Episodios

  • Latina Girlhoods, Baby Boomer Boyhoods, and Children's Media with Diana Leon-Boys
    Oct 3 2025
    In this episode, we chat with Diana Leon-Boys— Assistant Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Communication Arts—about her lifelong work examining the navigation of girlhood through a Latinx lens. Her book Elena, Princesa of the Periphery: Disney’s Flexible Latina Girl extends conversations about minority representation and the complex relationship it has with child development. We host a dialogue between Diana’s research and Henry’s observations about boyhood in his book Where the Wild Things Were: Boyhood and Permissive Parenting in Postwar America. We discuss how both scholars pull from their own personal experiences growing up in America and how they interacted with their childhood media. We explore how the proliferation and production of children's and family media shape ideas of adolescence. Diana and Henry relate this back to their roles as parents within an ever-evolving media landscape where funding for educational children’s content is dwindling. They further discuss how representation within media has changed over time and minority groups’ relation to it. This is where Diana brings in her newer projects about depictions of Quinceañeras and Día de los Muertos in TV and films. We are left to ask what the politics of childhood are and what reforms can be done with current children’s media.Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:Academic TextsDiana Leon-Boys:Elena, Princesa of the Periphery: Disney’s Flexible Latina GirlQuinceañeras: Latinidades and Girlhood in Popular CultureHenry Jenkins:Where the Wild Things Were: Boyhood and Permissive Parenting in Postwar AmericaThe Children’s Culture Reader“Just a Spoonful of Sugar: Permissive Child-Rearing and Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins”“‘You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught’: The Whiteness of Permissive Culture”MIT Salute to Doctor SeussInterview about the bookOthers:Centuries of Childhood: A Social History of Family LifeKids in the Middle: How Children of Immigrants Negotiate Community Interactions for Their FamiliesLatina Teenhood: Intersectionalizing subjectivities in the post-network era.Crafting Public Opinion: The Effectiveness of China’s Media Control Policies under Xi JinpingMade to Play House: Dolls and the Commercialization of American Girlhood, 1830-1930 Advice Books:The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child CareDare to Discipline People, Places, Toys, and HolidaysPhilippe ArièsDr. Vikki KatzDía de los MuertosQuinceañerasBenjamin SpockMargaret MeadDr. SeussFred RogersStephanie PérezRaquel Reyes [American Girl Doll]Samantha Parkington [Doll]Julie AndrewsWalt DisneyDisneyland and Disney WorldPaper DollsFDRSigmund Freud Shows, Films, and Other MediaPee-wee’s PlayHouseDennis the Menace [59-63’ show, Comics]Leave It To BeaverThe Cosby ShowOne Piece [Anime, Manga, Live Action]Disney+EncantoCocoSnow White [Animated, Live Action]Little Mermaid [Animated, Live Action]Chinese State Media sounded like Fox MediaRogue OneSesame StreetGordita ChroniclesBaker and the BeautyBlueyDescendants film franchiseOn My BlockWednesdayMary PoppinsSaludos AmigosHarry Potter film seriesDora The Explorer The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T.Mad Magazine Classic IllustratedGabby’s DollhouseQuinceañeras episodesSuper Sweet 16Wizards of Waverly PlaceDora the Explorer NewsDefunding of PBS Quinceañeras in ProtestOne Piece Flags in Indonesia ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.Music:“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmetSpaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumentalFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceshipMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
    Más Menos
    1 h y 24 m
  • Neta Kligler-Vilenchik & Ioana Literat - Not Your Parents’ Politics
    Sep 25 2025
    Neta Kligler-Vilenchik— Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem— and Ioana Literat— Associate Professor of Communication, Media, and Learning Technologies Design at Columbia University— discuss their book, Not Your Parents' Politics: Understanding Young People's Political Expression on Social Media. They create a dialogue around the ways young people engage with politics using social media, noting the differences between platforms and regions. Kligler-Vilenchik and Literat tie this into the 2016 and 2024 election cycles, along with international bureaucratic frictions.Both scholars tell us about their growing research on youth cultures’ interactions with politics and how those have shifted over time. They cover how younger people are often involved in politics, whether it be via fandom or other forms of civic imagination. They end by suggesting that these intersections between the younger generations and politics can be optimistically inspiring. Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:Academic TextsNot Your Parents' Politics: Understanding Young People's Political Expression on Social Media [Oxford, Amazon]By Any Media Necessary The New Youth Activism [NYU Press, Amazon] Fan activism and the Harry Potter Alliance [TWC]The Image War Moves to TikTok Evidence from the May 2021 Round of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict [Taylor & Francis Online]Dynamics of scale shift: Contentious places and hybrid activism on social media [Sage Journal]People MentionedJoe RoganKamala HarrisDonald TrumpBarrack ObamaHillary ClintonXi JinpingNancy PelosiAlexandra PelosiDavid HoggLillian (Lilly) Boxman-ShabtaiTaylor SwiftKeren Tenenboim- WeinblattTV, Films, and Other MediaCaptain America [IMDB]Harry Potter [IMDB]Donald Trump Speech LipSync [YouTube link]Extra Fun Tidbits + NewsCivic Paths [Website Link]Scratch Online Coding Community [MIT Site link]Fandom Forward [Link]Little Pinks [Article Link]South Korea President Removed From Power [Article Link]Romanian TikTok Election Scandal [BBC Link]Teen Activism Against School Shooting After Parkland [PBS Link]Slacktivisim [Article Link]Henry Jenkins on Emma Gonzale’s Jacket and youth activism [Brown Journal of Public Affairs] ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.Music:“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmetSpaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumentalFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceshipMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
    Más Menos
    57 m
  • Abigail De Kosnik and Jinyi Li on how fandom helps connect us in troubling times
    Sep 18 2025
    In this episode, we welcome Abigail De Kosnik, an Associate Professor and Director of the Berkeley Center for New Media and the founder of Fan Link, and Jinyi Li, the technology chief of Fan Link, to discuss their groundbreaking platform connecting fandoms with education and activism. Abigail shares how Fan Link fosters media, racial, and gender literacy through creative fan-driven projects and real-world action, empowering fans to make a difference.The conversation also examines the differing fandom strategies used by Democrats and Republicans in the recent election. Abigail and Jingyi explore how fan communities can influence political narratives and inspire collective action, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of fandom and politics.Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:About our guest:Abigail De Kosnik | Research UC BerkeleyAbigail De Kosnik Introduces Fanlink - News/Research - Berkeley Center for New MediaFandom + Piracy: Fandom & Race Panel - Events - Berkeley Center for New Media Interesting Facts and Fan Events mentioned:Leslie Grace Says the 'Batgirl' Cancellation Felt 'Like Deflating a Balloon'The 27 Club: A Brief HistoryThe School for First Ladies Is Now in SessionThe Herald on the 2017 Trump Inauguration TV listing as Twilight Zone episodeHunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping film castDragon ConSan Diego Comic-ConJapan ExpoNew York Comic ConOsaka Comic Con Hannibal People mentioned:Braver AngelsCongressman Hakeem Jeffries – Proudly Representing the 8th District of New YorkBernie Sanders Official WebsiteStormy Daniels Official Website Academic Essays Mentioned:New Audiences, New Textualities: Anti-Fans and Non-Fans - Jonathan Gray, 2003 Hillary Clinton fans fandom and fan politics in the Philippines, Series, Films, and Podcasts mentioned:When Harry Met Sally… IMDB, “I’ll have what she’s having” [YouTube clip]Groundhog Day IMDBHannibal on PrimeRuPaul’s Drag Race on WOW Presents Plus and Paramount+The West Wing on MaxThe Apprentice on PrimeListen to Call Her Daddy on SpotifyWatch Friends on IMDbWatch Survivor on CBS, IMDb, and NetflixWatch The Bridge on IMDb and Apple TVJoe RoganCheck out our previous Episode 94: Curious Conversations Across the Divide with Mónica Guzmán ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.Music:“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmetSpaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumentalFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceshipMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
    Más Menos
    58 m
  • Pop Culture's Political Tie-ins with Jonathan Taplin
    Aug 29 2025
    In this episode, Jon Taplin— director Emeritus of the Annenberg Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California—joins us to discuss his early years working with Bob Dylan, to his recent research on tech billionaires' growth in legislative influence. Taplin historicizes the changes in media’s ties to politics between the McCarthy era to the 2024 election cycle. The discussion delves into the power of music to spark political thought and changes in people’s connection to pop culture during difficult times. We ask whether the media landscape has become more nihilistic and if there is room for local community-driven efforts. Taplin leaves us questioning where the relationship between pop culture and politics will go in America, as the system seems to be limiting the powers of creativity and political disobedience. Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:Academic TextsThe End of Reality: How Four Billionaires are Selling a Fantasy Future of the Metaverse, Mars, and Crypto [Amazon]Move Fast and Break Things: How Facebook, Google, and Amazon Cornered Culture and Undermined Democracy [Amazon]The Magic Years: Scenes from a Rock-and-Roll Life [Amazon]People MentionedBob DylanEdward R MurrowRhiannon GiddensJohn Perry BarlowElon MuskJeff BezosPeter ThielCharlie ParkerJohn Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie Paul Butterfield Blues Band Mike BloomfieldAlan LomaxShows, Films, and Other MediaA Complete Unknown IMDB Mean Streets IMDB The Last Waltz IMDBSquid Game watch on NetflixBeast Games watch on PrimeTed Lasso watch on Apple TV+Schitt’s Creek watch on Double Indemnity IMDBClipped watch on HuluBreaking Bad IMDBMad Men watch on AMC+Succession watch on Max\The Wire IMDBHomicide: Life on the Street IMDBHill Street Blues IMDBMatlock (2024) watch on Paramount+Knives Out IMDBGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery watch on NetflixColumbo IMDBGrand Theft Auto [YouTube Clips of Trailers for GTA 1-6]The Sopranos IMDB Newport Folk Festival of 1965 Bob Dylan Performance [YouTube clip]FanDuel [Website]Potluck [Website]Virginia Public Radio [Website]Extra Fun Tidbits + NewsWhat does “kayfabe” mean in wrestling?Criterion Channel “Dangerous Work: Cy Endfield, Film Noir, and the Blacklist” series LA Fire Mutual AidLA Community Combats Fires Poker Face Is the New ColumboWhat does culture eats strategy for breakfast mean?Trump vs 60 Minutes Lawsuit and Paramount Merger with Skydance Public Media Defunded ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.Music:“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmetSpaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumentalFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceshipMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
    Más Menos
    1 h y 18 m
  • Political Engagement in the Digital Age with Elizabeth Losh
    Jul 1 2025

