Explainer: What Political Upheaval in Pakistan Means for Rest of the World

Pakistan plunged into a political crisis after the Prime Minister Imran Khan dissolved parliament ahead of a vote on a no-confidence motion in which he was widely expected to lose. The stand-off has thrown the country of 220 million people into a full-blown constitutional crisis; both fueling anger among the opposition; and deepening concerns about economic and political stability in Islamabad. We speak with Amber Rahim Shamsi Director of the Centre of Excellence in Journalism at the Institute of Business Administration in Karachi about what this means for the rest of the world.

Feminist Freedom Warriors

After five years of the #MeToo movement, a modest win for women’s workplace rights, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized women’s constitutional right to abortion, a decision condemed by President Joe Biden that will dramatically change life for millions of women in America and exacerbate growing tensions in a deeply polarized country. Experts say there is no denying the fact that this is a direct attack on all women - and women of color stand to be disproportionately impacted by the court’s egregious assault on basic human rights. For more on the experiences of women of color and their lifelong commitment to challenging oppressive practices - we are joined now by feminist scholar and activist, Chandra Talpade Mohanty, Distinguished Professor and Dean’s Professor of the Humanities Women’s and Gender Studies at Syracuse University. Feminism Today with Dr. Sophia N. Johnson is a 30-minute weekly public affairs series that features rich and nuanced conversations with remarkable women and men, as seen in the creative ways they advocate for women’s rights. Missed an episode? Check out Feminism Today on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips. #FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. #FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

A Celebration of Music Featuring Mireya Ramos

What does it take to get a Latin Grammy? For Mireya Ramos - vocalist, composer, violinist and founder of Flor de Toloache – New York City’s first and only all-women mariachi band - it takes a lot of talent Mireya Ramos recently released her debut solo album, Mireya - which has been described as an autobiographical depiction of a day in the life of Ramos, unveiling stories of Afro-Latino pride, police brutality, Black Lives Matter, unbridled love, break-ups, and self-love.

A Celebration of Music Featuring Priya Darshini

Mumbai-born singer, composer, and ultra-marathoner - Priya Darshini is a New York based artist, with a fascinating new sound. Darshini has collaborated with a wide range of Grammy Award Winning artists including - Pearl Jam, Silk Road Ensemble’s Shane Shanahan to American Cellist - Dave Eggar, and world renowned Indian classical tabla player, Karsh Kale. The unapologetic feminist and environmental advocate; joins Dr. Johnson on Feminism Today.

Countdown to the Midterms:Protests in Iran

Iranian American scholar, Pardis Mahdavi, says the current protests and latest uprisings in Iran are built on the resistance of the previous generations. Mahdavi's recent book, Passionate Uprisings, chronicles a recent sexual revolution among Iranian youth in defiance of the country's conservative regime. Fifteen years ago, the morality police - a branch of the Islamic regime's police charged with upholding conservative dress code and behavioral norms - barged in while she was giving a lecture in Tehran.

Indigenous Youth Movement

Jerilynn Webster, known by her stage name JB the First Lady is a powerful voice on the front lines of the hip-hop and spoken word movement. She says indigenous youth are united in a cause and they are not afraid to speak to challenging subjects like residential schools and missing and murdered indigenous women.

Polluted Water in the Big Apple

The Newtown Creek is one of the most polluted bodies of water in the nation, fouled by more than a century of sewage overflows, oil spills and industrial waste. The coastline of this 3.8-mile waterway, located along the border of Brooklyn and Queens in New York - is lined with wastewater facilities, factories, warehouses and oil storage tanks. Willis Elkins is the Executive Director of Newtown Creek Alliance, a community based non-profit dedicated to revealing, restoring and revitalizing Newtown Creek, a Superfund waterway in New York

Wellness Influencers on Smarter and Greener Hygiene Solutions

The feminine care industry is projected to reach $54B globally by 2028. But, many women and girls still have no access to affordable, hygienic, biodegradable pads. Joining us this week from India are two entrepreneurs with a solution - Qadira Hygiene’s founder and CEO, Drishti Makhijani; and Marketing & Communications Lead, Sadhika Uppal. Join us!

#1 NYT bestselling author's new thriller, Warrior Girl Unearthed

Angeline Boulley is an award-winning author who joins us this week to talk about her new novel "Warrior Girl Unearthed” - a high-stakes thriller about the power of discovering your stolen history. Join us.

Vaginas: It's Not That Complicated

A new report from the American Library Association showed a spike in censorship efforts, with 1,269 attempts. Our guest this week is Dr. Allison Rodgers, a board certified specialist in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Her new book, ""We Need to Talk About Vaginas"" is banned in Westborough, MA. #Joinus.

National Poetry Month with Crystal Simone Smith

April is national poetry month, and we are celebrating the works of award-winning poet Crystal Simone Smith - who writes poetry about the human condition and social change. Her new book, Dark Testament is an extraordinary collection of poems, giving voice to the mournful dead, their lives unjustly lost to violence, and to the grieving chorus of protestors in today’s Black Lives Matter movement, in search of resilience and hope.

The Problem with Child Soldiers

For the first time in 10 years, the U.S. will not be issuing any full waivers to partner nations found to be in violation of the Child Soldiers Prevention Act - which restricts government military funding to countries that use or recruit child soldiers. In 2020, the United Nations reported more than 8,000 children were actively being used in combative conflicts across the globe, although most were not forced into military service by state actors. To learn more about child soldiers, we are joined by Keely Hutton, author of Soldier Boy, an eye-opening story about a child soldier abducted to fight in Uganda’s decades-long civil war. Keely Hutton, welcome to Feminism Today.

Does Uganda have one of the most extreme anti-LGBTQ laws in the world?

