Femme On

Today’s book: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (1993) Banned Books Conversations: Where Radical Readers Discuss Prohibited Prose Banned books are works that have been removed from a library shelf or school curriculum. Over the course of Banned Books Week, this series covers seven different books, the reasons they were banned, and the value in reading them. Guest Links: Oksana Marifioti https...

Today’s book: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (1970) Banned Books Conversations: Where Radical Readers Discuss Prohibited Prose Banned books are works that have been removed from a library shelf or school curriculum. Over the course of Banned Books Week, this series covers seven different books, the reasons they were banned, and the value in reading them. Guest Links: Vogue Robi...

Alyson and Jackie Tempera (writer for Women’s Health and storytelling coach) talk about an iconic scene from The Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ):  Teresa flips a table at the Last Supper . They get into the nitty gritty of what makes the whole Real Housewife world engaging and dip into Jackie’s set visit and how that informed her opinion of the show and the fandom. Surprisingly, this is the...

Alyson sits down with Annie Sklaver Orenstein author of the forthcoming non-fiction book, Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner’s Guide to Grief (coming out May 28th) and talks about their shared experiences of sibling loss, the lack of sibling loss resources and the how her book will fill a much needed void. Annie also talks about her publishing journey, how the shape of her book changed over t...

Tonya speaks with And I Thought Ladies Jade & Wilnona about why they write literary life guides with pop poetry, the idea behind the Inspirational Woman in Literature Awards, and how kindness is a form of advocacy. Links for the And I Thought Ladies: Website: https://andithoughtladies.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andithoughtladies/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/And-I-Though...

What are you waiting FIVE? In this episode of Femme on TV, Ria and Alyson chat about Girls5Eva, a show Ria forced Alyson to watch so that she would have someone to talk about it with. Just like the Barbie episode they overuse the words 'fun' and 'joy' but in the best way. They chat about all three seasons of the show, the performances, and the catchy tunes! Come join in the chat! And if you haven'...

Alyson and Natalie Serber (author of the novel, Shout Her Lovely Name and her memoir, Community Chest ) discuss their love of TV moms and how women like Carol Brady and Alice on the Brady Bunch gave them comfort and hope when they were little and how now, Sam Fox on Better Things offers them support as mothers themselves. We don’t just discuss one scene but a cultural touchstone. It’s a fascinatin...

This episode Tonya speaks with Femme On creator Ria Carrogan about the importance of all acts of activism, food insecurity and poverty, parenting and podcasting! It is basically one long Ria rant! Organisations that Ria mentions: The Black Nursery Manager: https://www.theblacknurserymanager.com/ Bloody Good Period - https://www.bloodygoodperiod.com/ Trussell Trust - https://www.trusselltrust.org/...

Join us for a fiercely feminism discussion about film, media, TV, memoirs, and everything feminist with author, humour writer, teacher and generally cool person Elissa Bassist. Inspired by Elissa's substack post ' Films Shouldn't Win Awards Unless They Pass the Bechdel Test ', Ria, Alyson and Elissa discuss feminism in movies (and media in general), the content we want to consume as women, and so...

Fine Cut with Ria Carrogan and Kim Rowe Alyson, Ria and Kim discuss the “Are You There Moriarty?” Scene from One Day (episode 9) starring Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod. Dex (Leo Woodall) goes to visit his incredibly posh girlfriend’s family and ends up getting pulled into a family game of “Are You There Moriarty?” that ends poorly when Dex crosses the invisible line that always exists in games and po...

In this episode, host Jess speaks with poet and retiree Rosemary Drescher about Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. We talk about relying on stories when we need to escape reality, creating a safe space with language and manners, and the importance of understanding and accepting ourselves to help us adapt to the world around us.  If you would like to contact Rosemary in response to this episode, pl...

The wonderful Misako Rocks! is back to discuss her new books, Learn Manga with Misako, with Ria and Indie Comic Spotlight host Tony Farina. Yep, it is another crossover episode! Find out more about Misako's work and her new books: www.misakorocks.com And you can enter a competition to win an original Misako drawing, whoop whoop! Find out more: https://quarto.com/campaign/misakorocks Find out more...

