In episode 5, Jodie and Ali girlsplain the complex landscape surrounding female representation in the media. To do so, they explore the intricate narratives that surround one of pop culture's most iconic figures: Taylor Swift. From her meteoric rise to her enduring influence, Taylor's journey serves as a compelling case study to understand the nuances and challenges of media portrayal of women.

Despite Taylor Swift being frequently portrayed as a polarising figure in the media, the reality paints a different picture. Taylor's story challenges the simplistic and often stereotypical representations of women in the media. Gender stereotypes are all too often perpetuated, suggesting that women should embody nurturing, submissive qualities and prioritise family over career pursuits. When women like Taylor Swift, Sam Kerr or Hillary Clinton (and the list goes on) deviate from these traditional roles by showcasing ambition and achievement, they may face portrayals that label them as aggressive, cold, or self-centred.

Successful women like Taylor Swift pose a challenge to the entrenched patriarchal norms and power structures that have historically favoured men. It appears to the Girlsplain team, that media outlets may adopt negative narratives about these accomplished women, seeking to undercut their influence and uphold the prevailing societal order.

Taylor Swift’s media coverage highlights the reality that double standards persistently shape how society perceives successful women compared to their male counterparts. Further, societal expectations place a disproportionate burden on women concerning their behaviour and appearance. Successful women often find themselves under intense scrutiny in the media, with a spotlight on their looks, personal lives, and perceived flaws.

Finally, in a society where success is often viewed as scarce and competitive, media outlets may inadvertently fuel competition among successful women. This can lead to narratives of rivalry, pettiness, and conflicts that all seek to overshadow the achievements of incredible females.

Join Jodie and Ali as they unpack these issues, challenging the status quo and advocating for a more nuanced and equitable representation of women in the media.

Resources: There are many ways to hold the media accountable for their reporting, primarily by avoiding media outlets that promote misogynistic ideals or misrepresent women, and opting to engage with more positive sources.

For instance, in Australia, we recommend getting your news from The Daily Aus or Cheek Media.

If there is a news article you come across that is negatively representing women, you can always write to the news outlet - or comment on the post if you feel comfortable.

Alternatively, share the article with us and we will see what we can do.

Sources: Please see this link for our sources: https://www.girlsplainpod.com/episode-5

Find us elsewhere: Instagram - @girlsplainpod / Tiktok - @girlsplainpod / website - www.girlsplainpod.com or contact us via email at hello@girlsplainpod.com

In Episode 4, join Jodie and Ali as they girlsplain the origins and evolution of The Body Positivity Movement, tracing its roots from a revolutionary social justice movement centred on empowering marginalised bodies, to its more mainstream presence today.

The hosts explore the importance of body positivity, discussing its impact on combating negative body image perpetuated by media and societal standards.

Jodie and Ali both agree that the modern day understanding of body positivity, whilst well-intentioned and incredibly important, has unfairly shifted the focus of the movement away from representing and empowering marginalised bodies of all genders, sizes, races, cultural backgrounds and abilities. They would like to take this chance to note that the original purpose of the movement must not be sidelined, particularly by the commodification of body positivity by brands and the rise of performative activism.

The episode concludes with a discussion on body neutrality as a counterargument to the body positivity movement, emphasising the importance of celebrating diversity, challenging beauty standards, promoting self-love, and addressing body shaming.

Jodie and Ali navigate the complexities of the body positivity movement, offering key takeaways and empowering listeners to embrace self-acceptance and inclusivity in all its forms. Tune in to Girlsplain for a compelling exploration of empowerment through self-love and body acceptance.

Trigger warning: This episode talks about eating disorders.

Sources: For our sources, please use this link: https://www.girlsplainpod.com/episode-4

Get support: There is a direct correlation between negative body image, and mental health concerns. If this episode brought up any feelings or concerns for you, you are not alone and help is never far away. If you are in Australia, the Butterfly Foundation can provide support. For more support services (and services tailored to support LGBTQI / people with disabilities / Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people / young people with body image concerns) use the following link: https://www.girlsplainpod.com/episode-4

Butterfly Foundation: National Charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders, body image issues and for families, friends and communities who support them. Confidential support for individuals with eating disorders or body image issues. Call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or go online to www.butterfly.org.au

In Episode 3, released on International Women’s Day 2024, Jodie and Ali girlsplain and explore the intricate reality of being a woman in the workplace.

Jodie and Ali unpack the complexities that countless women grapple with daily in the workplace. They discuss the apparent need for women to delicately walk the line between being a ‘girlboss’ but not being a ‘bossy girl’, they also touch on the the stark reality of the gender pay gap, unconscious biases held by male counterparts, and the all to familiar microaggressions faced by women but particularly those women with multiple intersecting modes of oppression. The pair also girlsplain vertical and horizontal segregation and challenge societal norms forcing women to unequally participate in the care economy.

Celebrate women this International Women’s Day, not by accepting tokenistic purple cupcakes from your employer, but by joining Jodie and Ali as they take a hammer to the glass ceiling and challenge what it means to be a woman in the workplace.

Trigger warning: This episode talks about topics of sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination.

Sources: For our sources, please use this link: https://www.girlsplainpod.com/episode-3

Get support: The issues we talked about in this podcast episode are very real issues facing many women in the workplace. A summary of support services are below, but the the following link provides information for you when navigating the workplace environment in Australia and lists avenues for support and where relevant, reporting mechanisms: https://www.girlsplainpod.com/episode-3

Fair Work Ombudsman - As the regulatory authority overseeing compliance with the Fair Work Act, the Fair Work Ombudsman scrutinises reported violations of labor laws and implements enforcement measures as warranted. For assistance, individuals can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman via the following link: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/contact-us

Human Rights Commission - Bullying, when motivated by factors such as age, gender, pregnancy, race, disability, sexual orientation, or religion, can constitute discrimination. To lodge a complaint or seek guidance on anti-discrimination laws, use the following link: https://humanrights.gov.au/complaints/make-complaint

1800RESPECT - If you have, or think you have faced sexual harassment or assault within the workplace, affected individuals are encouraged to seek assistance, as such behaviors are unlawful in Australia. Reach out to 1800RESPECT (Phone: 1800 737 732), which operates 24/7.

Safe Work Australia - Offering guidance and counsel on workplace bullying, Safe Work Australia is committed to fostering safe and healthy work environments. For more information, visit: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/bullying

*Correction: There are now (just) more women than CEO’s named ‘John’ or any male name for that matter on the S&P500, see this article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-04-25/women-ceos-at-big-companies-finally-outnumber-those-named-john?embedded-checkout=true