Diva Voce

Ep. 5: Is Nosferatu a Feminist? with Alisha Krishna

In this episode, we chat about one of the most compelling supernatural creatures: vampires! We are joined by our friend, Alisha Krishna, who is a human rights lawyer moonlighting as a vampire… expert. We talk primarily about Nosferatu (2023) and what vampires have come to represent on the silver screen: repression, lust, disgust, and more. This episode explores the various themes that filmmakers and writers use vampires to explore, including immortality, agency, queer sexuality and gender nonconformity, in vampire media-at-large (like Dracula, Carmilla, House of the Vampire, Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, Interview with the Vampire, and other vampire stories). We also talk about discourses about consent, grooming, and abuse that come up when we discuss vampires, and what it means for gothic stories to be “morally grey.” If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of additional support, use this directory to find a sexual assault centre or other relevant supports near you.Find us on social mediaFollow us on Instagram: @DivaVocePodMandi: X @gotmysassypants IG: @doctorsassypants Bluesky: @mandigray  www.mandigray.comVanshika: X: @vdhwnEpisode edited by Aerin Clayton IG: @aeclayton

Ep 4. Interrogating True Crime with Dr. Tamera Burnett

In this episode, we delve into the true crime phenomenon taking over pop culture right now. We are joined by Dr. Tamera Burnett who holds a PhD in law and is a bit of an expert when it comes to the true crime genre.
We chat about why true crime has such a cultural strong hold and what the implications are. We also explore whether true crime can be done respectfully. The episode includes tons of recommendations for well done true crime.
 Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order (TV series)
Books: Tell: Poems for a Girlhood by Soraya Peerbaye, Known to the Victim by Kelly Armstrong, and On the Farm by Stevie Cameron. 
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of additional support, use this directory to find a sexual assault centre or other relevant supports near you. 
Find us on social media:
Follow us on Instagram: @DivaVocePod
Mandi: IG: @doctorsassypants Bluesky: @mandigray  www.mandigray.com
Vanshika: X: @vdhwn
Episode edited by Aerin Clayton IG: aeclayton

Ep 3 Are We Dating the Same Guy?

In this episode, Mandi and Vanshika chat about “Are We Dating The Same Guy” Facebook groups. We talk about the importance of whisper networks and how public platforms have changed the way we share information. We also talk about the pitfalls of dating online and how expectations of privacy have changed with technology, particularly in the context of intimate relationships. This episode explores the tension between sharing information to keep people safe and the reputation-related concerns like defamation, and to what extent public shaming is effective and ineffective in actually addressing harm. For more further reading about defamation in the context of sexual violence, check out Mandi’s book, Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation Law (UBC Press, 2024). Find us on social mediaFollow us on Instagram: @DivaVocePodMandi: X @gotmysassypants IG: @doctorsassypants Bluesky: @mandigray  www.mandigray.comVanshika: X: @vdhwnEpisode edited by Aerin Clayton IG: @aeclayton

Ep 2 BDSM and Consent with Luna Matatas

**Note: This episode explicitly discusses sexual violence. 
Luna Matatas, a Sex and Pleasure educator,  joins Mandi and Vanshika to chat about kink and BDSM. We talk about how some kinks have become mainstream in recent years (Hello, Fifty Shades of Grey!). We also talk about why people are so scared to talk about sex (yet have no issue slapping or choking a new partner without checking in first).
This episode explores the complexity of kink and BDSM as both a source of healing for people who have experienced sexual violence, and also how it is being weaponized to justify shitty behaviour (including sexual assault). 
We shout out Emmy Tran’s Paint Your Own Booty art classes in Toronto -  IG: @emmytran @paintyourownbooty
More about our guest: 
Luna Matatas is a Sex and Pleasure Educator with over 15 years of experience in sexual health and wellness internationally and locally. Her playful approach to sexuality draws on the creativity, confidence and communication skills we all need to fulfill our pleasure potentials. Luna is the creator of Peg the Patriarchy, Meditate Medicate Masturbate and Fuck Like a Goddess brands. 
Luna and Mandi have a webinar available if you want to learn more about BDSM and the Law - “BDSM, Consent, and the Law” - Luna also offers a wide array of other courses about kink and consent on her website. Follow Luna on Instagram @lunamatatas. 
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of additional support, use this directory to find a sexual assault centre or other relevant supports near you. 
Find us on social media
Follow us on Instagram: @DivaVocePod
Mandi: X @gotmysassypants IG: @doctorsassypants Bluesky: @mandigray  www.mandigray.com
Vanshika: X: @vdhwn
Episode edited by Aerin Clayton IG: @aeclayton

Halloween Special: How do we feel about horror revenge films?

**Note: This episode explicitly discusses sexual violence. 
**There are some spoilers for two movies (Revenge & Ms 45). 
In the spirit of halloween, we watched two classic rape revenge films: Coralie Fargeat’s (2017) Revenge and Abel Ferrara’s (1981) Ms 45. 
 Dr. Jessica Evans joins Mandi and Vanshika in this episode. Dr. Evans is an assistant professor in Criminology at Toronto Metropolitan University and horror film enthusiast. We discuss (aka gently debate) the possibilities of horror as a genre from a feminist perspective.
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of additional support, use this directory to find a sexual assault centre or other relevant supports near you. 
Other revenge recommendations included: MFA, Promising Young Woman, and Jennifer's Body. 
Not so recommended but critical to the genre: Spit on your grave
Our overall horror film favourites: Hush (Vanshika), Midsommar (Mandi), Alien (Jessica)
Follow us on Instagram: @DivaVocePod
Mandi: X @gotmysassypants IG: @doctorsassypants www.mandigray.com
Vanshika: X: @vdhwn
Episode Edited by Aerin Clayton IG: aeclayton

Introducing: Diva Voce with Vanshika Dhawan and Mandi Gray

What happens when a feminist lawyer and a sociologist start hanging out? They inevitably start a podcast. 
Welcome to Diva Voce with Vanshika Dhawan and Mandi Gray. 
Vanshika Dhawan is a sexual assault lawyer based in Toronto. You can find her on X: @vdhwn
Mandi Gray is a professor and author based in Toronto.
You can find her on X: @gotmysassypants and IG: @doctorsassypants.
Mandi is the author of the book Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation Law (UBC Press, 2024) and the primary subject in the documentary film Slut or Nut: The Diary of a Rape Trial. 
Follow us on Instagram: @DivaVocePod
Episode edited by Aerin Clayton