Because I Said So

Because I Said So--S3E18: Welcome to the Collegiate Panopticon

In this episode, I am back with Allie in person AND in New York! We chat about oversharing vs self-isolation as subconscious ways to avoid abandonment, FOMO, the panopticon of BeReal, and what friendship means to us! As always, I hope you enjoy.

Because I Said So--S3E17: The Rupi Kaur-ification

In this episode, Bazil Frueh and I discuss Rupi Kaur and the trend of "instapoetry" and minimalism in art. We also delve into our personal connections with poetry, commodification of collective trauma, the importance of humanizing representation, and the future of AI art. 

Because I Said So--S3E16: Christmas in the Psych Ward

The very first episode of this podcast featured a conversation between my mom and I about the nuanced relationship between parents and children when it comes to mental health. Over two years later, we decided to have another conversation and reflect on what has changed. We spent a lot of the episode looking back at this time last year, when I was in the hospital to receive mental health treatment in the midst of a time when everything seemed to be going right in my life. During that season and since, we have both seen firsthand the lack of infrastructure we have to take care of our mental health epidemic, and we spoke about how difficult it can be for a parent to watch their child leave home for college after such a fragile period. This episode was very vulnerable, and I hope you all listen with grace. Sending love as always.

Because I Said So--S3E15: Implicit Racism and ”The Book of Mormon”

In this episode, Allie and I are back to discuss the Broadway play “The Book of Mormon” and the boundaries it crosses with satire, specifically related to race. We analyze the play as a vehicle for validation of implicit biases and caricatures, and we also touch on ways the play has been received parallel to certain comedy specials where “comedic value” can serve as a protection against the critical lens. We hope you enjoy!
 

Because I Said So-- S3E14: The Romanticization of Jeffrey Dahmer and Trauma Porn

In this episode, Allie and I are back again to discuss Netflix's new Jeffrey Dahmer series and the broader conversation around romanticization and humanization of serial killers. Later in the podcast we also dive deeper into why we have an inclination towards graphic images and "True Crime," and when the tendency to seek graphic images or stories is ethical, if ever.

Because I Said So--S3E13: The Female Image

In this episode, my very favorite person Allie Maher and I discuss the feminine image. Is the new wave sexual liberation truly liberation, or just rebranded misogyny and objectification? How are Girlboss feminism and Bimbo feminism related? Is Brandy Melville an undercover MLM (joking, but...)? Why are ED's culturally accepted forms of self harm? We talk about these questions and more, and also offer some cheeky banter too:) Hope you guys enjoy!

Because I Said So--S3E12: Rainbow Is Shining A Light

Rainbow Mosho is a name you need to know. Someone who is an artist, entrepreneur, autism-advocate, NFT creator, and more...at age 14. In this episode, we explore her and her mom's journey moving to America to search for effective care, trying to work through a school system that often doesn't advocate for children with disabilities, using art as a way to overcome challenges, how creativity helped her regain speech abilities, diving into NFT's, opportunities, and future goals. Hearing Rainbow's insightful comments on the nature of healing trauma and connecting with others is touching, and she is truly one of the strongest and smartest voices I have heard. This episode is so very powerful, and I am excited for you all to hear it.

Because I Said So--S3E11: It’s Your Parents Fault

Do you find yourself not really wanting to get into a relationship because you're too independent? Or maybe constantly worrying if your friends or your partner will begin to resent you or be upset with you? In this episode we are talking about ATTACHMENT STYLES! How they form in early childhood, the science behind them, how to tell them apart, and ways to try to grow closer to the coveted ~secure attachment style~. I loved learning about this and am so very excited for you all to hear it!
 
SOURCES:
https://studiousguy.com/john-bowlby-attachment-theory/
 
https://www.verywellmind.com/mary-ainsworth-biography-2795501
 
https://womanisrational.uchicago.edu/2020/12/08/mary-ainsworth-and-the-strange-situation/
 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=160&v=QTsewNrHUHU&feature=emb_title
 
https://www.attachmentproject.com/blog/four-attachment-styles/
 
https://www.attachmentproject.com/blog/disorganized-attachment/

Because I Said So--S3E10: Sex Trafficking in the United States

Growing up you’ve probably heard a lot about stranger danger and how to prevent kidnapping, but it seems that often times the media conflates kidnapping and sex trafficking as a lot more interconnected than they are. In this episode, I wanted to dive into the origin of human trafficking in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and how racism forced and continues to force minorities into sex trafficking through emotional manipulation and complex power structures that ultimately make it a lot more nuanced than media tends to show. We’ll also dive into the PBS Frontline documentary that follows a victim of sex trafficking named Kat and the investigation, trauma, and healing process she had to go through as a result of her experience. This one took a lot of time, and I hope you guys will give it a listen!
SOURCES:
https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_trafficking_in_the_United_States
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/human_rights/human-trafficking/trafficking-legislation/
https://sf-hrc.org/what-human-trafficking
http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/kb/humantraf/sextrafficfacts.pdf
https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/what-is-human-trafficking
“Sex Trafficking in America” PBS Documentary

Because I Said So--S3E9: The Youth Have Infiltrated The Legislature!

The Tennessee Student Voter Act was a bill created by students, for students. It’s main goal is to better inform students of resources regarding registration and voting. In this episode, Matthew Maroney, a recent Hume-Fogg graduate and cofounder of the bill, speaks on the surprising accessibility of politics, the process of developing the bill and moving through the General Assembly as young person, and different aspects of local government that make it a conducive environment to institute change. We also discuss what allows elected officials to use strategy over actual political knowledge and what advice he has for young people looking to get involved. Though the bill was killed, Katie Walker and others are looking to reintroduce an edited version again this year, one I hope you all will look into and consider supporting.