Beyond the Archetypes – A Round Table Series on Women’s Evolving Identities
Show Notes:
This conversation explores the evolving identities of women through cultural lenses, addressing beauty standards, the trad wife trend, and the complexities of feminism and femininity. The participants share personal anecdotes and insights on societal expectations, self-respect, and the challenges of balancing motherhood and career.
They discuss the importance of acceptance and the impact of resources and privilege on women's experiences and opportunities. This conversation explores the multifaceted experiences of women navigating societal expectations, financial independence, and personal agency.
The participants discuss the pressures of traditional gender roles, the complexities of being a provider, and the importance of choice in shaping their lives. They also delve into the cultural narratives surrounding beauty and the emotional burdens that come with financial dependence.
Ultimately, the dialogue emphasizes the significance of kindness and empathy in defining true beauty and personal fulfillment.
Takeaways
The conversation emphasizes the need to rethink and redefine women's roles in society.
Allyship is crucial for supporting one another in various contexts.
Experiences of exclusion can shape creative expression and storytelling.
Women can be both allies and sources of conflict for each other.
Understanding and listening to diverse experiences fosters community building.
Cultural backgrounds significantly influence women's identities and experiences.
The impact of colorism and beauty standards is a prevalent issue for women.
Empathy and compassion are essential in addressing feelings of othering.
Personal stories of resilience can inspire collective empowerment.
Creating inclusive spaces allows for richer narratives and understanding.
ROUND TABLE SERIES:
BEYOND ARCHETYPES: WOMEN’S EVOLVING IDENTITIES
CHAPTERS
00:00 Exploring Women's Evolving Identities
13:53 Allyship Among Women
23:40 Experiences of Exclusion and Othering
40:45 Colorism and Beauty Standards
RESOURCES TO GUIDE THIS SERIES:
Women Who Run With the Wolves (Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes)
Crones Don’t Whine (Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen)
The Millionth Circle - How to Change Ourselves and The World (Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen)
Women of Sufism - A Hidden Treasure (Camille Adams Helminski)
Warrior Goddess Training (Heatherash Amara)
Chakra Empowerment for Women (Lisa Erickson)
Woman’s Inhumanity to Woman (Phyllis Chesler)
Doorways to Transformation (Karen Kinney)
GUESTS:
Shahla S Khan - Producer at Rising Tides Films Toronto, CA
Shahla S. Khan is a producer with twenty years of film experience. She works at Corus Entertainment, managing the rights portfolios of Food TV, Nickelodeon, Disney, Hallmark, and HGTV. She's a Features Film Programmer for the Mosaic International Film Festival Film while working at TIFF and helping to promote films like Dukhtar and Donkeyhead, Joyland, etc. She is now busy prepping for a surfing documentary out of Pakistan called “The Surfer Boy of Bulleji.”
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahla-khan-54905450/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shahlaskhan
Shana L. Darabie Writer/Director/Producer - Brooklyn, NY
The daughter of Trinidadian immigrants, Shana is a former fashion designer turned filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. Previously, Shana worked in post-production doing motion graphics for commercial and television. In 2021, she was awarded the Devery Freeman Memorial Award for Screenwriting for her sci-fi/horror feature FACSIMILE. In 2023, her sci-fi pilot CLONES was a Circle of Confusion Writer Discovery Fellowship Finalist and her sci-fi/action feature SUPERVILLAINOUS was a WGAe and FilmNation NY Screenwriting Fellowship Finalist. In 2024, SUPERVILLAINOUS was also a Semifinalist for both The Writers Lab and Almanack Screenwriters October Colony. She currently works as a Development Associate at the Department of Motion Pictures. Shana has written, directed and/or produced several commercials and shorts with plans to make her debut feature in the very near future.
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mybotworks/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-darabie/
Soniah Kamal- Novelist, Essayist, and Public Speaker - Atlanta, GA
Soniah is a powerhouse storyteller celebrated for her award-winning novels, essays, and captivating talks. Her latest book, Unmarriageable, hailed as "the gold standard of Pride and Prejudice adaptations," has wowed readers worldwide. It's a Financial Times Readers’ Best Book of 2019 and a favorite of NPR, New York Public Library, and People Magazine, and was even named one of Georgia’s "Books All Georgians Should Read."
Soniah’s work has been published in leading outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Atlantic, and her acclaimed short stories have earned nods from Claudia Rankine, Longreads, and VELA. She also curated *No Place Like Home*, a striking collection on South Asian borders and identity. Her TEDx talk, "What Will People Say," unpacks cultural expectations, while her powerful address at a U.S. Citizenship Oath Ceremony, “We are the Ink,” speaks to the real American Dream. An inspiring educator, Soniah has taught creative writing at Emory, Oglethorpe, and around the world.
Born in Pakistan, raised in Saudi Arabia and England, and now based in the U.S., Soniah brings a global perspective to her literary voice.
https://www.tiktok.com/@soniahkamalauthor/video/7080720177591029034
https://www.facebook.com/janeaustenPakistan/
https://twitter.com/SoniahKamal?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
