Big Reputations

31. Eartha Kitt

In this episode we discuss the one and only Eartha Kitt, an American actress and singer from the mid-twentieth century. We cover her rise to fame, from her early singing career to her role as Catwoman and beyond. Then we look at some of the factors that led to her being ostracized by Hollywood including one particular interaction with a certain first lady. Finally we talk about her involvement with activism, her support for the LGBTQIA+ community, and how she unknowingly opened doors for other Black actresses.
Trigger warnings: Abuse, rape, racism
 
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Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
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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
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Sources:
Catwoman vs. the White House”  Directed by Scott Calonico
Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter's Love Story in Black and White by Kitt Shapiro 
I'm Still Here: Confessions of a Sex Kitten by Eartha Kitt
Rejuvenate: It’s Never Too Late, by Eartha Kitt

30. Women in Leadership: The Workplace

In this episode, we discuss women in leadership. Specifically women in leadership positions in the workforce. We cover the history of women in the workforce, particularly in the US, including some of the first women in CEO positions. Then we consider the role that the media plays in perpetuating and breaking stereotypes of women in positions of leadership. We address words and terms that are often used to describe female leaders in the workplace, how they differ from those used to describe male leaders, and why this matters. Finally we wrap up with a conversation about gender inequality in leadership overall, the concept of “women’s work” in corporate jobs, and how labels for women in the workforce differ between women of different racial backgrounds.
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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 Fix: Overcome the Invisible Barriers That Are Holding Women Back at Work, by Michelle P. King
“Madam C.E.O., Get Me a Coffee” by Adam Grant and Sheryl Sandberg for the NYT
“Does the Media Influence How We Perceive Women in Leadership?” a study put out by the Rockefeller Foundation
 “The Different Words We Use to Describe Male and Female Leaders” by David G. Smith, Judith E. Rosenstein, and Margaret C. Nikolov (Harvard Business Review)
"The Crucial Role of Media in Achieving Gender Equality"
"Gender on the Homefront"

29. Eve

In this episode we discuss a legendary biblical figure, and the first women, Eve. We talk about her “alleged” sins and how it affected her and future generations. Then we cover how she has been depicted in both history and modern day pop-culture. Finally we wrap up by considering how different translations, literary studies, and science have challenged this biblical figure.
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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 Gospel According to Eve: A History of Women’s Interpretation, by Amanda W. Benckhuysen
The Rise and Fall of Adam and Eve, by Stephen Greenblatt
“The Trial of Eve” by Maya Wilson Autzen
“From the Garden of Eden to 'Killing Eve': Deconstructing the First Woman in Art,” by Lydia Figes
“Long Demonized in Art, Eve Has Become a Pop Culture Icon” by CaveArtFair

28. Corazon Aquino

In this episode we discuss the woman who Filippinos refer to as “The Mother of Democracy.” The first female president in Asia, Corazon Aquino. We cover her run for president, the reaction of her opposition, and the struggles she faced in terms of her background and her policy decisions. Then we address the changes that actually took place under her rule, including the establishment of democracy, a redistribution of land, and what happened when her time in office was coming to an end. Finally, we wrap up with what Aquino did after her presidency was over, the ways in which she fought for continued democracy in the Philippines, and how the world sees her today.
Trigger warnings: Murder, gun violence
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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:
To Love Another Day a memoir by Cory Aquino
"Corazon Aquino, Revolutionary President of the Philippines" by Keri Engel
Cory, Profile of a President: The Historic Rise to Power of Corazon Aquino by Isabelo T. Crisostomo
Corazon Aquino - US Congress Speech
Family Code of the Philippines

27. Janet Jackson

This week we will discuss the iconic singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer: Janet Jackson. We cover her early career, the steps she took to establish control and an independent career, the struggles she faced, and the scandals she has endured. Then we dig into some of the truths behind her experiences including her relationships with family members, being a Jackson and dealing with the tabloids, and the realities of that infamous Super Bowl performance. Finally, we wrap up with Jackson’s legacy, the awards she has received, the humanitarian work she has been involved in, and the female empowerment she encourages. 
Trigger warnings: brief mentions of family violence, death, child molestation
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Become a Patreon supporter: patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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:
Janet Jackson the documentary released in 2022 directed by Benjamin Hirsch
Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson
“Why 2018 could be the year of Janet Jackson’s very delayed redemption” by Emily Yahr
True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself a memoir by Janet Jackson & David Ritz

26. Ruth Bader Ginsburg

In this episode, we cover one of our all time favorite Supreme Court justices, the one and only, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We discuss her education, her early career, the support she had from her partner, a couple of the many cases she tried, and her appointment to the Supreme Court. Then we talk about how she came to be known as RBG, her overall celebrity, her sharp yet articulate dissents, and how and why she continued to serve on the court despite various health concerns. Finally we wrap up with the huge impact that Ginsburg has had on this country, primarily in terms of equality rights and fighting for what is right. But we also talk about how her education and relationship paths can be an inspiration to many.
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
Linktree: linktr.ee/bigreputatonspod
 
