Culturally Curious with Nanette Ashby // Raffia Magazine

Nanette Ashby

Culturally Curious is the brand new podcast by the Gender and Diversity Magazine Raffia. With this podcast we aim to delve deeper into topics surrounding gender, sexuality, diversity and identity throughout arts and cultures. Join me, Nanette Ashby, and some very special guests as we talk about queer experiences through the ages, disability rights, the power of sex education, how to fight street harassment and so much more. Expect eye opening discussion, laughs and some serious sex education. We are very excited to share these fascinating interviews with you all!

  1. Oct 23

    Who Gets to Wander? A History of Comfort, Curiosity and Travel in 19th-Century Europe with Dr Anna Geurts

    In this episode, Nanette Ashby is joined by Dr Anna Geurts, a historian whose research sits at the crossroads of gender, disability, race, and the history of travel. Anna's recently published book brings together years of archival research into diaries, letters, and memoirs to explore how 19th-century travellers from the Netherlands, Britain, Germany, and beyond made themselves at home on the road. She explains how ideas of homeliness, cleanliness, and comfort shifted dramatically over the century. Together, we dig into the messy, fascinating work of archival research, the near-invisibility of women, disabled, and working-class travellers in the historical records. How has curiosity itself been gendered by historians?. Anna also gives us an update on the current funding climate for gender and diversity research, and shares an exciting new project retracing a 1932 transatlantic journey from Amsterdam to Paramaribo. From Grand Tours to servant migrations, harems to hospital tourism, this episode is a joyfully curious deep dive into who could travel and who got to tell the story afterwards. You can find more information and links to everything we talked about in this episode in the show notes here: https://raffia-magazine.com/ Please let us know your thoughts over on our instagram page @raffia_magazine // https://www.instagram.com/raffia_magazine/ If you like this episode please leave us a rating and review - it is much appreciated!

    Who Gets to Wander? A History of Comfort, Curiosity and Travel in 19th-Century Europe with Dr Anna Geurts

  2. May 24

    Denmark’s Spiral Campaign and the Colonial History of Birth Control in Greenland with Dr Anne Nørkjær Bang

    In this episode, Nanette Ashby is joined by Dr Anne Nørkjær Bang, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern Denmark. Her work is situated within cultural studies and feminist science studies, looking at the intersection of reproduction, gender, technology, environment, and contemporary culture. Together, we discuss her project Endocrine Economies: the Cultural Politics of Sex Hormones and her take on the birth control pill as more than just a contraceptive technology, but a cultural phenomenon. We immerse ourselves in the so-called “spiral campaign” led by the Danish government in the 1960s and 70s in Greenland, and the debates around the administration of Depo-Provera injections that followed. This journey takes us back to the colonisation of Greenland by Denmark and some of the more insidious aspects of forced assimilation, or “Danishisation”, of the Greenlandic people. Racially motivated population control is one aspect which led to the forced sterilisation of many Greenlandic women. Stay tuned to find out more about the history of hormonal birth control and an essential part of Denmark and Greenland’s not-so-ancient history! You can find more information and links to everything we talked about in this episode in the show notes here: https://raffia-magazine.com/ Please let us know your thoughts over on our Instagram page @raffia_magazine // https://www.instagram.com/raffia_magazine/ If you like this episode please leave us a rating and review - it is much appreciated!

    Denmark’s Spiral Campaign and the Colonial History of Birth Control in Greenland with Dr Anne Nørkjær Bang

  3. Feb 19

    The Power of Pornography: Behind-the-Scenes of the Porn Film Festival Amsterdam with Jessie van der Berg

