Best Leftist Teen Drama Podcasts (2024)

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#27 - ‘Everything Now’ Tackles Anorexia and Abortion Through a Black Queer Lens 1:30:09

4d ago1:30:09

1:30:09

TW: detailed discussion of anorexia and eating disorder recovery throughout the episode; depiction of a panic attack at ~1:04:00-~1:05:30 In the Leftist Teen Drama Season 4 premiere, we dive into two “the personal is political” plotlines on EVERYTHING NOW (2023). In this short-lived British teen drama, we get introduced to two wonderfully different…

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Introducing: Leftist Teen Drama Season 4 2:41

11d ago2:41

2:41

We are so back. Our 2024 season includes a lot of discourse about class conflict, abundant “the personal is political” moments, and of course, two different civil disobedience plotlines (though one is truly our weirdest sit-in plotline yet!) Check out a little teaser of Leftist Teen Drama Season 4, premiering on Sundays, starting on November 10, 20…

1
MOVIE SPECIAL: 'Strike! (1998)' 1:42:54

6M ago1:42:54

1:42:54

Welcome back to our new series of special episodes covering political moments in teen movies! Maria is joined by Kelly Diaz to break down all the political themes of the movie of many names: THE HAIRY BIRD/ALL I WANNA DO/STRIKE! (1998). (We went with the most thematically appropriate title for our podcast episode title, as you can see!) We discuss …

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MOVIE SPECIAL: 'Enola Holmes 2' 1:51:54

7M ago1:51:54

1:51:54

Welcome to our new series of special episodes covering political moments in teen movies! Maria is joined by friends and comrades Nicki Morris and Emma Rose to break down the political mysteries of the ENOLA HOLMES (2020) movie series on Netflix, but especially the workers’ rights plotline in ENOLA HOLMES 2 (2022), based on the real-life 1888 matchw…

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#26 - …And That’s a Wrap On Eric Effiong’s Groundbreaking Black Queer Teen Journey on ‘Sex Education’ 1:53:37

11M ago1:53:37

1:53:37

It’s the end of an era, as Maria is joined by Dondré Taylor-Stewart and Abir Mohammad for a finale of epic proportions: not just the Leftist Teen Drama Season 3 finale, but our third and final episode about the Black queer teen journey of Eric Effiong on SEX EDUCATION (2019-2023). Season 4 wraps Eric’s arc up in a way that generally satisfies us al…

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#25 - ‘This is a Protest’: SLTs Occupy the Admin Building on ‘Heartbreak High’ 1:46:03

11M ago1:46:03

1:46:03

Maria is joined by Abir Mohammad and Kelly Diaz to discuss some truly one-of-a-kind teenage civil disobedience that was featured in Kelly’s dissertation on youth activism on television. On HEARTBREAK HIGH (2022-present), when a favorite teacher resigns after false allegations are made about her, Amerie Wadia decides she has to lead a protest and br…

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#24 - ‘We’ll Stay Here Until We Get That Pill’: The ‘Felicity’ Sit-In Episode 2:10:39

11M ago2:10:39

2:10:39

TW: discussion of rape Maria welcomes Kelly Diaz back to the podcast to cover one of the plotlines featured in Kelly's dissertation about youth activism on television. In the second season of FELICITY (1999-2002), a student named Leila comes to the health center where Felicity Porter volunteers looking for Plan B. Felicity is dismayed to find out t…

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#23 - Exploring Indigenous Representation, Ownership, and Authenticity on ‘The Wilds’ and ‘Reservation Dogs’ with the Hosts of ‘Out In The Wilds’ 2:43:03

11M ago2:43:03

2:43:03

It’s a CROSSOVER EPISODE! Maria is joined by Aly and Rachel, the brilliant hosts of the Out in The Wilds podcast, for a wide-ranging discussion on Indigenous representation, ownership, and authenticity on both THE WILDS (2020-2022) and RESERVATION DOGS (2021-2023). At their core, both these shows are about solidarity and the power of community. We …

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#22 - PIC Abolition and The ‘Riverdale’ Prison Plotline: How Prisons Destroy Communities 2:08:18

12M ago2:08:18

2:08:18

Maria is joined by guests Liv Christian and Kelly Gilbert to analyze the private prison plotline that colors all of RIVERDALE (2017-2023) season 2 and the top of season 3. Riverdale stumbles into showing how politicians – and the private interests that bankroll them – stoke fear and chaos to inflate actual crime numbers and push for funding for pun…

1
#21 - The Strike Wave Hits Essex College on ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ 1:50:53

