Buffering the Vampire Slayer | A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast

We have your thoughts on the Season 5 Finale, "The Gift"! We have a conversation from the brilliant Jen Malkowski on death as Buffy's gift! We have Mack MacDade telling us about who really treats Spike like a man and not a monster! We have LaToya Ferguson explaining why she thinks this would have been the perfect series finale!! Join us, perfect scoobies, for our bonus episode on S5E22's The Gift. LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNET Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.comBuffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter, facebook, and instagram Also hey, here's our website with schedules, resources, events and such: bufferingthevampireslayer.com SPECIAL GUESTSJen Malkowski is an assistant professor of Film and Media Studies at Smith College with a specialization in death and dying in media and you can read more about them at smith.edu/academics/faculty/jennifer-malkowski! Jen is also the author of Dying in Full Detail which can be accessed for free here.Mackenzie MacDade is a 31 year old, queer woman of color, teaching artist, feminist, part time poet and general rabble rouser. She got her start in feminism from a book of feminist nursery rhymes, and her start in pop culture analysis from 9 years of homeschooling (translation: 9 years of TV and movie watching). A firm believer in queering the collective consciousness, she strives to inspire people to redesign their idea of normal and step out their comfort zone. She takes inspiration from Gertrude Stein, Buffy, Angela Davis, Faith and bell hooks. Someone once described her as “The love child of Angela Davis and Ru-Paul” and she thinks that just about sums it up. LaToya Ferguson is our new host for Season 3's Angel On Top HELL YEAH! She also writes for The AV Club and Paste Magazine as well as The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, IndieWire, and more. You can follow LaToya at @lafergs on Twitter and you should also *immediately* tune into her podcast about The Vampire Diaries (YEAH THAT’S RIGHT) called The AMPire Diaries over at theampirediariespod.com +++Produced by: Kristin Russo and Jenny Owen Youngs +++Learn about our commitments to creating + maintaining an anti-racist base here at Buffering the Vampire Slayer at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/justkeepfighting+++JOIN OUR PATREON FAMILY!!Advance Music, Bonus Episodes, Live Concerts, Book Clubs, wheeeee!! patreon.com/bufferingcast PRE-ORDER OUR SEASON 5 CD NOW!PLUS: WHY ARE MEN HOODIES, TANKS, & CROP TOPS: HOORAY!bufferingthevampireslayer.com/shop Logo: Kristine ThuneEdited by: Kristin Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We will not watch this episode or discuss it due to Clause 47 in our contract which specifically states that no episode shall be produced when there are simply "TOO MANY FUCKING FEELINGS." Just kidding, let's all cry together! Willow will always find Tara! Spike is a monster but oh no he is treated like a man! Glory just wants to go home! Giles puts his GLASSES ON! Buffy knows that the bravest thing we can all do is*sounds of muffled sobs*Yeah, fuck everything, it is the Season 5 finale, "The Gift," and no one is or ever will be ready. LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNET Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.comBuffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter, facebook, and instagram Also hey, here's our website with schedules, resources, events and such: bufferingthevampireslayer.com SPECIAL GUESTSAlba Daza: instagram.com/alba.daza +++Produced by: Alba Daza, Kristin Russo, and Jenny Owen Youngs +++Anti-Racism Book Spotlight:When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoirby Patrice Khan-Kullors and Asha BandeleThe Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls by Mona EltahawyHood Feminism by Mikki KendallLearn about our commitments to creating + maintaining an anti-racist base here at Buffering the Vampire Slayer at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/justkeepfighting+++JOIN OUR PATREON FAMILY!!Advance Music, Bonus Episodes, Live Concerts, Book Clubs, wheeeee!! patreon.com/bufferingcast WHY ARE MEN HOODIES, TANKS, & CROP TOPS: HOORAY!bufferingthevampireslayer.com/shop Logo: Kristine ThuneEdited by: Kristin Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristin & Alba interviewed the brilliant Sharon Ferguson — Sineya, the First Slayer in the Buffyverse — and holy shit. We talk about that bananas roll down the sand dune, the desert mountain lion, Sharon’s audition, her work with Prince (yes PRINCE), her thoughts on a Sineya spin-off series, and literally so much more?! What an honor and a privilege. Follow Sharon on Instagram at @sharonferguson007 and check her out MCing the incredible “Cherry Boom Boom” dance show — learn more at cherryboomboom.com LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNETKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.com Alba Daza: https://www.instagram.com/alba.daza/ Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comBuffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter, facebook, and instagram Also hey, here's our website with schedules, resources, events and such: bufferingthevampireslayer.com +++Produced by: Alba Daza & Kristin Russo +++Learn about our commitments to creating + maintaining an anti-racist base here at Buffering the Vampire Slayer at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/justkeepfighting+++JOIN OUR PATREON FAMILY!!Advance Music, Bonus Episodes, Live Concerts, Book Clubs, wheeeee!! patreon.com/bufferingcast WHY ARE MEN HOODIES, TANKS, & CROP TOPS: HOORAY!bufferingthevampireslayer.com/shop Logo: Kristine ThuneEdited by: Kristin Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh lord, Willow is going into Buffy’s mind, Spike is slapping Xander, Glory has some kind of connection with Ben (we think they work together), Dawn found some chains in an alley, and everyone is sad and we are STRESSED THE FUCK OUT. It’s Season 5 Episode 21: The Weight of the World. Woof.In other news, please get excited for today’s guest segment with Kandis with a K, a practicing witch who is in conversation with Alba on Willow’s witchcraft and other magic in this episode! Learn more about Kandis below!!LOCATE YOUR HOSTS UPON THE INTERNETJenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.comBuffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter, facebook, and instagramAlso hey, here's our website with schedules, resources, events and such: bufferingthevampireslayer.comSPECIAL GUESTSKandis with a K: Tune in to “Witch Wednesday” at @kandis.with.a.k and learn more about Kandis’ work at her website: http://kandiswithak.com/Learn more about Kandis’ upcoming film project and support by donating!!Edible GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/edible-short-filmListen to the full conversation between Alba + Kandis here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/40374701+++Produced by: Alba Daza, Kristin Russo, and Jenny Owen YoungsAlba Daza is a 27-year-old emerging Latinx writer/director/podcaster based in Montreal, Canada. Check out her podcast, My Mama So, which centers around appreciating the greatness of motherly figures: https://bit.ly/mymamaso+++Learn about our commitments to creating + maintaining an anti-racist base here at Buffering the Vampire Slayer at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/justkeepfighting+++JOIN OUR PATREON FAMILY!!Advance Music, Bonus Episodes, Live Concerts, Book Clubs, wheeeee!! patreon.com/bufferingcastWHY ARE MEN HOODIES, TANKS, & CROP TOPS: HOORAY!bufferingthevampireslayer.com/shopLogo: Kristine ThuneEdited by: Lauren Klein & Kristin Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first ever digital live taping!! Spike is driving a Winnebago wearing goggles, the Knights are on a crusade to The Battle of Chevron to find and kill the key, Ben has some kind of connection to Glory, and Buffy just can't carry the weight of it all anymore. Today we are talking S5E20: Spiral and it is a J O U R N E Y. LOCATE US UPON THE INTERNETJenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.com Buffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter, facebook, and instagramAlso hey, here's our website with schedules, resources, events and such: bufferingthevampireslayer.com Produced by: Alba Daza, Kristin Russo, and Jenny Owen YoungsAlba Daza is a 27-year-old emerging Latinx writer/director/podcaster based in Montreal, Canada. Check out her podcast, “My Mama So…” which centers around appreciating the greatness of motherly figures: bit.ly/mymamaso +++ BIPOC SPOTLIGHTPlease email us additions and suggestions to bufferingthevampireslayer@gmail.com & view our expanding anti-racism library of people, organizations, and resources at https://www.bufferingthevampireslayer.com/antiracist-libraryYABA BLAY + TARANA