VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH: Recent Episodes
VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH
Appealing to women who’ve been put down; let down, beat down, but will NEVER, EVER, stay down! Hosts Christopher and Heather…Let’s talk, shall we...
This lively and enlightening conversation features Cassandra Pickett, a certified CliniCoach, licensed therapist, and host of the "Girl, You Good?" podcast. Cassandra joins us to discuss the complexities of identity that hinder ambitious women.
Cassandra shares her own transformative journey and the challenges of living authentically in a world that often demands people-pleasing and perfection. Together, we explore why so many high-achieving women struggle with self-alignment, how to redefine self-compassion, and why reclaiming an identity like “bitch” can be a revolutionary act of empowerment. Are you ready for candid truths, actionable insights, and a celebration of coming home to yourself?
Carolyn Brouillard is an author, publisher, and teacher who asks tough questions, such as “What would it feel like to truly love your life?” These are questions she faced in her three-decade-long journey in exploring consciousness and the art of authentic living.
Her expertise is hard-earned, forged at the intersection of radical rebellion, corporate leadership, and the hard-won freedom of self-sovereignty. By distilling her insights into a practical framework for personal transformation, Carolyn hopes to help others bring inner truth into their lived reality. She is the founder of Untamed Press and author of “Your Untamed Truths: Reclaiming Self-Sovereignty.” Are you ready to face your Untamed Truths?
Naomi Kahn, June Carbone, and Nancy Levitt are three distinguished law professors and co-authors of the groundbreaking book Fair Shake: Women and the Fight to Build a Just Economy.
Together, they explain why so many women feel that, no matter how educated they are, how ambitious and effective they prove themselves to be, or how hard they work, they can’t seem to get ahead or even level the playing field. Research exposes the reasons, and these three legal scholars not only put it in black and white but also discuss with us the kind of betrayal women feel when the rules of the game limit their opportunities and potential.
We discuss why women’s economic progress has stalled, how unproductive competition holds women back, and the triple-bind obstacles they face. But we also explore simple solutions to fix it.
Dr. Beth Hedva was our obvious first inviter for our Year of the BITCH series. Dr. Hedva is a renowned psychologist, author, and expert in transpersonal therapy, whose groundbreaking research on betrayal, trust, and forgiveness is recognized by governments and the United Nations, which call on her to help individuals heal from deep emotional wounds.
Betrayal, we’ve all experienced it, sometimes as the perpetrator, sometimes as the victim; either way, the word comes loaded with pain, anguish and suffering. However, Dr. Hedva points out that betrayal is also a necessary experience that can lead to self-discovery and personal empowerment. How that can work in your life is a must-listen. It’s important to know that Dr. Hedva is a pioneering psychologist and the award-winning author of Betrayal, Trust and Forgiveness, which delves deeply into the concept of betrayal and its profound potential to foster healing. For women, this can manifest as newfound resilience, strength, and agency. This conversation invites you to know betrayal beyond the perpetrator or the victim.
Sarah Tunstall is a Girl Named Storm. At 15, she became a victim of human trafficking and was indoctrinated into the sex trade. Her memoir, A Girl Named Storm, inspired this powerful, emotionally charged conversation that will both break your heart and inspire you.
Storm, aka Sarah, bravely opens up about her journey from surviving sex trafficking as a teenager to reclaiming her life and helping others find their own strength as an active anti-human-trafficking consultant and public speaker. Here, we explore themes of betrayal, identity, trust, change, and healing, themes at the heart of both Storm’s story and VBB’s ongoing mission to redefine what it means to be “defiantly different” as a woman or miscast as a bitch.
This is a brutally intimate conversation that captures the courage it takes to bare one's darkest, most shameful truths, the complexities of personal transformation, and the power of vulnerability in the ongoing process of healing. This one hurts so good.
Dr. Kerry Kerr McAvoy is a retired psychologist and renowned expert on narcissistic abuse. In this intensely candid conversation, Kerry shares not only her professional expertise but also her hard-earned personal experiences on breaking free from the grip of a toxic, narcissistic relationship.
How is it that intelligent, self-aware women end up partnered with deceitful, sometimes dangerous, narcissistic men? And why does it often take so much time and emotional energy to break these bonds, even after the truth about these men is revealed? Well, it’s complicated.
Kerry explains the psychology and subtle social pressures that leave even the strongest, self-aware women vulnerable to the dynamics of betrayal, manipulation, and gaslighting. She unpacks the evolutionary and cultural roots of our need for connection and for being "chosen," which challenge women to reckon with self-betrayal as the deepest cut of all.
This episode confronts the real-life erosion of self and the powerful journey to reclaim identity, agency, and healing. It will engage, challenge, inform, and empower.
Jennifer Sack is known for her bold approach to self-love, which began with sobriety and evolved into a holistic healing and well-being practice. Jennifer unpacks the hidden traps of self-negotiation and challenges women to embrace change in their journey to rebuilding self-trust.
This conversation also explores the kind of addiction that goes beyond just substances; it’s about the importance of listening to our inner GPS, rethinking self-care as “selfish," and finding practical techniques to help women ground themselves while moving through stress and discomfort anywhere and at any time. If possessing powerful tools to create a Focus - Driven life is your priority, consider this your gift.
She is Jesse Susannah Karnatz, aka the Money Witch, a financial educator and coach who brings wisdom, realness, and a touch of magic to the conversation about women and wealth, and the deeply rooted systems that try to keep them mutually excluded.
From shame to savvy, Jessie reminds women of the historical and systemic forces that have shaped their collective money wounds and what it takes for women to stand at the very edge of their financial sovereignty.
Whether you’re just starting your journey toward financial independence or live in a reality of overwhelm when it comes to money, this episode will challenge your perspective, validate your experiences, and offer practical wisdom for healing, empowerment, and transformation in ways you might not anticipate. All of it, including a little money magic from the Money Witch herself, is yours for free.
Dawn Thompson has been where so many women who want success and work for it find themselves: building a storybook-perfect life on the outside, only to realize something essential is missing within. For her, it took more than one near-death health scare or an embezzlement scandal in her business to alter her life path; it took a question from her three-year-old daughter, who wanted to know why her seemingly happy and successful mother never laughed.
Today, Dawn Thompson is the mastermind behind I Deserve It Now, known as the “soul CEO activator,” a master at helping women and high achievers uncover hidden patterns of betrayal and blind spots that keep them stuck, working in circles, and seeking something that money, success, or being busy can’t replace.
If you believe you deserve success and peace of mind, and that you deserve them now, this conversation is a roadmap, crafted by a woman who’s been there, done that, and found peace and joy enough to laugh out loud.
Lindsay Jacobi is a transformational mentor, speaker, and founder of Glow Up Collective, helping women who have lost themselves reconnect with their confidence, beauty, boundaries, pleasure, and power. Her work blends deep inner healing with real-life transformation, helping women become more sovereign, regulated, peaceful, and fully expressed in their lives and relationships.
With her signature 90-day Glow Up experience, Lindsay supports women in areas such as personal style, beauty, relationship reconnection, vision mapping, and anti-burnout lifestyle shifts, with a focus on real follow-through, not just inspiration. Her approach is rooted in the belief that the glow-up is not just about appearance. It’s about finally feeling like yourself again and creating a life that reflects the woman you know you are meant to be.
As an entry in our VBB Year Of The BITCH conversations, we talk openly about Bitch, a word most women, for understandable reasons, reject outright. For us, Bitches aren’t only venomous women but bold women who defy social stereotypes to reclaim narratives and embrace the full spectrum of their innate identity. It’s a conversation about self-empowerment and living authentically, regardless of how others want to shame or control you with a word. If you’re up for open dialogue with a woman who leads by example, jump in.
Ashley Jordan is a role model for Good Girl defectors. She shares her deeply personal journey from living as a high-achieving, approval-seeking “good girl” to reclaiming her authentic, badass, bitch-inspired self. Ashley calls it “unbecoming,” a rejection of trying to become what others expect or demand. She explores what it means to shed layers of societal conditioning and return to one’s true essence.
Ashley, a licensed attorney, nationally recognized journalist, sought-after speaker, and author of Unhappy Achiever: Rejecting the Good Girl Image and Reclaiming the Joy of Inner Fulfillment, draws on personal experience to lay out the hidden costs women often pay for “good girl” behavior, including the addictive rewards of external validation. She speaks candidly about the systemic pressures and cultural conditioning women face and is brutally honest about what it takes to prioritize your deepest desires, your holy of holies, and to take on all obstacles, even those that feel unbearable, that eventually lead to a life defined not by achievement but by liberation and self-trust.
This is a very candid conversation with a woman who is rooted in helping other women break free from the constraints of an often misunderstood “Good Girl” identity.
Elizabeth Flock is an Emmy award-winning journalist with bylines in the New Yorker, the New York Times, Foreign Policy, the Guardian, the Atlantic, and many other publications. She’s also an author who leads us through the dark, murky waters of women and vengeance.
Her book, "The Furies: Women, Vengeance, and Justice,” unravels what happens when women are betrayed by systems set up to protect them. When, on average, 50,000 women and girls are killed by intimate partners or family members annually, often because police, courts, and politicians failed to act on complaints and protect them, sometimes justice for women becomes an act of desperate vengeance.
It's said, Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned,” but when that fury isn’t just anger, and becomes deadly force, can it be justified, or forgiven? Elizabeth bravely explores the roots of systemic, societal, and familial betrayals that can erupt into deadly force.
What does it mean to be chumped? It means the person you trusted most has a double life and has cheated on you. In this episode, we explore the meaning of betrayal, how it often shatters lives, and can strike so deeply that it feels like a living death. But it doesn’t need to be your epitaph.
Our guest and guide is Tracy Schorn, a woman who’s been chumped but rose up to become an award-winning blogger, cartoonist, and bestselling author of “Leave a Cheater, Gain a Life: The Chump Lady’s Survival Guide.” As "Chump Lady,” Tracy specializes in helping people, especially women, process the trauma of infidelity and reclaim their lives. In this episode, you’ll hear Tracy’s signature blend of tough love, raw candor, and biting humor. Tracy's mission is to challenge toxic narratives around cheating, empower those who have been chumped, and spark real conversations around identity, trust, and healing.
If you or someone you care about has faced a devastating betrayal, has been chumped, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to reclaim your life.
Edy Nathan is a licensed therapist, certified sex therapist, hypnotherapist, and certified EMDR practitioner, as well as the author of "It's Grief: The Dance of Self-Discovery Through Trauma and Loss." We also admire her for giving us an iconic quote, one that has become a guiding star for our mission of women’s empowerment, and words we believe every woman should hear and adopt as their mantra.
Her quote: “I think that we, as women, have to learn how to be a Bitch, and become really good at it.”
For women, that line can be either misunderstood as an oxymoron. or used as a source of eternal motivation. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, we invited Edy to take a deep dive into our B.I.T.C.H, which means becoming your boldest self through exploring Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing, and turning what was once a painful word into a powerful pathway to self-empowerment. This is an honest, open, fierce, and uplifting discussion for you if your desire is to share your voice, honor your identity, and become the best version of yourself — unapologetically.
Alisa Gracheva is a licensed mental health counselor and holistic coach with a unique ability to blend ancient practices such as Reiki, meditation, and sacred sound healing with modern, cutting-edge trauma therapies. Informed by her own life trauma and a deep, compassionate perspective on what it truly means to heal, grow, and empower yourself — body, mind, and soul — this conversation is fueled by timeless knowledge and practical know-how.
Can painful experiences, like intimate partner betrayal, be used as a starting point for personal transformation and self-discovery? Alisa shares how betrayal can be a catalyst for growth, especially for women navigating a world full of double standards.
Whether you’re pushing through heartbreak, striving to set your boundaries, or reinventing who you are, you’ll find wisdom and real talk about what it takes to build a life and an identity that are truly you and truly trustworthy.
Be ready for soul-nourishing insight, practical tips, and a few laughs along the way with Alisa Gracheva .
Tori Jenae is a trauma-informed coach, energy psychology expert, and spiritual powerhouse who admits flat out, “I've been through hell and back, and I have the map to get you out.” Through her story, we dive into the transformative process of reclaiming identity beyond societal labels, letting go of limiting roles that no longer serve us, and confronting the silent demons of self-betrayal. We explore the importance of embodied healing, reconnecting with intuition and the body's wisdom, and making space for women's authentic power, including the reclamation of the connection between sexuality and creativity.
Prepare for a conversation that challenges the scripts written for you as a woman, reveals the hidden strengths within your struggles, and turns words that wound and stereotypes that sting into sources of radical self-love and empowerment.
On this journey, we continue our series of unpacking not only the obvious pain but also the overlooked power behind the word “B.I.T.C.H,” transforming it from a source of suffering into a pathway to women’s self-empowerment and personal growth. Join us as we explore five powerful stages of awareness: Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing, the very alchemy that turns life's hardships into your foundation for joy.
Judith Houck is a professor of the history of science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a prominent voice in the study of women’s health movements. As the author of Speculum: Examining the Women's Health Movement, Judith offers extensive insight into how feminist activists, often labeled “bitches” by reputation, from the 1960s through the 1980s, not only challenged patriarchal medical institutions but also created alternative health practices and facilities that spawned a revolution around women’s bodily autonomy, reproductive freedom, and women-centered healthcare.
Professor Houck explains how the women's health movement challenged medical paternalism, fought for access to information, and insisted on women’s bodily autonomy. This episode is for any woman who values access to and the choice of having female doctors and healthcare providers for her primary care. Prepare for a conversation that provides a historical perspective on women’s health and care, and highlights choices women today unknowingly take for granted.
Rissa Miller is a folklorist, speaker, herbalist, public historian, diviner, and, as we learn in this episode, a passionate poet who brings wisdom, warmth, and a rebellious spirit that a Bitch will love. This raw, honest talk evolves from self-betrayal — the shrinking of ourselves to make others comfortable, the struggle between kindness toward others and loyalty to yourself, or wondering how to find sovereignty when your priorities are focused on others’ needs — to healing in your journey by tapping into an identity you possess but shamed or cursed, if you show it.
We dive deep into the powerful, and often polarizing, word “BITCH,” exploring how it can be reclaimed as a source of women’s empowerment. Rissa takes the lead in helping us unpack our five principles behind B.I.T.C.H: Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing.
Rissa is a master storyteller who shares examples of how women can reclaim their innate strength, sensuality, and unapologetic presence. This conversation will remind and inspire you to fill your own cup, trust your gut, and live your most authentic self, sequins and all.
For this transformative conversation, we invited Executive Coach, Author, and lover of a juicy life, Sasha Cagen. Who’s not afraid to confront controversy, like the words "bitch" or “pussy,” that are often used to embarrass or punish women. Two words, when examined, hold the keys to women’s empowerment. Whether it’s breaking free from people-pleasing, harnessing authentic anger, or deploying a subtle pulse of erotic energy, this conversation offers a fresh mix of wisdom, vulnerability, and advice you won’t hear elsewhere.
Whether you’re searching for the courage to set personal boundaries, seeking deeper confidence, or curious about what Sasha boldly calls “pussy walking,” her insights will challenge your assumptions, but also inspire you to own your story, body, mind, and spirit. Are you ready to feel, heal, and tap into your most authentic self? Welcome in.
Walker Kimberly Brandt is a Hollywood actress, model, bestselling author, and passionate advocate who shares her powerful journey through Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing, words that form the B.I.T.C.H acronym and are at the heart of VBB podcast’s 2026 mission. With vulnerability and authenticity, Walker explores deep generational wounds, the importance of facing inherited trauma, and the revolutionary act of choosing your own identity as a woman.
It's a conversation that ranges from betrayal to the liberation of embodying new roles in life and exploring identities beyond gender roles and others' expectations. Walker invites women to celebrate their evolution by leaning into the unknown and embracing every facet of their “Bitch” identity. Whether you’ve struggled to step fully into your power or you're curious about how self-discovery can shatter stereotypes, this episode is a celebration of courage, resilience, and unapologetic transformation.
This candid, heart-opening discussion will leave you inspired to explore the richness of your own story and explore your inner “Bitch” without shame.
Barb Stone is a leadership development coach, trainer, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker who dives deep into the journey of self-discovery, tackling the themes of Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing, the five pillars that spell out B.I.T.C.H., and form the backbone of our Year of the BITCH series. Barb discusses the raw realities of perfectionism, the courage it takes to shed old identities, and the healing power of standing up for yourself, even when that means embracing the word “Bitch” as a badge of empowerment, rather than a slur. Barb shares compelling stories from her own life, including living with alopecia, and experiences from the women she coaches, exploring the challenges and triumphs of personal transformation.
Whether you’re facing a pivotal moment, craving change, or seeking clarity on your journey, this conversation is packed with wisdom, relatability, and inspiration to ignite your next chapter.
Dianne Harris, certified life coach, author, and entrepreneur, adds to our conversation, exploring the powerful five-step path of B.I.T.C.H.: Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing. Dianne opens up a window into her personal journey through betrayal and transformation, the lasting wounds and growth that followed. The conversation gets real around heartbreak, owning your story, letting go of people-pleasing, and how “bitch” can be reclaimed as a badge of strength and self-love.
Kristen Louise Duncombe is a Paris-based therapist, coach, and author who joins VBB for a candid and deeply personal conversation exploring the complex journey of women’s self-empowerment through the lens of identity, boundaries, and the impact of societal expectations.
Kristin shares her story of growing up as the child of a U.S. diplomat, constantly reinventing herself with each move, and navigating the lifelong effects of betrayal and trauma. She discusses how her struggle with boundaries led to self-objectification and how, with time and experience, she learned to claim her space and voice, even if it meant being labeled a “bitch.” The conversation dives into themes of objectification, the lingering pressure of female sexuality, the myth of sexual liberation, and the invisible power women discover with age.
Honest, raw, and inspiring, this episode will resonate with anyone questioning the rules imposed on women and searching for the courage to reclaim their narrative. Whether you’re looking for insight, validation, or simply a sense of community, you’ll find something meaningful in this conversation.
Janice Selbie is a master practitioner of clinical counselling, a bestselling author, a host of the Divorcing Religion and Sex and Power podcasts, and a religious trauma recovery coach.
In this soul-stirring conversation, Janice courageously shares how she was once a devout cult participant and her journey through the complex intersections of sex and religion to personal liberation. From surviving religious indoctrination to reclaiming her voice and self-agency, Janice’s story speaks to anyone yearning for authenticity. Join us as we unravel the layers of Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing: the 5 principles at the core of the VBB’s "Year of the B.I.T.C.H." If you're ready for honest, stereotype-shattering conversations, you're in the right place!
VBB welcomes back a friend, Christina Marlett, who describes herself as a recovering perfectionist, “spiritual ninja,” and self-care revolutionary. Christina is a top-flight self-care coach and the founder of Courageous Self Care, which supports high achievers in taking inspired action while practicing effective, strategic self-care. She’s an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and mother of two exceptional human beings.
In this conversation, Christina helps us dive deep into B.I.T.C.H. as we explore the real-life applications of Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing, breaking down their meaning and how each theme connects to personal growth. Christina shares her journey from chasing perfection to embracing authentic self-trust, shining a light on the struggles many women face as they try to meet society’s ever-shifting expectations. From overcoming internal critics to developing true confidence and learning to let go, this episode is packed with transformative insights and relatable moments. If you’re ready to explore the true power of feminine identity and self-care, and to reclaim your voice, grab a comfy seat because this episode is for you.
We dive into an inspiring and thoughtful conversation with Reverend Dr. Xenia Barnes, a social behavioural scientist and organizational healing expert.
