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Remember how Helen discovered in Season 6 that she could blow litter up into the outer atmosphere, with a single puff of her magic breath? Well, apparently the Institude for Digitised Research in Atlanta, Georgia, is still working on the project to collect it into capsules and shoot it all into the sun.
This Bonus episode introduces Australian actress and director, Suzanne Little, to the team. Suzanne also happens to be Associate Professor, Theatre Studies, School of Performing Arts, and Director – Performance of the Real Research Theme at the
University of Otago | Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo
Dunedin | Ōtepoti
Yes, we're are a classy mob here at TMT!
Also in this episode, introducing "Popaganda" the podcast that takes a deep dive into hosts Tashmica Torok and Shannon Perez-Darby's love of transformative justice, pop culture and where the two meet.
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Transcript is available on the episode website https://amIoldyet.com/cleaning-up-one-way-or-another
Hi there. Flloyd here from Thundersmouth Theatre. Well, now, here's another aio why bonus episode for you. Remember back in season six when Helen discovered that she could send street litter up into the outer atmosphere with just a gentle puff of her breath? And then she found out she could pass this skill on to stray dogs. Well, at first it seemed like a wonderful way to help to clean up the planet. But of course, then there was the problem of all that litter floating around in orbit above us all. But help was on hand. If only the scientists could find a way of collecting that orbiting junk and maybe, I don't know, shooting it into the sun.
Well, apparently they're still working on it. Enjoy.
Right, well, I'll leave it with you then. It's almost time for that call I'm expecting. And tell Jonathan I expect nothing less than a twelve year old single malt to go with it.
Oh, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to provide that. Okay. Bye, mom. See you tomorrow evening.
Yes. Bye, darling. Now, where was I? [PHONE RINGS] Oh, gosh, that was good timing. Hello? Hello, it's Helen Docherty here. And you are Doctor Sally Ann Macclesfield.
Hello, Helen. Good morning. Oh, I guess it's not morning where you are, is it?
No— it's mid afternoon, I guess.
Thank you so much for agreeing to talk to me at such short notice.
Oh, it's no bother, Sally Anne. It sounds intriguing, to say the least. So, how can I help you?
Well, it's to do with the digitized garbage disposal project.
Yes, so you said in your email, Professor Larry Steinbeck, he's your colleague?
Yes, we worked together. Well, we did, but he's retiring soon.
Oh, I see. Now, forgive me, Sally Ann, but you don't sound particularly American.
No, I'm Australian. I was at the ANU until quite recently. And the institute here, well, they brought me onto the team.
Brought you on? What's that about?
They approached me... they invited me, and I'm taking it over from Doctor Steinbeck. It's so exciting. Such a wonderful project.
You were headhunted, weren't you? Oh, you must be pretty special.
Oh, I wouldn't say that.
You don't need to, it's obvious. Okay. Now, this project, which would be wonderful if it worked. So, how's it coming along? Have you started shooting capsules up into the atmosphere to collect all the litter?
Oh, it's not just the litter that the— ah— dogs sent up there, Helen. We're also collecting the space junk. You know, all those broken bits and pieces spanners and things that astronauts tend to drop on their spacewalks and.
Oh, yes, we all heard about that on the news.
So, yes, the design's at a very advanced stage now.
Lovely. Well, what did you want to talk to me about? It's nothing to do with me.
Oh. Oh, Mrs Docherty. Helen, you must know the word has spread. Have you not been watching it on TikTok?
Watching what?
All those YouTube clips about you at that dinner, telling those politicians and business people how they had to, well, pull themselves together and get the litter problem sorted. Yeah, and then all the memes going around on TikTok. Those pictures of you and all the gorgeous looking people. Just like Greek gods. So handsome, don't you think?
Ah, yes, I suppose so. But no, I did not know anything about this. There were a lot of journalists at that dinner. But that was ages ago. Surely that's old news. Not at all.
