Podcasting, But Make it Feminist.
Last Thursday marked International Podcast Day! We’ve come a long way since listening to the first season of Serial in 2014, with many of us recognizing the medium of podcasting as a communal cultural phenomenon. Since then podcasts have exploded, emerging as a compelling and accessible form of digital media. From true-crime to comedy, fictional drama to investigative journalism—podcasts encompass endless possibilities for sparking meaningful change.
That’s why when we started building Anti-Heroine Media as an intersectional creative communications firm, we knew that podcast production had to be on the menu. Audio storytelling is an integral form of communication for underrepresented folks to not only have access to broadcast media but engage deeper with their followers and communities. In a world that teaches us to take up less space and be quiet, podcasting has proven to be a powerful tool to resist and redefine the way we tell our stories.
With years of experience in the podcasting field we’ve crafted a feminist approach that embodies the following elements:
Using Our Authentic Voices — We all know that there’s no such thing as truly objective storytelling. The more honest approach is to then be transparent about that. Podcasting is an opportunity to use our authentic voices, be emotive, and fully express just why these issues are so important to us. There are written and unwritten rules about how we’re supposed to speak—with certain words that are used to describe what is expected of us when we share our opinions: professional, polished, articulate. We unequivocally deny this sentiment. Disruption has always been a key part of our philosophy, and this is no different. We don’t need to be nice, or civil, and our words don’t have to be measured or clean — we can use our own voices, whatever they may be.
Ethical, Inclusive & Accessible — Creating ethical, inclusive and accessible content is always at the centre of our work. This means that folks have control over their own stories, and their words are never edited out of context to change the intent of what they are trying to say. This means using inclusive language in all aspects of the product—from scriptwriting, to branding, to promotion. This means doing everything we can to make our audio as clear as possible for listeners, even when we’re recording across the globe. This also means recognizing barriers and continually learning and striving to improve our digital practices.
Collaborative — As we reimagine the possibilities for work structures outside of capitalist, patriarchal constructs—collaboration is a key part of this new vision. We work together as a team to ensure that all parties’ voices are heard and represented clearly. We value everyone’s ideas so the final product is reflective of our varied experiences. We seek out discussion and feedback at every stage of the process, in whatever format works best.
Action-Oriented — Like all digital communications products, podcasts serve a purpose. What do you want folks to do with the story you’re telling? Our approach ensures that listeners have somewhere to go when they’ve reached the end of an episode—even if it’s just to learn more about the topic at hand. Nothing mobilizes movements better than a really engaging story. So, why not tell it?
Anti-Heroine Media offers a range of podcasting services at all stages of production. With years of expertise in feminist communications and storytelling, we can guide you from the very beginning stages of simply having a great idea, all the way through to the promotion and distribution.
For a recent example of our work check out WEE Talks, a new podcast series from the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development’s Women’s Economic Empowerment working group, which we produced with hosts Kate Grantham and Leva Rouhani of FemDev Consulting. Featuring voices from the field, WEE Talks explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s economic realities around the world. The first episode looks at the effect of the pandemic on women's paid and unpaid childcare, with Dr. Patricia Wekulo of the African Population and Health Research Center. Listen to it here!
Anti-Heroine Media led the production of the podcast from its inception— driving branding, scriptwriting, recording, and editing. Our team provided a critical intersectional feminist lens throughout the process, both in our practices and in the translation of such rich content into a podcast format. It was a pleasure to collaborate with an incredible team, and to help ensure that these important stories are being told in an inclusive and accessible way.
Meaningful change requires disruption. Podcasts are an integral communications medium with the ability to disrupt ongoing narratives and create new conversations—to tell your story in your own voice, or pass the mic to uplift the voices of others.
For more information on feminist approaches to podcasting, check out:
Taking up sonic space: feminized vocality and podcasting as resistance
Podcasting: Thinking about new opportunities for pedagogy and activism