Podcasts about modern herstory

In thisspecial episode ofWhy Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo sits down withBlair Imani, historian, educator, and author ofRead This to Get Smarter. Known for her viralSmarter in Seconds series, Blair breaks down complex topics in an accessible and engaging way. In this conversation, Blair shares her journey as an advocate, the role of education in driving change, and the importance of challenging misinformation. She also discusses her experiences in activism, the impact of storytelling on social justice, and how we can all contribute to making the world more inclusive.Key TakeawaysEducation is a powerful tool for dismantling bias and promoting social justice.Smarter in Seconds demonstrates how breaking down complex topics can make learning accessible to all.Understanding history and systemic injustices is essential to creating meaningful change.Allyship requires more than just words—it demands action and accountability.True allyship involves continuous learning, amplifying marginalized voices, and taking action to support communities.Challenging misinformation and recognizing privilege are crucial steps toward fostering an inclusive society.Highlights:Blair's Journey to Activism –From being arrested during a protest to becoming a globally recognized educator, Blair shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career.Making Complex Topics Accessible – Blair explains the philosophy behindSmarter in Seconds and why bite-sized education is essential in today's digital world.Challenging Myths and Misinformation –Blair discusses how she debunks historical and cultural misconceptions, such as the real origins of Thanksgiving.The Power of Identity and Intersectionality –Blair reflects on how race, gender, and faith have shaped her advocacy and storytelling.What It Means to be an Ally –Blair shares practical ways to support marginalized communities beyond performative allyship.Education as a Tool for Change –Blair highlights how knowledge can be a powerful driver for equity and justice in both social and political spaces.Guest BioBlair Imani is a historian, educator, and social justice advocate known for making education accessible through her viralSmarter in Seconds series. She is the author ofRead This to Get Smarter,Modern HERstory, andMaking Our Way Home, books that explore history, identity, and activism. A sought-after speaker, Blair has collaborated with institutions like Sephora, Meta, and Adobe and has interviewed icons like Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem. Through her work, Blair continues to inspire critical thinking, inclusion, and positive change.LinksBlair's Website:Blair's Book:⁠to Get SmarterBlair's Socials:LinkedIn | Instagram |You Tube |TikTokNadia Nagamootoo: LinkedIn | InstagramAvenir Consulting:⁠https://linktr.ee/avenirconsultingservices

On this episode of CherryPop, Meg welcomes educator, advocate, and author Blair Imani.  “If you're a lonely kid who has to eat lunch at the library, like I did, it just feels like that's gonna be your life forever. So, if someone can tell you a real-life story of somebody who was in that situation and overcame it, it can help you be like, ‘Okay, right now, I'm in my cocoon phase and, one day, I'm gonna bloom and become this beautiful butterfly'.” -Blair Imani The “Smarter in Seconds” creator shares the value of boundaries, personal space, and implanting strategic vulnerability. She also talks about her love for biographies, the fine line between disruption and curiosity, and the power of collaborating and honoring people's time.  “I think one of the biggest things that capitalism and white supremacy culture tell us is that we can't work with our friends. We can't work with our family. And for a lot of folks who are marginalized [...] we don't have the option of not doing that. We don't have all the same opportunities; we have to make things work. And so it's all about having boundaries, all about building trust.” - Blair Imani  Learn more about Blair Imani by visiting her website, joining her on social media @blairimani, and reading her books: Making Our Way Home (2020), Modern HERstory (2018) CherryPicks is the best place to see what women think about movies, tv, and more. CherryPicks highlights reviews and original stories exclusively from female and non-binary writers. www.TheCherryPicks.com Follow CherryPicks on Instagram and Twitter.  @thecherrypicks Follow your host Meg McCarthy on Instagram   @megjomccarthy Music composed by Honor Nezzo. CherryPop is executive produced by Miranda Bailey and Rebecca Odes, produced and hosted by Meg McCarthy, and edited by In Haus Media

