by Sandra Hochstöger
As we have just made it through lockdown number three here in Austria, going for the notorious long walk has basically become the only passtime at hand outside our homes. When strolling around the same old streets, a good podcast can really freshen up the scenery. From entertaining to informative – here are five podcast recommendations from the WIIS Austria team.
Call your Girlfriend
The description of Call your Girlfriend does not do it justice: “A podcast for long distance besties everywhere.” Co-hosted by Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, produced by Gina Delvac, it is so much more. Friedman and Sow talk about social politics, current issues and culture, covering topics such as food justice, sex work or gender-based bias in health care, while referencing pop culture and recommending their favourite books of the season. A great podcast to feel less alone in isolation.
Seeking Peace
Since 2011, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security works on highlighting the importance of women actors in peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. In line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, they stress that gender equality is an essential part of lasting stability and peace. The institute’s podcast Seeking Peace gathers inspiring stories of women peacebuilders and male allies from countries such as Colombia, Yemen or Afghanistan.
Bombshell
Bombshell demonstrates that cocktails and international security are a great combination. And equally as great is everything else about this podcast. It is a pleasure to listen to security experts Radha Iyengar Plumb, Loren DeJonge Schulman and Erin Simpson discussing current international affairs and US domestic security issues. Get ready for sharp and witty analyses.
Women in Foreign Policy
This career podcast is particularly addressing women who want to discover the scope of the professional domain of foreign policy and all its adjacent fields. Listening to practitioners talking about how they built their careers in diplomacy, advocacy work or foreign correspondance is truly inspiring, but in addition, this podcast also dedicates time on tips for women to get started with their own careers. This includes episodes on professional development such as personal branding, networking or public speaking.
The Gender at Work Podcast
The international feminist knowledge network Gender at Work aims to eliminate discrimintion against women and to build cultures of inclusion. In their podcast they analyse deep concepts such as misogyny, racism, casteism and heteronormativity while trying to rethink new transformative concepts. In order to do this, they host discussion rounds with scholars, activists and practitioners on topics such as misconduct within humanitarian organizations, gender-based violence and feminist leadership.
Do you like our picks? Which podcasts do we still miss, but defintely need to get to know?
Women in International Security Austria 