Welcome to our annual anniversary episode where I share thoughts on the podcast's evolution —improvements, opportunities, and what’s in store for the future. With this look back at the podcast highlights and TV moments that have taught us and inspired us, I also recommit to our mission: Connecting the dots of feminism & TV and American politics & culture.
Can you believe we’re heading into our 10th year?! When I started the podcast in 2015, I wasn’t sure where Advanced TV Herstory would go. But it's important to reflect on one's work, solicit and discuss feedback, and provide context for viewing the cultural mirror that defines American television. In today’s environment, simply put, this work feels more vital than ever.
About that feedback. How are we doing? What can we do better? What topics are of particular interest to you? Please connect at any of the resources listed below. Better yet, subscribe to the Advanced TV Herstory newsletter for special content and a more personalized space to explore and exchange. Your information is NEVER shared and, like the podcast, our newsletter is completely ad free.
As always, thank you for listening and being part of the Advanced TV Herstory community. Cheers to another year!
7/15/2024
A lot has happened politically and culturally since this podcast launched eight years ago. In this anniversary episode, I celebrate a number of wins while also reflecting on the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating past mistakes.
For example, Lee Grant, an Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, overcame being blacklisted during the anti-Communist era. Her resilience and courage in speaking out against injustice serve as a lesson for today.
I also highlight the work of The Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media, which has expanded its focus to champion inclusion of the six major identities of gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, disability, age 50+, and body type in media and entertainment.
In addition to looking back on some of Advanced TV Herstory’s episodes from the past year, I celebrate the podcast's inclusion in IMDb and the anticipation of reaching a new audience.
Because this podcast is not beholden to sponsors, I can proudly say that I provide an unfiltered view of both historical and current obstacles to full representation and valuation. Many of these obstacles are at the center of the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild and the use of artificial intelligence.
With a commitment to recognizing the importance of representation and critical thinking in the face of rapidly changing media landscapes, I thank you for your support of this podcast over the last eight years and I look forward to uncovering and sharing more untold stories of women in the year to come.
This is why I podcast.
6/3/23
Celebrating the podcast's 7th complete year, Cynthia revisits highlights of the past year, muses on the state of TV and streaming today, and preaches the wisdom of owning physical copies of your favorites.
8/20/22
Every year Cynthia provides an annual report of the podcast experience. Links below for previous eps.
She shares observations about the timeliness and relevance of the Broadcast 41 series and a conversation with Univ. of North Carolina professor and author Dr. Charlene Regester.
Cynthia offers up an item from the podcast bucket list (which may become an episode of its own soon) which has to do with a talented showrunner who was driven from the industry 30 years ago.
There's a book update and forecast about how collaboration with other like-missioned people and organizations will drive the coming year.
7/31/20
Celebration of 4 years of independent podcasting about TV women - those behind the camera as well as in front of it. Cynthia's thanks her team of Jen Edds, Catherine Yang and Elsie Escobar and recaps highlights and changes made to the show's format and outreach.
She also does some deep thinking about social change, social media, feminism and the power of representation as the entertainment industry wrestles with hashtag movements #MeToo and #Times Up. Near the end, Cynthia reveals a big goal.
7/1/19
Three years since publishing our first episode, we're lighting candles & making a wish. This anniversary edition briefly reviews show changes made this year, with a focus on content about leadership, persistence and achievement.
We also share more about the work that goes in, behind-the-scenes, to producing content you'll hear nowhere else. Thank you for listening & making this podcast the best it can be!
7/5/18
Lessons learned in 2 years
Holidays that appear in TV plots: Christmas, not Mothers Day
Themes:
Woman's right to make her own health care decisions (Sissy Spacek's TV Movie & China Beach)
Daytime dramas & spectacles (Agnes Nixon, Levine's book & "Vulture Culture")
Careers & Legacies (Latina actress Marlene Forte, ventriloquist Shari Lewis, awesome feminist Dinah Shore)
Writer for TV (interviews with Susan Silver and April Smith)
Politics as seen in Geena Davis' Commander in Chief, Maude & the voice of Rosie O'Donnell and the women TV journalists who reported on Watergate scandal.
8/5/17
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams begins the tradition of reviewing each year of podcasting, in this case, her first. She recounts the challenges of research, assumptions and listener engagement. As a leadership consultant and adjunct professor, Cynthia believes in reflection of past work, celebration of accomplishment and putting forth some prediction and plan for the future.
6/15/16
Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams creates expectation and backstory for developing the podcast, including its initial mission and focus from Summer 2015. Five generations of American women have been depicted in TV and each generation of women have been influenced by impressions of other women they've seen on TV.
6/30/15
