Femme & Furious: A Feminist Pop Culture Podcast Podcast By Julia Rose Portela | Feminist Pop Culture Podcast Host cover art

Femme & Furious: A Feminist Pop Culture Podcast

Femme & Furious: A Feminist Pop Culture Podcast

By: Julia Rose Portela | Feminist Pop Culture Podcast Host
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Femme & Furious is a feminist pop culture podcast for women and LGBTQIA+ folks who want a feminist spin on beloved TV, books, and blockbuster franchises.

If you devour BookTok romances, spiral over Emily Henry releases, and still show up for Marvel while side-eyeing the gender politics...welcome. You’re in the right space, babe!

We ask the big questions:

  • Is this empowering?
  • Why are we still rewarding emotionally unavailable men?
  • Just how many women have to get fridged before we change the trope?
  • Why do stories that mean so much to women and queer folks get dismissed?
  • Why do female characters have to earn complexity while male characters are handed it?
  • And why are we absolutely feral for certain fictional men anyway? (somewhat rhetorical)

If you want smarter pop culture conversations, feminist book discussions, and a space where your obsession makes sense…

Press play.

2025 Julia Rose Portela | Feminist Pop Culture Podcast Host
Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 'XO Kitty' Season 3 Quickie
    Apr 3 2026

    We're back with XO Kitty for season 3! This episode delves into the themes of coming-of-age stories from a feminist and queer lens, the illusion of control, insecurity as an age-appropriate exploration for teenagers, and the underexplored identity shift and grief in the characters of XO Kitty's season three. The conversation methodically explores the themes of grieving and transitioning, the power of honesty, exploring autonomy and change, girlhood and friendship, queerness as a process, and character absence and emotional continuity. The takeaways include the portrayal of honesty as a process, the exploration of queerness, the significance of girlhood and friendship, and the theme of embracing change and autonomy.

    Takeaways

    • Exploring coming of age stories from a feminist and queer lens
    • The theme of control and the illusion of control
    • Insecurity as an age-appropriate exploration for teenagers
    • The underexplored identity shift and grief in the characters Honesty as a Process
    • Exploration of Queerness
    • Girlhood and Friendship
    • Embracing Change and Autonomy

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    53 mins
  • Binding 13, Chapters 41-50
    Mar 31 2026

    Summary: The podcast dives into Booktok's beloved series, Boys of Tommen, Binding 13. The chapters cover themes of teenage relationships, body image, consent, and emotional turmoil. Shannon Lynch and Johnny Kavanagh navigate complex emotions and confrontations, highlighting the challenges of adolescence and trauma. The narrative delves into the characters' vulnerabilities and the impact of their actions on each other.

    Takeaways

    • Exploration of Shannon's experiences and relationships
    • Adolescent relationships being fraught with emotional complexity
    • Body image and insecurity are significant challenges for teenagers.

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Podcast Introduction and Upcoming Episodes
    • 06:24 Chapter 41: Block It Out, Shannon's POV
    • 41:22 Chapter 43: I'm a Virgin, Johnny
    • 01:00:08 The Consequence of Kissing Boys in Bedrooms, Shannon's POV
    • 01:08:16 Crying Girls and Burning Hearts, Johnny's POV
    • 01:20:14 You're Okay, Shannon, Johnny Takes Shannon Home
    • 01:27:42 Crying Girls and Burning Hearts, Shannon's POV
    • 01:33:34 Period Leaks and Hero Boys, Shannon

    Resources:

    • More Femme & Furious: https://bio.site/femmeandfurious
    • The Odyssey: https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Homer/dp/0393089053
    • What is Binding: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=d115e34c1a0f1aef&udm=7&fbs=ADc_l-aN0CWEZBOHjofHoaMMDiKpaEWjvZ2Py1XXV8d8KvlI3p-ML-906rRL_m6h4jR-tdCH-vUIlZq9RzugLEcfjf51tr9alKJEUrIxLwKVr7l76Au_q3EffIYRCnmXOfCpNqrYZeaSIZHJjR2Q-yFTLl70SDlZkeCmUGCT31CgBeSX_rSyzrDksbw95kmMFTtNYQYJl6x3e4n2p62A2__KcqnpFriA3A&q=what+is+binding+rugby&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjfho-RgcuTAxVij4kEHa4qJYMQtKgLegQIFxAB&biw=1440&bih=812&dpr=2#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:79feadaf,vid:CadKYl_b9GE,st:0

    Keywords: Booktok, boys of tommen, binding 13, johnny kavanagh, shannon lynch, rugby romance, sports romance, contemporary romance, pop culture, feminism

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Binding 13, Chapter 31-40
    Mar 27 2026

    Summary: The podcast episode delves into BookToks beloved series, Boys of Tommen's Binding 13, chapters 31-40, and the dynamics of friendship and relationships, exploring the impact of class differences and gender roles on character interactions. It also highlights the themes of loyalty, nurturing, and the complexities of trauma and trust within the context of the characters' experiences. The conversation delves into the themes of emotional intimacy, gender roles, abuse and trauma, self-worth and autonomy, and relationship dynamics. It explores the complexities of relationships, the impact of social disparities, the burden of responsibility, and the cycle of abuse and autonomy. The narrative also highlights the importance of emotional support, empowerment, and the navigation of feelings and relationships.

    Takeaways

    • Exploring the dynamics of friendship and relationships
    • The impact of class differences and gender roles on character interactions
    • Emotional Intimacy
    • Gender Roles
    • Abuse and Trauma
    • Self-Worth and Autonomy
    • Relationship Dynamics

    Chapters:

    00:00 Welcome to Femme & Furious

    02:15 Binding 13, Chapter 31: Bitch Girls and Burger Breath

    19:56 Binding 13, Chapter 32: Days Off and Demon Brothers

    29:51 Binding 13, Chapter 34: Mauled by Dogs and Feelings

    35:41 Binding 13, Chapter 35: Answers

    39:24 Binding 13, Chapter 36: Bad News

    49:45 Binding 13, Chapter 37: It's Your Birthday

    55:59 Binding 13, Chapter 38: She's So Lovely

    57:26 Binding 13, Chapter 39: Bad News and Worse News

    01:02:41 Binding 13, Chapter 40: Lines and Bulldozers

    01:07:20 Burn Book: Episode Superlatives

    Keywords: BookTok, Boys of Tommen, Binding 13, Bookstagram, Contemporary novel, romance novel, sports romance, rugby romance, shannon lynch, joey lynch, johnny kavanagh, coming of age

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    1 hr and 10 mins
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