BURKE in conversation with GLENNON DOYLE + ABBY WAMBACHa discussion on "passing the mic" and conversation on accountability, collaboration, Black joy, and much more. >> link <<SONYA RENEE TAYLOR"Black people don't owe you absolution. The difference between absolution and an apology, and how NOT to allow whiteness to bully and then center itself as the victim." >> link << +++JOIN OUR PATREON FAMILY!! Advance Music, Bonus Episodes, Live Concerts, Book Clubs, wheeeee!! patreon.com/bufferingcast WHY ARE MEN HOODIES, TANKS, & CROP TOPS: HOORAY!Visit our store at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/shop Logo: Kristine Thune (kristinethune.com) Edited by: Lauren Klein & Kristin Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oh wowowowow this week Willow is going to finally pay her debt of PAIN to Glory while we all look on in wonder, Buffy is going to get so so so mad about triangles, Giles is going to be hotter than anyone has ever been whilst in proximity to a minion, Anya is going to take a horrible xenophobic turn (yikes) before veering briefly into lesbianville (nice), and we are going to cry *again* because Willow and Tara and Willow and Tara and Willow and Tara. Oh. Also, Glory knows who the fucking key is OH NO OH NO! It's Season 5 Episode 19: Tough Love. LOCATE US UPON THE INTERNETJenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.com Buffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter, facebook, and instagramAlso hey, here's our website with schedules, resources, events and such: bufferingthevampireslayer.com Produced by: Alba Daza, Kristin Russo, and Jenny Owen YoungsAlba Daza is a 27-year-old emerging Latinx writer/director/podcaster based in Montreal, Canada. Check out her podcast, “My Mama So…” which centers around appreciating the greatness of motherly figures: bit.ly/mymamaso +++ BIPOC VOICES TO FOLLOWPlease email us additions and suggestions to bufferingthevampireslayer@gmail.com & view our expanding anti-racism library of people, organizations, and resources at https://www.bufferingthevampireslayer.com/antiracist-libraryMETIS IN SPACEMétis In Space hilariously deconstructs the science fiction genre through a decolonial lens. Join hosts Molly Swain & Chelsea Vowel as they drink a bottle of (red) wine, and from a tipsy, decolonial perspective, review a sci-fi movie or television episode featuring Indigenous Peoples, tropes & themes. Their inaugural episode was on Buffy's "Pangs," and they are now 5 seasons in! metisinspace.com/ INDIAN & COWBOY PODCASTSThe world’s premiere member supported Indigenous podcast network.indianandcowboy.com+++JOIN OUR PATREON FAMILY!! Advance Music, Bonus Episodes, Live Concerts, Book Clubs, wheeeee!! patreon.com/bufferingcast WHY ARE MEN HOODIES, TANKS, & CROP TOPS: HOORAY!Visit our store at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/shop Logo: Kristine Thune (kristinethune.com) Edited by: Lauren Klein & Kristin Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special guest, avowed Spike fan, and all-around-badass Alanna Bennett joins us today as we ride a f*cking EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER together! We've got a Buffy Bot, we've got a pissed off hellgod with great hair and a penchant for torture, we've got Detective Minions, and hooooooboy we have got an... actual... kiss... between... Buffy... and... Spike?!?!??!? Also, Alanna coins the term "anti-bangs" for Angel. So, all in all, a win-win. It is time for S5E18: Intervention. LOCATE US UPON THE INTERNET Special Guest, Alanna Bennett: @alannabennett; alannabennett.com/Jenny Owen Youngs: @jennyowenyoungs; jennyowenyoungs.comKristin Russo: @kristinnoeline; kristinnoeline.com Buffering the Vampire Slayer: @bufferingcast on twitter, facebook, and instagramAlso hey, here's our website with schedules, resources, events and such: bufferingthevampireslayer.com Produced by: Alba Daza, Kristin Russo, and Jenny Owen YoungsAlba Daza is a 27-year-old emerging Latinx writer/director/podcaster based in Montreal, Canada. Check out her podcast, “My Mama So…” which centers around appreciating the greatness of motherly figures: bit.ly/mymamaso +++ BIPOC VOICES TO FOLLOWPlease email us additions and suggestions to bufferingthevampireslayer@gmail.com & view our expanding anti-racism library of people, organizations, and resources at https://www.bufferingthevampireslayer.com/antiracist-libraryAlicia Garza • Co-Founder of BLM • Twitter • InstagramAmanda Seales • Twitter • InstagramAva DuVernay •Twitter • Instagram Bernice King • Twitter • InstagramBob the Drag Queen • Twitter • InstagramBrittani Nichols • Twitter • Instagram Ericka Hart • Twitter • Instagram Gene Demby • Twitter • InstagramIjeoma Oluo • Twitter • Instagram Kendriana Washington • InstagramKim Katrin • Twitter • Instagram Layla F Saad • Instagram Opal Tometi • Co-Founder of BLM • Twitter • InstagramPatrice Cullors • Co-Founder of BLM • Twitter • InstagramMiss Peppermint • Actor singer horror movie Buff • InstagramRachel Cargle • Twitter • InstagramRaquel Willis • Twitter • Instagram Shishi Rose • Writer, Birth Worker, Creator • InstagramTamika D. Mallory • Twitter • InstagramTourmaline • Twitter • Instagram +++JOIN OUR PATREON FAMILY!! Advance Music, Bonus Episodes, Live Concerts, Book Clubs, wheeeee!! patreon.com/bufferingcast WHY ARE MEN HOODIES, TANKS, & CROP TOPS: HOORAY!Visit our store at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/shop Logo: Kristine Thune (kristinethune.com) Edited by: Lauren Klein & Kristin Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The absolutely brilliant LaToya Ferguson, Alanna Bennett, and Ira Madison III host today's conversation on race within the Buffy and Angelverse! This is the first in a larger series that will be produced and hosted by BIPOC Buffy fans here on the Buffering the Vampire Slayer and WOW — what a way to begin. These three TV geniuses bring their encyclopedic knowledge of both series to the table with questions like: What would have happened if Leonard Roberts played Riley? Why in the hell was Drusilla able to kill Kendra — an immensely powerful Slayer — with one filed f*cking fingernail? How would it have impacted the arc of the show if Bianca Lawson had been cast as Cordelia? This. Episode. Fucking. Rules. Today’s conversation was curated, produced, and edited by LaToya Ferguson. You can follow LaToya at @lafergs on Twitter and you should also *immediately* tune into her podcast about The Vampire Diaries (YEAH THAT’S RIGHT) called The AMPire Diaries over at theampirediariespod.comAlanna Bennett is a culture writer and screenwriter who you can follow over at @AlannaBennett on Twitter and Instagram! Currently Alanna is writing for The CW’s Roswell, New MexicoIra Madison III would love if you’d just please leave him alone (he’s busy!), but if you INSIST he can be found at @ira on Twitter, @irathethird on Instagram; he also was a writer on Netflix’s Daybreak and is currently writing on Netflix’s forthcoming Q-Force-- Massive thanks to Mackenzie MacDade and Alba Daza who are working with us as consultants and facilitators! Here’s more on their work: Mackenzie MacDade is a 31 year old, queer woman of color, teaching artist, feminist, part time poet and general rabble rouser. She got her start in feminism from a book of feminist nursery rhymes, and her start in pop culture analysis from 9 years of homeschooling (translation: 9 years of TV and movie watching). A firm believer in queering the collective consciousness, she strives to inspire people to redesign their idea of normal and step out their comfort zone. She takes inspiration from Gertrude Stein, Buffy, Angela Davis, Faith and bell hooks. Someone once described her as “The love child of Angela Davis and Ru-Paul” and she thinks that just about sums it up. Alba Daza is a 27-year-old emerging Latinx writer/director/podcaster based in Montreal, Canada. At 13 years old she discovered (through Buffy) that she wanted to be a screenwriter and hasn’t let go of that dream since. Her stories focus on telling and celebrating the stories of marginalized voices, giving them space to breathe and thrive. Through her work, she plans to decolonize pop culture and Slay white supremacy, just like Buffy taught her. Check out her podcast, “My Mama So…” which centers around appreciating the greatness of motherly figures: bit.ly/mymamaso --You can learn more about this new series and our other initiatives here at Buffering the Vampire Slayer at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/justkeepfighting Logo by Kristine Thune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back today to share new commitments here at Buffering the Vampire Slayer, all of which are focused on bringing an anti-racist base to the podcast & bringing the work of becoming & staying anti-racist into our larger community. You can also read more about our ongoing commitments at bufferingthevampireslayer.com/justkeepfighting‬ & snag a transcription