    In this episode Nanette Ashby dives into the world of Porn Film Festivals together with organiser Jessica van der Berg. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Jessie is a copywriter, Sextech School graduate, and speaker on masturbation, vulvas, and pornography. She is part of the team behind the Porn Film Festival Amsterdam. She is also the organiser of SONA, South Africa’s first Sex of the Nation Address - a sex-positive, consent-centered, post-porn festival and fundraiser for the sex worker movements Sweat and Sisonke. Through her agency After Dark, she works on sex- and intimacy-focused projects that help dismantle shame, build connection, and remind people they’re allowed to feel at home in their own bodies. Together, we explore how pornography can be a cultural lens. Jessie shares how porn film festivals reflect local politics, sexuality, and social change, creating safe, community-driven spaces for dialogue, art, and self-discovery. From disability representation to ethical production and taboo-smashing storytelling, we unpack how film can humanise misunderstood industries and spark real conversations. Think of this episode as your behind-the-scenes all access pass to porn film festivals. We also discuss tips and tricks for those of you who would like to start a similar project in your area. But first, go get your tickets for the upcoming Porn Film Festival in Amsterdam! It's from the 26th of February to 1st of March this year. Expect four days of screenings, industry and community events, plus opening and closing parties — all designed to bring film, sexuality, and community together. Are you ready to see porn through a different lens?  You can find more information and links to everything we talked about in this episode in the show notes here: https://raffia-magazine.com/ Please let us know your thoughts over on our Instagram page @raffia_magazine // https://www.instagram.com/raffia_magazine/ If you like this episode please leave us a rating and review - it is much appreciated!

    The Power of Pornography: Behind-the-Scenes of the Porn Film Festival Amsterdam with Jessie van der Berg

  4. 04/23/2025

    Objects of Desire: Curating and Archiving Sex Work with Rori Dior

    In this episode Nanette Ashby is joined by Rori Dior, a Berlin-based sex worker, anthropologist, activist, and co-founder of the archive Objects Of Desire. We discuss the ins and outs of creating and maintaining an archive such as Objects of Desire and the importance of institutional collaboration. We also highlight the influence of political environments, and which spaces are held by sex workers within art and history. Within the context of the fight to legitimize sex work as work, the collective behind Objects of Desire has created and curated an archive of objects and more importantly the stories behind them. These objects were received as gifts or accumulated by sex workers themselves. This archive illustrates the diversity within the sex worker community, their work, and the variety of clients.We also talk about Rori’s work as a curator for the exhibition “With Legs Wide Open – A Whore’s Ride Through History” at the Schwules Museum in Berlin in 2024. Rori takes us through the process of getting the exhibition off the ground. We also discuss the collaborative effort behind it, negotiating with art institutions, and the delicacies of interviewing sex workers and collecting stories from a legally and socially sensitive environment. You can find more information and links to everything we talked about in this episode in the show notes here: https://raffia-magazine.com/ Please let us know your thoughts over on our instagram page @raffia_magazine // https://www.instagram.com/raffia_magazine/ If you like this episode please leave us a rating and review - it is much appreciated!

    Objects of Desire: Curating and Archiving Sex Work with Rori Dior

  5. 09/13/2024

    Pioneering Women claiming Power in Art Museums across Europe with Laia Anguix Vilches

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Laia Anguix Vilches. She is a postdoctoral researcher at Radboud University. Between art history and gender studies, her research revolves around the first women in positions of power and influence in art museums across Europe. Together, we discuss the ins and outs of this project, the importance of historical contexts, political environments, and the advancement of women’s rights. Laia strongly insists on the transitional aspects of the time period she is focusing on, which is the late 19th and 20th centuries. Women’s growing access to education, career opportunities, and the consequences of the two World Wars on the labor market made these positions more accessible. We lean into the intersectional aspects of the topic, covering issues such as the marriage bar and work/life balance, lower salaries, and the significance of networking amongst women. Laia also talks us through the more practical difficulties of postdoctoral research such as working primarily with archival sources as well as budgetary and travel restrictions.This episode offers insight into the gendered aspects of art history and participates in anchoring the importance of the role played by women in cultural institutions. You can find more information and links to everything we talked about in this episode in the show notes here: https://raffia-magazine.com/ Please let us know your thoughts over on our instagram page @raffia_magazine // https://www.instagram.com/raffia_magazine/ If you like this episode please leave us a rating and review - it is much appreciated!

