Fresh Out the Cocoon

Danni, creator of Amapoundcake stopped by to talk about her journey to fat acceptance and her work as an educator and activist in this space! From going viral twerking to critically looking at how the Black community does not show up for fat Black folx like we should, we cover it all! You can find Danni at amapoundcake.com or as @amapoundcake on IG, FB & Twitter!

For this episode, I sat down with Veronica Garnett, a Health at Every Size (HAES), fat-positive and culinary registered dietician to talk about her journey to body acceptance and how it shows up in her work! You can follow her on IG and check out her website at veronicagarnett.com

For episode 4, I sat down with power-lifter Kanoelani Patterson to discuss her journey to body acceptance through power lifting and her life experiences. Kanoelani is best known as @yamalo17 on Instagram as she uses her platform to dispel myths about what larger bodies can do while serving as representation for the next generation. You can find Kanoelani on Instagram and Twitter at: @yamalo17 For a transcription of the episode, please visit https://bit.ly/2MEVEgH Get into this session and be inspired!

I'm baaaaack! This week Marlena Jones, founder of Marlena Jones Illustration, stopped by to talk about how acceptance of her body has spilled over into her business and made her a better artist! You have probably seen her work as she is the lead designer for the Fat Mermaids brand. You can find Marlena's work at: Web - marlenajonesillustration.com IG - @marlensjonesillustration FB - Marlena Jones- Illustration

This month's episode welcomes, Che Monique the founder of Society of Fat Mermaids. Chè is a lifelong fatty. She grew up absorbing messages that she was, “fat, Black and ugly,” and “The Fat Friend.” As a teen she started the unlearning process. Through a lot of time in the mirror, learning and performing first bellydance, then burlesque and now mermaiding, Chè learned to love her body, and its impact on the world. Chè has dedicated her life to “Living Out Loud and In Color” while encouraging others to do the same. FB: @societyoffatmermaids IG: @societyoffatmermaids; @thechemonique Web: www.thesocietyoffatmermaids.com

Season 3 kicks off with a bang! What y'all know about Curve Conscious?!? Guest Adrienne Ray stopped by to chat and discuss what it's like having the ONLY plus-size consignment shop in the city of Philadelphia! About Curve Conscious: Curve Conscious, recently named one of the best women’s boutiques in Philadelphia by Philly.com, is more than just the city’s first plus-size resale store. Owner, Adrienne Ray, has turned her Brewerytown boutique into a space that celebrates the diverse shapes and sizes of its customers while also promoting sustainable fashion at friendly prices. Adrienne graduated from Temple University and worked in advertising as a copywriter for a decade before opening Curve Conscious in 2016. Since then, her mission has been to provide experiences the plus-size community has often been left out of, like a welcoming environment to shop for stylish items at reasonable prices. At Curve Conscious you’ll find gently used apparel, shoes and accessories from familiar brands like Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart, Eloquii, Torrid, Forever 21+ and more. Be sure to follow on FB and IG at @curveconscious Also visit the website at: curveconsciousphilly.com

For episode 6, I sat down with Dr. Lenese Stephens, a native of Alexandria, VA. Dr. Stephens has earned all of her honorary degrees from George Mason and Argosy University, and her research focuses on demystifying the correlation that fat = depressed among Black women. Most recently, Dr. Stephens has started her own practice in counseling, gearing her work towards plus-sized clients, providing a space for us to share our thoughts and grow. You can reach Dr. Stephens via her website on hopefulcounseling.org or by email at hopefulcounseling@gmail.com

Ro'Yale aka Da Queen of Curves stopped by to have a chat! We chopped it up about her career in pole dancing as a plus size dancer, how her life has changed since going viral, and what she does to continue to excel in spite of haters. Ro’Yale's bio: Da Queen of Curves is a plus-size certified pole dance instructor and entrepreneur. With over 35 million internet views, it's safe to say the world has seen her serenade the pole proving that “Sexy has NO Size." She has been poling for 8 years at Vertical Joe's Fitness Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. She has won and placed in several pole dance fitness competitions. Her career background as a rehabilitation therapist with a specialty in Lymphatic Therapy and Kinesio-taping further extends her commitment, love and caring of others. Her passion stems from self awareness. She encourages all women to embrace their feminine mystique! "I'm not for every​body but that's ok with me. What's important is loving yourself no matter what size you are." ~ Ro'Yale