12M ago1:50:53

1:50:53

Maria is joined by three friends who are all previous or current staff of UNITE HERE, the union that the Essex Food Service Workers would undoubtedly be affiliated with in real life—Nicki Morris, Diana Hussein, and Paola Rodelas. The four of us break down the SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS (2021-present) strike episode, celebrating Kimberly and Canaan …

1
#20 - Accidents Will Still Happen: On Abortion Access in a Post-Roe World featuring ‘Degrassi’ and ‘Sex Education’ 1:25:58

12M ago1:25:58

1:25:58

Two non-American teen dramas dare to go where most American teen dramas refuse to: letting their teen characters choose to have abortions with no guilt or regret afterwards. In this episode of Leftist Teen Drama, Maria and guests Rosalie Murray and Kelly Gilbert analyze and compare the depiction of abortion care on DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION (20…

1
#19 - Teen Dramas Would Suck Without Union Members: On The 2007-08 WGA Strike and The 2023 WGA/SAG-AFTRA Strike 2:15:52

1y ago2:15:52

2:15:52

In the Leftist Teen Drama season 3 premiere, we dive into the very real labor struggles behind the teen dramas we love to watch and dissect. From both a worker and fan perspective, we dive into the 2007-08 Writers Guild of America (WGA) Strike, the 2023 WGA Strike, and the 2023 Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists…

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Introducing: Leftist Teen Drama Season 3 2:23

1y ago2:23

2:23

Leftist Teen Drama is back! Still in the midst of the 2023 Hollywood strikes, we ground Season 3 in the very real labor struggle behind the teen dramas we love to watch and analyze. Then, we dive into our usual political teen drama fare, covering everything from abortion access and indigenous representation to prison abolition and a sit-in or two f…

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SPECIAL EP: Leftist Teen Drama In Conversation with Kelly Diaz 1:31:21

1y ago1:31:21

1:31:21

In our first ever Special Episode of Leftist Teen Drama, Maria introduces Kelly Diaz, who recently defended her dissertation at the University of Pennsylvania entitled “Lights, Camera, [Social] Action!: The Goals, Messages, and Impact of Youth Activism on Television.” (Maria—and Leftist Teen Drama—were featured in the dissertation!) Maria and Kelly…

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#18 - Wet, Hot, American Class Conflict: The Coastal Class War As Told By ‘The O.C.,’ ‘Veronica Mars,’ and ‘Outer Banks’ 1:42:33

2+ y ago1:42:33

1:42:33

It’s the Pogues vs. the Kooks, the PCHers vs. the 09ers, the Harbor School vs. Newport Union! In the Season 2 finale of Leftist Teen Drama, Maria is joined by guests Kelly Gilbert and Nicki Morris to discuss the class conflict inherent to the plot and setting of three teen dramas: THE O.C. (2003-2007), VERONICA MARS (2004-2019), and OUTER BANKS (20…

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#17 - Eric Effiong’s Black Queer Journey Continues in ‘Sex Education’ Season 3 1:39:28

2+ y ago1:39:28

1:39:28

“How do you feel?” “Like I’ve come home.” In a follow-up to Leftist Teen Drama’s first-ever podcast episode, Maria and guest Dondré Taylor-Stewart trace the season 3 journey of Eric Effiong on SEX EDUCATION (2019-present.) Maria and Dondré discuss the life-changing experience Eric has during his visit to Nigeria, with his season bookended by a turb…

1
#16 - Immigrant Communities, Gunshots, and PTSD: ‘On My Block’ Tackled The Everyday Reality of Growing Up with Gun Violence 2:02:32

2+ y ago2:02:32

2:02:32

In the fictional neighborhood of Freeridge, Los Angeles, four Black and Brown kids get to solve a mystery in the midst of their largely immigrant community rife with gun violence and poverty. Maria and her guest Xiomara Loarte discuss all four seasons of ON MY BLOCK (2018-2021), which doesn’t shy away from showing all the everyday realities of grow…

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#15 - Summer Roberts, Climate Activist: ‘The O.C.’ and the Current Fight For a Green New Deal 1:41:33

2+ y ago1:41:33

1:41:33

Remember the time Summer Roberts from THE O.C. (2003-2007) went to college and became a hardcore environmental activist? Maria and her guests Emma and Hailey trace Summer’s Season 4 journey to find her destiny as an early 2000s climate activist, in the long tradition of teen drama mean girls finding their voices through organizing. With many of Sum…

1
#14 - Pullin’ a Kaepernick: Football Strikes for Racial Justice on ‘All American’ and ‘Friday Night Lights’ 1:44:12

