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(Fe)male Dominated

(Fe)male Dominated

By: Hannah Dunham & Tara Smith
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Hosted by two engineers, Hannah and Tara, this podcast dives into the messy, mayhem-filled realities of being women in STEM — the kind of stories that make you say, ‘OMG, I thought that was just me.’ With humor, honesty, and a little irreverence, we unpack the highs, lows, and hard knocks of life as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and every episode sends you off to work with one practical, no-fluff strategy you can actually use that day.


© 2026 (Fe)male Dominated
Personal Development Personal Success Science
Episodes
  • Episode 16: AshLeigh Dunham (Fertility Law & Women's Rights)
    Jun 8 2026

    In this Season 2 finale, Hannah and Tara sit down with attorney, fertility law advocate, judicial candidate, and Hannah’s sister-in-law, AshLeigh Dunham. What starts as a family conversation quickly becomes a powerful discussion about infertility, IVF access, reproductive rights, women in leadership, and the courage it takes to challenge systems that no longer serve us.

    Drawing from her own five-year infertility journey, AshLeigh shares how her personal experiences led her to become one of only a handful of attorneys specializing in fertility law in Alabama. Together, the three discuss the real-life impact of reproductive healthcare legislation, the importance of representation in positions of power, and why women must be willing to have difficult conversations—even when they disrupt the status quo.

    This episode is equal parts personal, political, and practical, offering listeners an honest look at the challenges women face and the collective action required to create meaningful change for future generations. Whether you're passionate about reproductive rights, leadership, community building, or simply finding your voice, this conversation is a reminder that progress starts when we're willing to speak up. ✨

    Connect with AshLeigh

    AshLeigh can be found across social platforms as AshLeigh for Alabama (spelled A-S-H-L-E-I-G-H) and shares updates through Instagram, TikTok, Substack, YouTube, and Facebook.

    Thanks for joining us for the Season 2 finale! If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a friend, start a conversation, and remember: meaningful change often begins when we're willing to challenge our assumptions and speak up. ✨

    Don't forget to head on over to Instagram and follow @Fe_maledominated to join the community.

    You can also follow Hannah @stemwithhannah
    and Tara @simplysortedstem

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    44 mins
  • Episode 15. Real Stories from Real Women
    Jun 1 2026

    In this episode of (fe)male dominated, we reached out to our community and asked women working in STEM and male-dominated industries to share the moments that have stayed with them — the comments, assumptions, “jokes,” dismissals, and experiences that are so often brushed aside as “not a big deal.”

    What came back was honest, uncomfortable, validating, and deeply revealing.

    Together, Tara and Hannah unpack the ways micro and macro aggressions continue to shape women’s experiences at work — from subtle undermining and objectification to overt harassment and bias. They explore the emotional toll of constantly navigating environments where women are expected to quietly absorb discomfort to maintain the comfort of everyone else around them.

    In this episode, we dive into:

    • The cumulative impact of “small” comments and behaviors
    • Why so many women question themselves after uncomfortable interactions
    • The pressure to laugh things off, stay quiet, or “pick your battles”
    • Workplace dynamics that subtly reinforce exclusion and inequality
    • The emotional aftermath of being humiliated, dismissed, or undermined at work
    • How women internalize blame for behavior that was never their fault
    • Why hearing other women’s stories can feel both heartbreaking and validating
    • The complicated reality of navigating the “boys’ club”
    • What it looks like to challenge bias in real time — even in small ways
    • The importance of community, nuance, and speaking openly about these experiences

    One of the strongest themes throughout this conversation is that these moments rarely happen in isolation. On their own, they can seem small enough to dismiss. But over time, the accumulation of these experiences shapes confidence, belonging, opportunity, and the way women move through their careers.

    This conversation is vulnerable, nuanced, frustrating at times, and ultimately a reminder that if you’ve experienced these things too — you are absolutely not alone.

    Don't forget to head on over to Instagram and follow @Fe_maledominated to join the community.

    You can also follow Hannah @stemwithhannah
    and Tara @simplysortedstem

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Episode 14: Myra Betron (Gender Equality Strategist)
    May 25 2026

    Myra Betron is a feminist researcher, educator, and founder of @powherdata, where she works to bridge the gap between research, practice, and public understanding around gender equity, health, and systemic inequality. With more than 20 years of experience across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Myra has led groundbreaking initiatives focused on preventing gender-based violence, addressing harmful gender norms, and building more equitable systems for women globally.

    Born in the Philippines and raised in the United States, Myra’s work is deeply personal — shaped by growing up in a home impacted by domestic violence and witnessing firsthand how systems of inequality silence women and constrain opportunity.

    In this episode, we dive into:

    • The global realities of gender-based violence and systemic inequality
    • Why patriarchy is not a “cultural issue” — it’s a structural one
    • The rise of the manosphere and anti-feminist backlash
    • Why Gen Z attitudes toward gender equality are shifting
    • The hidden workplace norms that continue to disadvantage women
    • Emotional labor, caregiving, and why women are opting out of traditional systems
    • How AI, policy, and social media are shaping the future of gender equity
    • Why meaningful change happens through “1% shifts”
    • The importance of raising boys and girls with healthier models of gender roles
    • How women can interrupt bias and advocate for themselves in everyday moments

    One of the most powerful themes throughout this conversation is that the “small moments” matter. The interruptions in meetings. The dismissive comments. The subtle objectification. The casual sexism. Myra reminds us that challenging those moments is how larger cultural change begins.

    This conversation is thoughtful, nuanced, validating, and incredibly timely.

    Connect with Myra & check out the PowHerCircles:
    @powherdata

    www.powherdata.com

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/powherdata/

    Resources for Gender-Based Violence & Support:

    🇺🇸 National Domestic Violence Hotline
    Call: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
    Text: START to 88788
    https://www.thehotline.org

    🇺🇸 RAINN — Sexual Assault Support
    Call: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
    https://www.rainn.org

    🇨🇦 ShelterSafe Canada
    https://www.sheltersafe.ca

    🌎 UN Women — Global Resources
    https://www.unwomen.org

    🌎 NO MORE Global Directory
    https://nomoredirectory.org

    If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or violence, support is available. You are not alone.

    Don't forget to head on over to Instagram and follow @Fe_maledominated to join the community.

    You can also follow Hannah @stemwithhannah
    and Tara @simplysortedstem

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
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