Here's The Thing, Tho with Soaliha

This week we talk about the link between capitalism and various mental illnesses, and how our collective trauma is a rational response to a decaying world. We discuss the chemical imbalance myth, the history of anti-psychiatry, the social model of disability and how, in an ideal post-capitalist world, the current definition of mental illness would change dramatically, if not cease to exist. *NOTE:...

This week Mitch takes the lead and deep dives into the surprisingly complex discourse around the tiny house movement, and how it exists in a weird, capitalist paradox. We talk about deceiving ‘wholesome’ reality TV shows, Airbnb’s monopoly on the short term rental market, gentrification in trendy neighbourhoods and how some renovation shows are just landlord propaganda. As always, everything is ca...

This week we catch up on all of the Covid related stories that broke while we were on break – and, oh boy, a lot has happened. We discuss the constant backflipping from our leaders regarding Covid rules, the nature of capitalism and how this wave of the pandemic manifests it, RAT availabilities and the ~free market~, and how the pandemic has exposed our ableism. Phew. It’s a lot. *CORRECTION: Soal...

This week we are actually on our end of year break, but we pre-recorded a bonus Q&A session to celebrate reaching our 50th episode! We answer questions about our careers, studies, our relationship origin story, our vision for the podcast, and a bunch of other random fun things our listeners have asked about. Enjoy, and we'll see you in the new year! *Note: this episode was recorded a week early, s...

This week we discuss a topic that our listeners request every month: should we cut off friends that have problematic opinions? We talk about what we define as friendship, what we expect to get out of friendships, and how this measures up when it comes to the people in our lives that are bigoted — and why we think that, actually, cutting off bigots is admirable. And we’re proud of you.    Soaliha: ...

This week we talk about a range of news topics that have occurred over the last fortnight. A little variety episode for you lovely listeners! The contents? Not so lovely. We discuss the infuriating Kyle Rittenhouse case making global headlines, more local yet equally infuriating stories of police misconduct in NSW, and the way NSW Police seem to be attempting to rehabilitate their image with a new...

This week we talk about Facebook groups, university campus culture, fandoms and what they all have in common: safe spaces.  We discuss the ways in which a lot of safe spaces have lost their meaning, often facilitate racism and white fragility, and remain notably unsafe for many marginalised people.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  & Linktree Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  & Linktree Patreon: https://www...

This week we discuss the concept of ‘churnalism’: a type of journalism that relies on PR packages and repurposing other articles in the writing of stories. We talk about what it’s like working in the modern-day media industry, the pros and cons of churnalism for both writers and readers, and what it actually means for the future of journalism.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  & Linktree Mitch: @mitch...

This week we talk about brand activism: can it ever be sincere? And if so, does it matter if the work being done is still positive? We discuss a recent news story where a brand went viral for its social commentary, and how that relates to white feminism, commercialisation, and the girlbossification of, well, everything.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  & Linktree Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  & Linktr...

This week we talk about parasocial relationships, celebrities, and society’s love for gossip.  We break down what a parasocial relationship is, discuss celebrity culture and how we use it to navigate our own social relationships, argue the benefits of gossip, and discuss our own experiences being ‘micro-celebrities’.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  & Linktree Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  & Linktree P...

This week we talk about a range of news topics that have occurred over the last fortnight. A little variety episode for you lovely listeners! We discuss Georgia Love’s racism scandal, the tensions between Bondi and Western Sydney, NSW’s roadmap to freedom, Police surveillance and cybersecurity, and that awful gameshow, ‘The Activist’.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  & Linktree Mitch: @mitchs.miscell...

This week we discuss a phrase that’s becoming a bit of a buzzword: no ethical consumption under capitalism. We talk about what the term means, how it’s being co-opted, and the inherently exploitative nature of any and all labour under capitalism.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com PayPal: PayPa...

This week we discuss ~conspiracies~: why are they so popular, what is the appeal to them, how are they concocted, and who are the most vulnerable to believing them? We also talk about the relationship between race, class and conspiracies – how racism is incredibly prevalent in western conspiracies, and that class and racial differences make certain conspiracy theorists more sympathetic than others...

This week we discuss the way white people use narratives of domestic violence and misogyny in ethnic communities to justify colonisation. We talk about the way western media reports on femicide by men in non-white countries, the conflicts of navigating these discussions as a person of colour, and the fact that men of colour experience gendered violence, too.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @...

Welcome to our first interview! In this bonus episode we are in conversation with Grafton Tanner to discuss the politics of nostalgia as it relates to colonial racism, capitalism, and the building of radical futures.   Grafton Tanner: @GraftonTanner Soaliha: @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com PayPal: PayPa...

This week we talk about the Katie Hopkins saga that took over our newscycle as we watched her go from entering the country as a celebrity VIP for Big Brother, to being deported over contempt for quarantine.  We discuss what her entry into Australia says about our borders, the state of racist Australian reality TV, and the disturbing precedents that “bad character” deportations can set.    Soaliha:...

*Note: this episode was recorded on Monday 11 July and since then some things have changed. NSW has since announced COVID relief payments for workers, and health authorities are now recommending the AstraZeneca vaccine to people under 60 that live in or near outbreaks*   This week we discuss the NSW Government's handling of surging COVID-19 cases and it's relationship to ever-increasing police pow...

This week we talk about the anti-Blackness that's been in headlines recently regarding the Olympics. We talk about where this discourse is coming from — how is it that in 2021, Black women are still being excluded from womanhood? Who actually decides the definition of 'woman'? Is gender racial?  P.S. Follow up ends at 32 minutes this episode — it's a long one! So skip to there if you want to get s...

*Due to Covid lockdowns in Sydney we weren't able to record a new episode this week. But in light of the Britney Spears conservatorship updates, we're republishing our #FreeBritney episode with a new introduction. So it's like a preface to a second edition of a book* This week we discuss the #FreeBritney movement and its relevance to feminist discourse.  We talk about Britney Spear’s conservatorsh...

This week we finally talk about Girlboss feminism. Where it came from; what it is; and why we hate it. We talk about Girlboss feminism and its relationship to capitalism, the way it relies on the marginalisation of ethnic women, and the fact that it does nothing to actually challenge patriarchal systems.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soa...

This week we talk about imposter syndrome – what it is, what it isn't, and how it's different from regular insecurity.  We talk about the way imposter syndrome's racial intersections mean women of colour experience it differently, and the stakes white supremacy and capitalism have in your imposter syndrome.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/...

This week we talk about nostalgia. Everything in the 2020s from the latest fashion trends, movies, and popular music are often retro-inspired, if not just straight up recycling old trends.  We talk about why nostalgia is so important to us right now, what it represents to our generation specifically, and capitalism’s stake in maintaining nostalgia as a means of controlling discourse.    Soaliha: ...

This week we talk about TWO different topics!! First we talk about selective activism and the way people weaponise their marginalised status to justify political inaction.  Then we talk about medical racism in Australia, specifically discussing the recent tragic death of Aishwarya Aswath and the way our attitudes have changed regarding front-line workers post-pandemic.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial...

This week we talk about the new Netflix adaptation of 'Shadow and Bone' and how it encapsulates some problematic trends in the YA fantasy genre. We discuss the prevalence and romanisation of grooming in many of these stories, as well as the voyeuristic nature of racism in the new series. *This episode contains SPOILERS for the Netflix series 'Shadow and Bone' so proceed at your own risk! Soaliha: ...

This week we talk about the rise of ‘ecofascism’ and its concerning prevalence in left wing circles.  We talk about what it is, why it’s so convincing and how to spot ecofascist myths.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha  Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soali...