We get right into our acronym, B.I.T.C.H., which stands for Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing. This episode explores how women have been challenged by stereotypes, societal expectations, and the burdens of roles imposed by others. Dr. Xenia Barnes brings a deep, global perspective to these themes, discussing the layers of betrayal women face and the importance of redefining identity beyond relational or professional titles.
The episode highlights the transformative journey of self-trust, the necessity of embracing change, and the healing that comes from reclaiming your life and purpose, even in the face of serious personal adversity. In this exchange, you will hear actionable advice about self-inventory, breaking free from people-pleasing habits, finding strength in solitude, and the importance of daily growth. At its core, the discussion reclaims and redefines the word “Bitch,” supporting women to embrace it as a badge of confidence, boundaries, and personal empowerment.
This episode is truly about challenging the status quo, encouraging women’s self-discovery, and building resilience.
If you’re ready to challenge a few stereotypes and discover yourself in the process, you’re tuned into the right frequency with Christopher and Heather kicking off "2026 as The Year of the ' B.I.T.C.H."
What you’ll hear is how a word used to punish women has been turned into an acronym that guides women into their power. In this conversation, we reveal what “B.I.T.C.H.” stands for as we move through each of the five steps: Betrayal, Identity, Trust, Change, and Healing. These principles are born from hundreds of real conversations with women about struggle, courage, and self-discovery.
Is there a woman who hasn’t been made a victim of the word “bitch?” Some try to claim it as a badge of defiance, but this conversation invites you to consider learning how this word can actually be empowering. If you’re curious how a word so demeaning to women can be turned into every woman’s personal liberator, join Christopher and Heather in conversation as we journey through five powerful principles.
We also invite you to share your story around this word and be part of a growing movement. This is your invitation to walk through the doors of B.I.T.C.H. and help redefine what it means to be powerful, authentic, and unapologetically you.
We (Christopher & Heather) have declared 2026 The Year Of The B.I.T.C.H., the evolution of a word that girls instinctively learn to avoid, and in fear of it, women inadvertently sacrifice their freedoms. Following eight years of talking with women who’ve shared their lived experiences with the word Bitch, we acknowledge the history of destruction it has brought to women's lives, but we have also discovered the strength some women take from the archetype. In 2026, VBB will dismantle the world, letter by letter, and what it has meant for women, and rebuild it into a woman’s source of wisdom and strength. We welcome you to The Year Of The B.I.T.C.H.
How will you remember 2025? In this deeply personal episode, titled "In Loving Memory of 2025," Heather sets the tone with this quote: “2025 was a year of sacred goodbyes and of release and surrender, healing of the past, closure, kind of trusting cycles, and completing cycles.”
Heather's honest and powerful account came after saying goodbye to her father in 20205. Her words demonstrate that loss is more than just an experience of sorrow. She shares that grief can also bring wisdom, connection, and the chance for renewal. If you've ever felt the ache of letting go of a beloved or wondered how to face the uncharted territory of grief and healing, we hope this episode offers not only comfort but a sense of community.
Tune in as we weave through memories of 2025, discover lessons for the future, find gratitude even in the most challenging moments, and hold space for the many forms of love that can shape your 2026 and beyond.
This week, we overlook our pre-holiday wish list to focus on real-life issues shaping women's lives around the globe in 2025. It's a conversation that unpacks ongoing concerns, including political representation, bodily autonomy, and workplace equity, as well as technology, culture, and the growing influence of women in sports.
This episode explores the push and pull between power, resistance, and hope, how each shapes the reality of women around the world, and why the fight for true equality and equity is elusive yet invariably critical.
Whether you're passionate about social justice, invested in women's rights, or unsure how these issues impact your life and why these are turbulent times, you'll find valuable perspectives and empowering energy in this conversation. So join us on this journey as we explore the real-life concerns, victories, and hard-fought battles of women in 2025.
Peggy Sharr is a licensed clinical psychotherapist, author, and survivor whose remarkable life story forms the heart of her book, "Surviving the Family Kingdom." Raised in her mother's cult, a chaotic and abusive environment, Peggy endured years of trauma, spiritual manipulation, and family dysfunction. Despite facing immense adversity, including being denied a basic education, Peggy found the courage and strength to rebuild her life, pursue higher learning, raise a functional family, and ultimately become a therapist dedicated to helping others heal.
It’s the last place any woman anticipates ever landing, but far too often, a woman’s shelter is the only haven for mothers and children fleeing abuse at home. Linda Dröfn Gunnarsdóttir is the executive director of the Association for Women's Shelters in Iceland. Linda’s reputation as an innovator and leader landed her on the BBC 100 Women to Watch list — a listing reserved for women around the world making a difference for others. We talk with Linda about Iceland being globally celebrated as a woman’s paradise due to policies that advance equality, when every day she sees women victims of gender-based violence forced into homelessness.
Lauren Wellbank admits that she’s one of the lucky ones. She’s a survivor of a near-death experience at the hands of a violent partner. After escaping her abusive relationship and learning that 1 in 4 women live under similar circumstances, Lauren felt compelled to share her story in hopes it would help guide other women who remain lost in toxic love. Lauren’s story illustrates that there is life beyond current circumstances, and she emphasizes the critical importance of overcoming the fear, shame, and silence that precede freedom.
Back in 2005, triggered by her own sexual abuse trauma, Blythe Hill learned about and began paying close attention to the issue of human trafficking. Even though she was overcome by a deep sense of urgency to help, she felt profoundly helpless. Blythe wasn't a lawyer, doctor, or social worker; her interests and talents were in fashion, trend analysis, and blogging. Blythe believed she had nothing much to offer to the fight against human trafficking. Then in 2009, Blythe challenged herself to wear a dress every day in December, and dubbed her campaign Dressember. Each year that has followed, more and more people have joined Blythe's one-person challenge, and today it's become an international movement. To date, Dressember campaigns have brought 490,000 victims to freedom, resulted in the conviction of 8,400 perpetrators, and raised over $ 20 million. Blythe calls herself a leader and strategist; we dubbed her a hero.
Darlene Lancer is an author, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and expert in relationships and codependency. Her bestselling books include Dating, Loving, and Leaving a Narcissist, Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You, and Codependency for Dummies. Each reflects her deep understanding of relationships and codependency recovery. Her newest book, Dating, Loving, and Leaving a Narcissist: Essential Tools for Improving or Leaving Narcissistic and Abusive Relationships, zeroes in on the core issue that causes victims of abuse so much unhappiness.
Darlene’s ability as an emotional intuitive enables her to identify problems at their source and to draw on her extensive personal and professional experience to find solutions. With over 30 years of providing self-esteem and codependency counseling, Darlene has helped countless women and men recover from codependency and trauma. For her, change requires awareness, courage, action, and being supported to take productive risks when ready. Her helping clients overcome self-defeating beliefs and behaviors enables them to be more self-expressive and enjoy greater life satisfaction.
Aura Martinez is a self-discovery and empowerment coach who guides her people through common pitfalls in their pursuit of happiness. Aura shares her transformative journey from feeling lost and unfulfilled to becoming an empowered coach who helps women find daily fulfillment and certainty in their lives. Aura's personal journey was not without its challenges, and she speaks candidly about the obstacles many women like her face, including a lack of self-acceptance that hindered her professional growth. Aura reminds us that the journey to self-discovery is ongoing and requires inner work, spiritual alignment, and yes, curiosity. Aura’s story vividly demonstrates how to create separation between temporary happiness and enduring fulfillment.
The history of witches has ancient connections to women as the primary users of magic, which is revered by some and feared by many. The idea of the evil "witch" evolved over time, particularly with the medieval association of witchcraft with Devil worship, which fueled the widespread persecution of women. Today, the image of the witch has transformed. One woman, who is not intimidated or shamed by being called a witch, is Rissa Miller. Her expertise stems from being raised in a nontraditional family with nontraditional beliefs, as well as extensive research into esoteric history, including ghosts, witchcraft, cryptids, and folklore.
Temi Ajibewa is a Personal Brand Expert, Business Coach for Coaches, Author, Mentor, and Transformational Speaker. However, Temi will tell you herself that she is more than her list of impressive titles. Listen to her speak and you will hear stories of family dysfunction, personal struggle, self-discovery, resilience, and reinvention. From battling chronic people-pleasing syndrome to becoming an Amazon best-selling author, Temi is passionate about helping individuals and organizations express their full potential.
When Barbara Stone was a little girl, she only wanted to fit in. However, as a child from an immigrant family, fitting in wasn’t in the cards. So, Barb developed a skill set to make herself irresistible; she became a perfectionist. For 25 years, Barb’s obsession with being flawless helped her compete with the boys in the manufacturing sector as she rose up the corporate ladder to executive vice president and CFO. But even with her accomplishments and the offer of a President’s role waiting for her signature, Bard felt that there was one thing missing from her perfect story: happiness. In a stirring TEDx Talk, titled “Why Being Perfect is Overrated,” Barb challenged an audience to confront the ways people often hide behind achievements and strive for unattainable ideals. In this Podcast episode, Barb explores how the pressure of perfectionism can limit our potential and disconnect us from our true selves. As a leadership development coach, Barb invites clients to embrace their imperfections, celebrate their vulnerabilities, and live authentically.
Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes' journey to becoming a leading trauma expert is marked by all the required academic qualifications (BA, M.Ed., Th.D., and PhD Candidate), but her unflinching wisdom was forged through profound personal challenges. The 2017 murder of her nephew and her 2021 diagnosis with pulmonary fibrosis and lupus, terminal illnesses requiring a double lung transplant, forged a life story that is a masterclass in resilience and radical self-acceptance. Her experiences convey that while adversity is unavoidable and unpredictable, how we respond is always our choice—but, with the right support, we can turn even our most painful experiences into platforms for growth, advocacy, and joy.
Annie Izmirliyan is heralded as a financial maverick. With over 20 years of experience in wealth management, financial planning, and sales leadership, her true superpower is transforming misplaced trust and betrayal, which left her on the brink of financial disaster, into her greatest asset. From adversity, Annie created a unique approach that focuses on guiding people through tough times while acknowledging their strengths. It's a philosophy that combines empathy, reassurance, and practical financial guidance. Annie's story embodies hope and empowerment, showing that even life's harshest lessons — yes, even betrayal — can lead to profound personal growth and overwhelming abundance.
Walker Kimberly Brandt is an actress, author, and coach, but in conversation, she is a compelling and compassionate human being. Career-wise, as an actress, her resume includes appearances on screen with Hollywood legends like Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton in "Dante's Peak" and Billy Crystal in "City Slickers." Her TV appearances include "Star Trek: The Next Generation" with Patrick Stewart. Walker recently wrote and published her first book, Awaken – Discovering Yourself Through the Light of Your Innocence, which is an Amazon #1 International Bestseller. Awaken is an intimate and vulnerable memoir that shares the journey of Walker as a young girl who left a toxic household at 15 after a failed attempt at suicide and, at 16, became an emancipated minor. Walker's story is about releasing self-imposed limitations, leaning into inherent innocence as a source of strength, and creating a fulfilling life regardless of circumstances.
Dr. Annmarie Waite is a nurse with a Ph.D, who’s also a wellness coach with a unique approach to supporting women on their health and self-care journey. Her distinctive care is rooted in a foundation of her own life experiences and recognizing common themes of neglect and shame that many women endure that impact their long-term health. Annmarie’s coaching style involves listening deeply and guiding women through the intricacies of their wellness stories, which are often unspoken and overlooked by insensitive medical protocols. For Annmarie, health is a personal mission. Her aim is to help clients break down barriers to discomfort, ultimately leading to transformation and healing.
Episode VBB 344 features Certified Mental Health and Trauma Recovery Life Coach Teresa Ford. Her story samples her life journey as a child raised by emotionally immature and emotionally unavailable parents who left her unprepared to live an empowered life. Ironically, it was the death of a parent — her mother — that triggered Teresa to explore the keys to healing from generational trauma. On her personal journey, Teresa learned to dismantle codependency, parentification, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, emotional abandonment, and debilitating people pleasing. Teresa now coaches women on taking an intentional stand against playing small, dimming their light, or waiting for permission to thrive and to embrace the fullest expression of their power and purpose. https://www.teresaford.life/about
Holly Shaw is a stand-up comedian and hypnotherapist, renowned as a performance anxiety expert. Before becoming a comedian, Holly was a TV host, film actor, professional dancer, and has since become a speaker and coach. Holly has authored and published three books, including her latest, Queen Lessons: What Stand-Up Comedy Taught Me About Dealing with Life's Hecklers and Finding Courage in Your Queen Years. In it, she extracts wisdom from the wild world of stand-up comedy and turns it into lessons with captivating true-life stories for other women entering their “queen years”. To hear more, listen to the podcast. To find her book, visit hollyshawcomedy.com.
Entrepreneur, coach, and Amazon bestselling author, Kat Sterling, sets the stage by asking the questions that most people avoid: "Why am I not where I want to be in life? Or, Why am I not winning?" Kat reveals that these questions are reflections born out of self-assessment and hard life lessons. Constantly surrounded by success, Kat felt that despite her corporate efforts and personal achievements, she was falling behind in life. For her, the most significant shift came from being terminated from her corporate gig. It’s an event that most would view as a catastrophic setback, yet Kat transformed it into her launchpad for entrepreneurship. Her motto has since become, “Feel the fear. Jump first, jump head-first!”
With over 30 years of experience as a hairstylist and salon owner, listening to the life drama of her customers, Dianne Harris was well-positioned to become a successful Life and Relationship Coach, a role she has excelled at for the past five years. In her personal life drama, Dianne is a twice-divorced single mother of three sons, and a survivor of the insidious effects of emotional abuse. After spending years in a toxic marriage with someone she once believed was her forever, she made the brave decision to choose herself, walk away, and rebuild her life from the ground up. Her journey led to deep healing, radical self-love, and the creation of a coaching practice that now helps other women do the same.
Dianne's passion is helping women—especially purpose-driven professionals in midlife—reclaim their identity, rebuild their self-worth, and attract emotionally healthy love, starting with the most crucial relationship, the one women have with themselves.
"I specialize in emotional abuse recovery, self-trust, boundary setting, dating after divorce, and rising from heartbreak with clarity and confidence. I'm also writing my memoir, Love Bomb, which shares her personal story of surviving emotional manipulation—and turning her pain into purpose."
Deena Baikowitz, aka Fireball Deena, is a dynamic coach, trainer, facilitator, speaker, and comedian with a unique way of delivering serious business and career advice that’s infused with creativity, compassion, and, of course, humour. Deena’s educational and career background spans social work, healthcare, marketing, events, and the arts, which have expanded into global networking, branding, marketing, and special events. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Deena’s motivated to encourage women to step into their power by embracing the spotlight. “I think that for women, taking the stage is about making a difference. It's about leading by example. It is definitely empowering to know that you can stand up and make a difference.“ Christopher & Heather are privileged to introduce you to a little Fireball named Deena.
VIRGIN.BEAUTY.BITCH, are not words women choose. These words, historically, have been used to put and keep women in their place. V.B.B. Podcast acknowledges the harmful intent and history of these words: the Virgin as pure and obedient, a sexually repressed woman; Beauty being adored or objectified and disrespected, and the Bitch punished for expressing her autonomy and being herself. However, Christopher & Heather share how a conscious shift in perspective and attitude can show how these words can also hold tremendous potential for women’s personal growth and the evolution of womanhood.
Koya Bakare is a NY model featured in Essence, Vogue, and InStyle. She’s also an educator, author, and the National Beauty Pageant Winner of the Elite Ms. US United — 2024-25. However, for Koya, pageantry is much more than the crown and the glitz. For her, the discipline of modelling became the avenue that gave her the courage to dig deep within herself, confront a debilitating past, and find her voice. “My crown was always there,” I simply needed to find my voice and to remember to share it with heart and pride.”
Dr. Jody Carrington is a fearless champion for authentic human connection. Her energy and genuine approach are to help people solve the most complex human-centered problems. In a rapidly disconnected world that leaves so many overwhelmed, lonely, and burned out, Dr. Jody boldly believes that all humans have the capacity for good. However, because of isolation and burnout, we have lost access to our reservoir of good.
Understanding how we got disconnected, what is needed to put the pieces back together, and how collectively we can find our way back home is Dr. Jody's passion. With a rare combination of authenticity, honesty, and levity, she never fails to inspire, motivate, and charm.
As the founder and principal psychologist at Carrington & Company, Dr. Jody has written three best-selling books, speaks on hundreds of stages globally each year, and hosts the podcast UNLONELY. She sets a high bar even with her own children: "I can't tell my kids how to be great. I have to show them." In this modern world, where we look but don't see, where we listen but don't hear, Dr. Jody shares with VBB an important message: We were never meant to do any of this alone.
In 2024, a contest was created to promote the most beautiful women the world has ever seen. The competition is the brainchild of the World AI Creators Awards (WAICAS). As the name suggests, real women need not apply, as all contestants are AI-generated personalities admired for their pixelated perfection.
We - Christopher & Heather - were curious, so we discussed where this idea would push already unrealistic standards and ideals set for beauty that women have been burdened to meet or at least keep up with in exchange for social status, attention, or affection.
To justify some of the skepticism about these AI-generated beauty contestants only being boy toy fantasies, contestants are being judged based on three criteria: aesthetic beauty, the technical skill that went into creating them, and their online and business clout. In some cases, that includes contestants with over 250,000 followers on Instagram and employment earnings in the neighbourhood of up to $10,840 a month, or on average $3,252 monthly, working as virtual models for clothing and jewelry companies.
Virtual or not, the impact of AI models is real, but will the standards these models set around "what is beauty and who is beautiful," which are already unrealistic and unattainable for most real women, become even more exhausting?
Tori Jenae has lived through a personal hell that has included childhood trauma, family dysfunction, betrayal, abandonment, divorce, plus the kind of grief that can crack a person’s soul wide open. Remarkably, she not only survived, she transformed. As a trauma-informed confidence and relationship coach with over 13 years of experience, Tori now helps women heal, starting at their emotional, psychological, and spiritual roots. Tori supports women in rebuilding their self-worth, breaking unconscious or sabotaging patterns, and creating healthy, aligned relationships. Her work effectively focuses on guiding women through debilitating life changes, including divorce, breakups, and personal loss, to a place where they can create a life of love, confidence, and the success they long for.
Bunny Ambrosia is a true modern-day Wonder Woman whose life story reads like a wild country song full of resilience, grit, and a rebellious spirit. From a deeply challenging upbringing in the conservative South, through motherhood and widowhood at sixteen and surviving homelessness as a single mother, Bunny has transformed every adversity into fuel for her growth. She shares how her daughter became her greatest motivator, and how, step by step, she fought her way to stability, entrepreneurship, and a deeply-rooted mission to help others thrive.
Laura Jane Layton’s journey is a testament to resilience. Like everyone else, she’s faced her share of difficult challenges that, in the moment, felt overwhelming. Looking back, though, she recognizes those tough times as the moments she grew the most—her strongest ones. Through self-reflection, Laura shares how adversity shaped her into a better person and inspired her to do remarkable things. Sharing lessons from her upbringing about fitting in and seeking love, Laura recalls how she learned to embrace her experiences and uses these lessons as her signature approach to coaching: becoming your own “best friend forever” (BFF). Instead of letting an inner critic run our minds, Laura encourages us to change our self-talk and befriend ourselves gently.
