logo
episode-header-image
Sep 22
55m 1s

S2 EP03 | Have Reality Shows Become Ever...

Womena
About this episode

Can You Enjoy Reality TV as a Feminist?

This episode, we explore reality TV through both a media-savvy and feminist lens. From bingeing “Love is Blind” to analyzing the gender politics of “The Bachelor,” we talk about why reality shows are more than just entertainment—they’re complex, addictive, and sometimes deeply problematic. Especially for those of us who work in media, it’s impossible not to notice how narratives are shaped and characters are crafted.


We also look at why reality TV hasn’t taken off in the same way in the Arab world: what does it mean to air your personal life in a culture that values privacy? And why is there still so much shame attached to watching shows that millions of people clearly love?


Hosted by Elissa Freiha (@freiha) and Amira Salah-Ahmed (@amiralx)


SUBSCRIBE to Apple Podcasts for EXCLUSIVE content and show us your love and support! : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sage-takes-thyme/id1765472572 


Follow Sage Takes Thyme:

- IG: https://www.instagram.com/sagetakesthyme/

- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sagetakesthyme


Follow Womena everywhere: 

- Subscribe to YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/womena ) 

- Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/womenaco ) 

- Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/womena )

- Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@womena)

- LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/womenaco ) 

- Find out more (https://womena.com/ ) 

Up next
Sep 29
S2 EP04 | How Consumerism Profits from Women’s Insecurities
What if beauty is just a sales tactic?Let’s talk about how women, especially from a young age, are targeted by marketing that promotes harsh products and quick fixes that often backfire. From childhood toys like Barbies to teen magazines and early skincare routines, consumerism m ... Show More
38m 26s
Sep 16
S2 EP02 | How will AI drive the Arab world's sexual health revolution? (ft. Nour Emam)
This week, we’re joined by Nour Emam — Co-Founder and President of Daleela. Nour opens up about what it took to launch a platform dedicated to women’s health in a region where even basic terminology for women’s sexual health is often taboo. From confronting the hymen myths to lea ... Show More
54m 42s
Sep 8
S2 EP01 | What is feminine and how do we redefine womanhood?
We kick things off by unpacking how misogynistic ideals have historically molded femininity into a performance — from how we dress and laugh, to how we’re expected to serve and shrink ourselves for others. We explore how younger generations are both challenging and, at times, unk ... Show More
1h 6m
Recommended Episodes
May 2022
What Reality TV Says About Us
On this week’s episode of The Waves, historian and original Waves host, Marcia Chatelain is joined by sociologist Danielle Lindemann to talk all things reality TV. They discuss Danielle’s new book, True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us and why we don’t take reality television ... Show More
29m 34s
Sep 2024
Reality TV
Looking to justify your reality TV habit? Listen in as we explore why this genre deserves to be taken seriously, with both its positive and frightening impacts on our society and psychology. Topics Covered -The history of reality TV—how the format and drama originated -Behind the ... Show More
48m 13s
Mar 2025
Reality TV Sociology (‘TRASH’ TV) with Danielle Lindemann
Nude strangers. Icy roads. Brain rot. True love. Class warfare. Queer visibility. Scripted ad libs. Sociologist, professor, author of the book “True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us,” and straight up Reality TV Sociologist, Dr. Danielle Lindemann studies human behavior throug ... Show More
1h 14m
Sep 25
POP CULTURE BRAIN ROT | guilty pleasure or garbage?
Is pop culture harmless fun or a total waste of brain cells? In this episode, we dive into the psychology of why some people love the “brain rot” of celebrity gossip, reality TV, and trending drama, while others crave intellectual stimulation and deeper conversations. From guilty ... Show More
47m 55s
Sep 2024
The Truth About Being on Reality TV
In today's episode, we go back a few years to FINALLY discuss Isla's prior reality tv career, when she was on ITV's show 'Peckhams Finest', and how the producers really were. Plus, we talk new TOWIE, Fenty Hair & bring you our summer favourites round up. Enquiries: podcastpopoff@ ... Show More
1h 1m
Feb 2022
Deep Dive: Reality TV Sociology 101 with Danielle J. Lindemann
Sociologist Danielle J. Lindemann joined the pod to talk about her book, “True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us.” Reality TV is a cultural product, and just like any other cultural product, it can tell us so much about ourselves, our social roles and expectations, our values, ... Show More
1h 19m
Aug 2024
Culture chat: 'Love is Blind: UK'
This week, we discuss the TV show 'Love is Blind: UK'. It’s one of Netflix’s most popular reality series. The show follows singles as they flirt through a wall and fall in love without seeing each other first. They are only allowed to meet face-to-face once they are engaged. What ... Show More
23m 8s
Sep 2024
EXPOSING 'The Swan': The Reality Show That Pressure Women Into an EXTREME Plastic Surgery
We uncover the shocking truth behind The Swan, the early 2000s reality show that pushed women to undergo extreme plastic surgery to achieve society’s idea of "beauty." The contestants were put through intense makeovers, including major surgeries, all while being judged on their t ... Show More
37m 51s
Sep 2024
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives ft. Demi Engemann & Jessi Ngatikaura
What happens when a night in Vegas, a Chippendales show, and a bag of Fruity Pebbles collide? Sofia welcomes Demi Engemann and Jessi Ngatikaura from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to spill the secrets behind reality TV’s wildest moments. From husbands losing it over harmless fun to ... Show More
45m 55s
May 2020
MasterChef Leaves Fans (& Contestants) In Tears
On the show today… Last night's episode of Masterchef explored the emotional backstories of the contestants, but why did this feel so organic and heartfelt? Plus, Normal People has been one of this year's hit shows, so what item from the show is being raffled for charity? And, Ti ... Show More
19m 57s