Offline Thoughts

Gisèle Pelicot's life was turned upside down in 2020 when her husband of nearly 50 years was up skirting women in their provincial town. What the police uncovered was more evil than anyone could have predicted. What is striking about Gisèle's husband is that behind his extraordinarily heinous crimes was a man who was as ordinary in public as he was monstrous in private.Please send your thoughts and comments to [email protected].

The DOJ in January 2026 released another tranche of the "Epstein Files". At this point the disturbing contents contained in the files only affirms what we already knew about men as a group. This episode looks at the propaganda the patriarchy perpetuates about the nature of men and what we can learn from the Epstein files.Key words: Jeffrey Epstein, patriarchy, sexual violence of men, protector and provider myth Please share your thoughts or questions to [email protected].

Polyamorous relationships from those who choose them sounds great - you get the best parts of having partners without the downsides of monogamy such as possessiveness, control, sexual ownership, and frankly, boredom. But is this something new or a return to something old? Key words: polyamory, monogamy, ethical non-monogamy, love, relationships, Please share your thoughts or questions to [email protected].

Despite occupying ideologically opposite terrains, the far left and far right in some respects are different sides of the same coin. At the political level you only need to look at the outcomes of each sides' time in office to understand that shared allegiance. At the interpersonal level - whether on the extreme left or extreme right, their lives and values converge, The question is to what extent? And what does it mean for us who are caught in the middle?Key words: Politics; MAGA, woke left, polarisation, politics of divide and conquer Please share your thoughts or questions to [email protected].

Onyeka Ehie's TikTok story time titled "The Danish Deception" has been a sensation spawning thousands of response and commentary videos. It is easy to understand why the story is captivating. A tall, handsome and wealthy Nordic man with a royal title, falls in love with a beautiful American woman and sets on wooing her by flying her across the world, sparing no expense in showing her a good time. Marriage is promised and they begin to plan for a future with a family of their own, in a beautiful home and a supportive network of family and friends around them. When she finds out who he truly is the story become equally horrifying. But the biggest mystery of all is why Onyeka seemed so willingly to believe this man when the relationship was so littered with flaming hot red flags?Key words: love rats, relationship fraud, gambling addiction, financial fraud Please share your thoughts or questions to [email protected]. Articles:USA Today (2025) Danish Deception summary: TikTok Onyeka Ehie: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2025/11/24/danish-deception-summary-tiktok-onyeka-ehie/87447987007/ (Accessed: 15 December 2025).Bachelor Nation (2025) Onyeka Ehie spills about her Danish Deception and marrying a con artist: https://bachelornation.com/2025/11/25/onyeka-ehie-spills-about-her-danish-deception-and-marrying-a-con-artist-read-the-full-story-here/ (Accessed: 15 December 2025).

Charlie Sheen's Netflix documentary "aka Charlie Sheen" chronicles the actor's extreme highs (no pun intended) and lows. It is supposed to be an unflinching dive into all the things he has been through as well the sins of his past. For this podcaster, it feels like he should have kept those curtains closed - this will not be the redemptive and humanising documentary he hoped it would be. Charlie ignores the obvious - that he was a neppo baby born with a silver spoon in his mouth and willing to shamelessly yield his soft power to get access to women, job opportunities and every vice in his repertoire. What the docuseries reveals despite his attempts to redirect our attention is that - he has hurt a lot of people, he has been incredibly selfish, and it is not clear that he is truly contrite. Oh and on his " big reveal" that he sleeps with men too - it feels rather small in the context of having lost hundreds of millions of dollars, been to rehab dozens of times, had countless public meltdowns, reportedly slept with over 45,000 women and been diagnosed with HIV, What is more notable about the revelation is that he lacks such introspection and honesty that he implies it is drugs that turned him bisexual. Given that he is accused of allegedly having sex with a 13 year old boy when he was 19 - this seems incredibly implausible. Please share your thoughts and comments at [email protected].

Kirk in life was an extremist who believed all kinds of things about women, people of colour and religion. His killing at the hands of Tyler Robinson has unleashed a divide between those who believe it is disrespectful to speak ill of the dead, and those who believe accountability goes beyond the grave. This episode looks at both those sides. Send me your thoughts and comments at [email protected] words: Charlie Kirk, speaking ill of the dead, male violence, gun violence

The sprinkle sprinkle lady is as entertaining as she is notorious. Her wit, her comedic timing and her branding have made her prolific on TikTok. What she brings to the table is the kind of advice broken-hearted women would have appreciated had they known what lay ahead - particularly those women who are prone to choosing poor dating mates. The thing is, though, when you drill into what Shera's core message is and who her core audience must be - it is clear that what she is offering is not new. It is rebranded prostitution - or "sugaring". Even worse than that, it is advice that she - a married woman living in suburbia with two children - doesn't seem to follow. Tune into the episode to hear my theory. I'd love to get your feedback and hear your thoughts and comments at [email protected] words: Sprinkle sprinkle, sugar baby,

If there is one thing that will define the last few years it's the slow march to a recession. All the red flags are there - 260,000 people lost their jobs in the first four months of this year, the government is seeking to eliminate tens of thousands more, big tech companies like Microsoft, Tesla and Meta are reducing their headcount on levels not seen since the financial crisis of 2008 and this just the beginning. To top it all off - we are also living through a period of high inflation, high interest rates and low economic growth. The writings on the wall are clear - we as works need to start making plans to protect ourselves against the worst. Tune into this episode to listen to steps to take to survive this economy. Key words: Work advice, economy, recession, mass layoffs, tech jobs, retail sector Resources Kelly, J., 2025. Big layoffs are hitting these sectors the hardest. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2025/05/10/big-layoffs-are-hitting-these-sectors-the-hardest/ [Accessed 20 Jul. 2025].Raymond, N., 2025. US agencies shrink layoff plans after mass staff exodus. [online] Reuters. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-agencies-shrink-layoff-plans-after-mass-staff-exodus-2025-07-15/ [Accessed 20 Jul. 2025].Quilantan, J., 2025. Supreme Court clears Education Department to fire nearly half its staff. [online] Politico. Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/14/supreme-court-education-department-ruling-00452134 [Accessed 20 Jul. 2025].

