Big Reputations

59. Cruella DeVil

In this episode, we discuss Cruella deVil and all of her origin stories throughout various forms of media. We talk about how other characters viewed and treated her, and how those relationships or lack there of affected her and influenced her actions. Then we dive into how audiences viewed her over the years, depending on the adaptations they grew up with. Lastly we discuss her motivations, and how we think she saw herself in an attempt to, if not redeem her, at least make her more sympathetic.
Spoiler Alert for any of the 101 Dalmatian stories really, but especially for the 2021 film, Cruella starring Emma Stone. If you haven’t seen it yet, go watch it and come back when you’re done. Or be prepared to have the whole thing spoiled!
Trigger Warnings: animal cruelty and murder
 
Follow the podcast:
BlueSky and Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram and TikTok: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
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Sources:
Books: One Hundred and One Dalmatians, by Dodie Smith and Evil Things by Serena Valentino
Movies: 101 Dalmatians (1961 and 1996), Cruella (2021)
"Was Cruella De Vil Right? 101 Dalmatians Misunderstood Disney Villain," on YouTube
"Cruella's Changing Perception: From Spoiled Socialite to Rising Fashion Star," by Sarah Bahr
"Does 'Cruella' Redeem Disney's Greatest Villain? And Should It?," by John Boone

Bonus: End of Year Recap and Bloopers 2023

In this episode, We look back at 2023. We have been doing this podcast for two and a half years and we want to thank all of you who have been here since the beginning but also those of you who have recently joined. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoy making the episodes
Those of you who have been here with us for a while might remember how this goes. But for those of you for whom this is the first end of year bonus episode, basically, we recap our thoughts and experiences from the year, discuss our favorite episodes, look at some of the fun statistics about you, our listeners, and talk about the episodes we are looking forward to in the next year.
And we make a special announcement about what our 2024 content will look like (and why), so you definitely don’t want to miss that!
After that, we share some bloopers from the second half of the year before wrapping up for the year. These were moments that made us laugh, so we hope you enjoy them too.
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois

58. Taylor Swift

In today's episode we talk about American singer-songwriter and pop star, and Time’s latest person of the year, Taylor Swift. We explore how she got her start, her early career, her different albums and songs, her tours, and how the media reacted to her rise to fame. Then we push back against the haters and explore her relationship with her record label, her producer, and big name streaming music providers. Finally we look at the awards she has received, the records she has broken, and the inspiration she has provided to other young creatives.
Trigger warnings: Sexual Assault
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
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Sources:
"This is Why you Hate Taylor Swift - Thoughts on Women Who Have an Ego," by Christina Lane
"Breaking Down the Many Easter Eggs in Taylor Swift's 'Look What You Made Me Do'" by Alyssa Bailey
Miss Americana, a 2020 documentary directed by Lana Wilson
The December issue of Time magazine
Taking on Taylor Swift by CNN
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, directed by Sam Wrench

57. Stacey Abrams

In this episode, we talk about American politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author Stacey Abrams. We discuss how she is viewed by the world of politics, and pop culture (spoiler alert for  Misogyny and Racism). Then we cover Stacey’s rise to political fame, and the passion that keeps her there. Lastly we discuss her plans for the future for America and herself.
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
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Sources:
National Women’s History Museum entry on Stacey Abrams
“Stacey Abrams on Writing Suspense Novels and Her Future in Politics,” Interview with Belinda Luscombe
Power move: Stacey Abrams’s next act is the electrification of the US, by Brian Kahn
Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change, by Stacey Abrams
All In: The Fight for Democracy

56. Natalie Wood

In this episode, we cover a woman whose death often overshadows her life, Ms. Natalie Wood. We talk about her star power from her childhood, through her teenage years, and into adulthood, along with how the media perceived her. Then we focus on her home life, from being the sole provider for her family from a young age to the imposter syndrome she sometimes felt, and even the ways in which she was different in public and in private. Finally we wrap up with some of her achievements and the legacy she has left behind. 
Trigger warnings: Brief mentions of animal cruelty, suicide, death
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
“The Story of Natalie Wood Is Also the Story of Her Mother,” by Merle Rubin
Natalie Wood, What Remains Behind directed by Laurent Bouzereau (HBO MAX)
“Natalie Wood's sister 'always thought' husband Robert Wagner was responsible for her drowning death: 'I think he's a coward'” by Erin Snodgrass
“Scandals of Classic Hollywood: The Unspoken Tragedy of Natalie Wood,” by Anne Helen Petersen
West Side Story 1961, Directed by Robert Wise
More Than Love: An Intimate Portrait of My Mother, Natalie Wood by Natasha Gregson Wagner

55. Witches

In this episode, we discuss a group of powerful and often misunderstood women: Witches. First we take you back to some ancient roots of witchcraft and early perspectives by different cultures, religions, and societies. Then we consider how society and pop culture mold our outlook on witches and vice versa by discussing common examples of witches in media. Then we dig into some 20th century controversies and realities surrounding witches and witchcraft, including how it is practiced today. Lastly we talk about the negative and positive impact that witchcraft has had on the world
 
Trigger warnings: child abuse, violence and death
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Witches of Past and Present, a magazine
"Re-examining the Good Versus Bad Girl Binary," by Nadia Hammouda
“Modern Witchcraft: Empowerment, Feminism, and Rituals” by Kennedy Ryan
"The Devil Goes to DayCare: McMartin and the Making of a Moral Panic," by Mary de Young
"Witch Trials of the 21st-Century”, by National Geographic
The Witch Trope, Explained

54. Dawn Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

In this episode, We discuss a controversial fictional character:  Dawn Summers, little sister to Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. After explaining who she is and how she was included in the show, we consider the interactions she had with other characters and their opinions of her. Then we dig into some of the audience opinions of her that are out there, to see why she was even a character worth covering on this podcast. Finally we think about the world that Dawn shows up in, how she struggles with her role, her reality, and her grief when she loses those that she loves. And we suggest why maybe she doesn’t need to be included on any of those “TV’s worst character lists” after all!
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
"Why Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fans Hated Dawn," by James Hunt
"Hey Buffy Fans, Dawn Was Not the Worst," by Sarah Hagi
The Buffyverse Wiki at Buffy.fandom.com
Slayers: A Buffyverse Story
All seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are currently (as of October 20223) available on Hulu

53. Serena Williams

In this episode, we discuss the multi-record holding tennis superstar, Serena Williams. We look at her early life and experiences with the sport. Then we consider the ways in which the media has covered her over the years including comments on her size, race, and gender as it relates to the game and even beyond the tennis court. We follow this up by breaking down the realities behind the comments on her sportsmanship, the double standards she has been held to and how racism and sexism by reporters and more have twisted reality. And finally, we wrap up with a discussion of what Williams has achieved so far in her life, how she has given back to her community, and the different women she has inspired both on and off the court. 
Trigger warnings: Racism, sexism, body shaming
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
"Despite Decades of Racist and Sexist Attacks, Serena Williams Keeps Winning," by Jenée Desmond-Harris
"Serena Williams, Tennis Stars Discuss Body Image in New York Times Interview," by Adam Wells
On the Line, by Serena Williams
King Richard, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green

52. Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, this week we are discussing Mexican icon and super-genius, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. From her rebellious childhood to her time in the royal court and later her life as a nun. Then we explore how she became known as the “The Tenth Muse” and how it affected her personal and professional life, including connections to other important figures in Mexico at the time. Later we dig into some rumors about her and how her writings made her enemy number one in the eyes of the church. Lastly we talk about her impact on literature, music, film, theater and more.
 
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Complete Works, by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz
I, The Worst of All, directed by Maria Luisa Bemberg (on Kanopy)
A Life Without and Within: Juana Ramírez / Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, by Electa Arenal
Sor Juana: Or, the Traps of Faith, by Octavio Paz
“History’s Worst Nun,” a TED-Ed video on YouTube
“Sor Juana, Inside Out, and Saint Saiya” episode of Why Do We Read This?

51. Lauryn Hill

In this episode we learn about the actress, singer, songwriter and rapper Lauryn Hill from the start of her career at age 13 to today. Then we discuss the things that the media has said about her over the years regarding her musical performances, acting gigs, and romantic relationships. Next we break down some of these judgements and discuss what was really going on in Hill’s life and career. We address rumors that were started by twisting her words, and what really happened. Finally we look at the impact of her music on other creators and artists, as well as the ways in which she has given back to her community. 
Trigger warnings: grooming
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Kunkle and Rebecca L. Salois
Logo Design: Samantha Marmolejo
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
The Mystery of Lauryn Hill by Toure
She Begat This: 20 Years of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Taking the rap by Sherryl Connelly
Ms Lauryn Hill's Unsung Music Story: Battle with the Music Industry and Her Legacy
Ms. Lauryn Hill Speaks in Depth About Fame, Racism, and ‘Miseducation’ by Brittany Spanos