This week’s episode pays heartfelt tribute to the loving memory of Jane Goodall by exploring themes from the seminal book The Ten Trusts, co-authored by Goodall and Marc Bekoff. We delve into humanity’s profound connection with the animal kingdom, emphasizing shared emotions and cognitive abilities to foster empathy among all beings. This conversation aligns deeply with the Feminist Park’s vision of inclusive, caring public spaces rooted in intersectional justice and empathy for all life. The episode encourages compassionate stewardship of our planet and respectful coexistence with all creatures.

Disclaimer:
Listener discretion is advised. The podcast references real examples of animal cruelty to underline the urgent need for greater animal consciousness and ethical change. Please engage with this episode responsibly and consider your own emotional comfort before listening.

This episode delves into nuanced gendered experiences within urban spaces, exploring concepts such as the control of disorder and women's interactions in the metropolis. Drawing on various scholarly works, we illustrate how urban life is intricately shaped by gender, fear, and complex social dynamics.

Relates to The Feminist Park Project: Provides a deeper understanding of the gendered nuances of urban life that the Feminist Park aims to address, informing design choices that actively mitigate feelings of disorder and enhance positive interactions for women and gender-diverse people.

Source for Podcast Episode:

• • Book/Paper: "WOMEN, GIRLS AND GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE SAFETY IN PUBLIC SPACE. DESIGNING A CITY FOR ALL LONDONERS"
  • Author: Dr Mimi Sheller
  • Intro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

Man or bear? How gender affects experiences of natural environments with varying levels of vegetation density and different danger threats" by Bornioli & Gatersleben (2025) provides crucial empirical evidence about gendered experiences of safety in natural settings. The authors, Anna Bornioli and Birgitta Gatersleben, conducted three experiments with adults from Southeast England, inspired by the viral 2024 "Man or bear?" social media debate that highlighted women's preference for encountering a bear over an unknown man in the woods.

Their research demonstrates that women experience significantly higher levels of fear and perceived risk in natural environments compared to men, particularly in dense vegetation settings and when social threats are present. The study reveals that social dangers—primarily the threat of harassment or assault by men—emerge as the primary barrier preventing women from fully enjoying and engaging with natural spaces. This research is foundational to our feminist park project as it provides concrete evidence for why traditional park design often fails women and highlights the urgent need for safety-centered, gender-responsive green space planning.