Deviant Women Podcast

In October 2017, women across the globe came together under the hashtag MeToo. However, social activist and advocate Tarana Burke had already been campaigning for women of colour under the same banner for eleven long years. In this episode, we talk about her incredibly important work, the pervasiveness of predatory behaviour, and the way women are constantly told that they should somehow take responsibility for a culture of misogyny and sexual entitlement beyond their control. A content warning for listeners that we discuss issues of sexual violence and trauma, getting pretty angry and emotional in the process. This is not an episode best suited to your morning commute! At the same time, we also celebrate the influence of this inspiring woman, and the movement that has grown up in the wake of her work.Here's some of the articles we discussed:Brockes, Emma, “Me Too founder Tarana Burke: ‘You have to use your privilege to serve other people’” 15 January 2018 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/15/me-too-

In our first interview of season two, (and the launch of a new special series!) we sat down with author Margot McGovern to chat all things YA: from the emergence of 'unlikable' female protagonists (and why they're so irresistible) to the power of transforming myths of masculine adventure for girls, we delved deep into the gender dynamics of the world's fastest growing literary genre. In Neverland, Margot's own feisty and - let's be honest - bratty heroine Kit must navigate her return to her island home-turned-boarding school and its troubled teenage inhabitants, the depths of lust and attraction, not to mention the treacherous waters of her family's tragic past and her own history of self-harm. We like our heroines complicated, and Kit Learmonth doesn't disappoint, so grab yourself a map and join us for our first dive into the waters of YA. Jacobson, Megan, 'In defence of ‘unlikeable’ female characters', 5 February 2018, https://meganjacobson.com/2018/02/05/in-defence-of-unlikeable-female-chara

After leaving her home at the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota for the brutal regiment of boarding school in the east, Zitkála-Šá began developing the creative talents and political consciousness that would make her one of the most influential Native American women of the 20th Century. Her acclaimed stories and essays chronicled her struggles with identity and culture, and her translations brought Native American legends to a whole new audience. All the while, she maintained a subversive rebellious spirit that lit the flames of her later activism. So join us as we traverse prairies and plains with one who knows them best, Zitkála-Šá. Fisher, Dexter. "Zitkala Sa: The evolution of a writer." American Indian Quarterly (1979): 229-238.Susag, Dorothea M. “Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin): A Power(Full) Literary Voice.” Studies in American Indian Literatures, vol. 5, no. 4, (1993), pp. 3–24.Terrance, Laura L. "Resisting colonial education: Zitkala-Sa and Native Feminist archival refusal." In

Many different versions of Sedna's story abound, from a young woman forced to marry a dog, to a victim of abduction by a bird man. But in all her tellings, Sedna emerges as a powerful spiritual force, a mistress of the sea and its creatures, transformed by a brutal physical attack. Come with us to the chill of the frozen north as we dive into the dark waters and seek out this mythic woman's tale.Gerlof, Jarich & Laugrand, Frédéric. The Sea Woman: Sedna in Inuit Shamanism and Art in the Eastern Arctic, University of Alaska Press, 2008. Motz, Lotte. The Faces of the Goddess, Oxford University Press, 1997.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Known as the Liberator of the Liberator, Manuela Sáenz rose to prominence as the mistress of revolutionary hero, Simón Bolívar. A heroine in her own right, Manuela became a celebrated patriot, spy, recruiter and trusted informant of the revolution that saw the overthrow of Spanish rule in South America. But she was also infamous for her wild antics, from the strange battlefield trophy she'd wear to masquerades to the wild political stunts she'd pull at parties. Wherever Manuela went, controversy wasn't far behind! Join us as we unfurl the patriot banner, evade an assassination attempt or two, and traverse the expanse of the newly liberated (though short lived) state of Gran Colombia!If you'd like some more information on Manuela Sáenz, here's some sources we used for the show:Murray, Pamela S. For Glory and Bolívar: The Remarkable Life of Manuela Sáenz. University of Texas Press, 2009.Adams, Jerome R. Notable Latin American Women: Twenty-nine leaders, rebels, poets, battlers, and spies, 1500-1900. M