I sit down with historian and educator Blair Imani Ali to discuss her work. She shares how having parents as social workers affected her outlook on the world, what modesty in action means to her, what its like to have half a million eyeballs on you overnight and why calling out antisemitism in progressive spaces is so important. Blair Imani (she/her) is the creator of the viral web series Smarter in Seconds. She is the LA Times Bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter and Head of Education at Feminist for All. She is also the author of Making Our Way Home and Modern HERstory. Her scholarship spans intersectionality, gender studies, race and racism, sociology, and United States history. As a public speaker, Blair Imani has presented at universities including Oxford and Harvard. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Tegan and Sara Foundation. She lives in Los Angeles, California. @blairimani Blairimani.com Click here to join the Impact Fashion Whatsapp Status Click here to see my collection of dresses. Click here to get the Secrets Your Tailor Won't Tell You Click here to see my maternity friendly pieces. Click here to listen to The Jewish Money Matters Podcast To hear more episodes, subscribe and head over to Impactfashionnyc.com/blog/podcast. Be Impactful is presented by Impact Fashion, your destination for all things size inclusive modest fashion

The most wide-ranging conversation on this podcast! Activist and educator Blair Imani talks to us about topics spanning racism, religion, mental health, marriage, and so much more. You will learn... how subtle racism can show up and what to do about it why Blair chose to convert to Islam how to feel your feelings AND move forward - ways to intentionally approach marriage with feminism at the forefront If you made an anti-racist promise in 2020, this is your reminder that there is still tons of work to be done in 2023 and beyond. Blair Imani (she/her) is the creator of the viral web series Smarter in Seconds. She is the LA Times Bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter and Head of Education at Feminist for All. She is also the author of Making Our Way Home and Modern HERstory. Her scholarship spans intersectionality, gender studies, race and racism, sociology, and United States history. As a public speaker, Blair Imani has presented at universities including Oxford and Harvard. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Tegan and Sara Foundation. The New York Times praises Blair Imani's unique ability to create “progressive lessons with vibrant visuals and a perky, quirky delivery.”   Her work centers women and girls, global Black communities, and the LGBTQ+ community. As an educator, influencer, and semi-retired organizer, Blair Imani is dedicated to making the world less terrible and amplifying the voices and work of those fighting the good fight. Learn more about Blair Imani by visiting blairimani.com. Follow Blair on Instagram: @blairimani  Get Blair's book, Read This to Get Smarter: https://blairimani.com/read-this-to-get-smarter And if you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and share it on social media! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @blairimani Mentioned In This Episode... Reclaiming Our Space by Feminista Jones: [http://reclaimingourspace.com

Glory Edim is the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a book club, digital platform and now a podcast that celebrates the uniqueness of Black literature and sisterhood. Her Well-Read Black Girl Anthology was named a best book of the year by the Library Journal and her latest release, On Girlhood, was one of NPR's Best Books of 2021.  Blair Imani is an award-winning educator, historian, influencer and the LA Times best-selling author of three books: Read This To Get Smarter, Making Our Way Home, and Modern HERstory. Glory and Blair share their joyful perspectives on literature as a tool for healing, the continuing work of self-discovery, and their delight in making diverse stories accessible to all.