Uganda's parliament recently passed some of the most sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the world. Same-sex acts were already unlawful in Uganda, but lawmakers have voted to altogether ban both identifying as LGBTQ+ and /or the so-called promotion of gay identity. This means the sweeping ban not only outlaws consensual same-sex acts, it also criminalizes simply openly identifying as LGBTQ+. To learn more about the impact of these far reaching laws - we are joined by Frank Mugisha - Executive Director of the recently banned - Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a prominent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights organization.

Why are White Southern Evangelicals Leaving the Church?

The Southern Baptist Convention's top governing body has been under investigation for ignoring accusations of sexual abuse while ignoring accusers and protecting the legal interest of churches involved in the accusations. Professor and Author Kristin Kobes Dumez joins to discuss the history and culture of SBC that has led to the current state of the shrinking but still powerful denomination.

What is Body Positivity, and What Does it Mean in 2023?

33% of the world’s population is considered fat, yet fat people are discriminated against in all aspects of daily life. Tigress Osborn, the board chair of NAAFA, joins to educate us on how the biases and assumptions fat people face about their appearance, impacts all facets of their lives including employment, housing and acceptance in public places.

Where Do We Go Next in the New Age Labor Movement?

High profile labor campaigns have made for increased union favoribilty rates and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that major labor striking rose from 2021 to 2022. Dr. Donna Murch, Associate Professor of History at Rutgers Univeristy and New Brunswick Chapter Presidentof the American Association of University Professors explains why the labor movement is growing, where its going and how it can improve

What is A Pink-Slipped Party?

Numerous layoffs from big companies are supposedly being spurred by economic uncertainties. Coupled with the Federal Reserve's rate hike campaign, workers have lost their advantageous position in the labor market. Allison Hemming of The Hired Guns joins Sophia to help us navigate these uncertain times in labor.

Summer Music Series Raye Zaragoza

Feminism Today’s Summer Music Series starts with singer-songwriter Raye Zaragoza, the first to join Host Dr. Sophia Johnson. Raye Zaragoza is an LA-based artist whose music developed from writing her hit single “In The River: A Protest Song,” protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. The journey Dr. Sophia and Raye take viewers through is one of empowerment, joy, and great music.

Summer Music Series with Magos Herrera and Dr. Sophia Johnson

This week Dr. Sophia Johnson hosts the talented jazz singer-songwriter, producer, and educator Magos Herrera. Magos is celebrated for her soulful voice & vibrant presence in Latin American jazz. Her unique style intertwines contemporary jazz, Latin melodies, and rhythmic flair, transcending language barriers with songs in Spanish, English, & Portuguese.

Summer Music Series with Natu Camara and Dr. Sophia Johnson

Natu Camara is centerstage on the international music scene for her talents as a singer songwriter and builder of intercultural bridges. The Guinea native uses West African soul, rock and pop music to bring people together. Camara shares what motivates her work as a musician, educator and mentor.

Sersie Blue and Dr. Sophia Johnson

The latest population data says obesity levels are rising. Sersie Blue, author of "Daniel Fast: Why You Should Do it Once" joins us to explore how we can reconnect to our bodies and better understand why we eat.

Yohuru R. Williams and Dr. Sophia Johnson

The Federal goverment avoided another shutdown that would have squeezed workers at the expense of political failure. Dr Yohuru Wiulliams, Author of "More Than A Dream: The Radical March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom" connects today's issues in congress with the March on Washington sixty years ago.

Why Your Clothes Matter

The U.S. The Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring back business attire for male senators, which means jackets, ties, and long pants. The measure did not spell out what women should wear. This week's guest is Renee Lindo, personal stylist and owner of Let’s Get Dressed Now!

How Much Aid Has Been Sent to Ukraine?

The U.S. has sent more than $70 billion to Ukraine since Russian troops crossed its border last year. But now a battle is brewing in Washington over the Biden administration’s request for over $20 billion more. Many Republicans in Congress are opposed. Hardliners in the House want to cut off all funding. Others are demanding more oversight. To learn more about aid to Ukraine, my guest this week is Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom, a non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organization.

Threats Across the Country Disrupt Muslim Groups Raising Support for Palestinians

In the wake of the Hamas attacks, Israel has cut off the water, fuel, and electricity that it usually supplies to Gaza. For more on the ongoing social emergency, we are joined by Azadeh Shahshahani - human rights lawyer and legal and advocacy director at Project South.

Will the Biden-⁠Harris Initiative to Tackle Unsheltered Homelessness Work?

This week, Professor Deborah Padgett - author of Housing First: Ending Homelessness, Changing Systems and Transforming Lives, joins us to discuss the best way to address unhoused populations.

Professor Harley Shaiken and Standing With UAW Workers

Harley Shaiken - professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley - who has followed the UAW for over three decades, joins Feminism Today this week to discuss the UAW and its contract agreement with the big three motor companies.

What Do Single Mother's Really Need?

Who controls the discourse on single mothers in the United States? Recent weeks suggest that the current discussion about single parenting and marriage is predominantly led by educated, white, married individuals rather than the single mothers themselves. In this episode, our guest is Tanzina Vega, a journalist and former host of WNYC's "The Takeaway," who authored a compelling op-ed titled, "What do single mothers really need? Hint: It isn't marriage.

The War On Sudan

Achut Deng was born in South Sudan and came to America as a refugee when she was sixteen years old, a story she recounts in her memoir, Don't Look Back. Over the last year, Achut has shared her story with schools, professional groups, churches, conferences, and several national news organizations, including the New York Times, The Daily Podcast, The Atlantic, NPR, the Boston Globe, the associated press, and Amna Nawaz of PBS Newshour.