    In this episode, Elizabeth Losh, Professor of English and American Studies at William and Mary, joins us to explore the transformative role of digital technology in politics, from past presidents' strategies to the present-day campaigns shaping our future. We dive into Kamala Harris’s first presidential run, examining her use of Instagram Live and how her social media presence has evolved since then. We also discuss her approach to engaging with voters this election cycle in public spaces, creating a dynamic connection between candidate and community.

    We dissect the phenomenon of the memification in the election cycle, revealing how viral moments can shape narratives and influence public perception. Plus, we look at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s savvy social media tactics to galvanize voters.

    Finally, we ask the question: if Kamala Harris secures the presidency, how can the momentum of youth engagement and enthusiasm cultivated through social media be sustained? Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the future of political engagement in the digital age!

    Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

    Selfie Democracy: The New Digital Politics of Disruption and Insurrection by Elizabeth Losh

    Obama administration’s We The People platform

    Obama addressing the interest in legalizing marijuana at the first ever White House online town hall

    “Kamala is Brat” / Coconut tree tiktok

    Vance’s Epic Egg Fail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5BWPmIfFKo&t=70s

    “Eating the dogs” remix from tiktok

    Tim Walz car repair video clip

    Jon Lovett on Survivor

    Kamala Harris is reclaiming what it means to be a "woman in the kitchen" (Salon.com)

    Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris/Walz on Instagram

    Trump Uses AI for Church Photo https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/03/23/donald-trump-shares-fake-ai-created-image-of-himself-on-truth-social/

    US Representative Mike Garcia https://mikegarcia.house.gov/

    ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.

    Music:
    “In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
    In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
    Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
    Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
    Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
    Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
    Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
    ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    Más Menos
    46 m
  • The Secret Life of Data with Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilbert
    Jun 20 2025

    In this episode, Professor and chair of the Communication Studies division at American University’s School of Communication, Aram Sinnreich, and Jesse Gilbert, an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of visual art, sound and software design, join us to explore the presence of data in our life and the future of data. The conversation starts with personal experiences at rallies and the challenges of digital activism. The guests reflect on their long-standing collaboration, which began in high school and led to their recent book, The Secret Life of Data.

    Key themes include data privacy, the ethical implications of technology, and the influence of corporations on our digital lives. We examine the limitations of AI, the psychological impact of surveillance, and the need for technology to reflect societal values. This episode offers concise insights on building a more equitable tech future.

    A full transcript of this episode will be available soon!

    Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:

    Aram Sinnreich

    Jesse Gilbert

    The Algorithmic Mirror: Reflecting data's role in modern life

    “The Carrier Wave Principle” – International Journal of Communication

    Health Care Reform Initiative · Clinton Digital Library

    General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

    Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring

    Foucauldian discourse analysis

    John Henry (folklore)

    What Did Cambridge Analytica Do During The 2016 Election?

    Watch Black Mirror on Netflix; IMDb

    Steve Mann

    The Truman Show on IMDb

    Donna Haraway Archives - EERA Blog

    ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.

