Busy Body – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to the latest episode of Busy Body, if you are not already, please take a moment to become a paid subscriber. It’s only $7/mo which is less than a bougie cappuccino! Instead of a caffeine buzz help support this podcast, the writing that I do here, and the small team that makes it all happen.

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If you are mainly a podcast fan we’re now on Patreon! There are tiers (both of which include receiving a pack of Busy Body stickers from me - in the mail! fun!) Get ad free video versions and new segments with ‘unfiltered’ content! Join the Patreon HERE and support the pod - the more support, the more often I can get these episodes out.

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Today I’m speaking with author and self described public intellectual (now my new career goal) Sophie Lewis about her book Enemy Feminisms which is out now in paperback BUT ALSO she has a NEW book of essays which just came out called Femmephilia - which you can order here.

This is an absolutely riveting conversation for anyone out there who calls themselves a Feminist. Get ready to lose your monocle and let go of some of your feminist icons. Sophie is ripping the band-aid off so much of glossed over Feminist history, our perception of how liberated women came to be, and introduces us to some truly incredible characters; replete with costume changes, perpetual monocles and irreconcilable droves of ‘savages’ who carry them about. It’s a fascinating ride through our history of leaning in, out and all over the place. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! You can buy Enemy Feminisms HERE

Follow Sophie Lewis HERE

Find her Patreon and book tour information HERE (I’ll be going to one of the Brooklyn readings!)

And her website and full offerings HERE

Please take a moment to like, share or comment! Putting these episodes out takes many hours of effort and even a little ‘like’ heart lets me know you’re listening ❤️

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Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks. Podcast produced by Brad Parsons at Trains Sound Studio. Illustration by Azul Trejo.

Welcome to the latest episode of Busy Body, if you are not already, please take a moment to become a paid subscriber. It’s only $7/mo which is less than a bougie cappuccino! Instead of a caffeine buzz help support this podcast, the writing that I do here, and the small team that makes it all happen.

Subscribe now

If you are mainly a podcast fan we’re now on Patreon! There are tiers (both of which include receiving a pack of Busy Body stickers from me - in the mail! fun!) Get ad free video versions and new segments with ‘unfiltered’ content! Join the Patreon and support the pod (the more support, the more often I can get these episodes out)

Todays Episode:

I'm so thrilled to share this episode with returning guest Susanna Crossman! If you missed our first conversation on her incredible memoir, Home is Where We Start, listen to it here. Since then, I've visited Susanna and her family in Brittany, become fast friends, and I'm delighted to share her newest book, a work of fiction, The Orange Notebooks. This is a powerful conversation on processing grief, love, and making space for these huge experiences in a world that has long since abandoned the communal rituals that used to contain them. Life does leave it’s mark on us, The Orange Notebooks beautifully describes this and leaves us battered but better for it. You can read an extract of the book here: Electric Literature: Order The Orange Notebooks in the US here You can find more about Susanna, including her writing mentorship here Follow her for more updates on her work and workshops on IG

Please take a moment to like, share or comment! Putting these episodes out takes many hours of effort and even a little ‘like’ heart lets me know you’re listening ❤️

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Leave a comment

Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks. Podcast produced by Brad Parsons at Trains Sound Studio. Illustration by Azul Trejo.

In this episode of Busy Body Podcast I speak with Mikala Jamison, author of the substack Body Type and upcoming book, The Forever Project (out next summer!). We discuss the both-and of caring for one's body with exercise while also being aware of the societal norms and pressures of living in a body that is policed by society to have a certain appearance or ability. What is body image? How do we engage with fitness without falling into a spiral of metrics and calorie counting? We dive deep in this conversation! Stay tuned for part 2!

To get updates on Mikala's book publication and read her work disentangling of fads from fitness, subscribe to her substack and follow her on socials HERE

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your friends and leave us a review! Your support helps us continue these important conversations. If you enjoy this podcast and my essays please consider subscribing. The podcast costs money to produce and a lot of time to create. Your support makes it possible for these episodes to exist.

I’ve written about my own experience of learning to run here

I was recently published by Business Insider. I wrote about a moment of semi-spiral around my aging face. Read it here. p.s. the title is their edit(!)

I’ve also written about the upsides of poor mental health here-enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

I teach beginner strength and stability via The Self Paced Series as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness.

Want to deep dive with me on YOUR unique issues? Get the accountability that private coaching creates? Join me for virtual one-to-one sessions, we’ll move together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

If you liked this conversation please rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts AND heart comment or share on this substack post! It helps spread the word and get this podcast and these wonderful conversations heard and seen.

Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks.Podcast produced by Brad at Trains Sound Studio.Illustrations by me

This was such a thrilling insightful conversation! Join me as Laura Thomas helps to 'complicate simplistic food narratives for our overall peace' - I love that phrase! We discuss the societal and cultural influences on food choices and Laura's ultimate thorn, the hyper focus on ultra-processed foods in modern diets. As always, there is so much more to the story! Capitalism, domestic gender equality and politics all come into play on our plates.

Find Laura Thomas, PhD in Nutritional Sciences, registered nutritionist, and author of the newsletter "Can I Have Another Snack." Her newsletter and podcast Here, IG here and her books here (apologies that the ‘zon was the only spot I could find selling them in the US).

Subscribe to the Busybody Podcast for more discussions on topics like this! Follow me on Instagram at @BrooklynStrength and visit brooklynstrength.com for more information and ways you can work with me! (including to de-program your brain to stop fighting with your body)

I’ve written about the joys of ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole Fulfillment

And how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

You can still jump into the Summer Series! Grab it now and get consistent, safe, fun, (anti-anxiety cardio anyone??) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via The Self Paced Series as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness.

Want to deep dive with me on YOUR unique issues? Get the accountability that private coaching creates? Join me for virtual one-to-one sessions, we’ll move together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laura Thomas and Her Work

02:51 Cultural Perspectives on Food: US vs UK

05:33 The Role of Mothers in Nutrition and Food Choices

11:42 The Burden of Food Work on Mothers

14:37 Ultra-Processed Foods: Definitions and Implications

29:34 The Societal Impact of Food Choices

44:20 Critical Thinking in Food Consumption

58:40 Conclusion and Future Conversations

If you liked this conversation please rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts AND heart comment or share on this substack post! It helps spread the word and get this podcast and these wonderful conversations heard and seen.

Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks. Podcast produced by Brad at Trains Sound Studio. Illustrations by Jackie Mendez and me

#Nutrition #FoodCulture #Podcast #LauraThomas #BusybodyPodcast

I was first introduced to Cecile Simmons from her essay on being an expert on wellness misinformation and yet falling down a rabbit hole of social media fueled wellness trends even as she knew she was being duped. After that I was hooked (relatable!). We talk about the upsetting relationship between wellness, misinformation/disinformation and politics. In a world filled with conflicting information and the political agendas that shape wellness, the need for a balanced approach to health that prioritizes genuine well-being over societal pressures is even more needed.Cecile's book Ctrl Delete Hate is out now - get it HEREFind Cecile Simmons work HERE and HERE

I’ve written about ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole Fulfillment

And how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

You can still jump into the Summer Series ! Grab it now and get consistent, safe, fun (!) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you moving together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

I hope you can find something here that supports you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wellness and Misinformation

02:50 The Intersection of Wellness and Political Ideologies

05:44 Understanding Misinformation vs. Disinformation

08:45 The Impact of Social Media on Wellness Trends

11:55 The Dangers of Tracking and Optimization

14:54 The Role of Community in Wellness

17:46 Monetization in the Wellness Industry

20:40 The Crisis of Dietary Confusion

23:35 The Influence of the Pandemic on Health Trends

26:41 The Rise of Extreme Diets

29:38 The Political Nature of Dietary Choices

32:45 The Backlash Against Contraceptive Pills

35:37 The Need for Equitable Health Solutions

37:56 The Impact of Hormonal Birth Control on Women's Health

40:48 Navigating Misinformation in Health and Wellness

42:36 Cultural Perspectives on Food and Health

46:01 The Influence of Misinformation on Dietary Choices

50:37 The Role of Community in Wellness

56:52 Men's Health and the Manosphere

01:06:11 Political Agendas in Wellness Trends

On this episode I got a real STAR! Insert name-in-lights! Sarah shares her journey from a shy kid in a small town to a contestant on America's Next Top Model (whaaat!) which launches her plus-size modeling career AND exposes her to the outrageously disturbing manipulative nature of reality TV. We discuss the impact of objectification on self-perception and the pressure of being a plus-size model despite the seemingly built-in body positive message. Plus lots of juicy - they did whaaat? from her time on ANTM.Sarah's book, You Wanna Be On Top? a memoir of makeovers, manipulation and not becoming America's Next Top Model is out July 8th!!Order her book HEREFind Sarah HERE

I’ve written about the positives of ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole Fulfillment

And how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

You can still jump into the Summer Series BOGO 50% off is still going on!

