Hellscape

Lessons in Emergence: The History of RATM's 'Evil Empire'

This week, Kendra takes the helm! We talk about anti-imperialism and the role of music in resistance movements by examining Rage Against the Machine's 1996 album "Evil Empire". We look to adrienne maree brown's work, "Emergent Strategy", as a framework for the critique, and chat about everything from the Zapatistas to the current cultural moment in the US. 

Hear My Call: Explorations of Self, or Why Women Love Monsters

On today's Winter Solstice episode, Kendra and Chloë look into the psychology of why women love the monsters, the bad boys. To do so, they look into popular horror stories like Frankenstein and Nosferatu. What do these impulses say about women's liberation, desires, identity, and the relationship to power within the patriarchy? Tune in for a chill chat, some levity, and blessings going into the New Year!

Living Dead Girl: Silent Hill 2 and the Monstrous Feminine

On today's creepy epi, we talk about the Silent Hill video-game, specifically the second instalment of the franchise. Kendra offers up a great dissection from the lens of Barbara Creed's The Monstrous Feminine, Julia Kristeva's theory of abjection, and body horror as a genre in general.

SSwifties: The Semiotics of White Feminism

On today's epi, we rip into Taylor Swift. Why? Because its timely and the release of her newest album has generated a wave of deserved critique. Grab a snack, get behind the wheel or have us in your ears as you do your dishes - either way, we're so happy to be part of your routine! Now, let's gab!

Hot Takes: From the Altar to Your Algorithm

This week K&C talk about current events, including the discourse around public mourning, the nature of political violence, Etsy witches, the Unknown Number doc on Netflix, and Shein using AI renderings of Luigi as a model - it's SO MUCH.

A Tight Little Hour: Conversations on the Use of AI in Therapy

The use of AI has been steadily gaining traction in the realm of therapy. Today, K&C talk about why this might be the case, and what the outcomes and pitfalls of this course might be. In continuation of our summer series, today's epi is loosey-goosey - we hope you enjoy it!

Craft and Community: The Antidote to the Fast Fashion Crisis

This week, K&C yap about fast fashion, the origins of grunge, and the commodification of the aesthetics of subculture (among other things). We have a good time and we hope you do too!

Love Island x The Stanford Prison Experiment

This week, K&C chat about the reality TV phenomenon that is "Love Island". Part dating show, part social experiment, Love Island carries cultural weight even though it's marketed as escapism. The parallels between this show and the Stanford Prison Experiment are highlighted in this episode, and we offer some introductory commentary on the franchise, with special attention to season 7. 

The Last of Us, Part Two: The Dark Frontier

We are back from summer break with our version of a "heavy-hitter"! This week, K&C continue their deep dive into the video game and TV series franchise, The Last of Us. How much of a chokehold does ideology have in a post-apocalyptic world? We examine how TLOU breaks down binaries, plays with imagery, and weaves thought-provoking narratives into the gameplay. 

Hot Takes: Reality Bites

This week, K&C do a little palate cleanser and chat about reality TV and the way it highlights certain discourses in the culture.