At listener request, here is a re-upload of one of our most popular early episodes released back in 2017. We have no guests in this episode—it's just Scott and Mia (somewhat) affectionately hating on some terrible pop culture men.

At listener request, here is a re-upload of one of our most popular early episodes released back in 2017. We have no guests in this episode—it's just Scott and Mia (somewhat) affectionately hating on some terrible pop culture men.

From the Archives: Why is Gaston a villain, but Ross and Ted “Nice Guys”?

This video is an excerpt from a lecture in Introduction to Gender Studies delivered by Mia Harrison at the University of Sydney on May 16, 2019. The topic for this week was "Bodily Norms" and covered a broader discussion of disability and fat politics and scholarship. This excerpt only covers the portion of the lecture addressing disability in Game of Thrones, so there are some moments referring back to ideas addressed earlier in the lecture. All student contributions have also been cut out.To view a video version of the lecture with slides, you can watch the video on Youtube.

This video is an excerpt from a lecture in Introduction to Gender Studies delivered by Mia Harrison at the University of Sydney on May 16, 2019. The topic for this week was "Bodily Norms" and covered a broader discussion of disability and fat politics and scholarship. This excerpt only covers the portion of the lecture addressing disability in Game of Thrones, so there are some moments referring back to ideas addressed earlier in the lecture. All student contributions have also been cut out. To view a video version of the lecture with slides, you can watch the video on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdyWEZItBKQ&amp;feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Youtube</a>.

Disability in Game of Thrones (a lecture excerpt from The University of Sydney)

We are joined by Dr Kerryn Drysdale to discuss her book, Intimate Investments in Drag King Cultures: The Rise and Fall of a Lesbian Social Scene. We also chat about her work on the 'Crystal, Pleasures and Sex between Men' project, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and WA Health. You can find Kerryn on Twitter. Also check out the Crystal Clear podcast. CW: Both this episode of Trope Watchers and the Crystal Clear podcast discuss topics such as drug use and sex.

We are joined by Dr Kerryn Drysdale to discuss her book, <a href="https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030157760" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Intimate Investments in Drag King Cultures: The Rise and Fall of a Lesbian Social Scene</a>. We also chat about her work on the '<a href="https://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/centre-social-research-health/our-projects/crystal-pleasures-and-sex-between-men" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crystal, Pleasures and Sex between Men</a>' project, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and WA Health. You can find Kerryn on <a href="https://twitter.com/kerryndrysdale" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Also check out the <a href="https://soundcloud.com/crystal-clear-podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crystal Clear podcast</a>. CW: Both this episode of Trope Watchers and the Crystal Clear podcast discuss topics such as drug use and sex.

Sydney’s Drag King Scene and Chemsex Between Men (with Dr Kerryn Drysdale)

Today we welcome back Dr Tim Steains to chat about Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery. We consider Starfleet's sketchy record with interventionism, Section 31 as a problematic foil for Starfleet, and Burnham's trans-racial parentage You can find more of Tim's work on academia.edu!

Today we welcome back Dr Tim Steains to chat about Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery. We consider Starfleet's sketchy record with interventionism, Section 31 as a problematic foil for Starfleet, and Burnham's trans-racial parentage You can find more of Tim's work on <a href="https://sydney.academia.edu/TimSteains" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">academia.edu</a>!

Interventionism and Burnham's Three Mummies in Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 (with Dr Tim Steains)

Dr Arnold T Blumberg

To kick off season 3 we are joined by zombie expert Dr Arnold T. Blumberg to chat zombies and their value as a pedagogical tool. We discuss Arnold's book, JOURNEY OF THE LIVING DEAD: A Tribute to Fifty Years of Flesh Eaters, as well as the value of media literacy in education and culture. You can find Arnold on Twitter. Check out ATB Publishing for a range of publications exploring pop culture, including JOURNEY OF THE LIVING DEAD.

To kick off season 3 we are joined by zombie expert Dr Arnold T. Blumberg to chat zombies and their value as a pedagogical tool. We discuss Arnold's book, <a href="https://www.atbpublishing.com/product/journey-of-the-living-dead-a-tribute-to-fifty-years-of-flesh-eaters/?fbclid=IwAR1-5DCIl2Lb1VlGbUTliL5tw9e0HsE-wP1Qyz7PyfZdanOZo8kY_x_terw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">JOURNEY OF THE LIVING DEAD: A Tribute to Fifty Years of Flesh Eaters</a>, as well as the value of media literacy in education and culture. You can find Arnold on <a href="https://twitter.com/doctorofthedead" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Check out <a href="https://www.atbpublishing.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ATB Publishing</a> for a range of publications exploring pop culture, including <a href="https://www.atbpublishing.com/product/journey-of-the-living-dead-a-tribute-to-fifty-years-of-flesh-eaters/?fbclid=IwAR1-5DCIl2Lb1VlGbUTliL5tw9e0HsE-wP1Qyz7PyfZdanOZo8kY_x_terw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">JOURNEY OF THE LIVING DEAD</a>.

Zombies, Pop Culture, and Pedagogy (with Dr Arnold T Blumberg)

Grace Sharkey

For our season 2 finale we are joined by Dr Grace Sharkey, an academic in the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney. In today’s episode we will be talking about young girls and their attachments to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and pop icon Harry Styles, with a particular focus on representations of sex and sexuality. You can find Grace on Twitter.

For our season 2 finale we are joined by Dr Grace Sharkey, an academic in the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney. In today’s episode we will be talking about young girls and their attachments to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight and pop icon Harry Styles, with a particular focus on representations of sex and sexuality. You can find Grace on <a href="https://twitter.com/gracesharko" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.

Teen Sexuality and Fan Attachments Towards Twilight and Harry Styles (with Dr Grace Sharkey)

Katherine Giunta

Today we are joined by Katherine Giunta, a PhD candidate with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at representations of femmes, femininity, and queerness in The L Word, How to Get Away With Murder, and Carol. Autostraddle article: 30 Days of Carol: Day 6 – Carol Looks Ranked by the Degree to Which They Mark Therese as a Snack

Today we are joined by Katherine Giunta, a PhD candidate with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at representations of femmes, femininity, and queerness in The L Word, How to Get Away With Murder, and Carol. Autostraddle article: <a href="https://www.autostraddle.com/30-days-of-carol-day-6-carol-looks-ranked-by-the-degree-to-which-they-mark-therese-as-a-snack-413518/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">30 Days of Carol: Day 6 – Carol Looks Ranked by the Degree to Which They Mark Therese as a Snack</a>

Looking for Femmes in The L Word, How to Get Away with Murder, and Carol (with Katherine Giunta)

Nick Fogarty

We are joined by Nick Fogarty to hear about his research into cycling in Sydney, and to discuss sporting communities and the various attachments felt by its members – both participating athletes and otherwise. You can find Nick on Twitter.

We are joined by Nick Fogarty to hear about his research into cycling in Sydney, and to discuss sporting communities and the various attachments felt by its members – both participating athletes and otherwise. You can find Nick on <a href="https://twitter.com/nickdfogarty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.

Attachments in Sporting Communities (with Nick Fogarty)

We are joined by Shams Bin Quader to hear about his research into the politics of “independence” experienced by local independent musicians of inner-city and inner-west Sydney, and the Dhaka underground scene in Bangladesh. You can find more of Shams's work on ResearchGate and Academia.edu, and can follow him on Twitter. You can also watch Bohemian's music video for "Meghla Din" here.

We are joined by Shams Bin Quader to hear about his research into the politics of “independence” experienced by local independent musicians of inner-city and inner-west Sydney, and the Dhaka underground scene in Bangladesh. You can find more of Shams's work on <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shams_Quader" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ResearchGate</a> and <a href="https://sydney.academia.edu/ShamsQuader" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Academia.edu</a>, and can follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/shamsquader" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. You can also watch Bohemian's music video for "Meghla Din" <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpqQgeqwmhw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.

Indie Music Scenes in Sydney and Bangladesh (with Shams Bin Quader)

Today we welcome back Dr Tim Steains to chat about Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery. We consider world building, racial politics, and the potential of speculative fiction. You can find more of Tim's work on academia.edu!

Today we welcome back Dr Tim Steains to chat about Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery. We consider world building, racial politics, and the potential of speculative fiction. You can find more of Tim's work on <a href="https://sydney.academia.edu/TimSteains" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">academia.edu</a>!

Star Trek: Discovery (with Dr Tim Steains)

We are Trope Watchers, the podcast about pop culture and why it matters!

Today we are joined by Sertan Saral, a PhD candidate with the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at the tropes of the 'Ace Pilot,' 'Military Leader,' and 'Ideological Leader' in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Battlestar Galactica, and in particular how these tropes intersect with gender. You can find Sertan on Twitter.