Towards the close of the 17th century, the opulent hallways of Versailles were swept up with the scandalous 'Affair of the Poisons'. The Sun King, Louis XIV, ordered an investigation into the dark underworld of the Paris occult, hunting down those who supplied potions and aphrodisiacs alongside more sinister wares. One of those was Catherine Monvoisin, a favoured fortune teller and sorceress among the wealthy elite. Join us as we press our ears to the grand doorways of the palace, abuzz with whispered gossip and treachery, and endeavour to unpick truth from accusation in the life of La Voisin.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Infamous as the last woman tried under the Witchcraft Act of 1735, Helen Duncan caused more than a few stirs in her time. After terrifying her schoolmates her with dire predictions, Helen grew up to become one of wartime Britain's foremost physical mediums. She soon become the target of a series of scientific investigations and caught the attention of MI5 which resulted in a court-case Winston Churchill himself described as 'obsolete tomfoolery.' So grab your cheesecloth and darken the lights as we delve into the scandalous life of Mrs Duncan!If you want to know more about Helen Duncan, here's some of the material we used this week:Gaskill, Malcolm. Hellish Nell: last of Britain's witches. Fourth Estate, 2001.https://www.amazon.com/Hellish-Nell-Last-Britains-witches/dp/1841151092Featherstone, Simon. "Spiritualism as popular performance in the 1930s: The dark theatre of Helen Duncan." New Theatre Quarterly 27.2 (2011): 141-152.Mantel, Hillary. "Unhappy Medium." The Guardian 4 May 2001. https://www.theguardian.

