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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 May 08, 2022
Sunday May 08, 2022
Guest Liv starts us off by singing the anthem for this episode: “she’s biracial…she’s a biracial girl…” Maria, with the help of Liv and her mixed-race perspective, trace the journeys of three mixed-race characters: Ginny Miller from GINNY & GEORGIA (2021-present) Maya Ishii-Peters from PEN15 (2019-2021), and Olivia Baker from ALL AMERICAN (2018–present). From talking back to racist AP English teachers to embracing Black identity through activism to moment(s) we dub the Scary Spice Effect, these three recent teen dramas tackle all sides of growing up mixed-race in our racist ass society—and the nuances of feeling constantly caught between two cultures.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with GINNY & GEORGIA Season 1, streaming on Netflix; PEN15 Seasons 1-2, streaming on Hulu; and ALL AMERICAN Seasons 1-4, streaming on Netflix and the CW.
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
OLIVIA “LIV” CHRISTIAN (she/her; recurring guest) is a writer and freelance digital marketer living in Los Angeles, CA. When she’s not writing screenplays or working on ways to help her clients shine, you can find her watching teen dramas and hanging on the couch with her cat Rumble. IG: yung.scorp twitter: _yungscorp
CHARLES O’LEARY (they/them; art) is, of course, a Brooklyn-based designer, artist, and dilettante. A survivor of the 2012-2016 Tumblr wars, media criticism is all they know. You can find their work at charles-oleary.com, and their silly little life on Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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.
Sunday May 01, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
In the season 2 premiere, we take it all the way back to the year 2000 to discuss iconic teen drama DAWSON’S CREEK (1998-2003), as Maria and her guest Emma dive into the time that Joey Potter briefly led a student protest movement in Capeside. When a horde of racist white parents attempt to get the new Black principal fired, Joey leads the students in coming to Principal Green’s defense through a series of direct actions that involve 2000s-era flyers, a speak-out, and a picket outside the superintendent’s office. Maria and Emma also talk about how the angry white mob parallels the anti-CRT/anti-mask/anti-vax panics of today, and call on any millennial leftist parents to get involved on their local school boards!
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with DAWSON’S CREEK 3x15 “Crime and Punishment” and 3x16 “To Green, With Love,” streaming on Netflix and HBO Max.
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
EMMA ROSE (she/her; recurring guest) watches a lot—and she means a lot—of reality tv, with the occasional teen drama or murder mystery or sci-fi thriller thrown in for good measure. When she's not watching said television, you can find her listening to podcasts and diving into internet content about said television. Sometimes she posts on instagram @emmaaaaaroseeeee (5 a's and 5 e's)
CHARLES O’LEARY (they/them; art) is, of course, a Brooklyn-based designer, artist, and dilettante. A survivor of the 2012-2016 Tumblr wars, media criticism is all they know. You can find their work at charles-oleary.com, and their silly little life on Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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 peak early 2000s flyer design for the Dawson’s Creek protest
- Politico, September 8, 2021, Critical race theory turning school boards into GOP proving grounds by Daniel Payne
- NBC Boston, October 18, 2021, Catholic School Football Team on Cape Cod Allegedly Used Racist Language in Game by Kaitlin McKinley Becker
- NBC Boston, November 13, 2021, New Calls for Investigation Into Racist, Sexual Hazing Allegations at Danvers High
- CNN, November 13, 2021, Massachusetts high school students hold walkout to protest racist video by a White classmate by Sahar Akbarzai
- The Washington Post, November 16, 2021, Opinion: Progressives can no longer cede school boards to the GOP. They should treat them as political arenas to fight — and win. by Katherine vanden Heuvel
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING/LISTENING:
- School Colors podcast
- Jacobin, June 12, 2021, Conservative Opponents of Critical Race Theory Are Pushing Their Own Propaganda by Robert Greene II
- Jacobin, March 3, 2022, The Republican Party Is Waging a War Against Personal Freedom and Free Expression by Luke Savage
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
Sunday Apr 24, 2022
Season 2 is coming, y’all! Starting May 1, 2022, we will be airing new episodes of Leftist Teen Drama on Sundays for a 10-episode second season. We’re back covering everything from Paris Geller’s Marxist awakening on GILMORE GIRLS to Emma Nelson’s activism on DEGRASSI to the iconic “we’re all getting the bus” moment on SEX EDUCATION. From high school football strikes to Summer Roberts’ environmental activism and Joey Potter leading a student protest movement, you don’t want to miss all the political teen drama content we’ve got coming your way.
