The Feminist Shift

Jen & Roz

The goal of this podcast is a pretty simple one: We hope to bring an intersectional feminist analysis to important social, economic and community issues impacting all of us here in Waterloo Region. This podcast uses a gendered lens to bring these issues to the forefront where we will discuss, reflect and create action. Each episode, we’ll chat on feminist topics and interview advocates involved in the feminist movement who have a stake locally, as well as those who have knowledge that can help our region evolve.

  1. S3 E1 - Percolating Systemic Change: Disability Justice with Dr. Deborah Stienstra

    05/12/2023

    S3 E1 - Percolating Systemic Change: Disability Justice with Dr. Deborah Stienstra

    Dr. Deborah Stienstra holds the Jarislowsky Chair in Families and Work at the University of Guelph, where she is the Director of the Live Work Well Research Centre and Professor of Political Science. She is the author of About Canada: Disability Rights published by Fernwood in 2020. We spoke with Dr. Stienstra about the new Canadian Feminist Disability Coalition, and the impacts of this project as it ensures the voices of women living with disabilities is not only kept at the centre of the work, but in the administration of it. "We're percolating change," Stienstra said. She is one of the 25% of Canadian women, who self-identify as living with a disability and has been left to self-advocate for change, in hopes of individual accommodation. And while the self-advocacy of women living with disabilities has resulted in transformations in some communities, the Canadian Feminist Disability Coalition is bringing these communities together, and in thirty months, helping to realize a world where these talented, valued, and diverse women can look around and see themselves included. Dr Stienstra's research and publications explore the intersections of disabilities, gender, childhood, and Indigenousness, identifying barriers to, as well as possibilities for, engagement and transformative change. Her work also contributes to comparative and trans/international research and theory related to intersectional disability rights and justice. Show Links: To learn more about this awesome project, check out the Live Work Well Research Centre's website and sign up for their newsletter: https://liveworkwell.ca/news/2022/12/announcing-canadian-feminist-disability-coalition

    31 min
  2. S2 E5: Sister Seen, Sister Heard.

    05/09/2022

    S2 E5: Sister Seen, Sister Heard.

    Kimia Eslah is a feminist, queer writer who lives in Ontario, Canada. Born in Iran following its revolution, Kimia spent her early years as a refugee in New Delhi, India, before emigrating to Toronto with her parents and three siblings. Her formative years were spent downtown, in the valley and on the sidewalks, where she played pool, read classics and took up other bad habits. Later, Kimia found her calling as an instructional designer, producing training programs and course materials in various sectors. She dedicated her thirties to raising her son and community building. Today, she spends her days writing and thinking about writing. Kimia lives with the love of her life, Andrew, her son and their three cats. Kimia Eslah's latest book is called Sister Seen, Sister Heard Sister Seen, Sister Heard follows 20 something Farah as she tries to assert her independence from her family and their expectations while navigating some intense waters and experiences of patriarchy and sexual violence. Farah is this fascinating young advocate who has a tendency for speaking up against sexism and inequity, regardless of her audience, and spends much of the book on a journey fighting for her autonomy and independence but also to be loved and accepted as she comes. This book is a rally cry about the impact of tragedy and violence for young women but also the love and tenacity of a family committed to coming together in the sake of safety and healing, while also learning to champion each other.  https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/sister-seen-sister-heard Note: This episode has a trigger warning for conversations of sexual violence.

    47 min

About

The goal of this podcast is a pretty simple one: We hope to bring an intersectional feminist analysis to important social, economic and community issues impacting all of us here in Waterloo Region. This podcast uses a gendered lens to bring these issues to the forefront where we will discuss, reflect and create action. Each episode, we’ll chat on feminist topics and interview advocates involved in the feminist movement who have a stake locally, as well as those who have knowledge that can help our region evolve.