of this episode at https://www.bufferingthevampireslayer.com/transcriptions.We will be back in your ears this Wednesday with a *fucking brilliant* episode featuring LaToya Ferguson, Alanna Bennett, and Ira Madison III in conversation on race in the Buffy & Angelverse — and next week we will be talking about S5E18: Intervention!SIGNAL BOOSTING!Each episode we will be linking in our show notes to BIPOC creators, organizations, and more. Please email us at bufferingthevampireslayer at gmail dot com with your suggestions and we will be expanding out our library here: bufferingthevampireslayer.com/antiracist-libraryThis week please check out:ReVisiting Sunnydale: A Buffy Podcast (!!!!!)“Two grown blerds with plenty of thoughts and opinions on each episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Podcast Link: https://revisitingsunnydale.libsyn.com/Follow ReVisiting Sunnydale on Twitter And please follow:Patrice Cullors • Co-Founder of BLM • Twitter • InstagramGene Demby • Host of NPR’s Code Switch • Twitter • InstagramAlicia Garza • Co-Founder of BLM • Twitter • InstagramShishi Rose • Writer, Birth Worker, Creator • InstagramOpal Tometi • Co-Founder of BLM • Twitter • InstagramKendriana Washington • Afrofuturist writer, artist, and organizer • InstagramMiss Peppermint • Actor singer horror movie Buff • InstagramBob the Drag Queen • Twitter • Instagram --Logo: Kristine Thune (kristinethune.com)Edited by: Kristin Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No new episode today.We stand in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and know that we need to do better in supporting and defending Black lives. We feel we have a responsibility here on our platform to share in our knowledge, learning, and conversation surrounding our white privilege, the Black Lives Matter movement, social and restorative justice, community work, and so much more, and hope that you will join us in fighting against the horrific injustices and centuries of violence against Black bodies.+++List of Black-Owned Bookstores https://aalbc.com/bookstores/list.phpList of Black-Owned Businesseshttps://twitter.com/jadealycebod/status/1266573372370059266?s=12A Reading List, To BeginJames Baldwin, The Fire Next TimeAngela Davis, Freedom Is A Constant StruggleIbram X. Kendi, StampedIbram X. Kendi, How to Be Anti-RacistReni Eddo-Lodge, Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About RaceAudre Lorde, Your Silence Will Not Protect YouWesley Lowery, They Can’t Kill Us AllIjeoma Oluo, So You Want To Talk About RaceLayla F. Saad, Me and White SupremacyArticles/Shorter FormFrom Ibram X. Kendi • https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/10/too-short-lives-black-men/600628/• https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/ahmaud-arbery/611539/From Ijeoma Oluo •https://medium.com/the-establishment/white-people-i-dont-want-you-to-understand-me-better-i-want-you-to-understand-yourselves-a6fbedd42ddfFrom Adam Serwer• https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/americas-racial-contract-showing/611389/+++National Resource List | Created by @botanicaldyke "This Google sheet contains many of the community bail funds, memorial funds, political education resources, the names of organizations to put on your radar, and general advice/tips for people attending protests or using social media as an organizing tool."https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fpdRY5fwoyt04Il6y9bToWjv4wUaIoMAQERoE2A140U/edit#gid=0+++We will be starting a reading and discussion group with a focus on better understanding our white privilege and how we can work to dismantle the systemic violence against Black communities in this country and across the world.Details and more info at: bufferingthevampireslayer.com/justkeepfightingWe know that self-care is a critical component of doing this work and that our space here at Buffering the Vampire Slayer is one of comfort, solace, and shared community for many of you. We honor that and commit to continuing to foster this space and our shared love of Buffy and all that the show stands for in its many forms — but want to challenge our white listeners, specifically, to remember that self-care is only a part of our larger work; if you walk with white privilege that means that after you recharge, you go back out to keep up the fight.We love you, we are humbled as always to share this space with you, and to just keep fighting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices