Femme & Furious: A Feminist Pop Culture Podcast

Julia Rose Portela | Feminist Pop Culture Podcast Host

Femme & Furious is a feminist pop culture podcast for women and LGBTQIA+ folks who want a feminist spin on beloved TV, books, and blockbuster franchises. If you devour BookTok romances, spiral over Emily Henry releases, and still show up for Marvel while side-eyeing the gender politics...welcome. You’re in the right space, babe! We ask the big questions: Is this empowering? Why are we still rewarding emotionally unavailable men? Just how many women have to get fridged before we change the trope? Why do stories that mean so much to women and queer folks get dismissed? Why do female characters have to earn complexity while male characters are handed it? And why are we absolutely feral for certain fictional men anyway? (somewhat rhetorical) If you want smarter pop culture conversations, feminist book discussions, and a space where your obsession makes sense… Press play.

  1. 8h ago

    'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' Heart of the Highlands

    VOTE FOR ME TO GET MY OWN iHeartRadio Show! Summary: In this episode of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Heart of the Highlands we are treated to lots of boy butt, folklore, and lots of beautiful scenery! Babies are the prized possession here in 1715 Scotland, and unless Julia gets pregnant she's stuck here with no indoor plumbing! Still the hunt for gems is on. Meanwhile, Ellen grieves and Brian schemes, and everyone else is f-u-c-k-i-n-g. ⚠️ Spoiler + Adult Content Warning: Heads up bestie this episode is spoiler central, so catch up first if you can! Also: Femme & Furious is a very adult show with very adult content, so listen accordingly. 💋 Add it to your TBR: When you shop through our links, you're helping keep the lights on for my woman-owned, indie podcast AND you're also supporting independently owned bookstores! It's a win-win-win situation! Washwoman at the Woman's End (we're covering this next and it's a Scottish highland babe) Co-host Corner: Connect with my co-host, Katy! Katy hosts Queens Podcast and has been an Outlander fan for a long time! Follow her on Instagram: @queens_podcasts Check out her podcast, Queens Podcast, where she pairs a cocktail with a woman from History: https://linkly.link/2tptc Let's be besties: Join the 2 Femme, 2 FuriousCommunity where you can hang out with the girls in our monthly cultural salon, book club, or yapping in the chat all things fangirlWant more feminism in your inbox? Subscribe to my Newsletter: Confessions of a Messy FeministSubscribe to Femme & Furious on YouTubeor wherever you get your podcasts!Follow along on Ihttps://www.instagram.com/femmeandfuriouspod/

  2. 19h ago

    Wicker & The Politics of Pleasure

    Summary: Wicker, starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård, has been marketed as the horniest movie of the season, but underneath the cheeky premise is a sharp feminist fable about patriarchy, marriage as an institution of control, and what happens when a woman's pleasure is prioritized. This week, Julia digs into why a lonely fisherwoman who commissions a husband made of wicker is one of the most subversive love stories of the year, and why it hits so hard right now. ⚠️ Spoiler + Adult Content Warning: Heads up bestie this episode is spoiler central, so catch up first if you can! Also: Femme & Furious is a very adult show with very adult content, so listen accordingly. 💋 Let's be besties: Join the 2 Femme, 2 FuriousCommunity where you can hang out with the girls in our monthly cultural salon, book club, or yapping in the chat all things fangirlWant more feminism in your inbox? Subscribe to my Newsletter: Confessions of a Messy FeministSubscribe to Femme & Furious on YouTubeor wherever you get your podcasts!Follow along on Ihttps://www.instagram.com/femmeandfuriouspod/

  3. 1d ago

    The Knave and The Moon: Ch. 1-9

    Summary: Bartholomew! We are so back! It's time to take up the mantle in the Stonewater Kingdom as we dive into The Knave and The Moon by Rachel Gillig! We are looking at the first two sections, The End of the Story and The Joust, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and autonomy inside of this first part of the book! ⚠️ Spoiler + Adult Content Warning: Heads up bestie this episode is spoiler central, so catch up first if you can! Also: Femme & Furious is a very adult show with very adult content, so listen accordingly. 💋 Add it to your TBR: When you shop through our links, you're helping keep the lights on for my woman-owned, indie podcast AND you're also supporting independently owned bookstores! It's a win-win-win situation! The Washwoman at the River's End: https://linkly.link/2zFfM Let's be besties: Join the 2 Femme, 2 FuriousCommunity where you can hang out with the girls in our monthly cultural salon, book club, or yapping in the chat all things fangirlWant more feminism in your inbox? Subscribe to my Newsletter: Confessions of a Messy FeministSubscribe to Femme & Furious on YouTubeor wherever you get your podcasts!Follow along on Ihttps://www.instagram.com/femmeandfuriouspod/ Mentioned in this episode: ROAR with Danielle Davies: Women, Culture, and Impact Interviews with women who spotted what was broken in culture and did something about it. Start with the fiction writers playlist: Pamela Redmond (Younger), Katherine Center (Happiness for Beginners), and Kirsten Miller (The Change). 🌐 https://www.danielledavies.com/podcast ROAR DANIELLE DAVIES PLAYLIST

