Episodes

  • free speech, safety + culture wars

    free speech, safety + culture wars
    Feb 23 2026
    This episode is about what happens when culture tells the truth and institutions get scared. From a cancelled writers’ festival to a Super Bowl performance that made people uncomfortable, Amal traces a pattern: when marginalised voices take up space, the language of “safety” and “neutrality” suddenly appears. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
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    51 mins
  • ozempic, body policing and consumption

    ozempic, body policing and consumption
    Feb 9 2026
    Ozempic has become a cultural catalyst for the return of celebrating thin bodies. This story doesn't just celebrate thin bodies, but also frames it as a moral right and a healthy way to live. This episode unpacks this story in our social media fuelled, capitalistic world. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
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    54 mins
  • empathy recession + compassion

    empathy recession + compassion
    Jan 26 2026
    This week, we’re talking about compassion as resistance. In a world drained by outrage, social media, and constant crises, how do we stay human and connected? I explore the science of empathy, the politics of care, and practical ways to show real compassion without burning out. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
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    52 mins
  • identity, clear ethics + soft humanity

    identity, clear ethics + soft humanity
    Jan 12 2026
    This week we’re unpacking the messy ways labels shape who we are — and who we think we should be. We talk about the push and pull between identity as a lens, identity as a trap, and the freedom of existing outside the boxes. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
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    53 mins
  • echo chamber, online spaces and humanity

    echo chamber, online spaces and humanity
    Dec 29 2025
    This week we’re unpacking online identity spaces — the ones that can feel like home... until they don’t. We talk comfort, community, call-outs, and chaos — and why these echo chambers can both heal us and shrink us. If you’ve ever felt seen and suffocated online, this one’s for you. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
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    54 mins
  • politics of coolness

    politics of coolness
    Dec 15 2025
    This episode we’re unpacking something we all feel but never really name: coolness as a whole social system. Yep — it’s deeper than outfits and vibes. We unpack who gets celebrated, who gets copied without credit, and how and why 'cool' is political. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
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    52 mins
  • bougie, black + complicated

    bougie, black + complicated
    Dec 1 2025
    We’re spilling the tea on Black elitism: what it is, how it’s different from Black excellence, and why wealth, status, and luxury don’t automatically equal liberation. From Martha’s Vineyard summers to Beyoncé and Jay-Z, HBCUs to Jack & Jill, we unpack history, culture, and nuance—because understanding Black success is more complicated than just who’s winning. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
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    54 mins
  • matcha, cultural appreciation + appropriation

    matcha, cultural appreciation + appropriation
    Nov 17 2025
    A deep dive into matcha’s rise as a “clean girl” staple — and what gets lost along the way. We unpack cultural appreciation vs. appropriation, whiteness in wellness, and how capitalism reshapes ancient traditions. If you love matcha but care about cultural respect, responsible engagement, and decolonizing wellness, this episode is your fresh, nuanced guide to enjoying cultural practices without erasure. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz
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    51 mins