The BodPod

41. Talking Body with Supermodel Emme

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are so excited to have Emme on the show. Emme is a model, brand spokesperson, television personality, Revlon’s first full-figured spokeswoman, and was crowned the godmother of the full-figured industry by Oprah Magazine. Often considered to be the first plus-sized supermodel, Emme made history as the first plus-sized model to land on People’s 50 Most Beautiful list, the first plus-sized model to appear on a billboard in Times Square, and the first plus-sized model to land her own contract with a major beauty company. Emme continues to make waves as an advocate and was the first celebrity body image and self-esteem champion invited to speak before a congressional subcommittee in Washington, D.C. to increase awareness of the dangers of eating disorders and poor body image. Through her work as a plus model and designer, she saw the gap in the education system for designers which led to her developing Fashion Without Limits, a global initiative established at her alma mater, Syracuse University, where young designers are taught an inclusive fashion education. Emme also made her New York Fashion Week debut for Chromat in 2017. In this episode, Emme will tell us how she fell into modelling, how she felt being the first plus-sized model in the 90s, and how she left her comfort zone to embrace this career path. Besides this, Emme will also talk about how she maintained her confidence in the face of criticism, how she continues to take care of her body today, and when she became aware of her relationship with her body. Last but not least, we will discuss diet culture including diet products, body perception, and more. Keep listening to hear how Emme is working to spread kindness, empathy, and inclusivity through her work and initiatives. Instagram: @theofficialemmaTwitter: @SupermodelEmmeWebsite: https://www.emmestyle.com/Be sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

40. Talking 2021 with Meaghan Wray

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are joined by BodCon alum Meaghan Wray to chat about the best and the worst of 2021 with regards to body confidence. Meaghan is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor with a passion for body liberation and fat positivity. She creates body positive content on Instagram as a side hobby and is currently working on her first book about fatness and desirability. Her work can be found in Chatelaine, Best Health Magazine, Flare.com, and much more!In this episode, Meaghan will share a bit about herself and her passion for writing about experiencing life in a bigger body. Besides this, we will discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the past year when it comes to our bodies, including the media’s role in how we perceive weight, society’s obsession with bodies, and the hypersexualization of young women. We’ll also touch on fashion including companies that are branded as size-inclusive but who’s sizes don’t necessarily match up to the marketing. Of course, we’ll also talk about those new Hooters shorts, Victoria's Secret’s rebrand, and the racist costume Dollarama stores in Ontario offered this past Halloween. But don’t worry, because we will also chat about the positives we saw this year such as representation in movies and television shows and more. Keep listening to hear our body confidence takeaways from 2021!Instagram: @mggghnWebsite: https://meaghanwray.com/Be sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

39. Talking Body with Your Latina Nutritionist Dalina Soto

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are chatting with Dalina Soto, a registered dietitian and licensed dietitian nutritionist. She works as one of the few Spanish speaking RDs in the Philadelphia area and virtually across the country, teaching her clients how to ditch the diet mentality and keep their culture alive. Through her online platform as Your Latina Nutritionist and through her signature Chula method courses, she aims to help clients drop the weight – the weight of body shame and chronic dieting that is! In this episode, Dalina will talk a bit about her journey to becoming a nutritionist and dietitian, why it was important for her to intersect her cultural identity with her work, and her experience going to dietetic school. We’ll also discuss the impact she has had on the Latinx community as a Latina nutritionist and dietitian, the way some foods are marketed as health and unhealthy, and Dalina’s Chula method. Last but not least, Dalina will share her advice for those who struggle with food, their bodies, and criticism from family members during the holidays, including how to set New Year’s intentions without getting sucked into diet culture. Keep listening to hear how Dalina is helping others feel good about their bodies just the way they are. Instagram: @your.latina.nutritionistTikTok: @yourlatinanutritionistBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

