Shows
A Vague Knowledge of EverythingInduction Part 2: Birth StoryIn this episode, Rosy breaks down the story of the birth of her daughter. This is for all the people out there who want to hear more about the process of birth than "It's a miracle" and "It's all worth it in the end!" We talk about how her induction worked, some gory details about childbirth, the part Rosy hated most (surprise, it came after the baby arrived), and how, yes, it was all worth it in the end. If you are expecting, or expecting to be expecting at some point, this may be a worthwhile listen.2022-04-081h 06A Vague Knowledge of EverythingLabor Induction: Natural and Medical MethodsRosy just had her baby, and she wants to talk about induction! In this episode, we discuss many methods that induce labor, or claim to. From pineapple and red raspberry leaf tea to Cervidil and Pitocin, we cover the way that labor is induced in the hospital, as well as the many ways people try to induce labor at home. 2022-03-011h 03A Vague Knowledge of EverythingWhat's it Like to Get an IUD? Hope Explains it All!In this episode, Hope tells us the stories of getting each of her IUDs. What it's supposed to be like, what it was like for her, and why it's still her preferred method of birth control!2022-02-1547 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingPregnancy Part 3: Free Stuff for Pregnant People! Plus a Small Rant Surprise! You can get free stuff for being pregnant! In this episode, we mostly talk about free welcome boxes connected to registries, how to get a free pump, should you need or want one, and where to look for new but reduced price baby gear. Please forgive us for the rant about parents judging other parents for how they feed their babies, but Rosy's getting damn sick and tired of hearing people get told off for doing what's best for them and their families.2022-01-2854 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingPregnancy Part 2: What to Expect in a Prenatal Appointment, Plus Weird Pregnancy Side EffectsIn this episode, we discuss the basics of a prenatal appointment: Why are they always doing urine and blood tests? What do they test for, and why? What can you expect from a midwife or OB? Rosy didn't know any of this before pregnancy, and no one really explained it, so here's a crash course! We conclude by talking about some weird side effects of pregnancy. Spoiler alert: The carpal tunnel is on the mend.2022-01-211h 12A Vague Knowledge of EverythingPregnancy Part 1: Inclusive Language and Weight Stigma in Pregnancy CareThis is part one of our pregnancy series. It was going to be one episode, but it turns out Rosy has a lot to say. In this episode, we talk about the reasons to use inclusive language when talking about pregnancy, what that really sounds like, and why it's not taking anything away from us as cisgender women. Then, we go on to talk about Rosy's experience with a little bit of weight stigma in pregnancy care, zooming out to discuss the prevalency of weight bias in pregnancy care, and how that is harmful to larger people.2022-01-151h 20A Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe Origins of Christmas with Dr. Sandra Collins!Hope's mom joins us once again to talk about the origins of Christmas! Dr. Collins is a professor of Sacred Scriptures at Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, PA. Happy Holidays from A Vague Knowledge of Everything!2021-12-231h 02A Vague Knowledge of EverythingA Christmas Carol: History, Context, and our Dream Casting ChoicesThis episode is a discussion of the story A Christmas Carol, the history and context in which it was written, and the contradictory values of its writer, Charles Dickens. We also thought it would be fun to share our dream casting choices!2021-12-2046 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe Racist Roots of Tipping in the US (But Why it's Very Necessary... for Now)Tipping, like many customs in the US, has roots in racism. Strange, but true. And today, tips do not function as extra money for a job well done, as many people believe. Rather, they are factored into the equation as part of a tipped worker's overall pay. It's a messed up system all the way, and needs changing. Until then though, please tip your servers.2021-11-2940 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingParis Hilton and the Utah Troubled Teen IndustryParis Hilton is one of the many people who are coming forward with claims of abuse they experienced as children and teens at residential "schools" and "treatment programs" in Utah. These allegations of abuse are widespread and very upsetting, but they may be leading to reform in some areas. We can only hope that the information coming to light will result in the introduction of laws that support a kind and humane approach to helping minors who may need it. This episode is a discussion of Paris Hilton's personal story, as well as those of others who have come...2021-11-1454 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingWeed Gummies+Halloween Candy? Don't Believe the Fear-MongeringIn this episode we discuss the few instances where Halloween candy has been tampered with, and spoiler alert: There has never been a verified instance of anyone giving out cannabis edibles in the history of the United States! To explain why the fear-mongering around this possibility is silly, we also break down the logistics that would have to be involved for weed gummies to end up in your kids' Trick or Treat bags.2021-10-3152 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingTherapy in the Media: the Good, the Bad, and the Completely InaccurateIn this episode, we talk about the way therapy and therapists are portrayed (often incorrectly) in TV and other media. Specific examples include House, This is Us, 50/50, The Haunting of Hill House, Ted Lasso, and Life in Pieces. 2021-10-191h 17A Vague Knowledge of EverythingOlympics, Part 3: Olympians to Celebrate!After learning so many negative things about the Olympics, we decided it was time to focus on some good stuff. In this episode, we tell some uplifting stories about Olympians standing up for themselves and each other, even when it might result in harsh consequences.2021-10-0641 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingAbortion History in the US, and What the Hell Just Happened in Texas??This episode is about the history of abortion in the United States, and it may surprise you. It turns out abortion has only fairly recently become taboo in US history (even in religious communities). Given this historical background, we also discuss the impact of recent abortion legislation in Texas, and how the governor either doesn't understand basic biology, or is purposefully misleading those he has spoken to on the subject. It's a bummer of a topic, but we learned a lot, plus Hope gathered up some good news to round out the episode and make us feel a bit...2021-09-2452 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingOlympics, Part 2! Surya, Tonya, and SimoneIn this episode, we discuss how many Olympians, particularly women, are exploited and pitted against each other in ways that have nothing to do with their chosen sports. From Surya Bonaly's amazing and illegal backflip, to Tonya Harding's vilification, to Simone Biles' courage in the face of horrible insult and mistreatment, the women of the Olympics have been treated heinously for years, and we needed to talk about it.2021-09-131h 04A Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe Misdeeds of Tom Cruise: Some Very Good Reasons to Boycott Top Gun 2Tom Cruise smiles a lot, but that doesn't mean he's a very nice dude. Over the past few years, we've learned some things that make us want this man to be de-platformed. From the company he keeps, to allegations of of creepy arranged relationship, to even more allegations of recent arrogant and abusive behavior, it just seems like he might not be that great a guy. Have a listen, and decide for yourself.2021-08-3100 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingMulan 2020 Vs. Mulan 1998!- Which is Better and Why?Hope got angry while watching one of the versions of Mulan, and we decided that we had to talk about it! We'll be comparing and contrasting symbolism, themes, feminism (or lack thereof) in both movies, plus much more! Disclaimer: Neither of us is Chinese, so we kept the culture-specific critiques to a minimum, choosing instead to highlight the article and Youtube videos put out by Xiran Jay Zhao, who is actually qualified to speak on those issues. Her article and videos will be linked on our website, www.avagueknowledgeofeverything.com. 2021-08-0759 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe Olympics Are Really Messed Up!- An IntroductionIn this episode, Hope gives us a brief overview of how completely messed up the Olympics are (and always have been). For a very long time, the Olympics have ignored political violence in their host countries, caused massive destruction to the people living in spaces that were made into Olympic arenas, and just generally been very shitty to woman and people of color. Unfortunately this unsavory history goes ways beyond what we are seeing and hearing about today.2021-07-301h 03A Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe Case for Cannabis: Ep 4, 1940s to Present (US)This episode is a quick run through of the laws and attitudes around cannabis use in the US after the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act through today. It is by no means comprehensive, rather it is an overview of how attitudes towards cannabis have changed, or, more commonly, stayed the same over the years. We talk about how different administrations have dealt with cannabis, and how we've never really had a president who has done much for cannabis, at a federal level. Also, we touch on the Olympics, and the hypocrisy surrounding punitive measures taken against athletes who have, or wish...2021-07-211h 38A Vague Knowledge of Everything#girlboss, part 2: 5 MLMs to