My guest today, Blair Imani, grew up in a house where sitting quiet in the face of any level of injustice was just not an option. Whether it was advocating for the needs of a sibling or standing up to right a wrong in her community, her parents set a powerful example and invited Blair to always rise to the challenge. And that's exactly what she's done. But, along the way, Blair also discovered, there are different ways to make a difference, and we each need to figure out how to take up the mantle of change, while also honoring our unique circumstances and needs, and that includes acknowledging our own, very personal psychological and physical wellbeing. Building on this, Blair transitioned from organizing and activism to focusing on education, but in a way only she could do - harnessing the power, reach, interactivity and visual impact of social media by creating short, punchy, informative and entertaining bursts of wisdom and inspiration she calls her Smarter in Seconds series, which, at this point, has become a global movement.Now a writer, mental health advocate, award-winning educator, and historian living at the intersections of Black, Queer, and Muslim identity, Blair is the bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter, Making Our Way Home, and Modern HERstory. Her scholarship spans intersectionality, gender studies, race and racism, sociology, and United States history. She has presented at Oxford, Stanford, and Harvard, serves on the Board of Directors for the Tegan and Sara Foundation, and been featured in The New York Times and tons of other outlets.You can find Blair at: Instagram | WebsiteIf you LOVED this episode you'll also love the conversations we had with Austin Channing Brown, about how we create the world around us and how we bring ourselves to it from a place of equity, dignity, and justice.Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book Sparked | My New Podcast SPARKEDAura Frames: The world's smartest digital picture frame. Aura is an easy and beautiful solution to instantly frame photos from your phone. From now until Mother's Day, listeners can save on the perfect gift and visit auraframes.com. Use code GOODLIFE to get up to $40 off while supplies last. Terms and conditions apply.Air Doctor: Capture contaminants and chemicals with a medical-grade UltraHEPA air purifier that's 100X more effective than ordinary purifiers. Go to airdoctorpro.com and use the promo code GOODLIFE and you'll receive a 35% discount on their classic AirDoctor 3000 purifier. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We chat with the wonderful Blair Imani, educator and author of Read This To Get Smarter, Making Our Way Home and Modern HERstory. We're always looking for ways to get smarter, kinder, healthier and sitting down with Blair delivers. Her work centers on women, global Black communities and the LGBTQ+ community. Her Instagram Reels series “Smarter in Seconds” — has amassed over 50 million views and was praised by The New York Times for her unique ability to create “progressive lessons with vibrant visuals and a perky, quirky delivery.” Get ready to be inspired by Blair and her dedication to making the world a better place. Connect with Blair!https://blairimani.com/books/https://www.instagram.com/blairimani/https://www.youtube.com/blairimanihttps://www.facebook.com/blairimaniLINKS N' THINGS: Thanks to our friends at ADT for making it possible for us to share these stories in a safe and secure place, At Home. https://www.adt.com/AtHomeHello Makers!If you're a maker and would like to be considered for a Maker Moment on At Home, please send us a DM on social and fill out this questionnaire. We can't wait to see what you're making!https://bit.ly/hellomakerCheck out our first Makers Episode!https://athomepodcast.net/episodes/makersText 310-496-8667 with your questions for #AtHomePodcast !If you've enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, rate and share with a friend! Thank you for being a part of the At Home community! Connect with Linda & Drew: instagram.com/athomeinstagram.com/imlindorkinstagram.com/mrdrewscott#AtHomePodcastTHEME SONG BY: Victoria Shawwww.instagram.com/VictoriaShawMusic Chad Carlsonwww.instagram.com/ChadCarlsonMusic MUSIC COMPOSED AND PRODUCED BY:Rick Russohttps://www.instagram.com/rickrussomusicSpecial thanks to all our At Home homies: PRODUCERS:Brandon AngelenoHanna PhanPOST AUDIO ENGINEER:Chris CobainNicole SchacterDIGITAL PRODUCER:Cortney EwonusWEBSITE:Wesley FriendSERIES PHOTOGRAPHER: Dennys Ilicwww.instagram.com/dennydennSponsored by:ADT: It's important to have not just a beautiful home -- but a smart and safer home.https://www.adt.com/AtHomeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Blair Imani is the LA Times Bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter. She is an award-winning educator, historian and influencer. She is also the author of Making Our Way Home, and Modern HERstory. Her scholarship spans intersectionality, gender studies, race and racism, sociology, and United States history. She has presented at universities including Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, Duke, and many more. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Tegan and Sara Foundation, and on the Board of Trustees for Muslims for Progressive Values. The New York Times praises Blair Imani's unique ability to create “progressive lessons with vibrant visuals and a perky, quirky delivery.” She was named to the Root 100 in 2019 and OUT 100 in 2018. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 205 Blair Imani Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund are honored to have as our guest, Blair Imani. Blair Imani is a critically-acclaimed educator and author of Read This To Get Smarter, Making Our Way Home, and Modern HERstory. Blair's work centers on women, global Black communities, and the LGBTQ community. Her Instagram Reels series “Smarter in Seconds” has amassed over 50 million views and was praised by The New York Times for her unique ability to create “progressive lessons with vibrant visuals and a perky, quirky delivery.” She has presented at Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, Duke, and more. Blair is dedicated to making the world a better place and amplifying the voices and work of those fighting the good fight. Website: https://blairimani.com Order Books: https://blairimani.com/books/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairimani/?hl=en Note: Guests create their own bio description for each episode. The Curiosity Hour Podcast is hosted and produced by Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund. The Curiosity Hour Podcast is listener supported! The easiest way to donate is via the Venmo app and you can donate to (at symbol) CuriosityHour (Download app here: venmo.com) The Curiosity Hour Podcast is available free on 13 platforms: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, Soundcloud, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Podbean, PlayerFM, Castbox, and Pocket Casts. Disclaimers: The Curiosity Hour Podcast may contain content not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion advised. The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are solely those of the guest(s). These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of The Curiosity Hour Podcast. This podcast may contain explicit language. The Public Service Announcement near the end of the episode solely represents the views of Tommy and Dan and not our guests or our listeners. Tommy and Dan requested and were provided with a review copy of the book in preparation for interviewing Blair Imani. Thank you to the publisher and Blair for providing us with these books!