The latest ones are all showing you doing your thing, clearing the litter off the streets, up into the sky. And those beautiful people helping you. You must have seen them.
I assure you, Sally Ann, this is the first I've heard of it. And I can tell you this, they are fakes! Those images are absolutely fake. I did not blow litter up off the street with beautiful, godlike people around me. It never happened. Certainly not with photographers around, or anyone else, for that matter. Good grief. This is just unbelievable!
Oh, I'm sorry, Helen. I didn't mean to upset you. We thought it was wonderful and we just wondered if you would agree to be part of our— Well, our promotional campaign for the project. Because it would make such a difference. The publicity would be so helpful, you know, when we're applying for the next funding round, so that we can take the project to the next stage.
What? Are you kidding me? You want me to put my face on a promotional campaign? No. No way. Go away.
I'm so sorry, Helen. I really didn't want to upset you. We just thought you might be happy to help.
Oh, you did, did you?
Oh, dear. Well, I... I'm sorry. Please, Helen. Please forgive me. Don't be upset.
Oh, don't worry about it. Oh, I suppose there's nothing that can be done about it. Whatever it is, it's up there already. Look, I tell you what. How about this? I'll do it if you do it with me.
What do you mean?
My picture with you. Your picture? We are in it together. Two gals working hard to save the planet in our own ways. What do you think?
Oh, we don't usually show our faces. I mean, I'm an academic. I'm a research scientist. I'm not anybody that anyone would recognize. So my face wouldn't be much help, would it?
On the contrary, it sounds like it's about time your face was being recognized as the face of the research scientist that's making it happen. I think that's a wonderful idea. Let's get you known, Miss Sally Ann.
Really? I'm not. I'm not sure.
Well, I am. As I said, I'll do it. But only if you do it with me. The two of us. Even if it's a deep fake me. Because those images that you mentioned are actually fake. But if it helps your project, I'm up for it. Have a think about it and let me know. You know my conditions. Okay?
Oh, okay. I'll have to speak to the head of the department.
You do that. And if you need to get him or her or them or it to call me, because it's both of us or neither.
Right. Thanks, Helen. Oh, gosh. I'll call you.
I look forward to that. Bye for now, Sally Anne.
And that was the bonus episode. Just bringing us up to date with the Institute for Digitised Garbage Disposal and introducing Suzanne Little as Sally Ann... I can't remember what her name is. Never mind. I hope you enjoyed it. Just a little bit of fun. And now I'd like to introduce you to another podcast that I've come to know through the AIRMedia New Voices workshop program that I was doing a couple of months ago. This one is— Well, the tagline is "Come for the pop culture, stay for the abolition". It's quite. It is transformative. It's hosted by Tashmika Tarak and Shannon Perez Derby, and they do a deep dive into their love of transformative justice. pop culture and where the two meet. Have a little listen to what they say about it.
Oh my God. Does this mean that the Papaganda podcast is kid tested and parent approved? Do you remember the first time a tv show changed the way you saw the world? Forever. Forever. Did it sound like this?
We all have big dreams and sometimes it's better not to dream that dream.
Or did it sound something like this?
How come you don't want me, man?
My name is Tashmika Torak and I am the co host of the Popaganda podcast with my friend and fellow survivor activist Shannon Perez Darby. Actually, the Latchkey Kid is a deep part of my relationship to tv. This award winning social justice podcast explores how the pop culture we love can inspire us to imagine new ways to build a safer, more just world for everyone.
There's a lot of things that I would love to burn down, but I really am a builder.
The Popaganda podcast is available everywhere you get your podcasts.
Mama says police miss you black people. Is it true?
Season two launches on April 22, 2024. Come for the pop culture. Stay for the abolition, the Popaganda podcast.
Well, there you go. Give it a shot. You never know what you might learn. Thanks for listening. Stay safe.
Begin at the very beginning, with Episode 1 "Kind Like Sharon". Or pick it up at Season 6, which is the beginning of Helen's life as a Super Hero!
