Populism is one of the most talked-about ideas in modern politics, but what does it actually mean?

In this episode of Fed Up, But Figuring It Out, we unpack the rise of populism, why politicians across the political spectrum claim to represent "the people," and how the term has evolved from a political movement into a powerful branding tool.

We explore the relationship between populism and meritocracy, the tension between expertise and representation, and why so many self-proclaimed populist leaders come from the very elite institutions they claim to oppose. We examine what separates authentic representation from political performance.

Most importantly, we ask a deeper question: Who gets included when politicians talk about "the people", and who gets left out?

If you've ever wondered why every politician claims they're fighting for ordinary people, this episode is for you.

Sources:

BBC Ideas. (2019, February). Populism explained | A-Z of ISMs Episode 16 - BBC Ideas. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5U61HGQ-OQ

Cole, T. A. (2025, November 13). To reform meritocracy, put character at the center. MIT Sloan Management Review. https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/to-reform-meritocracy-put-character-at-the-center/ Cultural populism.

ECPS. (n.d.). https://www.populismstudies.org/Vocabulary/cultural-populism/

Friedman, S., Ellersgaard, C., Reeves, A., & Larsen, A. G. (2023). The meaning of merit: Talent versus hard work legitimacy. Social Forces, 102(3), 861–879. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soad131

Kandpal, E. (2025, September). A Populism That’s Really of the People? Poverty, Protest, and Regime Collapse in South Asia. Center for Global Development. https://www.cgdev.org/blog/populism-thats-really-people-poverty-protest-and-regime-collapse-south-asia

Laycock, D. (2019). Populism in Canada. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/populism

Molloy, D. (2018, March 6). What is populism, and what does the term actually mean?. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-43301423

Sandel, M. J. (2021, January). The myth of meritocracy. Harvard Gazette. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/01/the-myth-of-meritocracy-according-to-michael-sandel/

York University. (2025, April 1). What is populism?. Observatory of Populism in Canada. https://www.yorku.ca/research/robarts/observatory-populism/what-is-populism/

What if empathy isn’t weakness, but one of the bravest and most radical skills we can develop?

In this episode of Fed Up, But Figuring It Out, we explore why empathy has become so controversial in modern culture and politics. From the rise of anti-“woke” rhetoric to burnout, vulnerability, leadership, capitalism, and social division, this episode explores how empathy challenges systems built on fear, hierarchy, and disconnection.

Drawing on insights from Brené Brown and real-world political and cultural examples, this conversation breaks down the difference between empathy and sympathy, why vulnerability terrifies people, and how empathy can become a form of rebellion in a polarized world.

If you’ve ever wondered why compassion is mocked, why empathy feels exhausting, or why caring about other people has become political, this episode is for you.

Sources:

The Canadian Press. (2025, April 23). Pierre Poilievre says he’ll end “woke ideology” - he isn’t saying what that means. CTV News. https://www.ctvnews.ca/federal-election-2025/article/pierre-poilievre-says-hell-end-woke-ideology-he-isnt-saying-what-that-means/

Meechan , F., McCann , L., & Cooper , C. (2022). The importance of empathy and compassion in organizations: Why there is so little, and why we need more. Exploring the Connections between Critical and Contemporary Social Theory and the Sociology of Culture, 145–163. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839103261.00017

The RSA. (2013, December 10). Brené Brown on Empathy. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

TED. (2011, January). The Power of Vulnerability | Brené Brown | TED. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

Tsang M. (2013). The importance of empathy--as I have studied and experienced it. Hawai'i journal of medicine & public health: a journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health, 72(9 Suppl 4), 79–80.

Why are fantasy stories written by women treated like guilty pleasures while male-centered fantasy is praised as genius world-building? In this episode of Fed Up, But Figuring It Out, we dive into the double standards surrounding romance, fantasy, and “women’s literature.”

From Harry Potter and Percy Jackson to Throne of Glass, this episode explores how the stories we grow up with shape empathy, emotional literacy, and whose perspectives are considered “universal.” We unpack why women’s fantasy is so often dismissed as “porn,” while violent or sexually explicit male fantasy rarely faces the same criticism.

This conversation also examines the neuroscience and cultural impact of porn versus romance novels, the role of emotional intimacy in women’s storytelling, the patriarchy present in reading culture, and why reading female perspectives matters for everyone, not just women.