Today we are joined by Sertan Saral, a PhD candidate with the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at the tropes of the 'Ace Pilot,' 'Military Leader,' and 'Ideological Leader' in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Battlestar Galactica, and in particular how these tropes intersect with gender. You can find Sertan on <a href="https://twitter.com/sertan_saral" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.

Military Leadership Tropes in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Battlestar Galactica (with Sertan Saral)

Hayley Cullen

Welcome to Season 2! Today we are joined by Hayley Cullen, a PhD candidate and research assistant in the forensic psychology lab at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at the "CSI effect," and how popular understandings of forensic science evidence have the potential to influence juror decision making. You can find Hayley on Twitter and ResearchGate, or you can email her at hcul1365@uni.sydney.edu.au. You can find The Sydney Exoneration Project here. CW: Rape, suicide, murder.

Welcome to Season 2! Today we are joined by <a href="http://sydney.edu.au/science/people/hayley.cullen.389.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hayley Cullen</a>, a PhD candidate and research assistant in the <a href="http://sydney.edu.au/science/psychology/lab/forensic/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">forensic psychology lab</a> at the University of Sydney. In this episode we look at the "CSI effect," and how popular understandings of forensic science evidence have the potential to influence juror decision making. You can find Hayley on <a href="https://twitter.com/hayleycullen_" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hayley_Cullen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ResearchGate</a>, or you can email her at <a href="mailto:hcul1365@uni.sydney.edu.au">hcul1365@uni.sydney.edu.au</a>. You can find The Sydney Exoneration Project <a href="http://sydney.edu.au/science/psychology/lab/notguilty/?page_id=22" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. CW: Rape, suicide, murder.

The CSI Effect (with Hayley Cullen)

Kate Lonie

As we enter 2018, it's time to look back on the past year. We are joined by a special guest Kate Lonie to look at 5 key celebrity themes of 2017. What is the cultural (and academic) value in following the Kardashians, the Royals, and Taylor Swift? Join us to find out! You can find Kate on LinkedIn. Her celebrity consumption recommendations are Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud and Celebrity Gossip, Academic Style.

As we enter 2018, it's time to look back on the past year. We are joined by a special guest Kate Lonie to look at 5 key celebrity themes of 2017. What is the cultural (and academic) value in following the Kardashians, the Royals, and Taylor Swift? Join us to find out! You can find Kate on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-lonie-110a9376/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>. Her celebrity consumption recommendations are <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/538768/too-fat-too-slutty-too-loud-by-anne-helen-petersen/9780399576850/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/celebritygossipacademicstyle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Celebrity Gossip, Academic Style</a>.

Celebrity Roundup 2017 (with Dr Kate Lonie)

Nyssa Harkness

In this episode, Mia and Scott are joined by special guest Nyssa Harkness to chat about accessiblity in video games. Are "accessible" games necessarily "easy" games? Who is accessiblity for? Who is the "human" in "human-centred design"? Join us to find out!   You can find Nyssa on academia.edu and Twitter.

In this episode, Mia and Scott are joined by special guest Nyssa Harkness to chat about accessiblity in video games. Are "accessible" games necessarily "easy" games? Who is accessiblity for? Who is the "human" in "human-centred design"? Join us to find out! You can find Nyssa on <a href="https://mq.academia.edu/NyssaHarkness" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">academia.edu</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/VintageZombie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.

From Firewatch to Dark Souls – Challenging Notions of Accessibility in Gaming (with Nyssa Harkness)

In this episode, Mia and Scott are joined by special guest Dr Tim Steains! We look at how Orientalism and Techno-Orientalism can be read in Lord of the Rings and Star trek, and examine the complexities of mixed-race characters in sci fi and fantasy. You can find more of Tim's work on academia.edu!

In this episode, Mia and Scott are joined by special guest Dr Tim Steains! We look at how Orientalism and Techno-Orientalism can be read in Lord of the Rings and Star trek, and examine the complexities of mixed-race characters in sci fi and fantasy. You can find more of Tim's work on <a href="https://sydney.academia.edu/TimSteains" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">academia.edu</a>!

Orientalism and Biracial Identity in Lord of the Rings and Star Trek (with Dr Tim Steains)

Very interesting discussions of pop culture! They give you a lot to think about, covering all kinds of tropes, topics, and forms of culture!

Great Podcast!

Trope Watchers - Scholarly Pop Culture Criticism

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best True Crime Podcasts

The best podcast episodes on Startups. For anyone working in a startup, or anyone interested in the incredible stories behind how people built companies like Instagram, and Facebook. Offering both practical advice and insights, as well as the stories for how many of the biggest startups got to where they are today. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!