The BodPod

21. Talking Body with Brenda James

Today on the BodPod, we are pleased to welcome Brenda C. James, a management consultant turned model. After an unexpected photoshoot led to the start of a budding modelling career in her 70s, Brenda was signed by an agent and learned to embrace this brand new world. In February of 2020, she was one of 13 models chosen by Knix to appear in their “Age Doesn’t Matter” campaign and she continues to model and act for print and video content around the world.  In this episode, Brenda will share how she moved from a human resources role to modelling and acting, including landing that unforgettable Knix campaign, five television commercials, and more. She will also open up about the importance of not putting limits on herself and not caring what others think, all while learning the ins and outs of the modelling industry. Last but not least, Brenda will discuss how life-changing it was to model in a campaign that celebrates women of all ages, shapes, and colours, her own body confidence, and the importance of changing society’s views on aging. Keep listening to hear how Brenda is encouraging others - including her children and grandchildren - to feel confident in themselves rather than listening to external influences like social media.Instagram: @bcj_ggBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

20. Talking Body with Scott Stuart

Welcome to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we are excited to be chatting with Scott Stuart, a best-selling children’s book author from Melbourne, Australia. Scott is on a mission to create content that empowers young kids to be their unique selves and encourage parents to accept their children. His books have appeared on many best-seller lists and have garnered numerous nominations including Children’s Book of the Year and Picture Book of the Year for My Shadow is Pink. After a video of Scott and his son Collin both dressed as Queen Elsa from the Frozen films went viral, he began posting about Collin’s adventures with fashion and about breaking down the stigmas with parenting, gender, and much more. In this episode, Scott will discuss his new book called The Very First You and the importance of representation in children’s books. He will also talk about the way in which his son inspired the diversity in his books, helped him realize his own biases, and how dressing up as Queen Elsa together turned into one of the most beautiful experiences. Last but not least, Scott will open up about how uncomfortable he was with his body while growing up, how that changed when he became a parent, and the advice he offers his son about remaining true to himself. Keep listening to hear how Scott is inspiring others to work through their own discomfort and challenge their own biases.Instagram: @scottcreatesTikTok: @scott.creates Website: https://scottstuart.co/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

19. Talking Body with The Alliance for EDA

Welcome back to another very special episode of the BodPod! This week, we are so pleased to have the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness take over the podcast.Mimi Cole is the founder of The Lovely Becoming blog and podcast, is currently pursuing her master’s degree to become a therapist in North Carolina, and is passionate about disordered eating and obsessive compulsive disorder. As a patient assistant for individuals with eating disorders, Mimi has experience working in a residential and out-patient level of care and hopes to practice from a health-at-every-size, trauma-informed lens.Johanna Kandel is the founder and CEO of the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness and the author of Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder. After a decade-long battle with various eating disorders, Johanna founded the Alliance in October 2000 to bring information and awareness about eating disorders to hundreds of thousands of individuals. She is a passionate advocate for mental health and eating disorders legislation and has spent a lot of time meeting with various members of congress. Johanna was also part of the first-ever eating disorder roundtable at the White House and is a proud member of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee meeting under the Department of Health and Human Services, a member of the board of directors for the Eating Disorders Coalition, and a member of the Eating Disorders Leadership Summit. In this episode, Johanna will share her personal experience with eating disorders and how that has motivated the work she does today. Johanna and Mimi will also discuss eating disorder recovery, the myths surrounding eating disorders, and prevention efforts. Last but not least, Mimi will share the origins of her online platform including her experience with eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. Keep listening to hear how Johanna and Mimi are using their voices to shift the conversation around eating disorders. Connect on Instagram at:@alianceforeda@the.lovelybecomingBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

