Shows
Our Elphaba EraMy Act One Finale: A power ballad for vanishing words and a meditative reminder that “words will always retain their power”I am wrapping up season one of Our Elphaba Era with my very own power ballad finale: a poetic protest and meditative celebration of the power of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Join me in voicing and amplifying the words, ideas, and identities which are being erased, censored, restricted, and banned. In an Elphaba spirit, join me in this act of resistance in support of the marginalised and oppressed because “no one should be scorned or laughed at or looked down upon or told to keep quiet”. Like Elphaba challenges us, we can’t just sit here in silence becaus...2025-03-2424 minOur Elphaba Era“Look at you, you’re beautiful”: Racism, self-acceptance, and the powerful bonds between women with Ritika PillaiJoin me for a special Galentine’s episode with Ritika Pillai (she/her), a human rights advisor and legal expert I had the wonderful opportunity to study with and befriend during our LL.M. course at the Irish Centre for Human Rights. We talk about the beauty and power of female friendship and the supportive bonds between women, and how the people in our lives shape us for good. Ri dives into her experience of racism in India, her journey of self-acceptance, learning to love her voice, identity, and being in her own skin, becoming the woman she is to...2025-02-131h 02Our Elphaba Era“Let your boys watch Wicked!”…How can men be living in their Elphaba Era? with Matthew BooneI’d like to introduce you to Matthew Boone (he/him), an ordinary man with an extraordinary heart, mind, & courageous way of living. Listen in to our conversation centered on how men can be living in their Elphaba era. Find out why “The Wizard and I” speaks so deeply to Matthew’s own story. We talk about how we’re perceived by others & standing firm in our integrity, being self-reflective and critical of our beliefs & behaviors, allowing boys to feel their feelings and cry. In recalling memories of discrimination, prejudice, and feeling sense of worth, we realize we had our very o...2025-01-1346 minOur Elphaba EraHolding space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity and the black feminist civil rights activists who came before usI’m devoting a special episode to hold space for the Defying Gravity scene in the Wicked film. Journey with me in exploring why it’s so powerful, weaving in some wisdom from the magnificent black feminist civil rights activists Audre Lorde and Maya Angelou to inspire us to see our differences as forces for social change & seek a world in which we can all flourish and rise.
Searching for an easy, no cost way to support the podcast and use your voice for good like Elphaba? Simply leave a nice rating and review wher...2024-12-3036 minOur Elphaba EraWake up and Arise: the power of feeling deeply, keeping our hope, and strategic resistance in the fight for justiceThose times when life truly humbles us, when the days feel dark, when circumstances make us feel like everything is falling apart — those are the best times for a deep awakening. I’m shining some light on: how at its core Wicked is about a fight for human rights and justice, how the wizard resembles the corrupt politicians of our world, and how Elphaba teaches us to be strategic in our resistance. In this episode I open up about what it’s looked like for me to rise up from my dark days.
Searching for an...2024-11-1825 minOur Elphaba EraChallenging perceptions of villainy and radical retelling of stories with Rena BrysonJust like Wicked is a retelling of The Wizard of Oz, giving more substance, depth, and nuance to the characters of Glinda and the Wicked Witch, writer and theatre artist Rena Bryson (she/her) has created a new play Ruffled Feathers, a radical retelling of the Children of Lir. Why has it always been about Lir? Highlighting voices in Ireland who have traditionally not had their stories heard (particularly w/ issues of women & queers), Eva's Echo wanted to give full lives and tell the stories of the three sisters in this Irish mythology - Eva, Aoife, & Ailbhe. The play...2024-10-2941 minOur Elphaba EraBeing Wicked and Alive: PMDD, fear of rejection, and being beautiful messy humansIs it any surprise that theatre has once again changed my life for good? I’m weaving together core messages and learnings from three different plays - Wicked (of course), Stephen Sondheim’s musical Company, and my one-woman show Au Naturel. Listen in to find out how these all connect and how they’ve all journeyed with me in some major life processing over the past 6 months. I’m exploring deep raw relationships with our bodies, with others, and with the environment, and opening up about my experiences with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, mental health, and fear of rejection. What would li...2024-10-1527 minOur Elphaba EraAmplifying voices and speaking out: Cyber violence, intersectionality, and feminist activism with Lorrie HaymanLorrie Hayman (she/her), doctoral researcher in Global Women’s Studies at the University of Galway, talks through her feminist activism and research in the area of cyber violence and technology facilitated violence. Lorrie dives into the significance of human connections and holding space for people to share their lived experiences. In true Elphaba spirit, we discuss the importance in speaking out and not ignoring issues - rising above shame and fear perpetuated by internalized patriarchy, and calling out behaviors that harm people. In a rant about toilets, we explore intersecting systems of power, accessibility, discriminations and gender binaries wh...2024-09-0546 minOur Elphaba EraThey’ll Never Bring Us Down: Big Cleopatra Energy, righteous rage, & living in the power of our intuition and passionWhat inspired me to coin the phrase “Big Cleopatra Energy”? What does it mean and how does it relate to Elphaba in Wicked? Join me in processing my learning of the value and power of a righteous rage. It’s time to trust our instinctual nature and intuitive wisdom. It’s time to stop dimming the light of our gifts, our cleverness, confidence, magnetism, and bravery.
I hope you know that you are powerful, bold, and strong. I firmly believe that we all can awaken a Big Cleopatra Energy and an Elphaba spirit from deep with...2024-08-2230 minOur Elphaba EraWhere We Belong: Radical queer representation, platonic love, and sense of belonging with Dr. Emer LyonsEmer Lyons (she/they), Doctor/Queen/Short King of lesbian poetry, talks through a sense of self blossoming and belonging in a place outside of where we are from, and the challenges of growing into someone people didn’t expect us to be. In between loads of laughter, Emer discusses what it was like to be queer working class Catholic growing up in rural Ireland, what feminism means to her and how they were inspired to speak up, question, show up fully and disrupt social norms from lesbians.
Elphaba is a queer icon, but wh...2024-07-3048 minOur Elphaba EraOh, what is this feeling? Why did Inside Out 2 avoid the menstrual cycle?The Wicked movie trailer impacted Michelle so much she had to start a podcast and a movement claiming Our Elphaba Era. But how did a rainy, lazy Sunday seeing Inside Out 2 in the cinema inspire the very first episode? Join me in exploring why the embodied experience of the menstrual cycle needs to be a part of the stories we see…and how that’s an act of resistance to the patriarchy.
It’s time to defy some gravity. Period.
Connect w/ Michelle at ourelphabaera@gmail.com and @OurElphabaEra on Inst...2024-07-1529 minOur Elphaba EraIt’s time to claim Our Elphaba Era.Introducing OUR ELPHABA ERA, a powerful new podcast in which Michelle, a performing artist, researcher, human rights and climate activist, explores the subtle and radical ways ordinary people are resisting patriarchal social norms in their everyday lives. Taking inspiration from the fierce, fiery character in the musical Wicked, this podcast is for those who are no longer accepting the limits society puts on them. They stand firm in their values, integrity, and authenticity. Like Elphaba, they’re passionate about fighting against injustices and making the world a better place for all. It’s time to embrace all of who you ar...2024-07-0702 min