Intersectional Psychology

• IPIS001 Does Your Favourite Film Pass the Fanon Test?

  How do films and TV shows shape the way we think about mental health? From harmful stereotypes to ethical storytelling, representation on screen has real consequences for stigma, care, and justice. In this episode, Aurora introduces the Fanon Test for Mental Health Representation in Media — a new tool inspired by the Bechdel Test, grounded in intersectional and decolonial psychology, and designed to hold our screens accountable. Tune in to learn why representation is public health, what the five Fanon Scales are, and how your favourite films might measure up. 🎁 Support the podcast and get exclusive bonus content Patreon.com/IntersectionalPsychology 🌈 If this episode resonates, please share it, rate the show, and send us your thoughts. Together we can break the silence and change the narrative. 📄 Download a transcript of this episode on IntersectionalPsychology.com. ⏳ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 Land acknowledgement 00:00:28 Title credits 00:00:59 Welcome and introduction 00:04:43 Media shapes minds: The power of representation 00:12:48 Introducing the Fanon Test 00:17:46 Breaking down the Fanon Test's five scales 00:25:53 Application of the Fanon Test 00:28:59 Intersectional Scenes 00:32:31 End credits Stay connected to Aurora and Intersectional Psychology 🔗 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts 📮 Got feedback or questions? Reach out at @IntersectionalPsychology You can contribute to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund at https://www.pcrf.net/  📚 References Di Michele, D.; Guizzo, F.; Canale, N.; Fasoli, F.; Carotta, F.; Pollini, A.; Cadinu, M. (2023). #SexyBodyPositive: When Sexualization Does Not Undermine Young Women’s Body Image. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 991. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20020991 Leon, C.M.; Aizpurua, E. (2023). Do Youth Dream of Gender Stereotypes? The Relationship among Gender Stereotyping, Support for Feminism, and Acceptance of Gender-Based Violence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2023, 20, 2439. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032439 Lyons, A.C. (2000). Examining Media Representations: Benefits for Health Psychology. Journal of Health Psychology, 5(3), 349–358. Maier, J. A., Gentile, D. A., Vogel, D. L., & Kaplan, S. A. (2014). Media influences on self-stigma of seeking psychological services: The importance of media portrayals and person perception. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 3(4), 239–256. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034504 Nairn et al. (2006). Media, Racism and Public Health Psychology. Journal of Health Psychology, 1(2006). Papageorgiou, A.; Cross, D.; Fisher, C. (2023). Sexualized Images on Social Media and Adolescent Girls’ Mental Health: Qualitative Insights from Parents, School Support Service Staff and Youth Mental Health Service Providers. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 433. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010433 Sanson, A., Duck, J., Cupit, G., Ungerer, J., Scuderi, C., & Sutton, J. (2000). Media representations and responsibilities: psychological perspectives. Australian Psychological Society Position Paper, 1-68. https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/publications/media-representations-and-responsibilities-psychological-perspect Santoniccolo, F.; Trombetta, T.; Paradiso, M.N.; Rollè, L. (2023). Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2023, 20, 5770. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105770 Simalchik J. (2021). Disrupting legacies of trauma: Interdisciplinary interventions for health and human rights. Health and Human Rights, 23(1), 11–25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34194198/ See Privacy Policy at https://intersectionalpsychology.com/privacy-policy/

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• IPGR004 Guided meditation: Loving-Kindness