18. Talking Body with Katie Sturino

Today on the BodPod, we are excited to be chatting with Katie Sturino, an entrepreneur, body acceptance advocate, and influencer. Katie uses her voice and personal style to empower women of all shapes and to raise awareness for size inclusivity. She is also the founder of Megababe, an innovative body care brand offering problem-solving products to help women feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin. Not only has she dedicated her life to learning and unlearning all the beauty standard BS, but she also uses her blog, Instagram, Boob Sweat podcast, and solution-oriented beauty products to share the message that changed her life: your body is not the problem! This past Spring, Katie released her book, Body Talk: How to Embrace Your Body and Start Living Your Best Life, which serves as an illustrated guide-meets-workbook that encourages you to spend less time thinking about how you look and what you eat and more time discovering your inner fierceness.In this episode, Katie will discuss how her blog, The 12ish Style, came to be, the hashtag campaigns she ignited on social media, and the origins of Megababe. She’ll also share what inspired her book and how she hopes to help others rather than herself with this project. Last but not least, Katie and I will talk about the importance of carefully selecting who you follow on social media, learning not to apologize for your body, and the generational cycle of body image. Keep listening to hear how Katie is helping others expand their horizons and learn more about themselves. Katie’s Instagram: @katiesturinoKatie’s book: https://linktr.ee/KatieSturinoBookMegababe website: https://megababebeauty.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

17. Talking Body with Kimmie Singh

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are excited to be chatting with Kimmie Singh, a registered dietician based in N.Y.C., an active member of the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dieticians, and co-host of the PCOS and Food Peace podcast with Julie Duffy Dillion. As an associate at LK Nutrition, Kimmie supports her clients with a fat-positive, anti-oppressive framework and has a special passion for working with people that have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), something she has personal experience with. Kimmie has also presented at various national and regional conferences on the harmful effects of weight stigma in healthcare, eating disorder treatment, food insecurity, and weight inclusivity in dietetics training.In this episode, Kimmie will share how she eventually ended up calling herself “the fat N.Y.C. dietician and nutritionist,” her experience going to school to become a nutritionist, and her personal journey with eating disorders. She will also explain the Health at Every Size approach that LK Nutrition participates in, the role that media and reality television play in our body images, and the gender and racial gap within the medicine and nutrition communities. Last but not least, Kimmie will open up about her experience with PCOS. Keep listening to hear how Kimmie is turning down the volume on diet culture to help others get to know their bodies. Instagram: @bodypositive_dietitianWebsite: https://www.bodypositivedietitian.com/Association for Diversity and Health: https://asdah.org/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

16. Talking Body with Cathleen Meredith

Welcome to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we are excited to be chatting with Cathleen Meredith, a writer, influencer, public speaker, and positivity igniter originating from Sacramento, California. In August of 2016, Cathleen launched Fat Girls Dance, a worldwide movement focused on trashing body image stereotypes through the universal language of dance. The online body positivity movement unsurprisingly went viral and this led to an impressive short film with Dove Real Beauty productions and Shonda Rhimes. Cathleen has been featured in many publications and productions including Essence, HealthLine, Hello Giggles, and countless others and is currently working on a Fat Girls Dance book.In this episode, Cathleen will explain the origins of Fat Girls Dance and how it came to be such a sensation. She’ll also touch on the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding being fat, how this inspired her to create her platform, and how a previous generation’s stance on body image shapes how we feel about our bodies today. Last but not least, Cathleen will share her thoughts on using the word “fat” in her platform, plus sized bodies in the modelling and fashion industry, and the importance of loving ourselves rather than hating our bodies. Keep listening to hear how Cathleen is changing the world’s idea of what fat bodies can and can’t do!  Instagram: @fatgirlsdancemovementTwitter: @Fat_Girls_DanceYouTube: FATGIRLS DANCEWebsite: fatgirlsdance.comBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

15. Talking Body with Thigh Society’s CEO Marnie Rabinovitch Consky

Today on the BodPod, we are chatting with Marnie Rabinovitch Consky, the founder, CEO, and chief anti-chafing champion of Thigh Society, a specialty underwear brand offering moisture-wicking, breathable, and discreet slip shorts that prevent inner-thigh rash. Thigh Society was born from Marnie’s desire to dispel the notion surrounding “chub rub” and to produce undergarments with high quality fabric, fit, and an inclusive size range. The brand is a champion of the body confidence movement and recently sponsored the BodCon Social Club at our Beach Bodies event.  In this episode, we’ll talk about Marnie’s background and what led her to creating such an incredible product and brand. Marnie will also break down the misconception around thigh chafing, the difference between men’s and women’s undergarments, and the wide range of sizes that Thigh Society offers. Last but not least, Marnie and I will discuss the way in which social media has evolved to allow us to be more open about these taboo subjects, the way in which diet culture has infiltrated our lives, and the slippery slope that is shape wear. Keep listening to hear how Marnie is working to destigmatize chafing. Instagram: @marnieconsky & @thighsociety Website: www.thighsociety.comBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

