The Commie Tea Room

In keeping with the theme of the last episode, join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they discuss with Roger, the former chief of police of the Calgary Police Services, about the preconceptions and misconceptions we have about the police...and which the police have of us. This episode could not come at a better time, as the Dalia Kafi case comes to a head with the trial of suspended police officer Alex Dunn (for context: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-police-alex-dunn-assault-sentence-1.6084597). Roger does a deep dive with us, exploring the application and preliminary process of becoming a police officer, whether or not that training adequately prepares officers for their myriad of sensitive community interactions, as well as how the system is structured to disconnect police officers from their humanity as their careers go on. This is a heavy episode, fellow commies, but we couldn't have hoped for a better note to end on, as The Commie Tearoom, hosted by Pola and Carole, comes to an end. While the podcast will continue, the format will look quite different-- stay tuned! Thank you for loving us, always and anyway!

Adam Massiah (@ar.maxxiah) is back for another episode because he is simply too awesome to only interview once.  Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they discuss with Adam what working with the Calgary Police Services racial committee is like, what defunding the police really means, a glimpse into the systemic protection given to the CPS in the form of their legislation, their union, and their essential power structure.  Adam also spills the tea on the CPS' response to their officers' conduct in the cases of Dalia Kafi and Kobe Amadi. Also, a brief lesson on legislative change and how our Charter of Rights and Freedoms works in Canada, as a bonus! To learn more about the cases of Dalia Kafi and Kobe Amadi: https://globalnews.ca/news/7991917/calgary-dalia-kafi-dead/  https://www.660citynews.com/2021/05/31/family-of-wrongfully-arrested-black-boy-says-meeting-with-police-didnt-go-as-hoped/ Finally, here is a link to the petition for defunding the Calgary Police Services: https://defund.ca/treaty-7-calgary-call/ 

Hosts-only episode!  Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) on their first solo episode in a while, where they dive into the friendliest and non-divisive subject ever-- fallacies! A fallacy is incorrect reasoning typically used to undermine an argument and is present in all forms of human communication.   "The Strawman Fallacy" (where someone oversimplifies your argument to make it easier to attack). "The Ad Hominem Fallacy" (where someone attacks your character instead of addressing your argument).  "The Slippery Slope Fallacy" (where someone makes a claim about a specific event, assuming a chain of events that will result in a disastrous outcome). We're all guilty of having perpetrated a fallacy or two but the important step is to do something about it!  Join us as we break down fallacies and then explore how to do better. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts!

Our clever episode title is actually directly lifted from our guest Dr. Kiona's Instagram platform, @HowNottoTravelLikeABasicBitch, which she started after realizing she kept coming across a certain type of individual while travelling, one who was unknowingly doing more damage to the places they graced with their presence while snapping that perfect filtered image for the 'gram (Spoiler alert: Insisting on speaking English and refusing to speak a word of the local dialect isn't the worst offence from this particular type of individual).     If you feel called out by the title, this episode is for you.  Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they explore travel, racialized travel experiences, food and genetics, and how both tie into race, too.   Happy Asian Heritage Month, fellow commies!   Remember to follow, rate, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts!

Julia Rose (@juliarosewrites) is a professional writer, communications consultant, and part-time dancer.  She runs a successful writing coaching program called, "Hello, Writer", and one of the tenets of her program is that we need to be less afraid of creating bad words, bad art-- in fact, we should embrace it.   Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they talk to Julia about how she was able to build her successful program while struggling with the doubts all creatives grapple with-- what gives me the right?  Who wants to experience what I have to offer?  Julia talks to us about the realities of taking the plunge and making money from one's art and also how dealing with our fear of putting out "bad art" can be the most liberating thing we can do for ourselves.   Remember to rate, review, subscribe on Apple Podcasts and slide into our DMs on Instagram at @thecommietearoom.

TRIGGER WARNING:  The content covered in this episode covers intimate partner violence (IPV) as well as toxic relationships.   Lise (@melody.rose24) is currently working as a resident counsellor, eventually training to become a registered psychologist. Her professional gogo resume and LGBTQ+ allyship afford her a unique perspective in which to consider the concept of empowerment.  Lise does a deep dive with Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillienial) into the toxic effects of the patriarchy-- unfettered misogyny in social media and intimate partner violence, and it all starts with a reel Lise posted on Instagram and earned her the ire and harassment of a particular TikToker and his legion of followers.  Get ready-- it is going to get heavy!   Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts!

Disclaimer: graphic content We are so excited to finally release this episode!  We sat down with Domina (not her real name) to discuss the world of BDSM and kink, and how her work as a dominamatrix has allowed her to see another side of humanity.  The idea that we are all weirdos at the end of the day could never be truer, and also never be more liberating.   Join us as we do a deep dive into fetlife ("Fetlife", by the way, is a great resource to go if you are curious about BDSM), how the practice of kink is typically incredibly mindful of safety, consent, and compassion, and how Domina spends more time reading about human psychology and mental health than she does spend reading about how to tie shibari knots.  You would be surprised and pleased to learn how many transferrable skills there are from the kink world that can positively impact our own relationships, kinky and otherwise.   Remember to show us some love by rating, reviewing, and subscribing on Apple Podcasts.  Episode is available on all podcast platforms.  

Having a podcast means getting to grow and learn from the various people we interview.   And sometimes, that just doesn't happen.  Tune in to get all the tea from your two favourite commies.     Remember to follow, subscribe, and leave a five-star rating on Apple Podcast!     

Disclaimer: There may be a significant echo in this track.  Pola went above and beyond to clean up the audio but there may be some residual noise pollution.  Forgive us and love us anyway!   Our much-beloved guest @_mckensea comes back to talk about something incredibly intimate yet contentious-- polyamory.  Polyamory-- not to be confused with polygamy-- is "consensual, ethical, and responsible non-monogamy."  Polyamory is an umbrella term and covers a wide variety of relationships but at its core, s a practice that requires a great deal of healthy communication, reflection, and trust-- which are all things all human relationships share and, let's be honest, struggle with.   Many are uncomfortable with the idea of polyamory (perhaps because so many struggle with monogamous relationships as is, that a different format seems threatening?), and we definitely have a lot more to learn, but @_mckensea does an amazing job of framing the lifestyle for the uninitiated and who knows-- you may learn something you can take back to your monogamous relationship as well!   Check out @_mckensea on her own amazing podcast, "The Controversial Dive" and her recommended resource for the curious (and for anyone who wants to improve their relationships, really), "The Ethical Slut".   Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcast!

TW: This episode contains discussions of abuse and trauma, as well as explorations of racialized experiences. Amber Paquette, Edmonton's historian laureate, as well as filmmaker, performer, historical reenactor, AND a mother of three, blew our minds during this interview.  There were so many preconceptions and misconceptions Amber debunked for us, that many of us, some Indigenous folx might labour under simply because the rich histories of Indigenous civilizations have been lost and are still not being taught in schools.   Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillienial) as they dive deeper in their own unlearning and relearning.   Don't forget to rate, review ,and subscribe your two favourite commies on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast guests who have their own podcasts are something else.   Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they talk to Giselle and Harlene of H.A.M. Podcast about the helpful and unhelpful ideas surrounding motherhood, single parenthood, and people who don't want parenthood at all.  They also talk about the challenges of being a parent while trying to reconcile the imperfect parenting they received as children, and explore ways in which to break that vicious cycle. It's a heavy episode, fellow commies-- take lots of breaks and check in with yourself, and if you're able, please rate, review, and subscribe!    

Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they talk to Christina (@cookingwithchow) about deviating from stereotypes experienced while traveling, social media tips, deviating and challenging cultural expectations, as well as the Imposter Syndrome, and advocating for one's own mental health in a less-than-permissive household,  while always grounding these stories in our connection with food. Also, Happy Lunar New Year!!! This episode is released just in time for Lunar New Year, one of the biggest festivals celebrated throughout Asia.  Check out Christina's amazing and very popular food instagram to get recipe ideas for Lunar New Year!

