Ill Repute

THE POLLS ARE IN! and... well... I think you know the rest. In our first minisode ever, Sov and Josh try to make sense of what happened, what goes through the average american's mind during an election cycle, and how it isn't necessarily the end of the world.  Look out for new Lil Repute episodes every thursday!

Today we are talking about Circassian Beauties. For a period of time, Circassian women were considered the epitome of beauty. With their fair skin, blue or green eyes, and delicate features, they became an idealized standard of feminine beauty in both the Ottoman Empire and 19th-century Western Europe. But this admiration was deeply entwined with systems of power, slavery, and the commodification of beauty. Support Us: http://illreputepodcast.com Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Josh Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson Sources:  Alloula, Malek. The Colonial Harem. University of Minnesota Press, 1986. This work explores how Western colonial powers constructed and eroticized the idea of the harem, particularly through photographs and art, drawing connections to the exploitation and objectification of Eastern women. Bell, James Stanislaus. Journal of a Residence in Circassia. London: Edward Moxon, 1840. A travelogue by a British explorer who spent time in Circassia, providing firs

In Part One, we dove into the tragic story of Ruthie Mae McCoy, whose death exposed the harsh realities of life in Chicago's ABLA housing projects and inspired the urban legend of Candyman. We talked about the myth, its real-life origins, and how systemic neglect allowed horrors to happen within these communities. We covered how Ruthie Mae's call to 911 about someone breaking in through her bathroom mirror eerily mirrored the Candyman story. And it wasn't just about ghosts—it was about real, tangible fear and danger that residents had to live with every day. In Part Two, we explore how the systemic issues within the ABLA projects—rampant drug trade, violence, and neglect—created an environment where Ruthie Mae’s tragic story wasn’t just a one-off incident. We’re also going to look at how Ruthie Mae herself fought to survive in this environment, trying to find a way out while battling her own mental health challenges. It’s not just about one person’s fear; it’s about an entire community struggling again

Today we’re talking about Ruthie Mae McCoy, the real-life inspiration for the urban legend of Candyman. We’re going to read the article that started it all and react to it as we go. But before we dive into the real-life case that inspired Candyman, let's set the stage by talking about the legend itself—how it started, where it came from, and why it freaks people out so much. Support Us: http://patreon.com/illrepute Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Josh Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson   Sources: "They Came in Through the Bathroom Mirror: A Murder in the Projects" by Steve Bogira, September 3, 1987 Barker, Clive. Books of Blood: Volume 5. HarperCollins Publishers, 1985. Barker, Clive. The Forbidden. Razorline Press, 1985. Bernardi, Daniel Leonard. The Persistence of Whiteness: Race and Contemporary Hollywood Cinema. Routledge, 2007. Clover, Carol J. Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film. Princeton University Press, 1992.

In this closing episode we finish reading 2025, and Ela Darling says goodbye...for the time being. 

Ela and Sovereign read through Project 2025, so you don't have too. 

Following the 2016 presidential election, which saw Donald Trump unexpectedly carry Michigan, Whitmer felt a renewed urgency to run for office again. Many of her supporters urged her to step up, recognizing that the state needed a leader who could unite people during divisive times and address the pressing economic and social issues Michigan faced. Michigan had been hit hard by economic challenges, and Whitmer believed she had the experience and vision to bring the state back from the brink. Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson Sources: True Gretch by Gretchen Whitmer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gretchen_Whitmer https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/24/how-gretchen-whitmer-made-michigan-a-democratic-stronghold https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/06/gretchen-whitmer-white-house-run https://www.glamour.com/story/gretchen-whitmer-book-excerpt Contact:  illreputepod@gmail.com  Support: https://www.patreon.com/illrepute  Follow:  IG @ela

Growing up in a bipartisan household, with a father who worked for Republican Governor Milliken and a mother who was involved with Democratic administrations, Whitmer was exposed to different political perspectives. This upbringing taught her the importance of working across the aisle and contributed to her pragmatic, results-driven approach to governance. Her parents’ careers in law and public service also gave Whitmer a firsthand understanding of the power of government to affect people’s lives, a lesson that has been a guiding principle in her political career. Support Us: http://patreon.com/illrepute More Info: http://illreputepodcast.com Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson Sources: True Gretch by Gretchen Whitmer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gretchen_Whitmer https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/24/how-gretchen-whitmer-made-michigan-a-democratic-stronghold https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/06/gretchen-