14. Talking Body with Sarah Nicole Landry

Welcome back to the BodPod! In today’s episode, we are chatting with Sarah Nicole Landry, a mom of four who loves cultivating powerful conversations around life and our experiences in it. Sarah openly shares her story of divorce, self-worth, living beyond your body, and love and is not scared to be vulnerable. As a body confidence activist, speaker, writer, three-time cover girl, and weekly podcast host of The Papaya Podcast, she inspires her followers toward radical self-acceptance of their own. Sarah was the keynote speaker at our inaugural event and her interview has come up time and time again as one of the most unforgettable parts of the day. As a result, we are so excited to announce that Sarah will be joining us at the 2022 conference as M.C. and host.  Today, Sarah will share her journey to becoming a mom of four, her pregnancy complications, and the toll this took on her mental health. We’ll also discuss the importance of embracing your emotions and feelings while pregnant and the way in which social media can connect people with similar experiences. Last but not least, Sarah will talk about the origins of her Papaya blog and the pressure she felt to lose weight to be accepted. Her latest platform, however, is all about her journey to self-love and Sarah is working to help others, including her kids, love their own bodies. Keep listening to hear how Sarah is showing up for herself and others. Instagram: @thebirdspapayaWebsite: https://thebirdspapaya.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

13. Talking Body with Sydney Bell and Ella Halikas

Welcome back to a very special episode of the BodPod! Today, we are so excited to have Sydney Bell and Ella Halikas, two beloved members of the BodCon family, take over the podcast! Sydney is a signed plus size model, an influencer, and a professionally trained dancer living in Houston, Texas. She has modelled for large, nation-wide campaigns and her goal in content creation is to share body positive content and dance routines that inspire her followers to live life to the fullest.                         Ella is a signed curve model and content creator based in Los Angeles who graduated from the University of Hawaii with a journalism degree. She moved to L.A. unemployed and in the middle of a global pandemic to pursue modelling full time. Ella recently became a top 13 finalist for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and her goal in life is to help others find their confidence and prove that you can feel beautiful regardless of your size. In today’s episode, Sydney and Ella will be chatting about all things body confidence and giving you a bit of preview of what’s to come on Sunday June 27th at The BodCon TALKS: BEACH BODIES. They’ll also share a bit about how they got into modelling as well as their content creation processes. Visit our website for more details about The BodCon TALKS: BEACH BODIES  and don’t forget to grab your tickets!  Ella’s Instagram: @ellahalikasElla’s TikTok: @ellahalikasSydney’s Instagram: @sydneylbellSydney’s TikTok: @sydneylbellBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets

12. Talking Body with Jeff Jenkins

Today on the BodPod, we are chatting with Jeff Jenkins, an award-winning content creator and the founder of Chubby Diaries, an Instagram account and growing online community he started in 2018. Jeff, who has been featured in many notable publications including Forbes, New York Times, and Travel and Leisure, helps people travel the world, no matter their size, through community, branded content, and motivational talks. With contagious positivity, Jeff uses his platform to advocate for plus-size travellers and to help bigger body people and people of colour navigate challenges that arise while travelling. In today’s episode, Jeff will share the origins of Chubby Diaries as well as how he came to discover his niche, his love of travelling, and his experience with micro-aggressions while travelling. We will also discuss accessibility for plus size people, branding and marketing for plus size people, fat phobia, and so much more. Keep listening to hear how Jeff is inspiring people to live their best lives right now as opposed to waiting for when they lose weight and visit his website for more information on his upcoming group trips.  Instagram: @chubbydiaries_YouTube: Chubby DiariesBe sure to follow, like, and subscribe to get the latest body confidence news!Watch the BodPod on YouTubeFollow us @thebodconGet your BodCon 2023 tickets