  In this month's guided relaxation practice, Aurora leads you through a Loving-Kindness Meditation (metta). This ancient practice, now backed by modern psychology, helps us cultivate compassion for ourselves, our loved ones, people we struggle with, and ultimately all beings. Research shows that regular practice can reduce stress, quiet the inner critic, strengthen resilience, and even improve physical wellbeing. Together, we’ll explore how a few simple phrases can open the heart, build empathy, and create a greater sense of connection in daily life. 📄 Download a transcript of this episode on IntersectionalPsychology.com. ⏳ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 Land acknowledgement  00:00:30 Welcome and introduction 00:01:57 Benefits of loving-kindness practices 00:04:17 Grounding 00:08:36 Setting your intention 00:09:25 Loving-kindness practice 00:24:27 End credits Exclusive bonus content  🎁 Patreon.com/IntersectionalPsychology - Extended and bonus episodes Stay connected to Aurora and Intersectional Psychology 🔗 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts 🌈 Share this episode with someone who needs peace 📮 Got feedback or questions? Reach out at @IntersectionalPsychology You can contribute to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund at https://www.pcrf.net/  📚 References Fredrickson, B.L., Cohn, M.A., Coffey, K.A., Pek, J., & Finkel, S.M. (2008). Open hearts build lives: positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(5), pp. 1045-1062 [online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013262 Hutcherson, C. A., Seppala, E. M., & Gross, J. J. (2008). Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. Emotion, 8(5), 720–724 [online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013237 Kabat-Zinn, J. (n.d.). Mindfulness meditation, CD series 3. Available at: http://mindfulnesshamilton.ca/meditation-scripts Kearney, D.J., Malte, C.A., McManus, C., Martinez, M.E., Felleman, B., Simpson, T.L. (2013). Loving-kindness meditation for posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study. Journal of Trauma Stress, 26(4), pp. 426-34 [online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21832 Le Nguyen, K.D., Lin, J., Algoe, S.B., Brantley, M.M., Kim, S.L., Brantley, J., Salzberg, S., & Fredrickson, B.L. (2019). Loving-kindness meditation slows biological aging in novices: Evidence from a 12-week randomized controlled trial. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 108, pp. 20-27 [online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.05.020 Nash, J. (2019). What Is Loving-Kindness Meditation? Positive Psychology [online]. Available at: https://positivepsychology.com/loving-kindness-meditation/ Shahar, B., Szsepsenwol, O., Zilcha-Mano, S., Haim, N., Zamir, O., Levi-Yeshuvi, S., & Levit-Binnun, N. (2015). A wait-list randomized controlled trial of loving-kindness meditation programme for self-criticism. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 22(4), pp. 346-56 [online]. Available at: htps://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1893 Sharpio, S., & Carlson, L. (2009). The Art and Science of Mindfulness: Integrating Mindfulness into Psychology and the Helping Professions. American Psychological Association. See Privacy Policy at https://intersectionalpsychology.com/privacy-policy/

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• IP25.9.16 Intersectional Psychology announcement

  Aurora drops into your feed for a brief announcement about upcoming episodes and maintenance.  Exclusive bonus content 🎁 Patreon - Extended ad-free and bonus episodes Stay connected ⭐ Rate/Review in your podcast app to help others find us 🔔 Subscribe for new monthly relaxation practices 📮 Got feedback or questions? Reach out at @IntersectionalPsychology You can contribute to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund at https://www.pcrf.net/  See Privacy Policy at https://intersectionalpsychology.com/privacy-policy/

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• IPSP001 World Suicide Prevention Day Special

