RESIST: Joy Filled Stories for Dystopian Days
We’re counteracting the heaviness of these days with a micro-dose of joy.
We’re diving into anti dystopian and utopian stories, what these are unlocking and enabling, and why they're a balm in these times we’re living through.
Why we don't need more dystopian narratives that normalize violence and the inevitability of authoritarianism, here we're exploring stories that reimagine livable futures.
Upcoming episodes cover Jacob Tierney (Crave/ HBO) queer hockey show “Heated Rivalry” and Anaïs Mitchell’s mythical musical “Hadestown”.
Podcast Episodes
Episode 1
Why we need joy filled stories in these days!
Episode 2: Heated Rivalry
Why Heated Rivalry Is a Joy-Filled, Anti-Dystopian Love Story (and Why Straight White Men Should Watch It)
Why viewers are so obsessed with queer hockey show Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO), created by Jacob Tierney, starring Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Francois Arnaud, and based on Rachel Reid’s novels.
Exploring three joy-filled lenses: the show itself, the makers of the show, the fandom for the show and the ripple effects in this cultural moment.
Episode 3: Hadestown Part 1 - Numbness, Activation and Resistance
Anais Mitchells’ mythical magical musical masterpiece and what is reveals for us about anti-dystopia, collective action to counteract the rise of authoritarianism, and seeing the world as it could be.
Episode 4: HadesTown Part 2: Seasons, Self-Talk and Solidarity
How can living seasonally help us experience more joy? Do the Fates live inside our heads? How do we stay tender, connected and human in these days? And why do we have to keep ‘singing it again’?
We’re in part 2 of our deep dive into the joy-filled story of Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Chavkin’s award-winning, magical, mythical musical ‘Hadestown’.
Let’s dive back in!
Episode 5: Why RESIST? Met Gala, Nexus of Power, and Small Daily Acts of Resistance
I’m spiralling after scrolling Met Gala pics and confessing the mirror moments it brings up for me. We explore what we mean by resistance, how we can start small, build a rhythm, and feel connected in community. This episode is raw and a bit rougher round the edges - let’s go!
Episode 6: Resistance as JOY: Practices for Staying Steady through Turbulent Times
What does JOY have to do with the rise of the far right, climate instability and ageing
What if joy is not denial, a luxury, or the absence of grief, but a practical antidote to despair that helps us stay human, steady, and resourced for collective resistance against oppressive systems.
This episode includes practical exercises, coaching prompts and birthday affirmation- discover your Joy List and your 3 Ps.
Please note *side effects* may cause feel-good boost of energy, clarity and momentum!
Episode 7: Resistance as DANCE - Joy, Nervous System Healing, and the Politics of the Dance Floor
I’m tracking how music and movement have shaped my life from childhood car singalongs and ballet auditions, to charismatic worship in church, festivals, sober raves and community dance spaces.
Why dancing is so good for us, how the dance floor metabolises body self-consciousness, comparison and ‘the gaze’, EDM’s roots in liberation and struggle, and how dancing becomes a practice of freedom, solidarity, and joy.
*side effects* may cause symptoms of spontaneous movement, flow and joy
Episode 8: Resistance as REST Part 1- Reclaiming Worth Beyond Productivity
Welcome to Joy Filled Stories for Dystopian Days Episode 8 - and this is a juicy one!
We’re exploring why Rest is foundational to our resistance, how we build rest into our daily lives. But to do this we explore first why rest is so hard for us, how systems are designed to keep us exhausted, and what real rest is beyond naps, baths and luxury wellness.
Along the way we’re redefining the nature of work, what it means to have a successful life, sweat maxxing our way through a heatwave, and I share my personal journey with rest.
Warning #1: You may find this episode angry making! Our socialisation around this stuff runs deep.
Warning #2: You may find this episode enables you to feel seen! You may feel less alone with the shoulds and oughts you carry around rest.
Resistance as REST is split into 2 parts so go ahead to Episode 9 for Part 2!
Episode 9: Resistance as REST Part 2 - Practical Ways to Weave Real Rest into Your Life
This is part 2 of our epic marathon unpacking of REST!
In part 1 (go back and listen in to Episode 8) we talked about why we find rest so challenging, busting the societal, cultural and systemic myths around rest, and I shared some of my personal story with rest.
…and this time we’re focusing on practical ways we can build rest in to our daily lives, unpacking 7 types of rest, and along the way we explore seasonal shifts at peri-meno, politicised somatics and whether you’re in ‘essentials only’!
We’ll close with some practical coaching reflective prompts and affirmations for you.
Let’s dive in.
Future Episodes - Subscribe Here
Love to hear your reflections - what resonates for you from these conversations? What joy-filled stories are keeping you topped up and hopeful during these times? What anti-dystopian or utopian stories shall I dive into next?