Welcome to Season *FIVE* of Leftist Teen Drama, a podcast for all the girlies who know that “OC” is both shorthand for an organizing committee AND an iconic early 2000s teen drama! Season 5 is filled with a stacked cast of new and returning guests, and I’m happy to announce that, for the first time since 2022, the season has been extended to 10 episodes! We’ve got all our usual suspects: sit-ins and encampments and queer awakenings and class conflict galore. So check out a little taste of Season 5, premiering on Sundays starting October 12 through December 14, 2025.
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/he; art) is a designer + writer based in Richmond, VA. They're currently getting their MFA in Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University, and spend most of their time unsuccessfully scheming how to get off Instagram (@c.s.0.l).
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
Episode Transcript
Welcome to season 5 of Leftist Teen Drama.
(00:03):
A podcast for all the girlies who know that OC is both shorthand for an organizing committee
and an iconic early 2000 Teen Drama.
My name is Maria DiPasquale and I've been celebrating, analyzing, and critiquing political
moments on TV Teen dramas on this podcast since 2021 and whatever you've been along for
the ride for years or just tuning in for the first time, I'm so happy you're here.
(00:27):
Season 5 is filled with a stacked cast of a new and returning guest and I'm happy to announce
that for the first time since 2022, the season has been extended to 10 episodes.
As always, we're diving into a mix of the new school and the old school teen shows,
from a different world, saved by the bell and freaks and geeks, to derry girls,
(00:47):
genera+ion, and we were liars.
We've got all our usual suspects (00:49):
sit-ins, and encampments, and queer awakenings,
and class conflict galore. So without further ado, here's a little taste of season 5.
She's like, oh my god, I did something and made a difference. She's so proud.
High school is a time when feminism starts to come into play.
But like I also think it's the time where you're evolving and being messy and trying things for the first time.
(01:14):
It happens to other people. You say how sad, you say poor thing, but when it's you,
it's something else. It's everything.
I think a lot of people who watch this would be inspired.
Like I really feel like Paige's assault plot line is like essentially an essay on
why the carceral system is failing to bring any sort of meaningful justice to
(01:37):
actual assault survivors.
Teen dramas, like specifically television, teen shows, they allow you to kind of love everyone.
Like when it's done well, there's no like bad people.
Everyone is just a human.
Peterson's doing nothing?
Fine.
Well, are we gonna stand by and do nothing?
No!
(01:57):
Hell no!
What do we want?
Justice!
When do we want it?
Now!
Leftist Teen Drama season five premieres on Sundays, starting October 12th and ending on December 14th, 2025.
Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.
Not good enough.
Isaac can't take his exam,
(02:20):
I won't do my exam.
Yeah, you know what?
We're not moving until it gets fixed.
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