Great in the Sack: when misogyny leads to mayhem

Ep. 9: Kalashnikovs and Co-leadership: the road towards the Rojava Revolution

This week on Great in the Sack: When Misogyny Leads to Mayhem, we unpack a revolution born not in peace, but in the wreckage of war—where colonial borders, religious authoritarianism, and patriarchal power all collided. And somehow, out of that fire, a feminist experiment began to breathe.
Welcome to Rojava—northeastern Syria—where Kurdish women took up arms against ISIS...& began rewriting society itself.
Drawing from the radical philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan, a former Marxist turned jailed Kurdish thinker, Rojava’s political model—democratic confederalism—is a bold rejection of both Western imperialism and religious authoritarianism. Here, power is decentralized. Ethnic divisions are challenged. And women? They are co-chairs, commanders, lawmakers, and rebels. Every council is led by one man and one woman. Every major decision is filtered through a lens of gender equality.
But this revolution didn’t just spring up—it’s a direct response to decades of betrayal. Colonial legacies carved up Kurdistan, denying the Kurds a homeland and pushing them into the margins of nation-states that treated them as problems to be solved—or erased. Add to that the rise of armed Islamist groups enforcing Sharia law with an iron fist, and you get the perfect storm for radical, necessary reinvention.
We explore the tension between Islamic fundamentalism and female autonomy, how the Rojava model challenges both capitalist modernity and sectarian domination, and why this revolution—still under siege from every direction—may be one of the most important feminist stories of the 21st century.
 
Red Crescent Rojava: https://hskurd.org/en/ 
 
Emergency aide for Rojava:
https://heyvasor.com/en/2024/12/03/emergency-aid-for-rojava/#pll_switcher 
 
 
instagram.com/@greatinthesacktruecrimepodcast 
tiktok.com/greatinthesackpodcast
greatinthesackpodcast@gmail.com
 
show notes:
https://www.hrw.org/report/2009/11/26/group-denial/repression-kurdish-political-and-cultural-rights-syria?utm_ 
Conflict Between Turkey and Armed Kurdish Groups | Global Conflict Tracker 
https://hawarnews.com/en/mother-of-martyr-hevrin-khalaf-my-daughters-killers-are-stillroaming-free   
https://youtu.be/cMfJRnWu52Y  
Wayback Machine  
Timeline: The Kurds’ Long Struggle With Statelessness 
https://nypost.com/2024/03/30/long-mistreated-by-iraq-the-kurds-need-americas-attention-now/?utm_source=chatgpt.com  
Turkey: Facing a New Millennium: Coping With Intertwined Conflicts, Amikam Nachmani, p. 210, 2003  
Turkey Claims That Syria's Kurds Are Terrorists. Should Anyone Believe Them? 
The Kurdistan Memory Programme  
D'Alema: Abdullah Öcalan is right. Solving the Kurdish question is crucial for peace in the Middle East - The Kurdish Center for Studies  

Ep. 8: The Real-Life Serena Waterford: How Phyllis Schlafly Betrayed Women like Selena Maria Chandler-Scott

In this episode, we track the rise of Phyllis Schlafly-—the woman who weaponized housewife aesthetics and femininity to bulldoze the Equal Rights Amendment and hand America the long-term consequences we're still living through, and we will discuss a bit of that 2nd wave feminism.
We follow the feminist heroes of the early 1970s—Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Brenda Feigen, Shirley Chisholm, and others—as they fought tooth and nail for the ERA, only to be blindsided by Schlafly’s grift in pearls: STOP ERA. You’ll hear how Schlafly mobilized fear, fundamentalism, and good old-fashioned misogyny to convince women they didn’t need rights—just a pie in the oven and a man in charge.
We head into the chaos of the 1977 National Women’s Conference in Houston—slaps, slogans, and sabotage—before pivoting to Reagan’s rise, the GOP’s courtship of the religious right, and how Schlafly helped lay the groundwork for Trumpism.
We’ll show how Schlafly’s fingerprints are all over today’s anti-abortion fanaticism, with stories like that of Selena Maria from Tifton, GA—a terrifying reminder of what happens when women’s healthcare becomes collateral in a culture war.
But we end with resistance. You’ll hear about state-level ERAs, Senator Gillibrand’s push to make the ERA the 28th Amendment, and what you can do to help.
Because the future of bodily autonomy and equality isn’t dead—it’s just waiting for us to wake the hell up.
 
