Messy Liberation: Feminist Conversations about Politics and Pop Culture - Community, Catastrophe, and Coping: An Unfiltered Talk/Therapy Session 🤣

Community, Catastrophe, and Coping: An Unfiltered Talk/Therapy Session 🤣

Explicit content warning

08/19/24 • 46 min

Messy Liberation: Feminist Conversations about Politics and Pop Culture

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 [email protected] 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

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.

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

Previous Episode

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

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:

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.
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.”
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.
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.
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:

LEARN MORE:

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

Next Episode

From Ghosting to Growing: The Messy Side of Adult Friendships

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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:

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