    Music:
    “In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.
    In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmet
    Spaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeats
    Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
    Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumental
    Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceship
    Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q
    ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    Más Menos
    59 m
  • David Wollinsky and Samantha Close on What We Learned from #Gamergate
    Jun 10 2025
    In this episode, David Wollinsky, author of The Hivemind Swarmed: Conversations on Gamergate, the Aftermath, and the Quest for a Safer Internet, and Sam Close, Assistant Professor at DePaul University College of Communication, join us to unpack systemic challenges in the video game industry. From gender and racial discrimination to toxic workplace culture, they highlight the need for moral courage, ethical decision-making, and structural changes to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment.The discussion revisits key moments like Gamergate, a flashpoint that exposed deep-seated harassment, and explores movements like the "girls game movement" that sought to empower women in gaming. Despite progress through women-led initiatives and increased awareness, the industry continues to grapple with significant barriers to inclusion and diversity.Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:The Hivemind Swarmed: Conversations on Gamergate, the Aftermath, and the Quest for a Safer InternetGamergate - WikipediaGamergate | Summary, Facts, & Zoe Quinn | BritannicaWhat Gamergate should have taught us about the 'alt-right'Atari founder Nolan Bushnell on why life is 'a game'Purple MoonWhat makes a AAA game a AAA game?Party Like It's 1995: The Rise and Fall of the Girl GameThe ‘Girl Games’ of the ’90s Were Fun and FeministThe Three Theories of Criminal JusticeConclave on IMDb, official trailerWatch the uncensored moment Will Smith smacks Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars, drops F-bombMetacriticBooks Mentioned:Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet by Claire L. EvansFrom Barbie to Mortal Kombat: Gender and Computer Games, edited by Justine Cassell and Henry JenkinsGames Mentioned:Hunt The WumpusPlay the original Super Mario Bros Game OnlineList of LucasArts gamesPlay Monkey Island Collection on SteamThe official home for The Legend of Zelda - HomeTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official SiteSierra - King’s Quest,Sierra - King’s QuestPong GameHome of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe — games, anime & morebaldursgate3.gameDOOM EternalCandy CrushPlay Tetris | Free Online GameMaxis Studios – Official Electronic Arts SitesDiscover The Last of UsNever Alone ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.Music:“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmetSpaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumentalFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceshipMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
    Más Menos
    1 h y 13 m
  • Gaming, Live Streaming, eSports and Beyond, with T.L. Taylor
    Oct 18 2024
    In this episode, professors Colin and Henry, along with T.L. Taylor, Director of the MIT Game Lab, explore the rise of game studies as an academic field. Taylor shares her journey from studying virtual worlds in the 90s to becoming an expert in live streaming and eSports, shedding light on gaming's cultural impact and academic challenges.They delve into the interactive relationship between game designers and players, examining how games reflect socio-technical systems. The conversation also touches on eSports, its growth into a major profession, and the influence of game developers and venture capital.The episode wraps up with a discussion on the broader concept of play, including theme parks and the desire for "re-enchantment" in everyday life, highlighting the intersection of games, play, and self-expression.Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:Games MentionedEverquestWorld of Warcraft I Love BeesThe BeastImportant Concepts in GamesMulti-User Dungeons (MUDs)Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs)MinmaxerT.L. Taylor publicationsWatch Me Play: Twitch and the Rise of Game Live StreamingRaising the Stakes: E-Sports and the Professionalization of Computer GamingPlay Between Worlds: Exploring Online Game CultureGames Matter (Knight Foundation)Other Research MentionedPew research on gaming, 2017Nancy Baym and Jean Burgess, Twitter: A Biography (hashtags as a user-generated intervention)Alice Marwick (networked harassment)Eric von Hippel (innovation)Jane McGonigal, Why I Love Bees: A Case Study in Collective IntelligenceChris Weaver, ‘Elder Scrolls 6’: How the Series Became a Hit With Elderly GamersJean BeaudrillardBruno BettelheimOther MentionsTwitchTwitch Top Streamers 2024GamergateWorld Cyber GamesUSC EsportsUC Irvine EsportsSherry Turkle, also see Episode 89: Sherry Turkle on Empathy and the Narratives That Shape Our Lives, and her book Life on the ScreenCory Doctorow Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom ; also check out our previous Episode 45: “Radicalized” with Cory DoctorowCheck out our previous Episode 92: Disney Theme Parks with Rebecca Williams and Lauren SowaThis Is What U.S. Presidents Would Look Like With Mullets, According to AI (Newsweek) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at howdoyoulikeitsofarpodcast@gmail.com.Music:“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmetSpaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumentalFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceshipMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
    Más Menos
    1 h y 24 m