2+ y ago1:44:12

1:44:12

We’re talking about SPORTS—and specifically, the long history of protest through sport as it’s depicted on two teen dramas. Maria and guest Dondré Taylor-Stewart dive into early 2000s football teen drama FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2006-2011) and its 2010s-20s counterpart ALL AMERICAN (2018-present) as both shows tackle football strikes for racial justice…

1
#13 - ‘We’re All Getting the Bus’ - a Gorgeous Depiction of An Assault Survivor’s Healing on ‘Sex Education’ 1:45:51

2+ y ago1:45:51

1:45:51

You’ve seen it on Instagram. It made you smile, it made you cry: the moment the other girls show up to help Aimee Gibbs from SEX EDUCATION (2019-present) get on the bus where she was assaulted. But the reason Maria, along with guests Kelly Gilbert and Nicki Morris, analyze this stunning plotline, is because Aimee’s healing journey doesn’t stop ther…

1
#12 - Emma Nelson, Hazel Aden, and Post-9/11 Politics on Early ‘Degrassi’ 1:55:50

2+ y ago1:55:50

1:55:50

GMOs and anti-Muslim bigotry, it *must* be the George Bush era. Maria and her guests, childhood friends Dondré Taylor-Stewart and Rosalie Murray, go back in time to the first two seasons of DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION (2001-2015) to discuss political storylines headed by resident activist girl Emma Nelson and resident Early-2000s-Black-Woman-Who-…

1
#11 - Karl Marx Comes Alive For Paris Geller (and Other Political ‘Gilmore Girls’ Moments) 1:32:37

2+ y ago1:32:37

1:32:37

You know we had to do it: it’s time for Marxist Paris Geller! In this season 6 episode of GILMORE GIRLS (2000-2007), rich girl Paris Geller is forced to work a catering job and finally connects with Marxist theory. Hilarity ensues. Maria is joined by her childhood friends and fellow GILMORE GIRLS superfans Laura Marino and Jessica Hajdukiewicz to d…

1
#10 - How ‘Ginny & Georgia,’ ‘PEN15,’ and ‘All American’ Represent the Mixed Race Experience 1:48:07

2+ y ago1:48:07

1:48:07

Guest Liv starts us off by singing the anthem for this episode: “she’s biracial…she’s a biracial girl…” Maria, with the help of Liv and her mixed-race perspective, trace the journeys of three mixed-race characters: Ginny Miller from GINNY & GEORGIA (2021-present) Maya Ishii-Peters from PEN15 (2019-2021), and Olivia Baker from ALL AMERICAN (2018–pre…

1
#9 - Joey Potter Against the System: the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Protest Episode 1:35:15

2+ y ago1:35:15

1:35:15

In the season 2 premiere, we take it all the way back to the year 2000 to discuss iconic teen drama DAWSON’S CREEK (1998-2003), as Maria and her guest Emma dive into the time that Joey Potter briefly led a student protest movement in Capeside. When a horde of racist white parents attempt to get the new Black principal fired, Joey leads the students…

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Introducing: Leftist Teen Drama Season 2 2:49

2+ y ago2:49

2:49

Season 2 is coming, y’all! Starting May 1, 2022, we will be airing new episodes of Leftist Teen Drama on Sundays for a 10-episode second season. We’re back covering everything from Paris Geller’s Marxist awakening on GILMORE GIRLS to Emma Nelson’s activism on DEGRASSI to the iconic “we’re all getting the bus” moment on SEX EDUCATION. From high scho…

1
#8 - Anticipating the Post-Capitalist Apocalypse with ‘The Wilds,’ ‘The Society,’ and ‘Daybreak’ 1:47:37

3y ago1:47:37

1:47:37

In the season 1 finale of Leftist Teen Drama, Maria is joined by Emma and Dondré as we discuss the recent emergence of post-apocalyptic teen dramas like THE WILDS (2020-present), THE SOCIETY (2019), and DAYBREAK (2019). We talk about everything from the Gen Z/millennial climate anxiety present in all three scenarios to the way these shows answer th…

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#7 - #AbolitionistTimRiggins: How Our ‘Friday Night Lights’ Fave Makes the Case for PIC Abolition 1:33:20

3y ago1:33:20

1:33:20

In the penultimate episode of Season 1, Maria and her guest Hailey McInnes delve into the journey of beloved teen drama character Tim Riggins from FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2006-2011). When Tim’s family faces mounting medical bills and potential bankruptcy, they take extreme measures to make ends meet—and as a result, Tim becomes caught up in the crimin…

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#6 - Sisters Don’t Let Sisters Cross Picket Lines: the ‘Sister, Sister’ Strike Episode 1:16:38

