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A podcast celebrating political moments on TV teen dramas, hosted by union communicator and teen drama enthusiast Maria DiPasquale. Produced by Jeff McHale, with art by Maddy Wiryo (logo + season 1) and Charles O’Leary (seasons 2-4, special eps)
Episodes
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
TW: discussion of rape and rape culture
Welcome back to our series of special episodes covering political moments in teen movies! Maria is joined by childhood friends Rosalie Murray and Dondré Taylor-Stewart to break down the teen feminist film MOXIE (2021). We have a soft spot for this group of outcasts who form a feminist movement at their high school, drawing parallels to our own short-lived feminist action in our 2011-2012 senior year. While we celebrate teen girls uniting to fight sexist dress codes, sports inequality, and rape culture, we also critique the lack of meaningful intersectional representation that ultimately places this movie in the “white feminist” category. We wish we’d gotten to watch a more fleshed-out ensemble film rather than what felt like a white woman’s journey propped up by diverse side characters. As Dondré says in our Letterboxd review for this movie: “There’s a world where the palatable avatar for feminism doesn’t have to be a white woman.”
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with MOXIE, streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter, letterboxd: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
ROSALIE MURRAY (she/her, recurring guest) is an elementary school social worker/human living in Queens, NY. Besides spending time with her cat, Louise, she loves to cook tasty ass vegan food with friends, karaoke-ing or starting another unfinished crochet project. She also loves to watch endless youtube videos, reality television and, of course, Degrassi.
DONDRÉ TAYLOR-STEWART (he/him; recurring guest) is a Jersey-born, Jamaican-raised TV writer in Los Angeles. His writing focuses on Black and queer characters finding themselves amid society's margins. By day, he works in environmental public policy; by night, he's busy crafting original pilots and DJ-ing. IG & TWITTER: oxtail_papi
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- Autostraddle, March 8, 2021, Moxie Review: Netflix’s Teen Feminist Revolution Falls Short by Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya
- Screenrant, March 2, 2021, Moxie Review: Amy Poehler's Riot Grrrl Movie Has Its Heart In The Right Place by Molly Freeman
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Welcome to an emergency special episode of Leftist Teen Drama in which Maria pays tribute to millennial teen drama icon Michelle Trachtenberg, who sadly passed away at the age of 39 on February 26, 2025. Thanks to Erin Rittweger, Colette Shade, Charlotte Morrill, strideofpride, and Kelly Diaz for contributing such powerful reflections on Michelle’s legacy to this episode. And thanks to Diana Hussein for inspiring me to make this episode to begin with. May we all rewatch our favorite Michelle Trachtenberg screen credit this weekend, whether it’s Harriet the Spy, Ice Princess, a favorite Dawn Summers episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or a favorite Georgina Sparks episode of Gossip Girl, or even an early appearance on the Adventures of Pete & Pete. Rest In Peace, Michelle Trachtenberg. Leftist Teen Drama is sending all our love and solidarity to Michelle’s friends and family and all that knew her!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
“Leftist Teen Drama” alternative logo by Charles O’Leary
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- The New York Times, February 26, 2025, Michelle Trachtenberg, ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘Buffy’ Actress, Dies at 39 by Alex Williams and Michael Levenson
- Forbes, February 26, 2025, Michelle Trachtenberg Dies At 39 by Tim Lammers
- The Guardian, February 27, 2025 Michelle Trachtenberg’s natural talent shone in everything from Harriet the Spy to Buffy by Veronica Esposito
- tweet from Thomas, IATSE member who worked on Gossip Girl
- Jessica Szohr's Instagram post
- Joshua Safran’s thread
- Danny Tamberelli’s Instagram post
- NBC News, February 27, 2025, Sarah Michelle Gellar mourns Michelle Trachtenberg, her little sister on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' by Matt Lavietes
- People, February 27, 2025, Blake Lively Remembers Gossip Girl Costar Michelle Trachtenberg's 'Yummy Caramel Lipgloss' and Other 'Sweet Details' by Lindsay Kimble
- US Weekly, February 26, 2025, Rosie O’Donnell Reacts to the Death of ‘Harriet the Spy’ Costar Michelle Trachtenberg: ‘Heartbreaking’ by Daniel Trainor
Sunday Jan 19, 2025
Sunday Jan 19, 2025
In our second Special Episode of Leftist Teen Drama featuring a writer talking about her related body of work, Maria welcomes Colette Shade to the podcast to discuss her brilliant book of essays, Y2K: How the 2000s Became Everything (Essays on the Future That Never Was), just released on January 7, 2025. We deep dive into Colette’s essay collection, chatting about all things Y2K pop culture and leftist politics, including Colette’s affinity for DAWSON’S CREEK (1998-2003) and the fact that Y2K activists like Emma Nelson on DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION (2002-2015) were seen as “annoying.”