Articles and resources:New York Post, 2024. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ record labels marked by murder, death, prison. [online] Available at: https://nypost.com/2024/03/31/us-news/sean-diddy-combs-record-labels-marked-by-murder-death-prison/ [Accessed 3 June 2025].The New York Times, 1973. Ten found guilty of heroin charge; convicted of taking part in drug ring. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/1973/02/24/archives/ten-found-guilty-of-heroin-charge-convicted-of-taking-part-in.html[Accessed 3 June 2025].Revolt, 2019. Can’t stop, won’t stop: A timeline of Diddy’s vast career and accomplishments. [online] Available at: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2019-11-02/84365/cant-stop-wont-stop-a-timeline-of-diddys-vast-career-and-accomplishments [Accessed 3 June 2025].CNN. (2025) 'Diddy trial: Live updates', CNN, 13 May. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-13-25 (Accessed: 3 June 2025).Gonzalez, S. and Wagmeister, E. (2025) 'Sean "Diddy" Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN', CNN, 17 May. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-19-25 (Accessed: 3 June 2025).Griffith, I. (2024). What Was the Real Relationship Between Clive Davis and P. Diddy? MSN. Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/what-was-the-real-relationship-between-clive-davis-and-p-diddy/ar-AA1rI7nV?ocid=BingNewsSerp [Accessed 3 Jun. 2025].Gibson, P. (2024). What happened to Sean 'Diddy' Combs' father? Inside the tragic story. The List. Available at: https://www.thelist.com/1559260/what-happened-to-sean-diddy-combs-father/ [Accessed 3 Jun. 2025].Daily Mail. (2024). Diddy's mom Janice Combs turns heads in bold outfit at son's court hearing. [online] Available at: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13947779/diddy-mom-janice-combs-outfit-glasses-court.html [Accessed 3 Jun 2025].Ottawa Police Service (2024) 'Strangulation is a significant indicator that domestic abuse will turn deadly, experts say', Ottawa Police Service, 26 March. Available at: https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/strangulation-is-a-significant-indicator-that-domestic-abuse-will-turn-deadly-experts-say.aspx (Accessed: 3 June 2025).

The worst happens - a happy pregnancy turns into a nightmare when untreated severe headaches result in catastrophic brain clots that result in being declared legally brain dead. When a Georgia hospital decides to keep the pregnant woman on life support for a further 23 weeks in order to deliver the child with a chance of survival the story quickly becomes a political volleyball between the political left and right. What is left out of the conversation (as always) is the gender and race bias at the heart of this case.Key words: abortion laws, women's rights, Adriana Smith, racism in medicine Articles and resourcesSmith, A. & Bero, T., 2025. The tragedy of Georgia’s Adriana Smith is the price of a cruel anti-abortion agenda. The Guardian, [online] 24 May. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/24/adriana-smith-georgia-tayo-bero [Accessed 13 May 2025].Anonymous, 2025. Georgia woman brain dead but forced to carry pregnancy. USA Today, [online] 25 May. Available at: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/05/25/georgia-woman-brain-dead-pregnant-adriana-smith/83751213007/ [Accessed 13 May 2025].Bero, T., 2014. Dead Irish woman used as body incubator: Abortion law’s grim logic. The Guardian, [online] 19 December. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/19/dead-irish-woman-body-incubator-abortion [Accessed 13 May 2025].Eckholm, E., 2014. Pregnant and forced to stay on life support. The New York Times, [online] 7 January. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/08/us/pregnant-and-forced-to-stay-on-life-support.html [Accessed 13 May 2025].

Sinners is breaking records everywhere you look and it has instantly become a classic. It is easy to see why. Against a background of 1932 Mississippi and its accompanying Jim Crow, the film somehow manages to make us think about heavy themes whilst not being a film about black suffering. The film has love, community and dreaming big at its heart whilst also being a classic horror film with vampires, wooden stakes, garlic and even a Rambo-style massacre scene. Sensational from beginning to end.

One of the inevitabilities of interracial friendships are that sooner or later - there will be microagressions. When those moments arise, is it worthwhile to teach the person how to be better or is it a red flag that necessitates immediate dumping?

The UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definitions of "woman", "man" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 on biological terms was for some controversial, but for many a welcome decision. The aftermath of the ruling has perhaps been the most interesting - many organisations have swiftly revised their positions on including trans women in single sex spaces. Amongst these have been governing sports bodies such as the Football Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Ultimate Pool Group (UPG), World Athletics, and many more. This ruling and these reversal in trans policies reflects the wider backlash against the trans movement and trans ideology. This episodes looks at the 10 arguments used by the trans movement that got us here. Resources and Articles:Sky Sports (2025) ‘Gender policy in sport: What are the rules in football, cricket, boxing, netball and others after Supreme Court ruling?’, Sky Sports, 2 May. Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/13358660/gender-policy-in-sport-what-are-the-rules-in-football-cricket-boxing-netball-and-others-after-supreme-court-ruling (Accessed: 5 May 2025)MSN (2025) ‘Snooker’s transgender inclusion policy to be reviewed after Supreme Court ruling’, MSN News, 2 May. Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/snooker-s-transgender-inclusion-policy-to-be-reviewed-after-supreme-court-ruling/ar-AA1DLvDi (Accessed: 5 May 2025).Syal, R. (2025) ‘British Transport Police amends strip-searching policy after supreme court gender ruling’, The Guardian, 17 April. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/17/trans-women-uk-railways-strip-searched-male-officers (Accessed: 5 May 2025).

On 16 April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled that "sex," "woman," and "man" as defined in the Equality Act 2010 referred to biological sex. Consequently, trans women and trans men holding Gender Recognition Certificates are recognised under the Act according to their biological sex. This decision carries significant implications for single-sex spaces, including sports, schools, hospital wards, prisons, and public facilities such as toilets and changing rooms.In response, the Equality and Human Rights Commission issued immediate interim guidance, marking a dramatic shift. Employers, public bodies, and certain service providers are now legally required to ensure the availability of single-sex spaces based on biological sex, failing which they risk being found in violation of anti-discrimination laws concerning women.Tune in to explore the context behind the hearing and the arguments advanced by both sides, Send me your thoughts and comments at [email protected] words: Women's rights, UK supreme courts, trans rights, Gender Recognition CertificateArticles and resources:UK Supreme Court. (2025). For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent). [2025] UKSC 16. Judgment delivered on 16 April 2025. Available at: https://supremecourt.uk/uploads/uksc_2024_0042_judgment_aea6c48cee.pdf [Accessed 28 Apr. 2025].Equality and Human Rights Commission (2025) An interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment. [online] Equality and Human Rights Commission. Available at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/interim-update-practical-implications-uk-supreme-court-judgment[Accessed 28 Apr. 2025].Government Equalities Office and HM Courts & Tribunals Service (2022) Gender Recognition Certificate: applications and outcomes. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gender-recognition-certificate-applications-and-outcomes/gender-recognition-certificate-applications-and-outcomes [Accessed 28 Apr. 2025].Hanson, N. (2004). The long fight against sexual discrimination. Law Society Gazette. Available at: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/the-long-fight-against-sexual-discrimination/42125.articlePress for Change (_____________), Case Law - UK Court Cases: Legal Gender Recognition: http://www.pfc.org.uk/caselegalgender.html#:~:text=R%20v.,had%20been%20recognised%20as%20female.Lee, G., 2018. FactCheck: How many trans people murdered UK. Channel 4 News. Available at: https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-how-many-trans-people-murdered-uk [Accessed 28 Apr. 2025].

