Not That Smart

Arantza Asali

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Society & Culture

Not That Smart is a podcast all about ideology and identity, for the love of learning and without the pressure of being an expert. The core philosophy of my podcast is there are always cool, new knowledge to get after and at any time you think you're as smart as you can be, there's another thing to learn out there. Stick around :)

02/03/2024

The Rebirth of Medusa

From the renaissance to the pre-raphaelites, to women's political mobilisation, fashion and tattoos- Medusa has always been relevant. The journey that the symbol of Medusa has gone on can teach us that feminist reimaginings of core social stories help us understand the roles and spaces women have been confined to throughout history, and how to deconstruct them. Let's walk through her history and learn how Medusa was reborn. Sources: Shearman, John. Art Or Politics in the Piazza? Benvenuto Cellini. Kunst und Kunsttheorie im 16. Jahrhundert (2003): 19–36 Cixous, Hélène, et al. “The Laugh of the Medusa.” Signs, vol. 1, no. 4, 1976, pp. 875–93. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3173239. Accessed 25 Sept. 2023. http://preraphaelitesisterhood.com/aspecta-medusa/ Kiefer, Frederick, ed. Masculinities and Femininities in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Arizona Studies in the Middle Ages and Renaissance 23. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 2009. Wendy Pollard Pamela Hansford Johnson: Her Life, Work and Times (Shepeard-Walwyn, UK, 2014) Sitwell, Edith. The Collected Poems of Edith Sitwell. Vanguard Press, Inc., 1968. Song: Cinematic Electronic, Content Licence: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cinematic-electronic-inspiration-background-159335/ The Rebirth of Medusa in Art: Literature: Stone Blind, Natalia Haynes.Medusa, Louise Bogan. Medusa, Carol-Ann DuffySculpture: Medusa, Camille ClaudelMedusa, Kiki SmithPhotography: Medusa, Cindy ShermanMixed Media: Medusa, Joyce Cutler-ShawMedusa, Judy ChicagoMedusa, Yayoi KusamaMedusa, Ghada AmerPerforming Arts: Medusa, Ana Mendieta

27 min
08/31/2023

A Crush on Jesus? Fan-fiction Throughout History.

Serious book people don't like fan fiction...but should they? The history of reimagining stories (and making them a little spicy) is anything but brief. From Medieval Mystics and Jesus Christ all the way to Drive to Survive, there’s actually a reason behind fanfiction. Let's chat about it! --------- Sources: Kempe Margery and Lynn Staley. The Book of Margery Kempe. Published for TEAMS (the Consortium for the Teaching of the Middle Ages) in Association with the University of Rochester by Medieval Institute Publications Western Michigan University 1996. https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA361553270&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=12192589&p=LitRC&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7Ed331d65f&aty=open-web-entry Mixer, Lindsay M., "And then they boned: an analysis of fanfiction and its influence on sexual development" (2018). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 131. Higgs, Laquita. “Margery Kempe: ‘Whete-Breed or Barly-Breed?’” Mystics Quarterly, vol. 13, no. 2, 1987, pp. 57–64. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20716791. Accessed 10 Aug. 2023. Stampa, Gaspara (1994). Laura Anna Stortoni; Mary Prentice Lillie (eds.). Gaspara Stampa: Selected Poems. New York: Italica Press. https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/02/surprising-18th-century-origins-fan-fiction/606532/ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/aug/13/fan-fiction-fifty-shades-grey Song: Cinematic Electronic, Content Licence: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cinematic-electronic-inspiration-background-159335/

20 min
08/17/2023

Mexican Pink

The biggest colour of the 2023 summer has many stories to tell. One of them takes us to Mexico in the early 20th century, where the palette of a nation's identity begins to take shape. In fashion, architecture, advertisements, and even taxis, pink is everywhere in Mexico. This is the story of why. --------- Sources: https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/14374/valentino-pink-pp-pierpaolo-piccioli-show-collection-2022-aw22-fw-22 https://www.anahuac.mx/generacion-anahuac/la-historia-detras-del-rosa-mexicano#:~:text=M%C3%A1s%20que%20un%20color%20espec%C3%ADfico,nacional%20en%20los%20escenarios%20internacionales. https://www.katarsiamoda.com/rosa-mexicano/ https://www.thecollector.com/vantablack-anish-kapoor-stuart-semple-controversy/ Song: Cinematic Electronic, Content Licence: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cinematic-electronic-inspiration-background-159335/

18 min
08/13/2023

How Women Invented Bookclubs.

The first ever recorded bookclubs were created by women. From the British Colonies to Paris to Mexico, women's bookclubs have had an impact on the rise of literacy, feminist thought, and even changed the face of the publishing industry. But how did it happen? ---------- Sources: Malini Ghose. “Literacy, Power and Feminism.” Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 37, no. 17, 2002, pp. 1615–20. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4412039. Accessed 26 June 2023. https://news.un.org/en/story/2010/09/350122 Lucy Delap, Feminist Bookshops, Reading Cultures and the Women’s Liberation Movement in Great Britain, c. 1974–2000, History Workshop Journal, Volume 81, Issue 1, Spring 2016, Pages 171–196. Regis, Pamela. Publishing Romance: The History of an Industry, 1940s to the Present. University of Michigan Press, 2007. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED496343.pdf Song: Cinematic Electronic, Content Licence: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-cinematic-electronic-inspiration-background-159335/

29 min
06/11/2021

Finding Your Voice and Purpose.