Dr. Kelly Barron is a powerhouse advocate for women's health and host of The KellFire Show, a podcast breaking taboos by empowering and supporting women through their menopausal journey. With her unique perspective as a doctor and a woman blazing through her own menopause, or as she calls it, her "wild woman phase." Dr. Barron is stripping away stereotypes and taboos about menopause as only a medical transition when it can be so much more — a true rebirth and an untapped chapter for women's self-discovery. Her conversation shatters outdated stereotypes, covers the emotional and physical shifts women experience during menopause, and highlights the importance of community, support, and unapologetic self-love. She shares practical advice for preparing for empty nest syndrome and how women can handle this difficult transition gracefully. Dr. Barron also introduces her online platform dedicated to helping women navigate menopause with fierce support and a personalized approach. She calls it Tempesta — aka, stormy.
Dr. Alessandra Wall - Challenging Fem Boss = Bitch Pretext!! Dr. Alessandra Wall is an executive coach, speaker, author, psychologist, and business founder with over 20 years of experience specializing in guiding senior executive women in high-stakes, male-dominated industries to lead authentically and powerfully without sacrificing career fulfillment or their quality of life. Dr. Wall combines science, strategy, and purpose to challenge the boss = bitch standards that often intimidate or cage strong, ambitious women leaders who’s desire is to make a lasting impact and thrive in their professional and personal lives without guilt, or shame.
Walker Kimberly Brandt is not only a personable and engaging woman; she's also a remarkable actress who has shared Hollywood movie screens with legends like Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton in "Dante's Peak" and Billy Crystal in "City Slickers." Her TV appearances include a memorable role in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" alongside Patrick Stewart. Walker is also a model, an international Best-selling author, and a coach whose transformative journey is deeply inspiring. Walker's candidness and vulnerability are compelling as she shares her upbringing in a toxic household steeped in challenges that nearly led to her suicide. She recalls her path to turning historic family trauma into a relationship with nature and with herself. Walker's proud that at age 16, she became an emancipated minor. Her story is a testament to harnessing inner strength and stepping into one's power, no matter the difficulties.
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is an original German fairy tale published by The Brothers Grimm in 1812. Apparently, social values and gender roles had not changed much in 1937 when Walt Disney turned Snow White into an animated film that's become a beloved classic. Fast forward to 2025, when even the idea of gender is a hot-button topic, and Snow White could be the poster child for moribund gender stereotypes. She's the traditional feminine, a delicate princess who happens to be the fairest of them all; she's kind and submissive, a domesticated girl who cooks and cleans up for men and dreams of living happily ever with a handsome, rich prince. But do fairy tales also teach girls that physical beauty and passivity make them desirable? It's a message Rachel Zegler, the young actress reviving the Snow White role, openly disdains. Unlike a demure Snow White, Rachel demonstratively expressed her feelings to the world while derailing the movie's box office success. So, tradition or woke, what side of the dilemma are you on?
Dr. Kerry Kerr McAvoy was already 20 years into her career as a psychologist with an academic education in narcissistic behaviors and counseling sessions with countless couples trying to navigate relationships through toxic narcissism. Still, her true education in narcissism didn't happen until she married a man with a God complex — a narcissist. "I definitely saw narcissists in my practice, and I'm sure I saw narcissistically abusive relationships, but I just didn't know what I was seeing at the time because that's not something they talk about in graduate school. They don't talk about the consequences of living with a toxic individual." In this conversation, Terry not only shares events from her nightmare marriage that resulted in her best-selling memoir, Love You More, and her popular podcast, "Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse," she also shares red flags women can look for when dating to hopefully avoid the pain and misery she unfortunately learned the hard way.
Alisa Gracheva believes that human health is holistic. As a result, she has transformed her career in modern medicine into a mission as a life coach specializing in helping clients restore the connection between their emotional and physical bodies while enhancing awareness through the practice of mindfulness, the embodiment of inner power, and the release of traumas, old dysfunctional habits, and beliefs. Alisa helps develop personalized plans that incorporate Western and Eastern Wellness modalities. Having studied and embraced alternative healing modalities for years and used them as healing support in her personal life struggles, which have included domestic abuse, violence, and addiction, Alisa recognizes the profound healing impact of sacred plant medicine, sound therapy, energy work, and spiritual guidance on the human psyche. She believes a multi-layered approach to healing can help individuals unlock their potential and tap into the magic of miracles hidden within the depths of our being. We invite you to embark with us on a transformative journey to discover your innate power to heal and thrive.
Felicity Nicole is a two-time international best-selling author, creator, speaker, intuitive mentor, and CEO of She Is You — an online community and a brand designed to inspire midlife women seeking support on their healing journey. "She Is You" is a brand forged from Felicity's personal journey of transformation and healing and is 100% proof that we do not have to become what we were groomed to be. At age ten, Felicity witnessed her father attempting to kill her mother, one example of commonplace traumatic events in a wild and dysfunctional family. Instead of allowing her traumas to dictate her life choices, Felicity uses her experiences to educate and encourage others on how to forgive, create, and live a beautiful and meaningful life.
International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March, commemorating women's fight for equality and liberation. Women's History Month brings focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. But how many of us know the history behind these two calendar events, and have you heard about Laura X? Join Christopher & Heather in conversation about why these dates matter to women and men.
Keri Looijen could be the poster child for women who nurture vibrant and colorful communities. She is co-founder and editor-in-chief of True North Pin Up Magazine, a publication created to celebrate vintage beauty, diversity, and the art of storytelling through retro-inspired photography. Behind the retro fashion and red lipstick, Keri is also a mother of two and a former victim of domestic abuse. However, when Keri needed a safe space for herself and her children, she discovered that the local shelters had a waiting list. Not one to take a closed door as an answer, Keri co-founded a car show to help raise money to support women's centers. The car shows also blended perfectly with her newfound passion for Pin Up culture. In December 2019, the first edition of True North Pin Up Magazine was published. Its goal is to revolutionize and empower an entire community of women through body positivity, connection, and authentic expression of self. We invite you to come and meet Keri Looijen.
Mary Crocker Cook, Ph.D, has over 40 years of experience as a therapist. Her latest book is Bad Taste, Self-Care, and Financial Planning for Women with Bad Taste in Men. In its own way, it's a love letter to people like her who, along the way, do not always choose wisely when it comes to men. It's for women who are working through early life experiences to create a richer, more joyous life in the present. I know there is a community of women out there who are struggling to create "upgrades" in their selection process, and along the way, we still get derailed. This little book is an attempt to give women harm reduction strategies so that when they stumble, it's not off the cliff! As a therapist, I have watched countless smart, funny, responsible, loving women choose mates unwisely. I am glad my home girl encouraged me to write my thoughts down because I have had conversations over the years with so many women, and I know how hard they try to make what can seem insurmountable relationships work.
There was a time in human history when women were not allowed to participate in the arts - can you imagine? In 2024, Taylor Swift launched her record-breaking 149-date Eras Tour, Charli XCX produced the soundtrack to the summer with her culture-defining album Brat, and pop returned in a big way with artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan making waves in the industry. Not surprisingly, women were at the forefront of a record-breaking year in music sales as female artists claimed six of the top 10 spots on the bestselling albums chart. Women dominated the 2025 Grammy Awards, but today's female artists aren't just about sales and awards; women have something to say about the world they live in and the world they envision for the future, and they used the Grammy stage to speak up on topics ranging from trans rights, health care, immigration, to controversial DEI initiatives. Join us as we celebrate these women and their will for change.
The "poop whisperer" commit. Her name is Melissa Hall Klepacki. Her formal title is Functional Gut Health Expert. She helps women and men relieve themselves of constipation by understanding eight root causes and how to heal from them. Melissa didn't grow up dreaming of becoming a poop specialist. It was only after she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in her 40s and after seeing 12 different doctors with no answers that her path to healing began to take shape with her discovery of comprehensive detoxification. Melissa's personal journey back to health convinced her that gut health is the cornerstone of overall wellness. Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, known as the "Father of Medicine," said, "All disease begins in the gut." Modern science is only now discovering that gut health influences everything from digestion to dis-ease to mental health. It's why helping people resolve chronic constipation is a cornerstone of Melissa's research and continuing education, which she graciously shares with us in this episode.
In this episode, Christopher and Heather dive into a topic that's often a lightning rod for controversy: whether women deserve to be censored for what they wear and how women's fashion choices are subject to societal judgment and double standards. The discussion takes a close look at WNBA superstar Angel Reese, who recently made headlines with her bold New Year's Eve fashion choice and faced backlash for her provocative outfit. This lively dialogue peels back the layers of social double standards, societal expectations, and the broader implications for female agency and self-expression. Join us as we explore how women can reclaim their narratives and shine unapologetically.
Dr. Heather Brown is a seasoned psychotherapist of 27 years specializing in helping couples communicate through grief, loss, and spirituality while transforming their lives into expressions of beauty and joy. Dr. Brown is known in her circles as the “Reframe Queen.” She instructs clients on reframing sticky thought processes to see the other side of challenging situations. Her first book, Speaking With the Heart, is the recipient of the best selling International Impact Book Award for relationships. It addresses all facets of communication with a highly unique methodology that makes it a go-to resource for couples moving beyond confusion, chaos, and conflict. Dr. Browne is also a public speaker and has her own TedX performance.
Lisa Van Ahn is a retired athlete who fought for the US National Kickboxing team internationally. She won a North American Kickboxing title and meddled at the PanAm games in Brazil. Lisa also competed on the popular NBC show American Ninja Warrior. Lisa found her way into combative sports at age 19 after being exploited as a child, believing she was unworthy, and living in fear as a victim. She shares how she transformed her trauma of being abused and suicidal into a mission to empower young girls. Lisa founded the I AM Initiative, a dynamic and adventurous curriculum for young women that teaches self-love and self-protection. Her I AM courses emphasize self-acceptance and bodily confidence. Lisa shares her belief that every girl deserves to live free, unafraid, and with power.
It's that time of year when we all have one foot in the past and one foot stepping into the future, a time to glance in the rearview but with eyes fixed on the horizon. This episode reflects on some global challenges that captured the world's attention over the past 12 months. At this time of year, it's always fascinating to compare notes on how we interpret and respond to events that we can't control the outcome. We reflect on events that have made the year memorable or one you might want to shred along with last year's calendar. We also honour a list of heroes lost over the past year. Join us in remembering the year that was and celebrating the year's beginning.
Bitch being used as an inspiration sounds counterintuitive, very contrary to how people have been conditioned to apply a word, which for centuries has been used as an insult keeping women in a subservient place in society. Jamie Louise Madigan became very familiar with the word Bitch after finding herself being used and abused in her intimate relationship. Jamie admits her good-girl, people-pleaser personality contributed to her being treated like a doormat by an abusive partner. Healing from her relationship introduced Jamie to poetry as a healing platform and Bitch as a healing companion. In our conversation, Jamie shares anecdotes on how she overcame the fear of asserting herself and the potential consequences of losing relationships or making others uncomfortable. She acknowledges the Bitch as a source that inspired her to operate with courage instead of fear and live authentically. It’s a fascinating conversation that underscores the necessity of self-expression and authenticity in personal growth and a journey toward becoming more centered and confident without needing external validation, which exemplifies the liberating power of self-acceptance.
This is episode #One of the VBB Bitch Series. It begins with our conversation with Teacher, Life Coach, Speaker, and International bestselling Author of W.O.M.A.N.: A New Definition For Reclaiming The Feminine, Gina Cloud. Whether you like the word or not, Bitch is ubiquitous, timeless, and female-centric. For centuries to the present day, Bitch has been used to dehumanize women on the one hand, while on the other, Bitch has been an idolized symbol of woman’s emancipation. Gina helps us unravel the contemporary and historical use of a word meant to marginalize women and how they can turn it into a tool for personal empowerment without giving in to rage or vengeance. We explore how women can reclaim Bitch, embrace the essence of its power, use it to amplify their voice, and speak their truth with courage and integrity. We chose Gina to be on this journey because she walks her talk.
A Journey From Fear To Freedom. Lauren Wellbank is a courageous survivor who has successfully turned her harrowing near-death experience at the hands of a violent partner into a mission of hope and empowerment for others. After escaping her abusive relationship, Lauren realized the importance of sharing her story, knowing that 1 out of 4 women face similar situations, and many either don't survive or struggle to break free. Lauren openly discusses her frightening journey with the aim of inspiring and giving hope to women who haven't broken free and still feel trapped. Her message illustrates that there is life beyond current circumstances. Lauren emphasizes empowerment through storytelling, the need to overcome fear and shame, and the importance of societal change to shift the blame onto abusers. She also highlights the significance of mental health support, raising awareness amongst children, and dispelling myths about women who find themselves in abusive relationships.
Sandy Phillips Kirkham shares her harrowing yet inspiring journey of overcoming abuse in a religious setting. Her book, "Let Me Prey Upon You: Breaking Free From A Minister's Sexual Abuse," sheds light on the devastating impact of clergy abuse and serves as a resource for education and support for others. Sandy's journey is a poignant testament to the often-downplayed reality that women and girls within the church can be easy prey for sexual predators disguised as priests. Her compelling story highlights the egregious abuse of power by church leaders and the victim-blaming that often follows. Sandy recounts her personal experience of being groomed, manipulated, and sexually exploited by her youth pastor and eventually being expelled from her church while her abuser moved on to another congregation. For years, Sandy grappled with the thought that the exploitation she endured was her fault. However, through tremendous personal growth and reflection, she came to recognize that she was deliberately targeted, groomed, and manipulated by her abuser, who sought only to use and control her. Sandy's experience underscores the critical need for awareness and support for all victims of abuse, challenging the stigmatization and silence that often surrounds clergy abuse.
Jamie Louise Madigan's book, "Lipstick Stains and Coffee Cups," is more than a collection of heart-wrenching poetry; it helped her exorcise painful memories of abuse and brings hope to women still lost or entangled in abusive relationships. For Jamie, writing was the transformative process that allowed her to confront the stark realities of being abused, which, paradoxically, led to her nurturing a powerful sense of self-awareness and empowerment. Jamie's wish for her poems is they serve as both inspiration and a beacon of hope for women overwhelmed and trapped in abusive circumstances. Her journey illustrates how recognizing and articulating one's suffering can be an essential first step toward healing and liberation. Jamie's story is a testament to the resilience and strength of women worldwide who face similar challenges. We’re grateful for Jamie’s contribution to VBB's support of The United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
As part of our annual commitment in support of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, VBB continues to share personal stories that reveal the harsh realities of abuse but also the strength that comes from survivors. This week, we hear the inspiring and sobering narrative of special guest Sophia Diaz. Sophia is an indomitable spirit with a multifaceted global career, and also a woman who once faced a harrowing experience of betrayal, violence, and near death at the hands of the man sworn to love her and a judicial system that failed to protect her. Sophia's story is one of resilience, trust, and faith. We’re thrilled to bring you the wisdom and insights from International Entrepreneur, Recording Star, Author, and Film Producer Sophia Dias.
Lois Hollis is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist known for her work in the field of shame and guilt counseling. She specializes in helping individuals overcome the debilitating effects of shame and guilt, which often stem from childhood experiences, trauma, or societal expectations. Hollis’s approach to counseling emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of shame and guilt, as well as developing strategies for emotional healing and self-acceptance. Lois believes shame and guilt are pervasive energies that impact every aspect of a person’s life, from their relationships to their sense of self-worth. Through her counseling practice, workshops, and writings, Hollis offers up free tools and techniques for breaking free from the cycle of shame and guilt in a way that empowers individuals to live more fulfilling and authentic lives.
Rissa Miller is a fearless advocate for the term 'witch' and the longstanding stigma and fear around the word. We get into what qualifies a woman as a witch, and even though perceptions of a witch have evolved from the days when the Church condemned women for communing with devils to present-day pop culture where witches like Melisandre from "Game of Thrones, Wanda Maximoff as Marvel's Scarlet Witch, and Netflix Teenage Witch Sabrina are beautiful and powerful women. While some people still hold onto outdated beliefs, Rissa believes society is catching up and evolving its understanding of what it means when women are okay with being called witches.
Is Self-Care Just Women Being Selfish? Christina Marlett, BKin, BMT, believes you have the power to change the world, but first, you must address the fact that you need to take charge of your own life, starting with self-care that goes beyond bubble baths, chocolate, and wine. Christina is an International Speaker who has shared the stage with Michael Beckwith, Marci Shimoff, Lynne Twist, Ocean Robbins, and Jean Houston. She is also a #1 International Best-Selling Author, a Master Facilitator, a Certified Embodiment Coach, and the Founder of Courageous Self-Care. Christina teaches high-achieving leaders that self-care is not simply about luxurious acts of pampering but that it's a real necessity if you truly want to step into your greatness. Through her coaching, workshops, and online programs, Christina helps you revitalize your energy from the inside out so that you can be productive and peaceful at the same time. We talked to Christina about the importance of self-care and her new book, Not Your Mama's Self-Care Guide (cause she probably had none, so you should read this). In it, you'll learn the top mistakes intelligent women make with self-care. You'll also discover why courage is a useful barometer for self-care. As the book title suggests, Christina makes self-care fun and accessible so that you can be productive and peaceful at the same time.
We learn very young about beauty as a commodity, how beauty has become women’s gilded cage in society, how beauty is a weapon women use to compete with one another for economic or professional status, and how young women feel pushed to manipulate beauty to win love or affection. We learn how beauty is fleeting and cruel, especially to women, and the inevitability of aging only makes women more vulnerable and desperate to invest eternally in cosmetics, surgeries, weight programs, or anything that promises to preserve Beauty. In this episode, Christopher and Heather take a step back to ask the most important question to women: What is Beauty to You?
I Felt Like An Alien! Beth Hildbrand is a US Army veteran, cancer survivor, and founder of Resilient Stars Marketing. Beth's passion is to share her personal journey to help others. An important chapter in her journey includes recovering her identity as a woman after the loss of her hair to chemotherapy. Through her YouTube channel, "BethHildbrandTalks," Beth chronicles the event that made her question her own identity as a woman. Making the decision to have her partner shave her head and the narrative of her emotional state is a testament to beauty and what makes a person beautiful.
Barbara McBean knows, she once competed in the glamorous Miss Universe Pageant. She did not win that crown, but today, Barbara is the founder and president of Eternal Beauty Institutes Clinical Esthetics Colleges, which features multiple schools and beauty brands across North America. Barbara's passion for all things beauty, once combined with her first love of teaching, became the foundation on which Eternal Beauty is founded. Her brand is built on the principle that education should be accessible to everyone with the spirit to learn and grow. Barbara shares a personal journey that exemplifies resilience and highlights the unique obstacles women face in leadership and entrepreneurship while burdened by society's unrealistic expectations of beauty. If you are navigating societal beauty expectations or seeking inner peace, this episode promises to inspire and empower. Tune in as we continue our quest to break down stereotypes and celebrate the eternal beauty that comes from within.
The Evolution of Beauty is Part One in a VBB Four-Part series on our podcast middle name: Beauty. The Evolution of Beauty is also a specialty of Richard Prum. He's not a beautician, far from it; he's an expert on birds, a Professor of Ornithology, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University, as well as head curator of vertebrate zoology at the University's Peabody Museum of Natural History. Richard also authored the book The Evolution of Beauty, where he revisits Charles Darwin's long-neglected theory of sexual selection; basically, females choosing a mate purely for aesthetic reasons — the mere pleasure of beauty —and how those rarely acknowledged choices are as critical as natural selection in determining the evolution of our species. So, is Beauty in his genes or in how he wears his jeans?