  4. 2d ago

    831 RomCon: Inside the Best Day Ever

    Summary: On October 24th, 831 Stories threw the first annual RomCon at Industry City in Brooklyn: a full day of panels, signings, ARC giveaways, and merch for romance readers. I was there as invited press, and this episode is my full debrief. Romance in Real Life: How the Genre Shapes Us Upasna Barath: instagram.com/upasnabarathHannah Brown: instagram.com/hannahbrownNikki Payne: instagram.com/nikkipaynebooksModerator - Lauren Chan: instagram.com/lcchan Pleasure, Power, and the Politics of Romance Regina Black: instagram.com/reginablackwritesTressie McMillan Cottom: instagram.com/tressiemcphdAlexandra Romanoff: instagram.com/zanopticonModerator- Sanjana Basker: instagram.com/baskinsuns Queer Love and the Significance of the HEA Julia Turshen: instagram.com/turshenEJ Marcus: instagram.com/ejhavingfun Sex on the Page and the Language of Smut Iman Hariri-Kia: instagram.com/imanharirikiaCasey McQuiston: instagram.com/casey.mcquistonRebekah Weatherspoon: instagram.com/rebekahweatherspoonModerator- Sophia Benoit: instagram.com/sgbenoit What's the Most-Hated Trope, and Why Is It the Third-Act Breakup? Brooke Averick: instagram.com/brookeaverickSarah MacLean: instagram.com/sarahmacleanPage Powars: instagram.com/pagepowarsNicola Yoon: instagram.com/nicolayoonModerator- Tyler McCall: instagram.com/eiffeltyler Podcasts mentionedRadio 831: A Romance Podcast (Sanjana Basker and Tyler McCall):Fated Mates (Sarah MacLean)None of My Business (Sophia Benoit, The Ringer)Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast (Brooke Averick)On the Bleachers (Alexandra Romanoff) Thank you to all the hosts, sponsors, and partners!831 Stories: 831stories.com · instagram.com/831stories · RomCon questions: romcon@831stories.comSpotify: Happy Hour presenterHinge: Rest & Recharge loungeWarby Parker: ARC giveaway book cartEtsy: custom heat-foil bookmark station (calligraphy by Amanda Krovic)The Ripped Bodice: book salesThe Infatuation and Hani's Bakery: coffee and pastriesSahadi's: lunchROAR, Poppi, Bleu Vie Water: drinksBjorn Qorn, Siete, Fields Good: snacks The haul (mentioned in the episode)Feela notebooksSpotify book lightBuff (socks, gloves, & foot/hand masks)Glossier You Soie perfume and Glossier lip gloss831 Stories merch: annotating tabs, pen, only-one-bed keychain, pocket notebook, embroidery patches, bookmarkGemini Matcha Books from all mentioned: When you shop through my book links, you're helping keep the lights on for my woman-owned, indie podcast AND you're also supporting independently owned bookstores! It's a win-win-win situation Your TBR just sighed a little, but I promise it will be worth it! Check out all the 831 Authors & Panelists here 3 DisclosureI attended RomCon as invited press. Products and food mentioned in this episode were provided at the event. All opinions are my own.

  5. 5d ago

    Can Empathy Win a War? Penn Cole on her Epic Finale for The Kindred Curse Saga

    Spoiler warning: this episode discusses the ending of Burn of the Everflame and The Kindred’s Curse Saga. Finish the book first, then come back 🔥 Summary: This week, New York Times bestselling author Penn Cole joins me to talk about Burn of the Everflame, the final book in The Kindred’s Curse Saga. We dig into what makes a finale both satisfying and nuanced, why a heroine who refuses violence in a world built on it becomes a lightning rod for criticism, and what “good” and “bad” even mean if those labels mean we can’t hold anyone accountable. We get into: Whether “good” and “bad” labels serve us at all, and what redemption actually meansHow hard it is to break personal, familial, and social patternsFemininity, and how young men get pulled into the manosphereHow romantasy opened fantasy up to adult women, after years of women’s fantasy being shelved as YA and taken less seriouslyWhy “advocacy takes all kinds,” and why writing for people who disagree with you matters if you want your art to do good Meet Penn Cole Penn Cole is a fantasy romance author who has just concluded publishing her debut series, The Kindred’s Curse Saga. As many can attest, one of her favorite things to do when she's not writing is discussing theories with her readers—and maybe dropping a few hints to send them spiraling (I didn’t get the title “chaos demon” from them for nothing!). Find Penn Cole Website: https://linkly.link/2rLH6Instagram, TikTok, and Threads @AuthorPennCole Add it to your TBR: When you shop through my book links, you're helping keep the lights on for my woman-owned, indie podcast AND you're also supporting independently owned bookstores! It's a win-win-win situation The Kindred's Curse Saga Spark of the EverflameGlow of the Everflame: https://linkly.link/2rLMVHeat of the Everflame: https://linkly.link/2rLP6Burn of the Everflame: https://linkly.link/2rLOp Want Femme & Furious Kindred's Curse Saga Playlist, with slay-by-slay deep dives into each book? Check it out here: https://linkly.link/2nl7l On the Pod we may have mentioned... ACOTARPenn Cole's favorite Romantasy, Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey: https://linkly.link/2z8xp Book-to-screen adaptations gushed over: The Love Hypothesis Book: https://linkly.link/2jclBFemme & Furious Love Hypothesis Quickie: https://linkly.link/2z90kFemme & Furious Love Hypothesis movie take: https://linkly.link/2z918My Oxford Year (Book): https://linkly.link/2z91HPeople We Meet on Vacation Book: https://linkly.link/2z92fFemme & Furious People We Meet on Vacation Quickie: https://linkly.link/2z92qFemme & Furious People We Meet on Vacation Movie Quickie: https://linkly.link/2z933 If you love book to screen adaptations, Check out this Femme & Furious Playlist: https://linkly.link/2xyM9

