Big Reputations

22. Marsha P. Johnson

In This Episode we discuss the incomparable Marsha P. Johnson, a self-identified drag queen, LGBT activist, and New York City icon. We cover her involvement with the Stonewall uprisings and the origins of Pride as well as her involvement in drag troupes and her time spent as a sex worker. Then we dig into her activism including the formation of STAR, her involvement in ACT UP, and her AIDS advocacy work. After addressing her death, we talk about her lasting legacy as an icon for the LGBTQIA+ community.
In this episode we will address Johnson as she and exclusively use her chosen name.
Trigger warnings: transphobia, mentions of rape and sexual assault, and theories surrounding Johnson's death including murder and suicide.
 
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
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Sources:
Pay It No Mind - The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Women and the American Story - Life Story: Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992) by the New York Historical Society Museum and Library
 
If you’re in NY, the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center has some great resources including transgender specific community resources. If you’re not in NY or you want to just learn more, you can visit their website at callen-lorde.org.
We also recommend this pdf which includes trans specific resources including the trans lifeline, which you can also reach at (877) 565-8860 from anywhere in the US.

21. Marilyn Monroe

In This Episode we discuss the one and only Norma Jeane Mortenson, aka Marilyn Monroe. We dive into some of the struggles she encountered while trying to establish her career and the battles she had to fight with the media, the film industry, and more. Then we cover the realities behind her experiences including her on and off screen personas, her health and well-being, and her relationships with men. We wrap up by discussing her legacy - both personal and professional. 
Trigger warnings: Sexual Abuse, Drug use, Suicide
 
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
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Sources:
Celebrities don’t owe us their lives: On parasocial relationships, by  Erica Quinones
The Secret Career Genius of Marilyn Monroe by Elizabeth Winder
The Girl: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist by Michelle Morgan 
Marilyn Monroe by Charles Casillo
Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters by Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe By Barbara Leaming

20. Breastfeeding

In this week's episode we talk about breastfeeding: why some women do it, why others do not, and what factors play into their decisions. Since neither of us have children, we decided we wanted to hear from some experts for this episode: moms. So we asked our listeners to write in and tell us about themselves and their experiences with feeding their children. We share a little about the history behind feeding babies including breastfeeding, formula feeding, wet nurses, and pumping. Then we discuss how the media presents breastfeeding and the controversies between breastfeeding and formula feeding. Next we cover the effects of patriarchy and capitalism on how people choose to feed their babies. And we hear more from the moms who wrote in about their thoughts on feeding their babies. Finally we address the impact that the decision to breastfeed or not has had on different people. We talk about stigmas and push-back and then wrap up with a conversation on accommodations for breastfeeding and pumping in the workplace.
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
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Sources:
“Desperate Women, Desperate Doctors and the Surprising History Behind the Breastfeeding Debate,” by Lily Rothman
Bottled Up: How the Way We Feed Babies Has Come to Define Motherhood, and Why It Shouldn’t, by Suzanne Barston
"Does Formula Feeding Make Me a Bad Mom?" by Bridget Reed
"The Sexualisation Of Breasts – What Has Caused It?" by Renee Kam 
The US Breastfeeding Committee’s website
Removing Barriers to Breastfeeding - RaceForward

19. Abuela Madrigal

In this episode, we discuss Alma “Abuela” Madrigal, matriarch of the Madrigal family and antagonist of the 2021 Disney film, Encanto. After a brief background on the film, its creators, the history behind it, and the character herself, we explore the different characters' relationships with Abuela. We then consider audience perspectives on the character including some who consider her a villain or, at the very least, do not believe she can be easily redeemed. Finally, we address some of the reasons we think that she is the way she is, including issues related to generational trauma, fear of losing the miracle, and even concerns over aging, death, and the future of her family.
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
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Sources:
"Encanto Movie Cast & Crew on the New Disney Film," by Jenna Busch
"Why Therapists ARE Talking about Bruno - and all the other Encanto Characters," by Catherine E. Shoichet
"Unpopular Opinion: Abuela Alma Madrigal from ‘Encanto’ Is *NOT* a Villain," by Meryl Medel
"Encanto: 10 Unpopular Opinions About Abuela, According To Reddit," by Angel Shaw
"What Is Generational Trauma? Here's How Experts Explain It.," by Claire Gillespie
"How Turning Red and Encanto Approach Toxic Perfectionism," by Rachel Johnson

18. Jane Fonda

In this week's episode we discuss actress Jane Fonda, her life, her career, and her activism. We look at her early experiences including her marriages and the activism she engaged in during the Vietnam war. As part of this we consider how the media treated what was likely an honest mistake. Next we reevaluate the labels she was given throughout her life and see what more was happening behind the scenes. Finally we wrap up with how she has actively tried to make changes for women in Hollywood, stood up for the underdog, and used her voice and platform to further what she considers important 21st century activism.
Trigger warnings: suicide, depression, sexual assault
 