Who Do You Think You Are? Teresa Ford is a certified mental health and trauma recovery life coach who believes you shouldn't hire any coach who hasn't successfully done what you are trying to do. So, if you have any experience with anxiety, depression, grief, loss, ADHD, emotional abandonment, parentification, or debilitating people-pleasing, Teresa has been there and back. Teresa has long been fascinated by the human experience and the vast spectrum of emotions that come into play in our lives. She believes life is an exploration, a journey to understand the emotional elements that shape who we think we are now and also who we are capable of becoming. "My own mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical healing process is what has propelled me to follow my life calling as a certified mental health and trauma recovery life coach" — Teresa Ford.
Ever find yourself thinking, "I'll be happy when"… [add job, money, relationship, or shiny object here.] Why do we struggle with our seemingly endless quest for happiness based on external things or circumstances? Even when we reach our big happiness goal, why does the joy feel shallow or fleeting? Aura Martinez speaks candidly about obstacles she faced, including a lack of self-acceptance, which hindered her personal growth. Instead of fighting her despair, she leaned into her frustration with curiosity and created a unique coaching method — the A.U.R.A Blueprint. As a successful Self-Discovery and Empowerment Coach, Aura's passion is helping women and men discover themselves more powerfully and attract everything they want, including happiness.
Beauty has been assigned, by man, the dominion of woman, but is Beauty her paradise or her prison? September 22, Christopher and Heather host 4 Conversations on VBB with female authors, researchers, and topic experts to answer questions about the Myth of Beauty. Questions women are shamed into not asking even themselves.
From Betrayal To Abundance is Annie Izmirliyan’s story. She's been heralded as a financial maverick who leverages over 20 years of education and hands-on experience in wealth management, financial planning, and sales leadership to guide individuals and organizations toward their financial goals and aspirations. However, what makes Annie unique and separates her are the life lessons she learned hard, including misplaced trust, life-partner betrayal, and a close encounter with a financial disaster. Turning betrayal into success has helped Annie create a unique approach that focuses on guiding people through tough times while acknowledging their strengths. It's a philosophy that combines empathy, reassurance, and practical financial guidance. Annie's story speaks of hope and empowerment and shows that even life's harshest lessons, even betrayal, can lead to profound personal growth and overwhelming abundance.
Janice Selbie on Divorcing Religion!Janice Selbie lived 40 years of her life as a devout Christian. Living a reality reminiscent of a Margaret Atwood character in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Janice became the quintessential Renaissance woman, complete with Mennonite-inspired shapeless clothing and modest head-coverings. She rejected all the creature comforts of secular life — TV, radio, music, newspapers, and magazines, and committed to homeschooling her children. It wasn’t until a series of personal upheavals challenged her obedience that Janice felt justified to question her lifelong devotion to blind faith. Janice is now a Registered Professional Counsellor and a Religious Trauma Recovery Coach hosting Divorcing Religion Workshops that help others experiencing the significant losses associated with religious de-conversion.
After 20+ years working in the beauty and fashion industries, Jen Auh, founder of Style Konsult & STYiLES, designed over 360 creative campaigns for major beauty and fashion retailers, including Bliss, Macy's, Too Faced Cosmetics, and Silver Jeans. As a beauty and fashion expert, she knows how looks influence people's confidence. That is where her journey in image consulting began. Jen now serves a community of over 10,000 people and has built a 7-figure consulting agency by empowering people's confidence with style. Her holistic approach integrates personal branding with a deep understanding of clients' strengths, blind spots, and unique qualities. Jen stresses that building self-awareness is crucial for cultivating confidence and maximizing internal beauty. By being in tune with oneself, we can better manage how we are perceived and how we perceive ourselves.
Mariska Reinerink is a global Money Wellness and Business Coach, International Workshop Facilitator, Speaker, and Best-Selling Author with over 20 years of experience as a Holistic Financial Advisor. Her professional journey began as a physiotherapist, where she witnessed the profound impact of pain, stress, and money worries on people's overall well-being. Personally, Mariska faced her fair share of financial challenges while navigating single motherhood, self-employment, and financial uncertainty. These experiences were motivation to transition into Financial Services. What sets Mariska apart is her unique methodology that addresses the practical and human sides of money. It's about helping people develop a stress-free relationship with their finances. Mariska shares unique insights in her Best-Selling book, "Untangling Your Relationship with Money."
Who's at fault when male chivalry is interpreted as chauvinism or a sincere compliment is taken as a cheap come-on? True, some men's attitudes and actions have created these reservations in many women. So, what is an ideal man, or what do modern women really want from the men in their lives? Christopher and Heather share eleven qualities that women might consider deal breakers or ideals they wish from the good men in their lives.
Temi Ajibewa is a powerful and inspiring woman. She is a Personal Brand Strategist and Coach, Author of several Amazon-bestselling books, Mentor to women and men worldwide, and an electric Transformational Speaker, but beyond the titles lies a story of personal reinvention. Raised by a single mom in a dysfunctional social environment and as a young woman looking for love in all the wrong places, Temi’s tragic first steps in life helped her develop personal resilience and business principles that revolve around two key elements – high impact and high income. She firmly believes that everyone possesses the necessary ingredients for success, and her role is to refine those innate talents by assisting individuals to monetize their skills, expertise, and passion. Temi is a powerhouse force of nature and a must-listen.
Debbie Peterson, former mayor of Grover Beach, California, remains passionate about women's representation in public office. She's a first-hand witness to the troubling trend of women being discouraged from running due to the increase in online and in-person attacks. It's also true that many women don't want to work in a culture of confrontation or have their private lives picked apart in public. The result is fewer women pursuing political careers. Understanding the importance of diverse voices in decision-making, Debbie offers experience and advice supporting women contemplating a run for office. She emphasizes resilience and preparation, aiming to empower more women to overcome challenges and take on leadership roles.
Vicki Larson is an award-winning journalist, author, writer, columnist, editor, and freelancer who writes about lifestyles and human relations but with a modern twist. Vicki shares highlights of living and loving outside conventional models of marriage and the nuclear family. Strong evidence is in the title of her latest book — LATitude: How You Can Make a Live-Apart-Together Relationship Work. Vicki is the first to admit that LAT relationships aren’t for everyone, but for many women, living apart together is the perfect lifestyle choice for undoing gender.
Kelly Etter is more than a Pilates teacher and trainer, more than a mom, and more than a former member of the famous Music City Rockettes dance troupe. Kelly is all that and a compassionate advocate for self-discovery and personal growth. Kelly empathizes with women who dutifully struggle to juggle the roles of motherhood, partnership, or career, and she understands the challenges that women face in seeking validation through their various roles, titles, and relationships. In this candid conversation, Kelly acknowledges that the journey of self-realization can be daunting, but encourages women to explore and embrace their identities beyond societal expectations and external roles. Kelly is proof that the transformation can be an enjoyable and fulfilling adventure that ultimately makes life more fulfilling. Her insights inspire us all to look within to not only find but to celebrate our true selves.
Darlene Lancer is a Marriage and Family Therapist and author with over 30 years of experience working with clients through the complex web of codependency. If relationships, self-worth, and personal growth are important to you, this is what you need to hear. Darlene is a renowned expert in codependency and the author of several books, including Codependency for Dummies and Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You. Darlene walks us through the intricate relationship between codependent and narcissistic partners. She reveals the childhood roots around each and the impact of shame central to both. Darlene shared valuable insights like how to recognize negative self-talk, which fuels codependent habits, and instead embrace self-worth and break free from unhealthy relationship patterns. Join us as we uncover the insidious complexities of codependency and learn how to become empowered to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
How many people, instead of trading time for money or feeling trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of reacting to life's responsibilities, would love to be living their life purpose? But what would you trade to live such a privilege? Tara Sheahan remembers when she was once a world-class Olympic athlete, mother of two, and wife of a CEO with global influence. Still, when a bite from a tick left her with Lyme disease, overnight, her life of comfort, convenience, wealth, and health came to an end, replaced by endless experiences of pain and suffering. It was the beginning of her Dark Night of The Soul and the dismantling of her ego identity. What happened next is Tara's story of finding her life purpose. She is the founder and coach of Breathwork, a powerful healing modality. She's also a student of Indigenous wisdom traditions who lives an austere lifestyle on land being prepared as a habitat for the return of bison herds to the Great Plains. Tara's story is about what is sometimes required to live a life of purpose, which for her is helping restore Earth's ecosystem and raising human consciousness to a level you can hear in her voice — a sound of pure joy!
Rahti Gorfien is the Founder of Creative Calling Coaching, LLC, and has been recognized three times by Expertise.com as one of the 15 Best Life Coaches in NYC. However, in a former life, she graduated from a prestigious NYU Acting Program. "Acting broke my heart," she laments, but her career on stage still spanned thirty years. During that time, she became a professional standup comic and a writer of several plays, including Backstage's Best Plays of 2004, and she once shared a stage with Meryl Streep as a dedicated corpse. In the mid-1990s, Rahti formed and facilitated peer groups to support her fellow theatre creatives. These groups became a gateway to becoming a trained and certified professional coach. Recently, she was recognized as one of the Top Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Coaches by Coach Foundation.com. Even though she admits to having no interest in coaching people with ADHD, fate intervened when her son was diagnosed with ADHD. She married a man with ADHD, and her brother also has ADHD. Rahti helps her clients focus so they can live fulfilling lives, maximize their talents, get seen, and make money doing what they love. She recently wrote her first book, The Five Emotions That Stop Success in Coaches, Clients, and Creatives: Overcoming Personal Obstacles of the Mind. We're thrilled to bring you this enlightening and highly entertaining conversation with Rahti, and we would love to hear what you take away.
Feminism, in any phase, era, or iteration, is a complex and sensitive conversation that much of society avoids as taboo. The latest iteration, known as “woke feminism,” is no different. What is ‘Woke Feminism” and how does it impact society or you as an individual woman or man is a compelling conversation we welcome with a YouTube content creator known by her pseudonym Baggage Claim. Our conversation touches on the rise of female empowerment in media, particularly on television and Hollywood. It’s a transition that has evolved from a fight for female equality to stamping a mark on the world that women are superior to men. Examples include Hollywood characters like Captain Marvel and the modern remake of Snow White. Films that exploit the current trend towards female dominance and are unafraid to demonstrate a vindictive attitude towards men. WARNING: This conversation will push buttons around deeply held beliefs and challenge values often taken for granted, including how we think and treat each other as individual women and men.
Dr. Annmarie Waite is a nurse with a Ph.D; she is also a wellness coach with a unique approach to supporting her clients, most notably women, on their health and self-care journeys. For one, she has never adopted the theory that medication is what you need to get better. Her distinctive style comes from the foundational experiences in her life, where she grappled with common themes of neglect and shame that many women endure concerning their health. Annmarie's method is warm and genuine, akin to confiding in a trusted friend. Her approach accounts for the name of her business — "Girlfriends Health." Annmarie's coaching style involves listening deeply and guiding women through the intricacies of their wellness stories, which are often left unspoken and overlooked by standard medical practice. For Annmarie, health is a personal mission. Her aim is to help women break down barriers of discomfort that ultimately lead to her 'girlfriends' transformation and healing. In Annmarie's own words, "I'm here to embark on a profound journey of well-being and self-discovery with you."- Visit her website: Girlfriend's Health
Dr. Annmarie Waite is a nurse with a Ph.D; she is also a wellness coach with a unique approach to supporting her clients, most notably women, on their health and self-care journeys. For one, she has never adopted the theory that medication is what you need to get better. Her distinctive style comes from the foundational experiences in her life, where she grappled with common themes of neglect and shame that many women endure concerning their health. Annmarie's method is warm and genuine, akin to confiding in a trusted friend. Her approach accounts for the name of her business — "Girlfriends Health." Annmarie's coaching style involves listening deeply and guiding women through the intricacies of their wellness stories, which are often left unspoken and overlooked by standard medical practice. For Annmarie, health is a personal mission. Her aim is to help women break down barriers of discomfort that ultimately lead to her 'girlfriends' transformation and healing. In Annmarie's own words, "I'm here to embark on a profound journey of well-being and self-discovery with you."
Virgin and virginity have long been a source of taboo thoughts and moral fixation. How did the virgin come to mean so much and have so much power in our individual lives, especially the lives of women? How can one intimate heterosexual encounter change a woman forever? Why is losing it, giving it away, or having it taken against a woman’s consent have the power to defile a her virtue or, in many cases, destroy her reputation? Why do we allow myths, philosophies, religious dogmas, and fairy tales to condition us to believe that a woman’s value and self-worth is based on her denying nature’s most potent force — female sexuality? These questions and many more come to the surface over our four-week journey in conversations that explore the Virgin as a physical entity — the body, the Virgin as a belief or a mindset, the Virgin as governor of intimacy and sexual desire of the heart and finally, the Virgin that is true to ancient definitions of virginity — a woman sovereign onto herself — a Virgin spirit. In this episode, Christopher and Heather rewind highlights and learning moments explored in four conversations with nine unique and remarkable women including, Laura M. Carpenter author of Virginity Lost: An Intimate Portrait of First Sexual Experiences, and Hanne Blank Boydwhoauthored the definitive book on the topic, Virgin: The Untouched History. Enjoy!
As a historian and author, Hanne Blank Boydliterally wrote the book on Virginity. Her seminal work, Virgin: The Untouched History, is a provocative exploration of the complex concept of Virginity throughout human history. Also enriching this conversation is Kim Hudson, author of The Virgin’s Promise, which talks about women’s path to finding their own power and authentic selves. This is part four of our four-week journey into the VIRGIN. So far, we have explored the history of the VIRGIN Body — the Hyman Maneuver we call it. The VIRGIN Mind and how forced virtue impacts a VIRGIN Heart that craves to love but often is stained by shame and guilt. In this final chapter, we explore the VIRGIN Spirit with Hanne and Kim. As a bonus, we also included a conversation with Jungian analyst, author, and podcaster Lisa Marchiano. Her new book, The Vital Spark, features a chapter on the Virgin, and we cover Virginity as a symbol of unbroken psychic wholeness. It’s a remarkably enlightening and soulful conversation. It’s a conversation that was interrupted by a major seismic disturbance. Listen through to the end to hear that earth-shaking event as it happened.
What can a grown-up, experienced woman possibly learn from any talk about virginity? Well, when so many women go through life being made to feel dirty, deviant, shameful, and even sinful about sex and their own sexuality, we wonder, where do those beliefs originate? Is it too far-fetched to look for seeds in a belief that insists women renounce their sexual nature until marriage, and only then can they express it in the name of motherhood? That might work for some women but not for Gina Cloud. Gina's the best-selling author of W.O.M.A.N.: A New Definition For Reclaiming The Feminine and a deeply devoted teacher and speaker who inspires women to embrace their bodies fully and learn from their inner wisdom. We also welcome Stephanie Horton, a women's circle facilitator who recently created a social group called The Wild Feminine. It's a conversation most women are never encouraged or invited to have, but all will be inspired to hear.
Welcome to episode two of our four-part conversation on Virginity and its lasting impact on women's lives. This week, we shift from what's between a woman's legs determining Virginity to what's placed between her ears that impacts her virtue and self-image. A seminal work on the topic is Virginity Lost, written by Laura Carpenter. She joined us from her day job as an associate professor at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Pauline Mortas is a recent graduate from the Panthéon-Sorbonne University in Paris. She is a specialist in the history of sexualities in the 19th and 20th centuries. She comes to us through an article titled Women and Men Faced with Virginity, which explores the social and symbolic meanings ascribed to Virginity. This conversation reveals how the notion of Virginity intertwines with societal norms, personal identity, and the ongoing journey to redefine sexuality in an empowering light. Before you push play, get ready to question, to challenge, and to rethink what Virginity means on a societal level and how it still defines what goes on between a women's ears.
Do words define us, or do we define words? VBB Podcast is built on the belief that — we, the people — ultimately determine how words define us. Putting that belief into action is why we chose to name our Podcast using words that have terrorized or demonized women for centuries. VIRGIN is such a word. It has been used to regulate female sexual expression by dividing women into Madonna's or whores. It's a tragic binary definition for women to live under and a devastating stigma to overcome. Over the next four weeks, we explore what VIRGIN means to women and their power to change inherited definitions. In week one of our four-episode journey, we explore the Virgin Archetype with Metaphysical Minister, speaker, and author of three provocative books that challenge cultural taboos around God, Death, and Sex, the Irreverent Reverend Stephanie Clarke. We also welcome blogger, videographer, and the author of Goodby Virginity, Talia Grey. In this inaugural episode, we recall the origin of the Virgin, its purpose, and its influence on the lives of women in our modern world.
Amanda is an internationally published journalist writing stories about relationships, travel, and wellness. In 2013, she wrote an essay that changed my life entitled “Does My Virginity Have a Shelf Life?” It caused a flood of retorts when it debuted in The New York Times. Ironically, feminists and misogynists attacked Amana’s decision to remain abstinent. It was as if a woman not having sexual intercourse is a woman who is somehow not complete. And it’s not like the girl wasn’t trying; by age 40, Amanda had dated over 100 men. She recalls dating physicists, army captains, a strip club bouncer, a philosopher, a professional country singer, a peace-treaty negotiator, a yacht captain, a waste management baron, a professional athlete, a farming landscape painter, firefighter, ER doctor, a minister, and a retired CIA spy. Christopher & Heather spoke with Amanda in 2020, shortly after finding what she had been waiting for this whole time: mutual love with someone who accepted her virginity as a gift. Amanda was also celebrating being pregnant with her first child. Unfortunately, the scorn Amanda endured as a woman determining her own sexual path remains a pressure women feel around the man-made construct we call The Virgin. Join VBB as we explore The Virgin archetype over four weeks and four unique episodes. As a preview, enjoy our conversation with Amanda, the 40-year-old Virgin.
Lisa Marchiano hosts the popular podcast This Jungian Life, which tops the health and fitness category in the US. She’s a certified Jungian analyst, a sought-after speaker who lectures widely in the US and abroad, and a sought-after workshop facilitator. But Lisa is also an award-winning author who writes books to help women connect more deeply with their innate gifts. Lisa’s latest is The VITAL SPARK - Reclaim Your Outlaw Energies and Find Your Feminine Fire, a book about personal power that uses dreams, fairy tales, and cultural narratives to guide women out of pleasing, appeasing, and playing nice toward their own spirited, and personal psychic freedom. Lisa acknowledges the challenge women face to balance softness with ruthlessness on a unique journey of self discovery? Join us as we explore transformative ideas that light the path to becoming whole. Catch the full episode and ignite your vital spark.
Misty Rae is one of a kind. She announces herself to Medium readers as a former legal eagle, a wife, mother, nature lover, chef, writer, and all-around free spirit. She makes no excuses about being brutally honest, or sweet as pie or being a great big bitch. It all depends on how people approach her, she says. Now in her 50s, Misty is committed to living like a 12-year-old and loving every second! It might be from not having a truly carefree childhood. Misty was born in a small town in New Brunswick under a major scandal. Her white mother had left her white husband to have a child with a black man. From day one, Misty was forced to navigate through a world of black-and-white opposites and expected from day one to choose a side favoring her white skin or her black heritage. We talk with Misty about life experienced in a way most people never face.
February, we honor Black History Month by welcoming the voices of Black women to share their lived experiences. We continue that tradition this year, but on a theme that sheds a different light on racism and the black experience. This month's guests are women born into black heritage through black families, but all present to the world as white. Kelly McWilliams is a mixed-race writer, the daughter of an African American author and literary professor; her father is of Norwegian heritage. Kelly wrote an article in TIME titled, The Day I Passed for White about her daughter's birth in a hospital. To ensure optimum health care in the face of institutionalized racism, Kelly faced an agonizing decision: reveal her black heritage to hospital staff or betray it by declaring herself as white.
