Shows
The Kwerk TartzEp 13. "This probably won't age well"- 2022 Recap, Dinosaur References, and Wizard Auntie Rites of PassageWell, we survived 2022. The past two years have been a rollercoaster, and hosts reflect on what's become important for them as they step into 2023 and navigate new seasons in life- revelations in love, parenting, and their career grind being at the top of mind. They also sift through some of their favorite hot takes- from the Daily Show's search for a new host, to Van Jones vs Black Twitter, and Kanye West's ongoing unraveling- issa lot y'all. Ultimately, as life is life-ing they are grateful for their friendship, their obviously needed escapism, and for the 13 and a half humans...2023-01-151h 16The Kwerk TartzOne Step forward, two steps backward? Hot takes & Summer recapIn this episode the hosts recap some of the summer's juicy celebrity gossip, from Ali Wong's divorce, to the Will Smith vs Chris Rock saga, to Aries Spears and Tiffany Haddish's child abuse accusations. It was a messy summer y'all. They also reflect on the Biden Administration's final decision on loan forgiveness, sharing their somewhat dueling perspectives on if this decision is truly impactful. Of course there's some tea and hot takes on Beyonce's new music, BTS's "hiatus announcement"- sorry Army, and, some overall reminiscing on the better days of K-dramas on Netflix; will the k-wave dwindle? Hosts...2022-09-091h 10
The Kwerk TartzEp 11: The Heavy Lift of HealingIn this episode hosts reflect on their journeys to healing at this stage of their lives. Amidst the new normal- Covid denial and increasingly hostile global politics, they speak up about mediocre leadership, grieve the hate-motivated deaths, and unpack the pains of navigating the Oppression Olympics. They also explore some of the critiques of their media escapes- leading to a conversation about POC entertainers such as Ali Wong who are embracing and unapologetically owning their sexuality, for better or worse.
This episode is dedicated to Christina Yuna Lee, and Michelle Go. Let us also remember them as...2022-03-191h 16The Kwerk TartzEp. 10- Fear can't be a factor, We said what we said: Awkwafina's Twitter rant, the countdown to cancel Joe Rogan, and reflections on the Lunar New YearIn this episode the hosts reflect on Lunar New Year traditions of the past and present, and set intentions for the future. They also get down to the nitty gritty about Awkwafina's Twitter rant and missed opportunity to be a more accountable Asian American ally to Black folx- she has some work to do. Speaking of accountability, the hosts wonder what it will take for "moderate" podcasters such as Joe Rogan to be held accountable to be more respectful and responsible influencers. On the lighter note, they talk through some new music, review Take Out by Lisa Ling (a...2022-02-091h 12The Kwerk TartzEp 9: Auntie T'ingz Ah HaponeenIn this episode the hosts bring in the new year with some post-holiday season reflections and some real talk about their family lives. Covid is back at it, and Omarion is bearing the brunt of our pandemic fatigue. Sorry Omarion, it will get better. They take a trip down memory lane as they reflect on the influence and problematicness of Sex in the City, and it's eerie comparisons to Living Single, revisiting some of the prior episodes' discussion of gatekeeping and whitewashing in Hollywood. There's also a lotta spoilers, so if you have not seen the Insecure series finale...2022-01-041h 53The Kwerk TartzEp 8: "The hibiscus flowers bloomed"- Surviving Squid Game, Covid Shenannigans, and 2021 in a nutshell. We made it, y'all.In this episode the hosts recap 2021, reflecting on their personal lives as well as some of their favorite television, film and media- gotta love escapism. Squid Game resonated with people all over the world (warning, there are spoilers, but if you haven't watched it by now, you are late to the party). "Mugunghwa kkoci pieot seumnida" (the hibiscus flowers bloomed), is still circulating the internet months after Squid Game's release with hilarious and ironic spins on the Korean version of the "red-light-green-light" children's game. Hosts also express their take on 2021's interesting (but not that interesting) K-drama line-up. BTS...2021-12-171h 14The Kwerk TartzEp. 