Show notes/sources:
 
(Selena's go fund me)--> https://gofund.me/69868b43 
 
IG.com/@greatinthesacktruecrimepodcost 
 
greatinthesackpodcast@gmail.com
 
youtube.com/greatinthesacktruecrimepodcast
 
Also follow: IG.com/@abortionfluencer for important activism!
 
 
 
 
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/1977-conference-womens-rights-split-america-two-180962174/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 
 
https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-phyllis-schlafly-snap-story.html 
 
https://journals.openedition.org/rrca/1226?lang=en#tocfrom1n1 
 
https://www.jezebel.com/georgia-police-jailed-woman-for-miscarriage-performed-autopsy-on-miscarried-fetus 
 
https://www.thecut.com/article/why-a-georgia-womans-arrest-after-miscarriage-is-disturbing.html 
 
https://meidasnews.com/news/georgia-woman-arrested-after-disposing-of-miscarriage 
 
https://www.tifton.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=151&utm_source=chatgpt.com 
 
https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093633/http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancyloss/conditioninfo/Pages/risk.aspx 
 
https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/04/01/georgia-woman-miscarriage/ 
 
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-04-29/mrs-america-phyllis-schlafly-gay-son-brenda-marc-feigen-fasteau 
 
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/b7fc60f4-9a5d-449a-858e-67afebd21dcc/content 
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade#:~:text=On%20January%2022%2C%201973%2C%20the,Texas's%20abortion%20ban%20as%20unconstitutional. 
 
https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/suffragists-suffragettes-difference/ 
 
https://web.archive.org/web/20120214143336/http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/2010/declare.htm 
 
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-05-14/mrs-america-fx-hulu-bella-abzug-margo-martindale 
 
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/phyllis-schlafly?utm_source=chatgpt.com 
 
https://www.nytimes.com/1979/03/23/archives/rights-plan-foes-celebrate-its-difficulties-with-a-gala-award-for.html 
 
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-era-solidifies-womens-rights-in-the-constitution-as-the-28th-amendment/ 
 
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/09/phyllis-schlafly-feminist-troll/498737/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/17/joe-biden-equal-rights-amendment?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Ep. 7: Incel/ ideology pt 2: Inceldom explained- the case of Tres Genco

Episode 7 – Inceldom Explained: The Case of Tres Genco
**CONTENT WARNING** DISCUSSIONS OF SELF EXIT, AND MASS SHOOTINGS-USE DISCRETION WHERE AND WHEN YOU LISTEN.
 
A growing subculture of disaffected men has turned their anger into a violent ideology. Incels—short for “involuntary celibates”—believe they are entitled to sex and that women, and society at large, are to blame for their isolation. While many incels remain behind keyboards, some take their hatred into the real world.
Tres Genco was one of them. Inspired by past attacks, he stockpiled weapons, wrote a manifesto detailing his violent fantasies, and planned a mass shooting targeting women. He was caught before he could act, sentenced, released… and then arrested again. His case would  reveal the dangerous escalation of his own inceldom- from an online OBSESSION to real-world violence.
In this episode, we’ll break down Genco’s crimes, the psychological and social factors that drive incels toward extremism, and the triad of risk factors that can help identify when someone is on the path to radicalization.
 
