In this episode of Messy Liberation, hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive headfirst into the murky waters of problematic favorites. From Kamala Harris' centrist policies to Taylor Swift's status as a billionaire, they explore how these public figures—who were once celebrated—raise ethical questions.

Key Discussion Points:

• Problematic Faves: Kamala Harris is at the center of the conversation, with the hosts dissecting her stance on Palestine, centrist politics, and identity politics.
• No Ethical Billionaires: The controversial statement that "there are no ethical billionaires" is applied to Taylor Swift, as Becky questions how billionaires accumulate wealth and its impact on climate change.
• Separating Art from the Artist: Should we continue to celebrate the work of problematic figures like Michael Jackson and JK Rowling? Becky and Taina tackle the complexities of enjoying art from problematic creators and wrestle with the concept of ethical consumption.
• White Feminism: The hosts don't hold back on critiquing peak white feminism, particularly when it shows up as support for high-profile figures like Kamala Harris.
• Celebrity Hall Passes & Gender Politics: Things get lighthearted as they reveal their celebrity hall passes, while also discussing the ethics of white celebrities adopting Black children, shining a light on deeper issues of race and privilege.

Resources mentioned:

• The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
• Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
• Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  
  

Be sure to tune in for a candid, sometimes messy, discussion on billionaire ethics, white liberalism, identity politics, and how we navigate the complicated relationships we have with our favorite celebrities.

Join the Conversation: Who are your problematic faves? Connect with us on social media or email us—we want to hear your thoughts!

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

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 Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into the complex world of adult friendships. From navigating the awkwardness of making new friends to understanding the dynamics of friendship breakups, they explore the challenges that come with forming and maintaining relationships as adults. Drawing on personal experiences, they discuss the unique hurdles introverts face, the impact of societal expectations on how we view friendships, and the importance of community in resisting toxic individualism. Whether you’re struggling to connect with others or reevaluating the friendships you already have, this episode offers insightful perspectives and practical advice for fostering meaningful connections in a messy world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Friendship Dynamics: Adult friendships often differ from the extroverted, always-on relationships depicted in popular culture. Introverted friendships, in particular, may involve less frequent communication but can be just as deep and meaningful.
2. Navigating Breakups: Whether through ghosting or gradual drifting apart, friendship breakups are a common experience in adulthood. Understanding that not all friendships are meant to last can help us release the shame associated with these breakups.
3. Intentional Connections: Building and maintaining friendships as adults requires intentionality. Sometimes, it’s about being daring enough to reach out, even if it feels awkward. Small gestures, like sending memes or checking in, can go a long way in sustaining connections.
4. Community and Liberation: Friendships play a vital role in creating a sense of belonging and resisting toxic individualism. By fostering strong, supportive communities, we can collectively push back against oppressive systems and create spaces for mutual care and growth.
5. Grace and Self-Compassion: Both Becky and Taina emphasize the importance of giving ourselves and others grace when it comes to friendship. We’re all flawed, and that’s okay. What matters is the effort we put into understanding and supporting one another.

Resources Mentioned:

• Friendship IRL with Alex Alexander
• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

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 raw and honest episode of Messy Liberation, Becky and Taina dive deep into the emotional rollercoaster that can be triggered by a simple email. Becky opens up about how one small rejection can lead to a spiral of catastrophic thinking, touching on themes of abandonment, core wounds, and the difficulty of separating personal feelings from business realities.

Together, they explore how these deep-seated emotions impact their approach to business, relationships, and self-care. Taina shares her own struggles with similar issues, providing a supportive space for reflection and discussion. The conversation also delves into the importance of community, feeling your feelings, and how to manage and tend to your emotional wounds.

But it’s not all heavy. The episode takes a lighter turn as Taina shares a story about her problematic neighbor and the challenges of navigating relationships in a new home. Becky offers some no-nonsense advice on how to handle these tricky situations, all while staying true to yourself.

What we discussed:

• The impact of seemingly small triggers on mental health and well-being.
• The concept of catastrophic thinking and how it can derail your day.
• Exploring core wounds, especially related to abandonment, and their influence on business and personal life.
• The importance of feeling your feelings and treating emotions as valuable data points.
• The role of community in processing and navigating emotional challenges.
• The complexity of homeownership, including navigating relationships with neighbors.