TW: discussion of eating disorders from ~48:00ish - ~56:00
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
COLETTE SHADE (she/her, guest)’s writing has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, Teen Vogue, Interview Magazine, The Baffler, and Gawker. Y2K: How the 2000's Became Everything (Essays on the Future That Never Was) is her debut collection of essays, out now from Dey Street, an imprint of HarperCollins. Social media: @msshade on Instagram and Twitter; @coletteshade on Bluesky
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
Logo art by Maddy Wiryo
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- Pick up a copy of Y2K! Bookshop link to buy book and Audible link to buy audiobook. You can also check out excerpts published in Slate and UserMag!
- Catch Colette Shade on tour! Dates and locations listed on her website.
- November 29, 2024, The Nation, 25 Years Ago, the Battle of Seattle Showed Us What Democracy Looks Like by Colette Shade
- No Logo by Naomi Klein
- March 10, 1997, The New Yorker, The Cool Hunt by Malcolm Gladwell
- The Merchants of Cool documentary
- Girl Model documentary
- This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate by Naomi Klein
- The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America by Greg Grandin
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING:
- December 16, 2024 Teen Vogue, The Great Recession: What Happened and How the Aftermath Explains Trump’s Political Success by Colette Shade
- November 14, 2024, The New Republic, Elon Musk Has Always Been Like This. So Has Silicon Valley. by Colette Shade
Sunday Dec 29, 2024
Sunday Dec 29, 2024
In the Leftist Teen Drama Season 4 finale, Maria is joined by Laura Marino and strideofpride to dissect the class dynamics on a longtime listener-requested show: the iconic teen drama GOSSIP GIRL (2007-2012)! Approaching this episode from our usual leftist lens, we mainly zero in on the “working-class” characters who are thrust into the owning-class world of the Upper East Side: Dan Humphrey, Vanessa Abrams, and Jenny Humphrey. Since Maria and Laura were OG Gossip Girl book readers, we discuss the differences between book and TV to ground us. Then, we dive into the six seasons of the hit CW teen drama, breaking down everything from the way Dan and Vanessa are corrupted by the system and the erasure of Vanessa’s biracial identity to messy arcs featuring working-class characters Juliet and Ivy and the Dorota of it all. Finally, S explains why the Dan-as-Gossip-Girl reveal isn’t considered canon to most of the Gossip Girl fandom.
TW: discussion of sexual assault, attempted rape, statutory rape
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with GOSSIP GIRL Seasons 1-6, streaming on Netflix and Max, but especially 1x03 “Poison Ivy,” 1x10 “Hi, Society,” 1x12 “School Lies,” 2x07 “Chuck in Real Life,” 2x19 “The Grandfather,” 2x21 “Seder Anything,” 3x01 “Reversals of Fortune,” 3x06 “Enough about Eve,” 4x09 “The Witches of Bushwick,” 4x11 “The Townie,” and 5x02 “Beauty and the Feast.”
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
LAURA MARINO (she/her; recurring guest) works in advertising by day and watches, reads, and talks too much about television by night. She has enjoyed yelling about television with Maria for well over a decade, and credits Television Without Pity (RIP) as the first forum to shape her love of deep character and plot analysis.
STRIDEOFPRIDE or "S" (she/her; guest) is an anonymous blogger who has spent way too much time thinking about the CW's Gossip Girl. You can find her on Tumblr under the name @strideofpride of course, where she mainly blogs about TV, movies, and Marxism.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Gossip Girl book series by Cecily von Ziegesar
- September 26, 2007, Observer, All Bow to Little, Brown’s Queen of Teen Lit by Leon Neyfakh
Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Maria is joined by Abir Mohammad to break down powerful depictions of British teenagers in the South Asian diaspora on SOME GIRLS (2012-2014), ACKLEY BRIDGE (2017-2022), SEX EDUCATION (2019-2023), and WATERLOO ROAD (2023-present.) This episode is jam packed with South Asian teen characters living in all their complexity – as sexual beings, as Muslims, as hijabis, as queer teens, as protest leaders. We celebrate beloved characters like Saz Kaur, Nasreen Paracha, Naveed Haider, Olivia Hanan, Anwar Bakshi, and Samia Choudhry, while also talking about the ways South Asian representation can continue to be improved in teen dramas.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with SOME GIRLS, streaming on BBC iPlayer, Tubi, and The Roku Channel; ACKLEY BRIDGE, streaming on The Roku Channel and Channel 4 or for purchase on YouTube; SEX EDUCATION, streaming on Netflix; and WATERLOO ROAD, streaming on BBC iPlayer.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
ABIR MOHAMMAD (he/him; recurring guest) is a London-based Writer and Casting Assistant with a passion for YA media. He likes to write about the specific experiences surrounding the queer, brown, Muslim and working class communities that he grew up in, and can talk your ear off about the casting of any TV show you can think of. Follow Abir on Twitter @abirmohxmmad or Instagram @abirmohammad.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
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INFO ABOUT ABIR’S PLAY:
- Buy Tickets to Bhaijaan at The Hope Theatre, London, N1 1RL, Friday 31st January 2025 - Saturday 1st February 2025
- Follow the play on Instagram!
