It's So Hard

Feb 02 2024
It's So Hard Podcast artwork

Sex worker Tess Louise and social worker Jenn Brown discuss a range of political issues. Our first 100 episodes focused primarily on sex work as an industry and movement. And these days, Tess explores intersecting issues like disability and trans rights. Although Jenn has taken a step back from recording, you'll hear from her in an upcoming episode. And Tess continues to record season 3. Contains explicit descriptions. Website - itssohard.info Email - [email protected] Instagram - @softermedia

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110. Trans Rights and The Law feat. V and Joni Boyd: "What laws could be passed to make things better?"

Feb 02 2024 30 mins  
"I'd say the biggest problem faced by the queer community in this country is homelessness..." -Joni Boyd On 10th January 2024, Misty Farquhar from Rainbow Futures WA dropped an opinion piece in The West Australian about state Labor’s commitments to enact change for the local LGBTQIA+ community, which are yet to be fulfilled. Misty Farquhar's article: Labor all talk, little actio

109. The Angry Episode (re-released) part 1

Dec 17 2023 31 mins  
"Today is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers..." This episode was initially released on 16/12/2021. Mentions: Jasmin Raat Ki Raani - @currypawrn on Instagram Spotify: "Migrant Sex Workers of Colour: We Are Here To Take Up Space" on Race Matters podcast Listen online: "Migrant Sex Workers of Colour: We Are Here To Take Up Space" on Race Matters podcast Jordon S

108. Everyday Transphobia feat. V and Joni Boyd: "It's a lot of emotional labour..."

Oct 22 2023 42 mins  
"I find myself being very cautious when it comes to other people's expectations - especially uncommunicated expectations - of what they want from me as a trans sex worker." -V Follow on Instagram - V @puppygirlfemboy, Joni Boyd @checkout_chick463 Contains explicit descriptions. Mentions - Decrim WA and Indymedia It's So Hard is produced by - Jenn and Tess Louise® Instagram - @soft

106. Being Trans in this Economy feat. V and Joni Boyd: "She was fired on the spot..."

Aug 02 2023 33 mins  
"We're both facing looking for work as out trans women now, and that's something that neither of us have dealt with before." -Joni Boyd Follow on Instagram - V @puppygirlfemboy, Joni Boyd @checkout_chick463, Contains explicit descriptions. Mentions - Decrim WA and Indymedia It's So Hard is produced by - Jenn and Tess Louise® Instagram - @softermedia Website - itssohard.info S3:E10

105. Sex Work and Disability feat. Lua and Mercy: "I have to hide what I do from my medical team..."

Jun 02 2023 52 mins  
"I think, unequivocally, in my opinion, that eugenics, ableism, the whorearchy, and decriminalisation are in an intrinsic ecology. Disabled rights are sex workers' rights. Sex workers' rights are disability rights. It is all interconnected..." -Lua Follow on Instagram for updates - @littlelua.s @mxtress.mercy @smutclubfilmfest Contains explicit descriptions. Mentions - Sex and Dis

104. Neurodiversity and Trauma feat. Lua and Mercy: "Let me have my headphones..."

May 28 2023 39 mins  
Lua and Mercy chat about neurodiversity and late ADHD/autism diagnoses. Lua touches on the grief of wishing they knew sooner and Mercy shares how their relationship with masking shifted over time. We'll continue this conversation in episode 105 by exploring the intersection between sex work and disability. Follow on Instagram for updates - @littlelua.s @mxtress.mercy @smutclubfilm

103. Child Sexual Abuse: "No shade on white vans..."

May 20 2023 38 mins  
Before we peel back the layers of Child Sexual Abuse, what exactly is CSA? What did it mean for Jenn? And how does it still impact her life? Lifeline 13 11 14 13YARN (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folks) 13 92 76 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 Bravehearts 1800 627 393 @braveheartsprotectkids Blue Knot Foundation 1300 657 380 @blueknotfoundation SAM

102. Sex Work and The Law feat. Ariela Moscowitz and Isidoro Rodriguez: "Why are we policing sex?"

Apr 21 2023 59 mins  
Ariela Moscowitz and Isidoro Rodriguez discuss the definition of sex work, who enters the industry, and the power of stigmas. Ariela unpacks the 4 legal models that govern sex workers all over the world: criminalisation, legalisation, the Nordic model, and decriminalisation. Ariela is the Director of Communications for Decriminalize Sex Work, an organisation pursuing a state-by-sta

101. Welcome to Season 3: "Have you heard of Shirley Finn?"

Apr 10 2023 39 mins  
Tess gives an overview of Shirley Finn’s story. We discuss Shirley’s pressures and motivations, including but not limited to sex work. It was beyond the scope of this episode to track Shirley’s interactions with individual detectives and politicians. However, it is worth exploring. See links below. Contains explicit violent descriptions. Mentions - Decrim QLD Hosts - Jenn and

100. Where to Next? "I felt that we were making the mistake of overfocusing on sex work..."

Mar 07 2023 30 mins  
As season 2 comes to a close, we explore the essential - but fragile - relationships between sex work representation, confidentiality, and intersectionality. We also discuss the future of It's So Hard. Contains explicit sexual descriptions. Mentions - Progressive Therapeutic Collective, Isidoro Rodriguez, Joni Boyd, and Decrim WA Hosts - Jenn and Tess Louise® Website - itssohard.i