This week we have the pleasure of welcoming Blair Imani, critically-acclaimed educator and author of Read This To Get Smarter, Making Our Way Home, and Modern HERstory to the show. We discuss cancel/accountability culture, intersectionality, and how her upbringing prepared her for her micro-learning series, Smarter in Seconds. Check out Blair's Book-Mas list below.Shoutouts:Shana:  ShawnG Originals. ShawnG is a self taught oil painter and designer from Brooklyn. Follow them @mrsoriginals and buy their stuff!Kris: Actor/Advocate Brian Michael Smith for being the First Trans Man in People's 'Sexiest Men Alive' last month. Follow Brian on IG @the_brianmichaelBlair: Rain Dove - IG @RaindovemodelDr. Shay-Akil McLean - IG @hood_biologistDr. Sarah L. Webb - IG @colorismhealingBook-Mas List Shon Faye: The Transgender Issue Jen Winston: Greedy: Notes from a Bisexual Who Wants Too MuchAlok Vaid-Menon: Beyond the Gender BinarySchuyler Bailar: Obie Is Man EnoughMore ways to follow Blair Imani:Website: https://blairimani.com/Pateron: https://www.patreon.com/blairimaniYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/blairimaniBad Queers is co-hosted by:Shana Sumers: @shanahasagramKris Chesson: @kris.chessLet's keep in touch:Email us for advice at badqueers@theherapp.com or DM on InstagramFollow us @badqueerspod on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Tik TokShop for official Bad Queers ApparelLove our soundtrack? Check out Siena Liggins: @sienaligginsShoutout to our sponsor HER App

We are so excited to have Blair Imani join us today. Blair is an author, educator, and influencer living at the intersections of Black, Bisexual, and Muslim identity. She is the author of "Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream", and "Modern HERstory". Her most recent book, "Read This To Get Smarter", is inspired by her viral 30-sec microlearning series, Smarter In Seconds.  Joining us today is Aleeza Kazmi, one of our Immigrantly content writers.  This episode is sponsored by Stamps.com Producer & Host: Saadia Khan Associate Producer & Content Editor: Kylee Roberts Content writer & Cohost: Aleeza Kazmi Editor: Tom Whelan Follow us on Twitter and IG  

Author, speaker, historian, educator and influencer Blair Imani joins us this week to chat about her new book READ THIS TO GET SMARTER. Blair is also the author of MAKING OUR WAY HOME and MODERN HERSTORY, and she is the creator of the infamous Instagram Reel Series "Smarter in Seconds". Follow Blair's Journey: Instagram: @blairimani Website: https://blairimani.com/books

This episode we discuss The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Marie’s pick). We dive into controversial aspects of the book that have caused it to be one of the most frequently banned books, including LGBTQ themes, violence perpetrated by black men, and sexual explicitness. We also chat about some of the topics we found most poignant throughout the book: historical context, character development, gender expectations, white Christian missionaries, and more. We enjoyed the characters’ evolving perspectives about God’s skin color and women in pants! This month’s genre was Lee’s pick: feminist/female lead. Make sure to listen all the way through to find out next episode’s genre and book pick - read along with us this month and join us next episode for our discussion!*This episode was recorded in February 2020.------------------Check out these books mentioned on the show!Previous Drink A Book book club picks:Give a Sh*t by Ashlee PiperThe Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk KiddOther books mentioned:JO - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison; The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer; Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidLEE - Am I Overthinking This? by Michelle Rial; Shrill by Lindy WestLOREN - Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston; Vicious by V.E. Schwab; The Witches Are Coming by Lindy WestLYNN - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou; Modern HERstory by Blair Imani; Good and Mad by Rebecca Traister; All the Single Ladies by Rebecca Traister; Drop the Ball by Tiffany DufuMARIE - Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor; I Am Malala by Malala Yousafszai------------------We want to connect with you! Email us at drinkabookpod@gmail.com, follow us on instagram @drinkabookpod, and visit our website at: https://drinkabookpod.buzzsprout.com/------------------Our episodes are created, written, and edited by us: Jo, Lee, Loren, Lynn, and Marie.Our music is by Stephanie Trivison.Our episodes are produced by our very own Loren, who also designed our logo.Cheers!