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 Wallace
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
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Sources:
Jane Fonda in Five Acts
My Life So Far, by Jane Fonda 
"Jane Fonda After Death and Divorce" an interview with Anna Sale for WNYC
"From 'Hanoi Jane' to the Workout: A Brief History of Jane Fonda's Activism" by Mahita Gajanan for Time Magazine

17. Anita Hill

In this episode we discuss the one and only Anita Hill, her family life, her schooling, and how she came to work in law. Then we dig into how she came to testify during the nomination of future Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas and what the media and congressional leaders said about her. After that we consider why Hill spoke up in the first place, others who had gone through similar things with Thomas, and the ways in which people attempted to discredit her experience. Finally we wrap up with Hill’s legacy and how her experiences shaped those of other women who suffered from sexual harassment as well including Christine Blasey Ford and many women who came forward during the #MeToo campaign
Trigger warnings: Sexual harassment
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 Wallace
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
“How History Changed Anita Hill,” by Jeenah Moon for The New York Times 
Speaking Truth to Power by Anita Hill
Anita: Speaking Truth to Power directed by Freida Mock on Amazon Prime
Confirmation, starting Kerry Washigton on HBO Max  

16. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

In this episode, we look at Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a US congresswoman from New York’s 14th district, and the youngest woman elected to congress. We talk about her life prior to her political career, the reactions to her congressional win, and her approach to political leadership. Then we move beyond her big reputation and take a look at the her many accomplishments as a congresswoman. And finally we discuss the impact Ocasio-Cortez has had on her district in New York City, on Washington, and on the country at large.
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 Wallace
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
AOC: The Fearless Rise and Powerful Resonance of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, edited by Lynda Lopez
Knock Down the House, directed by Rachel Lears
"Adrift, Broke, and Disillusioned: How a Struggling Bartender Became the Face of a Resurgent Left," by Lisa Miller for New York Magazine
"How Much Has Your ZIP Code Determined Your Opportunities?" by Nicole Daniels for the New York Times

15. Women’s History Month

This week we discuss Women’s History Month. We dig into the history on the topic, including when it started, who started it, and what changes have taken place over the last several decades. Then we discuss the role the media plays in how we understand, honor, and celebrate the month. But we also touch on the performative nature of the media in terms of Women’s History Month celebrations. We then explore some of the many issues that still exist for women even with the advent of Women’s History Month including racial representation, trans representation, and more. Finally, we address the impact that Women’s History Month has had on our society. We talk about the need to uplift the feminine as much as the masculine, and the need to continue the fight for equity. And finally, we ask, how should we celebrate Women’s History Month?
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 Wallace
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Happy International Women’s Day! Have a Sticker By Jessica Powell
Here’s Why We Don’t Need a Men’s History Month, by Cathy Ching 
Reflections on Women’s History Month, by Rutgers Faculty 
The National Women’s History Alliance’s Commitment on Anti-Racism
How Do Women Feel About Women’s History Month? Conflicted. by Erin Spencer
The Trouble with Women’s History Month, by Maureen Costello

14. Ursula

In This Episode we discuss our first Disney villain: Ursula, the sea witch from The Little Mermaid. We summarize the film for anyone not familiar  and then we discuss her background and how she came to be ostracized by the rest of the sea creatures and merfolk. We analyze Ursula’s design (and the general design of Disney villains) and how that played into audience perceptions of her. And finally, we dive a bit below the surface (under the sea, if you will) and discuss why there’s more to Ursula than we maybe thought. 
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 Wallace
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
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Sources:
Reclaiming Conch: In Defense of Ursula, Fairy Octomother, by Brigit McCone
Why Ursula Is So Important in The Little Mermaid, by Katherine Cusumano 
Why Ursula Is the Real Hero of “The Little Mermaid” by Ariane Lange 
Beasts of the Deep: Sea Creatures and Popular Culture, edited by Jon Hackett and Sean Harrington

13. Typhoid Mary

In today's episode, we discuss Mary Mallon (not Malone, although we do mispronounce it for the first 15 minutes or so - we promise Kim corrects us part way through!), an Irish-born American cook who is commonly referred to as Typhoid Mary. She earned this nickname because it is believed that she spread typhoid fever to dozens of people throughout NYC. We then talk about the public perception of Mallon by addressing some of the infections that she was thought to have caused, her arrest, and her decades long isolation. Next we dig a little deeper into what it means that she was a “healthy carrier,” and how the health technology of the time affected how she was treated. But we also look at how other “healthy carriers” from that time were treated and what differentiated them from Mallon (you'll never guess! lol). Finally, we  address the overall impact that Mallon’s situation had on the medical world and beyond.
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 Wallace
Music: Shawn P. Russell
Sound Consultant and Mixing: Shawn P. Russell
Recording and Editing: Rebecca L. Salois
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
“‘Typhoid Mary’ Strikes Back Bacteriological Theory and Practice in Early Twentieth-Century Public Health" by Judith Walzer Leavitt
The Cook Who Became a Pariah by Anna Faherty
"Mary Mallon (1869-1938) and the history of typhoid fever," from the Annals of Gastroenterology
"The Doctor Who Championed Hand-Washing And Briefly Saved Lives" for NPR