Every black woman will have horror stories of their experiences in black hair salons and at the hands of black hair stylists. From lateness, to rudeness, to low hygiene, to hair damage - we've experienced it all. This episode focuses on why this negative experience is universal. Key words: regulating black salons, lack of access to capital, beauty schools, internalised anti-blackness and racism. I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments at [email protected].

Articles and resourcesAmzat, J., Kanmodi, K. K., Ismail, A., & Egbedina, E. A. (2023). Euthanasia in Africa: A scoping review of empirical evidence. Health science reports, 6(5), e1239. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1239 Riley, L. and Hehir, D. (2021), Last Resort: The hidden truth about how dying people take their own lives in the UK, published by Campaign for Dignity in Dying: https://cdn.dignityindying.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Last-Resort-Dignity-in-Dying-Oct-2021.pdf ABC News, Death Drugs Cause Uproar in Oregon (2008): https://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5517492&page=1 The Guadian (2024), Gosport hospital opioid deaths: police identify 24 suspects: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/10/police-pass-files-to-cps-over-deaths-at-gosport-war-memorial-hospital Gosport War Memorial Hospital: The Report of the Gosport Independent Panel (2018): https://www.gosportpanel.independent.gov.uk/media/documents/070618_CCS207_CCS03183220761_Gosport_Inquiry_Whole_Document.pdf

At some point in our work careers we will quit jobs. That is inevitable. But there is an art to quitting well and in a way that doesn't compromise your reputation, financial security or future prospects. Timing is also important and one of the pitfalls we fall under is allowing ourselves to be deceived by the lie that we owe our workplaces loyalty. Believing this lie sometimes mean we leave on their terms, rather than ours.Key words: Quitting jobs, work advice and hacks, failing companies, stagnating at work.I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments at [email protected].

Against a backdrop of nosediving car sales across Europe, China and the US, political activism that has seen its dealers set ablaze and in some cases shot at, and most recently the beginnings of institutional investors on Wall Street turning away from Tesla - retail investors continue to buy the stock at unprecedented levels. The question is... why?Key words: Tesla, retail investors, Elon Musk, GameStop, financial fraud, meme stocks, cult of personalities Articles: The Independent (2025), Tesla’s year keeps getting worse - now short sellers have made $16bn from Musk’s firm: https://www.independent.co.uk/business/tesla-share-price-elon-musk-criticism-b2717107.html The Economic Times (2025), 'I mean...': Elon Musk almost 'close to tears' in interview when asked about Tesla struggles: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-elon-musk-tesla-shares-tank-i-mean-elon-musk-almost-close-to-tears-in-interview-when-asked-about-tesla-struggles-watch-video/articleshow/118896998.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign= The Financial Times (2025), $1.4bn is a lot to fall through the cracks, even for Tesla: https://www.ft.com/content/62df8d8d-31f2-445e-bfa2-c171ac43db6e The Graduate Press (2025), Saying Goodbye to Twitter Trust:https://thegraduatepress.org/2022/11/21/saying-goodbye-to-twitter-trust/ Graphic News (2025), Meddling Musk sees Tesla sales crash and burn in Europe: https://www.graphicnews.com/en/pages/46754/business-tesla-sales-crash-and-burn-in-europe

In a world where money is worshipped, one of the worst positions to find yourself in is having none. Or so we're told. In fact, there is a much worse fate - the fate of having all the money in the world, but never feeling enough. Key words: status symbols, consumer behaviour, low self-worth, mindless consumption Please send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

Church is supposed to be the spiritual house we flock to for spiritual and psychological nourishing. However, modern congregations have become increasingly loathe to attend mass on a regular basis. What accounts for this? It is likely the language of the "inherent" sinful nature of human beings and other language that condemns us. It is also other glaring issues - a church with a large proportion of gay priests and lesbian nuns but a decidedly anti-gay stance. A church with limited participation of women in positions of leadership. Iconography that is white supremacist in its depiction of all-white angels and religious figures. The commodification of many aspects of worshipping. Unless these issues are resolved, the great exodus from church will continue. Key words: modernising the church, faith and shame, inclusive Christianity, religion and self-worth, church reform ideasPlease send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].

Citigroup's DEI initiatives has lasted for a shorter period of time than the company's invasion and occupation of Haiti. Beginning in the 1910s Citigroup, then known as the National City Bank of New York persuaded the US government to invade Haiti. Citigroup understood that by taking control of the country and of its central bank, it could make hundreds of millions of dollars by seizing the island nation's wealth for its own use. In 1915, Citigroup got its wish and the results were better than their wildest imagination could have conceived. Today, Citigroup stands as one of the largest bank in the US by assets. Are we to believe a few decades of appropriating hundred of millions of dollars from the Haitian people had nothing to do with it? Apparently so. Against this background it is no wonder the firm was never truly committed to DEI initiatives.Key words: Citigroup, Haiti, DEI, corporate exploitation, Lehman Brothers, VolkswagenPlease send your thoughts and questions to [email protected] and resources:Banking Dive (2025), Citi tosses diversity goals, DEI label:https://www.bankingdive.com/news/citi-tosses-diversity-goals-dei-label-fraser-trump/740627/Banking on Solidarity (_____), Citibank and Haitians: A Violent Historyhttps://www.bankingonsolidarity.org/citibank-and-haitians-a-violent-history/Debt Justice Haiti (_____),: Free from slavery, not yet free from debt: https://debtjustice.org.uk/countries-in-crisis/haiti-free-slavery-not-yet-free-debtHatian Times (2024), Citibank, a longtime player in Haiti’s finances, leaves the country: https://haitiantimes.com/2024/07/11/citibank-haiti/The Nation (1920), Self-Determining Haiti: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/35025/35025-h/35025-h.htm