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Maria is once again joined by childhood friend Dondré Taylor-Stewart to talk about the often-political ALL AMERICAN universe, and specifically the HBCU spin-off ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING (2022-2024). We trace Simone Hicks’ journey as an HBCU athlete-activist, as she emerges as a leader during two separate experiences of collective Black trauma: a bomb threat and a cop stop. We discuss the show’s depiction of Black joy, resilience, and protest in the aftermath of these traumatizing events, shaping Simone into an activist who eventually pursues a career in sports advocacy for athletes of color. We also discuss the show’s powerful centering of mental health and community, and Simone getting to have both her political activism and an endgame love story with Lando Johnson.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING Seasons 1-3, streaming on Netflix, but especially episodes 2x04 “We Shall Not Be Moved,” 2x05 “No More Drama,” 2x13 “Lose to Win,” 2x14 “Stand Up for Something,” and 3x02 “Level Up.”
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
DONDRÉ TAYLOR-STEWART (he/him; recurring guest) is a Jersey-born, Jamaican-raised TV writer in Los Angeles. His writing focuses on Black and queer characters finding themselves amid society's margins. By day, he works in environmental public policy; by night, he's busy crafting original pilots and DJ-ing. IG & TWITTER: oxtail_papi
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund
- 5 Things To Know: HBCU Edition
- HBCU History Timeline, HBCU First
- March 20, 2023, Deadline, ‘All American: Homecoming’ Bosses Break Down Impacts Of Tennis Team’s Police Stop, Fraternity Hazing & Enlisting Coco Gauff To Guest Star by Katie Campione
- August 20, 2024, Screenrant, Seriously, Will All American Ever Give Simone A Break?! by Nadica Terzieva
- September 30, 2024, TVLine, All American: Homecoming Recap: Simone Goes Out on a Triumphant Note in Series Finale — Grade It! By Rebecca Iannucci
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
“My So-Called Life was the OG Leftist Teen Drama,” Diana declares. Both MY SO-CALLED LIFE (1994-1995) and Maria turned 30 this year! Diana Hussein again joins the podcast to break down all the politics of this groundbreaking yet short-lived teen drama. We discuss everything from a pre-Columbine gun violence (B) plot to the political awakening of Angela Chase and the raw and groundbreaking depiction of an unhoused queer teenager of color in Rickie Vasquez, famously the first out gay character to be played by an out gay actor on network TV. Arguably none of the shows we’ve discussed on Leftist Teen Drama would’ve existed if not for Winnie Holzman, Claire Danes, Wilson Cruz, and all the other amazing creatives who brought this world to life – and so we’re honored to finally pay proper tribute to My So-Called Life in all its political brilliance.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch MY SO-CALLED LIFE Season 1, streaming on Hulu, but especially 1x03 “Guns and Gossip,” 1x06 “The Substitute,” 1x15 “So-Called Angels,” 1x16 “Resolutions,” and 1x19 “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities.”
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
DIANA HUSSEIN (she/her; recurring guest) has done Communications in the labor movement for nearly a decade. As a kid, Diana collected 1980s teen romance novels at garage sales and flea markets with her mom. This obsession later translated into a love for TV shows of that genre. From the days of My So-Called Life and Daria, to The O.C. and Gossip Girl, she still holds a passion for young adult storylines today — especially when they feature working-class narratives.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
- “My So-Called Life” chapter of Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek by Thea Glassman
- The Guardian, August 26, 2017, Riot grrrls, beta males and fluid fashion: how My So-Called Life changed TV forever by Soraya Roberts
- The Guardian, August 20, 2024, ‘Genuinely groundbreaking’: My So-Called Life is still utterly lovable TV, 30 years on by Rebecca Nicholson
- People, August 28, 2024, My So-Called Life Cast, Creator Reflect on 'Radical' Show 30 Years Later: 'There Would've Been No Dawson's Creek' (Exclusive) by JP Mangalindan
- Vulture, August 28, 2024, Nothing on TV Felt Like My So-Called Life, interview with creator Winnie Holzman by Matt Stoller Seitz
- People, August 30, 2024, Wilson Cruz Says My So-Called Life's Rickie Helped Give Queer People 'Permission to Own Our Fabulousness' (Exclusive) by JP Mangalindan
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Maria is joined by Kelly Diaz and Taylor Garland to discuss the inherently political Swedish teen drama YOUNG ROYALS (2021-2024). We trace the star-crossed romance between Crown Prince Wilhelm and the working-class, socialist student Simon Eriksson as their relationship brings out class tensions and questions about the legitimacy of the monarchy. We also analyze our strangest sit-in plotline yet when, inspired by the very people they mock, the privileged students of Hillerska stage a “sit-in strike” to protest repressive new school rules brought on by legitimate student misconduct. Finally, we make sure to touch on the racial politics explored through Felice’s character and the comparatively non-threatening queerness of rich kids like Nils, Stella, and Frederika.
