Podcast — Caralena Peterson

#TBH: Collegiate Women real talk

Episode 1: Effortless Perfection (Host Campus- Duke University)

a call to female-identifying undergrads: are there hidden aspects of your college experience that you think need to be brought to the forefront of conversation on your campus and beyond?

Caralena peterson is currently embarking on a journey to 13 campuses across the u.s. to capture a more open and honest dialogue about the gender issues today’s women run into in college. she is looking to combine her speaking tour with her podcasting — allowing her to share some insights from her book, while also providing an opportunity for students act and engage.

the topics covered in the 22-episode podcast are listed below. if you and your friends have something to say about these issues (or you think something important is missing!), email cara.peterson14@gmail.com to set-up a phone call to discuss a future collaboration. Caralena typically tries to interview 6-8 female-identifying undergrads per campus. diversity of perspectives is crucial.

episode 1: “Effortless Perfection” — debunking the myth and considering a new dominant narrative. [Host Campus- Duke]
Episode 2: Pursuing an image versus an identity – the link between effortless perfection and mental health. analyzing our relationship with control. feeling like struggles are not “bad enough” to elicit level of depression and anxiety being experienced — related judgement and guilt. Toxic positivity and the importance of asking for help. right and wrong ways to show vulnerability.
Episode 3: Self-esteem – the word “enough” and the weight it holds for young women. Depressed-entitlement effect. Reassurance addictions, the search for validation, and using accomplishment as a cure all. Stereotype Threat and Imposter Syndrome. the need for imperfect role models willing to share their own failures and vulnerabilities on the way to their successes.
Episode 4: Confidence – how it is often defined in a masculine way and how women can work to create their own forms of displaying confidence, focus on women in student government. How college impacts male and female confidence differently.
Episode 5: Assertiveness – are the handicaps women experience “self”-imposed? What role do social sanctions and the status quo play?
Episode 6: Being a “good girl” – the seductive power of niceness and unanimity. fear of being controversial. over apologizing and feeling pressure to always appear cheery.
Episode 7: Belonging – trading our values for a chance to fit in. striving to be “easy enough to love.”
Episode 8: Socio-Economic Status — How much of the “effortlessness” of Effortless Perfection is really about ease of privilege?
Episode 9: Dissent— how female expressions of disagreement and anger are often interpreted more harshly. fear of expressing anger even though it holds certain power. getting “political.”
Episode 10: Disordered eating – the alarming normalcy of disordered eating on college campuses. expanding our understanding of disordered eating beyond anorexia. racialized beauty standards. factors of disordered eating that go far beyond just how one looks like societal denial of female appetite, insecure consumerism, and not feeling ownership over our own bodies. recovery and embodiment.
Episode 11: Hook-up culture – ambiguous nature of the term “hook up,” steering away from labels and relying on subtext. why so many students are projecting they just want to hook up when stats show they often crave a full-fledged relationship. Questioning “Raunch culture” and what A “sexually empowered woman” looks like. how it uniquely impacts the LGBTQ community and women of color.
Episode 12: Uneven power dynamics – the nuances of coercion and the predatory nature of acquaintance rape. rape culture/jokes. negligence and apathy to act when sexual assault occurs. expectations of The “Perfect” Victim. #iamthatgirl, #MeToo, #YesallWomen, and other movements showing solidarity with survivors.
Episode 13: The personal is political – coming together as a collective force of collegiate women to address the issues discussed. what now?
BONUS EPISODE: What parents, educators, and administrators can and are doing to help.

#TBH: Collegiate Women real talk

a call to female-identifying undergrads: are there hidden aspects of your college experience that you think need to be brought to the forefront of conversation on your campus and beyond?

episode 1: “Effortless Perfection” — debunking the myth and considering a new dominant narrative. [Host Campus- Duke]

Episode 4: Confidence – how it is often defined in a masculine way and how women can work to create their own forms of displaying confidence, focus on women in student government. How college impacts male and female confidence differently.

Episode 5: Assertiveness – are the handicaps women experience “self”-imposed? What role do social sanctions and the status quo play?

Episode 6: Being a “good girl” – the seductive power of niceness and unanimity. fear of being controversial. over apologizing and feeling pressure to always appear cheery.

Episode 7: Belonging – trading our values for a chance to fit in. striving to be “easy enough to love.”

Episode 8: Socio-Economic Status — How much of the “effortlessness” of Effortless Perfection is really about ease of privilege?

Episode 9: Dissent— how female expressions of disagreement and anger are often interpreted more harshly. fear of expressing anger even though it holds certain power. getting “political.”

Episode 13: The personal is political – coming together as a collective force of collegiate women to address the issues discussed. what now?

BONUS EPISODE: What parents, educators, and administrators can and are doing to help.