The speed with which many corporations have aborted DEI initiatives that they were "committed to" only two months ago tells us two things: (1) they have no scruples and (2) they were never truly committed to DEI. If we are honest with ourselves, we could tell from their haphazard initiatives that often focused on virtue signalling over substance and at times, resulted in marginalised people caught in the crosshairs of their ill thought out DEI campaigns. Key words: DEI, Trump Executive Order, corporate retreat from DEI programs, Target, Bud Light, affirmative action in higher education, Asian Americans, African AmericansPlease send your thoughts and questions to [email protected].***Correction - Target no longer sells guns. Articles and resources:MSN (2025), Target put DEI on the chopping block. Then fewer customers showed up:https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/target-put-dei-on-the-chopping-block-then-fewer-customers-showed-up/ar-AA1zHjbgThe guardian (2025), McDonald’s rolls back DEI programs, ending push for greater diversity: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/06/mcdonalds-diversity-programsThe Guardian (2023), Asian Americans spent decades seeking fair education. Then the right stole the narrative: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/13/affirmative-action-asian-americans-us-universitiesNBC (2024), Asian Americans see mixed results in enrollment after end of affirmative action:https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/affirmative-action-enrollment-asian-americans-rcna170716Los Angeles Times (2023), Opinion: Affirmative action isn’t hurting Asian Americans. Here’s why that myth survives:https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-06-14/affirmative-action-supreme-court-harvard-case-asian-americansVox (2016), White women benefit most from affirmative action — and are among its fiercest opponents: https://www.vox.com/2016/5/25/11682950/fisher-supreme-court-white-women-affirmative-actionUSA TODAY, (____), White women benefit most from affirmative action. So why do they oppose it?: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/06/29/affirmative-action-who-benefits-white-women/70371219007/ TIME (2013), Affirmative Action Has Helped White Women More Than Anyone: https://time.com/4884132/affirmative-action-civil-rights-white-women/

Workplaces operate on unspoken rules that can make or break a career. This episode looks at the realities of office life: the critical importance of first impressions, the silent consequences of breaking social norms, and why hard work alone doesn’t guarantee promotions.From navigating office politics to avoiding the pitfalls of workplace relationships, this "survival" guide breaks down how to succeed in any workplace.Key words: unwritten rules, workplace politics, career progression, first impressions, corporate culture, workplace relationships, career advice

Karma is another form of believing in cosmic justice - the idea that bad people will be punished for their misdeeds. And whilst that may make us feel good and prevent us from taking revenge into our own hands, it also means believing an ugly implication. That implication, no matter how you look at it, is that the poor, the sick and the misfortunate deserve their fate, Key words: karma, poor people, sick people, misfortune, Catholic Church, politics, justice, activismPlease send your thoughts and questions to [email protected] and resources:Theodosiadi, M. and Vavouras, E. (2023), Religion as a Means of Political Conformity and Obedience: From Critias to Thomas Hobbes, MDPI:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/9/1180#metricsBritannica (____), Karma: https://www.britannica.com/topic/karmaUniversity of Manchester (2022), Corporations vs. Consumers: Who is really to blame for climate change?:https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/global-social-challenges/2022/07/07/corporations-vs-consumers-who-is-really-to-blame-for-climate-change/United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (____):https://www.usich.gov/guidance-reports-data/data-trendsThe Guardian (2020), Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds among UK banks that had links to slavery:https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/18/barclays-hsbc-and-lloyds-among-uk-banks-that-had-links-to-slavery

Like many people during January I completed "Dry January" - a detox we undertake yearly to check that we are still in control of the alcohol we consume (and not the other way around). Is alcohol a drug? Are we all addicted? Do we choose to become lifelong drinkers? A month of clarity helps us answer these questions honestly. Key words: dry January, drinking culture, drugs, functioning alcoholismPlease send your thoughts and questions to [email protected] and resources:Institute of Alcohol Studies (2020), Alcohol and Marketing: https://www.ias.org.uk/report/alcohol-and-marketing/ Huberman Lab, Episode 86: What Alcohol Does To Your Body, Brain & Health: https://podcastnotes.org/huberman-lab/episode-86-what-alcohol-does-to-your-body-brain-health-huberman-lab/

Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse it did - Elon Musk does the Nazi salute. Trump pardons January 6 Capitol building rioters, begins mass deportations, repeals Civil Rights-era legislation, and calls for focus on execution of imprisoned illegal migrants.Key words: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Nazi salute, mass deportations, Great Replacement conspiracy theoryPlease send your thoughts and questions to [email protected] and resources:The Guardian (2025), ‘The gesture speaks for itself’: Germans respond to Musk’s apparent Nazi salute: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/21/the-gesture-speaks-for-itself-germans-divided-over-musks-apparent-nazi-saluteThe Rolling Stone (2024), Elon Musk all but endorses Great Replacement conspiracy theory:https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/elon-musk-great-replacement-conspiracy-theory-1234941337/The NewYorker (2024), J. D. Vance and the Right’s Call to Have More Babies: https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/j-d-vance-and-the-rights-call-to-have-more-babiesAl Jazeera (2025), The January 6 pardons: Who has Trump ordered to be released?: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/23/the-january-6-pardons-who-has-trump-ordered-to-be-releasedYes We Are Native (___), You never gave a straight answer, yes or no are Mexicans native American Indians: https://www.wernative.org/ayr-questions/yes-or-no-are-mexicans-native-american-indiansTruthout (2017), Are Mexicans Indigenous?: https://truthout.org/articles/are-mexicans-indigenous/The Brookings Institution (2019), Trump and racism: What do the data say?: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/trump-and-racism-what-do-the-data-say/NBC News (2024), Elon Musk's transgender daughter, in first interview, says he berated her for being queer as a child:https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-transgender-daughter-vivian-wilson-interview-rcna163665The Guardian (2017), How Trump’s political playbook evolved since he first ran for president in 2000: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/05/donald-trump-reform-party-2000-president

Bonnie Blue burst onto the national stage with her provocative marketing strategies for her OnlyFans account - recruiting young university students for filmed sexual acts. Most recently she became the internet's most infamous sensation when she allegedly had sex with 1,057 in just twelve hours. Often we are told women who engage in these kinds of extreme actions of self abuse are broken women who come from sad backgrounds. But what if women are not just victims of their circumstances but active participants in others' exploitation?Key words: predatory women, OnlyFans, sex work, online fame; rage bait contentPlease send your thoughts and questions to [email protected] and resources:NewsWeek (2025), Who is Bonnie Blue's Ex-Husband? OnlyFans Star Breaks Sex Record with Help:https://www.newsweek.com/who-bonnie-blues-ex-husband-onlyfans-star-breaks-sex-record-help-2017089DailyMail (2025), I waited in line alongside 1,000 other balaclava-clad men to have sex with Bonnie Blue - but when it was my turn, I couldn't go through with it:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14289533/I-waited-line-alongside-1-000-balaclava-clad-men-sex-Bonnie-Blue-turn-it.htmlDailyMail (2025), The reasons why Bonnie Blue must be 'lying' about sleeping with 1,000 men revealed:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14287465/Bonnie-Blue-lying-sleeping-1-000-men-revealed.htmlPolice1 (2024), America’s most notorious female criminals:https://www.police1.com/crime/articles/americas-most-notorious-female-criminals-31lgbUkw3xFw1ohu/The Guardian (2019), Woman in India admits poisoning six family members with cyanide:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/07/woman-in-india-admits-poisoning-six-family-members-with-cyanide

Surrogacy is booming—but at what cost? This episode looks at the dark side of the industry: the economic coercion of vulnerable women, exploitation in poorer countries, and the shocking ways in which surrogate mothers are treated by commissioning parents and surrogacy agencies. Do couples who can't have children for whatever reason have the right to them? Even when surrogacy isn't commercialised or for-profit, is the choice by women to subject their bodies to pregnancy and birth the ultimate act of love, or a dystopian commodification of women’s bodies? Key words: surrogacy, infertility, economic disparity, feminism, gay male couples, reproductive rights, celebrity surrogacyPlease send your questions and thoughts to [email protected]. Materials you might find helpful:CBC Network (2018), Gay rights and surrogacy wrongs: say “no” to wombs-for-rent: https://cbc-network.org/2018/07/gay-rights-and-surrogacy-wrongs-say-no-to-wombs-for-rent/Al Jazeera (2023), Surrogacy: Human right, or just wrong?:https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/opinions/2023/9/8/surrogacy-human-right-or-just-wrongThe Standard (2020), Ignore the propaganda: surrogacy is not a gay rights issue – it is a women’s rights issue: https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/surrogacy-is-not-a-gay-rights-issue-it-is-a-women-s-rights-issue-a4568716.htmlThe Guardian (2015), Commercial surrogacy is a rigged market in wombs for rent: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/20/commercial-surrogacy-wombs-rent-same-sex-pregnancyThe Critic (2024), The love that can’t be erased:https://thecritic.co.uk/the-love-that-cant-be-erased/The Guardian (2014), Child abuse convictions of Gammy's father prompt investigation:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/05/gammy-father-child-abuse-convictions-investigationThe Guardian (2016), All surrogacy is exploitation – the world should follow Sweden’s ban: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/25/surrogacy-sweden-banThe Guardian, (2005), One in 25 fathers is not biological parent – study: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2005/aug/11/childrensservices.uknews

In the early hours of 4 December 2024, 26-year old Luigi Mangione walked up behind UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and shot him dead. What followed was a five-day manhunt for Mangione. What made this case stand out in the public's imagination were many factors - an attractive and wealthy perpetrator from a powerful family, the theatre of the killing (a 3-D printed gun and silencer, engraved bullets, a manifesto railing against a broken healthcare system and corporate greed) and the public's jubilant support of the killer. But is Luigi the people's hero or a common terrorist? Please send any thoughts and comments to [email protected] you might find helpful: Mangione Indictment – final as filed: https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Mangione-Indictment-FINAL-as-filed.pdf BBC (2024), Tracing the powerful family roots of suspected killer Luigi Mangione: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl3jkjxp75oBBC (2024), Who was Brian Thompson, healthcare CEO gunned down in New York?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgpl2qn7l5oABC News (2024), What we know about Luigi Mangione, Ivy League grad charged in CEO's murder: https://abcnews.go.com/US/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-suspect/story?id=116460289 CNN (2024), I never got the impression he would self-destruct:’ Friends of suspect in fatal CEO shooting left in shock: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/09/us/luigi-mangione-what-we-know-monday/index.html

OnlyFans describes itself as a revolutionary platform that gives its creators the freedom to produce highly personalised content for their fans. It should describe itself as a platform for prostitution that lures young women into engaging in activities that will ruin their lives, stigmatise them and trap them in poverty. The stats are clear - the average OnlyFans creator makes $150-180 per month and approximately 80% of creators make less than $100 per month. Lily Philips and others like her are the exception that proves the rule. Please send any thoughts, questions and comments to [email protected] you might find helpfulThe New York Time (2022), “The ‘E-Pimps’ of OnlyFans”. Accessed online:https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/16/magazine/e-pimps-onlyfans.htmlDelacosta, F. and Alexander, P. (1988), Sex Work: Writings by Women in the Sex Industry. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sex-Work-Writings-Women-Industry/dp/0860681548

The TikTok ban will come into effect on the 19th of January 2025. Right now, it seems its fate is sealed – the House of Representatives has almost unanimously agreed to pass it under “national security” concerns, Congress has given it the rubber seal of approval, and President Biden has signed off under executive privilege. Despite public opinion being united in their opposition to the passing of the bill - the people will not have a say. TikTok is scrambling to find a legal avenue to challenge the decision, but the outlook doesn’t look good – it has already lost its appeal in the federal appeals court to pause the ban until the Supreme Court reviews TikTok’s case. Is the app really Chinese owned? Does the Chinese government have the capacity to influence the platform? Is this ban part of the US’s cold war against China? Is Meta (Facebook) and other Silicon Valley Big Tech behind this ban? Will TikTok sell its US operations? This episode discusses all the above. Please send your thoughts, opinions and questions [email protected].

Often the first thing we want to do is share our good news and accomplishments with the people around us. However, the response we receive is sometimes unexpected - we can be met with ambivalence or negativity where we anticipated praise and encouragement. Recognising that people - even our loved ones - can be limited by their own insecurities, envy and self-limiting beliefs teaches us that sometimes the best way to achieve our dreams is to not share them at all.

Intersectionality politics tells us that coalitions united around a shared goal are not free of internal power dynamics. It also teaches us that victimhood is complicated - it is possible to be simultaneously both a victim and the oppressor in certain contexts. This episode takes a look at some of those complexities as well as the parallels between the transgender and transracial movements.Please send your thoughts and comments at [email protected].

The upside of growing up in unsafe environments as a child is that people often grow up to be discerning adults who have a highly attuned ability to read the hidden meanings behind what people say and do. Sometimes this is useful in simply being able to recognise red flags that indicate certain people don't wish us well. Other times this skill serves to keep us safe and to keep danger at bay.

Sometimes we find ourself in a series of bad friendships. We form friendships with people who take from us, treat us poorly, are unkind, or, in the extreme, who that don't wish us well. Although it's easy to play the victim, the truth is more complicated - in some ways we cultivate these friendships and keep these types of friends close because they fulfil some other need we have. That could be the need to be needed, to play the hero or martyr or perhaps to feel superior in some way.Please share your thoughts and comments at [email protected] and they will addressed in a future episode.Materials you might find helpful: https://captainawkward.com/?s=friend+

Elon Musk is a professional exaggerator and liar. From lying about founding PayPal and Tesla (he didn't), to lying about the death of his son and divorce from his second wife. Looking at his family history we get a little insight into the man - his father had two children with the stepdaughter he raised since she was four years old. What really defines Elon Musk though, is his capacity to wield his enormous wealth to sway public opinion and influence the democratic process.Materials you might find helpful:The Guardian, 2024. Elon Musk expected to join Trump administration as an adviser, 9 November. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/09/elon-musk-trump-administration [Accessed 10 November 2024].The Guardian, 2024. X (formerly Twitter) stock drops following Elon Musk's controversial statements, 2 January. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/02/x-twitter-stock-falls-elon-musk [Accessed 10 November 2024].NBC News, 2024. A timeline of Trump’s shifting positions on abortion. Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trumps-many-abortion-positions-timeline-rcna146601 [Accessed 10 November 2024].Rolling Stone, 2023. The big list of Elon musk’s hyperbole, evasions, and outright lies. Available at: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/elon-musk-twitter-zuckerberg-lies-1234808808/ [Accessed 10 November 2024].Financial Times, 2024. Musk, Thiel and the shadow of apartheid South Africa. Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/cfbfa1e8-d8f8-42b9-b74c-dae6cc6185a0 [Accessed 10 November 2024].Truthout, 2024. Musk pledged $6 billion to solve world hunger, but gave it to his own foundation instead, Truthout. Available at: https://truthout.org/articles/musk-pledged-6b-to-solve-world-hunger-but-gave-it-to-his-own-foundation-instead/ [Accessed 10 November 2024].Mamamia, 2023. Errol Musk started looking after his stepdaughter when she was four. Now they have two kids together. Available at: https://www.mamamia.com.au/errol-musk/ [Accessed 10 November 2024].New Yorker, 2023. J.D. Vance and the Right’s call to have more babies, New Yorker. Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/j-d-vance-and-the-rights-call-to-have-more-babies [Accessed 10 November 2024].

The saying goes that there's no such thing as a free lunch - if you are not paying, usually it is because you are the product. Every day we interact with platforms to read articles, share thoughts, upload our posts, make purchases, conduct research or otherwise just leisurely scroll. These platforms often have required billions of dollars of investment and many years of hard work by the brightest minds to be developed, yet we pay nothing to use them. If you have ever thought this is too good of a deal to be true - you are correct. "Free" apps and services exploit our personal data, often without us fully realising the consequences on our privacy, autonomy and decision-making.Materials you might find helpful: Thompson, S.A. & Warzel, C., 2019. How Your Phone Betrays Democracy. The New York Times, 21 December. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/21/opinion/location-data-democracy-protests.html [Accessed 3 November 2024].Wylie, C., 2020. Mindfuck: Inside Cambridge Analytica’s Plot to Break the World. Paperback ed. London: Profile Books: BBC News, 2023. How WhatsApp became the 'app for everything' in Brazil. BBC News, 17 August. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8j7nrppny2o [Accessed 3 November 2024].

Few have been through as many public controversies as Kanye West. During the last ten years the public has had a front row seat to Kanye's erratic, impulsive, and emotionally unstable antics. Many of these have not only been deeply offensive to many people, but they have left in their wake a destruction of his personal and business relationships, an alienation of his fanbase, a loss of credibility and increasing isolation as many in his circle publicly distance themselves from him. What is often glossed over however, is that these antics are driven by Kanye's mental illness - namely bipolar disorder - and in this context it is clear the untold story is that of Kanye as a victim of his fame and wealth. Send your thoughts and comments to [email protected] you might find helpful:Huberman Lab (2002), The Science & Treatment of Bipolar Disorder, Spotify. Available at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MX5KoUpR3Ulo2OGDc8gCE [Accessed 25 October 2024]F.D. Signifier (2021), The Tragic Fall of Kanye West (Pt1), YouTube. Available at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wvgehVhF9D4&pp=ygUYa2FueWUgd2VzdCByaXNlIGFuZCBmYWxs [Accessed 25 October 2024]. F.D. Signifier (2021), The Tragic Fall of Kanye West (Pt2), YouTube. Available at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e7e5BFJa-Ug [Accessed 25 October 2024]. Daniel Rodrigues (2018), 2005 - Kanye West Wins Grammy Best Rap Album: The College Dropout (Speech), YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2-bjGkcaJI [Accessed 25 October 2024]. Petridis, A. (2022). Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye trilogy review – a heartwarming, sometimes heart-rending biopic. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/16/jeen-yuhs-a-kanye-trilogy-review-a-heartwarming-sometimes-heart-rending-biopic (Accessed: 25 October 2024).

Age gap relationships have existed since the dawn of time. There are many appeals for both parties - often the younger partner is looking for financial provision and protection, and the older partner is looking to hold onto their youth for a little longer. Whilst they're not necessarily always inherently predatory - they often are. Sometimes the younger partner only comes to realise this years later, long after the damage has been done. Send any questions and comments to [email protected] and they will addressed in a future episode. Materials you might find helpful:Vouloumanos, V. (2023), Women Who "Dated" Older Men As Teens Are Sharing How They Realized They Were Actually Predators, And It's Heartbreaking', BuzzFeed, 21 September. Available at: https://www.buzzfeed.com/victoriavouloumanos/teen-girls-date-older-men-predatory (Accessed: 14 October 2024).Shapiro, L. (2023), The Age Gappers', The Cut, 27 September. Available at: https://www.thecut.com/article/age-gap-relationships-couples.html (Accessed: 14 October 2024).iNews. (2023) 'Older men dating younger women isn't automatically predatory', iNews, 10 October. Available at: https://inews.co.uk/opinion/older-men-dating-younger-women-isnt-automatically-predatory-3267630 (Accessed: 14 October 2024).

Heterosexuality as the standard, strict gender norms and negative LGBT societal messaging create in LGBT people feelings of shame, self-hatred and a deep desire to conform to the straight world - often at the expense of their own psychological well being. This episodes focuses on the symptoms of internalised homophobia and how to deal with it.Send any questions and comments to [email protected] and they will addressed in a future episode.Materials you might find helpful:Williamson, I.R., 2000. Internalized homophobia and health issues affecting lesbians and gay men. Health Education Research, 15(1), pp.97-107. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/her/article/15/1/97/775710 [Accessed 9 Oct. 2024]. McGlotten, S., 2016. Can lesbians be misogynistic? The answer is yes — here’s why it happens. Bustle. Available at: https://www.bustle.com/articles/147623-can-lesbians-be-misogynistic-the-answer-is-yes-heres-why-it-happens [Accessed 9 Oct. 2024].Stafford, A (2010). Uncompromising Positions: Reiterations of Misogyny Embedded in Lesbian and Feminist Communities' Framing of Lesbian Femme Identities. Core. Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/322497442.pdf [Accessed 9 Oct. 2024].Cooper, A., 2016. Get Your Internalized Misogyny Away from My Dildo Collection. The Link Newspaper, [online] Available at: https://thelinknewspaper.ca/article/get-your-internalized-misogyny-away-from-my-dildo-collection[Accessed 9 Oct. 2024].Ryle, L., 2013. Butch Please: Butch with a Side of Misogyny. Autostraddle, [online] Available at: https://www.autostraddle.com/butch-please-butch-with-a-side-of-misogyny-174442/ [Accessed 11 Oct. 2024].The Guardian. (2024) 'Why the Tavistock gender identity clinic was forced to shut – and what happens next', The Guardian, 31 March. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/31/why-the-tavistock-gender-identity-clinic-was-forced-to-shut-and-what-happens-next (Accessed: 14 October 2024)

Sex, power, and corruption are inextricably linked. Control over others becomes easier when their deepest secrets are at risk of exposure. P Diddy and Jeffrey Epstein are examples of men who used people's vices against them (often through extortion and blackmail), before finally becoming victims of these same vices. They are the tip of the iceberg. Sexual blackmail and extortion is deeply baked into the deepest recesses of government and power structures, and sex has always been leveraged by both victims and villains alike to gain control. The most enduring and powerful of these vices is sex - which moral leaders such as Martin Luther King and political leaders such as John F Kennedy equally fell prey to. There are important lessons to be learned about the nature of power, sex and our vices.

While it's generally understood that high-end fashion brands market prestige and status, it’s less obvious how this same manipulation is mirrored in military recruitment, which primarily targets people from low-income backgrounds. Both these industries prey on people's insecurities and their need for self-worth, offering false promises of value and social mobility. By commodifying both goods and lives, luxury brands and the military create illusions of empowerment, when in reality, they profit from the sacrifices of the working poor and disadvantaged.Send any questions and comments to [email protected] and they will addressed in a future episode.Materials you might find helpful: BBC. (2018, July 19). Burberry burns bags, clothes, and perfume worth millions. BBC. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44885983 Ilaria, M. (2018) 'The Chinese workers who assemble designer bags in Tuscany', The New Yorker, 16 April. Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/16/the-chinese-workers-who-assemble-designer-bags-in-tuscany(Accessed: 28 September 2024). Workers World (2022) ‘How the war machine ‘recruits’ poor, oppressed youth, 20 December. Available at: https://www.workers.org/2022/12/68299/ (Accessed: 28 September 2024).

Mass psychology is used to shape our beliefs, desires, and actions. Whilst we may be aware that the advertisement and public relations industries are specifically designed to manipulate our desires and behaviours - we sometimes don't realise that propaganda is endemic in our educational system, our politics and that we often don't know that we have been propagandised. Send any questions and comments to [email protected] and they will addressed in a future episode. Materials you might find helpful: Achbar, M. and Wintonick, P. (dirs.), 1992. Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media. National Film Board of Canada.Chomsky, N. and Herman, E.S., 1988. Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. New York: Pantheon Books.Lippmann, W., 1922. Public Opinion. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.64Facets, 2023. Iconic Diamond Marketing Campaigns. 64Facets Fine Jewelry. Available at: https://64facets.com/blogs/64facets-blog/diamond-marketing-campaigns [Accessed 22 September 2024].

Imposter Syndrome is that nagging feeling that you don’t deserve your achievements—that you’re a fraud, only succeeding due to luck, charm, or being the "best of a bad bunch". For women, people of colour, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, this can be a natural consequence of working in hostile environments with deeply entrenched systemic biases. Either way, the net effect is feeling out of place, second-guessing yourself, and downplaying your contributions. This episode discusses how to overcome imposter syndrome.Send any questions and comments to [email protected] and they will addressed in a future episode. Materials you might find helpful: Clance, Pauline & Imes, Suzanne, “The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention”, https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf Tulshyan, Ruchika and Burey, Jodi-Ann, Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome, Harvard Business Review:https://hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome Bravata, Dena M et al. “Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review, Journal of general medicine, vol. 35,4 (2020): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174434/ Martins, Julia “Unmasking impostor syndrome: 15 ways to overcome it at work”, Asana: https://asana.com/resources/impostor-syndrome Jamison, Leslie “Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It”, The New Yorker:https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/the-dubious-rise-of-impostor-syndrome Nance-Nash, Sheryl, “Why imposter syndrome hits women and women of colour harder”: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200724-why-imposter-syndrome-hits-women-and-women-of-colour-harder