38. Talking Body with Stephanie Chinn

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have Stephanie Chinn on the show. Stephanie is an illustrator, best-selling author, speaker, and body confidence advocate whose work focuses on illustrating the different ways we can remind ourselves that we are enough the way we are while unpacking the ways we’ve been led to believe we are not. She began sharing her work on Instagram in 2019 and grew her audience to over 50,000 followers within the year. Recently, she released her debut book Here Sister, Let Me Help You Up which is a collection of original, body-positive feminist artwork. In this episode, Stephanie will tell us how she shifted gears from journalism to art, how art became a form of therapy for her while recovering from addiction, and her relationship with her body throughout her addiction and recovery. Besides this, we’ll also discuss how Stephanie went from using art as therapy for herself to using it as a form of advocacy on social media, how her art ebbs and flows based on what she’s going through, and imposter syndrome. Keep listening to hear how Stephanie is inspiring others to live in the moment, try new things, and let go of their shame. Instagram: @stephaniechinnartWebsite: https://www.stephaniechinn.com/ Be sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

37. Talking Body with Nikki Blonsky

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are chatting with Nikki Blonsky, an American actress best known for her starring role as Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 musical film, Hairspray. The role earned her several prestigious award nominations including a Golden Globe nomination. She’s also starred in other movies such as the Lifetime original movie Queen Sized, ABC Family original series Huge, and Geography Club. Most recently, Nikki launched her own podcast called Nikki Nights where she talks with celebrities and industry professionals about current issues, quarantine, pop culture, and anything else on their minds. In this episode, Nikki will give us some insight into her background including how she landed her role in Hairspray while working at a Cold Stone Creamery, her relationship with co-star John Travolta, and the support she received from her family. Besides this, we’ll also discuss Nikki’s body confidence journey, the advice her grandmother gave her that changed her view of the human body, and her role models in the industry. Last but not least, we’ll talk about the way plus-sized characters are often portrayed as the victim in media, how she was often put in a box when auditioning for new roles, and her journey in coming out as a woman. Keep listening to hear how Nikki is inspiring others to believe in themselves and live their truths.Nikki’s Instagram: @nikkiblonskyBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

36. Talking Body with Leah V

Welcome back to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we are pleased to have Leah V, a Hijabi social media influencer, award-winning author, model, motivational speaker, educator, and content creator on the show. Leah’s content has garnered millions of views and she has been featured in hundreds of media platforms including The New York Times, Refinery29, Vogue Italia, and Buzzfeed. As a plus-sized model, body positivity activist, and Muslim feminist, Leah is paving the way for people who don’t fit in to normalized beauty standards while sharing her experiences with her community to empower them to live boldly.In this episode, Leah V will share with us how she came to be a model and a social media activist, how her family adopted a new faith when she was a child, and how that affected her body image. In addition, we’ll chat about Leah’s fashion, her journey to becoming more comfortable with wearing different kinds of clothing, and the way in which Muslim women are often portrayed in the media. Last but not certainly not least, Leah will open up about the criticism she’s faced from both Muslim and non-Muslim individuals. Keep listening to hear how Leah V went from avoiding mirrors to landing a modelling deal with Old Navy.Leah’s book: http://www.leahvernon.com/unashamedleahvernonbookLeah’ Instagram: @lvernon3000Be sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

35. Talking Body with The Power of Plus’s Gianluca Russo & Shammara Lawrence

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to be chatting with The Power of Plus’s cofounders Gianluca Russo and Shammara Lawrence! The Power of Plus is a size inclusive community centred on open and honest conversations around body positivity self-love, fat politics, and size inclusivity in fashion, beauty, and beyond. Diversity and inclusion are the core principles of the platform which promotes respect, love, and style for every body.Gianluca Russo is the CEO and cofounder of The Power of Plus as well as a fashion and culture writer who specializes in body diversity. His work has appeared in GQ, Glamour, InStyle, Teen Vogue and more and his debut book, The Power of Plus, will be released in the summer of 2022. Shammara Lawrence is also the cofounder of The Power of Plus and is a New York-based multimedia writer who specializes in beauty, plus-sized fashion, body positivity, and social justice. Her words have been published in Teen Vogue, Allure, InStyle, and more. In this episode, Gianluca and Shammara will tell us how The Power of Plus came to be, how they launched the online platform, and how they are working to fill a void in conversations about plus-sized fashion. Besides this, we’ll dive right into the details of plus-sized fashion including the continued struggle to see plus-sized clothing being made, the myth that the plus-sized community doesn’t care about fashion, and the way in which brands don’t see the business value in creating for this community. Last but not certainly not least, we’ll discuss the racism that exists in the fashion industry. Keep listening to hear how Gianluca and Shammara are working to broach sensitive and difficult conversations when it comes to plus-sized fashion and inclusivity. The Power of Plus’s Instagram: @thepowerofplus Gianluca’s Instagram: @g_russo1 Shammara’s Instagram: @itsshammaraBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