Drawing on feminist thought, reading statistics, BookTok culture, and personal reflections as an avid fantasy reader, this episode asks a bigger question: what does it say about our society when stories centered on women’s emotions, safety, and desire are mocked instead of respected?

Sources:

Carroll, J. (2023, April 18). Porn Gap: Difference in men and women pornography patterns. Wheatley Institute. https://wheatley.byu.edu/family/porn-gap-difference-in-men-and-women-pornography-patterns

Iyengar, S. (2025, January). The Men-Women Split in Reading is Real—and Persists Amid Historical Rate Declines. National Endowment for the Arts. https://www.arts.gov/stories/blog/2025/men-women-split-reading-real-and-persists-amid-historical-rate-declines

Snitow, A. B. (1994). Mass Market Romance: Pornography for Women Is Different. In Living With Contradictions (1st ed.). Chapter, Routledge.

Tylka, T. L. (2015). No harm in looking, right? Men’s pornography consumption, body image, and well-being. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 16(1), 97–107. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035774

Why do queer love stories on screen feel more emotional, more authentic, and sometimes even more powerful, regardless of your identity?

In this episode of Fed Up, But Figuring It Out, we unpack the cultural, political, and emotional weight behind queer romance in media. From decades of tragic storytelling to the recent rise of soft, joyful representation, queer love has been shaped by resistance, vulnerability, and choice in ways that challenge traditional narratives of romance.

We explore how heteronormative scripts have flattened straight relationships on screen, why audiences, queer or not, are drawn to stories that feel intentional, and how representation impacts not just visibility, but emotional depth. This isn’t about saying queer love is “better”, it’s about understanding why it often feels more real.

This episode dives into media, culture, identity, and storytelling to ask a bigger question: what does the portrayal of love on screen say about power, norms, and who gets to be seen?

Sources:

Castellano, R. (2025, September 15). Why authenticity is the secret to stronger relationships. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-humanistic-explorer/202509/why-authenticity-is-the-secret-to-stronger-relationships

Maimann , K. (2025, December 21). Why are women so into the man-on-man romance in heated rivalry?. CBC news. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/heated-rivalry-fandom-women-9.7020182

Queer Love and the rewriting of romantic norms. Daniel Dashnaw. (2025, March 21). https://danieldashnawcouplestherapy.com/blog/queer-love-and-the-rewriting-of-romantic-norms

Feminism isn’t anti-men, it’s anti-inequality. This episode unpacks the myths, the backlash, and the real meaning behind the movement.

If you’ve ever questioned feminism, felt defensive in these conversations, or just want a clearer, more honest understanding of gender equality, this episode is for you.

Sources:

Elsesser, K. (2023). Feminists don’t hate men, according to New Research. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2023/11/27/feminists-dont-hate-men-according-to-new-research/

Feminism is for everybody. (2019). The Lancet, 393(10171).

Haysley, K. (2025). a classic Julia Sugarbaker moment, portrayed by icon, #Dixie Carter. #designingwomen #1980stv. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DPpk8aokWIN/

Hedges, T. (2024). Reclaiming misandry from misogynistic rhetoric. Feminist Review, 136(1), 84–99. https://doi.org/10.1177/01417789231223202

Hopkins-Doyle, A., Petterson, A. L., Leach, S., Zibell, H., Chobthamkit, P., Binti Abdul Rahim, S., Blake, J., Bosco, C., Cherrie-Rees, K., Beadle, A., Cock, V., Greer, H., Jankowska, A., Macdonald, K., Scott English, A., Wai Lan YEUNG, V., Asano, R., Beattie, P., Bernardo, A. B., … Sutton, R. M. (2023). The misandry myth: An inaccurate stereotype about feminists’ attitudes toward men. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 48(1), 8–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/03616843231202708

New study debunks myth that feminists hate men. University of Surrey. (2023). https://www.surrey.ac.uk/news/new-study-debunks-myth-feminists-hate-men

Prince, V. (2025). “Why don’t you trust men?” Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOxTHkqDt5g/

What does it really mean to be “neutral” in today’s world, and is it even possible?

In this episode, we unpack what it really means to call yourself “apolitical” in a world where politics shapes everything. From activism burnout and information overload to performative allyship and social media pressure, we explore why so many people feel stuck between caring too much and not engaging at all.

This conversation challenges the idea that staying out of politics is ever truly neutral, and asks a harder question: when does not choosing a side become a privilege in itself?

If you’re interested in politics and culture, social justice conversations, critical thinking, media literacy, and what activism looks like in the digital age, this episode is for you.

