S2, Ep. 3: Queering Trauma Recovery with Katie Mai and Lyn Maples

In this episode of What IFF? we record a panel titled Diaspora, Conflict Bodies, and The Power of Art as part of the Land, Body, History series that explores vectors of knowledge from global Black feminist perspectives. Featured are Dr. Régine Michelle Jean-Charles, Director of Africana Studies, Dean’s Professor of Culture and Social Justice, and Professor of Africana Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Northeastern University, Dr. Kameelah Martin, Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of African American Studies and English at CofC, Dr. Robert Sapp,  Associate Professor of French Studies at CofC, and Cady Walker, CofC alumni of Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies.

Music by Crypt of Insomnia

Episode Resources:

• A Long Walk Home
• Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S.
• When the Land Meets the Body

** To view all works cited, please visit the transcript page.

In this episode of What IFF?  we are joined by two trauma-informed experts to break down the misconceptions about sexual assault, trauma recovery, and patterns of serial perpetration. Katie Mai, LMSW, is a therapist with the Sexual Assault Services program at MUSC. Lyn Maples is an outreach coordinator and victim advocate with Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S. Together, we analyze data on victimization to better understand what’s happening in our culture. Then, we use that knowledge to create supportive practices for survivor healing and improve educational tools to change social attitudes about gender-based violence.

To speak with a victim advocate, call the Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S. 24-hour hotline at 843-745-0144 or the National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.

Music by Clean Mind Sounds

Episode Resources:

• CofC Counseling Center
• CofC S.C.O.P.E.
• CofC Students 4 Support
• MUSC Sexual Assault Services
• Planned Parenthood Generation Action
• Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S.
• The Trevor Project

** To view all works cited, please visit the transcript page.

In this episode of What IFF?  we are joined by the Women’s and Gender Studies program Community Leader-In-Residence, Tamika Gadsden. As a well-traveled activist and grassroots mayoral candidate, Mika calls attention to current issues impacting CofC students and the Lowcountry. Learn how to be more active in your democracy through the support of local organizations, historical archives, and community relationships as catalysts for change.

Music by Alex-Productions

Episode Resources:

• Charleston Area Justice Ministry
• Friends of Gadsden Creek
• Inaugural WGS Community Leader-In-Residence
• Mika Gadsden's Charleston Mayoral Campaign
• SC Schools Lose $534M to Corporate Tax Breaks

** To view all works cited, please visit the transcript page.

In this episode of What IFF?  we are joined by the director of the Women’s and Gender Studies program, Dr. Kris De Welde, and the original podcast host, Marissa Haynes. With both show creators on the mic, we gain helpful insights on how to deal with first-year student stressors. Marissa looks back at some of her fondest memories from her time in the WGS program, and Dr. De Welde shares her current research projects that are influencing the future of academics. Together we discuss intellectual and physical feminist self-defense and share our personal reflections on awakening to the power within.

Music by Alex-Productions

Episode Resources:

•  CofC Faculty's Research to Close Equity Gaps in Academic STEM
• CofC PEAC Women's Self-Defense Class
• CofC Faculty's Research to Close Equity Gaps in Academic STEM
• De Welde, K. “Minding and Mending the Gap Between Academic Kindness and Academic Justice.” Queer-Feminist Science & Technology Studies Forum, Vol. 7, pp. 54-65. (2022, December). 
• McCaughey, M. Real Knockouts:  The Physical Feminism of Women's Self-Defense. NYU Press.  (2019, July 2).
  ** To view all works cited, please visit the transcript page.

In this special episode of What IFF?  we are joined by historian and professor Dr. Cara Delay as she helps us reckon with and interpret the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade during the summer of 2022. Keeping intersectionality at the forefront of her approach, Dr. Delay explains how participating in a greater discussion on reproductive justice, as coined by historic black activists, can help us achieve the fight for bodily autonomy. This means having conversations about contraception, gynecological and obstetric care, childbirth, and abortion, as they are all important factors in the larger issues at hand.

Music by Ketsa

In this episode of What IFF?  we highlight two Women's and Gender Studies majors, Ahmira Lucas and Taylor McElwain, as they prepare to finish earning their degrees at the College of Charleston. Both Ahmira and Taylor have spent the last several months doing important social justice work in their respective internships, and they fill us in on the significance of their efforts. Join us as we reflect on our experiences as Women's and Gender Studies majors and interns.

Music by Ketsa

What IFF?  is kicking off the Fall 2022 semester with the Women’s and Gender Studies Program’s newest assistant professor, Cristina Dominguez, Ph.D. As a new member of our community, Dr. Dominguez gives a new perspective on queer kinship and the politics of family, and we couldn’t be more excited to introduce them here.

Music by Ketsa

In this episode of What IFF?, we are kicking off LGBTQ+ Pride Month with a revered Carolina activist, Linda Ketner, to learn from her many years of experience being an influential change-maker.  With housing inequity and LGBTQ+ rights at the forefront of her activist thought, Linda is committed to righting the wrongs she sees in her community and building up the next generation of activists.

Music by Ketsa

We are continuing our What IFF?  journey of finding what it means to be an intersectional  activist with alum Reagan Williams.  Listen as Reagan teaches us about the importance of an education that includes curriculum on race, equity, and inclusion, and follow along while we begin to envision these ideas at the future of CofC and beyond.

Music by Ketsa

Learn about the Intersectional Cougar Action Network (I-CAN)'s history of support to implement a Race, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum requirement.

We are kicking off our very first episode of What IFF?  with senior trans activist, Denver Tanner. Listen as they help us understand the importance of Trans Visibility and unpack the topics of gender, sexuality, and social justice activism.

Music by Ketsa