Podcasts about take up space

Take up space. Accidentally living out her dreams was the message we received from Big Mama on her last appearance on the podcast. But since then, Big Mama has continued to forge her own path in the world of sport. A new sense of confidence exudes from the champion as she carries the United Wrestling Network women's championship to new territories and has defended her title throughout the promotions that make up the United Wrestling Network. Mama also speaks about being a role model for athletes that look like her and being an inspiration to young women who want to become professional wrestlers. Plus, Big Mama has begun making appearances for TNA. She debuted earlier this year for TNA's Xplosion. Stay Social With Big Mama https://www.instagram.com/bigbadmama06http://twitter.com/@bigbadmama_06

This week’s the BFF's vibe into the intersection of bodies, fashion, and music with model, cultural curator and now musician James Corbin. They explore how bigger Black queer bodies become sites of art, resistance, and joy, talk about what it means to feel "Supreme" while asking the question: How are you celebrating the body art that is your body? Send us an email with your thoughts/comments about the show: BlackFatFemmePod@gmail.com. Also, don’t forget to watch and subscribe on YouTube! Buy DoctorJonPaul's book here! Follow the show on social: Threads | Instagram | BlueSky | Tik-Tok Follow DoctorJonPaul: Treads | BlueSky | Instagram | Website | Tik-Tok Follow James: Instagram | TikTok See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey, it's Katie and I want to welcome you to this special bonus episode. It'll be here for you completely ad-free for the next week so you can get a feel of what it's like to be a PREMIUM member. If you'd like an easy ad-free experience for all of our podcasts - that's over 200 episodes each month, then JOIN PREMIUM today at https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium Own your presence with this empowering meditation that supports self-worth, confidence, and authenticity

Last week we built the foundation — self-trust. This week we take it to work.Think about the last high-stakes room you were in. A meeting where direction was being set, where something important was being decided. Did you say everything you came in with? Or did you leave with something still in your chest — an idea you held back, a pushback you softened, a point you never made because the moment had already moved on?That's not a knowledge problem. That's not a preparation problem. I know, because I've been that person — the most prepared woman at the table, with the clearest perspective in the room, who said nothing. And watched us make the wrong call. And had to sit in the follow-up meeting three months later when we walked it back.This episode is about what drives that quiet. And what it actually takes to stop.Executive presence isn't a personality type. It's not about being louder or more aggressive or projecting some version of confidence you don't feel. It's self-trust made visible. And the shrinking — the internal audit before every sentence, the softening reflex, the waiting for the invitation — isn't who you are. It's a habit. Built in rooms that may have required it. That you're carrying into rooms that don't.In this episode:The four specific ways women shrink in professional rooms — and why none of them are character flawsWhy the most prepared person in the room is often the quietestThe direct bridge between speaking up and self-trustThe meeting I don't talk about — and the shift that came afterThree practices to start showing up differently this weekYour presence is a contribution. Your silence is a withholding.Last week we talked about trusting yourself. This week we talk about showing it.

The mother wound is not just about your mother. It is about the first nervous system that shaped yours—the earliest relational field that told you whether you were safe, wanted, and free to take up space. And it lives in the body long before it lives in the story. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined by Brooke Wolfe, somatic voice activation coach, musician of 20 years, and a dear friend of both hosts. Brooke's work lives at the intersection of nervous system safety, vocal expression, and the parts of the feminine that have been suppressed, exiled, and told they are too much. Together, they explore the mother wound as an attachment and nervous system imprint—one that shows up not just in relationships, but in how you breathe, how you move, whether you feel permission to make noise, and whether you have ever truly learned to receive. Brooke brings a perspective that is both poetic and grounded. She shares the pelvis–throat connection as a place where early disconnection shows up physically, how the voice becomes a tool for masking rather than connecting, and how her lifelong asthma reflected a nervous system that never felt safe to exhale. She also speaks to how heroin use in her teenage years neurologically mirrored the flooding and crashing of disorganized attachment. Elisabeth shares how emotional neglect and a mother's absence shaped a deep sense of childhood loneliness, and why co-regulation with other humans became genuinely difficult. Jennifer names the fear of her own power, the experience of moving through life in a quiet tiptoe, and the inner critic that still carries someone else's voice. This conversation expands the mother wound beyond the personal and into the collective—naming how disconnection from the body, voice, and feminine expression is not just individual, but patterned across generations. The episode closes on something both honest and hopeful: healing the mother wound does not always require repairing the external relationship. It requires taking your sovereignty back, learning to mother yourself, and finding the safe spaces and relationships that can hold your depth. What was ruptured in relationship must be repaired in relationship—and sometimes that begins with the earth. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How the mother wound forms as an attachment and nervous system imprint, not a single event but a pattern How prenatal maternal stress can shape fetal stress system development through cortisol and epigenetic mechanisms Why birth is the first moment of separation and how birth trauma shapes early nervous system patterns How rupture in the feminine shows up in the body, the breath, the pelvis, the throat, and the voice Why the voice so often becomes a tool for masking rather than connecting, and how somatic voice work can change that How disorganized attachment patterns in childhood can drive substance use and self-regulation strategies in adolescence and adulthood Why co-regulation with other humans can feel deeply threatening and how to begin building that skill incrementally How the inner critic often carries the voice of a primary caregiver, and what that means neurologically What it looks like to heal the mother wound internally without requiring external repair of the relationship Why the fertile void, the emptiness left by the wound, can become a creative source rather than something to fill Chapter Markers 0:00 - Sending Healing Back Down the Mother Line 1:45 - Welcome: The Mother Wound as Nervous System Imprint 4:00 - Introducing Brooke Wolfe and Why This Work Called Her 7:45 - How Rupture in the Feminine Shows Up in the Body and Voice 13:00 - Birth as the First Separation and the Roots of the Wound 18:00 - Prenatal Stress, Cortisol, and How the Stress System Is Shaped Before Birth 20:00 - The Pelvis, Throat, and Diaphragm: Where Bracing Patterns Live 27:00 - Don't Take Up Space, Don't Be Too Much: The Feminine Conditioning 33:00 - Attachment, Addiction, and the Nervous System Logic Behind It All 49:00 - The Void: What Brooke's Mother Wound Actually Is, and What She Found There 55:00 - The Inner Critic as Internalized Mother Voice 1:01:00 - Healing the Mother Wound From the Inside Out Explore Neurosomatic Voice Activation: Liberate your voice and create somatic safety and self-attunement in the Neurosomatic Voice Activation Course with Brooke and Elisabeth: https://www.brookewolfe.com/trauma-rewired Get 15% off with code: TRAUMAREWIRED Brooke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookewolfe_/ Ways to Engage with Neurosomatics: Capacity Gap: Free BrainBased workshop for entrepreneurs, leaders and high-performers: rewirecapacity.com Two week trail of BrainBased membership for neurosomatic practices and nervous system rehabilitation and health: rewiretrial.com  Introduction to NSI for practitioners, coaches and therapists - The NSI foundations Bundle: https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/workshops/ Watch Trauma Rewired on YouTube - Subscribe here Learn more about psychedelic neuroscience and neurosomatics on Sacred Synapse with Jennifer Wallace   https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 Wayfinder Journal: Track nervous system patterns and support preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence. FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired   Resources and Links Oberlander, T. F., et al. (2008). Prenatal depression, NR3C1 methylation, and infant cortisol response. Epigenetics. Weaver, I. C. G., et al. (2004). Maternal care and epigenetic regulation of stress response (animal study). Nature Neuroscience. Seckl, J. R., & Holmes, M. C. (2007). Placental cortisol buffering and fetal stress system development. Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism. Yehuda, R., et al. (2016). Intergenerational effects of trauma on FKBP5 methylation. Biological Psychiatry. O'Donnell, K. J., & Meaney, M. J. (2017). Fetal origins of mental health and stress regulation. American Journal of Psychiatry. Sapolsky, R. M., et al. (2000). How stress hormones influence the body and brain. Endocrine Reviews.  

Kelvin Au is a Hong Kong-based sculptor. In his art practice, he uses found objects and multimedia assemblages to reimagine and re-contextualise his relationship with these conditions of tension and flux, uncertainty and paradox, frailty and strength.Watch the episode on Youtube.Subscribe to The Visit Notes newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Question: Why was the latest season of The Bachelorette US cancelled days before release, costing more than US$30 million? Well, it’s got something to do with stunt casting and a very disturbing video leak… Also, millennial feminist icon Lindy West has written a memoir about being in a happily married throuple. The problem is, the Internet has seen her unvarnished honesty and unilaterally decided her book is a lie. Does West protest too much? Or do we have a problem believing a woman could ever be happy beyond the white picket fence? Plus, nap times, little lunch and a giant TV on wheels. Things we miss from primary school that should definitely be part of the workplace, pls. And, Chappell Roan and Coldplay kiss-cam star Kristin Cabot have some facts for us about public shaming. Oh, and how about those Matildas? The lessons we can only learn from (almost) winning. SUBSCRIBERS:Get 25% off Nala with your Mamamia subscription. Click here to get your code. Ends 1st April. SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media What To Listen To Next: Listen to No Filter: Lindy West Isn't Afraid to Take Up Space. Listen to our latest episode: An Unhinged List Of Rules No One Asked For Listen: Mia's Diary Note: Burnout & Bras & Books, Oh My! Listen: A Dangerous Influencer Trend & Scurrilous Lip-Reading Gossip Listen: 'Are Flaps In Or Out?' Mia's Rogue Oscars Fashion Feedback Listen: A Very Awkward Oscars & That Manosphere Doco Listen: What We Did Before 9am Listen: A Lil' Treat: Jessie’s Very Surprising, Very Wonderful Twins Update Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here including the very latest episode of Parenting Out Loud, the parenting podcast for people who don't listen to... parenting podcasts. SUBSCRIBE here: Support independent women's media Watch Australia's #1 podcast, Mamamia Out Loud: Mamamia Out Loud on YouTube What to read: Author Lindy West thought she had a 'perfect' marriage. Then her husband asked to open it. Lindy West: "I was in a relationship with a guy who was embarrassed to be seen with me in public." Chappell Roan can take a stand, we apparently just need her to suffer a bit first. Kristin was at the centre of the Coldplay kiss cam video. She just shared her side of the story. THE END BITS: Check out our merch at MamamiaOutLoud.com GET IN TOUCH: Feedback? We’re listening. Send us an email at outloud@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message. Join our Facebook group Mamamia Outlouders to talk about the show. Follow us on Instagram @mamamiaoutloud and on Tiktok @mamamiaoutloud Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to just exist? Not shrink, not apologize, not mold yourself into what somebody else needs—but to simply take up space?Dr. David Johns sits down with trailblazer Tess Holliday—one of the world's most recognized plus-size models, the first of her size to be signed to a major agency, and creator of the viral "Eff Your Beauty Standards" campaign. Today's conversation centers on her latest work: Take Up Space, Y'All: Your Bold and Bright Guide to Self-Love, co-written with Kelly Coon.While marketed as a guide for teens navigating social media, body image, and toxic friendships, this book is essential reading for anyone who has ever felt they needed to make themselves smaller. Tess brings her full self—as a mom raising a 20-year-old and a 9-year-old, as someone who grew up in rural Mississippi without the resources she desperately needed, and as a woman who has spent over a decade breaking barriers in the modeling industry. From discussing mutual aid and community care to naming joy as resistance, this conversation reminds us that in a world telling you to shrink, taking up space is the most radical thing you can do.SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES:Purchase the Book:Take Up Space, Y'All: Your Bold and Bright Guide to Self-Love by Tess Holliday and Kelly CoonAvailable at independent bookstores nationwideFind your local bookstore: bookshop.orgLearn More:"Eff Your Beauty Standards" campaign: Search #EffYourBeautyStandards on social media platformsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.

Somewhere along the way, you learned to make yourself smaller and it's costing you more than you realize.SummaryTaking up space isn't about being loud or overbearing, it's about stopping apologizing for who you are. In this episode, we get honest about the sneaky ways we shrink ourselves: in our relationships, our careers, and even in how we express excitement about our own lives. Drawing on the power of self-awareness and authenticity, Steph unpacks where these self-limiting behaviors come from, how childhood and societal influences quietly shape our confidence, and what it actually looks like to practice empowerment in everyday moments. If personal growth and leadership mean anything to you, it starts with one question: where are you playing small right now?In this episode you'll discover: - The concept of taking up space and authenticity- Common reasons for shrinking and self-limiting behaviors- The importance of embracing your true self and giftsYour takeaways: - It's okay to be excited and passionate about your life.- Let go of teenage mentalities that encourage shrinking.- Your unique gifts are needed in the world.Chapters00:00 Embracing Authenticity and Taking Up Space03:47 The Impact of Past Experiences on Self-Expression07:59 Overcoming the Fear of Being Too Much09:21 Awareness and the Journey to Being True to Yourself

Day 5 of the theme: Speaking From Your Centre. This guided meditation helps you allow your voice to take up space without tension or urgency. Designed for anxiety support, grounding, emotional regulation, and steady communication, this practice strengthens calm presence and authentic expression in everyday conversations. If you'd like to listen ad-free and explore a calm, organised library of meditations for emotional safety, anxiety easing, and daily grounding, you're welcome to join the quiet Patreon space here:https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheMeditationShow?utm_source=search&vanity=TheMeditationShow There's no pressure — this podcast will always remain freely available.

Sapreet Buttar is a media trailblazer and the CEO and founder of Universal Radio Network. She's been in the broadcasting industry and an on-air presenter since the age of 12, tackling tough conversations, breaking down barriers, and showcasing a whole new way to look at radio. Her all-female production team was the first South Asian media outlet on the Juno's red carpet, and her tenacity and creativity is shaking up the music scene, showing how culture, business, and collaboration enrich our communities. 

Have you ever felt like you needed to shrink yourself—stay quiet, wait until you're “ready,” or downplay your success—just to avoid making others uncomfortable? Maybe you've worried that speaking up would sound arrogant, or that shining too brightly would invite judgment.In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on why so many coaches play small and hide their brilliance. You'll hear the silent rules that keep you from being seen, the truth about visibility (and why it's never selfish), and how taking up space is actually one of the greatest acts of service you can offer.We'll dive into the mindset shifts and empowering new rules that allow you to step fully into your voice, presence, and purpose—without overpowering others or seeking validation. If you've ever wondered how to be confidently visible, attract the right people, and create massive impact while staying authentic, this conversation will show you how to stop shrinking and finally own the space you were born to take.To start a successful coaching business, visit ⁠www.thrivingcoachacademy.com⁠.

In this episode of Wake Up Fresh, Jenny Dreizen explores what it means to take up space without guilt. With warmth and clarity, she reframes confidence, boundaries, and self-respect in a way that feels accessible and empowering.A short, aspirational morning reflection for anyone wanting to move through the day with more presence and ease.

Know you've been playin' it SAFE and SMALL this year? Oh boy, this episode is for you. You're gonna wanna press play on this eppy immediately.   In this episode, I sat down with Confidence Coach, Erika Cramer (aka @thequeenofconfidence), for a deep, hilarious, and hella raw convo on confidence, courage, and showing up even when you're covered in proverbial (and sometimes literal ) poo   We dive into: Why so many smart, talented women still feel like they need permission to take up space What it actually takes to build real confidence (hint: it's not about being fearless) The power of owning your story, your voice, and yes, your weirdness That one belief that's keeping you stuck (and how to start rewriting it, today)   Erika drops truthbombs, fire analogies, and the kind of mindset reframe magic that'll make you wanna throw your hands in the air and say: "YEP. I needed to hear that."   Hit play and let this convo be the kick in the pants you didn't know you needed.   FREEBIE ALERT! Want to get 5 e-lessons to level-up your copy game? Snag it here → https://wordfettigroup.com/freebieCome hang with me on the 'gram: @anitasiek And follow the crew: @wordfetti

No more apologizing. Own your space! You're a powerhouse and every room deserves you. I'll teach ya how to walk into any room and feel confident. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and make sure you SUBSCRIBE! To request Hailey to be on your Podcast, Radio Show, or TV Show, reach out to talent@pionairepodcasting.com FOLLOW ME: IG: instagram.com/haileygamba TikTok:@haileygamba YouTube: youtube.com/@haileygamba

Did you know there's MAGIC in your Meditation Practice? Say Goodbye to Anxiety and Hello to More Peace & More Prosperity! Here Are the 5 Secrets on How to Unleash Your Meditation Magic https://womensmeditationnetwork.com/5secrets Book your FREE 30 Minute Clarity Call with Jody now! https://jody.as.me/womensmeditationnetworkclaritysession What is a Clarity Call? This is the first step to giving you the IMMEDIATE relief you crave and will help you to become "unstuck" as you walk the path towards a life of happiness, inner peace and fulfillment. During this call, we're going to explore your ideal life and vision for living the life that you desire. We'll talk about some of the challenges that are getting in your way, and I'll provide you with some practical tools to help you close the gap from where you are now, to your desired destination. Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player. Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium You are allowed to take up space.  You are allowed to be bold, Loud, Radiant.  PAUSE (10 SEC)... Others will tell you to shrink, They'll tell you to whisper, They'll tell you to dim your light. Let their demands, Breeze past your ears. For you are allowed to take up space. PAUSE (20 SEC)... I am allowed to take up space Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple Hey, I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life. If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at Katie Krimitsos to make a request. We'd love to create what you want! Namaste, Beautiful,

Join co-hosts Annie Liontas and Lito Velázquez in conversation with Dantiel W. Moniz and Chet'la Sebree about their friendship, the power of baked potatoes, and thriving through danger. Dantiel W Moniz https://www.dantielwmoniz.com/ Chet'la Sebree https://www.chetlasebree.com/ Annie Liontashttps://www.annieliontas.com/ Lito Velázquezhttps://www.litovelazquez.com/  

Plus-size supermodel and body-positivity advocate Tess Holliday joins Alessandra to talk representation in fashion, practicing body neutrality, eating-disorder recovery, mental health, motherhood, dating while plus-size (and queer), and building real community in an algorithm-obsessed world. We get into setting boundaries online, handling trolls with compassion (and clapbacks), finding confidence through action, protecting your inner child, and why third spaces matter. Tess also shares the heart behind her new teen/ tween book, Take Up Space, Y'all: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love, packed with expert insights, prompts, and practical tools for navigating social media, friendships, and body image. If you've ever felt "too much" or "not enough," this one's your soft place to land.Buy Take Up Space Y'allFollow Tess on instagram and tik tokTo write in your own Spill The Tea For Therapy submission emailAlessandra at vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com.Follow Alessandra @vibinwithabgTo support the show please check out the sponsors!Earnin': Download Earnin today on the google play and apple app stores.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Book of Genesis series. Sermon by Scotty Meiser. Genesis 1:2 - "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

In 5 Ways to Take Up Space: Learn to Love Attention Without Being Arrogant, we break down how to step into the spotlight with confidence, grace, and self-worth. This isn’t about ego — it’s about releasing the fear of being “too much,” owning your presence, and learning to love the attention you deserve.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Be proud of the space you fill. As a good and kind individual, be sure to share your ideas, speak your truth, and live freely.

Are you owning your voice or still shrinking in rooms where you belong?In this episode of Career Gems for the Journey podcast, Leah C. Murphy sits down with Dawana Holmes, an accomplished leadership strategist and executive coach, for a conversation that speaks directly to anyone who's ever second-guessed their power.Dawana opens up about what it truly means to take up space as a woman, especially as a woman of color, in corporate and leadership settings. From dismantling the “be grateful to be here” mindset to challenging the ways we're taught to dim our light, this episode is a call to reclaim your brilliance without apology.

Are YOU or a friend thinking about starting a podcast? Then you need this ⁠⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/how-to-start-a-podcast-in-2026-with-no-experience-tickets-1707862234919?aff=oddtdtcreator⁠⁠⁠ Lara Day is on a powerful mission to dismantle the diet industry and help people reclaim their self-worth. As a Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Sports Nutrition Specialist, Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor, and Sound Healing Facilitator, Lara brings a truly holistic approach to health and healing.In this conversation, we explore what it means to reconnect with your body, unlearn harmful conditioning, set healthy boundaries, and trust your own intuition. Lara shares how to shift from shrinking yourself to taking up space unapologetically — in your body, your mind, and your life.Whether you're ready to challenge diet culture, deepen your self-trust, or improve your overall wellbeing, this episode will give you the inspiration and tools to start your journey.****If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, share it with a friend and consider leaving a review on Spotify and/or YouTube  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4JfM1ZitoXTP6DXXfUbqRm?si=9f68c2de30a5446f⁠  ****www.youtube.com/@Phase4PodcastConnect with Lara https://www.laraelizabethcoaching.com/ ⁠Connect with Jp ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/NextStepsAcademy  Are YOU or a friend thinking about starting a podcast? Then you need this ⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/how-to-start-a-podcast-in-2026-with-no-experience-tickets-1707862234919?aff=oddtdtcreator⁠⁠

Plus-size supermodel and body-positivity advocate Tess Holliday joins Alessandra to talk representation in fashion, practicing body neutrality, eating-disorder recovery, mental health, motherhood, dating while plus-size (and queer), and building real community in an algorithm-obsessed world. We get into setting boundaries online, handling trolls with compassion (and clapbacks), finding confidence through action, protecting your inner child, and why third spaces matter. Tess also shares the heart behind her new teen/tween book, Take Up Space, Y'all: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love, packed with expert insights, prompts, and practical tools for navigating social media, friendships, and body image. If you've ever felt “too much” or “not enough,” this one's your soft place to land.Buy Take Up Space Y'allFollow Tess on instagram and tik tokTo write in your own Spill The Tea For Therapy submission email Alessandra at vibinandkindathrivin@gmail.com.Follow Alessandra @vibinwithabgTo support the show please check out the sponsors!Earnin': Download Earnin today on the google play and apple app stores.Shopify: Start your $1 a month trial period at shopify.com/vibinProgressive: Get your auto quote today at progressive.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tess Holliday joins us to discuss Take Up Space, Y'All: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love (Running Press Kids, Aug. 26), a body-positive wellness book for teens co-written with Kelly Coon. Kirkus: “Plus-size supermodel and activist Holliday empowers readers to love themselves, inside and out.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joy Taylor sits down with model, author, and activist Tess Holliday for an unfiltered conversation on beauty, body positivity, and self-love. Tess opens up about her journey from the South to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in fashion and activism. In this candid interview, Joy and Tess discuss: Tess Holliday's new book "Take Up Space, Y'all" and why she wrote it for the next generation The pressures of beauty standards in the age of Instagram and celebrity culture How to overcome shame, embrace self-confidence, and find real empowerment Parenting, resilience, and navigating online hate with grace The future of inclusivity in media and fashion This is a powerful, funny, and deeply honest conversation you don't want to miss.

A Perimenopause bodybuilder shares her story on how to take up space and the history of women being strong before skinny.  Book author, Anne Marie Chaker, will surprise you about women's empowerment and when skinny reared its ugly head. Stay ‘til the end and listen to a very subtle challenge we'll give you about messages to women.    Strong does things Skinny Never Even Dreams About. - Debra Atkinson   My Guest: Anne Marie Chaker is a veteran journalist and professional bodybuilder. During her career at The Wall Street Journal, from the Journal's regional editions to the Spot News Desk during the September 11 attack. She covered everything from politics, news events, consumer trends, education, workplace, and the major sociological shifts of our time. Her article “I Never Thought I'd Write This: I Am a Female Bodybuilder” generated more than 500k views since it was published in 2020.   Questions We Answer in This Episode: [00:03:49] How did you start bodybuilding when you were recovering from postpartum depression and other life events? [00:08:30] How has training changed now that you're in perimenopause?  [00:13:47] What is it like being a perimenopause bodybuilder?  [00:16:24] What are the roots of the obsession with “skinny”? [00:18:32] Is it true that the early woman was strong – women were hunters and not gatherers? [00:22:36] What is the difference between bodybuilding and figure competition? [00:25:24] How do you keep yourself from slipping down the body dysmorphia trail?  [00:33:03] What is the future of body building for women? [00:37:05] In your book, ‘Lift', how do you propose women make the necessary mindset shift to own this and reclaim their physical power? Advice From A Perimenopause Body Builder Connect with a bodybuilder coach. Proper Nutrition: Eat more, track macros, and focus on protein. Shifted from cardio to heavy lifting. Be prepared for the commitment — training, nutrition tracking, and competition prep are demanding but rewarding.   Life Transformation Better nutrition and training improved work performance and confidence. Feels like an athlete again after years away from sports.   Difference Between Bodybuilding And Figure Competition Bikini Division: Athletic, lean, and muscular but not extreme. Figure Division: More muscle than bikini; slightly different posing style. Women's Bodybuilding: Most muscular category with distinct posing; fewer women compete in this today.   Key Takeaways Strength over skinny – Building muscle and eating enough transforms health, confidence, and outlook. Nutrition is foundational – Tracking macros, especially protein, is key to physical and mental turnaround. Cultural pressures run deep – The obsession with thinness is relatively modern and a backlash to women's empowerment. Perimenopause isn't a limitation – With training and hormone therapy, women can thrive and compete at elite levels. Role modeling matters – Showing strength training and positive food talk can influence the next generation's mindset. Connect with Anne Marie: Website - Get Anne Marie's book LIFT here Instagram - @annemariechaker  LinkedIn - Anne Marie Chaker Substack - Anne Marie Chaker    Other Episodes You Might Like: Previous Episode - Retired Lawyer Shares How to Advocate for Yourself & Loved Ones Next Episode - Running vs Walking for Fast Fat Loss in Menopause More Like This - 5 Reasons You're Not Losing Weight or Gaining Muscle After 50   Resources: Join the Hot, Not Bothered! Challenge to learn why timing matters and why what works for others is not working for you. Don't know where to start? Book your Discovery Call with Debra. Get your lean, clean Flipping 50 Protein Powders to maintain muscle and support metabolism.  

Thrivesters , this conversation is the one you didn't know you needed.How many times have you heard “advocate for yourself,” or “you have to meet your own needs,” and thought… but I don't even know what I need?This week, I'm joined by the brilliant and deeply grounded Mara Glatzel - author of Needy: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty. She's a coach, writer, mother of dragons (okay, daughters), and the queen of helping women stop outsourcing their well-being and start reclaiming their relationship with themselves.Together, we go deep into the real reason why even the most accomplished, self-aware women (yes, you) still put themselves last - and how to finally stop.You'll hear:✨ How to rebuild your relationship with yourself - and why most of us have to✨ The invisible ego payoff of “doing it all” -  and how it's secretly draining your joy✨ How to know when a relationship is draining you - and what to do about it✨ The difference between what you need and what you want (yes, both matter)✨ How to handle people who are uncomfortable with your thriving✨ What toxic productivity really is and how to break the cycle without giving up your ambition✨ 3 powerful prompts to begin (or deepen) your self-partnership todayPlus: We unpack Zumba obsessions, the dangers of shrinking to be liked, and why being “too much” might be exactly what you're here for.If you've ever felt exhausted by your to-do list, disconnected from your joy, or unsure of what you even want anymore - this episode will light a fire in you.So after you've listened, and maybe more than once - share this episode with the person you know needs to hear it - then to out there are THRIVE like you mean it!Quote to remember:“If you are a human, you have needs. And getting your needs met is your responsibility - but that doesn't mean you have to do it alone.” - Mara GlatzelConnect with Mara:Website: https://maraglatzel.com/Instagram: @maraglatzel

You're listening to Burnt Toast! Today, my guest isMara Gordon, MD. Dr. Mara is a family physician on the faculty of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, as well as a writer, journalist and contributor to NPR. She also writes the newsletter Your Doctor Friend by Mara Gordon about her efforts to make medicine more fat friendly. And she was previously on the podcast last November, answering your questions on how to take a weight inclusive approach to conditions like diabetes, acid reflux, and sleep apnea.Dr. Mara is back today to tackle all your questions about perimenopause and menopause! Actually, half your questions—there were so many, and the answers are so detailed, we're going to be breaking this one into a two parter. So stay tuned for the second half, coming in September! As we discussed in our recent episode with Cole Kazdin, finding menopause advice that doesn't come with a side of diet culture is really difficult. Dr Mara is here to help, and she will not sell you a supplement sign or make you wear a weighted vest. This episode is free but if you value this conversation, please consider supporting our work with a paid subscription. Burnt Toast is 100% reader- and listener-supported. We literally can't do this without you.PS. You can always listen to this pod right here in your email, where you'll also receive full transcripts (edited and condensed for clarity). But please also follow us in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and/or Pocket Casts! And if you enjoy today's conversation, please tap the heart on this post — likes are one of the biggest drivers of traffic from Substack's Notes, so that's a super easy, free way to support the show!And don't miss these: Episode 203 TranscriptVirginiaWhen I put up the call out for listener questions for this, we were immediately inundated with, like, 50 questions in an hour. People have thoughts and feelings and need information! So I'm very excited you're here. Before we dive into the listener questions, let's establish some big picture framing on how we are going to approach this conversation around perimenopause and menopause.MaraI should start just by introducing myself. I'm a family doctor and I have a very general practice, which means I take care of infants and I have a couple patients who are over 100. It's amazing. And families, which is such an honor, to care for multiple generations of families. So, perimenopause and menopause is one chunk of my practice, but it is not all of it.I come from the perspective of a generalist, right? Lots of my patients have questions about perimenopause and menopause. Many of my patients are women in that age group. And I have been learning a lot over the last couple of years. The science is emerging, and I think a lot of practice patterns amongst doctors have really changed, even in the time that I have been in practice, which is about 10 years. There has been a huge shift in the way we physicians think about menopause and think about perimenopause, which I think is mostly for the better, which is really exciting.There's an increased focus on doctors taking menopause seriously, approaching it with deep care and concern and professionalism. And that is excellent. But this menopause advocacy is taking place in a world that's really steeped in fatphobia and diet culture. Our culture is just so susceptible to corporate influence. There are tons of influencers who call themselves menopause experts selling supplements online, just selling stuff. Sort of cashing in on this. And I will note, a lot of them are medical doctors, too, so it can be really hard to sort through.VirginiaYour instinct is to trust, because you see the MD.MaraTotally. There's a lot of diet talk wrapped up in all of it, and there's a lot of fear-mongering, which I would argue often has fatphobia at its core. It's a fear of fatness, a fear of aging, a fear of our bodies not being ultra thin, ultra sexualized bodies of adolescents or women in their 20s, right? This is all to say that I think it's really exciting that there's an increased cultural focus on women's health, particularly health in midlife. But we also need to be careful about the ways that diet culture sneaks into some of this talk, and who might be profiting from it. So we do have some hearty skepticism, but also some enthusiasm for the culture moving towards taking women's concerns and midlife seriously.VirginiaThe cultural discourse around this is really tricky. Part of why I wanted you to come on to answer listener questions is because you approach healthcare from a weight inclusive lens, which is not every doctor. It is certainly not every doctor in the menopause space. And you're not selling us a supplement line or a weighted vest, so that's really helpful. So that's a good objective place for us to start! Here's our first question, from Julie: It's my understanding that the body naturally puts on weight in menopause, especially around the torso, and that this fat helps to replace declining estrogen, because fat produces estrogen. I don't know where I've heard this, but I think it's true? But I would like to know a doctor's explanation of this, just because I think it's just more evidence that our bodies know what they're doing and we can trust them, and that menopause and the possible related weight gain is nothing to fear or dread or fight.MaraOof, okay, so we are just diving right in. Thank you so much for this question. It's one I get from many of my patients, too. So I looked into some of the literature on this, and it is thought that declining estrogen—which happens in the menopausal transition—does contribute to what we call visceral adiposity, which is basically fatty tissue around the internal organs. And in clinical practice, we approximate this by assessing waist circumference. This is really spotty! But we tend to think of it as “belly fat,” which is a fatphobic term. I prefer the term “visceral adiposity” even though it sounds really medical, it gets more specifically at what the issue is, which is that this particular adipose tissue around internal organs can be pathologic. It can be associated with insulin resistance, increasing risk of cardiovascular disease, and risk of what we call metabolic—here's a mouthful—metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, which is what fatty liver disease has been renamed.So I don't think we totally understand why this happens in the menopausal transition. There is a hypothesis that torso fatty tissue does help increase estrogen, and it's the body's response to declining estrogen and attempts to preserve estrogen. But in our modern lives, where people live much longer than midlife, it can create pathology. VirginiaI just want to pause there to make sure folks get it. So it could be that this extra fat in our torsos develops for a protective reason —possibly replacing estrogen levels—but because we now live longer, there's a scenario where it doesn't stay protective, or it has other impacts besides its initial protective purpose.MaraRight? And this is just a theory. It's kind of impossible to prove something like that, but many menopause researchers have this working theory about, quote—we've got to find a better term for it—belly fat. What should we call it, Virginia? Virginia. I mean, or can we reclaim belly fat? But that's like a whole project. There is a lot of great work reclaiming bellies, but we'll go with visceral adiposity right now.MaraAnyway, this is an active area of menopause research, and I'm not sure we totally understand the phenomenon. That being said, Julie asks, “Should we just trust our bodies?” Do our bodies know what they're doing? And I think that's a really philosophical question, and that is the heart of what you're asking, Julie, rather than what's the state of the research on visceral adiposity in the menopause transition.It's how much do we trust our bodies versus how much do we use modern medicine to intervene, to try to change the natural course of our bodies? And it's a question about the role that modern medicine plays in our lives. So obviously, I'm a fan of modern medicine, right? I'm a medical doctor. But I also have a lot of skepticism about it. I can see firsthand that we pathologize a lot of normal physiologic processes, and I see the way that our healthcare system profits off of this pathology.So this is all to say: Most people do tend to gain weight over time. That's been well-described in the literature. Both men and women gain weight with age, and women tend to gain mid-section weight specifically during the menopausal transition, which seems to be independent of age. So people who go through menopause earlier might see this happen earlier. This weight gain is happening in unique ways that are affected by the hormone changes in the menopausal transition, and I think it can be totally reasonable to want to prevent insulin resistance or prevent metabolic dysfunction in the liver using medications. Or can you decide that you don't want to use medications to do that; diet and exercise also absolutely play a role. But I think it's a deep question. I don't know, what do you think? Virginia, what's your take?VirginiaI think it can be a both/and. If everybody gains weight as we age, and particularly as we go through menopause transition, then we shouldn't be pathologizing that at baseline. Because if everybody does it, then it's a normal fact of having a human body. And why are we making that into something that we're so terrified of?And I think this is what we're going to get more into with these questions: It's also possible to say, can we improve quality of life? Can we extend life? Can we use medicine to help with those things in a way that makes it not about the weight gain, but about managing the symptoms that may or may not be caused by the weight gain? If the weight gain correlates with insulin resistance, of course you're going to treat the insulin resistance, because the insulin resistance is the concern. Does that mean weight loss is the thing we have to do? Not necessarily.MaraTotally. I define size inclusive medicine—which is the way that I practice medicine—as basically not yelling at my patients to lose weight. And it's quite revolutionary, even though it shouldn't be. I typically don't initiate conversations about weight loss with my patients. If my patients have evidence of metabolic dysfunction in the liver, if they have evidence of diabetes or pre-diabetes, if they have high blood pressure, we absolutely tackle those issues. There's good medications and non-medication treatments for those conditions.And if my patients want to talk about weight loss, I'm always willing to engage in those conversations. I do not practice from a framework of refusing to talk with my patients about weight loss because I feel that's not centering my patients' bodily autonomy. So let's talk about these more objective and less stigmatized medical conditions that we can quantify. Let's target those. And weight loss may be a side effect of targeting those. Weight loss may not be a side effect of targeting those. And there are ways to target those conditions that often don't result in dramatic or clinically significant weight loss, and that's okay.One other thing I'll note that it's not totally clear that menopausal weight gain is causing those sort of metabolic dysfunctions. This is a really interesting area of research. Again, I'm not a researcher, but I follow it with interest, because as a size-inclusive doctor, this is important to the way that I practice. So there's some school of thought that the metabolic dysfunction causes the weight gain, rather than the weight gain causing the metabolic dysfunction. And this is important because of the way we blame people for weight gain. We think if you gain weight, you've caused diabetes or whatever. This flips thta narrative on its head. Diabetes is a really complex disease with many, many factors affecting it. It's possible that having a genetic predisposition to cardiometabolic disease may end up causing weight gain, and specifically this visceral adiposity. So this is all to say there's a lot we don't understand. And I think at the core is trying to center my patients values, and de-stigmatize all of these conversations.VirginiaI love how Julie phrased it: “The possible related weight gain in menopause is maybe nothing to fear, dread, or fight.” I think anytime we can approach health without a mindset of fear and dread and not be fighting our bodies, that seems like it's going to be more health promoting than if we're going in like, “Oh my God, this is happening. It's terrible. I have to stop it.”And this is every life stage we go through, especially as women. Our bodies change, and usually our bodies get bigger. And we're always told we have to fight through puberty. You have a baby, you have to get your body back as quickly as possible. I do think there's something really powerful in saying: “I am going through a big life change right now so my body is supposed to change. I can focus on managing the health conditions that might come along with that, and I can also let my body do what it needs to do.” I think we can have both.MaraYeah, that's so beautifully said. And Julie, thank you for saying it that way.VirginiaOkay, so now let's get into some related weight questions.I was just told by my OB/GYN that excess abdominal weight can contribute to urinary incontinence in menopause. How true is this, and how much of a factor do you think weight is in this situation? And I think the you know, the unsaid question in this and in so many of these questions, is, so do I have to lose weight to solve this issue?MaraYes. So this is a very common refrain I hear from patients about the relationship between BMI and sort of different processes in the body, right? I think what the listeners' OB/GYN is getting at is the idea that mass in the abdomen and torso might put pressure on the pelvic floor. And more mass in the torso, more pressure on the pelvic floor.But urinary incontinence is extremely complicated and it can be caused by lots of different things. So I think what the OB/GYN is alluding to is pelvic floor weakness, which is one common cause. The muscles in the pelvic floor, which is all those muscles that basically hold up your uterus, your bladder, your rectum—all of those muscles can get weak over time. But other things can cause urinary incontinence, too. Neurological changes, hormonal changes in menopause, can contribute.Part of my size inclusive approach to primary care is I often ask myself: How would I treat a thin person with this condition? Because we always have other treatment options other than weight loss, and thin people have urinary incontinence all the time.VirginiaA lot of skinny grandmas are buying Depends. No shame!MaraTotally, right? And so we have treatments for urinary incontinence. And urinary incontinence often requires a multifactorial treatment approach.I will often recommend my patients do pelvic floor physical therapy. What that does is strengthen the pelvic floor muscles particularly if the person has been pregnant and had a vaginal delivery, those muscles can really weaken, and people might be having what we call genitourinary symptoms of menopause. Basically, as estrogen declines in the tissue of the vulva, it can make the tissue what we call friable.VirginiaI don't want a friable vulva! All of the language is bad.MaraI know, isn't it? I just get so used to it. And then when I talk to non-medical people, I'm like, whoa. Where did we come up with this term? It just means sort of like irritable.VirginiaOk, I'm fine having an irritable vulva. I'm frequently irritable.MaraAnd so that can cause a sensation of having to pee all the time. And that we can treat with topical estrogen, which is an estrogen cream that goes inside the vagina and is an amazing, underutilized treatment that is extremely low risk. I just prescribe it with glee and abandon to all of my patients, because it can really help with urinary symptoms. It can help with discomfort during sex in the menopausal transition. It is great treatment.VirginiaItchiness, dryness…MaraExactly, yeah! So I was doing a list of causes of urinary incontinence: Another one is overactive bladder, which we often use oral medications to treat. That helps decrease bladder spasticity. So this is all to say that it's multifactorial. It's rare that there's sort of one specific issue. And it is possible that for some people, weight loss might help decrease symptoms. If somebody loses weight in their abdomen, it might put less pressure on the pelvic floor, and that might ease up. But it's not the only treatment. So since we know that weight loss can be really challenging to maintain over time for many, many reasons, I think it's important to offer our patients other treatment options. But I don't want to discount the idea that it's inherently unrelated. It's possible that it's one factor of many that contributes to urinary incontinence.VirginiaThis is, like, the drumbeat I want us to keep coming back to with all these issues. As you said, how would I treat this in a thin person? It is much easier to start using an estrogen cream—like you said, low risk, easy to use—and see if that helps, before you put yourself through some draconian diet plan to try to lose weight.So for the doctor to start from this place of, “well, you've got excess abdominal fat, and that's why you're having this problem,” that's such a shaming place to start when that's very unlikely to be the full story or the full solution.MaraTotally. And pelvic PT is also underutilized and amazing. Everyone should get it after childbirth, but many people who've never had children might benefit from it, too.VirginiaOkay, another weight related question. This is from Ellen, who wrote in our thread in response to Julie's question. So in related to Julie's question about the role of declining estrogen in gaining abdominal fat:If that's the case, why does hormone replacement therapy not mitigate that weight gain? I take estrogen largely to support my bone health due to having a genetic disorder leading to fragile bones, but to be honest I had hoped that the estrogen would also help address the weight I've put on over the past five years despite stable eating and exercise habits. That hasn't happened, and I understand that it generally doesn't happen with HRT, but I don't understand why. I guess I'd just like to understand better why we tend to gain abdominal fat in menopause and what if anything can help mitigate that weight gain. I'm working on self acceptance for the body I have now, and I get frustrated when clothes I love no longer fit, or when my doctor tells me one minute to watch portion sizes to avoid weight gain, and the next tells me to ingest 1000 milligrams of calcium per day, which would account for about half of the calories I'm supposed to eat daily in order to lose weight or not gain more weight. It just feels like a lot of competing messages! Eat more protein and calcium, but have a calorie deficit. And it's all about your changing hormones, but hormone replacement therapy won't change anything.Ellen, relatable. So many mixed messages. Dr. Mara, you spoke to what we do and don't know about the abdominal fat piece a little bit already in Julie's question, so I think we can set that aside. But yes, if estrogen is playing a role, why does hormone replacement therapy not necessarily impact weight? And what do we do with the protein of it all? Because, let me tell you, we got like 50 other questions about protein.MaraI will answer the first part first: I don't think we know why menopausal hormone therapy does not affect abdominal fat. You're totally right. It makes intuitive sense, but that's not what we see clinically. There's some evidence that menopausal hormone therapy can decrease the rate of muscle mass loss. But we consider it a weight neutral treatment. Lots of researchers are studying these questions. But I don't think anybody knows.So those messages feel like they're competing because they are competing. And I don't think we understand why all these things go on in the human body and how to approach them. So maybe I'll turn the question back to you, Virginia. How do you think about it when you are seeking expertise and you get not a clear answer?VirginiaI mean, I'm an irritable vulva when it happens, that's for sure. My vulva and I are very irritated by conflicting messages. And I think we're right to be. I think Ellen is articulating a real frustration point.The other thing Ellen is articulating is how vulnerable we are in these moments. Because, as she's saying, she's working on self-acceptance for the body she has. And I think a lot of us are like, “We don't want weight loss to be the prescription. We don't want to feel pressured to go in that direction.” And then the doctor comes in and says, “1000 milligrams of calcium a day, an infinity number of protein grams a day. Also lose weight.” And then you do find yourself on that roller coaster or hamster wheel—choose your metaphor. Again, because we're so programmed to think “well, the only option I have is to try to control my weight, control my weight, control my weight.” And you get back in that space.What I usually try to do is phone a friend, have a plan to step myself out of that. Whether it's texting my best friend or texting Corinne, so they can be that voice of reason. And I would do this for them, too! You need help remembering: You don't want to pursue intentional weight loss. You're doing all this work on self-acceptance. Dieting is not going to be helpful. So what can you take from this advice that does feel doable and useful? And maybe it's not 1000 milligrams of calcium a day, but maybe it's like, a little more yogurt in your week. Is there a way you can translate this to your life that feels manageable? I think it's what you do a great job of. But I think in general, doctors don't do a great job with that part.MaraYeah, I bet you Ellen's doctor had 15 minutes with her. And was like, “Well, eat all this calcium and definitely try to lose weight,” right? And then was rushing out the door because she has 30 other patients to see that day.I think doctors are trying to offer what maybe they think patients want to hear, which is certainty and one correct answer. And it can feel hard to find the space to sort of sit in the uncertainty of medicine and health and the uncertainty of like our bodies. And corporate medicine is not conducive to that, let's put it that way.VirginiaBut so how much protein do we need to be eating?MaraI have no idea. Virginia, I don't think anybody knows. I think exercise is good for you. It's not good for every single body at every single moment in time. If you just broke your foot, running is not a healthy activity, right? If you're recovering from a disordered relationship with exercise, it's not healthy.But, movement in general prolongs our health span. And I'm reluctant to even say this, but, the Mediterranean diet—I hate even calling it a diet, right? But vegetables, protein—I don't even want to call them healthy fats, it's just so ambiguous what that means. But olive oil. All those things seem to be good for you. With the caveat that it's really hard to study the effects of diet. And this is general diet, not meaning a restrictive diet, but your diet over time. But I don't think we know how much, how much protein one needs to eat. It is unknowable.VirginiaAnd that's why, I think what we've been saying about figure out how to translate this into something that feels doable in your life. It's not like, Oh, olive oil forever. Never butter again. MaraOf course not. I love butter. Oh, my God. Extra butter!VirginiaRight. Butter is core to the Burnt Toast philosophy. I know you wouldn't be coming here with an anti-butter agenda.MaraOh, of course not. Kerry Gold forever.VirginiaBut it's, how can you take this and think about what makes sense in your life and would add value and not feel restrictive? And that's hard to do that when you're feeling vulnerable and worried and menopause feels like this big, scary unknown. But you still have the right to do that, because it's still your body.MaraBeautifully said.ButterVirginiaWell, this has all been incredibly helpful. Let's chat about things that are bringing us joy. Dr Mara, do you have some Butter for us? MaraI had to think about this a lot. The Butter question is obviously the most important question of the whole conversation.We have been in a heat wave in Philly, where I live, and it's really, really hot, and we have a public pool that is four blocks from our house. Philly actually has tons of public pools. Don't quote me on this, but I've heard through the grapevine—I have not fact-checked this—that it is one of the highest per capita free public pools in the country. I don't know where I heard that from. I know I should probably look that up, but anyway, we've got a lot of pools in Philly. And there's one four blocks from my house.So I used to think of pool time as a full day, like a Saturday activity. Like you bring snacks, you bring a book, you lounge for hours. But our city pool is very bare bones. There's no shade. And so, I have come to approach it as an after work palate cleanser. We rush there after I get my kid from daycare, and just pop in, pop out. It's so nice. And pools are so democratic. Everybody is there cooling off. There's no body shame. I mean, I feel like it's actually been quite freeing for my experience of a body shame in a bathing suit, because there's no opportunity to even contemplate it. Like you have to hustle in there to get there before it closes. There's no place to put your stuff. So you can't do all those body shielding techniques. You have to leave your stuff outside of the pool. So you have to go in in a bathing suit. And it's just like, all shapes and sizes there. I love it. So public pools are my Butter.VirginiaWe don't have a good public pool in my area, and I wish we did. I'm so jealous. That's magical. Since we're talking about being in midlife, I'm going to recommend the memoir, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hiller, which I just listened to on audiobook. Definitely listen to it on audiobook. Obviously, Jeff Hiller is a man and not in menopause, but he is in his late 40s, possibly turned 50. He's an actress of a certain age, as he says. If you watched “Somebody Somewhere” with Bridget Everett, he plays her best friend Joel. And the show was wonderful. Everyone needs to watch that.But Jeff Hiller is someone who had his big breakout role on an HBO show at the age of, like, 47 or something. And so it's his memoir of growing up as a closeted gay kid in Texas, in the church, and then moving to New York and pursuing acting and all that. It's hilarious. It's really moving. It made me teary several times. He is a beautiful writer, and it just makes you realize the potential of this life stage. And one of his frequent refrains in the book, and it's a quote from Bridget Everett, is Dreams Don't have Deadlines, and realizing what potential there is in the second half of our lives, or however you want to define it. Oh my gosh, I loved it so much. There's also a great, great interview with Jeff on Sam Sanders podcast that I'll link to as well. That's just like a great entry point, and it will definitely make you want to go listen to the whole book.MaraI love it.I will briefly say one thing I've been thinking about during this whole conversation is a piece by the amazing Anne Helen Petersen who writes Culture Study, which is one of my favorites of course, in addition to Burnt Toast. She wrote a piece about going through the portal. That was what she calls it. And she writes about how she's talking with her mom, I think, who says, “Oh, you're starting to portal!” to Anne. And I just love it.What she's getting at is this sort of surge of creativity and self confidence and self actualization that happens in midlife for women in particular. And I just love that image. Whenever I think of doing something that would have scared me a few years ago, or acting confident, appropriately confident in situations. I'm like, I'm going into the portal. I just, I love it, it's so powerful, and I think about it all the time.VirginiaWell, thank you so much for doing this. This was really wonderful. Tell folks where they can find you and how we can support your work.MaraThank you so much, Virginia. I'm such a fan of your work. It has been so meaningful, meaningful to me, both personally and professionally. So it's such an honor to be here again. You can find me on Substack. I write Your Doctor Friend by Mara Gordon . And I'm on Instagram at Mara Gordon MD, too. And you can find a lot of my writing on NPR as well. And I'm writing a book called, tentatively, How to Take Up Space, and it's about body shame and health care and the pursuit of health and wellness. So lots of issues like we touched on today, and hopefully that will be coming into the world in a couple of years. But yeah, thanks so much for having me, Virginia.The Burnt Toast Podcast is produced and hosted by Virginia Sole-Smith (follow me on Instagram) and Corinne Fay, who runs @SellTradePlus, and Big Undies.The Burnt Toast logo is by Deanna Lowe.Our theme music is by Farideh.Tommy Harron is our audio engineer.Thanks for listening and for supporting anti-diet, body liberation journalism! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiasolesmith.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Dashaé Harris (@itsdashaeharris) my pediatric PT bestie joins me to share her two stories of what was never said! We hear of her stories of the job hunt when an ex-preceptor refused to help in a time of need, and with ex best friends that were about to be her bridesmaids when she realized they had no idea who she was. The complexity of adult friendships, the toxicity of people pleasing and "niceness" - this episode has it all! Bc sometimes our greatest stories are written by the words we never got to say...@justaquickpinch, @drconniewang