We want to hear from you! How do you navigate relationships with your neighbors? Do you have any weird or funny neighbor stories to share? Send us your stories and questions at messyliberation@gmail.com or tag us on social media. We’d also love to know how you manage triggers and emotional spirals in your own life or business. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Join Us: Follow us on Instagram and TikTok to stay updated on new episodes and join our growing community of listeners.

Remember, it’s okay to not be okay, and sometimes the messiest conversations are the most liberating. Until next time, stay messy!

LEARN MORE:

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

From Olympics to Elections: How Power and Racism Shape Our World

In this episode of Messy Liberation, co-hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into the controversies surrounding the 2024 Olympics, including the Imane Khelif controversy and the drama between Mykayla Skinner and Simone Biles. The discussion explores the intersections of race, gender, and media framing, highlighting how power dynamics and systemic biases continue to play out in sports and beyond. The conversation then shifts to politics, touching on the recent U.S. election developments and the troubling influence of AIPAC on progressive candidates like Cori Bush. The episode ends on a lighter note with a discussion on reclaiming personal joy through fiction reading.

Key Takeaways:

1. Imane Khelif Controversy: The Algerian boxer was falsely accused of being trans by high-profile figures, leading to a dangerous smear campaign. The hosts discuss the lack of accountability for those who spread harmful misinformation, especially when it puts lives at risk.
2. Mykayla Skinner vs. Simone Biles: Skinner’s comments about the U.S. women’s gymnastics team being “lazy” sparked backlash, particularly given the team’s diversity. The hosts dissect the racial undertones and media framing that turned Skinner into a “victim” while expecting Biles to be the “better person.”
3. Media’s Role in Perpetuating Bias: The discussion highlights how media outlets often frame stories in ways that reinforce systemic racism and sexism, particularly in how they cover controversies involving women of color.
4. 2024 U.S. Election and AIPAC: Becky shares her frustration over the influence of AIPAC in ousting progressive candidates like Cori Bush. The conversation touches on the broader implications of foreign influence in U.S. elections and the ongoing challenges of maintaining truly representative democracy.
5. Reclaiming Joy Through Fiction: Both hosts share their recent journey back into fiction reading as a way to reclaim personal joy amidst the heavy work of activism and social justice.

This episode is a deep dive into the messy realities of liberation, from sports and politics to the importance of self-care in the face of systemic oppression.

Resources mentioned:

• "White Tears, Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color" by Ruby Hamad
• "White Feminism: From the Suffragettes to Influencers and Who They Leave Behind" by Koa Beck
• "My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies" by Resmaa Menakem
• "Weyward" by Emilia Hart
• "The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic" by Breanne Randall
• "Red Island House" by Andrea Lee
• "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams
• "People We Meet on Vacation" by Emily Henry
• "Funny Story" by Emily Henry
• "One to Watch" by Kate Stayman-London
• "Survival of the Thickest" on Netflix

LEARN MORE:

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

Summary: In this episode of Messy Liberation, co-hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into the world of reality TV and its societal implications. From the allure of guilty pleasures to the entrenched gender roles and societal expectations, Becky and Taina unpack the complexities behind what many dismiss as "trash TV." They discuss how these shows reflect and challenge social conditioning, the double standards in entertainment consumption between men and women, and how indulging in reality TV can serve as both an escape and a mirror to our own lives. They also explore the underlying misogyny in labeling women's interests as frivolous and highlight the importance of acknowledging and challenging these biases.

Key Takeaways:

1. Reality TV as Escapism: Reality TV serves as a much-needed escape from the stresses of daily life and the overwhelming news cycle, allowing viewers to disconnect and indulge in mindless entertainment.
2. Judgment and Moral Superiority: Engaging in reality TV often involves a sense of moral superiority, as viewers judge the behaviors and lifestyles of the participants, providing a temporary boost to their own self-esteem.
3. Gendered Double Standards: There is a significant gender bias in how entertainment is perceived and valued, with women's interests often dismissed as frivolous or "trashy" while men's interests, like sports, are celebrated.
4. The Impact of Social Conditioning: The societal conditioning that devalues women's interests and activities is deeply rooted in misogyny and impacts how both men and women perceive and engage with various forms of entertainment.
5. Perfectionism and White Supremacy: The hosts connect perfectionism to white supremacy culture, discussing how the pursuit of perfection inhibits action and perpetuates existing power structures by discouraging those with marginalized identities from participating and making changes.
6. Toxic Individualism: Perfectionism also centers the individual, which aligns with the harmful societal trend of toxic individualism. Letting go of perfectionism is essential for focusing on collective well-being and progress.

