In this episode, Becky and Taina dive into a thought-provoking conversation about aging, beauty standards, and the lasting impacts of media on body image. They reflect on the recent Victoria's Secret fashion show featuring Tyra Banks and unpack the mixed messages around body positivity, age inclusivity, and harmful beauty stereotypes. The discussion highlights the complex journey of self-acceptance and empowerment as women age, while critiquing how media and brands often fail to reflect true diversity. With a feminist lens, they tackle the role of diet culture, the contradictions of beauty ideals, and the experience of finding freedom in aging.

Whether you're navigating the pressures of aging gracefully, rejecting the outdated rules of beauty, or simply trying to find your own place in the world, this episode offers a candid exploration of these important topics.

Discussed in this episode:

• Tyra Banks' return to the runway and the Victoria's Secret fashion show controversy
• The lasting harm caused by America's Next Top Model and its critique of body image in media
• The disconnect between body positivity movement messaging and actual inclusive beauty standards
• Struggles with self-acceptance and dealing with body changes as we age
• The journey of aging gracefully and embracing it as a form of empowerment
• How diet culture and harmful beauty stereotypes have shaped perceptions of beauty and aging
• The feminist critique of how media often forces women into narrow beauty categories
• Reflections on aging and self-worth and the power of redefining beauty
• A deep dive into the idea of embracing middle age and finding freedom outside of societal expectations

Resources mentioned:

• Dacy Gillespie’s "Unflattering" Substack: https://dacygillespie.substack.com/p/from-the-vault
• Charlotte Palermino (@CharlotteParler on TikTok), skincare expert: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlotteparler
• The Chronicon Community: https://www.thechroniconcommunity.com/
• “Face: One Square Foot of Skin” by Justine Bateman: https://amzn.to/3BN5pWN

Make sure to subscribe to Messy Liberation on YouTube so you can join us on November 6th for a live post-election discussion!

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

In this episode, Becky Mollenkamp and guest Taina Brown dive into the complexities of relationships, discussing everything from managing conflict to the dynamics between queer and heteronormative couples. Becky opens up about the ongoing, light-hearted "conflict" she has with her husband about sleeping in separate bedrooms, especially now that perimenopause has made her even more sensitive to comfort during sleep. Taina shares her own experiences in the LGBTQ+ community, shedding light on the challenges of navigating toxic masculinity in same-sex relationships and the harmful stereotypes queer couples face. The conversation also delves into attachment styles, managing differences in introvert-extrovert partnerships, and how political identity shapes both queer and straight relationships. Throughout the episode, Becky and Taina challenge the traditional norms surrounding relationships, especially the unrealistic portrayal of "perfect" relationships on social media. Whether you're curious about the dynamics of same-sex relationships or how to improve communication and conflict resolution in your own marriage, this episode has something for everyone.

Discussed in this episode:

• Separate bedrooms for couples: Is it a sign of trouble or a practical solution?
• How social media can create unrealistic expectations in relationships
• Queer relationships vs heteronormative relationships: Myths and realities
• Dynamics in same-sex relationships and how they compare to straight couples
• Conflict avoidance in relationships and how to deal with it healthily
• The realities of sleeping in separate beds and maintaining intimacy
• Parenting style conflicts: Navigating different approaches in co-parenting
• Conflict resolution in marriage: Why fighting can lead to growth
• Toxic masculinity in queer relationships and its impact on LGBTQ+ partnerships
• Toxic relationships in the LGBTQ community and how to avoid them
• The pros and cons of separate vacations for couples
• Attachment styles in relationships and how they shape conflict
• Managing differences in relationships, especially between introverts and extroverts
• Parenting challenges and how they affect relationship dynamics
• Living with an extroverted partner as a deep introvert
• The importance of honoring each person’s individuality in a partnership
• The political identity of queerness and how it shapes relationships
• Debunking common myths about same-sex relationships
• How to handle conflict in marriage without fearing the end

Resource mentioned:

• I've Had It podcast

Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Messy Liberation on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you insightful conversations and valuable content.

LEARN MORE:

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

In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky, Taina, and guest Dee Frayne dive deep into the complexities behind white women's voting patterns, particularly the significant number who have supported Donald Trump. The conversation explores the role of patriarchy, internalized misogyny, and white supremacy in shaping these decisions, while also examining whether centering white women as 'the problem' is productive or counterproductive.

The discussion emphasizes the systemic nature of these issues, as well as the emotional labor involved in trying to change deeply embedded voting behaviors. With an honest and messy conversation, the hosts consider whether it's worth calling out or calling in fellow white women, and how those conversations should unfold in a way that invites real change, without placing undue burden on those harmed by these voting behaviors.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Why white women vote for Trump and the role of patriarchy
• The problem of internalized misogyny and white supremacy in voting patterns
• The tension between calling out versus calling in white women
• Voting against one's own interests and the prioritization of whiteness
• How fear and safety influence conservative voting behaviors
• The failures of centrist Democratic policies in appealing to conservative white women
• The importance of radical policies like universal childcare and healthcare in appealing to white women voters
• Challenges in building solidarity between white women and women of color
• The role of systemic issues like the Electoral College in perpetuating these dynamics

Resources Mentioned:

• They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers
• White Feminism by Koa Beck
• The Social Change Ecosystem Framework by Deepa Iyer
• Working Families Party
• Socialist Party Presidential Ticket
• The White Woman Whisperer on TikTok
  
  

Connect with Dee Frayne: Website | Instagram

Subscribe & Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Messy Liberation on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us continue to bring you insightful conversations and valuable content.

LEARN MORE:

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