AVOID!In our previous MLM episode, we went over the structure of multi level marketing companies, the insidious ways they target and mislead vulnerable groups, and some of the people who sing their praises. This episode, we will be providing examples, by counting down Rosy's top 5 MLMS to avoid. All sources are on our website.2021-07-071h 26A Vague Knowledge of Everything#GirlBoss - MLMs and the Problematic People Who Support ThemThis episode discusses multi-level marketing companies. We go over the differences between MLMs and Pyramid Schemes, the problematic structures that often lead to people going into debt, and profile just a few of the ardent supporters of this business model. DISCLAIMER: This is absolutely not targeted at anyone who is now, or was at one time a part of an MLM. The episode is meant to inform and to provoke careful consideration, not to victimize people who are just trying to make some money. We dislike the companies and their practices, not the people who have signed up.2021-06-281h 35A Vague Knowledge of Everything"Masculinity and Fatherhood"- A Conversation with Mark CollinsIn honor of Father's day, this episode is all about fatherhood and masculinity. Hope's dad, Mark, tells us all about his experiences with fatherhood, and how how raising three daughters shaped him into the man he is today. And stay tuned until the end to hear a throwback clip of Rosy's dad, Paul, on his last day as a radio DJ, before he went back to school to become a chemical dependency counselor. Happy Father's Day, everyone! 2021-06-211h 12A Vague Knowledge of Everything"If You Like it, You're a Fan" - Combatting Gatekeeping in the Gamer CommunityIn this episode, we invite Hope's ex-boyfriend (AKA husband), Griffin, and our good friend Rob, to talk to us about gatekeeping as it relates to video games and gaming culture. We discuss the reasons people gatekeep, the harm it does, the implicit or explicit sexism involved, and how to recognize and fight against it.2021-06-161h 07A Vague Knowledge of EverythingFrom Vagina Candles to Energy Healing: A Brief History of Goop (Including Goop Lab)This episode was meant to be two parts, but the editing didn't seem to work out, so its coming at you as a supersized podcast. First we discuss Gwyneth Paltrow, the origin of Goop, and its meteoric rise. Then we take the second half to talk about the very problematic Netflix show that came out of it. Its a wild ride, and our driver is a privileged blonde celebrity whose pandemic low point was... eating bread?2021-06-062h 03A Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe Case For Cannabis: Ep. 3 - Codifying Racism: The US 1937 Marihuana Tax ActIn this episode, we discuss the early use of cannabis in the US and the overt racism that led to its prohibition. Its a pretty wild ride, and Harry Anslinger is at wheel. Join us for a dive into the origins of the United States' embarrassing and anti-factual stance on cannabis.2021-05-311h 06A Vague Knowledge of Everything"I'm Crying Tears of Empowerment"- Captain Marvel and Sexist Double StandardsIn this episode, Hope takes us through the story of how some comic book "fans" tried to tank Captain Marvel before it even came out. We also discuss the sexist double standards faced by any female actor playing a superhero, especially in a standalone movie. 2021-05-281h 01A Vague Knowledge of Everything"F*** You, Beau Brummel!"- The Fascinating and Frustrating Roots of Modern Masculinity with Capt. BrendanOur good friend Brendan Reed joins us this week to talk about masculinity. From the Stoics, to chivalry, to Beau Brummel and beyond, the history of what we call masculinity, is a complicated story that gives meaningful context to the way we view men in society today, and the way they view themselves. *This is our first intercontinental episode!! Big thank you to Brendan Reed, who joined us all the way from Sydney, Australia!!2021-05-201h 33A Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe Case for Cannabis, Ep 2- Trichomes, Terpenes, and the Endocannabinoid SystemIn this episode, we discuss how cannabis works in the human body. We go over the basic compounds found in cannabis and how each of these can be helpful (or harmful in some cases). Also, Rosy shares her experiences as a cannabis user in the US, how it varies state to state, and what she had to do to get her medical card.2021-05-131h 01A Vague Knowledge of EverythingJK Rowling's Misinformation and Prejudice Against Trans People- A Mini Dive/FactcheckIn this episode Hope and Rosy talk about why people are calling JK Rowling transphobic. We discuss her activity on Twitter, in addition to the essay she posted on her website, breaking down the timeline, and talking about the difference between her version of events and what actually took place. This is not a hit piece, but rather, an attempt to understand what she believes and why, and to factcheck the claims she makes about transgender people and the laws that apply to them. Although we did not set out to make this into an entire episode, we felt...2021-05-061h 24A Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe Case for Cannabis: Part 1 - Medical Marijuana Basics (US)As a medical marijuana patient, Rosy is very passionate about legalizing cannabis. This series will discuss different aspects of the conversation, starting with the medicinal benefits that many people get from medical marijuana.2021-04-281h 09A Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe History of Easter With Dr. Sandra Collins!Before Easter, we sat down with our resident Theology expert, Hope's Mom! Don't worry, she's a real expert, and has a wealth of knowledge on the topic. She told us about the history of Easter, and the spread of Christianity in the Western world. 2021-04-201h 04A Vague Knowledge of EverythingBad Science, Dangerously Misapplied- The Story of the BMIIn this episode we talk about the history of the Body Mass Index, and why it should absolutely not be a metric by which to measure individual health. We also get into medical bias, fat-shaming, and why methodology in scientific studies is super important. Have fun getting angry with us!2021-04-051h 47A Vague Knowledge of Everything"Who Hurt You, Alton Brown?"- Competition Cooking ShowsIn this episode we discuss our shared love of The Great British Bakeoff, explore whatever the hell Cutthroat Kitchen is, and Rosy forgets the existence of the word disguise. 2021-03-231h 16A Vague Knowledge of EverythingStop Saying People are "Drinking the Kool-Aid" - Jonestown and the People's TempleThis episode focuses on the story of the massacre of Jonestown. We talk about the methods through which Jim Jones amassed hundreds of followers, and how their "Father" became their collective tormentor. We compare Jones methods with NXIVM and Scientology, breaking down the things that led to the People's Temple becoming a high control cult that brainwashed almost 1000 people.2021-03-141h 48A Vague Knowledge of EverythingCommunity Guidelines Mean Nothing if Companies Won't Play by Their Own RulesWe created this episode to address the growing number of fake or plagiarized YouTube videos out there, giving people "life hacks" that are more trouble than they are worth, or creating baking videos that will never yield the promised result. After discussing that, we took a trip to YouTube's community guidelines, to try to understand why some people are being demonetized or censored and others aren't. The answer was... just a lot of speculation. Join us, as we try to untangle the complexities of online censorship on a popular platform.2021-02-221h 17A Vague Knowledge of Everything"This is Why We Have a Code of Ethics!" - Henrietta Lacks and HeLa CellsIn this episode, Hope explains the story of Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose extraordinary cells have been used to fuel medical research for decades. As we make our way through the story, as told by Rebecca Skloot, in her book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," we discuss the importance of communication, honesty, and most importantly, consent, in the medical field. Its a rough one, but at the end we talk about puppies, so there's that. 2021-02-171h 03A Vague Knowledge of Everything"Wait, Are You a Big Deal?" - An Interview with One of the Founders of Valve GamesEver meet someone in one context, then realize later that, in a different context, that person is kinda famous? Well, that happened for Rosy this month, when she contacted an old friend she was pretty sure was a video game designer. As it turns out, he was one of the founders of Valve, and did a lot of their hiring. In this episode we interview Ken Birdwell about video games! He filled us in on the birth of Valve, the development of Half-Life, and what a video game company is interested in seeing from its applicants. We had so...2021-02-081h 16A Vague Knowledge of Everything"Pack Yourself Up, and Move On"- A Conversation About Gender Expression and Healthcare in the Trans CommunityIn this Episode, we talked to Brogan McGowan, a new/old friend of Hope's. We talked with them about their experiences being mistreated by the medical community, and their efforts since to grow awareness about the lack of access to, or traumatic experiences within the US Healthcare system. Digressions include tall ships, Taylor Swift, and Hope and Brogan's shared college experience.2021-02-021h 06A Vague Knowledge of Everything"You Have to Answer in a Timely Manner!" - Weddings, Part 1, Proposals and Engagement RingsIn this episode, Hope and Rosy talk marriage! Not to each other, to our partners. We cover our proposal stories, our thoughts on engagement rings, and how much Rosy loves to be right. 2021-01-261h 27A Vague Knowledge of EverythingThe US Capitol Insurrection and Weimar GermanyWe are once again joined by Capt. Ryan Downs! After a discussion of the recent attack on the capitol building, Ryan breaks down the parallels between the current US political climate and that of Germany after WWI. Digressions include Eddie Izzard, Jim Jones, and our friend Brendan, who we just can't stop gushing about. 2021-01-181h 32A Vague Knowledge of EverythingSorry, but... You're Wrong About CorsetsIn this episode, Rosy rants to Hope about how corsets get a bad rap. We go into the history of corsets, stays, bust bodices, and other structured undergarments, talking about the history, how these garments were made and worn, and why so many people assume they were torturous symbols of oppression, rather than basic undergarments that supported the fashions of their times. For a visual guide to the episode, please visit our website, www.avagueknowledgeofeverything.com, and look for the blog post entitled "Episode 11 Sources- Corsets." Digressions in the episode include whaling, Chris Hemsworth, and How to Cook That. 2021-01-111h 48A Vague Knowledge of EverythingPets as Presents?- What to Consider Before Gifting an AnimalIn this episode, Hope and Rosy gush about their pets, past and present, and we bust a very common myth about Animal adoption around the holidays. Also in this episode is a rundown of what should be considered before adopting an animal (dogs in particular), plus Selkie the podcat makes her (tiny, squeaky) debut on the podcast!2020-12-171h 21A Vague Knowledge of Everything"Please, Sir, May I Have a Dollar?" -Non-profits with Mark ScibinicoThis week, Hope and Rosy are joined by Mark Scibinico, the Director of Maritime Operations for the Galveston Historical Foundation, to talk about non-profit organizations. What are they, what are they allowed to do, and what are they prohibited from doing? Why did the NFL used to be one? All this and more in the episode!2020-12-0758 minA Vague Knowledge of EverythingAddicts Matter- Addiction and RecoveryIn this episode, Hope and Rosy talk about addiction and recovery with Hope's sister, Faith. Faith tells her story, and we discuss how drug addiction is dealt with in the US, versus other countries who have had great success adopting a harm reduction model. Also, there's a good story about a groundhog, and we reveal the identity of Mr. Jim Business!2020-12-011h 44A Vague Knowledge of EverythingPoliticizing Public Health- The CDC In this episode, Hope and Rosy compare and contrast the origins of the CDC with how it functions today. We also briefly discuss the TV show "The Crown" and how Hope discovered gravity!2020-11-231h 12A Vague Knowledge of Everything"Everybody Loves a Leo! And #NotAllVirgos" -The Astrology EpisodeThis episode takes a departure from our usual more serious fare to explore the fascinating world of astrology! We talk about why people like astrology, and how even skeptics (like us) can still have fun with it. Rosy talks about different astrological systems around the world, then Hope expands upon each of the signs in western astrology. This episode also includes bonus audio of Rosy trying to do a photo shoot with Hope's cat over face time! It's a must listen!2020-11-171h 16A Vague Knowledge of Everything"When We Fight, We Win"- Labor Unions with Capt. Ryan DownsCapt. Ryan Downs (Instagram @captainluddite) joins us to talk about Labor Unions. We discuss the reasons they came about, their sometimes problematic history, and what they have done and continue to do for their members, from the 18th century to today. We also take a brief interlude to talk about workplace injuries, and, in a related story, how Ryan almost met the coach of the Baltimore Ravens.2020-11-091h 42A Vague Knowledge of EverythingPills, Patches, Womb Veils, and all the Poor Eugenes- The Birth Control Episode!In this episode, Hope and Rosy discuss birth control. The focus today is on hormonal methods, and we talk about the history that led to the creation of the birth control pill (surprise: racism!), the way it actually works, and the side effects that often come from it. We also have some bad news for anyone named Eugene....2020-11-021h 22A Vague Knowledge of EverythingTrickle Up!- Federal, State, and Local GovernmentsIn this episode, Hope and Rosy discuss the levels of government, their roles, and their responsibilities. We talk about state constitutions, ALEC, and why Parks and Recreation's Councilman Jeremy Jamm is way more relevant to our lives than we previously realized.2020-10-261h 02A Vague Knowledge of Everything"Monagamous, in this economy?" Ep. 2- PolyamoryHope and Rosy learn about polyamory, and have a conversation with a triad (3 partner relationship), about their journeys, separately and together.2020-10-191h 37A Vague Knowledge of EverythingA Vague Knowledge of Everything- Ep 1 -The Electoral CollegeHope and Rosy talk about the electoral college; its conception and context, the pros and cons of using it today, and our opinions on the subject. Also, we (predictably) talk about how much we love fall and iced chai lattes.2020-10-111h 01A Vague Knowledge of EverythingA Vague Knowledge of Everything- Ep. 0- IntroductionsHope and Rosy discuss what the podcast will be about and take a few minutes to introduce themselves!2020-10-1119 min