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. 1d 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

  2. 3d ago

    '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/

  3. 6d ago

    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/

  4. 6d ago ·  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

  5. Oct 23

    'Burn of the Everflame' Chapters 76 - Epilogue

    Summary: There is no stone left unturned, no prophecy left unfilled, as we come to the epic finale of Burn of the Everflame by Penn Cole. Come for Penn sticking the landing; stay for Kate & Julia being slap-happy as they cope with their trauma from the end of this 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 Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros: https://linkly.link/2mg97Into The Blue by Emma Brodie: https://linkly.link/2yH4qThis Is How You Lose the Time War: https://linkly.link/2yH0y Co-host Corner: Connect with my co-host, Kate! Kate is the owner of A Sweet Whim, which is located in the Orlando area and crafts whimsical macrons! Follow her on Instagram: @asweetwhim Join her macron subscription service or check out her monthly flavors: https://linkly.link/2tcPP 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/

  6. Oct 21

    'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' Forgive Me, Father

    Summary: Halfway through the season of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, and so far the greatest war everyone is fighting is, apparently, with their own daddy issues. This week on Femme & Furious, Katy and I will be diving into battles, boys being boys, and God- a holy trinity of shit so canonically masculine it feels illegal to talk about on a show about feminism! ⚠️ 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: Jocasta’s loveless marriage and Colum’s guilt over trading his sister for the clan aren’t just historical drama. Forced marriage still happens in the U.S. Unchained At Last, a survivor-led nonprofit, provides free legal and social support to help women, girls, and others escape forced and arranged marriages and rebuild their lives. Learn more or donate at www.unchainedatlast.org. 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! Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros: https://linkly.link/2mg97 Side Quest: We also mentioned... North & South (Saga based on John Jake's novel)Charlie the Unicorn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsGYh8AacgYVoting! Please go and VOTE! https://votesaveamerica.com/be-a-voter/ 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 17

    'Burn of the Everflame' Chapters 61-75

    Summary: All is fair in love and war! Burn of the Everflame by Penn Cole chapters 61-75 serves us exactly what we've all wanted: shadow daddy sex! Hang out with Julia & Kate as they dive into the twists and turns of this final, epic battle! ⚠️ 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.wilpf.org/history/ Co-host Corner: Connect with my co-host, Kate! Kate is the owner of A Sweet Whim, which is located in the Orlando area and crafts whimsical macrons! Follow her on Instagram: @asweetwhim Join her macron subscription service or check out her monthly flavors: https://linkly.link/2tcPP 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 15

    'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' A Portion of My Soul

    Summary: On this episode of Femme & Furious, we’re talking about Blood of My Blood Season 2 Episode 4, a [Portion of My Soul. This episode takes on trauma, memory, and consent. We’ll look at how the show handles Henry’s experience in the asylum and the way Julia reads it, plus the icky power dynamics women have to navigate just to get through a day, like Grace’s run-in with Mr. Cameron. We’ll also dig into the series’ favorite romantic idea, that love means giving up everything for the person you’ve chosen, and whether it still works when the story starts to feel stretched! ⚠️ 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. 💋 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 As an FYI: Right now the 2 Femme, 2 Furious community is free! Join, bestie! 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/

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