Stark Conversations

Heather Stark

Each week we will explore feminism in all facets of life, from its roots to its present-day perceptions. My goal is to create a community of feminists that are redefining beauty culture, learning to use their voices, love themselves and striving to empower the next generation of women. Stark Conversations launches January 11, 2023. To learn more about Heather and engage in the conversation, visit www.heatherstark.me read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture
PhilosophyPhilosophy

Episodes

(Rerelease) Let's Talk Again! A Stark Conversation About the Salem Witch Trials With Dr Wendy Lucas.
Nov 8 2023
(Rerelease) Let's Talk Again! A Stark Conversation About the Salem Witch Trials With Dr Wendy Lucas.
Yes, October and Spooks have passed, but this conversation was too good to not visit again! Oh Friends,  This episode is a good one. It conjures up women dancing around bonfires, chanting, mixing positions, invoking curses and being gagged, bound, and hung.  The Salem Witch Trials.  I wanted to include this topic on Stark Conversations because this is the apex of women being accused of nothing more than being women.  Because there was no chanting, no curses cast, no brooms ridden. Instead, what we find are just people. Every day community members using their voices when wronged, dressing for themselves instead of society, breaking stereotypes, and challenging religious oppression. All topics that feminism embodies. All topics women are judged for in 2023. The lessons we glean from the trials still resonate today. What are we actually doing when we judge others? Deem them as “weak souls,” decide they need Christianity and force testimony and religious doctrine on them? What damage are we inflicting when we make graceless assumptions instead of loving inquiries? Although the Salem Witch Trials happened over 400 years ago, it feels as though humanity has only taken 10 steps forward. We are still judging women, dictating what they should and should not wear, demanding they yield to their husbands, telling them they are the “lesser” and “weaker” partner, and still telling them they are too much, too loud, and overreacting.  Listen to my conversation with the energetic Dr. Wendy Lucas, Salem Witch Trial Extraordinaire, as she talks with me about this time in history. She answers all my questions and then some. We laugh in utter disbelief and empathize with those who were gaslit into believing they could be the devilish witch their neighbors accuse them of being. But most of all, we discuss the wisdom we can take from this confusing and painful time and use it to give humanity advocacy, equity, and healing. Specifically, Dr. Lucas explains:  What circumstances led to accusations of witchcraft.  Why women were viewed as a necessary evil. If the afflicted girls were really having convulsions. The reasons why people, specifically women, were accused of witchcraft. Why gender roles and societal expectations are so crucial to Puritans. Moral Stewardship and how quickly it can get out of hand. The idea of a feminine soul How the trials ended. What amends were made to the accused? What lessons can we learn from this time in history? Friends, I promise this is a good one. As always, if you enjoy it, please leave a review!  Energetic Indie Rock by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/rock-background-music/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Stark Conversations with Z- Raising Strong Daughters
Feb 23 2023
Stark Conversations with Z- Raising Strong Daughters
Hello Friends, Today I am re-releasing three conversations that I had two years ago with my daughter, Izzy. We recorded these conversations as a mini-podcast and released them on the Instagram account for my business Grace & Grit. However, I thought they were timely for this podcast. While attempting to raise a strong, confident daughter, I wanted to know three things from Z: What was something I got wrong? What did she need from me that I failed to give her?What did I get right? What was the thing that I instilled in her that was most helpful?In general, what do parents of girls need to keep in mind when raising strong confident daughters? I think these conversations are important as we raise the next generation of feminists. When we can cross generational lines we become stronger advocates for one another. These talks keep us wise and grounded as we further the reach of feminism. Parents of littles, there will come a time when you look at your kids and think, who is this inspiring adult? How did I get so lucky? This convo is an example of how Z impresses me. I love the way she calls me to the carpet. These are important moments in the relationships of parent and child. As you listen, these conversations were released individually, please keep in mind these separate convos have been edited together for Stark Conversations. Energetic Indie Rock by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/rock-background-music/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Stark Conversations With Dr. Wendy Lucas- The Salem Witch Trials
Jan 26 2023
Stark Conversations With Dr. Wendy Lucas- The Salem Witch Trials
Oh Friends,  This episode is a good one. It conjures up women dancing around bonfires, chanting, mixing positions, invoking curses and being gagged, bound, and hung.  The Salem Witch Trials.  I wanted to include this topic on Stark Conversations because this is the apex of women being accused of nothing more than being women.  Because there was no chanting, no curses cast, no brooms ridden. Instead, what we find are just people. Every day community members using their voices when wronged, dressing for themselves instead of society, breaking stereotypes, and challenging religious oppression. All topics that feminism embodies. All topics women are judged for in 2023. The lessons we glean from the trials still resonate today. What are we actually doing when we judge others? Deem them as “weak souls,” decide they need Christianity and force testimony and religious doctrine on them? What damage are we inflicting when we make graceless assumptions instead of loving inquiries? Although the Salem Witch Trials happened over 400 years ago, it feels as though humanity has only taken 10 steps forward. We are still judging women, dictating what they should and should not wear, demanding they yield to their husbands, telling them they are the “lesser” and “weaker” partner, and still telling them they are too much, too loud, and overreacting.  Listen to my conversation with the energetic Dr. Wendy Lucas, Salem Witch Trial Extraordinaire, as she talks with me about this time in history. She answers all my questions and then some. We laugh in utter disbelief and empathize with those who were gaslit into believing they could be the devilish witch their neighbors accuse them of being. But most of all, we discuss the wisdom we can take from this confusing and painful time and use it to give humanity advocacy, equity, and healing. Specifically, Dr. Lucas explains:  What circumstances led to accusations of witchcraft.  Why women were viewed as a necessary evil. If the afflicted girls were really having convulsions. The reasons why people, specifically women, were accused of witchcraft. Why gender roles and societal expectations are so crucial to Puritans. Moral Stewardship and how quickly it can get out of hand. The idea of a feminine soul How the trials ended. What amends were made to the accused? What lessons can we learn from this time in history? Friends, I promise this is a good one. As always, if you enjoy it, please leave a review!  Energetic Indie Rock by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/rock-background-music/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
A Stark Conversation on Feminist Theory with Dr. AnaLouise Keating
Jan 18 2023
A Stark Conversation on Feminist Theory with Dr. AnaLouise Keating
Friends,  This episode is one where we get to be students of Dr. AnaLouise Keating as she helps us understand the kaleidoscope of views that make up Feminist Theory. Dr. AnaLouise Keating is a wealth of intellect. She is one of those and/both spirits. She lives in the in-between, the gray spaces of life. Her work is proof of this.  I was drawn to her because of how she approaches feminism and its multiple layers. She observes how the paradoxes of feminism work or don't work together. Still, she is more interested in finding where they connect. Where the "like" experience is. She explains feminism and womanism and gives insight into the Intersectionality of Feminism with women of color and Queer Theory. She describes how we experience the world both from where we live and from inside our bodies. She beckons the communion and the divine of feminism while respecting the many viewpoints of it. Dr. Keating helps us understand how very layered true equality actually is.  She emphasizes to understand another's spirit, we must understand their lived experiences. This is a keystone value in the feminist way of life. Her ability to hold the paradoxes of humanity makes her a keystone feminist.  Here are some timecodes to tune into: 4:49: Dr. Keating reminds us how feminism has many definitions. 6:06: We learn how feminism helps us look at the injustice in the world. 11:00: She helps us understand the differences and similarities between Womanist and/or Feminist. 14:12: She teaches us how to enter humanity's uncomfortable "border" spaces. 16:08: Dr. Keating explains Queer Theory and feminism. 18:18: We learn the advantage of living in the "In-between" or and/both areas of life. 20:36: We discuss how to resolve conflict from an and/both way of thinking as well as the pitfalls of defining ourselves by an "anti" or "not that" mentality. 24:43: Women are spiritual beings. YES, PLEASE! 31:37: We learn about Theory in the Flesh 33:15: Intersectionality of Feminism and why it needs understanding. 38:55 Dr. Keating tells us about her research on Indigenous People and feminism. She also discusses how Indigenous people living near Seneca Falls, NY, may have influenced our feminist foremothers during the suffrage movement.  This is an incredible conversation. Please pull up a chair and join us. Energetic Indie Rock by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/rock-background-music/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Stark Conversations with Jodi Bondi Norgaard- Feminism 101
Jan 11 2023
Stark Conversations with Jodi Bondi Norgaard- Feminism 101
You know the moment when the vulnerability pays off? When you get the ask, and relief floods your system? That was the gift that Jodi Bondi Norgaard gave me. I have followed this feminist for years, quietly liking her posts, pursuing her website and admiring her work. Jodi says the things I am thinking. She speaks them with matter-of-fact wisdom that only comes from thorough research. When I asked her to help kick-start this podcast by being my first guest, she didn't hesitate. I got an answer that very day. She was the woman I knew would give me straight-up hard facts about feminism that would set the tone and feel for this podcast. She came correct. She is a fierce ally of women. I wanted the first episode of Stark Conversations to lay the groundwork for feminism, to give a bird's-eye view of what feminism is and isn't. I wanted to present facts and examples, share knowledge and provide resources for those who want more information. This is what Jodi came correct again and again and again. For an hour, she delivered the goods I was seeking. Here are some time stamps to tune into: Jodi gives the perfect definition of feminism at 5:52. Want to know what books to read on Feminism? Take a listen- she lists them at 11:04. Do you want to give the men in your life ideas on how to best support women? Check out the podcast Jody recommends at 43:28. Want to know how to best support women- Amplify their voices and good ideas? Jodi shares how at 44:35. What's the issue we both feel is preventing women from global equality? Find out at 46:42. Curious about the Equal Rights Amendment Act, and what is the only constitutional right protecting women right now? Pay close attention at 49:25. Friends, this podcast comes complete. Stark Conversations with Jodi Bondi Norgaard- Feminism 101. It's a thorough listen. You can find Jodi at Website – www.jodibondinorgaard.com Social Media https://twitter.com/jodinorgaard https://www.facebook.com/jodinorgaard/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodinorgaard/ https://www.instagram.com/jodibondinorgaard/