Chappell Roan, Body Empowerment, and the Fight Against Diet Culture

Messy Liberation: Feminist Conversations about Politics and Pop Culture

Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into the complex and often challenging journey of body liberation, body neutrality, and body positivity. They discuss their personal experiences with body image, health struggles, and how society's ever-changing beauty standards impact our relationships with our bodies. From the challenges of dealing with chronic illness like fibromyalgia and perimenopause to the liberating power of embracing body neutrality, this conversation is a candid exploration of what it means to live in a body that doesn’t always conform to societal expectations.

The episode also highlights the importance of trauma work in reconnecting with our bodies and finding true liberation. The hosts discuss the influence of pop culture, specifically Chappell Roan’s music, on the conversation around women’s pleasure and empowerment. They emphasize the significance of self-advocacy and staying true to oneself, whether in the pursuit of health or in the face of diet culture.

Key Discussion Points:

• Body Liberation vs. Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality: The hosts explore the nuances between these concepts and share their personal journeys toward body acceptance.
• Trauma and the Body: How trauma can disconnect us from our bodies and the importance of trauma work in the journey toward body liberation.
• The Impact of Chronic Illness: Taina’s experience with fibromyalgia and Becky’s with perimenopause, and how these conditions have influenced their relationships with their bodies.
• The Influence of Society’s Beauty Standards: How changing beauty trends and diet culture can affect self-perception and the pursuit of body neutrality.
• Lizzo, Chappell Roan and Women’s Empowerment: The role of pop culture, specifically Chappell Roan’s music, in challenging societal norms and promoting women’s pleasure and body empowerment.
• Self-Advocacy and Perseverance: The importance of advocating for your own needs, both in health and in the broader context of living authentically.

Resources Mentioned:

• Becky’s “The Bad Influencer” newsletter
• Dacy Gillespie of mindful closet’s “Unflattering” newsletter
• The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

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LEARN MORE:

• Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
• Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS