The Magazine Club

ABOUT THE DOCU-SERIES

At the end of 2021, we approached a diverse group of women (52% self-identified as women of color) and asked them, “Do you currently work in an environment where you feel comfortable and confident to fully express your innermost authentic opinions, perspectives and ideas?”. The results? Only 2 out of 50 women responded yes to that question. 

Despite more emphasis on increasing the number of women on leadership teams and boards, women still represent the few and participate at two thirds the rate of men in critical conversations. Just because women have a seat at the table, does not mean their authentic expression is heard, respected, celebrated or welcomed. It’s never been more paramount to ask WHY.

What happens to our communities, organizations and women themselves when women are systemically suppressed? 

The Magazine Club docuseries will document the coming-together of our vision for The Magazine Club (TMC) EdTech platform. Ultimately, it’s the story of what happens when ideas led by women, for women, face head-to-head with complex, systemic issues. It’s hopeful, imperfect, vulnerable and raw.

The 6-part series will explore and include:

• The intersection of incredible ambition and the invisible, systemic, conditioned forces that discourage women from embracing their authentic expression.
• The traumatic effect of systemic suppression in women including burnout, emotional exhaustion and labour force engagement that hasn’t been seen since the 1980s.
• The entrepreneurial journey of Jen & Dani, the Co-founders of TMC and the pilot of the first Magazine Club practice, on camera! 
• Vulnerable and enticing interviews with entrepreneurs, registered psychologists, executives, venture capital professionals and community-builders. 
• Incredible demonstrations of authentic expression including Indigenous Contemporary Dance.

DOCU-SERIES MEETS TECH ACCELERATOR

Since all women are vying for 2% of available venture capital dollars, we had to get creative about what funding was available to us. And piloting our idea through a documentary sounded like a really rewarding option.

The magic of piloting our business through film has been that we're beta testing this in community. And so we're co-creating it together with all of these fabulous humans, our film crew, all of the experts, the women who participated in the pilot and all of the people who are investing in us through this ifundwomen campaign. This is for all of us. So let's make it together.

ABOUT TMC

The Magazine Club™ (TMC)  is a the world’s first unlearning community and practice that teaches all women (cis, trans & non-binary) how to rebuild their relationship with authentic expression to bring vital ideas, perspectives and opinions BACK into critical conversations. How? Each month, we select a magazine anchored in exceptional journalism to deliberate and explore, ultimately re-creating the space where women tend to abandon their deep opinions, ideas and perspectives. Instead, we’ve designed a safer space where women can repair and evolve their relationship with full self-expression.

Our practice makes possible.

Research shows that consistent exposure and experience with systemic suppression (whether in personal or professional lives) has the same impact on the brain as a Big T traumatic event (think: divorce, environmental catastrophes, assault). Ultimately, this leads to women feeling a sense of grief and trauma when it comes to the expression of their unique ideas, perspectives and opinions.

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING

Diversity, inclusion & belonging is deeply connected to the purpose and vision of The Magazine Club. Without it, brave spaces would never be achieved.

We are proud to highlight: 

• The Magazine Club is a completely women-led, women-founded initiative; 
• 90% of the creative team and production crew is women, trans and non-binary individuals; (our 1 cis-man is our graphics designer and we are so thankful for him!)
• A large section of the docuseries highlights the history and prophecy of women in the indigenous culture, as told by a Canadian indigenous actress.

WHY ARE WE LAUNCHING AN IFUNDWOMEN CAMPAIGN?

#nowomanunpaid

• Women are always apologizing for asking to be paid appropriately. So many women who have touched this project have volunteered their time, lowered their rates, done things for ‘at cost’ or donated their services. A large portion of the funds raised will help ensure that these women are appropriately paid.  #nowomanunpaid 
• We chose ifundwomen specifically because it is a platform by women, for women - which is completely aligned with the vision of The Magazine Club. 
• The initial investment of $10,000 from Telus STORYHIVE accounts for 10% of the total docuseries budget. 
• This campaign will enable us to complete our most pivotal and costly elements of editing, fund key musicians and other artists and promote our content to be viewed on larger, more prominent platforms (additional broadcasters & festivals). 
• Ultimately - funding will help us take this rich content to dream-level heights!

HOW TO HELP US REACH OUR GOAL

• Back us on ifundwomen! Whether you donate $5 or $5,000 you are supporting the suppression to expression movement and a women-led initiative come to fruition! 
• Sign up for our newsletter at www.themagclub.org to stay informed on launch dates and future events! Follow us on your preferred social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and Youtube. 
• Share, share, share this campaign! 
• Reach out to us for any reason! If you have any ideas or opportunities to support the growth of our vision, feel free to email us at [email protected]. We are always looking for in-kind donors and larger partners/sponsors.

THE FUTURE

Our vision and ambition with this docu-series is to create a deep level of awareness of the problem of systemic suppression. We see this as a critical component to the future success of The Magazine Club EdTech platform. 

The pressure for women to show up as perfect is paralyzing. I know so many women have incredible ideas that likely will never come to fruition because they have been convinced by the world and themselves that it’s not perfect enough to share or test or try. If we can show up imperfectly with our previous experience as fuel behind us, build this idea, be afraid, but choose to rally a community of support and be really vulnerable about it all, the hope is to inspire other women to do the same. 

We want to lift the veil of imperfection stopping women from taking action and denying the world their brilliance.

IN GRATITUDE AND THANKS

As first-time filmmakers, we could not have completed or even started this docu-series without the immense support of the creative community in Edmonton. 

Our deepest thanks go to Jesse Szymanski of Modern Muse Media. We met with her in a coffee shop on a cold winter day, pitched our idea, and she gave us the “HELL YES” we needed. She wrapped us in support and validated our idea. 

Another woman we need to highlight is Dez Melenka, Co-Founder of The Creative Hive. With only $10,000 to get us going, we knew we needed key sponsors immediately. Dez heard our vision and gracefully donated The Creative Hive space as our main production/filming area. 

Without the support of Jesse and Dez so early in this process - The Magazine Club docuseries would simply not exist.

This is women radically supporting other women. 

Thank you.

PS - We also immensely love our entire crew - please check out our crew section to meet all of the creative minds we are so thankful for!

BUDGET

Here is how we will allocate the raised funds.