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
CHARLES O’LEARY (they/them; art) is, of course, a Brooklyn-based designer, artist, and dilettante. A survivor of the 2012-2016 Tumblr wars, media criticism is all they know. You can find their work at charles-oleary.com, and their silly little life on Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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.
Sunday Oct 03, 2021
Sunday Oct 03, 2021
In the season 1 finale of Leftist Teen Drama, Maria is joined by Emma and Dondré as we discuss the recent emergence of post-apocalyptic teen dramas like THE WILDS (2020-present), THE SOCIETY (2019), and DAYBREAK (2019). We talk about everything from the Gen Z/millennial climate anxiety present in all three scenarios to the way these shows answer the questions, “how will we survive? Where will we get food from, or shelter?” We also discuss the huge parallels between THE WILDS and reality shows, particularly controversial teen reality show KID NATION (2007). Although these scenarios speak to apocalyptic climate anxiety, we find nuggets of hope in the ways the teens join together to help everyone survive; the queer love that thrives in all three shows; and the fact that here, in the present, we have the ability to organize for a Green New Deal and avert the apocalypse.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch and/or have general familiarity with THE WILDS Season 1, streaming on Prime Video; THE SOCIETY Season 1, streaming on Netflix; and DAYBREAK Season 1, streaming on Netflix.
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
EMMA ROSE (she/her; recurring guest) watches a lot—and she means a lot—of reality tv, with the occasional teen drama or murder mystery or sci-fi thriller thrown in for good measure. When she's not watching said television, you can find her listening to podcasts and diving into internet content about said television. Sometimes she posts on instagram @emmaaaaaroseeeee (5 a's and 5 e's)
DONDRÉ TAYLOR-STEWART (he/him; recurring guest) is a television writer in Los Angeles where he splits his time between writing, adult content creation and obsessively listening to R&B deep cuts like it's 1996. IG: oxtail.papi TWITTER: dondrenesta
MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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:
- A Planet To Win: Why We Need A Green New Deal by Kate Aronoff, Alyssa Battistoni, Daniel Aldana Cohen, and Thea Riofrancos (with foreword by Naomi Klein)
- The New York Times, August 9, 2021, A Hotter Future Is Certain, Climate Panel Warns. But How Hot Is Up to Us.
- Vox, July 21, 2021, Extreme heat is killing American workers
- Politico, September 20, 2021, Biden administration to write workplace safety rule tackling heat stress
- The New York Times, August 25, 2007, ‘Kid Nation’ Lesson: Be Careful What You Pitch
- The AV Club, March 10, 2020, Bonanza City, revisited: The pioneers of Kid Nation remember the controversial reality show
- Kid Nation trailer
- Sunrise Movement’s Green New Deal definition
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING/LISTENING:
- plug in to…Sunrise Movement
- plug in to…DSA Ecosocialists
- It Could Happen Here podcast
Sunday Sep 26, 2021
Sunday Sep 26, 2021
In the penultimate episode of Season 1, Maria and her guest Hailey McInnes delve into the journey of beloved teen drama character Tim Riggins from FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2006-2011). When Tim’s family faces mounting medical bills and potential bankruptcy, they take extreme measures to make ends meet—and as a result, Tim becomes caught up in the criminal punishment system. In an episode where we quote a lot of Mariame Kaba, we argue that Tim Riggins’ story demonstrates why we need to abolish the prison industrial complex.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch and/or have general familiarity with Seasons 4 and 5 of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, streaming on Hulu and Netflix.
CW: some brief discussion of sexual violence
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
HAILEY MCINNES (she/her; guest) is an advertising media director based in NYC. When she isn't buying ad space, she can be found binging all of the TV, drinking all the chilled red wine, and hanging with her cat son and human husband. IG: haileymcinnes / TW: haileymcinnes13
MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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:
- Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Davis
- We Do This ‘Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING/LISTENING:
Sunday Sep 19, 2021
Sunday Sep 19, 2021
Maria and her guest Liv Christian talk about the iconic strike episode on SISTER, SISTER (1994-1999). When the Food Boy workers go on strike, Terrence recruits Tamera—and later Tia—to work as scabs, much to staunch unionist Lisa’s dismay. But working a non-union job isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and Tia and Tamera end up receiving a crash course in unions before walking off the job themselves. In addition to frequently citing Labor Notes’ strike guide, we place this strike in the long history of militant unionism in Detroit. Other digressions include discussion of the Black Tiktok strike, the New Yorker strike issue, and our own experiences in the service industry.
For this episode, we recommend you have familiarity with SISTER, SISTER and/or watch SISTER, SISTER Season 3, Episode 17 - ‘Paper or Plastic,’ streaming on Netflix.
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
OLIVIA “LIV” CHRISTIAN (she/her; recurring guest) is a writer and freelance digital marketer living in Los Angeles, CA. When she’s not writing screenplays or working on ways to help her clients shine, you can find her watching teen dramas and hanging on the couch with her cat Rumble. IG: yung.scorp twitter: _yungscorp
MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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:
- Diana Hussein’s tweet about the Sister, Sister strike episode
- The Strikewave newsletter, https://www.thestrikewave.com/
- A History of America in Ten Strikes by Erik Loomis
- How To Strike and Win: A Labor Notes Guide
- Women Strikers Occupy Chain Store, Win Big by Dana Frank
- The Nation, Alabama’s Coal Miners Are Striking for Their Lives by Kim Kelly
- Labor Notes, The Teacher Uprising Spreads Far and Wide
- Mashable, Black TikTok creators are 'striking' to protest uncredited viral dance trends by Morgan Sung
- The New York Times, New Yorker Union Reaches Deal With Condé Nast After Threatening to Strike by Katie Robertson
- The New York Times, Occupy Detroit: A Look at 90 Years of Auto Strikes by André Beganski
- IUPAT, https://passtheproact.org/
- Olivia Rodrigo union meme referenced on the pod
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING/LISTENING:
- Working People podcast
- Belabored podcast
- Anything in the Labor Notes catalogue
- Resource form to connect to an organizer: https://aflcio.org/formaunion/contact
Sunday Sep 12, 2021
Sunday Sep 12, 2021
In our second discussion about the first two seasons of SEX EDUCATION (2019-present), Maria is joined by Ashley Cunningham and Susannah Wilson, the hosts of The Wet Seat, a podcast about taboo sex topics. We delve into all things sex therapy related, imagining what more inclusive and comprehensive sex education could look like based on the array of topics SEX EDUCATION tackles in just the first two seasons, from asexuality to anal douching and vaginismus. As always, we talk about our own experiences with the subject matter (public school sex education curriculum, anyone?) and our relationships to one another, including our old college apartment affectionately named the Pussy Palace.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with SEX EDUCATION Seasons 1 and 2, streaming on Netflix.
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
ASHLEY CUNNINGHAM (she/her; guest) is a former amateur sexologist and host of The Wet Seat podcast (TW/IG: @thewetseatpodcast). She's currently in advertising, but dreams of a sex therapist certification. Watch her stumble through a TEDx talk on women who watch gay male porn on YouTube: "Escaping Gender Anxiety."
SUSANNAH WILSON (she/her; guest) is an actor in New York who bikes aggressively in all weather, and is quick to flip off cabbies and pedestrians alike. IG: zannahbooo
MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Escaping Gender Anxiety: Why Women Love Gay Male Porn | Ashley Cunningham | TEDxEmersonCollege
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING:
The Feminist Porn Book: The Politics of Producing Pleasure
Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by Adrienne Maree Brown
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach
Sunday Sep 05, 2021
Sunday Sep 05, 2021
Come along with Maria and her guests Nicki, Emma, and Kelly: we’re going to Camp Moosehead with THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB (2020-present)! When Dawn Schafer and Claudia Kishi discover that only campers who can afford to pay a steep t-shirt fee are allowed to tie-dye, they set out to create an inclusive art class. Their attempts at making things right set off a revolution that includes civil disobedience, political prisoners, a Les Mis-esque barricade, and a campwide general strike. Digressions include anecdotes about camp recycling activism, cliquey Girl Scout troops, and the time Kelly’s campers protested her. We also briefly discuss other highlights from Season 1 of THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB.
For this episode, we recommend you watch THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB, Season 1, Episodes 9 and 10, ‘Hello, Camp Moosehead!’ Part 1 and 2, streaming on Netflix
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
NICKI MORRIS (she/her; recurring guest) is a union staffer who loves cats, corn, and comrades. Her favorite teen show is Degrassi because she knows we can "make it through" with solidarity! Enjoys watching criminal syndicate shows in all forms: The Wire, Claws, Good Girls, Killing Eve. Follow her on Twitter @NickiMorris321.
EMMA ROSE (she/her; recurring guest) watches a lot—and she means a lot—of reality tv, with the occasional teen drama or murder mystery or sci-fi thriller thrown in for good measure. When she's not watching said television, you can find her listening to podcasts and diving into internet content about said television. Sometimes she posts on instagram @emmaaaaaroseeeee (5 a's and 5 e's)
KELLY GILBERT (she/her; guest) is a medical worker and union/teen drama stan living in Brooklyn. Follow her @baeblade5 on insta and @yungworker69 for sporadic, unhinged tweets!
MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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:
Babysitters Club is a union tweet
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING:
Labor Notes’ Secrets of a Successful Organizer guide
The Baby-sitters Club book series, of course, if you never read them like all our guests!
Sunday Aug 29, 2021
Sunday Aug 29, 2021
In the third episode, Maria and guests Dondré Taylor-Stewart and Liv Christian discuss beloved teen drama characters Moesha Mitchell from MOESHA (1996-2001) and Spencer James from ALL AMERICAN (2018-present). These two Crenshaw-based main characters are plunged into richer, whiter spaces when they transfer to different schools. As a result, they have similar arcs set twenty years apart, as they’re pulled between two worlds and try to merge their friend groups even though they’re very socioeconomically different, all against the backdrop of gentrification. As always, we pull from our own high school experiences as we talk about everything from academic racism to microaggressions to dealing with the police. Plus: we say “that’s so 90s” about a million times and reminisce about the “free on iTunes era.”
For this episode, we recommend you watch or have familiarity with MOESHA Season 3 and ALL AMERICAN Seasons 1, 2, and 3, both streaming on Netflix
CW: a scene that depicts Black teenagers interacting with racist cops is discussed/featured
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
DONDRÉ TAYLOR-STEWART (he/him; recurring guest) is a television writer in Los Angeles where he splits his time between writing, adult content creation and obsessively listening to R&B deep cuts like it's 1996. IG: oxtail.papi TWITTER: dondrenesta
OLIVIA “LIV” CHRISTIAN (she/her; recurring guest) is a writer and freelance digital marketer living in Los Angeles, CA. When she’s not writing screenplays or working on ways to help her client’s shine, you can find her watching teen dramas and hanging on the couch with her cat Rumble. IG: yung.scorp twitter: _yungscorp
MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England.
You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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:
‘Moesha’ Creators Changed The Setting In Season 3 To Attract White Advertisers by Brenda Alexander for CheatSheet
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING:
Sunday Aug 22, 2021
Sunday Aug 22, 2021
Brooke Davis once organized her workplace for better working conditions. Yes, that Brooke Davis, from ONE TREE HILL (2003-2012), the show that ran for so many seasons, it started on the WB and ended on the CW. Join Maria and her fellow unionists/friends Nicki and Emma as we take you through one of Maria’s favorite teen drama plotlines of all time—and talk about how to organize a union in your own workplace. Plus: Maria’s thesis that Brooke’s organizing experience was foundational to her character, as she later gives up her company and personal fortune to ensure she can repay all her investors.
For this episode, we recommend you have familiarity with ONE TREE HILL and/or watch ONE TREE HILL Season 2, Episode 12: Between Order and Randomness, streaming on Hulu
CW: sexual assault and abuse by the One Tree Hill showrunner is briefly discussed at the top of the episode
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 and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead
NICKI MORRIS (she/her; recurring guest) is a union staffer who loves cats, corn, and comrades. Her favorite teen show is Degrassi because she knows we can "make it through" with solidarity! Enjoys watching criminal syndicate shows in all forms: The Wire, Claws, Good Girls, Killing Eve. Follow her on Twitter @NickiMorris321.
EMMA ROSE (she/her; recurring guest) watches a lot—and she means a lot—of reality tv, with the occasional teen drama or murder mystery or sci-fi thriller thrown in for good measure. When she's not watching said television, you can find her listening to podcasts and diving into internet content about said television. Sometimes she posts on instagram @emmaaaaaroseeeee (5 a's and 5 e's)
MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
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:
Variety, ‘One Tree Hill’ Cast, Crew Detail Assault, Harassment Claims Against Mark Schwahn (EXCLUSIVE) by Daniel Holloway
CNBC, How the coronavirus pandemic may be causing support of labor unions to rise by Abigail Johnson Hess
Employer Relations, The Rise of Millennials and their Potential Support for Labor Unions by Ashley Laken, Esq.
Axios, Record number of journalists unionize during COVID pandemic by Sara Fischer
Labor Notes’ Secrets of a Successful Organizer guide
Detroit Metro-Times, Thinking of unionizing your workplace? Here are tips from UNITE HERE’s Nia Winston. by Lee DeVito
PRO Act information cited from https://passtheproact.org! See also the Working People podcast episode on the PRO Act.
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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING/LISTENING:
- Drama Queens rewatch podcast with the original cast of One Tree Hill—Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, and Sophia Bush
- Working People podcast
- Belabored podcast
- Anything in the Labor Notes catalogue
- Resource form to connect to an organizer: https://aflcio.org/formaunion/contact