Heathers on Culture

This episode of Heathers on Culture examines how political power weaponizes the psychology of gaslighting to govern. Through George Floyd, ICE killings, January 6, and the death of Renee Good, the Heathers show how denying observable reality destabilizes the public, exhausts resistance, and conditions obedience—while asserting that refusing the lie and naming reality is resistance itself.

In this episode of Heathers on Culture, Malveaux and Fleming explore surveillance as a racial practice rooted in white supremacy, not just technology. Drawing on James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, they trace how surveillance masks itself as concern or professionalism while controlling Black life, from slavery to modern workplaces and policing, and why Black joy remains a powerful refusal to be watched.

In this episode of Heathers on Culture, Malveaux and Fleming explore how white supremacy adapts rather than disappears. Tracing its construction from colonial America to today, they show how law, education, and policy shaped “whiteness” to preserve power. Linking this history to current battles over education, reproductive rights, immigration, and Project 2025, the episode reveals how demographic anxiety defines belonging and challenges listeners to interrupt the cycle.

In “Comforted,” the Heathers expose how protecting whyte comfort — in policy, politics, and party strategy — is quietly destroying democracy. This episode is a fast, fiery takedown of the systems that cushion whyte voters while leaving Black and brown communities to absorb the consequences. “Comforted” is the Heathers’ clearest call yet: Stop centering whyte feelings. Start fighting for democracy.

In this episode of Heathers on Culture, Malveaux and Fleming unpack the politics behind the 41-day government shutdown and the eight senators who voted to end it. They examine the forces shaping those decisions, the public’s reaction, and the rise of new leaders like Mamdani in New York. Through their sharp cultural lens, they trace the broader political and cultural shifts reshaping the U.S.

Join Malveaux and Fleming on the Heathers on Culture podcast, where friendship and a drive for change fuel sharp, accessible conversations. With expertise in policy, law, education, and organizing, they use pop culture to unpack urgent issues and make the critical common, offering practical insights on race, equity, and democracy. Critical theories aren’t just explained—they’re lived through discussions that empower and enlighten.