A Map Of My Evolution

Dubbed Pittsburgh's Motivational stripper, Luscious D has been writing and performing since she was in kindergarten and has shared her journey into self-love and acceptance with audiences around the country. Her 2016 performance piece Loving My Reflection sparked her to launch Loving Your Reflection, celebrating it's 6 year anniversary, where she organizes empowerment activities -themed photoshoots, fashion shows, classes, and more. Passionate about changing the narrative of how we view and speak about our bodies, one story at a time, she was inspired to start A Map of My Evolution Podcast in 2020. This podcast was launched in response to rampant online body shaming during the pandemic. A Map Of My Evolution podcast is providing space to showcase stories of ALL bodies and abilities. ALL bodies are valid. ALL stories are worthy of visibility and acceptance. Our collective voices are so powerful !!From burlesque and variety performers to actors and artists, and everyone else in between, A Map of My Evolution podcast will feature a diverse array of guests. Sharing our stories is so powerful and you never know who may be listening and need to hear exactly what you are saying! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jessie Sage is a Pittsburgh-based writer and sex worker and describes herself as an unapologetic fat femme. You can find her writing in the Washington Post, Motherboard, The Daily Beast, Buzzfeed, Hustler and more. She's the co-founder do Peepshow Magazine, and is working on a book for West Virginia University Press on sex work, motherhood, and disability. You can check out more of her work at jessiesage.com. Follow her on twitter/sapiotextual. Photo by PJ Sage. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We will be back from hiatus soon. Stay tuned!! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Dr. Rachel Kallem Whitman is an educator, advocate, and writer who has been shacking up with bipolar disorder since 2000. Rachel is an adjunct professor who teaches courses on unpacking ableism (disability oppression) and her speeches, interviews, and writings on the topic have garnered acclaim locally in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, across the United States, and internationally. Her debut book, “Instability in Six Colors,” paints a vivid picture of what it is like living with chronic mental illness, trauma, and a complicated relationship with sanity, safety, and suicide. Rachel's mission and passion is to create safe learning communities to empower individuals to look beyond their illness to find themselves. You can buy this bipolar narrative through One Idea Press, a woman-owned independent press based out of Pittsburgh, PA, as a paper copy or ebook. For more of her work please be sure to check out Rachel's website seebrightness.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

