Sinister Myth

Sinister Myth Bitesize: Spoken Word Poetry & Violence Against Women

Spoken word poet Catherine Maynard talks about how audiences to spoken word poetry react to sharing stories sexual violence. She talks about her decision to share poems about sexual assault, and she reads her poem, ‘Smile.’ Content warning: mention of violence against women and sexual violence.

Sinister Myth Keyword: Bi-erasure

In a strong worded discussion of heteronormative pressure, psychology student Sydney Williams explains what bi-erasure means, and how assumptions about bisexuality can have real impacts in the world. Content warning: use of strong language. Please note that these recent podcasts were recorded under pandemic conditions, and so we were not able to record them in the studio.

Suicide Rates & LGBTQ Communities

Why are LGBTQ suicide rates high and what can we do to change that? Medical anthropology student Adalie Schmidt interviews expert Dr. Alexandra VanBergen of University of Rochester about her research into suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the US. Alexandra VanBergen discusses the risks, highlights the problems for adolescents in particular, and talks about how prevention needs to start at home. Content warning: discussion of suicide. Please note that these recent podcasts were recorded under pandemic conditions, and so we were not able to record them in the studio.

Sinister Myth Keyword: Emotional Labor

What does emotional labor mean and how does it manifest itself? Ohio State University English major Megan Moody discusses what the term means and how it affects women and minorities disproportionately. Please note that these recent podcasts were recorded under pandemic conditions, and so we were not able to record them in the studio.

Sinister Myth Case Study: The Case of Oluwatoyin Salau

In this “Sinister Myth: Case Study”, Natarshia Corley tackles the killing of Florida activist Oluwatoyin Salau, questioning to what extent black women’s lives lost are registered in the struggle to end the violence. Natarshia Corley is a graduate student at the Ohio State University, working in the Self, Stereotypes, and Social Norms Lab. Sinister Myth Case Studies feature recent news stories that may have been overlooked and that tell us something important about how stories we tell perpetuate violence. Please note that these recent podcasts were recorded under pandemic conditions, and so we were not able to record them in the studio.