Theoryish
Theoryish draws from a wide range of disciplines to bring theory to you in the most relevant, interesting, and accessible way. This show aims to create an inclusive community of learning and will showcase a wide variety of theory that is out there, going beyond the expected canon of theorists. This show makes a concerted effort to provide listeners with theoretical tools to hopefully enrich their day-to-day lives no matter what space they occupy. The main podcast hosts are Paola Medina-Gonzalez and Hannah Ayres and they are often joined by guests who help bring theory to life!
Episodes
Franz Kafka: The Metamorphosis
Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a monstrous creature, and his first worry is that he’ll be late for work. Franz Kafka’s 1915 book is one of the most famous and most debated works of modernist literature, and it remains strange, funny, and painful in equal measure. In this episode of Theoryish, we dig into The Metamorphosis and ask what the transformation actuall
Hegel: Who Thinks Abstractly?
Hegel’s short essay “Who Thinks Abstractly?” (1808) argues that “abstract thinking” is something the ‘uneducated’ partake in, not the educated. Through a string of vivid scenes – a crowd sneering at a condemned murderer, an old market woman reducing a rival to a single insult, a servant reduced to nothing but his function – Hegel shows how flattening a person into one label (“just a murderer,” “ju
Adolf Loos: Ornament and Crime
In 1910, architect Adolf Loos stood before a Viennese audience and declared ornament a crime, a moral failing, a symptom of degeneracy and a drag on cultural progress. “Ornament and Crime” remains one of modernism’s founding manifestos, the text that helped strip architecture down to clean lines and bare surfaces. This set the tone, for better or for worse, for everything from the Bauhaus to the g
Akane Kanai: The New Politics of Online Feminism
Hello all! We have an incredible episode for you today. In this episode of Theoryish, we’re joined by Akane Kanai, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick, to discuss her new book The New Politics of Online Feminism. Drawing on interviews with young feminists in Australia, Kanai’s research moves past familiar stories of online feminism as pure activism and resistance, instead
Life Update May 2026
Hello all, welcome to our first video episode! This is a shorter episode that aims to explain our year long hiatus in a bit more detail. We have a backlog of new episodes to share with you, and we look forward to sharing more theory with you soon. Contact Us You can get in touch with us via our email: theoryishpodcast@gmail.com Socials We are on Twitter and stagram at theoryish_pod | Facebook at
Theoryish Trailer
Updating the trailer now that me and Paola are both doctors! Contact Us You can get in touch with us via our email: theoryishpodcast@gmail.com Socials We are on Twitter and Instagram at theoryish_pod | Facebook at theoryishpod Music Food For The Soul by Soundroll
Christopher Ewing: The Color of Desire: The Queer Politics of Race in the Federal Republic of Germany after 1970
In this episode, we sit down with author Christopher Ewing to discuss his groundbreaking book The Color of Desire: The Queer Politics of Race in the Federal Republic of Germany after 1970. Together, we explore how race, sexuality, migration, and national identity intersected in post-1970 West Germany, and how queer communities both challenged and reproduced racial politics during a period of profo
Erika Herrera Rosales: Ambivalent Humanitarianism and Migration Control: Colonial Legacies and the Experiences of Migrants in Mexico
Today we bring you an incredible author interview with the lovely Erika Herrera Rosales, who released her book Ambivalent Humanitarianism and Migration Control Colonial legacies and the Experiences of Migrants in Mexico in 2025. This book explores the complex relationship between migrants and local aid organisations, unpacking the implications of humanitarian actors in migration governance and bor
Akhil Kang: savarna citations of desire: queer impossibilities of inter-caste love
Hello all, welcome back to the Theoryish podcast! In this episode, we turn to Akhil Kang's Savarna Citations of Desire: Queer Impossibilities of Inter-caste Love to understand how caste, sexuality, and desire intersect in South Asian contexts. We are joined by our wonderful former guests dipbuk Panchal and Roshan Johri, who bring along with them their thoughtful perspectives on queer politics
Welcome Back
Did you miss us? Contact Us You can get in touch with us via our email: theoryishpodcast@gmail.com Socials We are on Twitter and stagram at theoryish_pod | Facebook at theoryishpod
Carl von Clausewitz: On War
Hello all, apologies for the delay in releasing this episode! Hannah has been going through some medical issues and has recently had surgery. Hannah also recently passed her PhD Viva and so has been busier than usual. We have more episodes recorded for this season and we will work hard to get these to you much sooner than we did before. In this episode, we dive in Carl von Clausewitz’s On War to e
Rustam Alexander: Red Closet: The Hidden History of Gay Oppression in the USSR
Join us for a very special interview with Rustam Alexander, author of Red Closet: The Hidden History of Gay Oppression in the USSR. Alexander uncovers an overlooked area of 20th century history, tracing the roots and realities of the lives of queer people in the USSR. We explore how Alexander conducted the archival research for this book, how he felt writing the text, and some of the history discu
Sheridan Le Fanu: Carmilla
We’re back from our mid-season break and diving fang-first into the Gothic! In this episode, we sink our teeth into Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla (1872), the vampire novella that predates Dracula and oozes with queerness, gothic description, and Victorian sensibilities. Join us as we explore themes of desire, tension, obliviousness, and erotic friendship. Expect vampires, hand holding, and a lot of
Update!