Resources mentioned:

• White Supremacy Culture from Tema Okun
• “Emergent Strategy” by adrienne maree brown

LEARN MORE:

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

In this episode of Messy Liberation, co-hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into the complexities and frustrations of tipping culture in America. Becky shares a recent spa experience that highlights the manipulative practices tied to tipping and product sales. The conversation evolves into a broader critique of the capitalist structures that perpetuate these issues, the emotional and financial burdens placed on consumers, and the ethical dilemmas faced by business owners and patrons alike. Becky and Taina explore how tipping has become mandatory and discuss the systemic changes needed to create a fairer, more equitable system for workers and consumers.

Key Takeaways

• Personal Experiences with Tipping: Becky shares a spa experience where the expectation to tip and buy products overshadowed the relaxation she sought, highlighting how tipping culture can feel manipulative and stressful.
• Capitalism and Tipping: Taina and Becky discuss how tipping culture in America is a symptom of larger capitalist problems, where workers rely on tips due to inadequate wages, and consumers are left feeling responsible for supplementing these wages.
• Emotional and Financial Burden: The co-hosts talk about the emotional pressure and financial burden tipping places on consumers, especially when it becomes expected in non-traditional tipping scenarios like fast food or self-service environments.
• Ethical Business Practices: The conversation touches on the importance of ethical business practices, including transparency and consent in service experiences, and the need for businesses to provide fair wages without relying on tips.
• Systemic Solutions: Becky and Taina emphasize the need for systemic change, such as government intervention to enforce fair wages, rather than relying on consumers to fill the gap through tips.
• Equity and Intersectional Feminism: The discussion ties back to their feminist values, advocating for equity and systemic solutions that address the root causes of wage inequity and exploitation under capitalism.

LEARN MORE:

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

Summary: Feminist coaches Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into the political and cultural turbulence of the past week. The discussion touches on the backlash against Tenacious D, Usha Vance's complex positioning, and the controversial Sticker Mule email supporting Trump. With their signature no-nonsense approach, Becky and Taina explore the importance of clear values in personal and professional life, urging listeners to confront the messy realities of power, privilege, and political discourse.

Key Takeaways:

1. Questioning Narratives: The alleged assassination attempt on Trump raises questions about the authenticity of political events and the divisive impact on public discourse.
2. Unity vs. Division: Taina emphasizes the need for division from oppressors, challenging the notion of unity with those who perpetuate systemic violence.
3. Entertainment and Compliance: The controversy surrounding Tenacious D's canceled tour highlights the pressures on public figures to conform to prevailing political expectations, driven by capitalist interests and media conglomerates.
4. Privilege in Politics: Usha Vance's support of her husband JD Vance, despite his oppressive policies, showcases the allure of proximity to power and the complexities of personal values in political alignment.
5. Values in Business: The Sticker Mule email debacle underscores the importance of businesses clearly communicating their values to avoid alienating customers and fostering mistrust.
6. Historical Context: Political violence has deep roots in American history, and the narrative that it is a modern anomaly is misleading and ignores the country's violent past.
7. Role of Privilege: Becky and Taina stress the responsibility of those with privilege to actively dismantle white supremacist capitalist patriarchy, rather than merely seeking inclusion within it.

Resources mentioned:

• "They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South" by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers
• "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance
• "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" by Paulo Freire
• "All About Love: New Visions" by bell hooks
• "Sister Outsider" by Audre Lorde (featuring the essay “The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House”)

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges listeners to critically examine their own values and the systems they support, offering a candid look at the intersection of politics, business, and personal beliefs.

LEARN MORE:

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