The Substance of Promising Young Women: Feminism, The Gothic, and Biblical Imagery
Release Date: 12/13/2024
From My Lai to Us: War’s Dark Mirror
Secret Passage Podcast
In this episode we explore the Vietnam War, focusing on the My Lai Massacre as a lens to examine the psychological toll of war and the fragility of human morality. Links: Kill Anything That Moves by Nick Turse Vietnam War Timeline: Pulitzer Article: Four Hours in My Lai (film): Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how: Instagram @secretpassagepodcast X @secretpasspod Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers Producer: Tim Rogers Editor: Mitch Silver
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Kidfluencers: Navigating the Wild West of Social Media Stardom
Secret Passage Podcast
This week we discuss kidfluencers, exploring the ethical implications and parental responsibilities associated with children in the digital entertainment space. We look at the complexities surrounding child influencers, the psychological impacts on children, and the dilemmas faced by parents. Links: Mom Uncharted: Bad Influence: The Darkside of Kidfluencing Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke Kidfluencers: Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how: Instagram @secretpassagepodcast X @secretpasspod Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers...
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Deconstructing Jayne Mansfield: Feminism, Marketing, and Agency
Secret Passage Podcast
In this episode of the Secret Passage Podcast, we look at the life of Jayne Mansfield, 1950s Hollywood icon and proto-influencer. We explore her rise to fame, her branding and marketing savvy, her complex relationships, her tragic death, and her enduring impact on celebrity culture. Links: Jayne Mansfield and the American Fifties: Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how: Instagram @secretpassagepodcast X @secretpasspod Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers Producer: Tim Rogers Editor: Mitch Silver
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Patreon Bonus Episode Sneak Peek! Producer's Corner: Revisiting Dubai Porta Potty Parties
Secret Passage Podcast
This week's episode provides a sneak peek into the kind of content we'll offer on our upcoming Patreon. Our producer, Tim, interviews us as we revisit the Dubai Porta Potty Parties episode together. Join us as we discuss our favorite moments from the Porta Potty episode, our worthless college degrees, youthful mischief, and much much more. Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how: Instagram @secretpassagepodcast X @secretpasspod Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers Producer: Tim Rogers Editor: Mitch Silver
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The Betrayal of Gabriel Fernandez
Secret Passage Podcast
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This week we discuss the heartbreaking case of Gabriel Fernandez, an eight-year-old boy from Palmdale, California, who was brutally abused and murdered by his mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, in 2013. We explore the systemic failures that allowed the abuse to continue despite multiple reports from family, Gabriel's teacher, and a security guard. Links: The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez: Murder In America: The Torture and Murder of 8-Year-Old Gabriel Fernandez: Childhelp...
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Welcome to the Future: Dubai Porta Potty Parties and Pornography in the Digital Age
Secret Passage Podcast
This week we explore Dubai porta potty parties, where influencers and Only Fans models are allegedly paid exorbitant sums for degrading acts. We discuss addiction, porn’s cultural impact, and Dana's experience in the adult industry. This episode (trigger warning: graphic content) mixes humor, horror, and introspection—perfect for those with an iron stomach and a taste for the bizarre. Listener discretion is advised. Links: Article about Only Fans model Maria Kovalchuk: Medium article by Gal Darrash: The Biology of Desire: Why...
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The Audacity of Casey Anthony
Secret Passage Podcast
This week we discuss the Casey Anthony case and her emergence as a TikToking, Substacking legal advocate. Rather than rehashing the trial, we speculate on what drives Casey’s audacity and apparent lack of remorse, drawing parallels to psychopathy and narcissism. We examine her family dynamics, the infamous 911 call, and the chilling Firefox search history (including "foolproof suffocation") that the prosecution overlooked. Was Caylee’s death an accident or a calculated act by a mother who saw her child as an obstacle? We wrestle with these questions, blending behavioral analysis with...
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Why horror? Hostel and Hostel Part II: Genius and Abjection
Secret Passage Podcast
This week we discuss Eli Roth's Hostel and Hostel: Part II, exploring the films' subversive take on class, power, and the "Elite Hunting Club" where rich predators torture unsuspecting travelers. From Paxton’s revenge in the first film to Beth’s brutal escape in the second, we unpack horror’s cultural commentary, touching on the abject, dehumanization, and real-world parallels like the depravity of Diddy and Jeffrey Epstein. We also reflect on Eli Roth's genius, humor, and how much we both enjoyed these films. Both films feel like special gifts to horror film fans. Shannon shares her...
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Pornography, Lily Phillips, and the Case Against the Sexual Revolution
Secret Passage Podcast
In this episode of the Secret Passage Podcast, Dana and Shannon explore the complexities of modern pornography and sites like Only Fans, particularly focusing on Lily Phillips and Bonnie Blue. They discuss the implications of sex work, the ethical dilemmas surrounding pornography, and Dana shares her personal reflections on her experiences in the industry. Links: The Case Against the Sexual Revolution: Article about the book: Like, subscribe, and follow us. Here's how: Instagram @secretpassagepodcast Secret Passage Podcast is hosted by Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers Producer:...
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The Kassenoff Family: Rage, Death & Despair
Secret Passage Podcast
In this episode, Dana and Shannon discuss the Kassenoff case, a highly contentious divorce and custody battle that highlights issues of parental alienation, abuse, and the complexities and of the family court system. They explore the dynamics between Catherine and Allan Kassenoff, their treatment of their children, and the implications of their actions on the family. The conversation delves into the systemic failures within family courts and the challenges faced by parents in custody disputes. This conversation delves into the complex and tragic story of a custody battle that culminated in...
info_outlineHosts Dana Vespoli and Shannon Rogers discuss the films The Substance and Promising Young Woman, exploring themes of feminism, The Gothic, biblical imagery, and the social pressures faced by women as they age.
Links:
The Substance IMDB page:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17526714/
Promising Young Woman IMDB page:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9620292/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1
Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film by Carol Clover:
https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691166292/men-women-and-chain-saws
Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman M.D.