The FMUS podcast

FMUS

Hosted by Françoise Girard, founder of FMUS (Feminism Makes Us Smarter at FMUS.org) the FMUS (“famous”) podcast is here to reset the conversation about feminism, at a time when far-right movements increasingly rely on attacking gender and sexuality as core strategies to assert power. With our fabulous guests, we unpack thorny debates and shine a light on the positive impact of feminist movements worldwide and on their brilliance, boldness and bravery. We aim to lift spirits, create connections and inspire action for transformational change. Justice, Happiness and Freedom begin here!

  1. 6d ago

    Helping pregnant persons travel for abortion care in the U.S. - with Serra Sippel

    Despite the growth in abortion pills by mail in the U.S., in-clinic abortion care continues to be essential, including later in pregnancy. Since Dobbs, hundreds of thousands of pregnant persons are forced to travel an average 1,300 miles (2 000 km) to obtain that critical care. Serra Sippel and her brave colleagues at the Brigid Alliance help these pregnant persons, a majority of whom are Black/persons of color, low-income day workers who already have children. In coordination with clinics and abortion funds, the Brigid Alliance provides its clients with wrap-around support, such as hotels, transportation, meals, childcare and when needed, a traveling companion. Serra denounces the U.S.’ cruel treatment of its most vulnerable residents: listen to her conversation with Françoise and be inspired by the Brigid Alliance’s ingenuity, solidarity and thoughtfulness.

  2. Jul 22

    Gender equality and reproductive rights ARE national security issues - with Neil Datta

    European governments have belatedly realized that far-right actors routinely use attacks against gender equality, diversity and reproductive rights as cover for their anti-democratic agenda. Neil Datta of the European Parliamentary Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Rights outlines how, in 2022, the USA, Russia and Hungary poured $270 million into think tanks and litigation groups across Europe to generate anti-gender controversies that help elect far-right candidates. Once in power, these actors dismantle public institutions, destroy the rule of law and weaponize “religious freedom” to thwart regulations against online hatred and disinformation. Yes, sexual and reproductive rights and gender ARE in fact national security issues. Épisode 27 – 22 juillet 2026 L’égalité de genre et les droits reproductifs : des enjeux de sécurité nationale – avec Neil Datta Les gouvernements européens ont bien tardivement pris conscience que les acteurs d’extrême droite utilisent systématiquement les attaques contre l’égalité de genre, la diversité et les droits reproductifs comme écran de fumée pour faire avancer leur programme antidémocratique. Neil Datta, du Forum parlementaire européen sur les droits sexuels et reproductifs, explique comment, en 2022, les États-Unis, la Russie et la Hongrie ont injecté 270 millions de dollars dans des laboratoires d’idées et groupes de litige à travers l’Europe afin de susciter des controverses anti-genre qui aident les candidats d’extrême droite à se faire élire. Une fois au pouvoir, ces acteurs démantèlent les institutions publiques, sapent l’état de droit et brandissent la « liberté de religion » pour contrecarrer toutes mesures visant à lutter contre la haine et la désinformation en ligne. Oui, les droits sexuels et reproductifs et l’égalité de genre SONT bel et bien des enjeux de sécurité nationale.

  3. Jul 14

    Partnerships for global reproductive health - with Rajat Khosla

    How are countries from the global South dealing with the sudden, massive cuts to foreign assistance enacted by the Trump Administration and by other donors? How are Trump’s Executive Orders attacking gender, diversity and abortion affecting reproductive health and women’s rights worldwide? Rajat Khosla of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health discusses with Françoise what is being done to fight back through regional alliances and global South governments taking greater ownership of their health budgets and domestic production capacity. There is hope amid the devastation!

  4. Jun 22

    Negotiating gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights at the UN – with Kemi Akinfaderin

    Brilliant feminist advocate Kemi Akinfaderin discusses with Françoise recent diplomatic negotiations on gender equality and SRHR: the UN Commission on the Status of Women, UN Commission on Population and Development, and World Health Assembly. Kemi analyzes the achievements and sticking points, how the global North’s reluctance to share technologies and pathogens prevents progress for women and girls, and where feminists stand on UN reform that would merge UN Women and UNFPA, the two UN agencies (oh surprise!) most concerned with gender equality.   La brilliante activiste féministe Kemi Akinfaderin discute avec Françoise des récentes négociations diplomatiques sur l’égalité de genre et la santé et les droits sexuels et reproductifs aux Commissions sur le statut de la femme et sur la population et le développement des Nations unies, et à l’Assemblée mondiale de la santé. Kemi analyse les avancées et les points de blocage, explique en quoi la réticence des pays du Nord à partager leurs technologies et agents pathogènes freine les progrès pour les femmes et les filles, et présente la position des féministes sur la réforme de l’ONU visant à fusionner ONU Femmes et le FNUAP, les deux agences onusiennes (quelle surprise !) les plus concernées par l’égalité de genre

  5. Jun 22

    Resisting anti-gender actors in Europe: is it possible? – with Adrianna Zabrzewska and Roberto Kulpa