In this episode Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenal) chat with Siggy (@siggycortez), the creator of the popular TWERKFIT program, to talk about experiences of BIPOC dancers going through the studio route as well as the experiences they have outside of studios.  They also talk about the history of twerk, the stigma that surrounds it, and finally they do a deep dive into how dance offers healing for anyone who has experienced trauma.   Please remember to rate, review and subscribe!

The Commies are back from their holiday break!  What better way to start the new year than to get right into something that, let's be honest, none of us are really good at-- relationships.   Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) talk with Katie (@kthmooree) about gaslighting, how to address and counter gaslighting, toxic relationships (especially with women) and how to set boundaries.   Katie Moore is a student of Business at Mount Royal University, a dancer, an internationally-published model, as well as a cohost of masterclasses focused on helping guys become men of action.

It's the happiest time of the year-- but is it?  Christmas is advertised as the biggest celebration of the calendar, especially in North America, so it's no surprise the idea of not giving it the expected pomp can be incredibly polarizing.  But what if you're an immigrant from a culture that has seen very little Christian/Christmas influence?  Or what if you're an immigrant from a culture that celebrates Christmas with so much extravagance that the ugly-Christmas sweater, eggnog-laden North American approach doesn't seem enough?   Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillienial) as they get into their personal experiences in celebrating Christmas, the uncomfortable process of integrating into North American culture, and how even years later, they can still feel like an imposter. This will be our last episode for 2020-- it's been an interesting year, to put it mildly!  Can't wait to see what 2021 has in store (we say this with some trepidation).  Happy holidays everyone and see you in the new year!

Sarah (@sawrasaurusrex) joins Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) in discussing the barriers for BIPOC dancers in the dance community, specifically the studio dance community.  Sarah also gets into why feminism must be intersectional, and how white feminism can end up causing more harm than good.   This is a longer episode but it's worth listening to the end-- as we wrap things up, Sarah spills some spicy tea on her Twitter feud with a certain female Edmonton mayoral candidate.   Put your seatbelts on, it's time to get uncomfortable!

If this episode title makes you feel attacked, then this is the episode for you!  Donny (@takinlunchmoney), a fan favourite, returns to join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they explore ghosting/zombieing/benching/breadcrumbing from some unflinching perspectives, while also taking a look at some other dating behaviour that comes part and parcel with the use of social media (i.e. what to do when your partner likes pictures of Instagram models).  Prepare to get uncomfortable!

Have you tried to be more environmentally friendly?  Reduced, reused, recycled?  Have you bought into something you thought was helping the environment but maybe wasn't?  We spill the tea with Mckenzie (@_mckensea) and discuss how this trend is to blame consumers for environmental issues when the focus needs to be on big corporations.  We can't wait for you to listen!   Remember to rate, subscribe, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!  

Staci Mitchell (@stacimitchellintimates) is a celebrated boudoir photographer in Calgary and joins Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillienial) in spilling the tea on what it's like to be a boudoir photographer, especially on how Staci uses her craft to help empower womxn in their bodies.  We discuss the space male photographers occupy in boudoir photography, how it can be challenging for a female photographer, who is also working through her own societally-imposed baggage when it comes to her body and how that impacts her clients, as well as how to pronounce "boudoir", which apparently, Carole can't do.  We also do a quick dip into how photography plays into dating profiles, specifically, Pola's dating profile and her attending dating habits.   We had so much fun with this interview-- let us know what you think and don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts!

Larissa Kovalenko is the co-owner of Rhythm FX Entertainment and founder of RFX Collective.  She is a dancer, choreographer, dance educator, and creative director that has worked on local and international platforms (think: the most prestigious international music experiences).    She joins Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) to talk about misogyny within our economy, heading a business as a woman in a male-dominated industry and playing the game while maintaining her values, and what's it like to have your heart broken by your dreams, and finding healing in love that is still not entirely socially embraced.   Trigger Warning:  This stuff gets heavy.  Take breaks and be gentle with yourself.  Be prepared to get vulnerable-- we did!    