3y ago1:16:38

1:16:38

Maria and her guest Liv Christian talk about the iconic strike episode on SISTER, SISTER (1994-1999). When the Food Boy workers go on strike, Terrence recruits Tamera—and later Tia—to work as scabs, much to staunch unionist Lisa’s dismay. But working a non-union job isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and Tia and Tamera end up receiving a crash course…

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#5 - From Asexuality to Vaginismus: Talking Representation and Comprehensive ‘Sex Education’ with the Hosts of ‘The Wet Seat’ 1:28:59

3y ago1:28:59

1:28:59

In our second discussion about the first two seasons of SEX EDUCATION (2019-present), Maria is joined by Ashley Cunningham and Susannah Wilson, the hosts of The Wet Seat, a podcast about taboo sex topics. We delve into all things sex therapy related, imagining what more inclusive and comprehensive sex education could look like based on the array of…

1
Bodysuits For Bughead Returns 7:14

3y ago7:14

7:14

Hey y’all, it’s Maria. Who asked for a rant about Riverdale? I am returning for our Lost Episodes (1x10-1x13 and 2x01-2x09) and potentially 4x19, 5x01-5x03 and whatever in the time jump brings me enough joy that I want to podcast it. Also, I rant about Josie and the Pussycats being mistreated by the writers (who else watched Return of the Pussycats…

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#4 - Dawn Schafer Calls For a General Strike, or: Why We’re Obsessed with ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ 1:07:41

3y ago1:07:41

1:07:41

Come along with Maria and her guests Nicki, Emma, and Kelly: we’re going to Camp Moosehead with THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB (2020-present)! When Dawn Schafer and Claudia Kishi discover that only campers who can afford to pay a steep t-shirt fee are allowed to tie-dye, they set out to create an inclusive art class. Their attempts at making things right se…

1
#3 - Between Two Worlds: Navigating Black/white Spaces on ‘Moesha’ and ‘All American’ 1:47:25

3y ago1:47:25

1:47:25

In the third episode, Maria and guests Dondré Taylor-Stewart and Liv Christian discuss beloved teen drama characters Moesha Mitchell from MOESHA (1996-2001) and Spencer James from ALL AMERICAN (2018-present). These two Crenshaw-based main characters are plunged into richer, whiter spaces when they transfer to different schools. As a result, they ha…

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#2 - Brooke Davis, Labor Organizer: That Time Our Early Aughts Fave Organized Her Workplace on ‘One Tree Hill’ 52:30

3y ago52:30

52:30

Brooke Davis once organized her workplace for better working conditions. Yes, that Brooke Davis, from ONE TREE HILL (2003-2012), the show that ran for so many seasons, it started on the WB and ended on the CW. Join Maria and her fellow unionists/friends Nicki and Emma as we take you through one of Maria’s favorite teen drama plotlines of all time—a…

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Introducing: Leftist Teen Drama 2:11

3y ago2:11

2:11

Hey y'all! Maria here; I know it's been awhile. I've got a couple pieces of good news, though! I've launched a new podcast, and I wanted to share the trailer with you! Leftist Teen Drama is a podcast celebrating political moments on TV teen dramas, hosted by me, Maria DiPasquale, your favorite unionist and teen drama enthusiast. produced by Jeff Mc…

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#1 - ‘He’s Our Wildest Dream’ - Eric Effiong’s Groundbreaking Black Queer Journey on ‘Sex Education’ (So Far) 1:23:31

3+ y ago1:23:31

1:23:31

In the premiere episode, we talk about the brilliance of the unapologetic Black queer character, Eric Effiong, on SEX EDUCATION (2019-present.) As will become tradition for the pod, Maria and her guests Dondré Taylor-Stewart and Liv Christian discuss our relationships to each other (including how Maria and Dondré became best friends on MySpace, tru…

1
Introducing: Leftist Teen Drama 2:11

3+ y ago2:11

2:11

A new podcast celebrating political moments on TV teen dramas, hosted by unionist/teen drama enthusiast Maria DiPasquale. Produced by Jeff McHale, with art by Maddy Wiryo. Season 1 premieres August 15, 2021. Solidarity forever! | FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendram…

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Riverdale 4x16 - “Chapter Seventy-Three: The Locked Room” 1:16:22

4+ y ago1:16:22

1:16:22

feat. guest: Hailey“They’ve done such a good job of writing these Stonies as the shitty ultrawealthy that they are. Wonderful critique of capitalism, guys, I love it. And so to finally see them get their comeuppance and Betty and Jughead take them down as the working class heroes that they are? It’s gonna be so beautiful!” -MariaSo we were kinda *j…