Stacked

We're closing out the season with a solo episode reflecting on the incredible conversations we've had so far, and the books that shaped them.Ziporah also takes it back to basics and shares a book recommendation one last time; Cyprian Ekwensi's 1961 novel Jagua Nana, which follows a middle-aged sex worker as she navigates 1950s Lagos with humour, agency, and zero apologies.A heartfelt thank you to all the guests and listeners who made this season possible. Till the next one!

Gina Martin joins us this week to discuss Koa Beck’s White Feminism; a book that has fundamentally shifted her understanding of feminism, activism and collective liberation. With that as a jump-off point, Gina also opens up about the journey from her successful anti-upskirting campaign (which led to the passing of the Voyeurism Act in 2019) to grappling with the complexities of law reform vs. transformationWe discuss;✨ White feminism as an ideology ✨ The problems with "girl boss" and choice feminism frameworks ✨ How individualistic feminism connects to regressive movements like the trad wife movement ✨ Intersectionality's original intent and how it's been diluted as a buzzwordGina also shares insights from her work facilitating workshops with young people, helping them think critically about gender stereotypes and societal expectations.Featured Book: White Feminism by Koa BeckGuest: Gina MartinYou can find Gina's books, including ‘No Offence, But….’ & 'Be The Change' wherever books are sold, and follow her work on Instagram @ginamartinuk

JJ Bola joins us this week to discuss Tayeb Salih's Season of Migration to the North, a book that has captivated him, and led to multiple re-reads over the last decade since he discovered it.Together, we explore the novel's dual narrative as it follows an unnamed narrator and Mustafa Sa'eed, two Sudanese men whose brushes with the West and colonial education result in a fraught exploration of displacement and otherness.We discuss:✨ Migration as both physical and psychological displacement✨ The ongoing effects of colonialism on contemporary society✨ The complexities of belonging and returning ✨ How literature can help us navigate questions of identity and agencyFeatured Book: Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih Guest: JJ BolaYou can follow JJ on Instagram at @jj_bola

Amy Spalding, star of the BBC’s I Kissed A Girl, joins us this week for a discussion on Melissa Broder’s provocative novel Milk Fed.We explore how Broder weaves together food, faith and desire through the story of Rachel, a young Jewish woman caught in a cycle of restriction and indulgence.We also discuss;✨Mother-daughter dynamics✨The resurgence of diet culture, and its stronghold on women’s bodies✨Queer desire✨Why this book is both literary AND deeply sensualBook: MilkFedGuest: Amy SpaldingYou can follow Amy on Instagram @amyspalding and on TikTok @amyspalding6, and check out her jewellery @sltstudios_

Mireille C Harper, author and Editorial Director at Tonic, Bloomsbury, joins us for a conversation about bell hooks’ black feminist text Sisters of the Yam, a book that’s as relevant today as when it was published 30 years ago.Mireille shares how discovering this text in her twenties reshaped her understanding of Black womanhood, healing, and the radical act of self-care, and together, we explore why hooks' blend of theory and practical wisdom continues to resonate with us today. She also shares some insights from her decade long career in the publishing industry.We also discuss:✨How self-care got hijacked by capitalism and Big Dopamine✨That time bell hooks came for Beyoncé ✨Community as survival and praxis, not just a nice idea✨FKA Twigs' timely question; ‘where are the thinkers??'Book: Sisters of the Yam by bell hooksGuest: Mireille C HarperYou can follow Mireille on instagram @mireillecharper and on Substack at https://mireilleharper.substack.com/ for more of her writing and publishing insights.DISCLAIMER; I do call the book ‘Sisterhood of the Yam’ a few times through the episode, forgive me, I had travelling pants on the brain.

Tamara Lawrence & Amanda join us this week for a book chat about Chukwuebuka Ibeh’s beautiful debut Blessings.We explore how Ibeh captures the complexities of growing up queer in contexts that don’t always make space for you; from the tender moments of becoming, to the weight of family expectations, as well as what makes this coming-of-age story so particularly moving to us.Book: Blessings by Chukwuebuka IbehGuests: Tamara Lawrence & Amanda Kingsley

Bolu Babalola joins us this week to discuss love, literature, and the enduring power of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.Bolu & Ziporah explore why Austen’s masterpiece remains the blueprint for modern romance (hello, enemies-to-lovers!), faithful screen adaptations, and how our personal circumstances and social conditions can shape our expectations for ourselves. We also discuss Bolu’s highly anticipated new release, Sweet Heat and get exclusive insights into this steamy sequel to Honey & Spice as Bolu shares what’s in store for fan-favourites Kiki and Malakai, as well as her thoughts on writing authentic Black love stories that celebrate joy, passion and community.Featured Book: Pride & Prejudice by Jane AustenGuest: Bolu BabalolaFollow us on instagram @thestackedpod to join in on the conversation, and you can also drop us an email at thestackedpod@gmail.comYou can also follow Bolu on Instagram @boluberry

This season we’re kicking off with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's long-awaited novel, Dream Count.We get into Adichie's exploration of the search for romantic fulfillment and marriage as achievement in the African context. We also touch on how Adichie has shaped perceptions of African feminism and storytelling, and the evolution of her characters and themes over time….as well as how we react to them now, all things considered.Featured Book: Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGuest: Amanda Kingsley