  ⚠ Content note: This episode discusses suicide, and references factors contributing to suicide, including mental illness, trauma, violence, and poverty. If you’re unable to engage with these topics right now, you are welcome to skip this episode or come back to it when you feel better resourced. On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we explore the real stories behind the statistics. Suicide is never about one thing — it's shaped by pain, pressure, stigma, and systems that make it hard to ask for help. In this episode, we unpack the myths, talk honestly about why suicide happens, and share how we can respond with compassion and support. 🆘 Need Support? ☎ South Africa: Call SADAG’s Suicide Helpline at 0800 567 567 (24/7).  📱 International: In the US, dial or text 988. In the UK & Ireland, call 116 123.  🌐 For more countries, visit findahelpline.com. 🌈 If this episode resonates, please share it, rate the show, and send us your thoughts. Together we can break the silence and change the narrative. 📄 Download a transcript of this episode on IntersectionalPsychology.com. ⏳ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 Land acknowledgement  00:00:28 Title credits  00:00:58 Content note 00:01:44 Welcome and introduction 00:03:47 Suicide worldwide 00:05:37 Breaking the stigma| 00:14:04 Why suicide happens: Factors and stressors 00:23:51 Changing the narrative (Language matters) 00:27:40 Identifying warning signs 00:28:51 How to help: Mental health first aid 00:31:33 Self-care for those in crisis 00:33:15 Self-care for those offering support 00:35:18 Prevention and systemic change 00:37:06 End credits Exclusive bonus content  🎁 Patreon.com/IntersectionalPsychology - Extended and bonus episodes Stay connected to Aurora and Intersectional Psychology 🔗 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts 📮 Got feedback or questions? Reach out at @IntersectionalPsychology You can contribute to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund at https://www.pcrf.net/  📚 References Brown, A.(2024). Suicide Prevention Handbook. Intersectional Psychology. International Association for Suicide Prevention. (2025). Change the Narrative - World Suicide Prevention Day 10 September [online]. IASP. Available at: https://www.iasp.info/wspd/theme/ Mkhwanazi, S., Sikweyiya, Y., & Gibbs, A. (2025). Exploratory analysis of risk factors for suicidal ideation among young men in urban informal settlements in Durban, South Africa: A cross-sectional study. SSM - Mental Health, 7, 100417 [online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2025.100417 Mngoma, N.F., & Ayonrinde, O.A. (2023). Mental distress and substance use among rural Black South African youth who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 69(3), 532–542 [online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640221114252 Shoib, S., Amanda, T.W., Saeed, F., Ransing, R., Bhandari, S.S., Armiya'u, A.Y., Gürcan, A., & Chandradasa, M. (2023). Association Between Loneliness and Suicidal Behaviour: A Scoping Review. Turk Psikiyatri Derg, 34(2), 125-132 [online]. Available at: hhtp://doi.org/10.5080/u27080 World Health Organization. (2025) Suicide [online]. [25 March 2025]. WHO. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide See Privacy Policy at https://intersectionalpsychology.com/privacy-policy/

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• IP0304 Big Brother is Still Cis: Countering anti-gender attacks online (w/ Pierre Brouard)

  ⚠ Content note: This episode references anti-gender movements and the concepts of hate crimes and hate speech. If you’re unable to engage with these topics right now, you are welcome to skip this episode or come back to it when you feel better resourced.   From troll farms to toxic platforms, anti-gender movements are pushing disinformation and harassment harder than ever. The result? Real harm to queer lives and mental health. But resistance is possible — and joy is non-negotiable. In this episode of Intersectional Psychology, Aurora chats with Clinical Psychologist Pierre Brouard about the digital battlefield we’re living in and how to survive it with your sanity intact. FREE Download of PATHSA's Brief Guide to Dealing with Anti-Trans Disinformation and Intimidation:  📥 https://pathsa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/A-Brief-Guide-Dealing-with-Anti-Trans-Disinformation-and-Intimidation-PATHSA.pdf 📄 Download a transcript of this episode on IntersectionalPsychology.com. ⏳ Chapter Timestamps 00:00:00 Land acknowledgement 00:00:28 Title credits 00:00:58 Content note 00:01:28 Welcome and introduction 00:03:05 Queer Psychology, but make it radical 00:11:45 Big Brother is still cis 00:17:39 Platforms of harm, laws of hope 00:21:32 Receipts, resistance, and raising hell 00:35:14 Don't feed the trolls, but don't starve yourself either 00:46:05 WhatsApp isn't your therapist (and other online survival truths) 00:55:14 Finding your people, flipping the script 01:01:46 End credits Whether you’re a health provider facing harassment, a trans or gender-diverse person navigating toxic platforms, or simply an ally wanting to do better online, this conversation is a survival guide for the age of disinfo. Connect with Pierre Brouard 📸 @pierrewaldemar 🌐 https://pathsa.org.za/ Exclusive bonus content 🎁 Patreon.com/IntersectionalPsychology - Extended and bonus episodes Stay connected to Aurora and Intersectional Psychology 🔗 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts 🌈 Share this episode with someone who loves to learn 📮 Got feedback or questions? Reach out at @IntersectionalPsychology You can contribute to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund at https://www.pcrf.net/  See Privacy Policy at https://intersectionalpsychology.com/privacy-policy/

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