What Is This Hot Mess? is a fun yet insightful podcast that merges the personal and political to look at the running joke that is our world. In a world where we constantly feel like every major event feels like a bad punchline, the podcast seeks to have in-depth conversations with those who are trying to make sure the punchline doesn’t end us all.
The podcast features conversations with feminists, freedom fighters and front-line defenders that dive deep into the world of ‘superheroes who do not wear capes’ exploring the ways in which these amazing people are fierce and fantastic but also flawed. A fun and engaging look into the work (and lives) of feminists around the globe, the podcast will sit down with feminists from around the world and ask them not only about their incredible work but for a more personal take on their politics.
This notion of What Is This Hot Mess? speaks not only to the cruel joke that is reality at the moment but also challenges the idea that feminists are chronically serious killjoys. The podcast is a time for guests to not only speak on things important to them but also have a relaxed conversation where guests can bring a holistic version of themselves to the space. Tackling everything from fighting oppression to fighting fatigue, the podcast will be a light-hearted but in-depth look at how feminists and front-line defenders who are pushing back against a wave of anti-rights, fascism and general destruction.
It is an (un)serious look at the people trying to help us through this time, where you do not know whether to laugh or cry.
Sitting with people from all corners of the globe, your host Tiffany Kagure Mugo, is the curator of HOLAAfrica, speaker, author and ex menace-at-large.
Follow Tiffany on Instagram: @kagsmugo and HOLAAfrica: @holaafrica_org
This podcast series is done in collaboration between the Global Unit for Feminism and Gender Democracy of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, and Tiffany Kagure Mugo as the host and co-creator, mixed and mastered by Racheal Wamoto and Sheldon Mutei.
A hot mess of policing bodies, wimbledon panties and sports bros being terrible capitalists with Marion Remiers (Part II
The two of them unpack sports as a politic, why women’s sports is super lucrative but sexism means cash is being left on the table, how sports is just a way to control queer and women's bodies and how football associations are the biggest op and haters.
8 Sept 2026
A hot mess of the genderless nature of sports, men catching feelings with Marion Remiers (Part I)
In this messy episode Tiff sits down the fire Marion Remiers an award winning sports journalist, organisation founder, author, shaper of cultural contexts and general bad a**.
4 Aug 2026
A mess of ethical philanthropy, mo’ money mo problems and inheritors *without* the fur
In this messy episode Tiff gets to sit down with long time supporter and Ise Bosch (yes the Bosch you are thinking of) and chat about ways in which philanthropy can show up in the world, the need to listen and learn from those who you give money too and how global collaboration and cooperation is at the heart of any work that is being done.
24 Jul 2026
A mess of radical giving, the politics of the purse and not 'eating your own' with J. Bob Alotta
In this messy episode, Tiff dives into the world of feminist funding, philanthropy, grantmaking and social justice movements with J. Bob Alotta. A filmmaker turned philanthropic leader, Bob previously served as Executive Director of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and later as Senior Vice President of Global Programs at the Mozilla Foundation.
25 Jun 2026
A mess of a mental health flavoured climate crisis, vulnerability during emergency and the power of community
In this messy episode we sit down to discuss the (unlikely) collaboration between the climate crisis and mental health with Raj Mariwala who boldly states that they ‘put the mental in mental health’. In this episode we explore how the climate crisis affects different groups in different ways, how the most vulnerable are usually left out of the conversations around solutions and how this climate crisis is not a plot twist. It has been around for ages.
17 Jun 2026
A Mess of Unequal Exchanges, Lessons in ‘Ubuntu’, and Recycling (Not Really) with Ruth Nyambura
In this messy episode, Tiff dives into the deep/shallow waters of the climate crisis with Ruth Nyambura, an eco-feminist and thinker at large. Together, they discuss smart-people things like dependency theory, get cultural with ideas of ubuntu and utu, and unpack the villain origin story of the climate crisis (i.e. its colonial and imperial roots).
4 Jun 2026
A mess of pleasure as liberation, judgey gynaes, stolen lubes and magical vulvas with Dr T. a.k.a Tlof Tlof (Part II)
In this messy episode we sit down and discuss the Dr Tlof Tlof's villain origin story as a pleasure positive medical practitioner, the pursuit and politics of pleasure, the ways in which the medical space needs to understand the sexy part outside the realms of pathology, understanding and claiming your body.
26 May 2026
A mess of witches or doctors, femme pain, birthing on your back and Uniting Nations with Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng aka Dr. T.
*Trigger warning: mention of violence (sexual and other), self harm.*
In this messy episode we return for season II and sit down THE Dr Tlaleng to help Tiff unpack her obsession with misogyny in medicine, because as Dr T says 'medicine is not a sterile practice'.
The two of them discuss women being pushed out of birthing and gynaecology, the gender pain gap, navigating difficult times in high level roles, the systemic violence that rains down on our bodies within the medical fraternity and being the most special and magical of rapporteurs (full title: United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health).
Produced by yours truly, Tiff Mugo, and created in collaboration with the Global Unit for Feminism and Gender Democracy of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. Mixing and mastering by Rachel Wamoto and Sheldon Mutei. Research by Cameron Smith.
Follow Dr T on X and Instagram and her website.
Follow Tiffany on Instagram: @kagsmugo and HOLAAfrica: @holaafrica_org
All the relevant links from the second episode are available here.
19 May 2026
A hot mess of a new season: feminist fornication, climate group chats, witchy medicine and more w/ Tiffany Kagure Mugo
In this season we shall cover trad wifery, the silence of the global majority in the Climate Group Chat, how navigating the medical field is an extreme sport, what feminist fornication looks like and much more. It's going to be fun, heavy, chaotic and informative all at the same time.
19 Dec 2025
A mess of (un)serious struggles, s*x workers for president and fighting joyless feminism with Ishtar Lakhani
In this episode, Tiffany Kagure Mugo sits down with Ishtar Lakhani, and they decide that the pool is a front because sometimes it's OK not to make bad decisions and go to bed early. The episode also tackles how the struggle doesn't have to be serious, the fact that NGOs don't always allow for fun creativity or care. Also running a fake presidential campaign for awareness. Also in this episode, Tiff is a part of the problem.
5 Dec 2025
A mess of shady feminism, pressure for perfection and the ferocious fightback of fascism with Lebo Mashile (Part II)
In this Part II of this pair of messy episodes Tiffany Kagure Mugo continues to chat to Lebo Mashile about how feminists can sometimes be horrible, the deep clap back of facism, holding all the little parts of yourself with love as well as breakdown of her latest offering ‘Women’s Labour’. Also a shout out to our Nigeria cousins. If you haven’t listened to part I go back to that first.
28 Nov 2025
A mess of misogynoir, revolutionary thinking and mid podcast therapy sessions with Lebo Mashile (Part I)
In Part I of this pair of messy episodes, Tiffany Kagure Mugo sits down with Lebo Mashile, poet extraordinaire, playwright, recording artist, performer, and cultural producer, to have some wild and raw conversations. A conversation about art, being born into politics, how art sucks the life force from female bodies, as well as a therapy moment or two.
14 Nov 2025
A mess of A.I mania, funding feminist tech and silicon valley scams with Jac sm Kee
In this messy episode Tiffany Kagure Mugo sits down with Jac sm Kee to chat about feminist tech and Silicon Valley Syndrome, the scam that is an 'equal internet' and why conversations about A.I need to be about more than shouting 'my toaster is getting smart with me.'
31 Oct 2025
A mess of menopause, dating and the isms of the medical world with Mona Eltahawy
In this messy episode, Tiffany Mugo sits down with Mona Eltahawy to talk about transitioning into menopause, figuring out love and dating and how the medical gender gap is out of control. Having agency and control is something that is hard earned (because sometimes it feels like even your body is fighting you), but the goal is to free yourself. And spend more energy on researching the female body and less on making things hard.
23 Oct 2025
Seriously...What Is This Hot Mess?: A mess of a trailer.
Welcome to What Is This Hot Mess? a podcast looking at all the ways the world is hot trash right now and the ways some brilliant feminists are cleaning it up. Sitting with people from all corners of the globe, this podcast hosted by Tiffany Kagure Mugo is an entertaining, insightful and (sometimes) wild ride that tackles a bunch of 'f words': feminists, fascism and a little bit of fun.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Contact What Is This Hot Mess?
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of What Is This Hot Mess??
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