7- "Backlash Blues." Shuffle. Repeat. Woes, politicking, and rediscovering joy amidst crises.After an 8-month hiatus, the hosts reflect on the increasingly dangerous political climate, parenting during the covid-19 pandemic, and share their take on 2021's cancel culture line-up of targets. They also review some of the shows and films that have sparked interest or brought joy, such as Hulu's documentary "Summer of Soul," the largely forgotten, but highly impactful Black music festival that took place in Harlem in 1969. The stark similarities between the events of the world in 1969 and 2021 are uncanny, and Ms. Nina Simone's "Backlash Blues" featured in the documentary acts as a hauntingly accurate synopsis of the climate...2021-09-072h 04The Kwerk TartzEpisode 6: New Normal, or new nonsense?In Episode 6 the hosts share some news about their 2021 start, they share their take on the Presidential Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and deal with the notion that 2021 just might be the ghetto ass cousin of the sh*t show year 2020. Some entertainment news and geeking out on new their new favorite shows such as Mr. Queen are discussed (warning of a few spoilers). And, of course, they share what they are looking forward to. Thanks for listening!2021-02-161h 14The Kwerk TartzEP. 5 “But wait, there’s more…”In this episode, Tee_nassty and Faye J recap the final stretch of the notorious 2020. They discuss election shenanigans, coping with the “new normal” as Covid-19 continues to accelerate, new music, celeb news, and some of their recent tv faves such as Lovecraft Country, The Tale of the Nine tailed fox, Start Up and more *Fair warning, there will be some plot spoilers*. 2020 has been a challenging year that has made us think about what’s most important: our health, growth, our sustainability, and our relationships with others. We hope that 2021 offers a window of opportunity to heal from the se...2020-12-071h 40The Kwerk TartzEp.4- 2020 is cancelled af.In this episode Tee_Nassty and Faye J. unpack some of the challenges and setbacks of this year. From the Covid19-crisis to the unjust murders of unarmed Black folx, and early deaths of Black celebrities such as Chadwick Boseman, 2020 has left many of us feeling like we should just throw the whole damn year away. The conversation segues to a lighter discussion about some upcoming films such as Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the long-awaited premiere of Mulan. They also discuss some of their favorite projects such as Black is King and several other projects and events that they loo...2020-08-301h 38The Kwerk TartzEp. 3- "Do we hate Black womxn?" Rumors, Rage, Reflections & more...In this episode, the Kwerk Tartz reflect on their new TV and music guilty pleasures, then delve into a discussion about the paradox evident within the recent public ridicule of Megan Thee Stallion and Jada Pinkett-Smith, contrasted with the ongoing public support of Black Lives Matter since the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Questions arise about the double-standards in how we perceive Black womxn as personally responsible when they experience acts of violence or harm, and the ways in which Black womxn's pain is often met with disbelief, jokes, and bullying. How does the intersection of race a...2020-07-191h 26The Kwerk TartzEp. 2- Do Black Lives Matter in K-Pop? Tartz take on Cultural Appropriation, Defining Fetishization, and more.Faye J & Tee_Nassty meet again to play a round of "Bop or flop" on some new music, and recap some of their recent favorite TV moments. They share the Tartz take on the two weeks after BTS & their Army fandom donated over 2 Million dollars in support of Black Lives Matter. The conversation segues to a discussion about if the recently energized fandoms are also asking if Black lives truly matter in K-pop and in other East Asian music industries. They unpack a few issues of cultural appropriation and antiblackness, and offer a few examples of artists becoming more ac...2020-06-221h 32The Kwerk TartzEp. 1 [Uncut ] "BLM & BTS, K-Pop Stans Unite, New Comeback M/V Conspiracy Theories & More"BTS and Big Hit Entertainment's secret 1 Million dollar donation to Black Lives Matter leaked by Variety Mag on 6/6. BTS Makes tough choices leading up to Festa. Baekhyun gets sweet and spicy in his "Candy" solo comeback. Big-china conspiracy theories on Lay's theatrical "Lit" m/v. The Kwerk Tartz also process the struggle of enjoying K-pop and navigating global issues of anti-Blackness. There's a little bit of everything in this first go-around. This pilot is completely unedited, so please bear with us on the sound quality this time. Thanks for listening!2020-06-071h 13