Become a Patreon supporter:
patreon.com/bigreputationspod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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:
RBG, a 2018 Documentary directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen (Amazon Prime)
Ruth: Justice Ginsburg in Her Own Words, a 2019 Documentary directed by Freida Lee Mock (She also did the 2013 Anita Hill doc Anita: Speaking Truth to Power)
My Own Words, by Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams
“How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Became the ‘Notorious RBG’” by Lauren Kelley for Rolling Stone
Oyez.com, a free law project from Cornell’s Legal Information Institute, so many court cases are listed and explain
“The Class of RBG” by Dahlia Lithwick and Molly Olmstead 
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg & Dissents: What’s a Dissent?”
“Heavyweight: How Ruth Bader Ginsburg has moved the Supreme Court” by Jeffrey Toobin
Notorious RBG on Tumblr

Bonus: Bloopers August 2022

We had a lot going on recently and with such a heavy topic last episode, we figured we'd lighten things up with another round of bloopers. We hope you find them as funny as we did or that they at least made you laugh once or twice.
We'll be back in two weeks with a new episode on another fantastic woman. In the meantime, enjoy the two of us cracking each other up and having a great time.
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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

25. Roe v. Wade

In this episode we discuss an unfortunately timely topic, Roe v. Wade. We dig into the history of the case, including how it came to be, who supported it, how it was challenged over the years, and the eventual overturning of the law. Then we take a look at how the media has approached the subject over the years, from the initial reporting in 1973 on the evening news, to film and television portrayals. We also consider how, both with Roe and Dobbs, the results were leaked prior to the official decision, the opposition and support for the decisions, and organizations that have spoken out against the decision. Next we discuss the truth of abortion as healthcare as well as the legal ramification of overturning Roe v. Wade. Finally we cover who will feel the impact of this decision (spoiler alert: it’s everyone) and what the consequences could be for individuals, society, and even the economy.  
Trigger warnings: within the context of abortion there will be mentions of rape, abuse, and self-induced abortions
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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:
Reversing Roe, a 2018 documentary available on Netflix
Fall of Roe podcast hosted by Christine Charbonneu
Boom! Lawyered another great podcast hosted by Jessica Mason Pieklo and Imani Gandy
The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having—or Being Denied—an Abortion by Diana Greene Foster
“What the data says about abortion in the U.S.” by Jeff Diamant and Besheer Mohamed
"The Back Alley Abortion in ‘Dirty Dancing’ Hits Different Right Now" by Mia Brett
"Facts Are Important: Abortion is Healthcare," by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynocologists
"The 1960s Provide a Path for Securing Legal Abortion in 2022" by Felicia Kornbluh

24. Harley Quinn

In this episode we discuss the famous (or perhaps, infamous) DC villain/antihero, Harley Quinn. We look at her relationship with the Joker, her friendship (and/or romantic relationship) with Poison Ivy, her involvement in The Suicide Squad, and her role in the creation of the Birds of Prey. Then we consider the different iterations of Harley Quinn over the years and how these changes, both physical and mental, have influenced how audiences perceive her character. Finally we address the importance of imperfection in complex female characters, what might be brewing below the surface of Harley Quinn’s actions, and why she behaves the way she does. 
Trigger Warnings: mentions of mental/emotional/physical abuse
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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:
"Margot Robbie's 'Birds of Prey' Producer Role Proves She's an Influential, Necessary Voice" by Allie Gemmill
The Evolution of Harley Quinn - Birds of Prey
"Margot Robbie on becoming Harley Quinn and 'The Most Unpleasant Thing I’ve Ever Done'," by David Betancourt
"Review: "Suicide Squad" is Awful, Sexist, Pandering, Incoherent Trash" by Jonathan Lack
DC Comic Database
 

23. Marcia Clark

In this episode we discuss former prosecutor, Marcia Clark. We address some of the cases she covered and the stigmas she faced as a female lawyer in the 1990s. We spend some time covering the way that the media treated her during high profile cases, in particular during the OJ Simpson trial in which she served as the head of the prosecution. Then we talk about the realities of being a female lawyer during this time and during this case, including being a working mom and sexism in the workplace. Finally we wrap up with the impact that Clark has had, both in the courtroom and beyond in the years since the Simpson trial. 
Trigger warnings: suicide, rape, murder
 
Follow the podcast:
Twitter: @BigRepPod
Instagram: @BigReputationsPod
 
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/86669619
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hosts: Kimberly Fludd 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:
"A Conversation With Marcia Clark," by Stephen Calloway
"Marcia Clark Is Redeemed," by Rebecca Traister
"Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" American Crime Story, S1.E6
"The Sad Truth About Assertive Women," by Jessica Chou
Without a Doubt, by Marcia Clark