Laura Cathcart Robbins is a best-selling author and host of the popular podcast The Only One In The Room; she's also a speaker and school trustee credited for creating The Buckley School's nationally recognized committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. Laura is a prolific contributor to the Huffington Post with highly personal articles on race, recovery, and divorce. Her piece, A White Woman Told Me She Doesn't 'Think Of' Me As Black, uncovers having to live between shades of black and white. Her story, I Have A White Boyfriend. Does That Make Me Any Less Black confronts the intersectionality of love and race. We talked in depth with Laura about the paradoxes of race, family, class, and gender.
If you were to meet Miriam Zinter on the street, you would see blond hair, blue eyes, and white skin and draw the most obvious conclusion that she is what she appears to be — a white woman. But looks can be deceiving. Miriam says as much in her Huffington Post article — I'm Black But Look White. Here Are The Horrible Things White People Feel Safe Telling Me. Miriam comes by her black heritage, honestly, having been raised in black culture with parents who are both black. However, the dark history of slavery and rape also means she has white ancestors. The recessive white genes are prominent in Miriam, who was born with very light skin, blue eyes, and light wavy hair. Because Miriam is white-presenting, she has a unique perspective and insights on racism from both sides of the divide, visually, as a privileged white woman, but also a woman who lives and feels the persecution of black people on the inside. Our conversation with Miriam kicks off Black History Month on VBB.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/black-woman-white-privilege-racism_n_61ae133ee4b07fe2012a3f67
Lauren Abrams is a Podcaster, Writer, and Speaker, and mom, but also the founding member and managing partner of Employee Rights Law, helping employees fight discrimination in the workplace for the past two-plus decades. What is not on Laura's resume are the years she spent drugged out and living on the streets of LA. Lauren walks us through her inspiring journey, highlighting the transformational power of confronting her self-doubt, addictions, and economic challenges. Lauren passionately shares her message of hope, resilience, and the profound impact of community connections in finding happiness. Lauren's journey to success hasn't been without struggles; she openly shares her "dark night of the soul," experience including an intense personal challenges that tested her resilience. In her search, Lauren interviewed a person a week for a year, asking just one question — "Why are we here?". The project became a podcast and, soon, will be a book — 52 Weeks of Hope.
Find Lauren: https://www.52weeksofhope.com/about
52 Weeks of Hope Podcast: https://www.52weeksofhope.com/
Kyomi O'Connor's story is a profound testament to resilience, the power of self-discovery, and the magic of love. Kyomi, the author of "A Sky of Infinite Blue: A Japanese Immigrant's Search for Home and Self," shared her journey from a difficult childhood in Japan to finding her true self in the United States. Kyomi is candid about the verbal abuse she endured from her family, the cultural expectations that kept her feeling undervalued, and the struggles she faced in defining her own identity. Despite the adversity, Kyomi's unwavering determination and resilience shone through. She emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself, irrespective of societal or familial pressures. Kyomi shares her life experiences and deep insights into identity, femininity, and love that leave a lasting impact. Her words resonate deeply when she speaks about finding light in the darkness and the journey toward self-discovery and self-acceptance. And then there's Kyomi's captivating love story with her late husband, a remarkable tale of serendipity, fate, magic, and love at first sight. Her magical story inspired her memoir, "A Sky of Infinite Blue." For anyone needing inspiration, we invite you to check out Kyomi's book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and her website KyomiOConnor.com.
VBB 273: A Remarkable Woman, Dr. Anne Arvizu Shares the Transformative Power of Self-Discovery for Women, Even Those Over 50.
Dr. Anne Arvizu, PharmD, FASCP, PCC, is the first guest in our REMARKABLE WOMEN Series. Ann is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and former global Fortune 500 executive. She's also the founder of the Corelife Coach Institute and creator of THE CORELIFE METHOD™, a transformational body-mind-spirit approach to coach training. With Burnout at an all-time high and billions of dollars being spent on stress-related illness, including auto-immune disease, heart disease, cancer, addiction, depression, plus time lost from work, Anne has created coaching and training programs that share a common focus of promoting productivity, health & life balance in the lives of organizational leaders. In our conversation, Anne reveals the need to embrace our natural strengths, ditch societal labels, and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that lies within. She shares invaluable insights from her book "Affluent Minds" and reminds us all that true beauty and wisdom come from within.
Find Dr. Arvizu: https://annearvizu.com
Find Her Books: https://www.annearvizu.com/books/
Centered, Open, Resilient, & Energized = C.O.R.E.
Kathi Sohn and her husband David created principles and techniques that became the Body Memory Process. After David's passing in 2019, Kathi continued creating courses, articles, and seminars to help individuals heal. As children, out of strong, sometimes traumatic emotions, we all develop core beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. We carry these beliefs into adulthood, where they can cause problems with our health, relationships, and finances. Traumatic memories we store can become "implicit memory" or "body memory," but there's a lot more going on than just memory. If we believe that wellness, happiness, and prosperity are available to everyone and we experience anything less, it’s likely because we decided long ago that we are not worthy of these positive things. The good news, Kathi reminds us, is that we all have the power to discover and release our limiting beliefs!
Kathi Sohn Core Belief Expert, Coach, Author
Find Kathi: https://kathisohn.com
Find Book: You Made It Up, Now Stop Believing It! https://kathisohn.com/bookstore/
Contact Kathi at info@bodymemoryprocess.com
Hope springs eternal in the human breast:
Man never is, but always to be blest.
The soul, uneasy and confined from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.
Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
Translation: people will always be optimistic and think that something better is coming, and with the New Year comes Hope. The proof is in a 34-country Ipsos survey that interviewed over 25,000 adults, with 70 percent saying 2024 will be a better year for them and their country. That’s a five percentage point upswing in optimism from last year’s pole. This is considering that 2023 ended under the cloud of war, and there is looming uncertainty around emerging AI technology. Do we know how AI will impact our livelihood and how many people’s jobs might be in jeopardy? What about record-breaking hot temperatures across Europe and wildfires that devastated communities across North America, especially in Canada? According to 16th-century French astrologer Nostradamus, 2024 will bring more Climate disasters. He says, “The dry earth will grow more parched, and there will be great floods when it is seen.” He also predicts a “Very great famine through pestiferous wave.” Remember, though, Nostradamus was known as “the prophet of doom.” Or, we can remember Alexander, and with the New Year comes eternal Hope.
Rev. Stephanie Clarke is aMetaphysical Minister,speaker, author, sacred ceremony facilitator, and Law of Attraction life coach. She shares her spiritual convictions and insights on the fascinating interplay between religion and gender and the shadow history behind our most cherished holiday rituals. She challenges women and men to rethink masculine-centric narratives around Christianity and to consider more balanced, inclusive practices. Her insights on personal faith and the richness of diverse spiritual experiences are a true call to awaken and redefine even our most revered beliefs. Rev. Clarke, aka The Irreverent Reverend, brings her characteristic conviction and deep insights to another unforgettable conversation.
Here we are at the end of another turn around the sun — the end of the year 2023. For some, it’s a time for family and friends, for celebration and worship; for others, it’s a time to party and forget; while for others, it’s time to reflect. For reflection, we offer two questions for your contemplation, and you can answer from a personal, professional, or public perspective. The questions are: What in 2023 Pleased You? And, What in 2023 Pissed You Off? Christopher & Heather reflect on what pleased and what irked in 2023.
Dr. Avrum Weiss is a seasoned psychologist and author of four books, including the provocatively titled Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men's Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships. That book is the subject of a conversation you can hear on VBB epi XXX. This time around, we explore even more provocative topics, including Dr. Weiss's insightful observations of pervasive social media discussions surrounding narcissism and how this has transformed into a thinly veiled campaign of male-bashing. Dr. Weiss challenges popular narratives, even among his peers, that paint narcissism as a "terminal condition" devoid of any path to understanding or empathy. His point is that the vast majority of clinically diagnosed narcissists are men. We also delve into the transformative power of involved fatherhood. It's the evolving role of men in childcare, the enhanced emotional well-being it brings to fathers, and the life-long benefits for children. Dr. Weiss also shares three practical but somewhat counterintuitive steps men can take to nurture a deeper relationship with their kids.
Annemarie du LeBohn, AKA The Iron Butterfly, thanks to her exploits as a successful triathlon competitor, is also a TEDx star admired for her profoundly moving and vulnerable conversations that reveal her darkest days as a rape victim. Annemarie shares her transformation journey from victim to victor and highlights an often neglected concept - Post-Traumatic Growth. Annemarie courageously tells of her personal experiences with post-rape PTSD and how she has managed to turn her trauma into a powerful drive for advocacy and education. Annemarie’s insights, including the importance of proactive conversations with youth, resonate harmoniously with tools that help past victims transcend from just coping to thriving without limitations. This conversation is an essential addition to supporting the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs through December 10 — International Human Rights Day.
Teresa L'Heureux is an intelligent, bright, competent woman; she's an outgoing, positive, encouraging, loving individual and a beautiful human being inside out. We know so because we asked her. We asked her because we couldn’t understand how such a proud and strong woman fell victim to one man who convinced her she was less than loveable and turned her into someone he could abuse anytime and in any way he chose. Teresa's award-winning book, My Rock My Hard Place, was written to share her painful experience and her missionto support, assist, and empower Domestic Violence Victims and Survivors to get past the pain and create a life full of respect, happiness, and love.
Sarah Tunstall is a survivor and advocate against human trafficking. Her journey began at the age of 15 when she was recruited into the sex trade by a friend. Already distanced from her family, Sarah found herself trapped in a tumultuous cycle for the next two and a half years, as two different traffickers controlling her life. Having been cut off from social connections, rebuilding her life became a daunting task. Today, Sarah uses her lived experience to support and empower other young people who have fallen victim to human trafficking. As a role model, she has learned the importance of being vulnerable and speaking her truth beyond the shame that once frightened her into silence. We are grateful to share a few minutes with this outstanding young woman and share her heartfelt passion for ensuring that no one else has to endure the same struggles she faced — or at least not alone.
Julia Williamson is the author of a thought-provoking article titled, Sometime In My 50s, I Became Invisible To Men. Here's What I Didn't Expect. In her piece, Julia makes the point that the problem of women, age, and perceived loss of attractiveness is real and pervasive. What's remarkable is this: Julia's writing wasn't her issuing a complaint; it was more a proclamation of her pure relief. Finally, as a woman, she wasn't being ordered to smile by every random man on the street or being constantly harassed and subjected to the predatory male gaze! Aging out or Ageism has long been the most frequently reported type of discrimination women feel, and that same discrimination has long been a factor in women's diminishing health and a drop in self-confidence. However, the Here's What I Didn't Expect part of Julia's article shares a far more positive outcome for women approaching what could be the best years of their lives.
Kathi Sohn wrote her first book, You Made It Up, Now Stop Believing It, following 25 years of working with her late husband, David W. Sohn. He created the groundbreaking work, the Body Memory Process, which empowers people to discover and then release self-limiting and often self-destructive beliefs they created out of emotional events in early childhood. Kathi believes wellness, happiness, and prosperity are available to everyone. If you are experiencing anything less, it's likely that things you decided early in childhood about yourself, others, and the world are also responsible for the limitations and unhappiness you experience as an adult. The good news is you have the power to discover and then release these decisions! The Body Memory Process offers an opportunity to shift away from blame culture — the temptation to blame parents or society for our ill's or failures, and puts the power and process to change in our hands! We learn from Kathi that everyone can benefit from exploring, then changing, the limiting beliefs that make us ill, unhappy, lonely, broke, or unfulfilled.
Jennifer Arthurton was once a high-functioning Fortune 500 Corporate Executive with ten consecutive years of outstanding performance reviews. Confident and established in her role, Jennifer chose to believe that ageism against women in the workplace was a moribund practice. That all changed when, after returning from a brief time off, she discovered a younger employee had replaced her. That slap in the face convinced Jennifer that age discrimination in the workplace is alive and still in practice. The life-changing experience motivated her to advocate for age diversity and inclusion. She aims to create a fair and unbiased work environment for everyone. Lately, her passion has become a coaching business with a tongue-in-cheek title meant to open doors to serious conversations. Jennifer is the founder of Old Chicks Know Sh*t!. It's about owning one's power and living out the best next chapter of life.
Rissa Miller is a fearless advocate for the term 'witch,' and she has faced her fair share of prejudice. Recognizing the longstanding stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding witches, Rissa delves into how the label has been reckless, insensitive, and deadly to women. She questions what qualifies a woman as a witch, and whether engaging in divination work, practicing reiki, or even collecting crystals classifies someone as a witch. Rissa notes that the perception of a witch has undoubtedly evolved, from the days when the Catholic Church condemned wild women for communing with the devil to present-day pop-culture perceptions where witches are beautiful and powerful women like Melisandre from "Game of Thrones, Wanda Maximoff as Marvel's Scarlet Witch, and Netflix teenage witch, Sabrina. While some still hold onto outdated beliefs, Rissa believes society must catch up with the evolving understanding of what it means when women are okay with being called witches.
Our guest, Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, Ph.D.), is an award-winning, four-time TEDx speaker, international empathy educator, and researcher with two decades of experience in helping people understand the beauty in our differences and the power of inclusiveness. Kristen is a champion for social change and an expert on many poignant topics, including Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Intersectionality. In our world that’s becoming more and more fractured by conflict, Kristen advocates for a new understanding of empathy and the simplest human trait of them all: curiosity.
Christopher and Heather welcome back ghostwriter and editor Juliane Bergmann, author of an influential article in Huffington Post titled "So I thought parents who forgot their kids in their cars were monsters. Then I did it!" It's an emotional, even tearful conversation with Juliane where she shares a personal experience of accidentally leaving her child in a car. She expresses deep shame of having once coldly judged parents who had done the same, and now she was a failure as a mother. We explore the emotions and societal pressures around parenting and the importance of parents sharing mistakes to support those who didn't get a second chance. It's a conversation that challenges stereotypes and hopefully inspires parents to be more gentle with themselves as they confront their own fallibility.
David Jurasek is a father, husband, Sensei, and Registered Psychotherapist working with boys and men for over 20 years. He's worked within a clinical context, in a communal setting, and within various men's groups. However, despite his expertise and experience, David found himself continuing to struggle in intimate relationships, especially with his wife. Inspired by Martin Luther King's words on the balance of power and love, David founded a community called Powerful and Loving. David's life mission is building a village for men to rediscover and strengthen relationships that help them grow into Relational Leaders. David also mentors women seeking guidance on navigating their relationships with the men in their lives.
In this episode, Christopher & Heather continue our conversation around the book "The Creation of Patriarchy" by Gerder Lerner. Her groundbreaking work peals back history to see the origins and evolution of patriarchal systems. We lament how a once harmonious relationship between women and men spiralled into a hierarchy of power for one and subordination, bordering on slavery for the other. We shake out the patriarchal mindset and its impact on women and men.
Patriarchy has never been a secret; it's in our faces from birth to death. Maybe that's why we don't talk about it. Most men hear the word Patriarchy and associate it with women's liberation or feminism and summarily dismiss it as irrelevant to their own experiences. On the other hand, women either believe that Patriarchy is a natural consequence of biological differences between women and men or that Patriarchy is a social injustice that must be rectified. What do you envision when you hear the word Patriarchy? Join us, let's talk about it.
Episodes By Themes Life Stories and Culture Entrepreneur and Money Relationships and Sexuality Health andWellbeing 5/5It was great to know that the interview would be unscripted. You and Heather gave me the freedom to openly share my personal experiences with infertility and be transparent with my story.Frances JonesVBB #209Leave Your Review
Is it true? It is literally impossible to be a woman. Are you beautiful and smart but still think you're not good enough? Do you need to be extraordinary but still feel you're doing it all wrong? Is staying young, pretty, and thin the expectation, even when age says different? Is being the good girl your ideal, so you can't be rude, selfish, show off, fail, show fear, and never step out of line? Does being a woman mean tying yourself into knots just to be noticed or liked? Is it all too contradictory? Are you the victim? But how does staying the victim keep you from becoming the beautiful, smart woman who is enough? That's our conversation in this episode.
Episodes By Themes
Life Stories and Culture
Entrepreneur and Money
Relationships and Sexuality
Health and Wellbeing 5/5 It was great to know that the interview would be unscripted. You and Heather gave me the freedom to openly share my personal experiences with infertility and be transparent with my story. Frances JonesVBB #209
Leave Your Review
Kathy Caprino is no movie critic, but her critique of the Barbie movie and the power of the patriarchy inspired us to search her out. We found someone who was once a corporate executive, but even with career success, she struggled inwardly to feel successful. Surviving sexual harassment, gender discrimination, toxic colleagues, narcissistic bosses, and zero work-life balance, she didn’t feel valued or like someone making a positive contribution to the world. “Finding Brave” is an attitude that has transformed Kathy’s life purpose as a career and leadership coach, writer, speaker, executive trainer, and educator dedicated to the advancement of women in business. “I want to help people, not hurt people or be hurt myself.”
We have no reason to be obsessed with Barbie, but since seeing the movie, we’ve been finding deeper and deeper messages between the lines. The latest is good boys vs bad boys. Is there a lesson to be learned from women choosing bad boys like Ken — after his conversion to the patriarch — while ignoring nice guys like Allen who support women and their struggle to be free of the patriarch? It’s an interesting dichotomy. For women to say they want to be free of subjugation, indifference, and persecution in the patriarchy while choosing men who disrespect, exploit, or abuse them, as bad boys are reputed to do? Join this fascinating conversation.
Episodes By Themes
Life Stories and Culture
Entrepreneur and Money
Relationships and Sexuality
Health and Wellbeing 5/5 It was great to know that the interview would be unscripted. You and Heather gave me the freedom to openly share my personal experiences with infertility and be transparent with my story. Frances JonesVBB #209
Leave Your Review
How might your partner, or potential future partner, react if you asked him to see the Barbie movie with you? Since the movie's debut, women have used the "Barbie ask" as a litmus test for evaluating compatible partners. A Yes can be an insight into how considerate, open-minded, or empathetic he is. But what if your partner shuts you down before learning why this event might be important to you? Considering the complexity of relationships, judging a man over a Barbie movie might seem trivial, but who says small tests can’t give important clues about the true character of a potential life partner?
“It is literally impossible to be a woman.” So begins the monologue that breaks the women of Barbieland out of their patriarchal trance and back into power over a world they created. That dialogue reminds Christopher and Heather of why we created VBB Podcast and continue to host conversations that connect women to sources of their strength, even in a man-made world. Spoiler alert, in this episode, we highlight some of the messages in the Barbie Movies we believe translate to women’s empowerment.
She didn't create Barbie but was hired to help revive and diversify the image of the world's most iconic toy. Long before the blockbuster movie, VBB welcomed cultural expert Jess Weiner to take us on tour through the boardrooms of global brands like Mattel and Dove and share how the women's movement has influenced these corporate giants. For over two decades, Jess has continued to be a grassroots leader in raising the self-esteem and awareness of women and young girls. Jess is also an adjunct professor at USC and was recently named by Fast Company as one of the most creative people in Business in the areas of Diversity and Education.