It's your girl from the depths of the indoors, with the fake air and artificial lights. No stranger to a mic to draw a laugh, or a tune, this lady likes to move a little, too. She has competed as a semi finalist in the 2018 March Madness Standup Comedy Competition at the Pittsburgh Improv, in the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival Amateur Stand Up competition, in Burlypicks for Master of Comedy 2020, and is one of the top 100 voices in Pittsburgh for American Idol in 2011. She has style, grace, and resting bitch face - give it up for the comedy of Arla White! Catch her on stages near you in Pittsburgh and beyond in September! 9-10 HMH Geeks and Gaymers, 9-17 With Blackwater Cabaret in Cleveland for Hot at the Mic , and doing some comedy for 9-24 Loving Your Reflection:Body Stories. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Boobs Radley has been shedding her inhibitions in Chicago's burlesque scene as a solo artist since 2010. While Boobs has performed for decades as an actor and singer, she came to burlesque later than most burlesque performers, making her debut at 39 years old. Her background in musical theater influences Boobs' signature sing and strip – as she likes to put it, “like Rosemary Clooney but more naked”. Boobs has appeared at festivals all over the U.S., including the Vermont Burlesque Fest, Ohio Burlesque Festival, Buxom Blaze Burlesque Festival, Burning City Festival and the Nashville Burlesque Festival. Boobs has also opened her heart (among other things) to produce charity variety shows in support of animal shelters, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights and ending gun violence. Boobs can be seen regularly at The Darling supper club in Chicago. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Bio: Rosie Bourgeoisie is a Montreal born and bred superstar, loving all things shiny and sparkly since the day they first performed on stage at the tender age of five. Their experience on the stage has included dance, burlesque, drag, musical theatre and clown, centering their practice on reclaiming space in the performing arts for bigger and differently-abled bodies. Bringing their passionate energy and imaginative presence to the stage, Rosie combines femininity with queer sensuality to inspire people of all genders and body types to embrace their power and beauty. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Eric isn't a burlesque performer, but he's no stranger to the stage. Eric trained as an opera singer and sang for several years. Although he doesn't sing full time anymore, Eric can be found regularly singing around the Pittsburgh area and teaching young singers. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Voluptuous Lady Boutique caters to the PLus-Sized aka QueenSized Woman. Created from my love of fashion and beauty, and wanting to bring awareness that beauty has no standards we all are beautiful no matter size you are and that being true to herself is the best thing a women could ever do for herself. Shop the fashions at https://voluptuousladyboutique.com/. Get your tickets to CurvSplashhttps://voluptuousladyboutique.com/products/curvsplash-tickets. August 8 from 3PM-7PM. Tickets will sell out! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Pussy DeMunchon is the founder of the Big Girl Burlesque, an award winning Columbus Ohio based burlesque troupe whose motto is "Size has NOTHING to do with Sexy". A body positivity advocate and educator, Ms DeMunchon has performed at the inaugural Buxom Blaze Burlesque Festival, the first all plus size burlesque festival, and has left a glittering trail across Ohio's stages for the last seven years. She is excited to talk with Luscious D on A Map of My Evolution. Get a taste of Pussy DeMhnchon. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Paige Rustles of Portland, Oregon is a queer, disabled femme performance artist and burlesque dancer dedicated to creating pieces that push the norms and challenge the mind. Dubbed “the social worker of burlesque,” Paige has donned glitter like battle armor for nearly ten years, taking to stage to use her body and words to bring joy and create change. She also teaches writing workshops and is a published poet and essayist. As a writer, educator, activist, and performance artist, she believes strongly in the transformative powers of words and performance. You can find her on Facebook under the name Paige Rustles, or Rebel on Page, or at her website rebelonpage.com Upcoming shows: August 10 - "Burlynomicon" (TBD if virtual or in-person in PDX OR) August 25 - "Let Me Be Perfectly Queer" (queer social night) @ Big Legrowlski in PDX OR October 16/17 - Khaos Kats "Wicked Wanderings" virtual show November - Khaos Kats "Rise Up" virtual show (exact date TBD). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Shanna is one of the most senior and less traditional member's of Troupe Faraatha (Fah Rah Than). Shanna dances primarily in American Cabaret style as a member of the troupe but individually her dance style could be described more as Cabaret Fusion. She has combined her training in Ballet, Flamenco, Tahitian, and Brazilian samba, along with her training in tribal fusion, and Egyptian cabaret styles of bellydance. Shanna has studied under many teachers and instructors at various workshops, in her pursuit of knowledge. Currently she studies under Jen Gallagher, Simon Phillips and Emily Bowers at Art in Motion Pittsburgh in beautiful Sharpsburg. Shanna is also an award winning costume designer and wears her own designs on the stage. She believes that every costume is special and must fit the dance and the dancer correctly. She has been known to be the one backstage of a performance making sure everyone is pinned into their costumes properly, and securely. She feels that if a dancer does not feel comfortable in their costume, their performance will show it. She has also tried to encourage her fellow performers to learn the basic skill of hand sewing because one never knows when a pesky hook will decide to break. Shanna can also be found on burlesque stages on occasion as her international woman of mystery alter ego, Marianna Morttease. She uses her theatre training to create a plus size seductress who also has a silly side. Though she has been on break because the Pandemic has been annoying. Shanna is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Arts in Radio Television and Film. When she is not dancing with the troupe she is sharing her love of dance at various shows and workshop galas around the region, or she is in some type of dance class learning more about all the dance world can offer. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Hear all about the DisabiliTease Festival in our chat with the production team!! The DisabiliTease Festival is a multi-day, multi-show festival that showcases performers with both visible and invisible disabilities. Our second annual festival will take place virtually on July 16-18th, 2021. Friday, July 16 at 7pm, Saturday, July 17 at 7pm and Sunday, July 18 at 12pm Central. The mission of the DisabiliTease Festival is to provide a platform for talented people with disabilities to perform in the areas of burlesque, cirque and drag. The festival strives to create a safe and accommodating space for performers to express themselves and receive the validation and recognition they deserve. Our goal is to include a wide variety of performers at the intersection of disability with a variety of genders and variations, ages, sizes, abilities, races and ethnicities, locations, beliefs, and sexual orientations, whenever possible. We strive to provide a safe space for artistic expression and performance and training opportunities. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