Show notes/sources:
Office of Public Affairs | Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting Hate Crime | United States Department of Justice 
 
Office of Public Affairs | Ohio Man Charged with Hate Crime Related to Plot to Conduct Mass Shooting of Women, Illegal Possession of Machine Gun | United States Department of Justice 
 
Parental Investment Theory (Chapter 7) - The Cambridge Handbook of Evolutionary Perspectives on Sexual Psychology 
 
Ohio 'incel' who plotted to kill women at college is sentenced to 6 years in prison
 
Intervening in Problematic Research Approaches to Incel Violence, Men and Masculinities | 10.1177/1097184x231200825 | DeepDyve
 
Self-described Ohio 'incel' sentenced to 6 years behind bars after planning to kill sorority girls in manifesto | Blaze Media 
 
Interviewing I*cel Expert William Costello 
 
The Truth About Incels | Novara Media
 
Incel Convicted For Planning Attack | Dangers of Unwanted Celibacy | Tres Genco Case Analysis 
 
The woman who founded the 'incel' movement
 
Incels, violence and mental disorder: a narrative review with recommendations for best practice in risk assessment and clinical intervention | BJPsych Advances | Cambridge Core 
 
United States v. Genco, 584 F. Supp. 3d 515 | Casetext Search + Citator  

Ep. 6: Which came first..the incel or the ideology part 1: The Story of Ayşenur Halil and İkbal Uzuner

When 19-year-olds Ayşenur Halil and İkbal Uzuner were murdered by Semih Çelik  in October 2023, the public was left grappling with a question: Was this the act of an incel, a narcissist, a psychopath—or something even more insidious?
In this episode, we break down the disturbing timeline of events, from Semih's growing obsession with İkbal to the deadly deception that led both young women to their tragic fate. We examine the role of misogyny, extremist online communities, and whether incels are truly an isolated group or just a symptom of a much deeper societal disease.
As we analyze CCTV footage, online activity, and Semih's final moments, we ask: Does it really matter what label we give him? Or is the real issue the violent entitlement that keeps claiming women's lives?
Join us as we dissect the psychology, the ideology, and—most importantly—the reality of what happened to Ayşenur and İkbal. Because if we don’t confront the roots of misogyny, the cycle will never stop.
 
ig.com/@great_in_the_sack_podcast
 
greatinthesackpodcast@gmail.com
 
WE WILL STOP FEMICIDE PLATFORM: WE ARE LEARNING, EXPLAINING AND EXTENDING THE STRUGGLE FOR ENGLISH 
 
Anıt Sayaç : Şiddetten Ölen Kadınlar İçin Dijital Anıt 
 
https://balkaninsight.com/2024/10/09/turkey-blocks-access-to-discord-online-platform-citing-child-safety-concerns/ 
 
https://www.haberturk.com/semih-celik-olayi-nedir-cinayeti-neden-isledi-ve-ailesi-kim-ikbal-uzuner-ve-aysenur-halili-katleden-semih-celik-kimdir-3727857/4 
 
https://medyascope.tv/2024/10/08/ikbal-uzuner-ve-aysenur-halili-olduren-semih-celikin-ailesinin-ifadesi-alindi-olay-gunu-neler-yasandi/ 
 
Bates,  Laura, Men Who Hate Women, Laura Bates' Book 'Men Who Hate Women' Exposes Manosphere, World Of Incels : NPR 
 
https://freedomhouse.org/explore-the-map?type=fiw&year=2025  
 
https://www.medipol.edu.tr/en/news/medipol-students-remembered-aysenur-halil  
 
https://www.sabah.com.tr/trend/galeri/yasam/son-dakika-katil-semih-celiki-babasi-anlatti-odasinda-insani-korkutan-seytani-figurler-sabah-tum-detaylara-ulasti  
 
https://t24.com.tr/yazarlar/candan-yildiz/aysenur-halil-in-abileri-konustu-kardesim-icine-kapanik-biriydi-neden-gitti-tehdit-mi-edildi-santaj-mi-yapildi,46675#google_vignette  
 
How One Man got Discord Banned in Turkey... 

Ep. 5: a conversation with Shane, from the podcast, "If men can't listen to..."