    Queer and feminist movements are on the frontlines against powerful anti-gender forces in Europe, with important allies in education, health, media and academia. There is much that Western Europe can learn from Eastern and Central Europe, say Ada Zabrzewska and Roberto Kulpa of Edinburgh Napier University. Their in-depth research shows that, while strategies vary according to context, visibility, meaningful presence, creativity and networks of support and self-care are key to effective and sustained resistance everywhere. Les mouvements queer et féministes sont en première ligne face aux puissantes forces anti-genre en Europe, et peuvent compter sur des alliés de poids dans les domaines de l’éducation, de la santé, des médias et du monde universitaire. L’Europe occidentale a beaucoup à apprendre là-dessus de l’Europe centrale et orientale, affirment Ada Zabrzewska et Roberto Kulpa, de l’université Napier d’Édimbourg. Leurs recherches approfondies montrent que, si les stratégies varient selon le contexte, la visibilité, une présence significative, la créativité ainsi que les réseaux de soutien et de prise en charge de soi sont partout essentiels à une résistance efficace et durable.

  6. Apr 30

    What’s happening to U.S. foreign assistance? — with Beth Schlachter

    More than a year after the dismantling of USAID by Elon Musk’s DOGE and the freezing of the $40 billion U.S. foreign assistance budget, how is global development faring? How is global health, and sexual and reproductive health specifically, affected by the Trump Administration’s evolving policies? Did you know that, in exchange for U.S. aid, Trump now requires U.S. access to global South countries’ mineral resources and health data? Former diplomat Beth Schlachter, now with MSI Reproductive Choices, explains what has changed and how she remains hopeful. Episode 23 - 15 avril 2026 Aide étrangère américaine : où en est-on ? — avec Beth Schlachter Plus d’un an après le démantèlement de l’USAID par le DOGE d’Elon Musk et le gel de 40 milliards de dollars d’aide étrangère américaine, comment le développement mondial se porte-t-il ? Comment la santé mondiale, et plus particulièrement la santé sexuelle et reproductive, est-elle affectée par l’évolution des politiques de l’administration Trump ? Saviez-vous qu’en échange de l’aide américaine, Trump exige désormais que les États-Unis aient accès aux ressources minérales et aux données sanitaires des pays du Sud ? L’ancienne diplomate Beth Schlachter, désormais chez MSI Reproductive Choices, explique ce qui a changé et ce qui lui donne toujours espoir.

  7. Apr 9

    Trump’s Global Gag Rule 3.0 Now Goes Also After “Gender Ideology” and DEI – with Jamie Vernaelde

    In January 2026, the Trump Administration further weaponized U.S. foreign aid when it issued a new policy, cynically entitled “Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance.” Through three separate Executive Orders, the Administration now seeks to use $40 billion of U.S. assistance to bar Global South countries, the UN and any non-governmental organization (foreign or US) from speaking about or doing anything not only on abortion, but also on gender and on diversity, equity and inclusion. Jamie Vernaelde of Ipas explains how this could affect speech, activities, policies and programs related to women, girls, LGBTQI+ persons, racial and ethnic minorities and many other marginalized persons worldwide.

  8. Mar 30

    Anti-gender movements in Europe: how do they operate? – with Roberto Kulpa

    Democracy and human rights are under severe attack everywhere, including in Europe. Far-right actors use anti-gender and anti-abortion arguments to build their political base, win elections, and use their political power to adopt much broader authoritarian agendas. To defend justice and freedom, we must understand what these movements are up to. Roberto Kulpa of Edinburgh Napier University joins Françoise to examine anti-gender tactics across Europe, and how the actors and discourses change depending on the context.  Les mouvements anti-genre en Europe : comment fonctionnent-ils ? – avec Roberto Kulpa La démocratie et les droits de l’homme sont gravement menacés partout dans le monde, y compris en Europe. Les acteurs d’extrême-droite utilisent des arguments anti-genre et anti-avortement pour consolider leur base politique, remporter des élections et se servir de ce pouvoir politique pour mettre en œuvre des programmes autoritaires bien plus vastes. Pour défendre la justice et la liberté, nous devons comprendre les actions et intentions de ces mouvements. Roberto Kulpa, de l’université Napier d’Édimbourg, se joint à Françoise pour examiner les tactiques anti-genre à travers l’Europe, et comment les acteurs et les discours évoluent en fonction du contexte.

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About

Hosted by Françoise Girard, founder of FMUS (Feminism Makes Us Smarter at FMUS.org) the FMUS (“famous”) podcast is here to reset the conversation about feminism, at a time when far-right movements increasingly rely on attacking gender and sexuality as core strategies to assert power. With our fabulous guests, we unpack thorny debates and shine a light on the positive impact of feminist movements worldwide and on their brilliance, boldness and bravery. We aim to lift spirits, create connections and inspire action for transformational change. Justice, Happiness and Freedom begin here!

Information

  • Creator
    FMUS
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The FMUS podcast