Stark Conversations

Jan 18 2024
Stark Conversations Podcast artwork

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

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A Stark Conversation on Imposter Syndrome (and a Feminist Jesus) with Alani Bankhead

Jan 18 2024 44 mins  
In today's episode, I am talking to Alani Bankhead. Alani knows something about feminism because she has spent the last 20 years as a woman in a predominantly male profession, hunting spies, terrorists, and child sex traffickers. She was even assigned to be the senior bodyguard to a top Pentagon official. She understands how to level the inequity of the job force and how to use

Stark Conversation about Common Sense Feminism with Sarah Pallet Part 2

Dec 05 2023 48 mins  
Today, I am talking to the former Chair of New Zealand's Labour Women's Caucus, Sarah Pallett. Sarah reached out to me after she read an article I published in the HuffPost. When she introduced herself, I almost fell out of my chair. I had read about Sarah, I knew her name, and I knew she served under New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. This was one hell

A Stark Conversation About Common Sense Feminism with Sarah Pallet, Part 1

Nov 30 2023 52 mins  
Today, I am talking to the former Chair of New Zealand's Labour Women's Caucus, Sarah Pallett. Sarah reached out to me after she read an article I published in the HuffPost. When she introduced herself, I almost fell out of my chair. I had read about Sarah, I knew her name, and I knew she served under New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. This was one hell

A Stark Conversation about Femmephobia with Samantha Martin

Nov 17 2023 54 mins  
In this episode, I am talking to Samantha Martin, founder of the Femmish organization. Samanatha uses research to bring awareness around femme phobia- the systematic devaluing of femininity that people engage in when they police feminine qualities in others. This is an excellent conversation about how the world looks down on most things feminine and refuses to allow people assigned

(Rerelease) Let's Talk Again! A Stark Conversation About the Salem Witch Trials With Dr Wendy Lucas.

Nov 07 2023 67 mins  
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 accu

Stark Conversation with Dr. Treena Orchard- The Subjectivity of Safe

Oct 31 2023 54 mins  
Trigger warning: Sexual and gender based violence Today, I am discussing a recent paper published by Dr. Treena Orchard that explores the subjectivity of safety on one college campus. According to Dr. Orchard's research: 20 to 43% of women and 3 to 29% of men attending American universities have been sexually victimized. In some Canadian provinces, as many as 63% of female stud

Stark Conversation with Jennifer Toon: The Devaluing of Women Within the Legal System

Oct 25 2023 60 mins  
Today, on Stark Conversations, I discuss the devaluing of girls and women in the legal system with Jennifer Toon, the Project Director for Lioness Justice Impacted Women’s Alliance. A nonprofit led by formerly incarcerated women who envision a society where all women are spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically free from violence and harm in the criminal legal system. O

A Stark Conversation with Christine Morrison- How to NOT Sell Your Soul to the Beauty Industry

Oct 18 2023 78 mins  
Today, I am talking with writer Christine Morrison. After working for Olay and Calvin Klein, Christine has become a writer with a mission and purpose to focus on fashion as it relates to our identity and well-being. She writes that she is "committed to exploring and exposing the grey areas that burden us all in fashion, beauty and wellness. Oft through the lens of aging."

Stark Conversations- Sexual Harassment Part 2

Mar 15 2023 25 mins  
Hello Friends, In Part 2 of Sexual Harassment, I take you with me as I reclaim my walks on the beach. This episode is a series of recordings I took when I decided it was time for me to go back to where the harassment occurred. I attempted to be candid and genuine in my thoughts and emotions. This is an exercise in understanding the pain and hurt that sexual harassment causes. Even

Stark Conversations- Sexual Harassment Part 1

Mar 09 2023 54 mins  
Hello Friends, Trigger warning: this episode is about sexual harassment.  This episode is a two-parter and a bit different than the others. This is just me talking about an incident of sexual harassment that occurred not too long ago that has left me with many thoughts, revelations, and emotions. Although I am still working through some issues, I wanted to discuss it now.