Episodes By Themes
Life Stories and Culture
Entrepreneur and Money
Relationships and Sexuality
Health and Wellbeing 5/5 It was great to know that the interview would be unscripted. You and Heather gave me the freedom to openly share my personal experiences with infertility and be transparent with my story. Frances JonesVBB #209
Leave Your Review
Dana Killion is an accomplished author and a skilled storyteller known for her captivating mystery novels, but in her powerful debut memoir, Where the Shadows Dance, is where she lays bare the slow drip of the trauma she fought through to save the man she loved but in the process, how she became collateral damage in his self-destruction. Subtitled, He Got Sober; I Got Broken, Dana delves into the depths of personal trauma and the sacrifices made by women for the sake of others. Her book is a testament to strength and resilience, reflecting her journey of reinvention. Her story is about what we do for love, what we do because of love, how love can break us, how love can save us, and how the most important love is the love we feel for ourselves. Finding that level of self-love is the journey Dana shares with us.
Gina Cloud is a deeply devoted teacher, author, speaker, and advocate of all things women. Gina is a rebel and a revolutionary determined to free women from the societal, biological, and personal prisons they have endured for millennia. Using her extensive body of work developed over 25 years, Gina is passionately committed to spearheading an evolution and revolution of the ideologies that “define” and confine women while at the same time further empowering men. In her book, “W.O.M.A.N., A New Definition,” Gina imparts a new and liberating perspective to free women from media stereotypes, myths, and the oppression brought to bear by the “definition” of who and how they should be.
Nichole Crawford is a U.S. Army veteran with combat service in Iraq post-9/11. Like many veterans, Nichole believed that coming home not wearing a body bag or suffering a debilitating injury made her one of the lucky ones. War was something she could brush aside simply by surviving it. But years after her honourable discharge, Nichole suffered MST (Military Sexual Trauma) and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) in the form of debilitating nightmares, chronic sleep deprivation, and unrelenting thoughts of suicide. Her story of healing includes being a powerful voice for the #MeToo movement, earning an M.Ed. in Counseling & Human Relations, launching her app, Gratitude Morning, and authoring a Huffington Post article; I Served In Iraq. I Thought I Emerged Unscathed — But 20 Years Later, I'm Still Not The Same.
Kate Brookes (a.k.a. Transister Mom) is an award-winning TV reporter/anchor turned producer/filmmaker who, as field produced for The Discovery Channel, has interviewed celebrities like Beyonce to Barbara Walters. She's written for Today.com, and emcees galas, live events, and webcasts for non-profits and Fortune 500 companies. As a mom to one 13-year-old son and one 13-year-old transgender daughter, Kate is engaged in the trans community at home in NYC and nationwide, producing videos for the Ackerman Institute's Gender and Family Project, and formalizing her role as a trans ally and advocate bringing her heartfelt message of hope, acceptance. Her family story chronicled in her book, Transistor: Raising Twins in a Gender-Bending World, is a key resource for parents of a trans child. "The key messaging for any parent I talk to is around the fact that your support is protective. Don't burden a young person with educating us."
Episodes By Themes
Life Stories and Culture
Entrepreneur and Money
Relationships and Sexuality
Health and Wellbeing 5/5 It was great to know that the interview would be unscripted. You and Heather gave me the freedom to openly share my personal experiences with infertility and be transparent with my story. Frances JonesVBB #209
Leave Your Review
Laurin Mayeno is an equity and justice consultant and author of a banned children's book. Laurin grew up in a mixed-race environment with no books to help her understand her mixed-race identity. As a mother, she was doubly devastated when her nonbinary queer child had no resources to help them affirm who they were. Watching her child struggle with loneliness and isolation and being mistreated by other children and adults, Laurin wrote a story about a little boy wanting to dress up on Halloween as a princess. Shortly after "One of a Kind Like Me/Único como yo," was on bookshelves and gaining popularity, it made the front page in Columbus County, North Carolina. A local newspaper reported the book was being banned for being age-inappropriate. "When you ban my book, you say that a nonbinary queer child like mine doesn't belong in your schools or communities. My question is, what is the appropriate age for kids learning about love and acceptance?”
Juliane Bermann has credentials as a technical writer, book coach, ghostwriter, and editor. And it's through her written words we learned about her in a Huffington Post article titled: My Mom Would've Been Thrilled To Know I Was Queer. Instead, I Stayed Closeted For 25 Years. Juliane wrote the piece because she rarely sees stories like hers that address the complex reasons why people self-closet, even in LGBTQ+ friendly environments. Juliane's story is less about being queer and more about finding herself as a human being. It's about the messy, ugly path to self-discovery and the stories we tell ourselves about who we think we are supposed to be.
Katie Nave is a freelance writer; she's penned articles for Newsweek, Huffington Post, and other top-notch publications. She works at being effective as a mental health advocate; she's a successful professional pediatrician in one of the world's biggest metropolis — New York, but the role Katie struggles with most is the one she once thought would be her most natural, being a mom. Katie reflects on her feelings of inadequacy as a mother in a powerful article she wrote titled My Daughter's Common Problem Made Me Feel Like A Failure As A Mom. Katie's also open about her feelings of guilt as a single mom and how hard it is to keep from falling into the "I'm a shitty mom" sinkhole. This is a candid conversation about the often unspoken truth of motherhood.Episodes By ThemesLife Stories and CultureEntrepreneur and MoneyRelationships and SexualityHealth andWellbeing 5/5 It was great to know that the interview would be unscripted. You and Heather gave me the freedom to openly share my personal experiences with infertility and be transparent with my story.Frances JonesVBB #209Leave Your Review
Lee Wind (he/him) is an Author and the Founder of the award-winning Blog I'M HERE. I'M QUEER. WHAT THE HELL DO I READ? Lee's Blog has over 3 million page loads from over 100 countries! Lee holds a master's degree in education from Harvard and writes stories to empower kids and teens to be their authentic selves and change the world. In 2022 we had Lee as our guest for PRIDE month and learned that he and his husband of more than 25 years have a grown daughter. With that knowledge, Lee was the first name that came to mind when I had this thought [slash] question — what happens to our idea of motherhood as exclusive to a woman when two men are parenting a child? What is motherhood when a female is not part of the family picture? This conversation is very personal and intimate, and we feel privileged to have learned so much from Lee. We hope you will, too. This is the perfect transitional conversation for us as we exit May — Motherhood Month and enter June — PRIDE month.
Dr. Maria Rothenburger is a fertility therapist and coach who has been through the harrowing journey of infertility. For over six years, Maria and her husband tried in vein to start a family but it only brought depression, anxiety, and intense marriage struggles. Eventually, they agreed the process wasn’t worth the pain or that was tearing their relationship apart, so they decided to be child-free until changing their minds to pursue adoption. Dr. Maria used her personal experience to write her #1 Bestselling book, Transcending Infertility: 9 Keys for Improving Fertility, Creating Miracles, and Being a Better Human and she hosts a weekly Podcast, Miracles Happen Fertility. Dr. Maria offers invaluable Fertility Keys learned from her experiences and action steps to guide couples through their own struggles with infertility.
Katie Nave is a freelance writer; she's penned articles for Newsweek, Huffington Post, and other top-notch publications. She works at being effective as a mental health advocate; she's a successful professional pediatrician in one of the world's biggest metropolis — New York, but the role Katie struggles with most is the one she once thought would be her most natural, being a mom. Katie reflects on her feelings of inadequacy as a mother in a powerful article she wrote titled My Daughter's Common Problem Made Me Feel Like A Failure As A Mom. Katie's also open about her feelings of guilt as a single mom and how hard it is to keep from falling into the "I'm a shitty mom" sinkhole. This is a candid conversation about the often unspoken truth of motherhood.
Melissa Leon is a 20-year corporate finance professional, small business owner, bestselling author, mother of three, and the self-proclaimed Efficiency Bitch. Melissa uses the word B.I.T.C.H. as an acronym to define the five areas she focuses on for women to live life by their own design: Bank, InBox, Time, Connection, and Harmony. Her book was written to help ambitious women stop wasting time, money, and all their awesome potential and become an Efficiency Bitch — a strong, unstoppable woman who is always growing and pursuing her dreams, big or small. The goal of Efficiency Bitch is to support women in doing the RIGHT things – not ALL the things.
Alexandra Mislin is passionate about educating others on how to analyze human behavior to motivate others to act in their interest. Currently, she’s an Associate Professor at American University's Kogod School of Business and teaches various courses in Negotiation and Management in the Department of Management. Her research and study outline how trust and emotions, race and gender, affect negotiation and conflict management. Alexandra is also the author of the Medium article, 5 Tips for Women to Negotiate a Higher Salary: Practical Tips for Getting the Salary or Promotion You Want.
Women face a unique set of financial challenges. Women have more hidden costs in their daily lives, like the pink tax, and the potential for more financial setbacks in the future, including the gender pay gap. Around the globe, women are generally less educated about personal finance – partly due to perceptions that finance is a "man's issue." This week we welcome Mariska Reinerink, Certified Behavioural Money Coach, Holistic Financial Planner, and Founder of MONEY WELLNESS. Mariska combined her finance and healthcare expertise into the Money Wellness approach that helps her clients transform their money story into one of freedom and confidence! "As a Financial Advisor and Certified Behavioural Money Coach, I not only help people figure out their finances and come up with financial and cash flow plans, but I also help people redefine their relationship with money."
Are you the master of your money, or is money the master of you? April is Financial Literacy Month — at VBB it's Women & Money Month. We could talk about the six components of financial literacy — earning, spending, saving, investing, borrowing, and protecting, or using financial skills for personal financial management, investing, and budgeting, but what about your feelings about money? Are you intimate with your money, or is money a necessary evil? Jessie Susannah Karnatz, aka The Money Witch, will tell you that your finances don't need willpower; they need love. So it's to your advantage to be more responsive and intimate with your money. Jessie Susannah wrote the book MONEY MAGIC: PRACTICAL WISDOM AND EMPOWERING RITUALS TO HEAL YOUR FINANCES. She brings capitalism-critical, shame-free education to healers, hustlers, and creatives to catalyze change in their financial lives. She's not messing around. But it's your money!
Throughout March,International Women's Month, it’s been one conversation after another with inspirational women born, living, or working globally in China, India, Iran, and Puerto Rico. Today a visit to Ghana, Africa. Gifty Serbeh-Dunn is co-founder of Baraka Shea Butter and owner of Shea Butter Market in Victoria, Canada, but what she has created for the women in her home village epitomizes what International Women's Month is all about — women standing up for women.
Michelle Hrycauk Nassif is a loving mother and a wise matriarch whose business is being a powerful Feminine leader. Her deep and genuine passion is to build and nurture Communities that support women and girls in their journey to fulfill their dreams and ambitions. We feature Michelle during International Women’s Month.
In her professional role inside the corporate world, Canadian-born Michelle stewards STEM education programs for underserved youth communities in Puerto Rico. In her words, “Community building is so deeply woven into the fabric of who I am; it’s in my DNA. I have a strong sense of urgency that no girl is left behind, and no woman will be unsupported.”
Dr. Sousan Abadian was raised in Washington, D.C., but was born in Tehran, Iran. She shares a uniquely cross-cultural view the rest of the world might consider.
Dr. Sousan Abadian was born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in Washington, D.C. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government and an M.A. in the Anthropology of Social Change and Development from Harvard University and an M.P.A. in International Development from Harvard's Kennedy School. She served as a Fellow at M.I.T.'s Dalai Lama Center for Ethics & Transformative Values as well as at the Harvard Center for Public Leadership. She's also served as a Franklin Fellow at the U.S. State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, focused on preventing violent extremism. Sousan's also the author of Generative Cultural Renewal - An Effective Resource in Ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting & Other Harmful Practices. As we recognize International Women's Day 365 by speaking to women from all corners of the globe, we get a perspective on the plights of Iranian women from Dr. Sousan.
Ahilya Mehta is not yet 30 years old, but she is a former co-founder of Aara woman’s health clinic and is currently an entrepreneur-in-residence at Nua women’s wellness start-up in Mumbai, India. Ahilya graduated from Wellesley College in the US and worked as an IT consultant in San Francisco before completing an entrepreneurship fellowship program for female and non-binary first-time founders. “My interest in women’s health and women, in general, started when I spent four months working in a tribal village in Rajasthan helping victims of domestic abuse. That experience exposed me to the inequalities among women in India.”
Dr. Candise Lin was born in Guangzhou, China, a port city northwest of Hong Kong on the Pearl River. Candice earned herBA in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in America. Recently, she has focused on mentoring Chinese students in languages while utilizing Instagram and TicTok as her classroom. We welcome Dr. Lin to help teach us about women in Chinese culture. Join our conversation as we expand International Women's Day into a month-long celebration of women's achievements as we learn from women born, living, or working outside the bubble of the West.
Kimberley John-Morgan is a strong, unapologetic voice for historically excluded communities subjected to social isms — racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heterosexism, and other forms of oppression. Through her writing and equity education sessions, Kimberley advocates increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially where people spend most of their time — at work. Kimberley’s professional journey began with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and family and child studies, but her passion for working in DEI education stems from being first-generation and witnessing her parents struggle to navigate a new country and systemic discrimination. “Throughout my career, I’ve had to overcome multiple isms from people who did not think I was qualified because of my age, sex, or race, but after the murder of George Floyd, I decided I needed to put myself out there and let people know that what I love the absolute most is empowering people who face isms imposed on them.”
Elizabeth Leiba is a college professor and a passionate advocate for Black businesswomen. Elizabeth authored I'm Not Yelling: A Black Woman's Guide to Navigating the Workplace" as a resource to encourage savvy Black businesswomen navigating a predominantly white corporate world and to empower those women to find their voices inside an often toxic work environment. Elizabeth boasts over 130,000 followers on LinkedIn, earned recognition as a LinkedIn TOP VOICE in Education in 2020, was featured in the New York Times, and launched the online e-learning platform Black History & Culture Academy. In addition, Elizabeth's writing includes an Op-Ed piece on racial profiling for CNN, which had more than 2 million views on their news website. "I'm Not Yelling the book is my advocacy for supporting black women. It's about creating space for black women to understand that they're not alone in this world.”
Porsha Stennis signs off her literary work with, Another badass black woman of literature. She refers to her work as the narration of a black millennial woman’s journey through life, highlighting wellness, self-love, and evolution. She authored The Black American Identity Quiz, which appeared in multiple publications, including The (y) syndrome Magazine. “I consider myself a versatile writer, having had a history in journalism, poetry, and fiction. Lately, I’ve been forced to speak up, to use my voice even when I’m not comfortable doing so. But if I’ve learned anything, it has been that I’d rather be uncomfortable speaking the truth than be uncomfortable and silenced.”
Rissa Miller has been practicing tasseography, i.e., a tea leaf reading since finding loose tea in her teacup as a teenager. Over the decades, Rissa has honed her methods and refined her language to tell stories in her clients' teacups. For Rissa, tasseography is a very personal divination art. "I learned young how to look through chaos to find order. I call my client seekers because most seek something from me that I'm happy to give. Even when visitors aren't ready to share or are doubters who don't want someone rooting around in their energy, I ask, what keeps them up at night? Tasseography helps me offer insight and guidance." Whether it's reading teacups, smoke trails, or tarot cards, Rissa sees a deep reflection in who you are in the moment as your life exists in the now.
Hilary Burns wasn't aware of her own unhappiness until she was asked this question: what if you didn't have to spend your time trying to fix yourself; then who could be become? Only then did she realize that being a pleasant person, a good mother, and a good wife didn't make her truly happy. In fact, Hilary was numb to her own unhappiness. Today, Hilary is an author, podcaster, public speaker, and inspirational coach specializing in helping others Get Real. "Getting Real is my exploration into Speaking Up. Me experimenting with saying what I don't think I should say, sharing what I don't think I should, being uncomfortable, and being vulnerable.”
Gina Cloud is a deeply devoted teacher, author, speaker, and advocate of all things women. Gina is a rebel and a revolutionary determined to free women from the societal, biological, and personal prisons they have endured for millennia. Using her extensive body of work developed over 25 years, Gina is passionately committed to spearheading an evolution and revolution of the ideologies that “define” and confine women while at the same time further empowering men. In her book, “W.O.M.A.N., A New Definition,” Gina imparts a new and liberating perspective to free women from media stereotypes, myths, and the oppression brought to bear by the “definition” of who and how they should be.
2023 begins the seventh year of VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH Podcast. We - Christopher & Heather - invite conversations with women unafraid to be themselves — Defiantly Different. If that's you, you’re invited: Find Us, Like Us, Share Us, and Connect with us in 2023!
As 2022 fades into the sunset, we (Christopher & Heather) review events that impacted the life and times of women. We pay homage to the longest-serving monarch in British history — Queen Elizabeth II — 1952 / 2022. Both Saudi Arabia and the United States made news with acts detrimental to the advancement of women. The death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the Saudi Arabia Guidance Patrol for "allegedly" not wearing her hijab in accordance with government standards sparked protests worldwide. Meanwhile, in the United States, the supreme court's decision to dismantle 50 years of legal protection for women opened doors for individual states to curtail or outright ban abortion rights which also ignited global outrage. In addition, Heather names her Top Three VBB conversations for the past year.
Dr. Avrum Weiss is an award-winning author, speaker, teacher, and consultant internationally recognized for his pioneering work in developing the theory and application of experiential psychotherapy. His groundbreaking work over the last decade has focused on developing a new sense of the inner lives of men with the purpose of helping men and women gain a new understanding of each other. His work has culminated in the publication of his most recent book, Hidden in Plain Sight: How Men’s Fears of Women Shape Their Intimate Relationships. We review Dr. Avrum's list of 7 Fears that routinely paralyze men in their relationships with women.
Joëlle Croteau-Willard is a Mother, Wife, Regional Director with PSI Seminars, and a lost mom — a woman who has suffered the loss of her child. "I had a late-term pregnancy loss at 23 weeks. I had dedicated my life to transformative personal development, then my son died. And that person who was Joelle prior to May 16th, 2022, that person died with him. Suddenly, I don't want the things I wanted. I don't have the capacity to do the things I used to do, nor the desire for all of the things I had envisioned for my life. This is the reason why I feel so propelled into grief education, wanting to dig into what in the heck is this grief thing and why my life has felt so different.”
Edy Nathan is a licensed therapist, certified sex therapist, hypnotherapist, and certified EMDR practitioner; also the author of IT'S GRIEF - The Dance of Self-Discovery Through Trauma and Loss. "Grief is nonlinear. It does not follow any practical course. As much as we want to plan for it, and as much as we want to say I'm going to do this, this, and this, and then it's gonna be over, you don't want it to be over necessarily. You want to learn how to live with grief in such a way that it doesn't overtake you. It's all about trying to find ways to partner with your grief. So instead of being afraid or wanting to avoid grief, it can become your teacher. I believe that grief is one of our greatest teachers."
Janine Latus is the New York Times Best Best Selling author. Her book, If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister’s Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation, is inspired by an ominous message written by her baby sister, Amy, in April 2002. Her note, carefully hidden in a desk drawer, reads, “Today Ron Ball and I are romantically involved,” “but I fear I have placed myself at risk in a variety of ways. Based on (Ron’s) criminal past, writing this out just seems like the smart thing to do. If I am missing or dead, this obviously has not protected me…” A short time later, Amy went missing. After an extensive search, her body was found wrapped in a tarp buried at a building site. As she had feared, Amy fell victim to gender-based violence, even though help was only a phone call away. Janine’s book and her conversation with us are in honor of her sister, but it is also a call to help women break the cycle of intimate-partner abuse.
In 2009, a young student, Blythe Hill, challenged herself to wear a dress every day throughout December. Every December since, more people have joined Blythe's challenge, which has become an international cause fighting to end human trafficking. Blythe is now CEO/Founder of Dressember, a nonprofit currently raising millions to support trafficking victims and survivors worldwide. "Dressember is much more than an awareness campaign; we're a social movement rooted in the belief that all people deserve to be free. According to the International Labour Organization, human trafficking is a $150 billion industry. Dressember's goal is to break it.”
