Ep. 189: Wired for Change--Inclusion in the Electrical Trade

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EQ: To what extent are the trades becoming more welcoming and inclusive for anyone who is not white, CIS, male and in what ways are they still woefully retrograde?

Note to listeners: We hope this will be part of a larger series on women in the trades.

In this episode, we discuss the challenges and progress surrounding diversity and inclusion in the trades with Alejandra Alexander, a writer, visual artist, and former electrician. Alejandra shares her personal journey from the trades and explores the systemic barriers faced by women, non-binary, and trans individuals in construction and other skilled trades. We explore  the disconnect between the industry’s stated goals for diversity and the realities on the ground, touching on issues like representation, discrimination, and the small but important cultural shifts that are beginning to take place. Alejandra also offers advice for anyone thinking about joining the trades and what she wishes she had known before getting started. To learn more about Alejandra visit her substack. 

Related Resources:

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Ep. 181: The Power of Racial Healing w/ Tovi Scruggs-Hussein

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Essential Question: How can prioritizing racial healing contribute to the effectiveness of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives?

Guest:  Tovi Scruggs-Hussein, former guest on the podcast–summer of 2020 (Ep 77) when we discussed racial healing as a crucial component of achieving equity in schools and communities.

In this episode, we delve into the work and philosophy of Tieces, a transformative figure in mindfulness and social healing. For those unfamiliar with Tieces, their work focuses on fostering healing-centered and trauma-responsive leadership, with a particular emphasis on equity, inclusion, and belonging. Tieces’ tailored meditations and insightful writings have resonated deeply across diverse audiences, addressing both personal and collective healing.

Tieces’ work reaches a broad audience but is particularly impactful for individuals and leaders committed to social justice and personal transformation. While some of their writing addresses white people, offering pathways to greater awareness and allyship, their overall approach is inclusive and geared toward anyone seeking deeper understanding and healing.

Join us as we explore these profound insights and practical strategies for fostering healing and dynamic leadership in today's complex world.

Resources Mentioned:

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Ep 174: Let Trad Wives Explain How Feminism Tricked You!

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EQ: What role does the 'trad wife' concept play in modern society, and how does it intersect with traditional gender roles, feminism, and individual agency?

All the IWLs return for a passionate and riveting conversation about a recent trend on Tiktok–the trad wife movement. In this podcast, we delve into the intriguing and controversial world of "trad wives" and domestic care tasks. We first question the notion of whether domestic care tasks are considered sexy and explore the various layers of controversy surrounding the term "trad wife." We dissect the difference between a homesteader and a trad wife and examine why the trad wife phenomenon has gained traction in 2024. Delving into online discourse, we encounter different perspectives, from the anti-feminist stance to the progressive feminist SAHM/SAHW response contingent. We also address the racial dynamics and financial implications associated with being a trad wife. Finally, we ponder whether the concept of trad wives is merely a mutually agreeable kink or a concerning trend of weaponized incompetence. Join us as we navigate through the complexities of modern-day domesticity and societal expectations.

Do Your Fudging HW:

Ep. 158: The Edge of the Glass Cliff

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EQ: What is the glass cliff phenomenon, and how does it impact women and minority leaders in various industries?

Resources Referenced:

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Megan: go read some of the articles linked above!

  • Hope: take inventory of your role in the workplace and how you can use your privilege to support those impacted by the glass cliff

Ep. 112: On Proximity To Power w/ Author Tiffany Bluhm

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EQ: What is the role of women in religious communities to call out the patriarchy and fight against injustice in 2021?  

Guest: Tiffany Bluhm, author of Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up. She is a sought after speaker, writer, and podcast co-host of the popular podcast Why Tho, a show answering the existential and nonsensical questions we ask ourselves, with author and speaker, Ashley Abercrombie. More information can be found at her website.

In this episode we discuss the role of conservatism  that dominates conversations about gender equality, especially in religious spaces. The role of women (specifically in Christian contexts) in enabling the patriarchy because of things like “niceness at the expense of being honest” but also the power they have to dismantle misogyny. We cannot wait around for someone to “give women permission.” Instead we need to examine our proximity to power and do something with it.

🥂 All those teachers that are back in the classroom, showing up and teaching their students, all through a global pandemic

👎🏻Texas for passing their law essentially banning abortions and denying women access to their Health Care

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Hope: Get a copy of Prey Tell even if you aren’t religious or check out her podcast Why Tho?

  • Tiffany: Consider our own proximity to power

Ep. 97: Make Space for Intersectional Conversations This Women's History Month

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Essential Question: How can we intentionally highlight, honor and celebrate “forgotten” women in history (WOC, Trans women, Indigenous, etc.) during Women’s History Month

In this episode Megan and Hope reflect on the lessons they learned during Black History month and  discuss the origins of Women’s History Month in the US. It was thanks to Jimmy Carter that in 1980 the week of March 8 was officially proclaimed  Women’s History Week. Then, Congress passed a resolution that eventually expanded it into a Month. More importantly on a global scale people around the world celebrate March 8 as International Women’s Day.  This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Choose to Challenge” and the organizers have said, “A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.” Post historical context, the IWLs analyze what it means to “choose to challenge”, including who has paved the way for women’s rights and who are a few unsung heroes we all should know more about. Lastly, Megan and Hope commit to challenging the status quo and #beinglessbasic this month (and all year long!)

Related Links:

Where to Spend Your Money This Month:

Finish reading by March 13 for the #readlessbasic book club conversation!

Finish reading by March 13 for the #readlessbasic book club conversation!

Follow us on Twitter @IWL_Podcast or find us on Facebook

Ep. 75: Keep Calm & Grow Plants

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Note to listeners: This episode was recorded the end of May, prior to George Floyd’s murder and ensuing civil unrest. We’ve added an additional 6minutes at the end of this episode for Kat to update us on her business and how her own thinking and learning has changed since that time.

EQ: How are small business owners coping with the coronavirus pandemic and why do we need plants now more than ever? 

Guest: Katherine Raz is the owner of  The Fernseed, a retail plant shop based in Tacoma, Washington that is now expanding its e-commerce offerings and opening a second location to service floral. You can follow The Fernseed on Facebook.

In this episode, Kat shares her passion for plants and her desire to be a thoughtful, white, female business owner. We discuss things such as gentrification, advice for other small business owners and the impact of COVID-19 on our business and communities. 

Do Your Fudging Homework:

  • Annie: gardening and cottage core Tiktok 

  • Hope: check out The Fernseed and buy plants!

  • Katherine: replace your Amazon spending with someone local such as King’s Books

    Follow us on Twitter @IWL_Podcast or Facebook: Interchangeable White Ladies Podcast

    Lastly, don’t forget to pick up your copy of The Body is Not an Apology for the #readlessbasic book club.

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