It's time for Ria's questions again! In this episode, Ria asks the collective 'What seemingly normal thing freaks you out'. Are you well adjusted or are you more like Ria? How do you feel about dirty laundry baskets? Things touching your neck? Other people's hair? It's another great episode where we enjoy learning the weird things about each other! The fact that you listen to our podcast makes us...

Alyson speaks with George Ella Lyon (Kentucky Poet Laureate and author of the poem, Where I’m From ) about many things including: the creative life, writing, the Celtic tree calendar, revisiting old work, her poem, Where I’m From and how it’s changed Alyson’s life and more! George Ella is funny, honest and engaging when talking about anything and her wisdom about creativity is a balm. It’s a thoug...

Actress Megan Hutchings is back, this time speaking to Tonya about how she was put on this planet to save dogs. In their conversation, she explains why it’s essential that we meet each other with love and respect to make the world better, how social media helps animal advocacy, and an easy way people can get involved without significant change to their own lives. Megan’s Instagram: https://www.ins...

Welcome to Femme On Film! In this episode, Ria is joined by Ada, Suzan and Jen discuss Nida Manzoor's Polite Society.  Polite Society is the story of two sisters, Ria and Lena Khan, as Lena gives up her dreams of becoming an artist and marry local heartthrob, Salim. Ria aspires to become a professional stunt performer and will do anything to save her older sister. Polite Society is a martial arts...

Alyson and Michelle Yang (author of forthcoming memoir, Phoenix Girl: How a Fat Asian with Bipolar Found Love from 5th Avenue Press) talk about the restaurant scene in the first episode of Mr. and Mrs. Smith (starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine) and a few others that subtly discuss and unpack the racism the two main characters live with everyday. Michelle and Alyson talk about their experience...

In this episode, Jess speaks with Sindeka Mandoyi, founder of the Chosi Chosi Book Club in Cape Town, South Africa. The book club is helping children in the local area to access books outside of school and to learn to read for meaning. Sindeka talks about her plans to expand the club, her own love of books and why Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming motivated Sindeka to set up the Chosi Chosi book cl...

This episode was first publish on 7 April 2023. It's Easter! In this very special episode the collective discusses Easter egg chocolate. What is your favourite Easter chocolate? Do you think Jess should receive free Hotel Chocolat? Yeah, so do we.  Have a wonderful Easter everyone! Answer more of Ria's questions are riasquestions.com Please do review, subscribe and share our little podcast. We'd l...

In this episode of Ria's questions, Ria asks "Do you think you could punch a bird?". Obviously, please don't punch birds, they are awesome and we should encourage more birds (apart from pigeons). Listen to the episode to discover why Ria asked this question and also learn why you shouldn't wear big sleeves. As always, we know there are so many podcasts out there and we are so happy you have taken...

Join Ria as she talks with artist and illustrator Katie Bass about her inspiration, attending cons, the female gaze in art,  and why diversity is important in art and illustration. And they even discuss Jane Austen! Find out more about Katie: https://www.katiebass.co.uk/ Follow Katie on Instagram: @k_bass_illustration

Tonya speaks with cartoonist and graphic artist MariNaomi about the origin of the Cartoonists of Color, Queer Cartoonists, and Disabled Cartoonists databases; who they help; and how some people try to take advantage of them. MariNaomi’s links: Website: https://marinaomi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinaomiart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinaomiart Twitter: https://twitter....

This episode was first published on the Comics in Motion network on 13 April 2022 This episode, Ria and prattle master himself, Spider-Dan, discuss Kathryn Bigelow's first solo directorial film, Near Dark. Released in 1987, Near Dark is a vampire western that explores family, love and loyalty. Ria and Dan chat about how they discovered the film and how it is the perfect pairing of director and cas...

Alyson and Jessica Waite (author of the forthcoming memoir, The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards from Simon and Schuster) talk about the reunion scene in the 2015 film, Room (starring Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay). You can watch the scene HERE. Jessica and Alyson discuss crying and how they are both “criers.” This scene covers all different types of emotions and tears and they get teared up just t...