TW: eating disorder discussion from ~1:39:44 - ~1:41:37
For this episode, we recommend you first watch YOUNG ROYALS Seasons 1-3, streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
KELLY DIAZ (she/her; recurring guest) is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College and an adjunct instructor of media studies at City College New York. She has a Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania where she wrote her dissertation on depictions of youth activism on television. She loves to analyze and discuss the intersection of pop culture and politics and is passionate about the role entertainment plays in social justice movements. She has a dog, Matilda "Tillie," who is named after the magical, brilliant, and justice-serving character!
TAYLOR GARLAND (she/her; guest) is a DC-based union communicator who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between flying obscene amounts for work and play, binging procedural TV dramas, and attempting and failing to reach her yearly reading challenge. Follow Taylor on Twitter @atgarland.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Kungahuset.se: The monarchy of Sweden
- Visit Sweden: Walpurgis Night (Valborg)
- Teen Vogue, March 19, 2024, Young Royals Creator Lisa Ambjörn Tells All About Netflix Show’s Final Season by K-ci Williams
- Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2024, Creator of ‘Young Royals’ explains the finale and why it’s ‘beautiful for things to end’ by Max Gao
- May Day Protest Signs Translated
- Tumblr analyses I enjoyed and referenced:
- preciouspatriots: On August’s fate
- omar-rudeberg:On some cool color theory and the monarchy
- causetheturtle: Overall analysis of the anti-monarchy of it all!
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Maria is once again joined by Nicki Morris and Kelly Gilbert to dissect the conclusion of Aimee Gibbs’ arc on SEX EDUCATION (2019-2023). In Season 4, Aimee pursues art to process her trauma and ends up finding herself through darkroom photography – and producing deeply political art about the patriarchal violence she experienced in the process. We break down Aimee’s parallel artistic and sexual healing journeys, from rating vibrators in her diary with a pink pom-pom pen (iconic) to working her way back to getting intimate with a partner again in the wake of her assault.
For this episode, we recommend you first listen to episode #13 of Leftist Teen Drama and watch SEX EDUCATION Seasons 1-4, but especially Season 4, streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
NICKI MORRIS (she/her; recurring guest) is a labor communications strategist at a unionized shop! She loves cats, corn, and comrades. Her favorite teen show is Degrassi because she knows we can "make it through" with solidarity! Enjoys watching all good crime shows: The Wire, The Sopranos, Killing Eve, Law & Order, Arrested Development. Follow her on Twitter @NickiMorris321.
KELLY GILBERT (she/her; recurring guest) is a student (phd in Twilight), sometimes activist, teen drama aficionado in Brooklyn! Find her IRL every night drinking her sorrows away at Margaritaville, the Jimmy Buffet Experience!
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Maria is joined by Kelly Diaz to discuss the epic student occupation plotline on SWITCHED AT BIRTH (2011-2017). When the safe sanctuary that is Carlton School for the Deaf is threatened with closure, deaf and hard of hearing students make a plan to fight back, inspired by the real-life Deaf President Now (DPN) protests at Gallaudet University in 1988. This plotline was a central part of Kelly’s dissertation on depictions of youth activism on television, and we break down all the elements of this protest movement, from in group/out group dynamics and the role of the media to messaging discipline and consensus building.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with SWITCHED AT BIRTH Seasons 1-2, but especially episodes 2x08, “Tightrope Walker,” 2x09, “Uprising,” and 2x10, “Introducing the Miracle,” streaming on Hulu.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
KELLY DIAZ (she/her; recurring guest) is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College and an adjunct instructor of media studies at City College New York. She has a Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania where she wrote her dissertation on depictions of youth activism on television. She loves to analyze and discuss the intersection of pop culture and politics and is passionate about the role entertainment plays in social justice movements. She has a dog, Matilda "Tillie," who is named after the magical, brilliant, and justice-serving character!
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- February 28, 2013, The Daily Beast, ABC Family’s ‘Switched at Birth’ ASL Episode Recalls Gallaudet Protest by Jace Lacob
- Gallaudet Museum, The Deaf President Now (DPN) Protest
- April 3, 2018, USA Today, Gallaudet eyes more progress for deaf community 30 years after 'Deaf President Now' protest by Ryan W. Miller