A little update on where we've been...Contact Us You can get in touch with us via our email: theoryishpodcast@gmail.com Socials We are on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at theoryish_pod and Facebook at theoryishpod Music Outro: Lori Beauty, Coma Studios
The Malleus Maleficarum (Translated & Edited by Peter Maxwell-Stuart)
This week we’re taking a deep dive into all things witchy by discussing The Malleus Maleficarum (edited by Peter Maxwell-Stuart). Originally written by Heinrich Kramer in the 15th century, this book played a pivotal role in the witch hunts across Europe. Utilizing Maxwell-Stuart's translation and introduction, we explore the Malleus’ origins, impact, and why women are often seen at the center of w
Introduction to Phenomenology
In this episode we dive into the world of phenomenology, exploring its rich history and evolution from its roots with Edmund Husserl to its contemporary developments with thinkers like Sara Ahmed. Phenomenology, a complex yet fascinating philosophical movement, focuses on the study of consciousness and experience. Join us as we break down key terms, examine the central ideas and history that have
Clement Greenberg: Avant-Garde and Kitsch
In this episode, we dive into Clement Greenberg’s influential 1939 essay ‘Avant-Garde and Kitsch’. We explore and outline the concepts of avant-garde and kitsch, unpack their complex relationship, and examine how Greenberg connects kitsch with totalitarianism. Join us as we unpack these ideas and their continued relevance to the world of art and culture. Sources and Media You kind find all source
Walter Benjamin: The Arcades Project
Welcome to the first theory episode of Season 3! Today we are joined by Matthew Bliss, a PhD researcher based in the History of Art department at the University of Warwick.
The Arcades Project is the dreamlike and fragmentary unfinished project of Walter Benjamin which offers an enormous amount of writing on Paris in the 19th century. In the episode we unpack the architectural structure of arcade
Introduction to Season 3
We are back (and better than ever!)
Join us as we give some much needed life updates and chat about the upcoming season.
Contact Us
You can get in touch with us via our email: theoryishpodcast@gmail.com
Socials
We are on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at theoryish_pod and Facebook at theoryishpod
Music
Outro: Lori Beauty, Coma Studios
Season Two Finale
Thank you for listening to Season 2 of Theoryish! In this episode we reflect on the season, give life updates, and chat about Season 3.
We will begin preparation for Season 3 soon, and have some really exciting episodes coming your way next year.
Until then, please don’t forgot to subscribe, comment, and rate our podcast 5 stars!
Contact Us
You can get in touch with us via our email: theory
Migueltzinta Solís: MestizXXX Sadomasochist Performance Methodologies
In this week’s incredible episode, we got the opportunity to speak to Migueltzinta Solís about his article Embodying the postcolonial perverse: mestizXXX sadomasochist performance methodologies (2021). In this episode we discuss consent, queer and trans methdologies, perversity, creative practice, land relations and more!
Migueltzinta Solís is a trans Chicanx interdisciplinary artist, writer, ed
Introduction to Intersectionality
This week we provide an overview of intersectionality, a concept that gave a name to the ways in which individuals experience intersecting oppressions that combine to create varied modes of discrimination and privilege. This introduction to intersectionality covers the history of the term, Kimberlé Crenshaw's 1989 article, and some of the critiques and issues with applying intersectionality in
Julia Kristeva: Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection
This week, guest Meaghan Allen joins us to discuss Julia Kristeva’s 1980 book Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection. Join us as we discuss abjection, the allure of horror, final girls, the body, and Carol J. Clover’s Men, Women and Chainsaws. Towards the end of the episode, we use abjection to discuss the 1973 film The Exorcist. If you’re interested in horror, this is definitely an episode you d
Sigmund Freud: Beyond the Pleasure Principle
We are back from our midseason break with an episode on Sigmund Freud’s 1920 essay Beyond the Pleasure Principle. In this essay Freud challenges some of his preconceived ideas about the pleasure principle through his exploration of the death drive. Join us as we break down Freudian terminology, deepen our understanding of psychoanalysis, and use the death drive to think about the Sopranos and Pers
Linda Nochlin: Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?
