Sounds Fake but Okay

Last updated

Sounds Fake but Okay
SoundsFakeButOkay 2021.png
Presentation
Hosted bySarah Costello
Kayla Kaszyca
Genre Comedy
Society & Culture
LanguageEnglish
UpdatesWeekly on Sundays
Length50–70 minutes
Production
No. of episodes 240 [1]
Publication
Original releaseJuly 31, 2017
Related
Website www.soundsfakepod.com
Original logo of the podcast from its launch to the end of July 2021 Sounds Fake But Okay Logo.png
Original logo of the podcast from its launch to the end of July 2021

Sounds Fake but Okay is a weekly comedy podcast that focuses on asexuality and aromanticism. The podcast is hosted by University of Michigan alumni Sarah Costello and Kayla Kaszyca. Each Sunday, Costello and Kaszyca "talk about all things to do with love, relationships, sexuality, and pretty much anything else they just don't understand." [2]

Contents

In November 2020, it was honored with the 2020 Discover Pods Award for "Best LGBTQ+ Culture Podcast". [3]

History

Costello and Kaszyca met when they were randomly placed as roommates at the University of Michigan. The pair immediately hit it off and became best friends. They did not discuss sexuality during their freshman year; neither Costello nor Kaszyca had fully figured out their identities yet. The summer after their freshman year, Costello came out as aromantic asexual through a Tumblr post which Kaszyca subsequently saw. [4]

After this, the pair discussed sexuality regularly. As Costello had never dated, she had many questions for Kaszyca about how relationships and dating worked. The conversations that resulted from questions like "why would you date someone?" and "what is the appeal of kissing someone?" became the inspiration for the podcast. [5]

Over the course of the podcast, Kaszyca realized that she was demisexual. Though she had begun to question her sexuality during her junior year of college, she did not come to terms with it until later. In episode 19 of the podcast, titled "Accepting Your Sexuality", [6] Kaszyca explained how the podcast and Costello had helped her discover new things about herself. [4]

Format and structure

Sounds Fake but Okay is released weekly on Sundays at 14:00 UTC (10:00am Eastern) and episodes are about one hour long. The topics covered in each episode are inspired by conversations and experiences that the hosts share. [4] Topics range from those serious, such as asexual people's place in the queer community, to lighthearted, such as discussions of fandom or pop culture. [2] The episodes are typically casual, with Costello and Kaszyca frequently going off on tangents or switching topics mid-episode. [5] They announced during their first episode back from their hiatus that they would be taking breaks in the winter and summer. [7]

Though the show generally only features Costello and Kaszyca, they are occasionally joined by guests. Guests have included people the hosts met at school, [8] members of Costello's family (both her sister [9] and her mother [10] ), and other creators and activists in the asexual and aromantic communities. In episode 117, they were joined by Yasmin Benoit, a notable aro-ace activist and model. [11] They subsequently removed this episode from their playlists at the request of Yasmin.

Media and events

Book

On December 8, 2020, the show's official Twitter account announced that Costello and Kaszyca would be releasing a book, focusing on "the aspec lens, asexual relationships, and how the aspec mindset can apply to every aspect of your life." [21]

On February 21, 2023, the book Sounds Fake but Okay: An Asexual and Aromantic Perspective on Love, Relationships, Sex, and Pretty Much Anything Else was published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. [22]

Awards and recognitions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romantic orientation</span> Classification of a persons romantic attraction towards others

Romantic orientation, also called affectional orientation, is the classification of the sex or gender which a person experiences romantic attraction towards or is likely to have a romantic relationship with. The term is used alongside the term "sexual orientation", as well as being used alternatively to it, based upon the perspective that sexual attraction is only a single component of a larger concept.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asexuality</span> Lack of sexual attraction to others

Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. It may be considered a sexual orientation or the lack thereof. It may also be categorized more widely, to include a broad spectrum of asexual sub-identities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demisexuality</span> Only experiencing secondary sexual attraction

Demisexuality is a sexual orientation in which an individual does not experience primary sexual attraction – the type of attraction that is based on immediately observable characteristics such as appearance or smell and is experienced immediately after a first encounter. A demisexual person can only experience secondary sexual attraction – the type of attraction that occurs after the development of an emotional bond. The amount of time that a demisexual individual needs to know another person before developing sexual attraction towards them varies from person to person. Demisexuality is generally categorized on the asexuality spectrum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aromanticism</span> Lack of romantic attraction to others

Aromanticism is a romantic orientation characterized by experiencing little to no romantic attraction. The term "aromantic", colloquially shortened to "aro", refers to a person whose romantic orientation is aromanticism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray asexuality</span> Spectrum between asexuality and allosexuality

Gray asexuality, grey asexuality, or gray-sexuality is the spectrum between asexuality and allosexuality. Individuals who identify with gray asexuality are referred to as being gray-A, gray ace, and make up what is referred to as the "ace umbrella". Within this spectrum are terms such as demisexual, semisexual, asexual-ish and sexual-ish.

This is a timeline of asexual history worldwide. The briefness of this timeline can be attributed to the fact that acceptance of asexuality as a sexual orientation and field of scientific research is still relatively new.

Discrimination against asexual people, also known as acephobia or aphobia when directed at aspec people, encompasses a range of negative attitudes, behaviours, and feelings toward asexuality or people who identify as part of the asexual spectrum. Negative feelings or characterisations toward asexuality include dehumanisation, the belief that asexuality is a mental illness, that asexual people cannot feel love, and the refusal to accept asexuality as a genuine sexual orientation. Asexuality is sometimes confused with celibacy, abstinence, antisexualism, or hyposexuality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yasmin Benoit</span> English model, activist and writer (born 1996)

Yasmin Benoit is a lingerie and alternative model in the United Kingdom. She is also an asexual activist.

The portrayals of asexuality in the media reflect societal attitudes towards asexuality, reflected in the existing media portrayals. Throughout history, asexual characters have appeared in television series, animated series, literature, comics, video games, music, and film.

Queerplatonic relationships (QPR) and queerplatonic partnerships (QPP) are committed intimate relationships which are not romantic in nature. They may differ from usual close friendships by having more explicit commitment, validation, status, structure, and norms, similar to a conventional romantic relationship. The concept originates in aromantic and asexual spaces in the LGBT community. Like romantic relationships, queerplatonic relationships are sometimes said to involve a deeper and more profound emotional connection than typical friendship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Split attraction model</span> Discordance between sexual and romantic attraction

The split attraction model (SAM) is a model in psychology that distinguishes between a person's romantic and sexual attraction, allowing the two to be different from each other.

Free From Desire is a biographical narrative documentary podcast that focuses on aromanticism and asexuality. The podcast was written and created by Aline Laurent-Mayard, and is produced by the French podcast company Paradiso Media.

Allonormativity is the concept that all humans experience sexual attraction and romantic attraction. It is the force which upholds compulsory sexuality, the social systems and structures which privilege or incentivize sexual relationships over single individuals.

<i>Aze</i> (magazine) Literary magazine

Aze is a literary magazine for asexual, aromantic, and agender people that was created in 2016 and publishes issues online. It was formerly known as The Asexual until 2019 when it expanded to include aromantic and agender people. The magazine publishes visual art, poetry, and personal and academic essays on the subjects of asexuality, aromanticism, and agender experiences and their various intersections. It was founded by Michael Paramo.

<i>Loveless</i> (novel) Young adult novel by Alice Oseman

Loveless is a novel written by Alice Oseman. Published by HarperCollins Children's Books on 9 July 2020, the novel follows Georgia as she begins university. Depicting her journey of self-discovery as an asexual and aromantic individual, the novel received positive reception from literary reviewers and media outlets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Paramo</span> American writer

Michael Paramo is a writer, academic, and artist known for founding the literary magazine Aze and for their work examining interpersonal attraction and love with consideration to asexuality, aromanticism, and agender identity. Paramo identifies on the asexual and aromantic spectrum and advocates for people of similar experience to express themselves toward expanding society's ideas of human sexuality, romance, and gender identity. They published a book Ending the Pursuit: Asexuality, Aromanticism, and Agender Identity in 2024.

References

  1. "Sounds Fake But Okay – Episodes". Sounds Fake But Okay. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "About" Archived June 19, 2020, at the Wayback Machine Sounds Fake But Okay. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Goldberg, Kevin (November 9, 2020). "Announcing the winners of the 2020 Discover Pods Awards". Awards.discoverpods.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Francisco, Miriam (December 4, 2018). "'Sounds fake, but okay': Navigating asexuality on campus". The Michigan Daily. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 Kim, Michelle (July 18, 2019). "These Podcasts Are Paving the Way for Aromantic and Asexual Representation" Archived December 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine . Them. Condé Nast. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  6. "Ep 19: Accepting Your Sexuality – Sounds Fake But Okay". Soundsfakepod.buzzsprout.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  7. "Episode 212: We're Back!". Sounds Fake But Okay Podcast. April 21, 2022. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  8. "Ep 6: Awkward Flirting feat. A Friend – Sounds Fake But Okay". Soundsfakepod.buzzsprout.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  9. "Ep 43: Living Up To LGBTQIA+ Stereotypes feat. Sarah's Sister – Sounds Fake But Okay". Soundsfakepod.buzzsprout.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  10. "Ep 66: Parenting Queer Kids feat. Sarah's MOM – Sounds Fake But Okay". Soundsfakepod.buzzsprout.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  11. "Ep 117: An Interview with Yasmin Benoit – Sounds Fake But Okay". Soundsfakepod.buzzsprout.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  12. "Asexuality & Relationships in Star Wars (with Sounds Fake But Okay Podcast) by Friends of the Force: A Star Wars Podcast". Anchor.fm. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  13. "AAW Interview – Sounds Fake But Okay Podcast". Avent.wordpress.com. October 26, 2019. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  14. "Sounds Fake But Okay | Happening @ Michigan". Events.umich.edu. October 21, 2019. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  15. "Aro-spec Awareness Week Interview #5 – Sounds Fake but Okay". Avent.wordpress.com. February 20, 2020. Archived from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  16. "6 Feet of SpACE: An Aro / Ace COVID-19 Relief Fundraiser". Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022 via YouTube.
  17. "Tiltify – Made for Fundraisers". Tiltify.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  18. "UK Asexuality Conference 2020". Sites.google.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  19. "EP. 175 — Sarah Costello & Kayla Kaszyca". Earwolf . January 24, 2021. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  20. Erin Hug (March 7, 2024). "Why Two Friends From Ann Arbor Created a Podcast About Asexuality" (PDF). Between the Lines . Vol. 3210. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  21. "We have some NEWS ..." Sounds Fake But Okay/Twitter. December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  22. Costello, Sarah; Kaszyca, Kayla (February 21, 2023). Sounds Fake But Okay: An Asexual and Aromantic Perspective on Love, Relationships, Sex, and Pretty Much Anything Else. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN   978-1839970016. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  23. "The 14 Best Podcasts of 2023 If You're in the Market for a New Listen". cosmopolitan.com. April 6, 2023. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.