Having experienced what it felt like to lose a sense of agency in my own voice, I take you through the journey that helped me find it again, and tell you all the things I've learnt about being empowered in your speech and feeling like you have purpose. Socials: @itsnotthatsmart, instagram Cited: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-purpose-anxiety-do-you-have-it#The-psychology-of-purpose https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9637619/young-brits-life-lacks-purpose/ Song: “Synthwave” by Ryan Andersen, licence link- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ryan_Andersen#contact-artist

30 min
05/26/2021

Body Liberation and not supporting Body Positivity.

This episode looks at the origins and background of body liberation movements and differentiates between its different branches. I also tell you about what my personal approach to body liberation is, and why I do not support the body positivity movement. Worthy Follows: @fatfabfeminist @yrfatfriend @hannahtalksbodies @drjoshuawolrich Cited: Nash, Meredith, and Megan Warin. “Squeezed between Identity Politics and Intersectionality: A Critique of ‘Thin Privilege’ in Fat Studies.” Feminist Theory, vol. 18, no. 1, 2016, pp. 69–87., doi: 10.1177/1464700116666253. Tomiyama, A J, et al. “Misclassification of Cardiometabolic Health When Using Body Mass Index Categories in NHANES 2005–2012.” International Journal of Obesity, vol. 40, no. 5, 2016, pp. 883–886., doi:10.1038/ijo.2016.17. https://www.onewomanproject.org/blog/2020/9/9/concept-body-neutrality Song: “Synthwave” by Ryan Andersen, licence link- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ryan_Andersen#contact-artist

29 min
04/12/2021

Minimalism introduction

"Minimalism" seems to be quickly turning into a hot topic in social conversations. For me, its much more than a passing trend, and a huge reason why my life has improved in my 20s. In this episode, I answer my followers' introductory questions about minimal and intentional living and share my own personal application of this ideology. Hope you enjoy! Social links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arantzaai/ Sources: From Stoicism to minimalism: https://minimalistfocus.com/stoicism-and-minimalism-10-lessons-from-philosopher-marcus-aurelius/ minimalist literature: https://literarytonic.com/minimalisminliterature The minimalists definition of minimalism: https://www.theminimalists.com/minimalism/ Music: "Synthwave" by Ryan Andersen, license link- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

31 min
03/29/2021

Contraception and Feminism

In this episode I dive into the topic of contraception. Exploring three different issues it relates to: development and access issues, reproductive responsibilities for men and women, and what the future might bring; I reflect on the relationship that contraception and birth control has had with women's liberation movements. **note- I miss read the cost the APA calculates for contraception as 20-80 usd per year. It actually is that amount per month. Sources: https://www.pandiahealth.com/resources/birth-control-throughout-history/#:~:text=The%20earliest%20forms%20of%20birth%20control%2C%20as%20well%20as%20abortion,sperm%20from%20entering%20the%20womb. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/sex-and-contraception-after-birth/#:~:text=Contraception%20and%20breastfeeding,lactational%20amenorrhoea%20method%2C%20or%20LAM. https://ehne.fr/en/encyclopedia/themes/gender-and-europe/demographic-transition-sexual-revolutions/birth-control-in-europe https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/05/male-birth-control-step-up-responsibility https://www.bustle.com/p/we-asked-226-women-to-tell-us-the-biggest-stigma-that-still-exists-around-womens-sexual-health-11832119 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/contraceptive-pill-us-uk-costs-reproductive-rights-america-a9500631.html https://www.healthline.com/health/fertility-timeline#Takeaway https://www.thecut.com/article/why-women-are-going-off-birth-control-pills.html

28 min
03/15/2021

A Long Introduction and Thoughts on Creativity.

Life in a pandemic has brought out all of our creative energy in different ways. For me, the focus is here on starting this podcasting journey. In this episode I share why I was drawn to starting a podcast in the middle of so much content, offer some background on who I am, and go on to explore the idea of creativity and content creation in the age of social media. Books mentioned: Plato’s Ion- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ion-Plato/dp/1161436987 Kant’s Critique of The Power of Judgement- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Critique-Power-Judgment-Cambridge-Immanuel/dp/0521348927 Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/media/shortcuts/2019/oct/16/chiropractors-barbie-everyone-an-influencer Music: “Synthwave” by Ryan Andersen, licence link- https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

24 min

9 Episodes

Not That Smart is a podcast all about ideology and identity, for the love of learning and without the pressure of being an expert. The core philosophy of my podcast is there are always cool, new knowledge to get after and at any time you think you're as smart as you can be, there's another thing to learn out there. Stick around :)

Creator

Arantza Asali
Years Active

2021 - 2024
Episodes

9
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Not That Smart
Show Website

Not That Smart