34. Talking Body with Gigi Robinson

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are pleased to have Gigi Robinson, a digital artist, podcaster, creative producer, and social media advocate for mental health, chronic illness, and body image on the show! Living with chronic illnesses herself, Gigi strives to create positive and impactful messages to share with her diverse audience by opening up about her journey and the effects it’s had on her mental health and body confidence. A creative on many platforms, she recently launched her Spotify Greenroom show, Everything You Need is Within, which she describes as a Gen Z show that tells it like it is. Gigi continues to give back by working with organizations like the Trevor Project, the Jed Foundation, World Food Programme USA, and more. In this episode, Gigi will talk about her body confidence after getting diagnosed with chronic illness at a young age, how she stopped herself from falling in to old habits including binge eating during the pandemic, and how that led her to the body confidence space. Besides this, we will talk about the negative pressures of social media, being mindful of what you’re posting online especially for younger generations, and the importance of curating your feed in order to protect your mental health. Last but not least, Gigi will share with us how her Spotify Greenroom show came to be and why she defines it a Gen Z show that tells it like it is. Keep listening to hear how Gigi is educating others on critical wellness topics while championing diversity and equality for all. Instagram: @itsgigirobinsonWebsite: https://www.gigirobinson.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/gigirobinson Be sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

33. Talking Body with Lindo Bacon

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, it is a pleasure to have Dr. Lindo Bacon, a nutritionist, researcher, and author on the show! Dr. Bacon is on a mission to foster a global shift towards a world where all bodies are valued, respected, and supported in compassionate self-care. They have a doctorate in physiology, master’s degrees in exercise science and psychotherapy, and currently serve as an associate nutritionist as the University of California, Davis. Lindo has worked extensively in the health at every size field including writing the Health at Every Size book in 2008 and serving as co-author on Body Respect. Known for their signature blend of science and storytelling, they recently released their third book, Radical Belonging: How To Survive and Thrive in an Unjust World (While Transforming it for the Better). Lindo continues to push for a culture of empathy, equity, and true belonging while sharing their own struggle as a marginalized individual.In this episode, Dr. Lindo Bacon will share the details of their body confidence journey, how important it is for them to present their vulnerability, and how difficult it is not to buy into the diet culture myths. We’ll also discuss radical belonging, recognizing your journey as being constant rather than a set point, and the catalyst that promoted Lindo to write their latest book. Last but not least, we’ll touch on fatphobia in healthcare and how to start teaching younger generations about body confidence including normalizing difference. Keep listening to hear how Dr. Lindo Bacon is advocating for body respect. Instagram: @lindobaconWebsite: https://lindobacon.com/Be sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

32. Talking Body with Wellness Lately’s Bridget Shannon

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are excited to have Bridget Shannon, a certified health coach and cofounder of Wellness Lately, on the show! After spending 10 years working in the health industry and healing her own history with disordered eating, Bridget switched gears and is now passionate about helping women all over the world ditch the dieting, heal their relationships with their bodies, and embrace a version of wellness that actually feels good for them. Through Wellness Lately, Bridget and her cofounder Dana Barron are dedicated to spreading the messages of intuitive eating, health at every size, and body liberation. In this episode, Bridget will share the origin story of Wellness Lately including her own body journey, her relationship with food, and her exit from health coaching. We’ll also delve deep into the diet industry and the way it capitalizes on our desire to be thin, the vicious cycle that is dieting, and how the wellness industry also plays into all of this. Last not least, Bridget will discuss the way in which certain diet companies have rebranded themselves as lifestyle companies, yet still sell the same thing. Keep listening to hear Bridget’s advice for breaking up with diets and how she is helping women feel equipped with their bodies.Instagram: @wellness_latelyWebsite: https://www.wellnesslately.com/Be sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets