠-       Broken Plate 2025 ⁠https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/broken-plate-2025⁠-       ⁠https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/food-insecurity-tracking#tabs/Round-16⁠-       The Guardian article: ⁠https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/30/obesity-crisis-uk-healthy-food-affordable-government-prices?utm_source=chatgpt.com⁠  Find me online: Instagram – WhatzaralovesTikTok – Whatzaraloves Taboo on the busEmail – ⁠collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk⁠ 

I have seen too many queerbaiting accusations fly around recently, during pride month of ALL months, and wanted to give my input on the topic. So so many times I see ‘queerbait’ accusations against celebrities there is real undertones of biphobia and the reinforcement of labels and boxes. Do these accusations do more harm than good? Are they just pushing the idea that we others an explanation of our sexuality? Sit down with me and let’s discuss queerbaiting, celebrities, and the real origins of the term. Queerbaiting actually stems from a media realm, which I discuss with reference to Sherlock, and the pipeline from queerbait to fan fiction.  Thank you always for the support! Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: whatzaraloves6Email: collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk

[Mini bus bus episode, full deep dive is also live]I have seen too many queerbaiting accusations fly around recently, during pride month of ALL months, and wanted to give my input on the topic. So so many times I see ‘queerbait’ accusations against celebrities there is real undertones of biphobia and the reinforcement of labels and boxes. Do these accusations do more harm than good? Are they just pushing the idea that we others an explanation of our sexuality? Sit down with me and let’s discuss queerbaiting, celebrities, and the real origins of the term. Thank you always for the support! Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: whatzaraloves6Email: collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk  

Alongside the longform podcast deepdive, here is the bus version of this week's episode. Inspired by Laura Bate’s new book: The New Age of Sexism, I sat down today to analyse how the interaction between society and AI girlfriends/robots/cyber women is ultimately going to be at the detriment of us all. Is it really a good thing that men are now ‘redirecting’ abuse and harm towards AI women? Is that really sparing the rest of us?  Or we creating spaces and systems that tolerate and withstand abuse, creating if anything, a pathway towards further abuse and harm of women every day.  I take a look at existing technologies such as Alexa’s and Chat Robots to understand this correlation, giving you a deep insight into this important conversation. It will truly change your perspective on a lotttt of things. Laura Bate’s new book: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-New-Age-of-Sexism/Laura-Bates/9781471190483 Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: Whatzaraloves6Email: collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk 

Hello loves! This is somewhat a deep dive in to my dissertation topic and pulling in some of my own research. I sat down in the long episode today to discuss why we can’t just replicate Grindr for women and expect it to foster the same culture. We analyse the differences in hookup/dating app culture between queer men and women, and how these intertwine with dating app design. Someone please just let me design a dating app for the gay girls, I beg!! Tiktok – Whatzaraloves6Instagram – WhatzaralovesEmail – collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk

If your feminism only caters to white, middle class, cis women — is it really feminism? In this episode, we talk about white feminism: a version of feminism that often only represents the experiences of white, cis, middle-class women — leaving out women of colour, LGBTQIA+ women, disabled women, and those impacted by class, colonialism, and systemic oppression.  From the exclusion of Black women in the suffragette movement (something your history teacher might not have mentioned) to the often pink, commodified feminism we see from large figures today — let’s deep dive the history and current displays of white feminism, looking at:⁃            What is white-feminism?⁃            the Suffragette’s exclusion of black women⁃            choice feminism⁃            Pop culture figure, influencers, and white feminism⁃            How to be more intersectional in your approach This episode was largely collective from the Taboo on the Bus community to be as inclusive and considerate to everyone’s viewpoints and experiences as possible. I understand I am a white woman and aim to be contributing to this conversation without taking space away from more important voices. Please use this as a potential basepoint, or small part of your understanding, and consider the voices, stories, and input from those more affected by these issues from marginalised communities. Reading list below! This episode isn’t about shaming individual women — it’s about encouraging all of us to think more critically, be more intersectional, and hold ourselves (and the people we look up to) to a higher standard. #tabooonthebus #whitefeminism #intersectionalfeminism #popfeminism #suffragettehistory #genderequality #choicefeminism Reading list: BOOK Ain't I a woman : black women and feminism hooks, bell, 1952-2021. Main stock ; 305.4208996073 Me, not you : the trouble with mainstream feminism Phipps, Alison, author. The Right to Sex: Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize 2022 Kindle Edition by Amia Srinivasan “Diversity Within”: The Problems with “Intersectional” White Feminism in Practice Christoffersen, Ashlee ; Emejulu, Akwugo Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgot Hardcover –by Mikki Kendall (Author White Tears Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Colour Paperback – 21 Oct. 2021 by Ruby Hamad (Author) Your silence will not protect you Lorde, Audre, author. 2017 Bad Feminist Paperback – 21 Aug. 2014 by Roxane Gay (Author) What a tine to be alone - What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower's Guide to Why You Are Already Enough Chidera Eggerue