Taron Puri is a former Immigration Judge turned Podcaster, Author, Spiritual Guide, Mentor, and Healer specializing in connecting individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to Soul-lutions! Taron's Inside-Out strategy helps clients connect to their inner source. With his uncanny ability to identify the cause of stressful behaviors and their circumstances, Taron helps map out the best outcomes for any life obstacle, whether in business, relationships, or health. Additionally, Taron’s extensive training in Applied Energetics aids him in seeing all life as a manifestation of universal 'energy' that can be harnessed and transformed. Taron provides the necessary tools and techniques to assist individuals and organizations in making positive, life-enhancing changes. Taron's approach follows a simple truth: to become genuinely happy, success and fulfillment must be actively sought & wholly embraced.
Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, Ph.D.) is an award-winning, four-time TEDx speaker, international empathy educator, and researcher with two decades of experience in helping people understand the beauty in difference and the power of inclusivity. Kristen is a champion for social change and an expert on topics that include Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Intersectionality. "Both my brother and I were raised to understand that our purpose in life is to serve others — that the world should be better because we were in it — and that has infused every part of my life."
Ansa Edim entered the treacherous world of dating apps after her ten-year relationship ended in divorce — she was 28. Since then, Ansa’s been navigating single life as a self-proclaimed fat, black social activist — the ultimate unconventional match. Ansa shares how her dating horror stories have become great fodder for her award-winning stage performances and invaluable life lessons many women can appreciate and learn from.
Sasha Cagen is an executive and personal coach with a focus on women’s empowerment. She’s also the author of cult hit books Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics and To-Do List: What Our Lists Reveal About Us. Sarah was once a Silicon Valley startup founder who ran away to South America to listen to her body. “My career has been a series of creative projects, from books to companies. Do the same thing my whole life? No way! My unique empowerment methodologies have been featured in 100+ media outlets worldwide, from NPR and the New York Times to the Guardian and CNN. My latest work is my memoir — Wet, a story of healing through sensuality.
Sunny Swearsky is a Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor, Reiki Master, and Life Coach. She is also a disruptor of the traditional medical model of healing from sexual abuse and trauma. Between the ages of 3 and 11, Sunny was sexually abused by an uncle. She repressed the memories until age 31. From her experience as a survivor, Sunny created her Living Light Program: a holistic, non-clinical program taking survivors step by step from a survivor steeped in betrayal, shame, and unworthiness to empowered thriver and manifestor.
Eliza VanCort's career took off in 2018 after a TEDx talk on Women, Power, and Revolutionizing Speech. The talk combined her compelling life story, which includes being kidnapped multiple times by her schizophrenic mother, with tools she developed to help women claim space in the world. Recently, Eliza launched her bestseller — A Woman's Guide to Claiming Space: Stand Tall. Raise Your Voice. Be Heard — focusing on women's empowerment, unifying communication, and dismantling racism. In addition, Eliza offers tools people can use immediately to change themselves and the world.
Sharon Hurley Hall is an anti-racism activist, educator, and author of I'm Tired of Racism. Her response to the murder of George Floyd was to commit herself to do her part to eliminate racism. Her first action is her twice-weekly online publication — Sharon's Anti-Racism Newsletter, where she shares her global experiences of racism and offers guidance for better allyship. Sharon is also a facilitator with the Diverse Leaders Group, helping the company deliver on its anti-racism focus. I'm Tired of Racism is a collection of Sharon's anti-racism essays, sharing her global perspective on racism, anti-racism, anti-Blackness, and white supremacy.
Brooke Bralove is a Psychotherapist & Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her goal is to help patients better understand themselves by developing insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Brooke is also a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, a program based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. "We examine the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that hold us back while identifying new choices and practices that move toward more authentic and wholehearted living. The primary focus is on developing shame resilience skills and establishing daily practices that transform the way we live, love, parent, and lead." This conversation with Brooke explores vulnerability, shame, perfectionism, trust, empathy, and self-compassion. In addition, we look into how these play into women feeling lost, stuck, or not enough.
Nona Willis Aronowitz is a writer/editor/author. Her book Bad Sex is a memoir-social history blend that examines the enduring barriers to true sexual freedom. Nona has a biweekly sex and love advice column for Teen Vogue and has written for publications like the New York Times, The Cut, Elle, VICE, and Playboy. "At thirty-two years old, everything in my life, and America, was in extreme disarray. My marriage was falling apart. My nuclear family was slipping away. My heart and libido were suffering from overexposure. Embroiled in an era of fear, reckoning, and reimagining, my assumptions of what "sexual liberation" meant were suddenly up for debate. In these moments of a personal and political sea change, the seeds for my book - Bad Sex: Truth, Pleasure, and an Unfinished Revolution - were planted.”
There was a time in the life of Frances Jones when she considered herself damaged goods. “I felt unworthy because of my infertility and was tormented by negative thoughts and emotions. The worst part was that I didn’t know how to stop. Then a miracle happened: The crippling pain, heartache, and toxic thoughts associated with infertility no longer controlled my life and my self-esteem. I now coach others who are dealing with infertility.” Frances shares intimate details about her book, “Overcoming the Emotional Stigmas of Infertility: Barren but Not Ashamed.”
After spending years battling a severe eating disorder and low self-worth, Marci Warhaft found the motivation to regain her health and reclaim her life. Before her recovery, Marci allowed shame from a challenging past to keep her from living life freely. Living in fear of being judged, she never felt she could ever be enough. She was wrong. After years of advocation for kids and parents, in 2007, Marci founded the Fit vs. Fiction Body Image. This interactive workshop empowers kids in an image-obsessed society to live with healthy self-esteem. From 2018 through 2021, Marci was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Health Leaders by Optimyz Fitness and Wellness Magazine. In addition, Marci has two published books, the latest titled The Body Image Survival Guide for Parents: Helping Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens Thrive.
Jacqueline Shaulis is the leading authority on communication-based personal leadership for intersectional introverts. As an introverted woman of color, she’s leveraged her challenging upbringing into becoming a transformational speaker, bestselling author, and executive coach & advisor to Fortune 500 executives…all while honoring her introversion. Jacqueline is the founder of Awesome Enterprises LLC, Executive Director of the National Center for Intersectional Studies, and author of internationally bestselling books “Embrace Your Awesome” and “Yes Introverts Can.” Using practical strategies, entertaining stories, and a dash of woo, I share wisdom gained through my own journey of rediscovery and reclamation to get people thinking, talking, and taking action with empathy, energy, and encouragement.
Sidelined, How Women Manage & Mismanage Their Health, written by Susan Salenger, explores the cultural and medical history that has conditioned women not to act in their own best interest. She offers insights into the gender biases of the medical community and explores why women are misdiagnosed more often than men and why they are routinely omitted from clinical trials. Sidelined is Designed to help women become more consciously aware and provide readers with the knowledge, language, and skill sets needed to ensure that women are comfortable advocating for themselves regarding their personal health.
April Ebeling is a military veteran, an adoptive mom, and an award-winning musician. Her passion is creating experiences that make a difference in easing the stress levels in people’s lives, no matter their situations or where they live in the world! To that end, April developed a simple, straightforward, and practical meditation technique called Singalong Switch. Her inspiration came from trying to maintain her own mindfulness practices while coping with the most important and stressful event of her life — becoming a new mom. Her Singalong Switch technique combines two powerful tools: voice and touch. Singalong Switch has been a welcomed addition to people’s mental health toolbox mainly because it's Fun, Fulfilling, and, most importantly, Fast. April's practice now helps thousands of people worldwide — 25 countries and counting — deal with all stress levels in their lives!
There is a deeply held practice and belief that despite advances in sharing household tasks, women still carry the largest share of emotional labor for their families. What is emotional labor? Dr. Regina Lark, Speaker, Educator, and Author of Emotional Labor: Why A Woman's Work is Never Done and What To Do About It, has words for why women often feel taken for granted.
Sandra Wigg is a Foundational Life Coach who worked helping athletes to elevate their academic, athletic and personal performance. She now assists clients on their journey to reach their full potential and transform their life. "I have developed a successful Foundational Life Coaching philosophy that focuses on the effects of external performance-based approval. Equally important is shifting from always thinking in black and white absolutes to non-judgmental Grey thinking. All these concepts have come together in my new book titled The Power of Grey Thinking—Elevate Your Perspective, Elevate Your Life. I have learned powerful lessons from my mistakes that have allowed me to see the challenges of others through the eyes of experience, empathy, and understanding. Part of life is stepping into the unknown and taking risks. I have found that people gain greater purpose by being vulnerable, honest, and opening their hearts to others. I treasure the lessons I've learned and enjoy teaching them to others on their path of personal growth."
Yvonne Silver is the Founder & CEO of Women & Wisdom Media, an in-demand Speaker, and Bestselling Author of Words, Women & Wisdom. Yvonne teaches ambitious female business founders and entrepreneurs how to gain unshakable confidence and use it to advance from Solopreneur to CEO. “Women often struggle with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, anxiety, and the frustration of unfulfilled dreams because they lack clarity. I teach women how to showcase their value with Confident Conversations that impact how they lead their teams, expand their business & grow more sales.” As the mother of a special needs son, Yvonne supports women who struggle to balance business with quality time for family, and leaving a proud legacy.
This episode of VBB is different from any other show. Heather and I are blessed; we speak with dozens of amazing women each year. But, in 2021, a past guest La Tonya Davison turned the tables on us. La Tonya is a Licensed Master Social Worker / Sociologist / Cultural Therapist / Stand-Up Comedian and host of the radio show Mental Speak Radio on the Fishbowl Radio Network — the largest personality-driven internet radio station in the world. In front of a global audience, La Tonya invited us to share our vision and intent behind VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH Podcast.
Liz Declan is a self-identified queer single mom with a seven-year-old daughter who does not identify with traditional gender binaries. Liz has her B.A. and M.A. in English from Temple University and teaches Writing and Literature at the university level. She is an MFA candidate at Bennington College, studies creative nonfiction, and is working on her memoir. But more impressive than her own accomplishments is her plea for parents of cis kids, for cis adults who are not parents, and for cis members of the LGBTQ community to know that what trans children need is for adults to get loud and to do the heavy lifting because trans kids should be allowed to be kids, and their gender, like that of other children, should be just one part of them, not the sum total of who they are. If You're Not already Fighting For Trans Kids' Rights, Liz explains why it's crucial that you start.
Michelle Johns is a writer, entrepreneur, musician, worship leader, A Queer Girl after God's heart, and author of — God, A Lesbian, and the Space in Between. “Throughout my journey, I have faced many challenges in society, but as an out lesbian, I have never compromised my position nor been ashamed or afraid of being who I am. I have accomplished the highest level of peace and transparency with God, and my purpose in life is to make that connection known to those suffering inside the culturally created prison of unworthiness. I hope to provide a safe space for others to think critically about how society lacks fundamental empathy for the LGBTQIA community as a whole."
Closeted until his 20s, Award-winning blogger and author Lee Wind writes books today that would have dramatically changed his life as a young Gay boy. With his Master's Degree from Harvard, Lee commits to writing Cool Stuff For Queer Kids. His book "No Way, They Were Gay? Hidden Lives and Secret Loves" explores the hidden (and often surprising) Queer lives and loves of two dozen historical figures, including William Shakespeare, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. "I give young people access to a hidden history that can be life-changing. History has been sanitized for the protection of those in power, leaving out the stories of women, people of colour, indigenous people, disabled people, and – my focus – men who loved men, women who loved women, people who loved without regard to gender, and people who lived outside gender boundaries." Giving young people access to this hidden history is life-changing. Seeing people like you in the past changes how you see your place at the table now. And that changes what you can imagine for the future."
Anne-Marie Zanzal, a former ordained minister and hospice chaplain, is the founder and CEO of Coming Out & Beyond | LGBTQIA+ Support. #Anne-Marie provides affirming support to women in the LGBTQIA+ community, giving them a safe space to explore, discover and find their authentic voice. In addition, Anne-Marie offers women the tools and resources to authentically stand proud in who they are, from questioning their sexuality to coming out. "I hope that by providing quality support from within the LGBTQIA+ community, we can create a more accepting, loving, and welcoming environment that helps women have the best life possible right from the start of their journey."
Marie Beswick Arthur is a recipient of the Brendon Donnelly Award for Children’s Literature (poetry); also the Calgary Writers Association Short Fiction (short story). Marie works selflessly with countless clients and authors as a ghostwriter, editor, mentor, and coach, but she writes to change the world by telling the stories of neglected and resilient children. LISTEN FOR WATER is Marie’s profoundly moving debut novel, fifteen years in the making and written to honour a part of every cell of who we were, are, and will become.
As Founder, CEO, mindset coach, mama, lover of personal development, and student of life, Mallory McGary works with mom entrepreneurs to teach them how to shed their expectations of motherhood and step into their authentic identity. "Like you, I've looked in the mirror and thought that something was missing from my life. I have experienced feeling lost in who I am. My story is meant to inspire you and encourage you to dig into yourself and reignite your passion for your own life. You don't have to stay stuck in your family identity. YOU can change your mindset and find YOUR identity while still being a part of your family. Once you start changing your mindset, you will find the confidence to step into your new identity." Mallory McGary — Personalized Mindset Coach & CEO of Beautifully Blooming.
Barbara Legere's son Keven often begged for her permission to end his own life — like any loving mother, she did everything in her power to preserve his life. Keven spent half his life struggling with addiction while his single mom battled the courts, health care companies, rehab facilities, and mental health professionals who had all but abandoned Kevin. While she navigated the dark worlds of her son's depression and substance abuse, Barbara also felt guilt about what she could have done differently to save his life. When Ken did take his own life, Barbara became an advocate for parents who are witnesses to overdoses, arrests, addiction treatment, incarceration, and most terrible, the death of a child. Keven's Choice is Barbara's intimate memoir of a mother's grief, a mother's way of showing that it's possible and even necessary to go on, even amidst the unimaginable.
Forty + years of metaphysical studies. Success as a harmonizing intuitive and psychic. Globally acknowledged as a playwright, an award-winning producer, screenwriter, and actor literary has led Karen Jones Meadows to create a cathartic workshop to support her client's soul-specific journey. Karen's latest workshop, PLAY FOR LIFE, inspires deep self-inquiry; free-form artistic expressions, mental, emotional, and physical-action plans; and heart-initiated living. Karen's mastery is helping adults and young people improve and sharpen their verbal and written communication skills, self-expression, movement, relationship building, and spiritual awareness. @karenjonesmeadows
“I don’t see myself reflected in a lot of financial education, and for many people, financial information doesn’t feel accessible or appealing. I bring capitalism-critical, shame-free education to healers, hustlers, and creatives in order to catalyze change in their financial lives. I believe healing our finances will bring blessing to our lives, our lineages, and our communities. I use my intuitive abilities, my experience as a tax preparer and bookkeeper, and the collected wisdom of my financial coaching practice to help people live more peacefully with their money.” Jessie-Susannah — The Money Witch!
The word “somatic” means body. When you co-mingle money with somatic, you experience your money relationship as embodied. The story of Somatic Money began from a place of deep misfortune. A place founder Dana Stovern says, “I hope never to journey through again.” It all began when she lost her son. From her misfortune came concepts and tools used successfully by many others who experience a relationship with money through fresh eyes!
Karen Ford is a Public Speaker, Entrepreneur, Amazon #1 Best Selling Author, and a Master Financial Coach. Karen has coached people out from under debt ranging from $500 to $800,000. She’s worked with couples holding up to 86 active credit cards, teaching them how to pay off their cards using simple strategies. Karen’s mission is to teach people how to Manage Money today for Financial Freedom Tomorrow. Karen shares gems on how we can improve our relationship with Money.
Women influence 85% of consumer spending in North America, so women are no strangers to money trauma. As founder of The Trauma of Money, Chantel Chapman is a unique voice in financial education. Her research into behavioral science, addiction, trauma, and mindfulness helped shape her cutting-edge and trauma-informed guidance around money. As a former mortgage broker and financial literacy consultant, Chantel's written and taught personal and entrepreneurial finance curriculums at Universities, but her trauma method is uniquely relatable and valuable. Learn from Chantel about her financial literacy program that brings together the psychology of trauma and our relationship with cold-hard money.
In 2005, Blythe Hill began paying attention to the issue of human trafficking. Even with a deep sense of urgency to help, Blythe felt helpless. She wasn't a lawyer, doctor, or social worker; her interests and talents were in fashion, trend analysis, and blogging. She believed she had nothing much to offer to the fight. But in 2009, out of boredom, Blythe challenged herself to wear a dress every day in December. Each year that has followed, more and more people have joined Blythe's one-person challenge, and now it's become an international movement. To date, Dressember campaigns have raised over 16 million dollars to fight against human trafficking. CEO and Founder of Dressember Foundation, Blyth Hill, joins Christopher and Heather to share the power of a dress.
Dr. Regina Lark is a professional organizer and feminist historian. Several years ago, the concept ‘emotional labor’ became her lightbulb moment. The term integrated her background in feminist history, professional organizing, and social change. Regina’s book, Emotional Labor: Why A Woman’s Work is Never Done and What to do About It, has attracted significant ‘buzz’ including praise from subject matter experts in emotional labor; leaders in the field of feminist history, activists at the forefront of women’s empowerment, and professional organizers. Regina shares the meaning and the consequence of Emotional Labour on women.
Over her 50-year career, Victoria Lenon has been focused on coaching and mentoring clients — primarily women — enabling them to reach and showcase their full potential. Over time, Victoria has accumulated a wide array of tools that help her utilize a holistic and integrative approach. Victoria has worked in multiple sectors, including public education, health care, government agencies, a post-secondary institution, not for profits, a correctional facility, a crown corporation, and an indigenous reserve. Her clients have been just as diverse, coming from different socio-economic backgrounds, including at-risk populations, immigrants, youth, and individuals pivoting their careers. In a world of uncertainty and disruption, Victoria Lenon models what it takes to be resilient and shares 50 years of experience with us.
Michelle Hrycauk Nassif is a leadership coach and consultant supporting female solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to discover, align with, and integrate their purpose into a career and lifestyle that works for them. As a stay-at-home mom turned business Founder, Michelle transitioned back into the workforce knowing very intimately the struggles all parents face with managing career and home life. I AM A Feminine Leader exists to enable resilient entrepreneurial women to transcend the norms of the nuclear family, define success on their own terms, and embody their purpose. We are thrilled to have Michelle help us launch International Women's Month 2022.
The “Future of Black America Top 50” recognizes the accomplishments of 50 Black Americans making a profound difference in their industries and communities. Lisa Hurley — writer, speaker, and activist focused on anti-racism, texturism, and destigmatizing — is a leader on the 2022 list. Lisa leads our critical conversation on race, equity, and inclusion, but we also talk with Lisa about beauty, culture, fashion, and unicorns.
My name is Gifty Serbeh-Dunn. I was born and raised in Ghana; the last of 8 children. I came to Canada at a young age to visit family friends and a coup in Ghana forced me to stay, essentially “exiled” in Canada; separated from my family. As an adult, whenever I visited home, the women in my community in Ghana would ask me to create work for them. Living in Mill Bay, Vancouver Island, I didn’t think it possible. However, when shea butter became popular in North America, I saw the opportunity to help them and help myself.