There’s a big difference between creating a following and cultivating a community. And I think it's safe to say that most big brands are only interested in followers. They want to build big lists. They want big follower counts. They want more and more eyeballs on their product so they can sell more. It’s more about the product than it is about the people. But what if you want to break the rules, ditch the status quo, and do something bold and different instead? That’s exactly what my guest today is doing and it’s what’s setting her brand apart. Michelle Cordeiro Grant founded LIVELY in 2016. Her idea was for a brand of lingerie, loungewear, and swim that was a reflection of its community. From the beginning, they were committed to creating an ambassador program that wasn't concerned with follower counts. Instead, they focused on women who were living LIVELY’s brand values of self-love and self-acceptance. Quality over quantity was where they hedged their bets. And, those bets paid off. Between the time that we had Michelle speak at Rebelle Con back in 2018 and the time of this interview in 2020, LIVELY was acquired for a reported $85 million. Listen to the full episode to hear: The story behind when Michelle realized there was a gap in the space of marketing and fashion that celebrated women as individuals—and thus LIVELY was born Why LIVELY’s brand ambassador program celebrates women who are passionate about living a purposeful, competent life rather than by demographics What inspired Michelle to start the LIVELY podcast, No Makeup Needed How Michelle pivoted in 2020 from planning to expand retail to launching loungewear and creating content around being comfy at home and how to take care of yourself Learn more about Michelle Cordeiro Grant: LIVELY The LIVELY Podcast: No Makeup Needed Follow Michelle on Instagram LIVELY on Facebook LIVELY on Instagram LIVELY on Twitter LIVELY on Pinterest   Rebelle Member Spotlight – Elisabeth Edelman: Golden Word Golden Word on Instagram Learn more about Shannon Siriano Greenwood: Rebelle Community Rebelle Con Follow Rebelle Con on Facebook Follow Rebelle Con on Instagram   Rebelle Shout Out: Cate Luzio Blair Imani, author of Modern Herstory; follow Blair on Instagram

This episode we try to reduce our carbon footprints with Give a Sh*t by Ashlee Piper (Lee’s pick). We discuss veganism, being a plant mom, fast fashion, plastic packaging, reusable products, factory farms, and more! We even reveal our stance on the oxford comma. This month’s genre was Marie’s pick: self-help. Make sure to listen all the way through to find out next episode’s genre and book pick - read along with us this month and join us next episode for our discussion!------------------Check out these books mentioned on the show!JO - Modern HERrstory by Blair Imani; Landline by Rainbow Rowell; Eleanor & Park by Rainbow RowellLEE - Unladylike by Cristen Conger, Caroline Ervin, and Tyler Feder; Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-SpiresLOREN - Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuistonLYNN - Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer; Modern HERstory by Blair Imani; Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-SpiresMARIE - How to Train a Wild Elephant by Jan Chozen Bays; The Color Purple by Alice Walker; Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell------------------We want to connect with you! Email us at drinkabookpod@gmail.com, follow us on instagram @drinkabookpod, and visit our website at: https://drinkabookpod.buzzsprout.com/------------------Our episodes are created, written, and edited by us: Jo, Lee, Loren, Lynn, and Marie.Our music is by Stephanie Trivison.Our episodes are produced by our very own Loren, who also designed our logo.Cheers!