Grab it and get consistent, safe, fun (!) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you moving together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

I hope you can find something here that supports you.my offerings

02:58 From Small Town to Reality TV

05:59 Understanding Plus-Size Modeling

08:53 The Reality of Modeling and Body Image

12:00 Cultural Differences in Body Perception

15:10 Navigating Attention and Performance

17:56 The Transformation Through Comedy

21:00 The Surreal Experience of Reality TV

24:11 Manipulation in Reality TV

27:01 The Psychological Tactics of Competition

29:45 The Aftermath of Reality TV

32:56 The Journey Beyond the Show

39:09 The Early Days of Plus Size Modeling

42:00 Objectification and Body Image

46:00 The Struggle for Self-Identity

51:02 The Impact of Objectification on Self-Perception

55:47 Navigating Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance

01:01:02 The Journey Towards Body Neutrality

01:10:04 Reflections on Diet Culture and Self-Worth

I read Emmeline Clein's book 'Dead Weight' last fall in a flurry of non-fiction, memoir and journalism I was reading around eating disorder and body image. Dead Weight manages to bridge all three. Our conversation explores the cultural perceptions of anorexia and bulimia, the impact of diagnosis on identity, and the importance of pleasure and vitality in context of our perception of what disordered eating is. Dead Weight is a call for solidarity among those affected by eating disorders, which is all of us, no matter our relationship to food.

Find Emmeline Clein here

and order her book, Dead Weight, here

I’ve written about ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole Fulfillment

And how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

The last day to get Early Bird pricing on my Summer Series is today! Grab it now and get consistent, safe, fun (!) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you working out, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

I hope you can find something here that supports you.

01:25 Introduction to Emeline Klein and 'Dead Weight'

02:52 Reframing Eating Disorders: Societal vs. Individual Pathologies

09:07 The Ghost Choir: Speaking for the Unheard

24:33 The Binary of Anorexia and Bulimia

35:18 The Impact of Labels and Diagnoses

40:30 Understanding Eating Disorders as Coping Mechanisms

45:18 The Role of Medical Professionals in Eating Disorder Awareness

49:01 The Impact of Societal Norms on Women's Eating Habits

53:49 The Dangers of Diet Culture and Weight Loss Drugs

01:00:21 Rethinking Eating Disorder Treatment Approaches

01:06:39 The Importance of Open Conversations about Eating Disorders

In today's conversation I finally get to talk to my insta-crush Uncle Nat! Uncle Nat is an educator, innovator, and the founder of Uncle Nat’s, a radically inclusive salon located in Brooklyn. Uncle Nat has reshaped the field of body hair removal with the all-gender Brazilian and created a gender-affirming, fat-glorifying, trauma- and disability-aware, deeply POC-informed salon space that provides mutual care on multiple levels. Uncle Nat is a powerful proponent of the importance of vulnerability in client relationships, the role of community in creating safe spaces, and the problem with cancel culture. The need for emotional maturity and open communication in navigating the complexities of running a small business while maintaining a commitment to accessibility and care is a deep topic for us both and I so appreciated this conversation! Also Uncle Nat is hilarious and we share some good laughs. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

If you enjoy my substack, simply ‘hearting’ it helps to spread my work. If you want to do more, comment, re-stack or share it to someone whom you think will enjoyed it. All of my work exists because of the support of my community. Please consider upgrading to paid to make this a more viable income source for me and my small team.

During our conversation Uncle Nat mentioned three people who speak about the problems inherent in cancel culture: Africa Brooke , Clementine Morrigan and Adrianne Maree Brown's book We Will Not Cancel UsFind Uncle Nat on IG Here on TikTok HereMake an appointment to visit their salon or book coaching HERE

I’ve written about ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole Fulfillment

And how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

Every Virtual Run Club series starts with a group coach call and 9 out of 10 participants begin by saying how much they hate running and don’t ever want to. It’s a wonderful group and many have gone on to create non-obsessive, joyful running practices to this day.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you working out, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

I hope you can find something here that supports you.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Accessibility in Business Models

02:51 Uncle Nat's: A Revolutionary Salon Experience

06:05 Navigating Gender and Hair Removal

09:10 Safety and Intimacy in Aesthetic Spaces

11:52 Debunking Myths in Hair Removal Practices

15:05 Community and Care in Aesthetic Services

18:13 Transformative Justice and Cancel Culture

20:53 Perfectionism and Accessibility in Services

38:28 Navigating Disability and Professionalism

39:25 The Complexity of Accessibility

40:30 Redefining Care in Business

42:51 Balancing Client Expectations and Business Needs

44:45 The Emotional Landscape of Small Business

46:37 Creating a Supportive Work Environment

48:10 The Impact of Virtual Spaces on Accessibility

49:33 Rethinking Tipping and Service Industry Standards

50:48 Valuing Yourself as a Business Owner

52:21 Diversity and Representation in Service

54:40 Education and Accessibility in Business

57:38 The Importance of Open Communication

01:00:01 Understanding Limitations and Expectations

01:02:42 The Dangers of Cancel Culture

01:05:11 The Need for Accessible Spaces

01:08:55 The Role of Service Providers in Community Care

01:11:16 The Complexity of Identity in Service

01:13:34 Being of Service vs. Being Subservient

01:15:51 Navigating Internal Ethics in Business

Christina is the special guest chef and recipe provider in our Nourish Yourself coaching program that runs only once a year. Enrollment opens MONDAY February 24th! FULL INFO HERE

We recently put out an AMA on Instagram asking what questions and anxieties are particularly present for you when it comes to prepping, shopping, cooking and eating food!