Do you ever feel like you are too much? Too emotional? Too needy? If you do, then this episode is for you. Today, Laura is going to talk about where the belief that you are a burden comes from, how to identify it, how to talk to that inner child about it, and then learn to reclaim the space you deserve. You can subscribe today at AccessMore or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Let's be real… most women have spent their whole lives being told how to be desirable — But never how to actually desire for themselves.In this episode, we're flipping that script.I'm joined by Michal Emily Schuster as we get raw about what happens when women keep coming last.We're diving into: 

This episode is powered by the Move to Millions Live AfterGlow “Confidence is not about ego—it's about identity.” – Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon If you've ever shrunk in a room where you were meant to lead, discounted your rates to feel accessible, or questioned whether you're really the one for the job—this episode is your wake-up call. In Part 2 of the Soul Leadership Series, Dr. Darnyelle goes all in on one of the most misunderstood success levers in the marketplace: confidence. Not the surface-level kind you “fake till you make”—we're talking divine, soul-anchored, strategy-activating confidence that doesn't wait for applause or approval to move. Because the truth is, you're not struggling with strategy—you're out of alignment with your spiritual authority. Confidence isn't optional. It's a spiritual posture and a leadership requirement if you want to scale to and beyond seven figures. Tap in to learn how confidence built on identity—not ego—will collapse timelines, magnetize aligned clients, and change everything. Here's the truth: Confidence is the root system for every million-dollar decision you'll ever make. Without it, your marketing underperforms, your offers are underpriced, and your leadership feels heavy. But when your confidence is anchored in who God created you to be—not what the market says about you—you unlock unshakable power, magnetic messaging, and unapologetic pricing. Stop hiding behind strategy and start embodying the soul work that makes your strategy effective. Grab your Move to Millions Podcast Notebook, a pen and your favorite beverage and listen in to discover: ✔How to recalibrate your pricing to reflect your divine value, not your doubt ✔ How to fortify your leadership confidence without waiting for external validation ✔Three ways to anchor your confidence in soul—not ego—so it drives business growth ✔And so much more This episode is a call to rise into the divine assignment you've been running from and stop performing humility in the name of being “relatable.” This is about owning your power without apology, reclaiming your worth, and pricing your offers in accordance with your anointing. It's about embodying the truth that you are the evidence of God's brilliance on earth—and it's time the market felt it. This is your invitation to stop editing yourself for rooms you were called to lead. This is the moment to reclaim your space, recalibrate your posture, and reintroduce yourself to your business as the masterpiece you are. Confidence is not about being louder—it's about being more aligned. And the next level of your business depends on it. Resources Mentioned: Apply for a Soul + Strategy Conversation Move to Millions: The Proven Framework To Become a Million Dollar CEO With Grace & Ease Instead of Hustle & Grind by Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon – Get Your Copy Companion Guide for Move to Millions – Download for a detailed overview of the seven systems to seven figures. Join the Move to Millions Facebook Group for ongoing support and community engagement – Join Now Move to Millions 90-Day Business Growth Planner – Get Your Planner Scaling Secrets   Five Powerful Quotes from the Episode: “Confidence is not a volume game—it's not about being louder, it's about being more aligned.” – Dr. Darnyelle “Confidence is the soul posture that says: I was assigned to this—and I don't need permission to take up space.” – Dr. Darnyelle “Your confidence will close more sales than your skills ever will.” – Dr. Darnyelle “God handpicked every gift and talent that He gave you—for you.” – Dr. Darnyelle “The assignment that you're on wasn't given to you randomly. It was given to you divinely.” – Dr. Darnyelle   Questions to Ask Yourself While Listening: Where in my business am I dimming my light to make others comfortable? Am I over-delivering and undercharging because I doubt the value of my work? Do I believe my business is a divine assignment, or am I treating it like a hustle? What would shift if I trusted my confidence more than I feared rejection? How does my current pricing and presence reflect (or reject) my soul's posture? Want more of Darnyelle? Personal Brand Website: https://www.drdarnyelle.com Company Website: https://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com All Things Move to Millions Website: https://www.movetomillions.com   Social Media Links: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/darnyellejerveyharmon Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darnyellejerveyharmon Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/darnyellejervey LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/darnyellejerveyharmon  Links Mentioned in the Episode: Movetomillions.com MovetoMillionsGroup.com HausofMillions.com Move to Millions Continuum Episode Move to Millions Live 2026 Subscribe to the Move to Millions Podcast: Listen on iTunes Listen on Google Play Listen on Stitcher Listen on iHeartRadio Listen on Pandora Leave us a review Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you're not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don't want you to miss an episode. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you're not subscribed there's a good chance you'll miss out on those. Now if you're feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

A year ago, I was right on the edge.Smiling. Hopeful. Nervous as hell. I had just started my business. My marriage was shifting in big, uncomfortable ways. I had a closet full of cute outfits but still didn't feel at home in my body.And even though I looked like I had it together, I was scared to be seen. Really seen.Since then? I've said yes to the wildest invitations life had for me. I've walked through sacred plant medicine journeys that cracked me open in ways I can't unsee. I've sat with the hard truths in my relationship—and started telling the truth in all the places I used to stay quiet.And somewhere in the middle of all that unraveling... I stopped hiding.In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my personal evolution over the past year: → what shifted in my energy → how I moved from self-conscious to self-led → what it really took to become the woman I am now (and why it wasn't just about outfits or confidence—but about truth, nervous system healing, and full-body reclamation)If you're standing on the cusp of your own becoming—this one's for you. Ready to dress like your soul's on fire and feel sexy doing it? Join my 6-week Styled & Sensual mastermind and let's reset your style—and your self-expression—from the inside out. LEARN MORE HERE! Join my virtual retreat "She Comes First: Own Your Pleasure. Take Up Space. Light the Damn Room on Fire!" for a full-body, profound, and sensual embodiment of self-love. Happening June 28-29th - GRAB YOUR TIX HERE! Take your Wardrobe Alignment Assessment and get personalized video feedback from me! Easy, 10 question quiz to help you see where the blocks are! Dress Like a Goddess in 90 Seconds - And I really mean it! Grab this free guide that is short, simple, but packs powerful, tangible results so you can start dressing like your REAL and most AUTHENTIC self every day! Grab it HERE. Connect with me online:Website: www.marenswenson.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558419637560Instagram: ...

Recently, I was in Sedona on a visionary integrator retreat with my COO Julia. The whole point of the trip was to take a pause, think big, and get aligned. In the development of Beauty Culture and what it may become, we've tossed around a lot of different ideas.  Julia loves the mountains, and with her encouragement, we decided to go on the Devil's Bridge hike while we were there. We finally made it to the bridge, which is majestic, Instagram worthy, and totally narrow. There was a line to take photos, and at one point these older women had their turn, but they were holding up the line. Someone across the canyon yells “hurry up,” and one of the women turns around and says “I was once where you are—across the bridge—and now I'm here! So shut the F up!” Part of me was embarrassed for her, but the other part of me was obsessed with the audacity she had to take up space. As women, we are conditioned to apologize for our success, shrink when we're shining, and to snap the picture and get out of the way. We don't want to inconvenience anyone else. But if you've put in the work, you've earned the photo. You didn't climb this far to rush the moment. When you meet a goal, take a moment of reverence and honor the mountain you've just climbed. You don't owe anyone speed (even when your people-pleasing tendencies sneak up on you). Reclaiming space is about unlearning the narrative that you should just be small. You deserve the spotlight.    www.beautyculturespa.com @beautyculture.medspa

Have you ever caught yourself hiding in your creative business? Downplaying your work, resisting visibility, or playing it safe even when something bolder is calling your name? In this episode, I share a surprising story about getting my color analysis done and discovering how deeply uncomfortable it felt to be seen in vibrant, high-contrast colors...because deep down, I've been shrinking from visibility.This episode dives into why so many creative entrepreneurs resist taking up space and what's really at stake when we avoid being seen. You'll learn how to recognize where you're holding back, explore impactful ways to begin stepping into visibility, and understand why showing up fully matters not just for your own growth, but for the inspiration and permission it gives others.Whether you're an artist, coach, designer, or creative spirit navigating visibility and vulnerability, this episode offers a grounded, self-reflective look at what it means to be seen and how to start showing up with more courage.⭐Get 50% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠Flodesk⁠⁠⁠⁠ today!    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠☕⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and support an episode!⭐Visit www.thetillagepodcast.com for today's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and more.⭐Follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⭐Sign Up for the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NEWSLETTER

Let's be real — some days feel like you're glowing, and some days feel like you're barely keeping it together.I'm sharing a deeply personal ritual I turn to when life feels messy, heavy, or like I'm one dirty dish away from a meltdown. It's not about perfection or pretending — it's about reconnecting with your body, your beauty, and your breath right where you are.Inside, I'll guide you through my Reclaiming Radiance Ritual — something you can do in under 15 minutes to:

“You deserve to take up space. The world needs you exactly as you are—with your gifts and your imperfections.”