This is a preview of a bonus episode. Sovereign and Ela rate the debate.  See the full episode at http://patreon.com/illrepute  

"Trad wife" is short for "traditional wife." It refers to women who embrace ultra-traditional gender roles, often associated with 1950s-style domesticity. These women typically prioritize homemaking, child-rearing, and supporting their husbands over pursuing careers or personal ambitions outside the home. We've got three women to discuss today: Lauren Southern, born in 1995 in British Columbia, was a prominent figure in the alt-right movement of the 2010s. Hannah Neeleman, known online as Ballerina Farm, is a 34-year-old mother of eight who lives on a 328-acre farm in rural Utah. Nara Smith, a 22-year-old South African and German model based in LA, who's a mother of three under three and known for her elaborate homemaking content Support us: http://illreputepodcast.com Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Southern https://unherd.com/2024/05/lauren-southern-the-tradlife-in

This episode was recorded before the historic debate between Harris and Trump.  In 2016, Harris set her sights on the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Barbara Boxer.   This was California's first open Senate seat in 24 years. Harris ran a strong campaign, emphasizing her record as Attorney General and her progressive stance on issues like criminal justice reform, immigration, and climate change. She won the election decisively.   Harris quickly made a name for herself in the Senate, particularly through her incisive questioning during committee hearings. One of her most notable moments came during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.   Support Us: HTTP://ILLREPUTEPODCAST.COM   Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson   See Sovereign Syre doing stand up comedy live!: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/superhot-comedy-tickets-1000900689907?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios   S

A few weeks ago Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling talked about Kamala Harris entering the presidential race and the memefication of her campaign. This week we do a deep dive on the life of Kamala Harris.  Get tickets to see Sovereign Syre doing stand up comedy live, September 27, 2024: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/superhot-comedy-tickets-1000900689907?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios Support Us: http://illreputepodcast.com Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson Sources: The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKxaAtv/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKQ8epQ/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKu284U/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKuUVSV/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKukAcH/q https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKuhSnK/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKuqjQp/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKuBLrQ/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKuYt4u/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKuDdAm/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNKurJ7U/ https://www.tiktok

It's August 1st, 2024. The women's welterweight boxing tournament is underway at the Paris Olympics. In the ring, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif faces off against Italy's Angela Carini. What happened next would spark a firestorm of controversy, misinformation, and heated debate about gender in sports.   This week on ILL REPUTE! Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling discuss the low-lights of the Olympics.   Support: http://patreon.com/illrepute   More Info: http://illreputepodcast.com   Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson   Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachael_Gunn https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/olympics-australian-raygun-breaker/ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/australian-breakdancer-raygun-olympics/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNwTsgXg/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNwTXN76/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNwT3A5G/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNwTEkJ2/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNwTXb3p/ https://www.ti

2024 was a banner year for women in the Olympic Games. This week, Sovereign and Ela explore the historic equal gender representation at the 2024 Summer Olympics and the fiery debates over women’s uniforms—from France’s hijab ban to barely-there track gear. We also spill the tea on the high-stakes drama in gymnastics centered on Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, and cheer on the fierce women who dominated the global stage.   Support Us: http://patreon.com/illrepute For more about us: http://ILLREPUTEPODCAST.COM Credits: Compiled by Ela Darling Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson   Sources: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna162518 https://wwd.com/pop-culture/culture-news/nike-womens-olympic-uniform-1236317601/ https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/08/opinion-womens-sports-coverage-olympics https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/68739487.amp https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/mykayla-skinners-comments-on-2024-olympic-gymnasts-stir-controversy/ https://www.spor

While Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling spend the next few months writing episodes for the next season, they are starting a new format for our weekly episodes. Covering current events each week.  In our -inaugeral- episode, we talk about the campaign for the presidency from Kamala Harris's entrance into the race to the DNC this week. And we do it by looking at the various memes and soundbites that have taken over an election that is very much about vibes and viral content.  For more about us: http://ILLREPUTEPODCAST.COM Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson Sources:  https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNnupRfs/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNnuGMux/ Kamala is announced as the candidate and coconut tree memes: Original: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNnaRwjH/ Mixes: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNn5oWSk/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNnaFQg8/ https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNn9M6Ls/ Trump hates her: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNn5TXsK/ Kamala gives her stump

