307. Witnessing History and the Vital Reassurance of Romance: An Interview with Jessica Luther

Summary: Today I’m chatting with Jessica Luther, author of the book Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape. She’s also one of the hosts of the feminist sports podcast Burn It All Down. Jessica’s writing covers the intersection of sports and sexual and gendered violence. I’ve been following Jessica on Twitter for a very long time, as we connected over loving the romance genre years ago. Since then, her career has been incredible, and I was so happy she was willing to talk about it with me. Among the topics we discuss: The reasons she initially concealed her identity on Twitter, and her decisions to write under her own name. Her experience as a writer who has become a visible public face leading the reframing of sexual assault, sports, and women’s rights. Being witness to history during Wendy Davis’ historic filibuster in the Texas state capitol in the summer of 2013. The power of Twitter and live social media in connecting people instantly and personally during events around the world, turning us all into witnesses. Knowing when to step away and not invest emotional How romance fiction keeps her going when writing, researching, and covering such painful, difficult but vitally important topics. And of course, she recommends books because romance fans are the greatest of people. CW: 40:05 - 51:47 - discussion of sexual violence and suicide in football, and the results of her research into behind-the-scenes accounts of assault and sexual, gendered violence in college and professional sports.