They say you should never talk about religion, politics, or money and this is probably why so many of us struggle in relating to these things personally and in our relationship dynamics.   Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they discuss with Chris (@chris_k_proctor) the misconceptions many of us harbour around personal finances, when and how to broach the topic of finances in a romantic relationship, and who should get the bill on the first date.   Chris is a bank director, a leader of a professional charity network and an aspiring global DJ.  He currently enjoys eating chips and ice cream, sometimes at the same time, as well as occasionally antagonizing Pola and Carole for being late/disorganized/clumsy.   Chris also spills the tea on something that could directly impact Pola's love life-- listen in to find out!  

Meagan (@m_is_for_meagan) joins Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) in exploring the changes in the dance industry, especially with the bias for more risque content to get more exposure on social media.  They also discuss the seuxalization of young dancers, the double standard female dancers face in the industry, as well as the system racism embedded in the studio industry.

Bud. Weed. Devil's lettuce.  Cannabis goes by many names and yet it's incredibly misunderstood.  Despite its many potential uses-- textiles, medicinal, spiritual, recreational-- it's illegalization in the 19th-century have barred many from accessing its benefits, and for what? Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they discuss with Alexis (@thca2z), a cannabis educator, about the complicated history of cannabis and how aggressive regulation has led to the demonization of this innocuous plant.    Also check out "Chasing the Scream"-- an Alexis- recommends read on the "War on Drugs".    Fact Check:  In the 1700s US farmers were required to grow hemp.  George Washington himself grew hemp on the White House estate.   #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #cannabis #stigma #budtender #education

What does it mean to be Indigenous in Canada?  Despite the reconciliation of recent years, Indigenous folk still face centuries of stigma and legislative aggression, products of an exploitative relationship with the Canadian government from Day 1.    Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they talk to Tyler (@t.redgun) about his experiences living on the reserve, going through the reserve and public school systems, and exploring his Indigenous self-identity.    #indigenousissues #sisika #blackfoot #treaty7

It's strange with the Covid-19 pandemic taking center stage, it's taken us this long to record an episode about it but things take on a different weight when they hit closer to home.   Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillienial) as they talk about what it feels like to get the order to self-isolate, the stigma surrounding those who get sick, and the misconceptions and conspiracy theories surrounding the pandemic.   Link in bio for full episode!   Remember to show us your love by following, subscribing, and leaving five-star reviews on @applepodcasts.   #pandemic #criticalthought #deeptalk #womenwhopodcast #podcastersofinstagrams #calgarybusiness #podcastlove #podcastnetwork #yeggers #yyc #yvr #yyz #rs #hk #vlc #bcn

We've all heard the joke.  An Asian child goes home with a 80% and their mother whacks them across the face with a slipper. These scenarios are funny but they're also grounded in a generational tension between Asian immigrant parents-- and broadly, immigrant parents of all races-- and their children.     Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillienial) as they discuss with Taresa (@taresahe) her experiences on growing up with her mother's high expectations and while navigating a new country and new language, and how ultimately getting her therapy-adverse parent to go to therapy (achieving the unthinkable!) finally helped their conflicted relationship turn a corner.  Taresa also runs a social media account where she expounds on Asian mental health and struggles.   #podcastersofinstagram #newepisode #immigrant #ricefeed #ricefam #subtleasiantraits #immigrantstruggles #mentalhealth #cantomando #therapy #womenwhopodcast #podlife #yyc #yvr #yyz #yeg #lax #nyc

