Media Literacy Week: Wait, That Actress is HOW Old?

Oct. 27, 2016 On the cusp of Media Literacy Week, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2016 I'm turning over the mic (er, keyboard) to MediaGirls as part of our Media Literacy Week series on creating critical thinkers in … [Read more...]

Girls Sports: Progress in Toys + Media (Pt 3)

May 5, 2016 At the White House convening on Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Media & Toys, the lack of diversity in STEM fields created headline news about economic woes for our nation’s future, so … [Read more...]

Strong Is The New Pretty: Interview with Kate T. Parker

April 30, 2015 Adamant as I am about shifting appearance cues in the media towards a "whole person" lens, it's no surprise I was thrilled to hear photographer Kate T. Parker's catchphrase, "Strong is … [Read more...]

Guardian Princesses: Prosocial Planet Protectors?

Sept. 1, 2014 I admit, my first reaction to The Guardian Princesses was wince-worthy...“Oh please, NOT more freakin’ princesses!”Followed by, “Here we go with the chocolate covered broccoli bit … [Read more...]

National Assoc for Media Literacy Education: Amy Jussel, Resource Roundup

July 8, 2013 Gearing up for speaking at my first ever National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) conference this coming weekend, I’m taming butterflies as I’m honored to be on a … [Read more...]

Powerhouse Women in Film: Seidelman Courts An All-Star Cast

Oct. 23, 2012 As we wind down October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a four-week series by USA Today amidst controversies of “Not so Pretty in Pink” moments from survivors who are … [Read more...]

Olympic Body Image: Talking Points To Get it Right, Fit vs Fiction

Aug. 9, 2016 Rio! This post still applies tenfold in terms of word watching and body image critiques of Olympic athletes! Media Smarts has added some parenting talking tips for boys/girls too! … [Read more...]

The Supermodels, Then and Now + A Chat With Janet Lansbury

Feb. 1, 2012 “25% of young women 18-34 would rather win America’s Next Top Model than the Nobel Peace Prize..." ..."And 23% would rather lose their ability to read than their figures” opens Lisa … [Read more...]

KFC’s “Assvertising”–A Double Down of Unhealthy Cues

September 22, 2010 Would you like a sideorder of sexualization with that heart attack? If the excess sodium from KFC’s Double Down innuendo-laden sat fat monstrosity doesn’t raise your risk factor … [Read more...]

Girl World Tour Meets Tween Town Hall to Speak Up & Share: Mar 13

March 5, 2010 What's on the minds of tween girls' today? We're about to find out next Saturday at the Tween Girl Town Hall as 150 girls age 8-14 clamor for FREE swag bags and freebie finds from … [Read more...]

Buffed Boy Body Image and Teen Scene ‘Hottie’ Factor

Teen pals a little testier than usual? Ever heard of ‘roid rage?’ Awhile back I wrote about body image issues offering “equal opportunity toxicity” as young boys have increased body dysmorphia, … [Read more...]

Girls Sports Boosts Preteen Body Image & Self-Worth

Ah, football season, home to toxic media messaging for girls. A time when beer billboards of buxom cheerleaders spill from every corner, “scoring” innuendos abound, and tacky wardrobe malfunctions … [Read more...]