Woke & Witty: Beyond Barbie's Dreamhouse

In this episode of "Woke and Witty," co-hosts LaRen and Akanksha are joined by Dr. Drew McGee, a developmental psychologist, to explore the paradox of heroes and the danger of a single story. Together, they delve into the complexities of societal narratives, examining how stories shape perceptions of heroism and villainy in both media and real life. From the utopian world of Barbie to the nuanced...

Episode 7 features a discussion with Dr. Danielle Tapp, a behavioral neuroscientist, movie enthusiast, and a Woke and Witty proclaimed movie expert. Join us as we delve into feminism in capitalism. Pulling from Brooke Shepard' thesis entitled "Barbie is as much about fashion as she is about culture and empowerment" we discuss feminist narratives and postfeminist marketing strategies present in Bar...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Annika Goldman to explore ageism in society and how it is depicted in media, and Barbie. Dr. Goldman, a geropsychologist, shares her insights on the psychology of aging, highlighting the unique challenges and resilience factors among older adults. We delve into the cultural perceptions of aging, challenge stereotypes around ageism, and the importance of intergenerat...

Dr. Ann Fox , a professor of English specializing in dramatic literature and disabilities studies, joins co-hosts in this week's episode. Dr. Fox introduces the study of disability, and her work centering crip history and representation. We invite listeners to attune to the ableist undertones in Barbie, and explore possibilities to better center disability justice.  Find Dr. Ann Fox on Instagram a...

Co-hosts discuss weight stigma with Broquelynn "B" Shepard, M.S. (she/her), a doctoral candidate in counseling psychology studying the experiences of fat and plus-sized Black women. Together, they explore the impact of societal expectations on body image, body neutrality versus body acceptance, and the impact of media representation, including the serious lack thereof in Barbie. The conversation a...

Co-hosts are joined by Dr. Della V. Mosely , a healer, scholar-activist, and spacemaker who uses Black feminist approaches to facilitate holistic wellness for people of the global majority, particularly Black people and all queer and transgender People of Color. Our conversation explores nostalgia, the representation of Weird Barbie as a symbol of autonomy and queerness, Alan in relation to toxic...

Co-hosts LaRen and Akanksha introduce Black Feminist theorists, internalized racism, colorism, and and invite reflection and action at the intersection of gendered racism and childhood development. See below for more information on topics discussed in today's episode:  Key Terms:  Black Feminism: a movement that focuses on Black women's interconnected experiences of racism, sexism, and classism wh...

Welcome to Woke & Witty! A bimonthly podcast co-hosted by Drs. Akanksha Das and LaRen Morton. In our inagural episode we are joined by with the production team, Drs. Shari Dade and Nancy Yanchus, who were a part of the original inspiration for this season's conversation on Beyond Barbie's Dreamhouse ! We yap about our reactions to the Blockbuster hit, Barbie (yes, the one from two years ago 😅...