This week, we’re departing from the celebrity interview and recommending NPR’s podcast documentary, Believed. This series takes a deep dive into the case of Larry Nassar, the Olympics gymnastics doctor who was last year convicted of serial child molestation and sexual assault, in the midst of the #MeToo movement. He’s currently serving 40 – 175 years in a Michigan state prison.
Try not to swoon as you read these heartfelt messages celebrating some fantastic women on International Women’s Day…
I am thin-skinned, hysterical, irrational. "Stop being so sensitive," they lecture, forgetting that it's in my nature, that it's as much a part of me as my eyes are green. I’m easily affected. It’s both an inconvenience and a blessing having a heightened sensitivity to the world.
On 8th March 2019, the Hope Street Xchange in Sunderland will host a charity event in honour of International Women’s Day. North Eastern illustrator Hannah Rich comments on the event, where she will exhibit the portraits of Meghan Markle, Malala Yousefzai and Emma Watson.
In the midst of the dark January days this year, something magical happened; David Tennant launched a podcast. Former (and arguably, favourite) Doctor Who, beloved Broadchurch detective and Marvel villain, Tennant is a national favourite, and I for one was thrilled to hear his delectably soothing Scottish syllables grace the podcast-sphere.
It’s 2080 and the world is still no place for two women on their own. Mother Courage and Her Children is a story of unrelenting action, omnipresent political undertones, and a woman who adapts to survive - whatever the cost.
When I saw that Jonathan Van Ness had interviewed Jameela Jamil for his podcast Getting Curious this week, I knew it was going to be glorious. Queer Eye’s resident hair guru and all-round wholesome shiny star, Jonathan is an effervescent interviewer, but he doesn’t shy away from the serious. He met with the actress and activist to talk body image, self-love, and her role as the loveably snobbish and extraordinarily elegant Tahani, on NBC’s The Good Place.
Dry January, Veganuary, January diets… As the Monday of the year draws to an end, plenty are looking forward to easing off on the self-restriction in February. And yet, one friend of the mag has a diet of a different kind planned… a social media cleanse.
Written by Justina Carmen Aina, ‘Taken to Church’ is a poetic retelling of a spiritual revelation happening in an unexpected space.
The news app on my phone sent me a headline about a ‘Tinder Horror Date’. When I read the article, however, all was not how it had first seemed. Do we need to use clickbaity buzzwords with more sensitivity? YES. Do we need to think a little deeper about how we discuss violence? YES.
Mighty Heart’s last hurrah pays tribute to a troubled past, swims in happy memories, sharply comments on today’s society and speaks to future generations with hope and guidance. That’s no mean feat for two women in just an hour on stage.
In 2002 Alice Huyler Ramsey became the first female entry to the Automotive Hall of Fame. Why did she receive this illustrious honour? For taking an iconic 20th century road-trip across the USA, and being the very first woman ever to do so.
I’d like to say it was a moment of triumphant epiphany but, like a lot of people, I don’t exactly remember the first time I called myself a feminist. For a long time, sheltered as I was by white-middle-class privilege, I didn’t recognise feminism was something that we still desperately need. When I was at school, I knew about extreme instances of rape culture, and was often subjected to ‘get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich’ jokes - but I thought of equality as something we’d already achieved.
Happy Place is comforting, reassuring and informative; it’s a breath of fresh air. Fearne has had a spectacular selection of guests (all of whom are public figures), including Matt Haig, Poorna Bell, Russell Brand, Kirsty Young and most recently, Natalie Dormer.
We’ve all found ourselves dragged into futile conversations about which activities, hobbies and professions suit which genders. Of course, there's no answer. So why does the DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency) consider a woman's relationship status relevant to her interest in driving?
As a society, we’ve never been more aware of gender stereotyping – or wanted to fight it harder. And that battle begins at birth. We dress our children in ‘neutral’ clothes, encourage girls to play with hammers and boys to care for dolls, and teach them that they can be absolutely anything they want to be. But is that enough?
Betwixtmas is over, New Year has come and gone and we’re all finally running out of Christmas chocolate. As we muddle our way through the first week back at work, it’s comforting to know that there’s a pile of delicious books waiting for us by the bed, to sink into the moment we get home. So, if you need a little reading list inspiration for 2019, here are some of our favourites to get you started…