One of Australia's most awarded playwrights, Patricia Cornelius isn't afraid to go where other writers won't. With titles like SHIT and SLUT, Patricia pushes her audience to pay attention to some of society's most visceral issues. In The Club was specially commissioned for the State Theatre Company of South Australia, and it shines a blinding light on accounts of sexual violence in one of our most beloved national sports. Patricia sat down with us to discuss her life in the theatre, and just what inspired her to write this uncompromising new work. In The Club runs as part of the Adelaide Festival 2018 from the 23rd of Feb to the 18th of March. Find tickets and further details here. Our thanks to Patricia and the State Theatre Company.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Merry Christmas, Deviants! In our special Christmas episode, we close the year by revisiting a few of our favourite deviant women of season one, and introducing our first ever live show. We also take a quick trip to the snowy north to meet the Yule Lad's terrifying mother, and discover the mythological woman at the heart of kissing under the mistletoe! So grab a glass of gluhwein, sit beneath some fairy lights, and join us as we wrap up (ey?) 2017!If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For teenage Uschi Obermaier, rock’n’roll offered an escape from the drudgery of post-war Munich, and it didn’t take long before her beauty and brazenness caught the eye of some of the 20th century’s greatest male musicians. Both lauded and denigrated for her ‘groupie’ status, Uschi's modelling career and high-profile relationships saw her gain notoriety for her hedonistic attitude, but also allowed her the freedom to travel the world. Settle the needle into the groove of a good record, and join us for our final episode of Series One, as we delve into the world of a woman who lived life by her own rules to become an icon of an era.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Born in the early hours of a thunderstorm, with pointed ears and 'witches' marks' on her skin, little Rosaleen was destined for a life of the occult. From her earliest childhood, Roie was drawn to the dark, and her drawings and stories about ghouls, monsters and grotesque horrors set her apart from her peers. As a young woman, she immersed herself in Theosophy, Western Esoterism, dedicated herself to the pagan god, Pan, and pursued a life of art. Come with us to the dingy streets of mid-century Sydney, where Rosaleen's occult paintings and pagan ways made her infamous as the Witch of King's Cross.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amidst the surge and spray of Niagara Falls, Edmonia Lewis spent her childhood hunting, fishing, and making crafts for tourists. But when her half-brother helped her to pursue an education, Edmonia's talent as a sculptor flourished. After leaving America to join the milieu of Italy's artistic sisterhood, Edmonia threw herself into a dedication to art that would see her gain fame, both in Europe and at home. Join us in the bustling art scene of Rome, as we stroll through the arcades and galleries on our search to uncover the life and works of this fascinating figure.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A disguised princess forced into domestic drudgery who meets a prince at an extravagant ball might sound familiar, but there’s more to Juleidah’s version of the tale. After escaping the illicit desires of her father, this Egyptian princess dons a suit of leather and travels to a nearby kingdom, hiding out as the scullery maid and Queen’s jester. Come with us to a mythical land as we explore Cinderella’s lesser known cousin, ‘The Princess in the Suit of Leather’.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From the moment eighteen-year-old Charlotte Cushman stepped out on stage as Lady Macbeth she was destined for greatness. Treading the boards from New York to London, Charlotte cemented her reputation as the finest American actress of the 19th century. But her personal life was just as dramatic as the parts she played, with a slew of female lovers that placed her at the centre of Rome's artistic expatriate community. Follow us backstage as the houselights dim and we peer beyond the curtain into the life and times of one of the theatre's true legends.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From a progressive upbringing in otherwise conservative late-Victorian Melbourne, Agnes Goodsir went on to become one of Australia’s foremost bohemians. After studying and exhibiting between London and Paris, Goodsir eventually settled with her muse and lover, Cherry. Come with us to the salons of the Left Bank on the cusp of a new century, where Agnes and Cherry can be found sipping wine with Paris’ famous artistic and lesbian elite.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the rowdy wrestling arenas of Mexico City, there is a woman whose iconic status rivals that of the most famous of the male fighters. Luchadora Irma González grew up in the circus, but it didn't take long before she found her way into the ring, and began travelling the world as a champion fighter, appearing on the silver screen and even pursuing a singing career. Come on and take your ring-side seats and prepare to get shouty as we delve into the amazing world of the women of lucha libre.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the humid tropics of 1920s Townsville, Lizzy O’Dea became infamous in the local tabloids for shooting her rival. As the press continued to sensationalise her adventures, notoriety for her petty theft and sexual exploits grew. Join us as we chat with author Ariella Van Luyn, whose novel Treading Air follows Lizzy from bookie’s daughter in Brisbane to working girl at the Causeway Hotel, about researching the life of one of history’s hidden women, and why such stories continue to be relevant to us today.You can find out more about how to get your hands on a copy of Treading Air at ariellavanluyn.com.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nakano Takeko of the prominent Aiku clan was a fierce Onna-bugeisha and master of the deadly naginata. When the Boshin War saw the Shogun’s army square off against the Imperialists, Takeko knew where her duty lay. At just 21, with the Imperial Army at the gates, she led a rag-tag squad of lady warriors onto the battlefield, determined to sacrifice everything for the honour of her clan. Join us as we delve into the fray, but don’t forget to pen your death-poem first, and bring your kaikan dagger just in case …If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the frosty splendour of 18th century Moscow, the death of Peter the Great paves the way for family rivalries and political intrigue. Drawn into the fray is Anna, the impoverished and largely forgotten Duchess of Courland. As the noble men of court clamour to pull the strings, Anna makes her move, becoming Empress of all Russia on her own terms. While Anna's ten-year reign bolstered advances in science and the arts she is mostly remembered for her excess, extravagance, and ruthless cruelty. Brace yourself as we sweep through the lavish rooms of the Winter Palace, and into the fiendish realities of Anna's imagination. You are going to need a very warm coat...If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Aunt Lydia, armed with a cattle-prod and carefully selected biblical verse, has the important task of indoctrinating young women into the new republic of Gilead. At times cruel schoolmistress, and at others caring mother, ultimately Aunt Lydia reminds us of the ways women can become entrenched in patriarchal structures, and contribute to their own oppression.If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: PatreonTwitter @DeviantWomenFacebook @deviantwomenpodcastInstagram @deviantwomenpodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.