If you're with me on this Social Justice learning journey you are likely experiencing a myriad of feelings and emotions. And those be may be triggering you. I know I certainly have. In today's episode I''ll dive into what social justice educators say about it, plus, we are hearing terms, such as race, ethnicity, racism, discrimination, prejudice and oppression. And today I'd like to focus on oppression, what it means, and how it shows up.  Join me by tuning in today! Below are 4 anti-racism educators and activists you can learn more from. I'll continue to share resources weekly! Rachel Cargle - As an academic, writer, and lecturer, Rachel Cargle explores the intersection of race and womanhood on her public platforms. https://www.rachelcargle.com/  Ijeoma Oluo - Ijeoma Oluo is the New York Times bestselling author of “So You Want To Talk About Race,” whose work focuses on race and identity, feminism, mental health, and more. http://www.ijeomaoluo.com/ Blair Imani - Historian and advocate Blair Imani's work centers women and girls,  global Black communities, and the LGBTQ community. She's written two  books (“Modern HERstory” and “Making Our Way Home”) and is preparing to launch a 10-week anti-racism course. http://blairimani.com/ The Conscious Kid - If you're wondering how to talk to your children or students about race  and racism, The Conscious Kid offers books, resources, and tips for  hosting the conversations. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit also goes further on its Patreon, where you can become a monthly contributor for $5 or $10.  https://www.theconsciouskid.org/

Blair Imani, founder and executive director of Equality for Her and author of MODERN HERSTORY, shares her story of coming out as queer on national television and of how the LGBTQ community is beautiful, much like the rainbow that represents them .

This week, Erin and co-host Liz Ryan dive into true stories of awesome women, femmes and gender nonconformists through the books Bygone Badass Broads by Mackenzi Lee, Brazen by Penelope Bagieu and Modern Herstory by Blair Imani. We talk about how these books differ from those we've seen in the past, some of our favorite badass broads and why we might be seeing a rise in compilations like this! We also answer two questions about library life: What is the grossest thing you've found in the stacks? What is your favorite resource? And one from the Jar of Teen Angst: Did you have any enemies? And don't forget you can join the conversation, share stories, ask questions about library life or add questions to our jar of teen angst at teentitletalk@gmail.com

In this episode, Abbe sits down with Modern HERstory author and activist Blair Imani. Next, the Read it Forward editors come up with read-alikes for The Handmaid's Tale and also proffer books that feel like their favorite holiday movies.

My sister, Gretchen, and I are giving you a gift guide like no other. And by that I mean, it is not super organized, it doesn't touch on every category, and the list is mostly things that Gretchen and I want to receive. Having said that, I think there are some awesome things on this list! Women-owned! Minority-owned! Locally-owned! Ethical businesses!**Real quick.. a few other gift guides I love… Jen Hatmaker 2018, Jen Hatmaker 2017, Big Boo CastI have found THE BEST lipstick. The Lip Bar! My fave is the liquid matte style. But if you're a traditional lipstick gal or a gloss gal, The Lip Bar has you covered. My fave safe color is Unimpressed. My fave take-a-risk color is Crown-Me. These are not animal tested and vegan. And The Lip Bar is a Black-owned, woman-owned business based in Detroit. Love it!Gretchen is forever devoted to drugstore cosmetics. She loves Morphe lipstick. Check out the cute packaging. We both love cute packaging. I've been trying to get her to try BeautyCounter. I love this company and for a really cool gift, I love giving the eyeshadow palettes especially if you're giving to a young person just starting to navigate makeup. If you're wanting to really pamper someone on your list, give them the Cleansing Balm. Swoon.I know there is an artisanal soap around every corner but I'm telling you, Maggie Ann Soap Co. is in a league of their own. This is a woman-owned business local to Grand Rapids. My favorite products are the Mermaid Lagoon soap, Chill Pill bath bombs, and Dog Shampoo bar. These are perfection for gift giving and stocking stuffers. You can also pick them up at the Bridge Street Market.Gretchen loves Boll and Branch bedding. I know you have ratty ol' sheets you've been meaning to switch out so if you're gifting someone else or yourself, these sheets look divine.My next recommendation is for all things Shannon Cohen. She is an incredible leader and motivator and has a whole line of cards, journals, and prints that will make any gift recipient feel seen and heard. I think they're perfect for your co-workers, friends, 20-somethings. Really anyone. I love them so much!Gretchen's next recommendation is for a big splurge super special gift. It is a bag from B. May bags. These are gorgeous leather bags. Here's Gretchen's fave (boring) and my fave (exciting).Up next is We Are Lit. I cannot get enough books and locally owned, woman-owned independent bookstore books are the very best. We Are Lit is a curated collection of multicultural books but Kendra, the owner, can order any book she doesn't already have in her collection. Just message her! The books will come wrapped in brown paper and love. She also has an audio book service called Libro.fm. So your traditional and audio book lovers are both covered.We both love businesses that give back and Gretchen is recommending a restaurant in Traverse City that does just that. The Good Bowl. Lots of you travel to the Traverse City area or know someone there so check them out or send your up north loved one a gift card.Two more local GR businesses that I love are Liv Styled and Polished Nail Bar and Spa. Liv is a closet magician and personal stylist. She does all things style related and is the nicest human. You could give absolutely anyone the gift of Liv's services and you'll be a gift-giving hit. Polished is the coolest nail place and would be the perfect place to get your fave gal a gift card. Branch out and support a local business!The next recommendation is still mine because I'm the host and I can just keep going… Shanalee Hampton makes the coolest stitched art for your activist, empowered, bad ass friend. Her hand-stitched art says the things we want to say! This one is one of my favorites.And I'm on a roll… My next recommendation is Chaotic & Collected. This woman-owned shop makes handmade garlands and party decor. She has all of the usual things (birthday, holiday, etc.) and so many more fun things that you never knew you needed. Check out her site and I know you'll find something you need.We're headed back to a fashion pick… Everlane. Gretchen loves their cashmere crew sweater and their high wasted skinny jeans, and their black suede kitten heels. Everything at Everlane is made with ethical business practices and fair wages. You can see the actual factories that make the items right on their site. Gretchen mentions another fave cashmere sweater from Uniqlo.I'm coming back with a book recommendation that you could gift to a kiddo or grown up alike. It is called Modern Herstory. It is jam packed with 70 world changing women, girls and non-binary people who have shaped history. I have LOVED sharing this book with my kids because I can introduce them to world-changers and educate myself on these amazing people. It is a gorgeous book with beautiful illustrations and would be at home on a bedside table or coffee table.And the last gift is the Because of Them We Can Box. This box launches in the next few days so follow the link to get signed up for updates on when it is available. Every month, your kiddo can get a box in the mail (they love mail!) all about Black History and Excellence. Love this!I also talk about donating to causes in honor of someone on your list. I would love this as a giftee! Two of my favorite organizations are Together Rising and Donors Choose.So there you have it. I could make gift recommendations for days! Let gift giving be a source of connection this year. Don't make it a drag or just get something because you think you have to. Do it up right with meaningful gifts and if actual gifts aren't in the budget, just take the middle seat. Make someone feel seen and heard. I promise you'll both feel the gift and the magic in the middle seat.