The DisabiliTease Festival is a multi-day, multi-show festival that showcases performers with both visible and invisible disabilities. Our second annual festival will take place virtually on July 16-18th, 2021. Friday, July 16 at 7pm, Saturday, July 17 at 7pm and Sunday, July 18 at 12pm Central The mission of the DisabiliTease Festival is to provide a platform for talented people with disabilities to perform in the areas of burlesque, cirque and drag. The festival strives to create a safe and accommodating space for performers to express themselves and receive the validation and recognition they deserve. Our goal is to include a wide variety of performers at the intersection of disability with a variety of genders and variations, ages, sizes, abilities, races and ethnicities, locations, beliefs, and sexual orientations, whenever possible. We strive to provide a safe space for artistic expression and performance and training opportunities. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

In her own words "My name is Lynn but almost everyone calls me Pixie. I'm a 44yo CIS female that does high femme drag! I'm also a hairdresser/ makeup artist whose hobbies include, LARP, karaoke and art. I adore the color purple and never recovered from my 90s grunge days. I struggled with weight issues for over 20 years. I had my stomach removed to prevent cancer in Nov 2019 since then I've lost over half of my body weight in a year". We chat about learning to be comfortable with body changes, the healing power of pets and more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

The Whitefaced Tornado, as dubbed by Tigger!, Viktor Devonne is celebrating 15 years as director of White Elephant Burlesque. Now a Southern California transplant, he is the reigning Mr Hollywood Burlesque. For 5 years, he and White Elephant Burlesque held residence at Rockbar NYC, and now produces the WEBurlesque Home Theatre Edition monthly. He presently hosts the WEBurlesque podcast, now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Catch WEBurlesque At Home 4th Wednesday and 4th Saturdays. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Meet Santana Romero, the drag chameleon from all the way from the city of Glass. He has been gracing the stage for 9 incredible years and has performed all over the Midwest. Santana has prides himself on his versatility. He played with all music genres, does multiple impersonations such as Prince and Bruno Mars, and he always shows his love for dance in every performance. If you are looking to be entertained, Santana Romero will not disappoint. Don't believe me? Just watch! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Thank you so much for tuning in to A Map of My Evolution Podcast during these pandemic times. You are greatly appreciated! To everyone who has shared their stories, thank you for being vulnerable and sharing in this safe space. To my listeners, sponsorships are available if you like what you are hearing. The listener support is active on the podcast. I am happy to speak to anyone interested in sponsorships, in appearing as a guest and more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Katniss Everqueer is the filthy, food-covered performance artist of Green Mountain Cabaret. Whether she's covered in cheesecake or getting paddled on stage, this performer loves blurring the lines between provocative and obscene, between dancer and audience. Her numbers are often interactive and nostalgic, referencing the beloved (Golden Girls, Mad Madam Mim, Wayne's World) to the slightly horrific and bizarre (Silence of the Lambs, Lotso Huggin' Bear, Tammy Faye Bakker, Young Frankenstein). Katniss won 1st place and Audience Favorite in Green Mountain Cabaret's 2018 Newcomers Show and 1st place at Lady Luck Burlesque's 2019 amateur showcase. She's performed across the state, in the Vermont Burlesque Festival, the Fierce Queer Burlesque Festival, EllieCon, and guested with the Screaming Chicken Theatrical Society and Foxy Tann's Wham Bam Nation. Katniss is featured in Miss Eaves's video for the single, "Belly Bounce." She's a proud, fat, queer envelope pusher, and will lick almost anything she can get her mouth on. Upcoming shows: Fierce 6/5 & 6/12 First ever Rutland Vermont Pride, 6/12 Beached Whales, a celebration of fat burlesque and drag, Monkey House, Winooski Vermont Splish Splash, Nocte Covina Burlesque, virtual, 6/18 The Drunk & Under Quarantine Comedy Show, virtual, 6/23. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Alicia Lynn is celebrating her ninth year as a professional artist out of Pittsburgh. Taking the stage name of Sundae Service in 2019, this entertainer, promoter, producer, instructor has been dancing into blessed friendships across the nation from glittering side show sword swallowers to internationally ranked drag and burlesque kings and queens! Touring music festivals, comic conventions, and every type of Hollyburgh film set, a constant observable trend grew into focus for Alicia Lynn. Fellow artists and activists like jazz chanteuse Phat Man Dee and the prolific Liz Berlin of Rusted Root and Mr. Smalls Theater saw it, too. When Man Dee and Berlin assembled Social Justice Disco in 2016, a culturally diverse activist music project reviving the energy of disco with the power of protest songs, Alicia Lynn would get her opportunities to address her concerns. Her role as a dancer grew to include a seat at the table co-hosting workshops in the spiritual and artistic communities to combat cultural appropriation. Knowing the idea can seem intimidating, we can still respectfully come together to take accountability and learn safely together. These crucial conversations are a vital component to the empowerment and uplift of long suffering, exploited, overlooked communities still oppressed by systemic racism. The goal is always to embrace truth and move with grace to give justice where it's due and promote healing for a future we can all share fully and equally. Against the backdrop of plague, projects have continued to find their way to this artist who gives her thanks to God. Like mana from Heaven, Sundae Service has been dancing online. Also, starting a new online store for her handmade jewelry and resin craft keepsakes has been keeping Alicia Lynn busy while virtual shows and other safe opportunities to perform and collaborate have grown into a profound blessing. Stay tuned to see what's next! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Phat Man Dee is a cosmic jazz cabaret vocalist, bandleader, events producer, videographer, poet, freelance sideshow marvel, music educator, and social justice agitatrix. She regularly appears with her jazz group “The Cultural District”, "The Lemington Gospel Chorale" directed by Pastor Deryck Tines, and "Social Justice Disco" a collaborative musical project with Liz Berlin. She performs live approximately 100 dates a year in nightclubs, theaters, educational facilities, private events and festivals. She was voted #1 Best Local Jazz Act in the Best of Pittsburgh City Paper Reader's Poll of 2020. Phat Man Dee's passion for social justice is evidenced by the number of events she has performed for, and organized, to raise funds for and build awareness of important social issues like fighting racism, pursuing environmental justice and peace. In addition to her live performances, Mandee also teaches voice to young people through two musical programs, the We Rock Workshop, directed by Liz Berlin of Rusted Root and Creative Life Support, and the Afro American Music Institute, directed by Dr James Johnson and his wife Pamela Johnson, currently celebrating 35 years in existence. She has been awarded a "Love My Neighbor" grant from Neighborhood Allies to support her all ages, community oriented monthly jam session "Tune It! Tuesdays" which occurs every on the third Tuesday at Black Forge Coffee House. Phat Man Dee is an old-fashioned jazz torch singer with a number of new twists. She sings & duets her original compositions and eclectic repertoire of standards in English, Spanish, French and sometimes German and Hebrew. Her performance range is just as wide, spanning opera, theater and burlesque. From blues to filk, from opera to indie, Mandee's range is nothing short of breathtaking. Her CDs include "Life Just Goes On", "Torch of Blue" and "Merry ChristmaChannaKwanzaa Vol 1.1", "Hey Phat Chick! (Ya Got it Comin' to You!)", and "A Decidedly Creepy EP". During the summer of 2015, Phat Man Dee produced her web video series “Take it to the Bridge with Phat Man Dee” where she jammed with musicians and artists on bridges in a 12 country tour, 15 city tour of Europe. Her most recent full length work was a 12 song CD “Songs to Fight Fascists By!” with "Social Justice Disco", a collaborative musical project with Liz Berlin, co founder of Rusted Root. This excited socially minded creation features over 60 musicians, dancers, and spoken word artists. Since the pandemic she has released two singled "Everybody Hurts" which is a cover of R.E.M.'s composition, "MasQue Up!" which is an original song written as a love letter to the trans and LBGTQIA community, and "Save You, Save Me" which will be available December 11, 2020 and includes musicians from all over the world. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Kicking off Season 2, Episode 1 by chatting with the lovely Sarah Rose! We chat about life during the pandemic, the self-love and acceptance that comes with age, and how to embrace joy in daily life. Sarah Rose is a spoken word artist living on the sunny side of Pittsburgh. She is ranked among the top female poets in the city and has competed at the National Poetry Slam in Atlanta GA. She is a badass single mother of three humans who frequently eat all her favorite snacks and forget to flush the toilet. Sarah Rose was published twice in 2020, raised an entire human to adulthood, and had her first mammogram. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

