Plus-Sized Hearts

This episode is a little different in that it gives you a window into the Indian culture but through a dear friend of mine Manisha who lives with me here in Seoul. Manisha and I met at what's called a "carnet class" here in Seoul two years ago. This class was very special to us and when you listen in you'll understand why. I became fascinated with the Indian culture through the very personal artwork Manisha shared during our class together. A former international flight attendant and first time expat Manisha shares why it's so important to hold grace for ourselves so that we can then hold grace for others. She's got a plus-sized heart the size of India.

You get to be a fly on the wall with this episode! It's a fun conversation between two writers, neighbors and friends. I met Carly Anne West when I moved to Seoul and we bonded over the trials, the joys, the ups and downs of the writing life which also then led to a meaningful and lovely friendship built over time taking what I call "walk and talks" together along the Han river in Seoul. One of the benefits of living the expat life is meeting people from all over the world. Carly was a generous and open hearted soul that helped me ease into Seoul my first year. Spoiler alert - it wasn't easy and her experience of living in Seoul already six years at the time helped a great deal. She's an "author of unnerving books" as her website says and isn't afraid of where fear takes us in the creative life. In fact she's kind of made her own genre out it. I loved this conversation and I know you will too! More about the fascinating and talented Carly: Carly Anne West is the author of spine-tingly books for readers of all ages. Carly's debut YA novel published by Simon Pulse—The Murmurings—was described by Shelf Awareness as “the perfect mix of horror and psychological thriller; jaw-dropping,” called “heart-thumping” (Kirkus) and “satisfyingly disturbing” (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books). Her sophomore YA (also from Simon Pulse)—The Bargaining— “rewards patient readers with both frightening action and emotional insight” (Kirkus Reviews) and is “akin to old school Stephen King novels, not to be read before bedtime” (School Library Journal).In her free time, Carly enjoys traveling with family and friends as much as possible, living globally with her husband, two children, giant dog named Belle, and tiny cat named Addie (yes, they're best friends). Shecurrently resides in Seoul, Korea, but grew up in the U.S. in Arizona, calling Nashville, Oakland, Seattle,and Portland home before moving overseas. She holds an MFA in English & Writing from Mills College. Carly on Insta: @carlyannewest Website: https://carlyannewest.comYou can learn more about me

That would be Ontario, Canada this time. This is such a powerful episode! It's guaranteed to leave you feeling just as our closing says, "boosted up with love and joy!"

That would be Toronto, Canada more specifically. This is part of a two-part episode this week with women from two different cities in Canada. What can I say? Canada is having a moment and I'm here for it. Grateful to both women! It took a little longer to get the final set of episodes done and ready. Because I'm a one woman band building my brand, things take a little longer to get done. I'm not complaining because doing this is what keeps my own heart plus-sized.

You know the song that so beautifully starts every episode of this podcast and threads through until the end?The one with perfectly placed notes that takes us on a journey of self-love and belonging? Want to know the behind the scenes of how it was created? The song "Vous Tous (Be You)" was written by the incredible Rachel Adell. She currently lives in London but has had quite the life of jumping on planes and making homes in far flung places. Our conversation will enlighten you on the songwriting process and all the heart that goes into it and what inspires her to keep creating. The process of pairing this song with this podcast was such a "plus-sized heart" thing to do and I'm forever grateful to Rachel for it. Her blog post about it was so lovely! This is a fun and heartfelt conversation about full circle moments and how you never know when you meet someone the first time that you'll be back in touch after a decade because the creative stars align and it's meant to be.

Calling all fashionistas! This one is for you! Truth be told I had to Google where Inland Empire is and the origin of the name which was a bit embarrassing because, I consider myself a rather savvy person when it comes to geography. Fun fact! It's the place where my next guest is from and before you go down the rabbit hole of what this mysteriously named place is, like I did, listen to this super inspiring episode first! Marie Denee is a true OG when it comes to the plus-size movement and industry. She started the website The Curvy Fashionista fifteen years ago and is the sole creator and EIC aka Editor in Chic. I love that title! Since then TCF has been providing reliable, real, and très chic curated content. By sharing the latest plus-size fashion news and updates for all, she's created a community that supports each other highlighting how empowering it is to be yourself. During my book launch she asked for an article about living in Paris and staying empowered. I was happy to oblige. She and I talk about the history of the industry, the current climate, what works and what doesn't but most importantly she offers us all fantastic insight into what it means to hold that entrepreneurial spirit and how to keep it going in a way that is rooted in self-care and love. I learned so much from this conversation and I know you will too! You can find Marie on instagram @mariedenee and on her website mariedenee.com. You can learn more about me

What She Sees (a story investigating body image) is a treasure of a book!

