In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the life and work of Judith Butler, one of the most influential voices in contemporary political theory, feminist philosophy, and queer studies. Born in Cleveland to a family of Hungarian and Russian-Jewish descent, Butler’s early training in Jewish ethics paved the way for a groundbreaking academic career at Yale, Berkeley, and the European Graduate School.

We explore the evolution of Butler’s thought, from the revolutionary concepts of Gender Trouble to their recent work on the rise of authoritarianism.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• Gender Performativity: We break down Butler’s seminal 1990 work, Gender Trouble, which challenged the sex/gender distinction and argued that gender is not a static identity but a "st ...