Alysia Montaño has never stood down from a challenge. Making waves when she ran the 2014 USATF Championships at 34 weeks pregnant, the activist, mother, and Olympian wants other women to know that they have value exactly as they are. That's the driving force behind her non-profit, For All Mothers, that aims to eliminate the motherhood penalty — the phenomenon by which women face economic, social, and health disadvantages after becoming mothers — through the public lens of sports. In this week's episode, we talk about how life is for Alysia now that her work is focused own her activism instead of getting after it on the track, she shares how she takes care of herself while juggling motherhood, business, and so much more. Plus: The emotions that come with getting exactly what she deserves after finding out last year that she's a bronze medalist from the 2012 London Olympics after a competitor was banned for doping. IN THIS EPISODE(5:15) Alysia shares what the Childcare So They Can Get Out There grant looks like(5:46) Why Alysia started For All Mothers+(9:45) Alysia talks about what it was like for her to make "motherhood visible" running the USATF championships at 8 months pregnant(15:26) How motherhood has influenced Alysia's perspective on sports and competition as a whole(20:28) Alysia talks about what it was like to win indoor nationals six months postpartum, navigating contract negotiations(26:45) How Alysia feels about asking for help and why it's important to her juggling so many roles(34:22) What are the barriers for childbearing women in sport and how For All Mothers+ is addressing those(39:52) Why it's important for all women to share their stories(45:32) The conversations Alysia is having with her three children on how to express their emotions(45:58) What does success look like for this Olympian?(51:32) What's Alysia's personal philosophy?(56:58) What advice would Alysia offer her younger self?MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEStrava Partners With For All Mothers+SOCIAL@alysiamontano@forallmothersorg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OFFERSASICS | Join me for the 5th annual ASICS Blue Jean Mile. Each mile is a step towards awareness and funds for mental health awareness. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠Asics.com⁠⁠⁠.LMNT | Lemonade has ARRIVED! Head to ⁠⁠DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle⁠⁠ to get a free sample pack with your purchaseJOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email hello@hurdle.us to ask me a question!⁠⁠⁠

Ever find yourself slipping out the door for some “me time”—a workout, a walk, or just a breather alone—while guilt tugs at you the whole way? Do you catch yourself feeling like you have to earn basic self-care, or sneak around just to meet your own needs? It's time to flip the script. In this episode, we get real about the invisible rules you've been living by—the outdated beliefs, generational patterns + invisible contracts that keep you putting everyone else first. We unpack why it feels so wrong to put yourself on the priority list and how you can finally feel worthy of the time, space, and care you crave. Here's what we'll dive into: ✔️ The #1 mindset shift that will help you break free from constant guilt around self-care ✔️ Practical, loving reparenting techniques to calm your inner critic when she says “you don't deserve this” ✔️ How setting boundaries without apology rewires everything—from your marriage to your kids' sense of self-worth ✔️ The exact first steps to help you stop shrinking and start owning your space—all without blowing up your home life If you're stuck in the cycle of self-abandonment and ready to become unapologetic AF about your own needs… this episode is for you. Ready to take up space and change the story? Let's do it—together.

Today we're fighting the urge to minimise our needs and dreams, and embracing the courage it takes to let ourselves want more.Sign up for my weekly Letters of Rebellion! | A transcript of this episode is available here.About Meg & The Daily Pep!I'm Meg and I'm the host of The Daily Pep! and The Couragemakers Podcast and founder of The Rebel Rousers. I'm a coach, writer and all-round rebel-rouser for creative and multi-passionate women to do the things only they can do and build a wholehearted life. When I'm not recording episodes, writing bullshit-free Letters of Rebellion to my wonderful Couragemakers community or hosting workshops/group programmes, I'm usually covered in paint or walking my wonderfully weird cockapoo Merlin.Website | Instagram | The Couragemakers Podcast | Letters of Rebellion | Rebel Creators 

 What if we don't know how to take up space? Maybe it wasn't taught to us growing up. Maybe it's not naturally part of our culture.On this episode swap, Krystl talks with Erika Casupanan — the first ever Filipino AND Canadian to win Survivor! Erika is a speaker, TV personality, and writer who's built a career on flipping the script on what it means to be underestimated. On Happy to See Me, she interviews guests who were often counted out — and highlights how they broke past the limits placed on them.In this episode, Erika and Krystl have a vulnerable and empowering conversation around a big question:They talk about their Filipino upbringing, imposter syndrome, the upper limit problem, and the slow, intentional process of building real self-compassion. You'll hear stories, reflections, and practical insights that will inspire you to be kind to yourself and step into your power authentically.✨ This one's for anyone who's ever felt small in spaces they were meant to shine in.Support Filipino BC's Kapwa Strong Fund https://filipinobc.com/Follow the Happy to See Me Pod on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/Listen to the Happy to See Me Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-to-see-me-with-erika-casupanan/id1667189595Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepodPlease rate, review and subscribe!

What if we don't know HOW to take up space? Maybe it wasn't naturally part of our culture? Krystl Fabella, founder of Filipina on the Rise, joins the pod for a vulnerable conversation about realizing we need to take up space and how to actually do it. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

In this empowering episode, we explore what it truly means to take up space—in our lives, relationships, and the world. Host Jasmine, reflects on a few personal life transitions and shares heartfelt encouragement for anyone navigating change. Whether you're stepping into a new chapter or reclaiming your voice, this conversation is a reminder that you belong here, exactly as you are. Tune in for inspiration, grounding truths, and an invitation to show up boldly and unapologetically.Thank you all so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed the vibes, be sure to share and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and Google Play!       Sign up for our email list here ⬇️:    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfclQ0CoFr0GBLJVjAMBbA2jcMWk9mXxHIaYoxsD-g9HdBzg/viewform?usp=sf_link      Get your Serenity Score Card Today  ⬇️:   https://shotsofserenity.square.site/gallery Keep up with Shots of Serenity on our Socials:• Follow us on Instagram @shotsofserenity_ @thejasminestjohn •Subscribe to my Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@jasmine.stjohn• Click the link below to stay updated on our website, subscribe to our email list, and join our live offerings!https://shotsofserenity.square.site/ • Screenshot any of our episodes and tag @shotsofserenity_ on Instagram, to be featured on our story.                 Music rights belong to Dar'rell Banks https://darrellbanksmusic.com

A bite-sized episode to put a little PEP in your step for the week ahead!This Sunday pep talk encourages individuals to take up space and live authentically. Emphasizing the importance of not shrinking oneself to fit into other people's expectations, everyone is entitled to their own space physically, emotionally, and spiritually.Get your copy of Rachel's New Book Here: Audible, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Millon, Bookshop.org, or wherever books are sold!Sign up for Rachel's weekly email: https://msrachelhollis.com/insider/Call the podcast hotline and leave a voicemail! Call (737) 400-4626Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelHollisMotivation/videosFollow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MsRachelHollis To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices.

Are you holding yourself back on social media or in your business? In this episode, we're tackling the real cost of playing small—especially for entrepreneurs, content creators, and personal brands trying to grow on Instagram and beyond. I'll share mindset shifts that helped me step into my power, strategies to boost your online visibility, and how showing up confidently can lead to major growth and momentum. Whether you're building a personal brand, launching your first offer, or trying to create content that actually converts—this episode will help you take bold action and stop hiding your magic. Plus, I'm sharing quotes from top entrepreneurs who built success by being seen, not by staying quiet. It's time to stop playing small and start building the business—and the presence—you were made for. Grab my FREE launch checklist to start your own onine business: HERE Join club enfluence today for Viral reels trends, monthly content calendars and canva templates to grow your online business: JOIN HERE

How do we actually learn to take up space? Jaimie Weisberg is a content creator with over 1.8 million followers and she's on a journey to do just that. Jaimie built her platform on overcoming judgement and fostering self acceptance. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

Don't be afraid to take up space in the room, on your family's calendar, or in the world. Jen gives you a pep talk about why it's good for you, and the people you love, when you boldly take up space. She also talks about her experience with acupuncture, and getting a new face therapist.    PATREON: Join Jen's Patreon here and get instant access to great content + Jen's “State of the Dumpster Fire” chats   UPCOMING SHOWS - NEW MATERIAL! 3/11 - BUFFALO 3/12 - DETROIT / ROYAL OAK 3/13 - MILWAUKEE - NEW 4/1 - PHILADELPHIA 4/2 - RICHMOND 4/3 - VA BEACH 4/9 - DENVER - * COMEDY SPECIAL FILMING * 4/22 - PLANO 4/23 - TYLER, TX 5/7 - COLUMBUS - * NEW DATE * 5/10 - NYC - * COMEDY SPECIAL FILMING *   JEN'S COMEDY SPECIAL: Maternal Instinct on YouTube   EMAIL LIST: Join Jen's email list! YOUTUBE: Jen's Youtube channel

Trigger warning: Topics of self harm 00:22:00 - 00:29:00Todayyy we talk about my recent bachelorette weekend trip, my recent thoughts on holding myself accountable when I stop therapy, and all about taking up space after you have lived with shame for a long time!We also talk about a recent dear abbey submission and topics of self harm.If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a trained professional. You're not alone. See resources below and in the description.U.S. Resources:-988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or Text 988 for 24/7 support. 988lifeline.org-National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text “NAMI”to 741741 for help. NAMI.orgInternational Resources:-Find a Helpline - A global directory of mental health hotlines. findahelpline.comCall 909-817-1742 to leave a “Dear Abbey” voicemail or leave a text with a question or asking for advice!! Love you guys!!