The myth persists that the way to get the love or friendship you desire is by pouring into the person you care about - whether that be energy, emotions or financial resources. Nothing could be further from the truth - it is the giver that becomes entangled in the relationship the more they give, making it near impossible for them to walk away as they fall prey to sunk cost fallacy. Meanwhile, because of the law of diminishing returns, the recipient appreciates the giver less with each act of care and kindness that is given. The only way out for the over-giver in this dynamic is to find a way to reverse the roles.Please send your thoughts to [email protected] and they will be addressed in a future episode. Some materials you might find helpful:Women Who Love Too Much by Robin NorwoodGenerous Person, or Over-Giver? Always Gift-Giving? by Andrea M. Darcy, Harley Therapy: https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/generous-person-or-over-giver.htm#:~:text=Over%2Dgiving%20tends%20to%20come,or%20with%20the%20other%20person. The Wound That Causes You To Over Give by Amy Chan, Heart Hackers Club:https://hearthackersclub.com/the-wound-that-causes-you-to-over-give/

Jesus, the central figure of the Christian faith was over the course of centuries, white-washed from what he would have looked like - a Middle-Eastern, brown skinned, dark-haired and likely bearded man - to the white Jesus with light hair and light eyes that we know today. This transformation has not been by accident and its effects have not been without deep consequences on the psyche of all Christians and the material reality of people of colour.Please send your thoughts to [email protected] notes:Muhamad Ali - Why is Jesus white?, interview with Parkinson (1971): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eXdt1eGgCAThe Religion of White Supremacy in the United States by Eric A. WeedThe Mis-Education of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. WoodsonWho people believe rules in heaven influences their beliefs about who rules on Earth, Stanford scholars find, Stanford Report, by Melissa De Witte: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2020/01/consequences-perceiving-god-white-man

The occult is experiencing a resurgence - as it always does following periods of social, political and economic instability. People, feeling out of control and desperate for an order to the chaos and hope for the future turn to astrology, fortune tellers, mediums and a whole host of other 'alternative' spiritual practices to fill the void. Whilst on the surface these may seem harmless - that is not the case. We pay a price for their salve. Please send your thoughts to [email protected] NOTES:Info on Barnum statements: https://instruct.uwo.ca/psychology/023/pdfs/Barnum_bw6.pdf Why Witchcraft Is on the Rise, The Atlantic by Bianca Bosker:https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/03/witchcraft-juliet-diaz/605518/How TikTok Is Drawing Young People Into the Occult, Newsweek by By Pandora Dewan: https://www.newsweek.com/newsweek-com-seance-social-media-tiktok-young-people-occult-witchcraft-1754927Drawn to the occult: Spirituality is evolving, The Commonwealth Times: https://commonwealthtimes.org/2018/10/10/drawn-to-the-occult-spirituality-is-evolving/ Generation Z Is Turning to the Occult for a Spiritual Path — Here’s Why, Church Leaders by Religion News Service:https://churchleaders.com/news/395584-generation-z-is-turning-to-the-occult-for-a-spiritual-path.html ‘Revival of the occult’: French youth turn to tarot, astrology during Covid-19, France24 By:Charlotte Wilkins: https://www.france24.com/en/france/20210522-revival-of-the-occult-french-youth-turn-to-tarot-astrology-during-covid-19 Occult rises to mainstream in S. Korean media, The Chosun Daily by Baik Su-jin,Kim Seo-young:https://www.chosun.com/english/kpop-culture-en/2024/07/18/RKHUAQBEVBGKTIPSX4BRHDANAI/

Sexism is pervasive and infiltrates every aspect of our lives—from language and social norms to the structural infrastructure of our political and legal systems. The ugly truth is that all men are sexist - and that women are complicit in maintaining the sexist order in various ways.Please send your thoughts to [email protected] NOTESArticles:Gender study finds 90% of people are biased against women, BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-51751915Human Rights by Council of Europe: https://human-rights-channel.coe.int/stop-sexism-en.htmlMisogyny runs deep: how to stand up to sexist language By Clemmy Manzo, Womankind Worldwide: https://www.womankind.org.uk/misogyny-runs-deep-how-to-stand-up-to-sexist-language/Unconscious bias: most women believe sexism still exists but most men disagree by Margie Warrell, The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/sep/02/unconscious-bias-most-women-believe-sexism-still-exists-but-most-men-disagreeYou're sexist. And so am I. by Alia E. Dastagir, USA Today: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/03/23/everyone-is-sexist-internalized-sexism/99528476/Nationwide strike by Indian doctors over Kolkata medic’s rape, murder, Al Jazeera:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/17/nationwide-strike-by-indian-doctors-over-kolkata-medics-rape-murderIndian women lead night protests after doctor's rape and murder, BBC:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmwj4z1xpkoIndian medics step up strike in protest at doctor’s rape and murder, The Guardian:https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/16/indian-medics-strike-protest-doctor-rape-murder-kolkataBooks/papers:Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane GayThe Second Sex by Simone de BeauvoirWhy Sexist Language Matters Sherryl Kleinman

Following the horrific events on the 29th of July 2024 in Southport where a 17-year-old boy stabbed and killed three girls– a wave of unprecedented xenophobic violence against Muslim people and other people of colour took place. So far, 800 rioters have been arrested and 350 charged. Amid the chao two things are clear – (1) the spread of misinformation (including by figures like Elon Musk, Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage) played a central role in inciting the violence and (2) the rioters used this incident to further their agenda.Please send your thoughts to [email protected]: UK riots: five essential reads on what triggered a week of violence by Laura Hood https://theconversation.com/uk-riots-five-essential-reads-on-what-triggered-a-week-of-violence-236536 The Take: How far will the UK riots go?, Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/2024/8/7/the-take-how-far-will-the-uk-riots-go Look back and see a British history of riots and racial progress. It isn’t pretty, but it is us by Robert Winder:https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/10/british-history-riots-racial-progressRiots take British Asians back to 1970s and 1980s by Sima Kotechahttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg2r3lxzedo Britain is hoping its riots have peaked. But the far right is lingering, and more trouble could lie ahead by Rob Pichetahttps://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/10/uk/uk-far-right-riots-tension-intl-gbr/index.htmlUK riots: What happens now? Planned counter-protests mapped including Nigel Farage’s office by Albert Toth https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-riots-planned-today-counter-protest-london-b2594351.html Video doorbells, CCTV, facial recognition: how the police tracked UK rioters by James Tapper and Shanti Das: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/10/video-doorbells-cctv-facial-recognition-even-masked-rioters-could-end-up-in-courtTommy Robinson ‘could face jail’ over film screening at London protest by Christy Cooney https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jul/27/eight-arrested-at-far-right-tommy-robinson-protest-in-central-london