This episode features a light conversation about misogyny. 

Ep. 4: The story of Nina Aouilk, and honor-based violence

Born into a world where daughters are seen as burdens and honor is worth more than a girl's life, Nina Aouilk grew up trapped—first by her family's expectations of servitude, then by forces far more sinister. From surviving trafficking as a child, to being forced into marriage, and ultimately escaping what her culture referred to as an honor killing, Nina's story is one of resilience in the face of unspeakable cruelty. But she refuses to be a victim.
In this episode, we unravel the brutal reality of so-called "honor-based" violence, exposing it for what it truly is: a weapon of control, masked as tradition. Through Nina’s journey—from her childhood dreams of freedom to her fight for justice—we confront the uncomfortable truths behind cultural silence, generational trauma, and the battle to break the cycle.
 
Nina Aouilk is skilled in her ability to coach people, a skill she developed as a result of her very difficult upbringing. She coaches MMArtists, and boxers, and different folks alike. She is a TED Talks speaker, as well as an inspirational speaker.  
Nina's website: https://endhonourkillings.org/
Nina's IG: www.instagram.com/@londonslifecoach
 
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sikhism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3_64xDqKx0&t=16s
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnSmg0f_B4k 
 
Harbinger, Jordan, https://www.jordanharbinger.com/nina-aouilk-ending-forced-marriage-and-honor-killings-part-one/, (and part 2)
 
https://www.so-rummet.se/kategorier/religion/andra-asiatiska-religioner/sikhism
 
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapunzel#/media/File:Stamps_of_Germany_(DDR)_1978,_MiNr_2383.jpg
 

Ep. 3: The story of Holly Newton

At just 15 years old, Holly Newton had her whole life ahead of her—until Logan MacPhail decided she wouldn’t. In this episode of Great in the Sack: When Misogyny Leads to Mayhem, we unravel the brutal reality of intimate partner violence among teenagers. Logan wasn’t a stranger, a lurking danger in the shadows. He was Holly’s ex-boyfriend, a boy she once trusted—until control turned to obsession, and obsession turned deadly.
Through the chilling timeline of Holly’s final day, we examine the red flags that were ignored, the systems that failed to intervene, and the terrifying truth about how young IPV escalates into violence. How did a teenage relationship turn into fatal possessiveness? And why do we still struggle to take coercive control seriously until it’s too late?
This isn’t just Holly’s story. It’s a warning.
Trigger warning: This episode discusses stalking, coercion, and graphic violence. Listener discretion is advised.

Ep 2: The ”comfort women” who were forced into sexual slavery, at the hands of the Imperial Japanese Army before & during WW2

×Content warning×: Episode contains discussions about war crimes, SA, torture, crimes against children, and addiction. Be mindful when, and how you listen.
 
How good are you with history? Yeah? That good? Then you've heard about this case? Maybe? Well, not me. TBH, I felt shocked that something of this magnitude happened, and I was oblivious! But now. Now, I know...and I must tell you, because the more stories and cases that we know revolving around misogyny, and misogynistic belief systems, the better equipped we are to FIGHT IT! 
 
There are quite literally 3 wars..no wait...4 wars in this episode. This incident and the incedents surrounding it are sometimes referred to the forgotten Hollocaust. Women were tricked, and sometimes even abducted and brought to these hellish concentration-camp settings where the very worst things that can happen to a woman...happens. I am Nicole Davenport, and this is "Great in the Sack: when misogyny leads to mayhem".. Stay informed as we discuss different cases involving the hatred of "not all men" against women...so we can try to better understand our situation as women, and supporters of women in the present day. See you in the sack!                                                                                                                  Sources: Chaing, Iris (1997), "The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II", Basic Books, retrieved 2025-01-13.                                                Asian Women's Fund, The lives of the comfort women,  https://search.app/5WdJfkV5dNturR2X7 The Brutal History of Japan’s ‘Comfort Women’ | HISTORY https://search.app/FNN9u8q554d7Eobq7