Join me to dissect and discuss whether filler, Botox, and aesthetic cosmetic procedures can be considered 'feminist'? While it may empower you, and be your choice, can we call that feminist when it is largely rooted in upholding harmful beauty standards? I take a look down the lense of gender, class, and race to dissect this question, referencing the works of Dana Berkowitz and Margaret Hunter. Let me know your thoughts… Again, clarifying that this is not an individual attack on individuals who get these procedures. It is an unpack of the wider system these are part of and the standards/expectations of women that they ultimately uphold.  instagram: whatzaralovestiktok: whatzaraloves6show: Taboo on the BusEmail me: collective@bricksmagazine.co.ukreferences:https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2016/12/30/botox-gender-and-the-emotional-lobotomy/https://jpanafrican.org/docs/vol4no4/HUNTER%20Final.pdfhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/audio/2016/oct/15/when-womens-rights-meet-botox-what-would-a-feminist-do  

Join me on the mini bus-version of the podcast to dissect and discuss whether filler, Botox, and aesthetic cosmetic procedures is feminist? While it may empower you, and be your choice, can we call that feminist? I take a look down the lense of gender, class, and race to dissect this question, referencing the works of Dana Berkowitz and Margaret Hunter. Let me know your thoughts… Again, clarifying that this is not an individual attack on individuals who get these procedures. It is an unpack of the wider system these are part of and the standards/expectations of women that they ultimately uphold.  instagram: whatzaralovestiktok: whatzaraloves6show: Taboo on the BusEmail me: collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk

I have always been intrigued by the way in which the public feels entitled to share their opinion online, including ones that are deeply nasty or mean towards creators. In the aftermath of Becky Jones leaving the internet, I realised that this entitlement-to-share comes from the fact that we as viewers are aware of the fact that our views/likes/engagement keeps influencers ‘employed’messentially, therefore gives a degree of power. Today I discuss this power dynamic between influencers and viewers, and how we as the public essentially are employers in this realm. From the lense of comments, brand deals, cancel-culture, and nepo-babies, this is a real influencer deep-dive. A REAL insight in to my analytical brain.Love ya!!instagram - whatzaralovestiktok - whatzaraloves6youtube - whatzaralovesemail me - collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk 

Long-form deepdive is live! I have always been intrigued by the way in which the public feels entitled to share their opinion online, including ones that are deeply nasty or mean towards creators. In the aftermath of Becky Jones leaving the internet, I realised that this entitlement-to-share comes from the fact that we as viewers are aware of the fact that our views/likes/engagement keeps influencers ‘employed’messentially, therefore gives a degree of power. Today I discuss this power dynamic between influencers and viewers, and how we as the public essentially are employers in this realm.

Is the WLW hashtag on TikTok really one of the closest things to a queer community for so many of us? Today I sat down to talk about the lack of intersectional physical spaces for queer women, discussing the historical reasons for this and also what is driving us to foster community online instead. We’ve got dissertation research, we’ve got my own research study, we’ve got YOUR input, this episode is juicy and packed xoxoOutline:why queer women are using dating apps, tiktok, and digital platforms to forge communitythe impact of digital queer communities and coming outwhy gay bars and clubs are not always safe/inclusive spaces to queer women, trans-women and women of colourthe history of lesbians and gay bars/clubsthe focus towards daytime, community centred cafes, bookstores, etc amongst lesbiansThe Mafia’s role in lesbian barsIntersectionality in queer spacesfind me on insta: @whatzaralovestiktok: @whatzaraloves6youtube: WhatzaralovesReferences for this episode:https://medium.com/@anyacrittenton/how-misogyny-makes-the-lgbtq-community-a-lonely-place-for-queer-women-236a7bf24cf2https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7430466/https://scholars.fhsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4226&context=theseshttps://medium.com/girl-genius-magazine/studying-the-intersection-of-queer-history-and-feminism-6c13e3e4599ahttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/06/misogyny-gay-men-sexist-rose-mcgowan-rights-womenhttps://scholars.fhsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4226&context=theseshttps://www.vice.com/en/article/when-drag-kings-ruled-alongside-the-mafia-235/

Is the WLW hashtag on TikTok really one of the closest things to a queer community for so many of us? Today I sat down to talk about the lack of intersectional physical spaces for queer women, discussing the historical reasons for this and also what is driving us to foster community online instead. We’ve got dissertation research, we’ve got my own research study, we’ve got YOUR input, this mini version on the bus is the beginning of this wider conversation. If you like this, check out the next episode which is a 30 min deep-dive.

In a week of PLT rebranding cementing the emphasis on ‘quiet luxury’, let’s discuss how food becomes part of this conversation. Amid our current economic climate, access to food, time, and resources is increasingly becoming harder, and with that, displays of food are becoming increasingly aspirational. Think: fridge restocks, fresh grocery hauls, come-shop-with-me content. We’re seeing this shift across fashion, art, and the social media sphere as food is positioned as more of a ‘luxury’ and symbolise both wealth and time. I discuss this from multiple lenses, including class, quiet luxury, and fashion. If you enjoyed the bus version, you’ll love this deep dive. Sources mentioned:Book: Bad Taste, Natalie Olah Creators: @kfesteryga / @janinejellars (tiktok) Nylon article: "Errand-Core" And The Rise of The High-Fashion Paper Bag Journal: When is food a luxury? DOl: 10.1080/0043824021000026422

Is food a status symbol now? On food, class, and quiet luxury In a week of PLT rebranding cementing the emphasis on ‘quiet luxury’, let’s talk about how food becomes part of this conversation. Amid our current economic climate, access to food, time, and resources is increasingly becoming harder, and with that, displays of food are becoming increasingly aspirational. Think: fridge restocks, fresh grocery hauls, come-shop-with-me content. We’re seeing this shift accross fashion, art, and the social media sphere as food is positioned as more of a ‘luxury’ and symbolise both wealth and time. if you enjoy the bus version, you’ll love the deep dive, see my latest episode for 35 minutes of this. 

You all adored the mini bus version of this episode, so let's deepdive the 'full bush in a thong' discourse for 30 mins to truly underpin this changing discourse towards women's body hair. I’ve noticed an increase in the discusion and potential rage bait online amongst men debating whether or not women should have body hair, yet on the flip side, we are seeing mainstream love and normalisation of body hair amongst the girls - particularly the cis het community online. This episode is a JOURNEY, discussing the where the notions of femininity=hairlessness derive from, the correlations between race, class, and body hair, and an interesting study conducted in the 2010’s that I think can underpin the entire ‘full bush in a thong’ discourse today. For real, grab a cup of tea and a snack.All my lovesocials: @whatzaraloves Study mentioned:http://www.breannefahs.com/uploads/1/0/6/7/10679051/2011_embodied_resistance_fahs_delgado.pdfCommercialisation of choice quote from Susan Bordo:https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=yt0qnwdZRCcC&oi=fnd&pg=PP12&dq=body+hair+women+&ots=QprmcqYfqr&sig=9ZWbqm55ioF3-lFWXl13GQevNd4&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=body%20hair%20women&f=false

As someone in my comments coined it, we are in a “Buchaissance”, meaning it is high time for women and body hair! The ‘full bush in a thong’ discourse is going to be instrumental in breaking down the equation of women’s body hair to femininity, and I am here for it! Let’s discuss the origins of why women even shave, the harmful stereotypes and ideologies associated with women’s body hair, and an interesting study done on a class of girls that I think can tell us a lot about the impact of the ‘full bush in a thong’ discussion online. All my lovesocials: @whatzaraloves Study mentioned:http://www.breannefahs.com/uploads/1/0/6/7/10679051/2011_embodied_resistance_fahs_delgado.pdf

I was RUDELY confronted with an “almond-daughter’ aesthetic image on my Pinterest feed (help) and ran to TikTok to see if this is yet another girl, core, IT, aesthetic, and of course it is a thriving subculture. Let’s fully debunk the commodification of women’s identities online, and how we are pushed into these boxes of self, taking the almond-daughter as a perfect example of how this has gone too far now. The almond-daughter is simply a repackaged ED, sold and pushed as an aesthetic lifestyle to pertain to, and it has to stop. Listen in to discuss the harms of fashioning yourself to these identities, the role of capitalism in heightening these, and why I think the almond-daughter subculture/trend is pureposely kept online despite its harm. Keywords: Almond Daughter, TikTok trends, identity commodification, wellness aesthetics, social media and mental health, performative lifestyles, consumerism, online personas

Sit down with Zara at the front of the bus to discuss the thriving internet subculture of the ‘almond-daughter’. It is exactly what you think it is: a repackaged ED sold and made aesthetic to the girls in yet another girl, core, IT, box. Let’s talk about the harm that slotting ourselves in to these boxes can cause, and why I think the almond-daughter subculture/trend is pureposely kept online despite its harm. 

I’m on the London Tube this week for a special episode of: Taboo on the Tube instead of my bed/ the bus. Joined by Tori West, founder of Bricks Magazine, we discuss the inaccessibility of fashion weeks and the lack of accommodations made for disabled/neurodivergent individuals. Tori has worked her way from standing room to front row seats at fashion week, and sits down to give us a first-hand account of her experience. Join us to talk about the way clout is so often put before accommodation and lift the lid on fashion week. Thank you Tori West and the darling Prada for joining me for this episode. I will be back on the bus/bed next week as per usual! Socials: @whatzaraloves#FashionWeek #lfw #taboo #fashionweek2025 #toriwest