    Pioneering Women claiming Power in Art Museums across Europe with Laia Anguix Vilches

  6. 08/22/2024

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work at Universities with Dr Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven

    In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven. From 2020 to 2023, she was the Chief Diversity Officer at Radboud University and Program Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We discuss the ins and outs of what this job entails. Including meeting with students or staff members to listen to their demands, complaints or issues and the process of finding ways to implement long lasting improvements. Rona’s career has taken her around the world. How does one adapt the work to the culture one is in? Rona and I delve into the history of DEI departments in various organizations. We stress the importance of the intersectional work that she does as well as the changes she is able to implement, regardless of the field. Together, we establish the vital need to stay curious and to keep questioning everything in the search for further deconstruction of social and societal norms. Generally this episode is about how to be a champion for human rights and social justice. You can find more information and links to everything we talked about in this episode in the show notes here: https://raffia-magazine.com/ Please let us know your thoughts over on our instagram page @raffia_magazine // https://www.instagram.com/raffia_magazine/ If you like this episode please leave us a rating and review - it is much appreciated!

    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Work at Universities with Dr Rona Jualla van Oudenhoven

  7. 07/15/2024

    Amsterdam’s Red Light District from a Sex Worker's perspective with Nat Portnoy

    In this episode, Nanette Ashby take you with her to the Prostitution Information Center in Amsterdam. It is located in the heart of the Red light district next to the Oude Kerk or Old Church. I have the pleasure of interviewing Nat Portnoy, a multidisciplinary artist, activist, performer, filmmaker and sex worker. First we dive into the history of the Prostitution Information Center, or PIC. The language and terminology we use, matters. Nat describes the diversity of sex workers, their work and the variety of clients. There is still stigma associated with sex work. We examine which misconceptions and stereotypes are the most damaging and why. Nat explains in detail the legal situation and process of registering as a sex worker in the Netherlands. More generally, Nat illustrates the crucial differences between legalisation and decriminalisation of sex work. The Nordic model is often hailed as a positive solution, but we review the concerning consequences of this idea. How did the pandemic affect the sex industry? We discuss the ongoing project of the Municipality of Amsterdam of closing the windows in the district and instead building a designated high-rise also known as an Erotic centre. This endeavour is contested for many reasons, especially from the perspective of sex workers. Nat describes a third alternative to reimagine the Red Light district. This episode is an illuminating and extensive view behind the windows of Amsterdam’ Red Light District. You can find more information and links to everything we talked about in this episode in the show notes here: https://raffia-magazine.com/ Please let us know your thoughts over on our instagram page @raffia_magazine // https://www.instagram.com/raffia_magazine/ If you like this episode please leave us a rating and review - it is much appreciated! This episode is awarded through a Display Europe micro-grant scheme, supported by the European Cultural Foundation and co-financed by the European Union. Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

    Amsterdam’s Red Light District from a Sex Worker's perspective with Nat Portnoy

  8. 02/12/2024

    Experimental Archeology and the History of Pockets with Marjolein Kik

    In this installment, I'm joined by Marjolein Kik, a Dutch academic specializing in dress history and experimental archaeology. Their research into the history of Dutch pockets takes center-stage in this episode. We start with the question: What is experimental archaeology? Marjolein explains the nuances of this new and unique research method and how they created an educational tool for museums, based on this research. We discussed materials, sewing techniques and designs used to make pockets between 1650 and 1950. The collection of Dutch pockets Marjolein created and examined are just as diverse as the topics connected to them. Marjolein reveals what women carried in their pockets, how this garment was worn, and used in everyday life. Pockets can provide us with a unique perspective into women's history and identity. For example, how did pockets influence gender roles? And why were the Suffragettes sad to see them go. These questions and many more will be answered by Marjolein. You can find more information and links to everything we talked about in this episode in the show notes here: https://raffia-magazine.com/ Please let us know your thoughts over on our instagram page @raffia_magazine // https://www.instagram.com/raffia_magazine/ If you like this episode please leave us a rating and review - it is much appreciated!

    Experimental Archeology and the History of Pockets with Marjolein Kik
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About

Culturally Curious is the brand new podcast by the Gender and Diversity Magazine Raffia. With this podcast we aim to delve deeper into topics surrounding gender, sexuality, diversity and identity throughout arts and cultures. Join me, Nanette Ashby, and some very special guests as we talk about queer experiences through the ages, disability rights, the power of sex education, how to fight street harassment and so much more. Expect eye opening discussion, laughs and some serious sex education. We are very excited to share these fascinating interviews with you all!

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