La Poudre

“La Poudre” is one of the most successful feminist podcasts in French podcasting history. Founded and hosted by journalist and activist Lauren Bastide, the podcast ran from December 2016 to December 2023, becoming a vital platform for feminist thought in the Francophone world.

Origins and Mission

Lauren Bastide was formerly deputy editor-in-chief of French fashion magazine Elle before transitioning to become a feminist activist, co-founding the “Prenons la une” movement (calling for media cover diversity) and the feminist media outlet “Cheek Magazine.” “La Poudre” was born from this background, aiming to provide women a space for expression through long-form in-depth interviews, exploring contemporary feminist and anti-racist struggles.

The podcast’s name “La Poudre” (powder/gunpowder) is itself a pun—referring both to makeup (a symbol of traditional femininity) and gunpowder (a symbol of revolution and power). This naming precisely captures the show’s core tension: examining traditional female experiences while liberating the transformative power contained within them.

Format and Content

Each episode typically features an in-depth conversation between Bastide and an outstanding woman, lasting about an hour. Guests include writers, artists, scholars, political figures, and women from various fields, hailing from France and around the world. Conversations begin with their childhood experiences, extend to career development and creative practice, and ultimately focus on their understanding and practice of feminism.

Core themes include:

• Female Identity and Growth: Exploring how women form self-awareness within family, education, and social environments.
• Career and Creation: Discussing the unique challenges and strategies women face in various fields.
• Intersectionality: Focusing on the intersections of race, class, and gender, with particular emphasis on the voices of women of color and minorities.
• Body Politics: From reproductive rights to beauty standards, examining how women’s bodies become political battlegrounds.

Landmark Interviews

Some of “La Poudre’s” most memorable interviews include conversations with British author Reni Eddo-Lodge (Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race), in-depth exchanges with French politician Christiane Taubira, and countless soul-touching conversations with actresses, directors, and writers.

What these conversations share is sincerity and depth. Bastide doesn’t pursue sensationalism or controversy; instead, she creates a space where women can honestly and meticulously recount their experiences. This approach distinguishes “La Poudre” from many superficial celebrity interviews, making it a truly intellectually substantial feminist dialogue.

Impact and Legacy

“La Poudre” accumulated over 20 million downloads on iTunes, becoming a phenomenal presence in French podcasting. In October 2023, it received the Best Conversation Podcast award at the Paris Podcast Festival. The program influenced not only French listeners—many episodes were also dubbed into English, extending its impact to international communities.

Bastide has published two books based on podcast interviews, further extending “La Poudre’s” influence. More importantly, the show cultivated a generation of French-speaking listeners’ interest in feminism, advancing public discussion about gender equality, intersectionality, and women’s experiences.

For anyone wanting to understand contemporary French feminist thought, “La Poudre” offers a unique window—demonstrating how feminism has developed and evolved within the Francophone world with its distinctive intellectual tradition and political context.