  6. Oct 28

    'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' Small Mercies

    Take my 2027 audience survey: https://linkly.link/2ydO4 Vote for Femme & Furious to get a limited series on iHeartRadio: https://linkly.link/2ydNz Summary: This week we’re diving into Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Season 2, Episode 6, “Small Mercies,”.This episode asks what mercy actually looks like when the men are busy protecting their legacies, their politics, and their bloodlines at the expense of the women. We’re unpacking inaction as its own kind of violence, the control of women’s bodies and futures, and so much more! ⚠️ Spoiler + Adult Content Warning: Heads up bestie this episode is spoiler central, so catch up first if you can! Also: Femme & Furious is a very adult show with very adult content, so listen accordingly. 💋 Feminist Follow-Through: https://www.marchofdimes.org/ Add it to your TBR: When you shop through our links, you help keep the lights on for my woman-owned, indie podcast AND support independently owned bookstores! It's a win-win-win situation! The Washwoman at the River's End by Megan Shade: https://linkly.link/2zFfM Side Quest: We also mentioned... Queens Podcast coverage of Bloody Mary: https://megaphone.link/ARML2090998151 Co-host Corner: Connect with my co-host, Katy! Katy hosts Queens Podcast and has been an Outlander fan for a long time! Follow her on Instagram: @queens_podcasts Check out her podcast, Queens Podcast, where she pairs a cocktail with a woman from History: https://linkly.link/2tptc Let's be besties: Join the 2 Femme, 2 FuriousCommunity where you can hang out with the girls in our monthly cultural salon, book club, or yapping in the chat all things fangirlWant more feminism in your inbox? Subscribe to my Newsletter: Confessions of a Messy FeministSubscribe to Femme & Furious on YouTubeor wherever you get your podcasts!Follow along on Ihttps://www.instagram.com/femmeandfuriouspod/

  7. Oct 25

    5 Witchy Books for My HalloQueens

    Summary: This is Fast 5 specifically for my Bookish Baddies who also identify as Halloqueens. I got you, forever and always. Add it to your TBR: When you shop through our links, you're helping keep the lights on for my woman-owned, indie podcast AND you're also supporting independently owned bookstores! It's a win-win-win situation! Halloqueen book list: https://linkly.link/2yeB2 Side Quest: We also mentioned... Take the Audience Survey: https://linkly.link/2ydO4Vote for Femme & Furious to get on iHeartRadio: https://linkly.link/2ydNzCheck out 831 Stories: https://linkly.link/2ydunThreshing Day Pt. 1: https://linkly.link/2ydyl Let's be besties: Join the 2 Femme, 2 FuriousCommunity where you can hang out with the girls in our monthly cultural salon, book club, or yapping in the chat all things fangirlWant more feminism in your inbox? Subscribe to my Newsletter: Confessions of a Messy FeministSubscribe to Femme & Furious on YouTubeor wherever you get your podcasts!Follow along on Ihttps://www.instagram.com/femmeandfuriouspod/

  8. Oct 25 ·  Bonus

    The Future of Femme & Furious is in your hands!

    Hey babe! Help the future of this show! Fill out the audience Survey to help Femme & Furious create a magical 2027 for you: https://linkly.link/2ydO4 Vote for Femme & Furious to get a limited run on iHeartRadio: https://linkly.link/2ydNz

See All (125)

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Femme & Furious is a feminist pop culture podcast for women and LGBTQIA+ folks who want a feminist spin on beloved TV, books, and blockbuster franchises. If you devour BookTok romances, spiral over Emily Henry releases, and still show up for Marvel while side-eyeing the gender politics...welcome. You’re in the right space, babe! We ask the big questions: Is this empowering? Why are we still rewarding emotionally unavailable men? Just how many women have to get fridged before we change the trope? Why do stories that mean so much to women and queer folks get dismissed? Why do female characters have to earn complexity while male characters are handed it? And why are we absolutely feral for certain fictional men anyway? (somewhat rhetorical) If you want smarter pop culture conversations, feminist book discussions, and a space where your obsession makes sense… Press play.

Information

  • Creator
    Julia Rose Portela | Feminist Pop Culture Podcast Host
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Julia Rose Portela | Feminist Pop Culture Podcast Host
  • Show Website
    Femme & Furious: A Feminist Pop Culture Podcast

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