Hi guys. sovereign accidentally forgot to upload this episode.  This week, Sovereign syre and Ela Darling finish their two part episode about Juana Maria, the last Nicoleno. Today we focus on what happened to her story long after her death when it was reimagined as the popular children's novel Island of the Blue Dolphins.  Since its publication, Island of the Blue Dolphins, a fictionalized telling of the story of a Nicoleno woman abandoned on San Nicolas Island for twenty years, often credited as the last of her tribe, the book has been a staple in American curriculum. The very sanitized story told in the book, featuring a twelve year old girl who learns to survive on her own by finding harmony with the land and animals that surround her, manages to tell the story of the Lone Woman, without telling us anything about her at all. In effect the book serves as colonialist propaganda. And today, we’re going to correct the record. For more about us: http://ILLREPUTEPODCAST.COM Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syr

This week on the podcast Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling discuss Juana Maria, better known to history as the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island. Juana Maria was a Native Californian woman who was the last surviving member of her tribe, the Nicoleño. She lived alone on San Nicolas Island off the coast of Alta California from 1835 until her removal from the island in 1853. Scott O'Dell's award-winning children's novel Island of the Blue Dolphins was inspired by her story. She was the last native speaker of the Nicoleño language.  Support the pod: patreon.com/illrepute More about the pod: http://ILLREPUTEPODCAST.COM Credits: Compiled by Sovereign Syre Hosted by Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson Sources:  https://web.archive.org/web/20131113111647/https://www.afognak.com/media/Afognak%20Alutiiq%20History%20Benefits%2007-22-08_letter.pdf http://www.afognak.org/heritage/history/history-intro.php?src=timeline https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awa%27uq_Massacre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al

In 2005 Lisa Frank filed for divorce. She filed a second lawsuit to oust James Green from the company. What followed was a protracted legal battle that made the psychodrama that had been taking place at LFI for over a decade, a matter of public record.    The following is from the article The Rainbow Gulag, published on Jezebel.com in 2013 by Tracy Egan Morrissey.:   “[James] really turned that place into a shit hole,” said Justin, who added, “The guy’s kind of dick.”   Support Us: http://patreon.com/illrepute More About Us: http://illreputepodcast.com   Credits: Script: Sovereign Syre Hosts: Sovereign Syre & Josh Anderson Production: Josh Anderson   Sources:   http://newspapers.com https://arainbowinyourcloud.com/blogs/planet-cloudland/our-legal-case-with-mga https://omnilegalgroup.com/blog/lisa-frank-settles-copyright-infringement-suit-over-vibrantly-colored-designs/ https://tucson.com/business/local/tucson-factory-silent-colorful-world-of-lisa-frank-fades/article_9cd1ca94

Today we’re discussing Lisa Frank, the artist behind the eponymous brand Lisa Frank Inc. If you were alive in the 80s and 90s, the psychedelic, neon airbrushed designs of unicorns and teddy bears and dolphins had a chokehold on your childhood. From stickers to binders to pencil cases, Lisa Frank merchandise was what divided the cool from the broke. Lisa Frank was one of the first fine artists to gear her designs toward children rather than wealthy art collectors. And her gamble paid off big, at the peak of her popularity, Lisa Frank Inc was taking in more than $150 million dollars a year. Support Us: http://patreon.com/illrepute Sources: https://www.jezebel.com/inside-the-rainbow-gulag-the-technicolor-rise-and-fall-1179495705?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow   https://heykatewilliams.squarespace.com/urban-outfitters-lisa-frank   https://salesamurai.io/stickers-on-etsy/   https://web.archive.org/web/20150831001100/http://www.founda

This week is part two of our two parter on Cass Elliot. Sovereign Syre and Ela Darling talk about Cass's life after the break up of The Mamas And The Papas and her vindication as a solo singer.  Once money started coming in, Cass hosted artist salons at her large Laurel Canyon estate. She was kind and charismatic, easily making her the most popular one of the group. Joni Mitchell wrote several songs in her living room. At a soiree at her home one night, she urged her friends David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash to sing together at her place, thus forming Crosby Stills and Nash. She was also the only other person to sing on the first Crosby Stills and Nash album. David Crosby described her life, “She had possibly the nicest house of any of us, and she liked having people over… I remember an afternoon when I took Eric Clapton up there and he and Cass and Joni Mitchel played tunes.” Credits: Hosted by Ela Darling and Sovereign Syre Written by Ela Darling Produced by Joshua Anderson Support