We got so many wonderful comments, from the hurdle of time + money to ‘eat healthy’ to the perfectionism-stagnation that is fear of food waste and undoing all our 'healthy’ strides with the next unhealthy work-lunch order-in. Today, we discuss your questions and provide some answers.

These are the questions and themes addressed in Nourish Yourself, our seven-week anti-diet coaching program that aims to equip you with the information you need to empower yourself around food and gain the confidence to make choices that work for YOUR life and YOUR body.

Our winter 2025 course starts March 10th and enrollment opens next week! You can sign up for the waitlist here to be notified.

During Nourish Yourself you get 7 Weeks of gentle focus, redefining the patterns and thought processes holding us back from ease and joy around food, cooking and even grocery shopping! The course also features Live Virtual one-to-one sessions with Cadence and a LIVE VIRTUAL GROUP COOKING CLASS with Christina Chaey to ground us in our own personal skills and goals.

Let go of anxiety and overwhelm around food and 'diet'. Get the information and tools you need to find what works for you, your life and your body. FULL INFO HERE.

In this episode Christina mentions a very simple delicious salad.

Check out these winter salad recipes that do not rely on 26 different vegetables: here

I’ve also written about food and nourishment in these posts:

Literally Everyone Else Lives on Carbs

Guacamole Fulfillment

and 7 Decades of Self Denial

Curious about working with me? Please check out my other offerings…

Virtual Run Club enrollment opens March 3rd!

Each series we start with a group coach call. 9 out of 10 participants begin by saying how much they hate running or are terrified to start. It’s a truly beginner friendly program. Many VRC alums have gone on to create non-obsessive, joyful running practices, and even inspired our next level up Virtual Marathon Training Club.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ .

All my programs are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the shame or ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I hope you can find something here that supports you.

You can also find plenty of free support on my IG HERE

Busy Body Podcast is produced by Brad Parsons at Train Sound StudioMusic is written by Robert Bryn, performed by the Wild YaksIllustrations and design by Jackie Mendez at Aesthetics_Frames and Me!

This episode is a LONG one because I've been wanting to have a Doctor on for awhile! I had a BUNCH of questions and Mara did not disappoint.

Dr. Gordon is a size inclusive Doctor who in her own words 'does not yell at her patients for being Fat.'

We discuss if there is really any time when its necessary to get weighed, answer my questions about GLP agonists like Ozempic and patient care, and discuss how challenging it is for patients to feel empowered to speak up and create relationships of trust with their Doctors.

Also, hear Cadence walk the fine line of mistrust in western medicine without running out to steam her Yoni - challenging! Very much looking forward to having Dr. Gordon back.

If you enjoyed todays episode please rate review and subscribe.

You can find Dr. Gordon at IG or her Substack and her website Busy Body Podcast is part of my overall substack After ClassIf you enjoyed this please consider upgrading to paid. My work is not possible with out my producer and my small team of women that keeps Brooklyn Strength running. All proceeds go towards maintaining my ability to keep creating and providing.

Work with me in other ways ⬇️

I teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ .

All my programs are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the shame or ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I hope you can find something here that supports you.

This February enrollment opens for my once-a-year Coaching Program Nourish Yourself. NY is a seven-week anti-diet coaching program that aims to equip you with the information you need to empower yourself around food and finally let go of anxiety and overwhelm. Get the information and tools you need to make the choices that work for you, your life and your body. FULL INFO HERE.

Nourish features Live Virtual one-to-one sessions with Cadence and a LIVE VIRTUAL GROUP COOKING CLASS with former Bon Appetit food and recipe writer (and soon to be cookbook author) Christina Chaey.

Sign up for the waitlist here to be first on enrollment.

You can also find plenty of free support on my IG HERE

I’ve also written about food and nourishment in these posts:

Literally Everyone Else Lives on Carbs

Guacamole Fulfillment

and 7 Decades of Self Denial

Busy Body Podcast is produced by Brad Parsons at Train Sound StudioMusic is written by Robert Bryn, performed by the Wild YaksIllustrations and design by Jackie Mendez at Aesthetics_Frames and Me!