In October 2017, women across the globe came together under the hashtag MeToo. However, social activist and advocate Tarana Burke had already been campaigning for women of colour under the same banner for eleven long years. In this episode, we talk about her incredibly important work, the pervasiveness of predatory behaviour, and the way women are constantly told that they should somehow take responsibility for a culture of misogyny and sexual entitlement beyond their control. A content warning ...
Jun 28, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In our first interview of season two, (and the launch of a new special series!) we sat down with author Margot McGovern to chat all things YA: from the emergence of 'unlikable' female protagonists (and why they're so irresistible) to the power of transforming myths of masculine adventure for girls, we delved deep into the gender dynamics of the world's fastest growing literary genre. In Neverland, Margot's own feisty and - let's be honest - bratty heroine Kit must navigate her return to her isla...
Jun 14, 2018•50 min•Season 2Ep. 6
After leaving her home at the Yankton Indian Reservation in South Dakota for the brutal regiment of boarding school in the east, Zitkála-Šá began developing the creative talents and political consciousness that would make her one of the most influential Native American women of the 20th Century. Her acclaimed stories and essays chronicled her struggles with identity and culture, and her translations brought Native American legends to a whole new audience. All the while, she maintained a subversi...
May 17, 2018•59 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Many different versions of Sedna's story abound, from a young woman forced to marry a dog, to a victim of abduction by a bird man. But in all her tellings, Sedna emerges as a powerful spiritual force, a mistress of the sea and its creatures, transformed by a brutal physical attack. Come with us to the chill of the frozen north as we dive into the dark waters and seek out this mythic woman's tale. Gerlof, Jarich & Laugrand, Frédéric. The Sea Woman: Sedna in Inuit Shamanism and Art in the East...
May 03, 2018•44 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Known as the Liberator of the Liberator, Manuela Sáenz rose to prominence as the mistress of revolutionary hero, Simón Bolívar. A heroine in her own right, Manuela became a celebrated patriot, spy, recruiter and trusted informant of the revolution that saw the overthrow of Spanish rule in South America. But she was also infamous for her wild antics, from the strange battlefield trophy she'd wear to masquerades to the wild political stunts she'd pull at parties. Wherever Manuela went, controversy...
Apr 19, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Towards the close of the 17th century, the opulent hallways of Versailles were swept up with the scandalous 'Affair of the Poisons'. The Sun King, Louis XIV, ordered an investigation into the dark underworld of the Paris occult, hunting down those who supplied potions and aphrodisiacs alongside more sinister wares. One of those was Catherine Monvoisin, a favoured fortune teller and sorceress among the wealthy elite. Join us as we press our ears to the grand doorways of the palace, abuzz with whi...
Apr 05, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Infamous as the last woman tried under the Witchcraft Act of 1735, Helen Duncan caused more than a few stirs in her time. After terrifying her schoolmates her with dire predictions, Helen grew up to become one of wartime Britain's foremost physical mediums. She soon become the target of a series of scientific investigations and caught the attention of MI5 which resulted in a court-case Winston Churchill himself described as 'obsolete tomfoolery.' So grab your cheesecloth and darken the lights as...
Mar 22, 2018•1 hr 19 min•Season 2Ep. 1
One of Australia's most awarded playwrights, Patricia Cornelius isn't afraid to go where other writers won't. With titles like SHIT and SLUT, Patricia pushes her audience to pay attention to some of society's most visceral issues. In The Club was specially commissioned for the State Theatre Company of South Australia, and it shines a blinding light on accounts of sexual violence in one of our most beloved national sports. Patricia sat down with us to discuss her life in the theatre, and just wha...
Feb 15, 2018•57 min
Merry Christmas, Deviants! In our special Christmas episode, we close the year by revisiting a few of our favourite deviant women of season one, and introducing our first ever live show. We also take a quick trip to the snowy north to meet the Yule Lad's terrifying mother, and discover the mythological woman at the heart of kissing under the mistletoe! So grab a glass of gluhwein, sit beneath some fairy lights, and join us as we wrap up (ey?) 2017! If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us...
Dec 22, 2017•29 min
For teenage Uschi Obermaier, rock’n’roll offered an escape from the drudgery of post-war Munich, and it didn’t take long before her beauty and brazenness caught the eye of some of the 20th century’s greatest male musicians. Both lauded and denigrated for her ‘groupie’ status, Uschi's modelling career and high-profile relationships saw her gain notoriety for her hedonistic attitude, but also allowed her the freedom to travel the world. Settle the needle into the groove of a good record, and join ...
Nov 16, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Born in the early hours of a thunderstorm, with pointed ears and 'witches' marks' on her skin, little Rosaleen was destined for a life of the occult. From her earliest childhood, Roie was drawn to the dark, and her drawings and stories about ghouls, monsters and grotesque horrors set her apart from her peers. As a young woman, she immersed herself in Theosophy, Western Esoterism, dedicated herself to the pagan god, Pan, and pursued a life of art. Come with us to the dingy streets of mid-century ...
Nov 02, 2017•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Amidst the surge and spray of Niagara Falls, Edmonia Lewis spent her childhood hunting, fishing, and making crafts for tourists. But when her half-brother helped her to pursue an education, Edmonia's talent as a sculptor flourished. After leaving America to join the milieu of Italy's artistic sisterhood, Edmonia threw herself into a dedication to art that would see her gain fame, both in Europe and at home. Join us in the bustling art scene of Rome, as we stroll through the arcades and galleries...
Oct 19, 2017•59 min•Season 1Ep. 21
A disguised princess forced into domestic drudgery who meets a prince at an extravagant ball might sound familiar, but there’s more to Juleidah’s version of the tale. After escaping the illicit desires of her father, this Egyptian princess dons a suit of leather and travels to a nearby kingdom, hiding out as the scullery maid and Queen’s jester. Come with us to a mythical land as we explore Cinderella’s lesser known cousin, ‘The Princess in the Suit of Leather’. If you want to support Deviant Wo...
Oct 05, 2017•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 20
From the moment eighteen-year-old Charlotte Cushman stepped out on stage as Lady Macbeth she was destined for greatness. Treading the boards from New York to London, Charlotte cemented her reputation as the finest American actress of the 19th century. But her personal life was just as dramatic as the parts she played, with a slew of female lovers that placed her at the centre of Rome's artistic expatriate community. Follow us backstage as the houselights dim and we peer beyond the curtain into t...
Sep 21, 2017•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 19
From a progressive upbringing in otherwise conservative late-Victorian Melbourne, Agnes Goodsir went on to become one of Australia’s foremost bohemians. After studying and exhibiting between London and Paris, Goodsir eventually settled with her muse and lover, Cherry. Come with us to the salons of the Left Bank on the cusp of a new century, where Agnes and Cherry can be found sipping wine with Paris’ famous artistic and lesbian elite. If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: Patreon T...
Sep 07, 2017•59 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In the rowdy wrestling arenas of Mexico City, there is a woman whose iconic status rivals that of the most famous of the male fighters. Luchadora Irma González grew up in the circus, but it didn't take long before she found her way into the ring, and began travelling the world as a champion fighter, appearing on the silver screen and even pursuing a singing career. Come on and take your ring-side seats and prepare to get shouty as we delve into the amazing world of the women of lucha libre. If y...
Aug 24, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In the humid tropics of 1920s Townsville, Lizzy O’Dea became infamous in the local tabloids for shooting her rival. As the press continued to sensationalise her adventures, notoriety for her petty theft and sexual exploits grew. Join us as we chat with author Ariella Van Luyn, whose novel Treading Air follows Lizzy from bookie’s daughter in Brisbane to working girl at the Causeway Hotel, about researching the life of one of history’s hidden women, and why such stories continue to be relevant to ...
Aug 10, 2017•49 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Nakano Takeko of the prominent Aiku clan was a fierce Onna-bugeisha and master of the deadly naginata. When the Boshin War saw the Shogun’s army square off against the Imperialists, Takeko knew where her duty lay. At just 21, with the Imperial Army at the gates, she led a rag-tag squad of lady warriors onto the battlefield, determined to sacrifice everything for the honour of her clan. Join us as we delve into the fray, but don’t forget to pen your death-poem first, and bring your kaikan dagger ...
Jul 27, 2017•59 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In the frosty splendour of 18th century Moscow, the death of Peter the Great paves the way for family rivalries and political intrigue. Drawn into the fray is Anna, the impoverished and largely forgotten Duchess of Courland. As the noble men of court clamour to pull the strings, Anna makes her move, becoming Empress of all Russia on her own terms. While Anna's ten-year reign bolstered advances in science and the arts she is mostly remembered for her excess, extravagance, and ruthless cruelty. Br...
Jul 13, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Aunt Lydia, armed with a cattle-prod and carefully selected biblical verse, has the important task of indoctrinating young women into the new republic of Gilead. At times cruel schoolmistress, and at others caring mother, ultimately Aunt Lydia reminds us of the ways women can become entrenched in patriarchal structures, and contribute to their own oppression. If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: Patreon Twitter @DeviantWomen Facebook @deviantwomenpodcast Instagram @deviantwomenpod...
Jul 11, 2017•13 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Janine seems like Gilead's perfect Handmaid: the aunt's favourite and first to carry a child. But in order to adapt to her surroundings, Janine loses her sense of self, and her mind. As she deteriorates further into madness, she reminds us that unlike Offred and Moira, not all women can withstand this brutal regime. If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: Patreon Twitter @DeviantWomen Facebook @deviantwomenpodcast Instagram @deviantwomenpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy ...
Jul 10, 2017•10 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Ofglen is, at first, a mysterious woman. Is she loyal to Gilead or does she, like Offred, harbour hidden resentment? Once her true loyalties are revealed, Ofglen becomes a powerfully rebellious figure who suffers tremendous punishment, but never gives in. Join us for mini-sode four, as we delve into Mayday and the path of resistance. If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: Patreon Twitter @DeviantWomen Facebook @deviantwomenpodcast Instagram @deviantwomenpodcast Hosted on Acast. See ...
Jul 09, 2017•10 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Moira, the rebellious best friend to Offred, doesn't take to the new Gilead regime lightly. After escaping the Red Centre and finding herself in the midst of a new kind of terror, she nearly lets the bastards grind her down. Join us for our third mini-sode, Moira. If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: Patreon Twitter @DeviantWomen Facebook @deviantwomenpodcast Instagram @deviantwomenpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 07, 2017•14 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Serena Joy, the Commander's wife, seems cold and calculating, but what is lurking beneath the surface? Join us for our second mini-sode of Deviant Women as we discuss what makes a writer give up her craft, the power dynamics of a complex marriage, and what happens when the puppet master's strings are cut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 07, 2017•14 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Join us for our first special mini-sode of Deviant Women, as we discuss Offred, the handmaid at the centre of Atwood's tale. From forced Handmaid to reluctant rebel, Offred is a woman who learns to work the restrained Gilead system not only for her own survival, but in hope of reconnecting with those she's lost. If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: Patreon Twitter @DeviantWomen Facebook @deviantwomenpodcast Instagram @deviantwomenpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for ...
Jul 06, 2017•16 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In 1984 author Margaret Atwood wrote The Handmaid's Tale: the chilling dystopic story of Offred, a woman trying to survive in a world where women have been reduced to their procreative functions. Since its publication, the novel has been turned into a film, an opera, a ballet, and most recently into a Hulu television series. Join us as we pair up with Justin from Mayday: The Handmaid's Tale Podcast to unpack just what it is about Atwood's vision that seems so compelling, and so relevant, over th...
Jun 29, 2017•58 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In the epic time of Norse mythology, the Völsunga Saga tells of love, betrayal, tragedy and blood feuds. At the heart of one family's legend sits Guðrún Gjúkadóttir, wife to three kings, and a woman to whom vengeance necessitates a devastating sacrifice. Join us as we venture into a land of Valkyries and dragons, where a sorceress's prophecy might foretell your doom, and you must always be wary of accepting ale! If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: Patreon Twitter @DeviantWomen Fa...
Jun 15, 2017•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Born to only ever be the King's Great Wife, Hatshepsut defied history and, after the death of her Pharaoh husband, proclaimed herself King. A great builder, trader, and military leader, the history of Hatshepsut's achievements was systematically erased, lost for thousands of years until archeologists began to piece together the truth about the woman who ruled as Pharaoh. Come with us as we travel through the mists of time to a land steeped in myth and legends to discover one of the ancient world...
Jun 01, 2017•57 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Both born bastards, and disguised as boys in their youths, Anne Bonny and Mary Read shared more than just their love for the sea. Each left the British Isles for a life of piracy in the Caribbean where their fates intertwined. Infamy soon followed, as the pair gained a reputation as the most fearless and ferocious duo of the high seas. Come aboard as we follow the reckless adventures of these swashbuckling lady pirates! If you want to support Deviant Women, follow us on: Patreon Twitter @Deviant...
May 18, 2017•53 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Assigned female at birth, Eugenia Falleni led most of his life as Harry Crawford: a tough-talking, whiskey-drinking ladies man. In 1920 Harry was charged with the murder of his first wife, Annie Birkett, and his 'duplicitous' identity as Harry - then perceived a 'sexual perversion' - became Australia's headline news. Join us as we trace Harry's life, from shocking events aboard a merchant vessel on the high seas, to the working houses of Sydney, and wonder whether or not Harry's fate could have ...
May 04, 2017•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 9
