Here's The Thing, Tho with Soaliha

Due to popular demand, this week we continue our conversation on what it's like being in-between two identities.  We talk about wanting to be white, resenting your culture, the alienation of being in-between, and accepting who you are.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com PayPal: PayPal.me/soali...

This week we talk about the concept of being “white-passing”, and how the term has become more sinister than its originators planned. We also talk about the disconnect of growing up away from your mother country, racist policing, eugenics and the Australian government’s bizarre consent video.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Email:...

This week we do a casual explainer on Ramadan – what it is, why we love it, why some Muslims start fasting on different days, all the random questions we get from non-Muslims about it, etc.  This episode is part of our minisodes that we are doing during the month of Ramadan, because fasting while talking for an hour is super hard. Enjoy! And bonus points to the listeners who recognise where our ti...

This week we talk about the controversial ‘female gaze’ - what is it, where did the term come from, and does it even exist? We discuss Laura Mulvey’s work on the male gaze, how it birthed the ‘female gaze’, and the different conceptions of what the modern female gaze could look like. We also break down arguments against the female gaze, including the impossibility of existing outside of the male g...

This week we break up our topics into little segments - first, we talk about the sudden popularity of NFTs and their connection to our commodity-obsessed capitalist dystopia, and then we discuss 'tensions' between Black and Asian communities following the Atlanta shooting, class reductionism and the difference between activism and raising awareness.     Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.m...

This week we talk about the bombshell Meghan/Harry/Oprah interview that’s been saturating entertainment news.  We talk about the response we have to the interview, the intriguing relationship between the Royals and the British press, the evils of British colonialism and the ever-increasing irrelevance of the Royal Family.    Our special guest Veera Ramayah (she/her): Veera Ramayah (@veera.ramayah)...

This week we talk about the way people project ideas of ‘wokeness’ onto WOC, and the higher standards we are held to compared to other people.  We talk about racial trauma and my relationship with self-commodification: the idea that WOC are expected to commodify their experiences in order to deserve a voice.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.co...

This week we discuss Anastasia, Disney princesses and monarchist propaganda in kids movies, leading to a conversation about propaganda in general. Is everything political?  We talk about the Russian revolution, the politics in Frozen 2, Marxism in A Bug’s Life and how much we fucking love Bluey.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Ema...

CW: Discussions of rape, including descriptions of Brittany Higgin’s sexual assault. This week we follow up on Facebook’s news ban, and discuss what this means for democracy and Australian media. Then we get to our main topic of the day - rape culture.  We talk about Brittany Higgin’s explosive sexual assault allegations in Parliament, the Liberal Party’s platform as one that breeds and perpetuate...

This week we talk about the much hyped period drama Bridgerton and its attempt at 'colour-blind' casting - and all the ways that awkwardly backfired.  We discuss Hamilton's contentious racial politics, the awkward implications that come with casting a Black Hermione, and if colour-blind casting can ever really work in a world built on white supremacy.  Our spoiler-filled (and potentially triggerin...

This week we discuss the film Promising Young Woman - or more specifically, why we felt it does more harm than good for women and rape survivors.  We also follow up on the #FreeBritney movement, and talk about the power structure and racial nature of cancel culture.  Our spoiler-heavy Promising Young Woman discussion is from the 25:30-50:10 min mark, so skip that section if you don't want spoilers...

This week we discuss the #FreeBritney movement and its relevance to feminist discourse.  We talk about Britney Spear’s conservatorship and the conversations it opens around conspiracy theories, the financial subjugation of vulnerable women, and the bodily autonomy of those with disabilities.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Email:...

This week we change up the structure of our episode a bit - instead of one long topic, we’re doing two shorter ones.  First we follow up on Sydney’s Invasion Day protest, and discuss the commentary around it and it’s implications. Then we move on to the second half of today’s episode - the storming of the Capitol in Washington DC, and how the chaotic politics that have come after it are more insid...

This week we discuss the concept of 'Australia Day' - or rather, why we think it shouldn't exist.  We talk about the history of Australia Day as a national holiday, the 'Australian' identity, and the ongoing genocide of First Nations people.   Social handles of First Nations voices to follow: Instagram​: @nessaturnbullroberts @sar.ra__ @8983aj @ginnysgirlgang @justicefortanyaday @allira.potter @ab...

This week we discuss Eurocentrism in the culinary industry, and the gentrification and colonisation of ethnic food under capitalism.  We talk about identity, the way white people profit off of ethnic communities, and how much I HATE turmeric lattes. x  Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com PayPal: P...

Welcome back to the first episode of 2021! This week we talk about New Year's resolutions and their role in trapping you in the consumerist cycle.  We talk about New Year's as a capitalistic event that promotes diet culture, prevents systemic change, and makes us feel like we are solely responsible for our own troubles.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://ww...

This week we talk about the normativity of Christmas, and the expectation of religious minorities to get involved with Christmas festivities despite not believing or celebrating it.  We discuss the pressure to perform the Christmas spirit, the hypocrisy in the way we deal with non-Christian religious holidays, and Christmas consumerism.  Note: we are taking a two week break after this episode, but...

This week we discuss the media's habit of framing tragic stories of struggle and poverty as wholesome, romantic events to distract from capitalism's failure to provide.  We talk about Chomsky and Herman's Propaganda Model and how the political economy of the media creates incentives to write these disingenuous stories.  The title of this episode is inspired by the FB group of the same name, you sh...

This week we talk about the struggles that come with being a child of immigrants - the expectations of success, internalised servitude and all the complexes that come with living in-between two worlds.  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...

This week we discuss the term “ACAB” - what it means, why we say it and who it applies to.  We discuss the history of the police as an institution, their role in subjugating marginalised groups and maintaining the power of the capitalist class, and why we must abolish them.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha Email: heresthethingthopo...

This week, we’re doing a Q+A episode! Get to know us as we answer your questions on both the fun stuff like our music tastes and how we met each other, and the serious stuff like my career and feminism journey.   NOTE: We had a few audio issues this episode, so if you hear a crackling at some points don't worry. Sorry if it's annoying, it doesn't happen too often.   Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mit...

Happy NAIDOC week! This week we discuss the tearing down of a 350 year old Djab Wurrung directions tree, the cultural genocide it represented and how the subjugation of First Nations people never ended.  We talk about the white supremacy that allows the destruction of sacred Indigenous sites, and all the other ways the Australian state has continued to perpetuate genocide against First Nations peo...

This week we discuss the recent terror attacks in France - and also the hate crimes that went unreported. We discuss France's political climate, the way it fans the flames of Islamophobia, and how this ultimately results in the rise of terrorism.    Soaliha:  @soalihaofficial  Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea  Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha  Facebook Group: Here’s The...

Welcome to our Halloween Special episode! This week we discuss society's obsession with true crime - and particularly how this has become so popular with white women in particular.  We talk about the addictive elements of true crime, the way true crime media exploits the suffering and brutalisation of women, and how true crime and horror compare as genres.   Instagram: @soalihaofficial  Email: her...

This week we discuss climate anxiety - the feeling of impending doom and panic we feel as a result of our environment collapsing around us. I argue that climate anxiety shouldn’t be pathologised because the truth is it’s just the normal response to watching your planet burn - it isn’t hysterical, irrational or overly emotional. It’s reality. And it’s scary AF.     Instagram: @soalihaofficial  Emai...