Here's The Thing, Tho with Soaliha

We’re Taking A Break, But We’ll Be Back!

We have an announcement: we're taking a little hiatus to rest, recuperate and refresh our little brains. In the meantime, listen to our backlog and hit us up on Instagram! Bye for now, not forever :)

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

#TraumaTok and the Commodification of Emotions

This week we talk about #TraumaTok, aka a corner of TikTok where people openly share their harrowing traumas to the app with little concern about where their stories will end up.

We discuss the normalisation of “trauma dumping”, trauma bonding as a modern means to friendship, trauma as an identity or in-group, and how TikTok actively benefits from the #TraumaTok community.

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

Sources

Bridgerton's Kate Sharma Isn't Poorly Written, She's Authentic South Asian Representation

Anthony Albanese's 'Not Woke' Cover Wasn't Just Cringe, It Was Also Transphobic  

'Dark days for our democracy': What the new protest laws in NSW mean 

Why TikTok is so obsessed with labeling everything a trauma response.

What we can all learn from 'trauma dumping' online 

We're worried about the wrong kind of 'trauma talk' online

Investigation: How TikTok's Algorithm Figures Out Your Deepest Desires
TikTok: Eating disorders, racism, censorship and distorted realities | Four Corners

Are You (Still) An Ecofascist?

*NOTE: This is a reshare of a previous episode. But! The first 20 minutes is a discussion on recent events.

This week we talk about the rise of ‘ecofascism’ and its concerning prevalence in left wing circles. 

We talk about what it is, why it’s so convincing and how to spot ecofascist myths. 

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

Sources

Eco-fascism: What It Is, Why It's Wrong, and How to Fight It  

Overpopulation Discourse: Patriarchy, Racism, and the Specter of Ecofascism – by Jordan Dyett and Cassidy Thomas

Just 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions, study says 

Jane Campion quickly squanders good will from Sam Elliott response with misguided comment of her own - The Washington Post

 

The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Is Changing Aussie Media In Real Time

This week we talk about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – not the geopolitics, but the impact these events have had on the boundaries of Australian news media. 

We discuss the racist coverage of the invasion and the double standards it exposed, some unprecedented events in our own country’s media, and how all of this has totally shifted the limits on what kind of racism is acceptable to call out.

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

Sources:

Twitter Thread: Racist Reporting Of Russia/Ukraine 

A Russian Perspective | Q+A 

Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins are supremely admirable, and the acceptable white faces of Australian feminism | Sisonke Msimang | The Guardian

The Weird Underworld of Anti-Refugee Propaganda

CW: This episode briefly discusses suicide.

This week we talk about one of our favourite topics – government propaganda. But not the type fed to civilians like us. This time, we’re talking about Australia’s various international anti-refugee ad campaigns, which are specifically aimed at people seeking asylum.

We discuss the human rights abuses asylum seekers face in Australia, the morally corrupt companies that partner with our government to create anti-refugee ads, the modern technology required to get these messages across, and what this means for us as allies to asylum seekers. 

Please consider donating to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre while you are here.

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

Sources:

The Park Street Refugees Don't Need Novak Djokovic's Help, They Need Yours 

The Aus Govt, Evil To Its Core, Had A Comp For Short Films To Show Refugees Aren't Welcome Here 

Zero Chance 

Zero Chance - YouTube Channel  

TBWA Worldwide - Wikipedia

Ad agency behind government’s film competition warning against 'illegal migration' has won ethical awards   

Australia's anti-immigration YouTube videos are attempting to scare off asylum seekers — Quartz 

Australian government targets asylum seekers with graphic campaign | Australia news | The Guardian

Angus Campbell warns asylum seekers not to travel to Australia by boat | Australia news | The Guardian

Australia: Deterrence propaganda? | Opinions | Al Jazeera

Are Mental Illness and Capitalism Linked?

This week we talk about the link between capitalism and various mental illnesses, and how our collective trauma is a rational response to a decaying world.

We discuss the chemical imbalance myth, the history of anti-psychiatry, the social model of disability and how, in an ideal post-capitalist world, the current definition of mental illness would change dramatically, if not cease to exist.

*NOTE: While we discuss the political nature of psychiatry and medical prescriptions, we want to stress that we are not giving you medical advice. Only you can decide what works for you. For some people, medication is life saving and essential. For others, it isn't. Both experiences are valid.

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

Sources:

Dr Ayesha Khan’s Instagram (especially this and this post)

The Challenge of Going Off Psychiatric Drugs | The New Yorker

Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism (2009, Zer0 Books)

Debunking the Two Chemical Imbalance Myths, Again 

The Stepford Wives - You're Wrong About | Podcast on Spotify

The Big Politics of Tiny Houses

This week Mitch takes the lead and deep dives into the surprisingly complex discourse around the tiny house movement, and how it exists in a weird, capitalist paradox.

We talk about deceiving ‘wholesome’ reality TV shows, Airbnb’s monopoly on the short term rental market, gentrification in trendy neighbourhoods and how some renovation shows are just landlord propaganda. As always, everything is capitalism, baby.

*Note. This episode has been released on Invasion Day. We want to remind everyone to stand in solidarity with First Nations people and oppose colonialism, white supremacy and genocide in all its forms. You can find your local Invasion Day protest here. For a list of First Nations orgs to donate to, click here. Last year, we recorded an episode titled Australia Day Shouldn't Exist which you can listen to if you want to learn more about our stance on abolishing Australia Day.

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

Sources

Wachsmuth, D., & Weisler, A. (2018). Airbnb and the rent gap: Gentrification through the sharing economy. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 50(6), 1147–1170. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X18778038

Every Melbourne suburb's median house and unit price gains in 2021 | Herald Sun

Videos:

NEVER TOO SMALL Tasmanian bed-Sit Micro Apartment - 26.5sqm/285sqft

NEVER TOO SMALL Luxury Sydney Micro Apartment - 24sqm/258sqft

NEVER TOO SMALL Off-Grid Farm Tiny Cabin - 40sqm/430sqft

NEVER TOO SMALL Melbourne Art-Deco Micro Apartment - 23sqm/247sqft

Much Like Covid, We’re Back

This week we catch up on all of the Covid related stories that broke while we were on break – and, oh boy, a lot has happened.

We discuss the constant backflipping from our leaders regarding Covid rules, the nature of capitalism and how this wave of the pandemic manifests it, RAT availabilities and the ~free market~, and how the pandemic has exposed our ableism. Phew. It’s a lot.

*CORRECTION: Soaliha said a mentally ill woman was jailed after escaping quarantine in Queensland to see her mother. This woman was arrested, but not jailed. There was a different, separate incident where a Queensland woman was jailed for breaching isolation rules.

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

Sources:

National cabinet: Requirement for Covid cases to get day six test scrapped 

Scott Morrison says he won't 'undercut' businesses by funding free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests

@MSMWatchdog2013 Tweet

Rapid antigen tests: Wholesaler says retailers deliberately pushing up demand  

Face masks: Priceline sells 50 for $249 amid Victoria restrictions 

For those of us with disabilities, lockdown won't end as long as Covid strategies leave us behind | Anthea Williams | The Guardian

Limiting Who Can Access Free PCR Tests Is Actually Ableist AF & We Need To Talk About It 

Cairns woman arrested after elaborate alleged escape from hotel quarantine

Qld Covid-19: Police place woman in jail for allegedly refusing home quarantine 

BONUS EPISODE: Q&A Special

This week we are actually on our end of year break, but we pre-recorded a bonus Q&A session to celebrate reaching our 50th episode!

We answer questions about our careers, studies, our relationship origin story, our vision for the podcast, and a bunch of other random fun things our listeners have asked about. Enjoy, and we'll see you in the new year!

*Note: this episode was recorded a week early, so we talk about how normal and fine and not anxious we are. We just wanted to issue a correction: in light of recent COVID events, we are totally anxious! Anyway, happy holidays and good bye!

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

Cutting Off Problematic Friends: A Moral Dilemma… Or Is It?

This week we discuss a topic that our listeners request every month: should we cut off friends that have problematic opinions?

We talk about what we define as friendship, what we expect to get out of friendships, and how this measures up when it comes to the people in our lives that are bigoted — and why we think that, actually, cutting off bigots is admirable. And we’re proud of you. 

 

Soaliha: @soalihaofficial & Linktree

Mitch: @mitchs.miscellanea & Linktree

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/soaliha

Email: heresthethingthopodcast@gmail.com

PayPal: PayPal.me/soaliha 

Facebook Group: Here’s The Thing, Tho With Soaliha Podcast Group 

 

Sources 

Lush is becoming anti-social – We Are Lush