Who motivates you to “level up”? Behold our Brooklyn interview with author and radical historian Blair Imani. If you’ve never heard her story, start here, and don’t stop paying attention to her pivotal work and contributions across movements. You’ll be inspired and energized to be as bold as Blair, and she and others would love to see you in the fight for inclusion, justice and equality! Purchase Blair’s new book, “Modern HERstory” here: https://blairimani.com/books/ Follow Blair on Instagram and Twitter: @blairimani Support our show with any dollar amount monthly to keep us going by becoming a Weapon of Choice Member at this link: https://www.patreon.com/weaponofchoicepodcast One-time contributions can be made here: https://www.paypal.me/weaponofchoicepod Please rate and review Weapon of Choice Podcast on Apple Podcasts/iTunes! Follow us on social media here: Facebook: @weaponofchoicepodcast Instagram: @weaponofchoicepodcast Twitter: @weaponchoicepod Email us: weaponofchoicefans@gmail.com Weapon of Choice theme song by Renée Copeland Brought to you by Special Menu Productions

Today you will be listening to my conversation with Blair Imani and Monique Le. The two of them have collaborated to create their first self published book entitled Modern HERstory.   Blair Imani is a Black American Muslim activist living in Brooklyn, NY. Imani is the founder and Executive Director of Equality for HER a nonprofit educational platform for feminine identifying individuals.   Modern HERstory is Equality for HER’s very first self published print publication. The book is an inclusive and intersectional approach to women’s history with vibrant illustrations from artist Monique Le.   On June 9th Blair appeared on the Fox News show Tucker Carlson Tonight where she was interviewed about her support of Taxpayer Funded Muslim Safe Spaces. I offered Blair the opportunity in this podcast to talk some more about that. She took it and so you’ll hear some about that as well.   Join me as you find out how these two women met (have still never met in person), created Modern HERstory and why?   Find out how you can support Modern HERstory at  https://ifundwomen.com/projects/modern-herstory-book