We chat with NYC based burlesque performer and photographer Regal Mortis about pandemic life, evolving into the person she is today and do a promo for the upcoming 80s Evolution ImprovBurlesque Battle show 4/9 8 PM EST on zoom. She is "The Girl Who'll Make You Stiff" but she'll also answer "The Spanish Harlem Abuelita". Regal Mortis is a Colombian and Apache Native American who came here for social justice and to shake her ass. Her acts and aesthetic demand fat bipoc goth representation in a counterculture that is overwhelmingly thin and white. Regal Mortis is a photographer and burlesque performer in New York City, she is also founder of Regal Pictures, a body positive/fat positive boudoir photo studio in Brooklyn, NY. She's been contributing her brand of Glitter Gore to burlesque since 2015. Regal was a nominee for the Master of Macabre award at The White Elephant Burlesque Silver Tusk Awards (2018). She is a member of Sister Bear Burlesque, an all plus size troupe based in Philadelphia. Regal has performed throughout the East Coast, including the Great Burlesque Expo Festival in Cambridge, MA (2017). She is also the resident photographer for the bi-national dance company, Danse Theatre Surreality based in Paris & NYC. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

On my 44th birthday, I share the map of my evolution. A middle child weirdo from the start, I fell in love with performing at young age. Plagued by self- esteem and body image issues for most of my life, I finally learned to love myself in my mid 30s. Our journey is not linear. Our paths make us different. Every experience is a pin prick in our evolutionary map. My body is healing. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Performing burlesque in the Pittsburgh area (and virtually) since late 2019, we meet Scarlett St. Clair. She also holds a master's in history and is an independent historian, working on a not-yet-published book entitled: "In the Midst of Youth and Beauty: Women in Civil War Arsenals." We chat about the boosted self-esteem that comes from performing and photoshoots, growing up with autism and more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

An artist since the age of 5, Danielle Robinson hopes to encourage conversations with her art. Creating with mediums such as painting and sculpture, her work exudes feminine energy and darkness. We talk about how we evolve, the self-love and acceptance that that comes with age, and much more. Find out more about Danielle and her work at http://www.daniellerobinsonart.com/. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Lakota Shekhar is Owner and CEO of Cleveland, Ohio's Blackwater Cabaret she has been a two time feature in Amazing burlesque and a two time Burlypicks title holder and judge. This published pinup was Ms. February 2019 for Annie Axel's Soap & Salve calendar and a Ohio Pinup two time OH! Girl. Lakota is now a board member of the DisabiliTease Festival. When not performing she's running her online shop Mermaid's End. She is Burlesque's Best Kept Secret! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

In story 25, I had the pleasure of catching up with Sam Logsdon, a Pittsburgh based drag and variety performer (aka Hot Toddy), voice actor and podcast host with Happy Ever After Party. We chatted about finding sobriety in the pandemic, body and identity acceptance and much more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Cherry Pop is a seasoned burlesque performer and pole dancer from Cleveland, Ohio. When she's not shaking her ass for the world to see, you can find her teaching pole at Cleveland Exotic Dance. Cherry's mission is to show the world that all bodies and identities are sexy and deserve to show themselves off! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Tonight we chat with Chris aka Rowan Fyre/The Gothic Celt. We chat about believing in yourself, finding your confidence, the pursuit of alternative modeling and burlesque performance while being uniquely yourself. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Kicking off 2021 with our first guest, Jane the Dame. We catch up on the year behind us, look forward to the year ahead, chat about finding your power in your body and much more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Catching up with Pale Ginger Pear about her 2020 lipedema/lymphedema reduction journey. We discuss her body story, how Pale Ginger Pear came about, and the trials and tribulations of dating while plus size. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Linnea Marie can be described as an enthusiastic advocate for self love and sex-positivity. Throughout the years of working in the medical field and distributing toys through her own website she realized that that was not enough, and decided to become a love teacher and a love dealer. She sought out workshops and certification programs to better assist her clients. She is currently enrolled in the Dr. Rachel Institute for her Certification in Clinical Sexuality Coaching. Through out the years Linnea has tried to empower the masses with knowledge of sex, sexuality, anatomy, respect, consent, and most of all, knowledge of self. She is able to share her knowledge through blogging, classes, and travels. Her ultimate goal is to encourage, educate, and sprinkle sex positive inclusive information everywhere. She has taught one of the most popular seminars, a fellatio workshop at EXXXOTICA which is the biggest love, sex, and relationship convention in the USA. Hosted workshops including Female Orgasm, Fellatio, Sex Toy, and couples workshops up and down the east coast. For more information and bookings check out www.exxxiteme.com. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Maehem Galaxie is one quirky queer cutie! A proud member of the Velvet Hearts! Pittsburgh, they're a nonbinary burlesque and drag performer who's been charming the stages of the 412 since April 2018 and competed in this year's regional Burlypicks! You never know what you're going to get with this sexy space cadet and they're very excited to share their story on Map of My Evolution. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

This afternoon Pucks and I discussed finding self-love during the pandemic and much more! Mx. Pucks A'Plenty is the Director of Junk in da Trunk, the Michelle Obama of Burlesque, and Seattle's Own Mxtress of Thiccness! This roguish radical is always ready to ride whether it be behind the scenes or on stage. Spreading their black queer magic where ever they go, Pucks is always in control. Pucks is also the founder and co-producer behind What the Funk?! An All POC Burlesque Festival and is the co-producer behind FIERCE! Queer Performing Arts Festival 2020. This producer is known for their solo Puckduction productions and their co productions such as A Brief Puckduction, 4 Leaf Puckduction and Nocturnal Puckduction.  The Femme Daddy that your mother should have warned you about, Pucks is not only a performer, but a producer, stage manager and themcee for hire with wit and tit to spare. You may have seen them in VHOF (Virtual Burlesque Hall of Fame) this past August. They have performed in several festivals as well including the Buxom Blaze Burlesque Festival, Savannah Burlesque Festival, FIERCE! Queer Performing Arts Festival, Edmonton Burlesque Festival, They/Them Festival, Disabilitease Festival as well as performed in The Body Political in San Francisco and as a guest performer with Bless Your Heart Burlesque in San Diego and Gritty City Sirens of Tacoma. They are also the current Mx. Congeniality of the 2019 Savannah Burlesque Festival. "The They/Them/Yas Queen of Burlesque" is Mx. Pucks A'Plenty and they have #nopucksgiven.    --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Luna La Crème is a nonbinary burlesque performer, drag king and all over cosmic cutie! Starting their performer life in dance classes as a kid, musicals in high school, and as a Rocky Horror shadowcaster; Luna found their way to the Steel City Burlesque Academy and became a 2014 graduate of the Academy. Since 2014, Luna has been performing burlesque in Pittsburgh and around the United States including in Denver, Richmond, Rochester, and St. Louis. They are a proud member of Hot Metal Hardware, the Smokin Betties, and is a veteran member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Players (Pittsburgh's Rocky Horror Shadow Cast). Luna is also multi-award winning, most recently winning the 2020 Pittsburgh Burlypicks Master of Comedy and Lip Sync, as well as the 2018 Pittsburgh Pride Femme Fatale title. Luna is also co-producer and host of Shine, a digital open stage open to give all performers a place to Shine! They are the tantalizing tiny moonlit pearl of Pittsburgh, Luna La Crème! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

September is PCOS Awareness Month and I am happy to chat with some amazing guests on A Map of My Evolution podcast about their experience with PCOS and how it relates to their body story. I had the pleasure of meeting our next guest back in 2018. I am excited to speak with them and hear their story tonight on Episode 17 of A Map Of My Evolution podcast. Rawiyah Tariq (they/them) uses ritual, massage, storytelling and performance art as tools to liberate, heal and reclaim space for marginalized community. They believe in cohesive and somatic healing practices that align body, mind and spirit. Currently, Rawiyah is living in the Bay Area while continuing work on their book and A Sovereign Embodiment as well as providing care to Black Queer & Trans therapists via Project Ete Sen with Ella Ofori LMFT and launching a Black centered podcast My Black Body Podcast with Jessica Wilson MSRD. Connect to them on social media via facebook, twitter and instagram or follow them at their blog. You can also catch them as a feature in the film Fattitude and Heavenly Brown Body. https://www.instagram.com/mammyisdead/ @mammyisdead https://mammyisdead.com/ https://www.asovereignembodiment.org/ https://www.projectetesen.org/ https://www.myblackbody.org/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

September is PCOS Awareness Month. Our first guest is 30 year old award winning burlesque performer and internationally published pinup model, Eden Ivy. We talk about her PCOS diagnosis at age 19, her journey into the world of burlesque and modeling and how these things have contributed to her body story. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

I had the pleasure of meeting my next guest, Hannah Eko in 2017. She is a writer, speaker, educator and performance artist. We discussed the healing power of writing, self-love, and her upcoming book of essays, Honey is the Knife: Compassion, Pleasure and the Dark Feminine Divine. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Shannon, like me, is in her early 40s. In this episode, we talk about her body journey and how she's come to love and appreciate her body . --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

34 year old CC discusses her journey of navigating self esteem and body image and how doing modeling and zumba have helped her to embrace her body in adulthood. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Black Lives Matter! I have taken a bit of a break since my last episode, but I am ready to come back and use my platform to amplify some amazing Black voices that I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with over the past few years. Stay tuned! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Body positive, Intersectional feminist blogger and influencer Ari shares her multifaceted body journey and talks about how she uses her platform of plus fashion, beauty, advocacy and growth to inspire women of color. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Morrigana Regina is a Pittsburgh based intersectional body positive feminist drag activist. We talk about body love, drag, creating in the digital age and much more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Brandi is a mom, a Baker, and an all around lovely person! We discuss body image pre and post motherhood, finding your sexiness, talking to your kids about bullying and much more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Rose Maywood is a Pittsburgh burlesque performer. We talk about her childhood experiences as a dancer, self-esteem, body image and how her past experiences have impacted her as a burlesque performer. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

CW- mention of suicide and self harm. Ashley Ramos is a body positive, sex positive artist living in Pittsburgh. Join us as we discuss body shame/positivity, art, sex work, and so much more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

33 year old Pittsburgh burlesque performer Sass La Fraise talks about body positivity, burlesque and dealing with disordered eating. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Lesa and I met back in 2017 at one of my Empowerment photoshoots. We talk about the journey of learning to love and making peace with our bodies --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Jinx is a 50 year old burlesque performer from Pittsburgh. She shares insights on weight loss surgery, self-love and seeing the beauty of others inside and out! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support