Ashley Paul is a traveler, runner, and baker. She is an Everlasting Bookworm and Culture Maven. She is passionate about supporting high school juniors and seniors to write compelling stories for their post-secondary careers. She loves stories with social commentary, atmospheric writing, and compelling characters.
Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Man’s Best Friend, Part II: Music, Marketing, and the Algorithms That Shape Us

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It may be Swiftemonium out there, but we’re still thinking about Sabrina Carpenter. Nox and Ashley wrap up their two-part conversation on Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album, Man’s Best Friend. They dive into how the music itself compares with the album’s rollout, reflect on their favorite tracks, and unpack the growing trend of shorter songs in […]

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Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Girl on Girl, Part II: Desire, Consent, & the Marketplace of Pleasure

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Join hosts Ashley, Mhairie, and Mariquita as they return for the much-anticipated follow-up to their deep dive into Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert. In this episode, the conversation moves beyond pop culture’s impact on women and digs into the murky intersection of porn, commodification, and the market’s influence on sexual agency. Prepare for a

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Author Interview, Blog, Podcast Shownotes

Affirming Masculinity with Jacob Tobia

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Ashley sits down with Jacob Tobia to discuss their book Before They Were Men. Together, they explore why Jacob avoids the phrase “toxic masculinity,” what healthier models of masculinity could look like, and how the different places Jacob has lived have shaped their views on gender and gender nonconformity. Books Mentioned:  Before They Were Men:

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Blog, Book Reviews, Podcast Shownotes

Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves

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Mariquita, Mhairie, and Ashley dive into Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert, unpacking its most thought-provoking themes. In Part I, they explore how reality TV and social media have shaped generational beauty standards, question the pitfalls of so-called “empowerment” movements, and discuss how media literacy can equip the next generation to be both powerful and

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Blog, Book Reviews, Podcast Shownotes

Favorite Books of 2025 So Far (Ashley and Mhairie’s version)

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Our contributors have paired up to tell one another about their favorite books of the year so far. You’ll hear these segments over the next few weeks! Today, Ashley and Mhairie share their top five of 2025. If you’re a fan of memoirs or horror, this episode is for you. Books/Resources Mentioned:  Victorian Psycho by

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musician recording themself performing
Blog

The Necessity of Music Videos

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Don’t Stop the Music (Videos): Music Videos in the Present  “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child. “Work It” by Missy Elliot. “Hung Up” by Madonna. “Gimme More” by Britney Spears. These are just a handful of songs whose music videos represent indelible memories for me. Once upon a time, music videos were a massive part

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