They always say, "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life."  A simple quote and yet so frustrating at the same time.   What about those who struggle to make this happen? Also, is "work" such a bad thing? Is it true that millenials and Gen-Zers can't tough it out when it comes to work?  And what are we even trying to pursue?  Is the (North) American Dream still alive?    Join Carole (ofmillenial) and Pola (@russiancoffee) as they get into it.   Show us love with five-star ratings and reviews on @applepodcasts!   #newepisode #americandream #millenial #genz #livetoexplore #livingthedream #changetheconversation #deeptalk #lifegoals #podcastgrowth #podcastaddicts #internationalpodcastday

We use the term "addict" fairly flippantly in daily conversation and yet, what does that word actually mean for people going through addiction?  Why are people who are addicts misunderstood, when they deserve the most understanding? In this episode Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) join Jayelle (@elleyaj) in exploring the stigmas around addiction recovery, the opioid crisis, and harm reduction therapy. Also, check out @cssdpedmonton, an organization for students and youths for sensible drug policy, harm reduction, and drug education, for more resources!   #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podlife #mentalhealth #addiction #harmreduction #therapy #harmreductiontips #albertahealth #awareness #supportdonotpunish #harmreductionworks #yeg #yyc #yvr #yyz #nyc #hk #rs #lax

Karly (@karlywatson, @thehonestfitgirl) is an Edmonton-based social media business development manager, a dancer, teacher, previous fitness competitor, and now an advocate for ED recovery, anti- diet culture, and ally towards normalizing normal bodies! Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as we join Karly in unpacking our own biases and misconceptions around fatphobia and diet culture. Take care of yourselves as you listen to this episode-- some of the content could be triggering. Reach out to us in our DMs and email to let us know your thoughts on our discussion, and be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Karly has also provided some wonderful accounts you can follow to further your understanding on the subject. Great fat/plus size positive accounts and influencers to follow and project: @raffela_mancuso @fit.flexible.fluid @fatfreindfinder @bodyposipanda @meg.boggs @300poundsandrunning @mynameisjessamyn Great anti diet culture accounts to follow: @theselfcompassionprojectyeg @thehonestfitgirl @maryscupoftea @mikzazon @jennthedietitian @jennifer_rollin @thefuckitdiet @diets_dont_work_haes A great information resource for learning more on all of the topics discussed today: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mb29kcHN5Y2gubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M/episode/ZjgwNTFlN2EtZmQ2Yi00ODBlLWE2OWEtNjI0ZTMyYjhmZDE2?hl=en-CA&ved=2ahUKEwiki430u77rAhUhNX0KHZolBJkQjrkEegQICxAE&ep=6 #newepisode #dietculture #fatphobia #bodypositivity #selflove #mentalhealth #edrecovery #ed #bodyimage #fitness #womenwhopodcast #feminism #makingpodcastshappen #yeggers #yycinfluencer #podcastersofinstagram #therapy #yyc #yeg #yvr #yyz #nyc #lax #rs #hk

Trigger Warning!  The idea of giving and obtaining consent seems straightforward but if that's the case, why has the number of sexual assaults in North America not gone down in recent years?  Why does the general public still question survivors/victims and their credibility more than they would question the assailant?  Finally, if consent is only an enthusiastic yes, why is there so much grey area when it comes to eliciting it?  What are we teaching men and what are we teaching women when it comes to the experiences they deserve (hint: the patriarchy is at it again!).  Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillennial) as they get ready to get heavy.  Please check-in with yourself during this episode and exercise self-care-- these uncomfortable conversations are necessary but they can be hard on the soul.

The term "cancel culture" elicits a strong response and polarizes people but what is it, exactly? Why does Donald Trump hate it? What are its impact on free speech and what are its consequences? Can cancel culture ever benefit? Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they explore these questions on Episode 17! Rate, review, and subscribe on @applepodcasts and all other media platforms.    #cancelculture #freespeech #calloutculture #debate #deepthought #newepisode #womenwhopodcast #shepodcasts #podcastlife #podcastfamily #podcastshow #makingpodcastshappen #yyc #yeg #yvr #nyc #lax #hk #bcn #vlc

What is it about break-ups that we all love to talk about them and yet most of us struggle to deal with them when they're our own.  Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they explore how to process a break-up and why it can be so challenging.

Jade/Lady Nudell/Hunter Down is a self described ice cream-obsessed dinosaur stripper bent on hunting down cis-het abusers while spreading BIPOC magic.  She is a fearless performer hailing from Edmonton who got her start in burlesque but has since gone on to explore the drag scene.  Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they discuss matters of burlesque and how it contrasts with gogo dancing, exploring the drag scene, and the nuances of occupying space as someone who is both queer and BIPOC.

Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they discuss egos-- how they impact our relationships with ourselves and with others, and how to heal from a fragile ego.  As they say, in a war of the ego, the loser always wins.

Adam Massiah (@ar.maxxiah) is a double-time CEO, of his entertainment company, New West Entertainment, as well as the Calgary-based United Black People Allyship, a group responsible for organizing five of the last six Black Lives Matter protests in the city.  Adam sits down with us to explore the nuances of the Black Lives Matter movement, how he's working to keep the momentum going, and what good allyship looks like.

Nice guys-- why do we love to hate them?  From the men who try to distance themselves from the stereotype, to the women who spurn them.  In fact, let's be honest-- do nice guys even like themselves?  Why is that?   Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they explore these questions and more in their new episode.     Please rate, review, subscribe, and follow, and contact us @thecommietearoom if you have any ideas for new discussions!    

Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) tackle attachment styles, atrocious exes (and in some cases, they were the atrocious exes), mental health, and each other (in one of the most civil fights known to mankind) in this episode.  Feel like you're always getting stuck in the same pitfalls in relationships?  There's a reason for that (hint: it's you!).  In this episode we explore how to help you help yourself and the loved ones in your life.  

In this episode, Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) explore some of the nuances of male and female dynamics, inspired by the feedback they received from their Episode 9: Cool Girl Trope (check it out if you haven't already).  Pola also unsuccessfully tries to sell Carole on the perks of shawarma.  Listen, rate, review, and follow, on all podcast platforms.

"I'm not like other girls." "I don't get along with other girls." When did it become cool to distance ourselves from other women? Where did we even get this idea? Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) get into the nuances of the "cool girl trope" (search "The Cool Girl" by The Take on YouTube for a great intro), and what the implications are for us as a society-- and there's nothing cool about it at all. Music arranged by @thereddynasty

For anyone who says thinks it's too late to pursue your dreams, meet Red Dynasty (@thereddynasty): a brother duo whom, after being introduced to electronic music a few years ago, have been able to turn their passion project into something more substantial. @thereddynasty (you may have noticed, also provide the music for this podcast!) has coveted residencies at Sub Rosa (@subrosayyc) and Hotel Arts (@hotelartsyyc) and is a integral member of Calgary's entertainment scene. Join Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) as they explore the various myths surrounding the world of disco-jockeying, from some of their dj pet peeves to the pros and cons of being the most popular people in a nightclub. Music arranged by @thereddynasty. #yyc #yycinfluencer #dj #edmlife #myths #yegger #newpodcast #episodeout #podcastaddict #podcastcommunity #music #nightclub

The Commies are back after a brief hiatus!  Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (@ofmillenial) are reunited with the peerless Lisette (@lisette.xavier) for a discussion on privilege-- what privilege looks like, how we all occupy different areas of privilege, and how that should unit us more than divide.  We recorded this episode just before the tragic passing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, two black lives prematurely ended owing to police brutality and, on the grander scheme of things, a deeply prejudiced system.  We recorded this episode with the intention of inspiring our fans to have these uncomfortable conversations on their own.  These conversations have always been difficult but hopefully, for the first time, the privileged are willing to listen and the underprivileged will finally be heard.  No more excuses.  Learn into the discomfort.  Do the work. The editor would like our audience to know there are some audio glitches in the recording. Music arranged by @thereddynasty.  

The commies are back with a vengeance (although they wonder if that's OK to say anymore, given the current political climate?), now recording from their makeshift home studios. Diving head-first into life since the pandemic began, Pola and Carole discuss how racial stereotypes play out, some lesser known racial stereotypes which may surprise you, and the immigrant story: from what it's like coming to a new country to what weird things immigrants bring to the table. Instagram: @thecommietearoom Twitter: @commietea Co hosts: Carole (@ofmillenial) and Pola (@russian.coffee) Music arranged by The Red Dynasty (@thereddynasty)

Michael happens to be Asian and gay (he's also single and not above using this interview as an open casting call for potential lovers), giving us a glimpse into the various issues experienced by people at the intersection of queer and visible minority experiences, among them the cultural disconnect experienced by immigrants. Join Pola and Carole as they interview Michael Nguyen, a twenty-something aesthete whose claim to fame is how often people mistake him for a K-pop trainee. Instagram: @thecommietearoom Twitter: @commietea Co hosts: Carole (@ofmillenial) and Pola (@russian.coffee) Guest: Michael Nguyen (@michaelmykole) Music arranged by The Red Dynasty (@thereddynasty)

Join Pola and Carole, with their first female (!!!) guest Lisette, as we discuss her music career, the hard work behind building a creative brand, staying true as an artist, and shamelessly defend pop-culture. Lisette Xavier is an award-winning, Calgary-based singer songwriter who has been nominated for her humanitarian contributions, uses up-cycled clothing to ethically create her merchandise, and is a huge Marvel fan. We discuss her new music video: "Taste," as well as her inspirations, and spill the rest of the T(ea) about the music industry. Instagram: @thecommietearoom Twitter: @commietea Co hosts: Carole (@ofmillenial) and Pola (@russian.coffee) Guest: Lisette Xavier (@lisettexavier) Music arranged by: The Red Dynasty (@thereddynasty) Episode Recorded at: One 2 One Media (@one2onemedia)

Gogo dancers. Rum shakers. Performance artists. Whatever you call us, you know when you see us that your night out is going to be that much better. Dancers occupy an interesting space in our collective psyche. As much as we are envied and literally placed on a pedestal, we are often misunderstood and dismissed. Why is that? In this episode, Pola (@russiancoffee) and Carole (ofmillenial) explore the nuances of how dancers are perceived, both inside and outside of the industry, as well as how these understandings might have arisen. We also reveal a look into a day in the life of a performer, for anyone who has ever been curious about what it's like to step onto that pedestal. Instagram: @thecommietearoom Twitter: @commietea Co hosts: Carole (@ofmillenial) and Pola (@russian.coffee) Music arranged by: The Red Dynasty (@thereddynasty) Episode Recorded at: One 2 One Media (@one2onemedia)

We spill the tea with Donny Wong-- CBD educator, Airbnb entrepreneur, and the epitome of cool-- who also happens to be Asian. We explore the various obstacles Asians face when dating, dealing with stereotypes, and other conundrums. This episode was originally intended to be recorded with Calgary's son, Kida Nakamura, who passed away suddenly in November 2019. Kida was passionate about opening the conversation about Asians, particularly when it came to dating. This episode was recorded in his honour. RIP King Kida. Instagram: @thecommietearoom Twitter: @commietea Co hosts: Carole (@ofmillenial) and Pola (@russian.coffee) Guest: Donny Wong (@takinlunchmoney) Music arranged by: The Red Dynasty (@thereddynasty) Episode Recorded at: One 2 One Media (@one2onemedia)

You may have clicked on our podcast hoping to learn more about some mysterious and intriguing communists but apologies for disappointing you-- we have but the weakest ties to Communism but the strongest interest in exploring social, current, and cultural issues. Rest assured, we still aim to make you a little uncomfortable-- listen to this episode to learn more about Pola and Carole just your average Gen Z and millennial dancers with a passion for social explication. Instagram: @thecommietearoom Twitter: @commietea Co hosts: Carole (@ofmillenial) and Pola (@russian.coffee) Music arranged by The Red Dynasty (@thereddynasty)