It was super fun having Jai Mobley, founder of Fat Mermaids stop by to discuss her journey of entrepreneurship! Fat Mermaids is quickly becoming a plus size household name that caters to individuals who want to express how they feel through what they wear without apology! Check Jai out on the following platforms: Website: shopfatmermaids.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopfatmermaids IG: @fat.mermaids

When do you know it's time to shift gears in your vision? How do you find your place in a world that delights in cookie-cutter replications of itself? Ms. Aja B stopped by the podcast to break it down by telling us about her our journey to self-acceptance in entrepreneurship! Aja's links: bigbeautifulyoupodcast.com IG: @bigbeautifulyoupdcast & @msajab

For episode 2, I teamed up with Malaika Salaam of Purple Hair and Converse to discuss spirituality and how being Black and fat has impacted this journey. We share some great ideas and laughs about finding our own paths to freedom through spiritual guidance. Find Malaika: FB - Purple Hair and Converse IG - @purplehairandonverse/ @lifeintheintersection

Season 2 kicks off today with an interview featuring none other than the fabulous, Erica Ware! Join me and the "Confidence Coach" as we talk about our lived experiences in these Black fat bodies and how confidence is a gift that springs from the beauty inside of you. No validation needed!

It's the last day of the year aka my birthday! Join me as I do a quick year in review and offer some encouragement to my folk as we embark on the greatness that is 2018!

Finding peace within yourself and your own identity is imperative! In this episode, I discuss the ways that being Black, fat, and caring can lead to labels (like that of a mammy) being placed on us that are undeserved. I also share information on what I do to help maintain balance as a nurturer and giver to avoid burnout!

Is it REALLY possible to accept your body at any size? Does your body lose its worth if it's been through trauma? What about if you look in the mirror and don't like what you see? Join me & The Body Relationship Coach, Ivy Felicia for the first episode of December as we discuss the importance of making peace with your body, her journey to body acceptance, and so much more!

For this episode, I headed out to Brooklyn for the premiere of Fattitude the movie! After 2 hours of happy and somber moments, I headed home to record my thoughts. This is what I had to say!

This week I'm back with comedian and author, Cecily Alexandria as we discuss "cuffing season" and her new book, Vagina Strong: Faith, sex and life through the journey of a virgin.

This week's episode features fat activist, Tiana Dodson as we laugh in between issues about fat activism abroad, her journey to self-acceptance and the fat activism conference.

What does it mean to be "real?" Have you spent time unearthing the treasure that rests on the inside of you? Perhaps you are still wondering where you fit or how to better connect with others? Join me in this episode as I'll be addressing how authenticity is not only a gift but imperative to your mental health and quality of life.

It was great to have Nichelle on the show! Nichelle Gunby from "Some like it NERDY" blog is featured in episode 7 where we talk comics, movies, blerding, Comic Con, and what it's like being in these arenas as a fat Black woman!!

In episode 6 I discuss the subtle ways we often relinquish the magic that is inside of us in exchange for the mediocracy society tells us we should settle for. Encouragement is given to never, NEVER settle or snuff out your shine for the sake of making this world comfortable. Listen. They gon get all these rolls honey glazed in Blackness whether they want to or not!

Whew! What a week we had in Black culture! You know a sista couldn't let this opportunity pass without sharing some of my thoughts! Episode 5 is a lil bit of everything about a lil bit of everything that went down this week! Let's laugh to keep from crying and then go see Girls Trip with the homies! Get into this!

Constantly having to hear about why people are "concerned about our health" is exhausting & when you find that the health and fitness moves folks are making is actually rooted in bogus nonsense that no one should use, it's time to address the foolishness and lay some arguments to rest! Episode 4 gets into all of that, including why the Health At Every Size paradigm is a useful tool and departure from everything that is toxic diet culture.

Sometimes, some things just need to be addressed! Episode 3 is one of those times, and some things include Photoshop & the illusions of the perfect fat body. We gon' also get into the commercialization of Black culture without the representation of Black bodies aka, "The White Girl Gaze."

Listen. East Coast summers are hard lol! If it ain't the heat, it's the humidity! The weather gets extremely disrespectful June - August out here, but have no fear! I got remedies! In this week's episode, I'm back spilling tea on what us fat girls can wear, do and all the places to shop at to beat this heat!

Episode 1: Welcome to Fresh Out the Cocoon! Meet the host, learn about the agenda of the podcast and how to stay connected after each episode!