In this week’s episode, we look at Linda Nochlin’s groundbreaking 1971 essay Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists. Join us as we investigate Nochlin’s examination of institutional and societal barriers that have prevented women’s access to artistic recognition and success. We discuss in detail who Linda Nochlin is, why this essay is so important to feminist art theory and art history and ref
Introduction to Poststructuralism
Welcome to our first ‘Introduction To...’ of the season! In this episode we introduce you to Poststructuralism, outline what this concept is, where it came from, and who the poststructuralists are (despite their insistence to the contrary).
Sources and Fan Fiction
You kind find all source material discussed in the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PrI0L5dW-WKRDbMiNldAmNhATr2Zvjv
J. Daniel Luther: Queering Normativity and South Asian Public Culture: Wrong Readings Only
Join us for our second ever author interview, in which we are joined by J. Daniel Luther and Roshan Johri to discuss Luther’s book Queering Normativity and South Asian Public Culture: Wrong Readings Only (2023). In this episode we discuss how normativity functions, and how difficult it can be to interrogate. We discuss how to find and create a queer archive, or an archive of ‘the normal’. Daniel a
Sophia Amoruso: #GIRLBOSS
Join us as we experiment this week by looking not at academic theory, but at Sophia Amoruso’s (2014) book #GIRLBOSS. We use this text to discuss ethical work conditions, fashion, feminism under neoliberlism and girlboss feminism.
Sources and Fan Fiction
You kind find all source material and fan fiction discussed in the episode here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/143ZVl0Ow_vFqP9Ig6NAzo6UoRx
Søren Kierkegaard: The Seducer's Diary (Either/Or)
Join us as we delve into The Seducer’s Diary, a section of writing from Søren Kierkegaard's 1843 collection Either/Or. We discuss the esthetism, ethics, religion, love, marriage, Christianity and more!
For this episode we were joined by special guest Igor Ahmedov, Estonian Kierkegaard research and junior research fellow in philosophical theology. Igor is writing a doctoral thesis at the Universi
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick: Epistemology of the Closet (Part 2)
Following on from Part 1, this episode discusses the last three chapters of Eve Kosofsky Sedwick's seminal 1990 text, Epistemology of the closet. Join us as we discuss sentimentality, homosexuality in Renaissance England, and the idea of a closet made of glass.
Sources & Fan Fiction
You can find a list of all the sources and fan fiction discussed in this episode here: https://docs.google
Walter Benjamin: The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
Join us as we dive into Walter Benjamin's 1935 essay The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. In this episode we cover the history and context of this essay; the difference between mechanical production and traditional art production; Benjamin's changing relationship to Aura; film and the production of film.
Sources
You can find any of the source material we discussed liste
Introduction to Season 2
Welcome to the second season of Theoryish! This episode offers brief introduction to this season, as well as a reflection on the first season.
Contact Us
You can get in touch with us via our email: theoryishpodcast@gmail.com
Socials
We are on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at theoryish_pod and Facebook at theoryishpod
Music
Outro: Lori Beauty, Coma Studios
Is Aura Dead? (Live Episode)
This special bonus episode was filmed live on the 6th December 2023 at 1 Mill Street Leamington Spa, UK.
In this episode, we connect Season 1 and Season 2 by talking about one of our favourite thinkers, Walter Benjamin. How has our relationship to the camera changed in the age of new technology? Artificial intelligence, digital filters, and voice changers can impact upon the way we understand our
Season One Finale
Welcome to the final episode of Theoryish Season One! We've had a really wonderful time with you all and will be back January 2024. Until then, please continue to listen, share, like, and follow - see you soon!
Contact Us
You can get in touch with us via our email: theoryishpodcast@gmail.com
Socials
We are on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at theoryish_pod and Facebook at theoryishpod
Mus
Stuart Hall: The Fateful Triangle: Race, Ethnicity, Nation
In this episode, Hannah is joined once again by dipbuk Panchal to discuss Stuart Hall's 2017 text The Fateful Triangle: Race, Ethnicity, Nation. We go through the first chapter of the book titled Race - The Sliding Signifier. This is a chapter with a lot of theoretical depth and so we take you through some of the key terms of the text such as 'signified', 'discourse' and '
W. E. B. Du Bois: The Souls of Black Folk
This episode contains discussions of 19th and early 20th century American history, slavery, racism and race.
In this episode we are joined by dipbuk Panchal to discuss W. E. B. Du Bois seminal 1903 text The Souls of Black Folk. We take you through Du Bois' life, as well contextualise why this book was so important for the time. We cover some of Du Bois' main theories including the colour
Sara Ahmed: Queer Use
In this episode, me and Paola talk about Sara Ahmed's 2018 blog post titled Queer Use. Join us as we chat about queerness, Ahmed's conceptualisation of 'use' and institutional diversity.
Please note that we lightly discuss sexual harassment in this episode.
Sources
You can find our list of sources here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Gg-nWmeiUDCtTHzJPxrqcWJMahB0-O_dcKm1H6
Jennifer V. Evans: The Queer Art of History: Queer Kinship After Fascism
In this special episode of Theoryish, we are joined by Jennifer V. Evans to discuss her latest book The Queer Art of History: Queer Kinship After Fascism (2023). Jennifer is Professor of History at Carleton University and author of Life among the Ruins: Cityscape and Sexuality in Cold War Berlin (2011). In this episode we discuss how history gets written, kinship, memorials, photography, and how h
bell hooks: All About Love: New Visions
For this episode we looked at bell hooks' text All About Love: New Visions and we were joined by two incredible guests: Sue Lemos and Adebayo Quadry-Adekanbi. To concentrate our discussion, we looked at four chapters within the book: Chapter One Clarity - Give Love Words; Chapter Four Commitment - Let Love be Love in Me; Chapter Eight Community - Loving Communion and Chapter Thirteen Destiny - Whe
Introduction to Queer Theory
We are trying something new for this episode of Theoryish. We wanted some of our episodes to be a little shorter and settled on providing an 'Intro to...' various theoretical fields. We decided to start with queer theory as this is something we are both familiar with, and because we have mentioned it lot this season. So, whether you are a queer theory novice or more familiar with it, we ho
Valerie Solanas: SCUM Manifesto
Content warning: SCUM Manifesto contains discussion of transphobia, violence, murder, misogyny, ableism, domestic abuse, sexual violence and suicide.
In this episode we discuss Valerie Solanas' controversial 1967 text, the SCUM Manifesto. We use this text as a jumping off point to chat about masculinity, transphobia, biological essentialism, and female fury.
Mental health links:
https://w
Félix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze: A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia
The main source for this episode is Félix Guattari and Gilles Deleuze's 1980 book A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia. The chapters we discussed were Chapter 1: Rhizome and Chapter 5: 587 BC-AD 70: On Several Regimes of Signs. We were joined by Veronika Epple, a PhD student at Humboldt University and Junior Curator at C/O Berlin. Join us as we discuss plateaus, French academia, assem
Jack Halberstam: The Queer Art of Failure
The focus of this episode is Jack Halberstam's The Queer Art of Failure (2011) and we were joined by our wonderful guest, Gabriel/le du Plessis. In this episode we discussed the chapters 'Introduction: Low Theory' and Chapter 5 '"The Killer in Me is the Killer in You": Homosexuality and Fascism". Some of the topics we chatted about include failure, low theory, memory, queer history and fascism.
S
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick: Epistemology of the Closet (Part 1)
In this episode we discuss Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's seminal 1990 text, Epistemology of the Closet. This is part one of two in which we discuss the Introduction, Chapter One: Epistemology of the Closet and Chapter Two: Some Binarisms (I): Billy Budd: After the Homosexual.
Sources
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick (1993) Tendencies.
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick (1985) Between Men: English Literature and Male Homosoc
Susan Sontag: Notes on Camp
In this episode we discuss Susan Sontag's incredible 1964 essay Notes on Camp. Join us as we cover Art Nouveau; dandyism; sexuality, gender and race; La Lupe; camp and sincerity; artistic drama; the 2019 Met Gala, memes and Karlie Kloss.
Sources
Susan Sontag (1964) Notes on Camp.
Walter Benjamin: A Short History of Photography (Episode 1)
Clement Greenberg (1939) Avant-Garde and Kitsch.
Par
Michel Foucault: The Birth of Biopolitics
For this episode of Theoryish, we looked at Michel Foucault's The Birth of Biopolitics with our first guest of the podcast, James Whitfield. As this is a bit of a longer text, we looked at Chapter 2: 17 January 1979 and Chapter 10: 21 March 1979.
Sources
Foucault, M. (1990). The history of sexuality: An introduction, volume I. New York: Vintage.
Foucault, M. (2007). Discipline and punish: The
Walter Benjamin: A Short History of Photography
For this episode we looked at the Walter Benjamin's 1931 essay 'A Short History on Photography'. This essay offers a marxist analysis of what was considered a new medium at the time, and introduced the concept of 'aura', which became very influential in the history of art circle. In this episode we discuss the crisis of capitalism; photography as art, language and expression; death and authenticit
Theoryish Trailer
Contact UsYou can get in touch with us via our email: theoryishpodcast@gmail.comSocialsWe are on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at theoryish_pod and Facebook at theoryishpod
Theoryish Introduction
Join Paola Medina-Gonzalez and Hannah Ayres as they embark into the world of theory! Theory is a set of ideas, usually used to explain something - this is a very broad definition but this allows us to dive into as much theory from as many different academic disciplines as possible.
So, are you interested in theory but have no idea where to start, then have no fear, we are here to help guide you
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