Plus-SIzed Hearts is back! I took the week off last week as I was on a fabulous holiday in Vietnam with the family. Get your hearts in gear as we've got an amazing conversation for you this week! My guest Ruth Manou was my "in conversation" partner during my book launch event in Dublin, Ireland last summer. We start the conversation with some follow up from that book launch discussion as she helps me understand more fully a comment she made about there being a place on this planet where curvy, voluptuous bodies are considered a "snack." How fun is that? I've now told my husband to refer to me as snack from this day forward!

I first met Anne-Fleur Andrle when she reached out to do a podcast with me about my book Plus-Size in Paris. She wanted me to speak French on her podcast and I had to sadly say, "Désolée, non, merci my French isn't good enough." She then asked to interview me for the most amazing article about my book for frenchly.com, where she shared how the book impacted her to bravely open up in a very vulnerable way her story of living plus-size in France. I am so excited to share with you all our conversation! It's so interesting and moves along at such an energetic pace because we are connecting on so many levels. It's one of those conversations that resonates and stays with you. We talk about how the two of us are living lives that are on the same coin but different sides meaning my experience living in France as an expat and her experience of now living in the United States as an expat. The conversation delves into how our lives are similar and how they are different and how the similarities of our respective lives could be hard to understand if they aren't being lived in real time. Plus, you'll never think of the term "small talk" the same way again!

Robin Abcarian with The Los Angeles Times  When Robin asked to interview me about my book for her Op-Ed last fall, I was of course thrilled! To be an indie author launching your first book and have interest from a journalist of Robin's caliber falls into the "dream come true" category of life. Robin and I talked about all the things! We start out with her history writing about the fashion industry including watching some Fendi bag bandits at a PFW, comparing our different times and experiences in France, her journey to what she writes now which are articles that pack a necessary punch to make us think and hopefully compel us to action, what it means to role model empowering body talk for younger girls and how she views her profession as a journalist as one that can offer others generosity and grace. Finally, how she keeps her own heart plus-sized being a journalist is shared with such sincerity. Listen to the end. It'll expand your heart!

Plus-Sized Hearts starts its journey with a very special guest from Korea. Vivian Geeyang Kim is a true trailblazer in Korea's plus-size scene. After attempting to go see a showing of Jeanie Finlay's empowering documentary Your Fat Friend at the DMZ Doc Fest in Seoul I saw that Vivian was on the speakers panel after the showing.   After a couple of DMs and emails, Vivian and I ended up having dinner at a great burger place in a cool part of Seoul and the rest is history. Every time we meet, I learn something from her about staying true to yourself. She is unapologetic when it comes to making sure people (mostly women) in Korea feel seen and heard no matter what their body size. For the past 15 years Vivian has been chipping away at the Korean culture's tendency to completely turn away from people with larger bodies. She's been steadfast in her commitment to bring about awareness that people with larger bodies are people with hearts, feelings and have the right to do as they chose living in the society of Korea, and most importantly they have a right to live without feeling like they don't belong. Try not to tear up at the end when she shares what she does to keep her heart plus-sized. Vivian put her money where her heart is and started her own design house called im66100 and she shares what the name means in this episode. She's also been photographed in major fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle. She appears regularly on TV talking about being plus-size in Korea.  This first episode of Plus-Size Hearts is one you don't want to miss! Here's where you can learn more about Vivian and her ongoing projects: Instagram: @plusmodelThreads: @plusmodelDesign house: www.im66100.comVivian's website: plusmodelkorea.comYoutube: @kimgeeyang You can learn more about me

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