Sources:

The apathy of being apolitical: Why remaining neutral during times of conflict is not an option. The Phoenix News. (2023). https://www.thephoenixnews.ca/posts/the-apathy-of-being-apolitical-why-remaining-neutral-during-times-of-conflict-is-not-an-option

Dorsey, E. (2025, August 27). Being apolitical is unacceptable in today’s political climate. Collegiate Times. https://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/being-apolitical-is-unacceptable-in-today-s-political-climate/article_9f725a71-eafb-490c-926b-5a96134b9948.html

“First they came....” poem by Martin Niemoller – poem, meaning, summary, and poem analysis. Unread Poets Society. (2022, December 21). https://unreadpoetssociety.com/2022/12/11/first-they-came-poem-by-martin-niemoller-poem-meaning-summary-and-poem-analysis/

Gassam Asare, J. (2023, December 6). Do celebrities like Beyonce have a responsibility to speak about injustice?. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2023/12/06/do-celebrities-like-beyonce-have-a-responsibility-to-speak-about-injustice/

Krishna. (2025). The illusion of being apolitical. The Good Men Project. https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-illusion-of-being-apolitical/

Is toxic masculinity fueling the male loneliness epidemic?

In this episode of Fed Up, But Figuring It Out, host Priya Migneault unpacks the complex relationship between toxic masculinity, men’s mental health, and rising loneliness among men. While masculinity itself isn’t inherently harmful, rigid expectations around dominance, emotional suppression, and hyper-independence can leave many men isolated and struggling to connect.

Priya explores how traditional gender norms, like “man up” culture, fear of vulnerability, and the pressure to appear strong, discourage emotional openness and prevent men from forming deep friendships or seeking help. The result? Higher rates of loneliness, depression, substance use, and suicide among men.

If you care about gender equality, mental health, masculinity, and modern culture, this conversation is for you.

Sources:

Connor-Savarda, B.-N. (2023, March 30). Loneliness: One of the consequences of toxic masculinity. Emotion Intelligence Magazine. https://www.ei-magazine.com/post/loneliness-one-of-the-consequences-of-toxic-masculinity

Engaging men in gender equality: End violence against women in Canada. Canadian Women’s Foundation. (2018, January 10). https://canadianwomen.org/blog/comes-toxic-masculinity-lose/

How Toxic Masculinity Harms Men and Boys. Survivors.org. (2025, January 21). https://survivors.org/how-toxic-masculinity-harms-men/

Jones, F., Verity, L., Panayiotou, M., & Qualter, P. (2023). A review of evidence on the link between masculinity, loneliness, and suicide as observed in social media discussions. Current Research in Behavioral Sciences, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbeha.2023.100129

Reeves, R. (2022, October 17). Toxic masculinity is a harmful myth. Society is in denial about the problems of boys and men. Big Think. https://bigthink.com/the-present/toxic-masculinity-myth/

Salter, M. (2019, February 27). The Problem With a Fight Against Toxic Masculinity. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/02/toxic-masculinity-history/583411/

Suicide in Canada: Key statistics (infographic). Government of Canada. (2023). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/suicide-canada-key-statistics-infographic.html

Wade, D. (2023, March 31). Defining — and Addressing — Toxic Masculinity. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/toxic-masculinity

Are we actually disagreeing—or are we living in completely different realities? In this episode of Fed Up, But Figuring It Out, Priya breaks down how echo chambers, filter bubbles, and algorithm-driven content are reshaping truth, fueling political polarization, and making empathy harder than ever. From social media algorithms and confirmation bias to online radicalization and the January 6 insurrection, this episode explores how personalized media ecosystems distort reality—and why none of us are immune. If you’ve ever felt like the world is spiraling, wondered why conversations feel impossible, or questioned what’s real online anymore, this episode is for you.

Join the conversation on Instagram: @fedup.pod

Sources:

BBC. (n.d.). What are echo chambers?. BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbwkbqt

Levy, G., & Razin, R. (2019). Echo Chambers and their effects on economic and political outcomes. Annual Review of Economics, 11, 303–328. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics-080218-030343

Meacham, M. (2013). The Neuroscience of Engagement. ATD. https://www.td.org/content/atd-blog/the-neuroscience-of-engagement

TED. (2011). Beware online “filter bubbles” | Eli Pariser. YouTube. Retrieved 2026, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ofWFx525s&t=20s.