As a women's empowerment expert, author, entrepreneur, and founder of PleaseNotes, Cheryl Sutherland has been featured in InStyle, Huffington Post, Forbes, Fast Company, American Express OPEN Forum, and Thrive Global. "I've always been in love with possibilities, so it makes sense that I'm drawn to personal growth. After working hard and accomplishing amazing things in my professional life, I recognized at 23 that what I've been told about success was a lie. Having a house, car, and lots of money didn't bring me joy or satisfaction. That's when I was given the gift of personal growth, which changed the way I see my whole life." We talked with Cheryl about the challenges of being a black female entrepreneur in Canada and the US who brings women life-changing tools and techniques that also changed her fortune.
"I'm on a mission to fight racism. I bring the experience of three decades in the writing business (B2B, B2C, SaaS), including 10+ years in journalism (research is my superpower), as well as the unique lens of being a global citizen. I'm passionate about promoting equity and belonging. After the murder of George Floyd, I took my Fukitol pill to let people know how I really felt. It was cathartic, and that was the start. It was then that I wrote my first newsletter article, I'm Tired of Racism. When people responded, I kept writing and discovered my purpose was to engage with issues around white supremacy and systemic racism." Sharon Hurley Hall
Author, Speaker & Food Addictions Expert Dr. Vera Tarman shares with us that an addiction to sugar and flour can be as treacherous as an addiction to alcohol, tobacco, and even cocaine. "I know. I’m a recovered food addict who has maintained a 100-pound weight loss for more than 12 years. No gimmicks. No pills. I remember in the past, whenever I got my eating under control, I would get persuaded to ‘have just a bite’ of something, which would derail me back to eating non-stop. Even when I explained that I was addicted to sugar, no one, not even myself, took me seriously. When I started in addiction medicine, I realized that my hunch was right. My behaviors around food had the same indicators as my patients with addictions. So when independent research started to show that food addiction exists, I knew it was time for me to speak up."
In the U.S. alone, in an average year, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation estimates an average of 280,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer; more than 42,000 will die. Therese Forton-Barnes is a 'Household Toxins Health Specialist' promoting healthy living and a non-toxic lifestyle. Tee speaks with us about toxins in and around our homes, from construction materials, furniture, carpeting, bedding, personal care products, and especially fragrances - the other 'F-Word.' Her top three list of potential toxins in your home is shocking. Tee's mission is to help reduce our exposure to chemicals so we can live a healthier low-tox life.
Jane Wilson has taught over 10,000 people to feel strong, bold, and confident. In our conversation, she dives into reasons why women hold themselves back and why breaking rules and challenging stigma can sometimes feel naughty but is often the key to self-liberation. As a former Pole Fitness Masters Champion, Jane’s spent over a decade teaching pole, fitness, and dance classes and encouraging women to flip their hair, bang their heels, and love their curves. Vivacious and open-minded, Jane shares how to make time for play and handle any obstacle with feminine grace.
It's 2022, 365 new days to make a difference in your relationships - your family - your tribe - your society, and make a difference in how you see and treat yourself. Christopher & Heather ask these questions: how can we contribute to your reaching your goals, realizing your vision, and achieving your purpose?
This episode of VBB is different from other shows we've released. Heather and I are blessed; we speak with dozens of amazing women every year. However, in 2021, one guest, La Tonya Davison, turned the tables on us. La Tonya is a Licensed Master Social Worker / Sociologist / Cultural Therapist / Stand-Up Comedian and host of Mental Speak Radio on the Fishbowl Radio Network, the largest personality-driven internet radio station globally. In front of her worldwide audience, La Tonya quizzes us on how we use provocative words, VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH to empower women in a positive light. You'll also hear how Heather and I first met and why two obvious opposites like us feel we can be a positive example for a binary-obsessed world.
"When our son Byron married, he and his fiancée created a lasting memory that touched our hearts: They each wrote a letter to their parents, describing their fondest childhood memories, values, life lessons, and ideals they could bring into their marriage. When the letters were read for each pair of parents, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Learn how to write your own Heartfelt Letters For Special Occasions and Occasions Made Special with Lynette M. Smith, Author.
Corbie Mitleid is a psychic, channel, medium, and has been reading since 1973. She travels coast to coast across the United States and into Canada as a full-time intuitive counselor, inspiring and helping thousands of individuals every year as a teacher and facilitator. Corbie is also the author of the self-help publication Clean Out Your LifeCloset. It's to help you get un-stuck from believing that you can't solve your problems, you can't get out of your own way, that you'll fail, or that you're just not good enough. Corbie also encourages writing your own story of change based on your history, your life experiences, and your personal goals.
Sandra Cooze is the author of Journey to Your Self: A Transformational Trilogy, she's an Intuitive, and a Trauma Release & Self- Empowerment Coach with a passion for helping others heal. Sandra’s own traumatic past includes being a victim of child molestation, sexual assault, bullying, and rape. Sandra’s life journey has taken her through the mysteries of trauma, and the effects it can have on the body, mind, and spirit. Having learned the importance of self-reflection and self-healing, Sandra helps others to successfully heal their trauma and transform their lives.
Rustie MacDonald's personal journey began in the darkness of severe poverty, rape, abuse, and homelessness. Today, she's a successful multi-book author, International Radio Show Host, Speaker, and passionate full-time single mom. Rustie believes that lack is not meant to be a part of anyone's destiny, so her new journey is to inspire others to show gratitude and find hope even in their darkest moments.
The Making of a Woman: From the Inside Out is a compelling autobiography of a woman who refused to bow down to the circumstances of her childhood. Jewels began family life as an only child only to end up becoming a victim of the most prevalent form of intra-familial abuse — sibling sexual abuse. With a powerful sense of survival, Jewels fought against forces that so often crush young women.
At an early age, Fatima C. Oliver became emphatically convinced that pain and family were synonymous. Living with trauma from physical and sexual abuse, the loss of a child, abandonment issues, and domestic violence, she lived life as if waiting for the world to compensate her for her pain and suffering. A believer in paying it forward, Fatima has chosen to open her life up in vulnerable ways to share the pitfalls and growing pains she endured in her state of sorrow, resentment, bitterness, and self-righteous anger. Fatima shares with us how she came to heal herself, and forgive the unforgivable.
"My family didn't discuss sex, leaving me in the dark and terrified of sex. During my first sexual encounter, my partner asked me, 'what do you like?' I responded, aren't you supposed to know that?" That terrified young woman was Carlyle Jansen. Today, she's a renowned Sex and Relationship Therapist with her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. An author of books based on sexual exploration and a Ted-X speaker on sexual intimacy. Carlyle also facilitates sexual workshops and owns Good For Her, an intimacy shop in Toronto, Canada.
"I don't understand how socially we believe that women don't like sex, that sex is something women give to men, that liking sex makes a woman impure, and women who enjoy sex can't be good mothers or trusted wives." Veronica Kazoleas, a former healthcare executive and researcher of sexual fantasies with her Master's in Social Psychology, is the founder of The Nookie, a sensuality shop in Toronto specializing in pleasure products and fostering human connection.
We welcome Dr. Rachel Maines, Technology Historian, and scientist who, while researching the domestic pleasures of needlework, accidentally became the worlds' foremost expert on the mechanical vibrator and female sexual pleasure when her book "The Technology of Orgasm: 'Hysteria,' Vibrators, and Women's Sexual Satisfaction," became an international bestseller, inspired two movies, a stage play, a rock musical, and an episode of Law & Order.
Bill Cosby is free on a technicality, and women cry injustice. Texas challenges Roe v. Wade, and women plead no justice. We ask J.D. (Juris Doctorate) - Dr. of Law, Dr. of Jurisprudence, and Legal Analyst Tracy A. Pearson if women are victims of implicit bias in law, and if so, what exactly is Justice?
When a sex offender like Bill Cosby gets a premature release from prison — on a technicality. When women’s abortion rights are still up for debate or are revoked by law, we must ask, what century are we living in, and does justice apply equally for women?
Money doesn’t care what sex you are, but money trauma has a gender story. Our conversation with the Founder of What The Finances & Co-founder of The Trauma of Money, Chantel Chapman, shares a chapter in her life that may sound like your own.
"I’m a 56 year old - I founded Gateway Women for all the childless women still out in the cold, feeling they are the only childless women in the world, I do it for the young women who would have been our daughters and those who don’t yet know that motherhood will not happen for them. I do it for the women who went before me with few choices and no support - and for the women yet to come.” Meet Jody Day, author of “Living the Life Unexpected: How to Find Hope, Meaning and a Fulfilling Future Without Children.”
Lauren Geertsen has helped millions of people heal their relationship with food and body image. Her book, The Invisible Corset: Break Free of Beauty Culture and Embrace Your Radiant Self, helps women identify and escape limiting, culturally-inherited beliefs about their bodies. It’s endorsed by leading doctors, body image therapists, and eating disorder specialists.
It’s Deja Vu all over again! Throughout August, VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH will reboot four of our most impactful conversations from 2021. We begin with Jess Weiner; a social activist turned entrepreneur who helped change the image of Barbie and helped Dove — the soap company — see beauty in women of all shapes and sizes. Our time with Jess was full of energy, wise words, and wisecracks. Jess was pure Joy!
I’m a single woman. I also have a Ph. D. in rhetoric, so I understand how words work. I decided to put those things together in order to game online dating. Spoiler alert: It worked. I knew full well that this profile would deter 99% of men, and that was fine with me. I didn’t want the 99%; I wanted the 1% that would “get it. Meet Jennie Young, and Scott, the man who got it.
According to eharmony, heterosexual women, age 21, receive the lion's share of attention online. Women in their 20s consistently see the highest rates of incoming messages and likes. Women who are in their mid-20s received 14.4% more messages than did other users, while women who are 33, and older, received the fewest number of messages. We talk with two women on the more mature end of the age scale about dating, online and off, during and after a pandemic.
Single, divorced, or widowed, who doesn’t want LOVE in their LIFE? The real conversation is how to find it. April Davis set up her first successful married couple when she was 16 years old, and today, she’s Founder & President LUMA Luxury Matchmaking, an outsourcing resource for finding The One.
The first line on her website reads - Dating Apps Suck! That's even though she met her long-term partner through a dating app. What online date coach Perri Scheiner means is, dating apps suck if you don't know how which ones work or how to use them to your advantage. If you're on the dating carousel, listen in!
Part of changing unhealthy cycles is breaking old stigmas and misinformation with conversation. PRIDE MONTH: VBB #152 talked with a parent of a trans child who advocates for all trans children. VBB #153 a social justice champion whose work to change the Human Rights Acts and protect gender identity. VBB #154 a pioneer who pushed the envelope for same-sex marriages. VBB #155 a lesbian who writes about her intimate relationship with God. PRIDE we learn is about understanding and LOVE.
Michelle Johns, entrepreneur, musician, worship leader, and author of God, A Lesbian and the Space in Between, speaks with passion of society's lack of fundamental empathy for female, black, male-identified lesbians, and the LGBTQIA community as a whole.
Award-winning writer, editor, and public speaker, Kirstin Ott Palladino can be found in the pages of The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, and on CNN, and NPR. She is co-founder and editorial director of Equally Wed, the world’s leading LGBTQ+ wedding magazine; Author of “Equally Wed: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding”; Founder and editor of Survivor Lit, a nonprofit literary magazine and community for sexual assault survivors.
She's lived her career dedicated to campaigning for social justice and harm reduction for lesbian, gay, bisexual & trans people. Susan Gapka worked to help amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to include gender identity and gender expression. She also helped launch a national campaign to change the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code Hate Crimes to include protections for gender identity and gender expression.
Liz Declan is a self-identified queer single mom with a six-year-old daughter who does not identify with the traditional gender binary. Liz has a plea for parents of cis kids, for cis adults who are not parents, and for cis members of the LGBTQ community: what trans children need is for adults to get loud and to do the heavy lifting because trans kids should be allowed to be kids, and their gender, like that of other children, should be just one part of them, not the sum total of who they are, and if You're Not already Fighting For Trans Kids' Rights, it's crucial you Start.
What do these women have in common, Oprah Winfrey, Winona Ryder, Miley Cyrus, and Jody Day? All are childless or child-free women, but one has founded the global support group Gateway Women and is the author of “Living the Life Unexpected: How to Find Hope, Meaning and a Fulfilling Future Without Children.” Meet Jody Day.
Karen C. L. Anderson, Author of Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters: A Guide For Separation, Liberation & Inspiration, speaks to women who wish to use the difficult relationship they have with their mothers as a catalyst for personal growth and healing.
Joëlle Croteau-Willard became a first-time mother one month into the trauma of a Global Pandemic. Her journey is one of endurance, perseverance, reemergence, and surrender. It's the story of Motherhood.
Over 25+ years as a mother-daughter relationship therapist and coach, Rosjke Hasseldine has heard how generational families have treated women, and how it has lead to hurt, anger, guilt, jealousy, and blame between mothers and daughters. Rosjke also shares how beliefs, behavior patterns, and social themes need to change for mothers and daughters to enjoy strong, emotionally empowered, emotionally connected, and mutually supportive relationships.
A conversation with a true renaissance woman - Licensed Master Social Worker / Sociologist / Cultural Therapist / 14 years Navy Veteran / Award-Winning Radio Host / Stand Up Comedian & Mother — La Tonya Davison
Lauren Geertsen's book, The Invisible Corset: Break Free of Beauty Culture and Embrace Your Radiant Self, is endorsed by leading doctors, body image therapists, and eating disorder specialists for helping women identify and escape limiting culturally-inherited beliefs about their bodies.
Chasing Cold War spies, foiling terrorist attacks, and tracking down cyber-criminals were all in a day's work for FBI Assistant Special Agent Gina L. Osborn.
Having responded to catastrophic terrorist attacks and cyber hacks as an FBI Special Agent and chasing Cold War spies in the Army, Gina shares tools and techniques on controlling chaos, managing crisis, and embracing change as an Empowerment Coach.
Gina L. Osborn is an international keynote speaker and inspirational storyteller. She has profound lessons to share from her 28-year career in law enforcement about leadership, rising to the top of a male-dominated workplace, navigating chaos, crisis, change, and building teams to obtain peak performance.
Gina L. Osborn is an Executive Coach specializing in successfully navigating male-dominated workplaces and leading through Chaos, Crisis, and Change.
Vanessa Robins is a Mindset Creative Coach who specializes in helping clients to think differently, improve decision-making, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, multiply their income, have more free time, and enjoy more of what matters without second-guessing. Wellness!
How important is money to your happiness; how critical is money to your professional identity as a successful woman of influence? Christopher and Heather review Women and Money month, the lessons learned from women who guide women to having fulfilling personal and professional relationships with money.
March is Money Month, a conversation with Certified Money and Financial Coach, Claire Coleman, whose passion is teaching women how to nurture their money, themselves, and become financially independent to live A BIG RICH LIFE!
Paulina Cameron is CEO of The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, a national charity that educates, mentors, and connects female entrepreneurs. We talk about money blindspots and money education for women entrepreneurs.
How does trauma shape your self-beliefs and the beliefs that influence your success or struggle with money? A conversation with Chantel Chapman - Founder of What The Finances & Co-founder of The Trauma of Money.
In March, we talk to women about money. Caroline MacGillivray is the Founder and Director of Beauty Night Society, an organization committed to helping women living in poverty. We explore the trauma of money: why even women who give their hearts and souls to help others feel unworthy of asking for money.
Diane Wesh, Global CEO & Co-founder of Got Blacklisted, fled America when she wrote, “I’m A Black American. Here Is How I Used Solo Travel To Escape My Racist Country.” Then racism blew up America. Here what Diane has to say now.
How do women, already socially marginalized, and the mothers, sisters, and wives of black men, navigate a world that treats their beloved as villains and social outcasts? Our conversation with Speaker, Author, Coach, Sister, and Mother, Tamuri Richardson. February is Black History Month!
Through the Storm of Early Trauma: Healing and Overcoming, a memoir written from painful experiences by a woman of color, author Byrdy Lyn, but presented with forgiveness and hope.
Tribute to Black History Month.
"Women deserve the power of consent, but not at the expense of a man's power to ask." That sentiment lit up Miyoko Fujimori's YouTube channel like a Christmas tree — 102,571 views and counting. We get educated with Miyoko, an intimacy educator, mother of two, entrepreneur, and owner of the AskMiyoko brand.
Jess Weiner is a social activist turned entrepreneur who has made her career helping women and brands like Mattel and Dove see the value — the real beauty — in inclusivity and female empowerment. She is also a real hoot!
Had you told Jake Stika 8 years ago he would be leading a feminist male organization, he would have given you the 'are you crazy' glare. Today, Jake is co-founder and executive director of Next Gen Men, an organization with a female friendly mission statement: 'We are working towards a future where boys and men feel less pain and cause less harm.'
Around the world, we’ve become accustomed to news of refugees fleeing their homeland for a better life in America. It's rare we hear from Americans who flee America for a better life anywhere else. Diane Wesh tells us: “I’m A Black American. Here Is How I Used Solo Travel To Escape My Racist Country.”
It was the Year of COVID 19 - The New Plague; It was the Year of Black Lives Matter - The Old Plague. So what did you learn to appreciate from it all? Christopher and Heather find positives in the year that was no fun.
Are we humans naturally monogamous, can we really control our jealousies, and how do we manage conflict when it threatens to tear our relationships apart? Christopher and Heather take on these perplexing questions and more.
When one woman suffers, all women suffer with her, but when one woman speaks out about her suffering gender-based violence, do all women listen or learn? #VBB acknowledges the UN's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in a conversation with Anca Dan, HR Consultant / Coach / Founder, SingleParentLife.app.
Monica Kretschmer is Founder, and CEO, Universal Women's Network. She's the definition of a Woman of Inspiration, but forced to rebuild her life from the ashes of an abusive relationship; she found herself face to face with another heartless nemesis, the courts.
How she survived to tell her story after a cold-blooded contract shooting is a miracle. Julie Taylor, a mother of three, now a Master Therapeutic Counsellor, shares her journey from victim to mentor as #VBB acknowledges the UN's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The fact that 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime is an appalling statistic. We talk with women who've experienced such abuse to raise awareness during the UN's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Our first guest is a social media expert, Sarah De La Coeur.
This episode was recorded at 11:15 AM, Nov 11 - Remembrance Day. The day we honour the men who fought and sacrificed so much for our freedoms. We also pay homage to women who live a life of trench warfare not knowing if they will make it through the night alive. November 25 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Lest we forget!
What have you accomplished during the pandemic and lockdown? Our guest, Jasmin Shojai, is a world-class glamour model who used the time to invigorate her social media profile and get herself on the cover of Playboy Magazine.
Susan Omilian's vow and mission are to help women who suffer domestic abuse on their journey from victim to survivor to thriver, but the one victim she couldn't save was her own beloved niece.
How does it feel seeing yourself in front of a full-length mirror — naked? Are you happy, naked? We talk with Dee Mago, author of Happy Naked; a straight-forward, five senses guide to loving the skin you’re in and feeling that energy in every area of your life.
“If one woman is attacked, her tongue cut out, she is gang-raped and cast aside like rotting meat, then all women are made subject to the same brutal disregard,” Bali K. Deol, host of SWARAJ Radio, in honour of 19-year-old Monisha, a Dalit female recently murdered in her homeland, India.
Who knew that spending six months in sweatpants would bring clarity of thought, or that the Covid lockdown would actually be liberating to me as a woman? A conversation with journalist, and woman of insight, Alex Madison.
Christina Wessendorf is an International Inner Peace Coach. Her story includes leaving her home in Germany to become 2nd wife to an Egyptian man. From that experience, she discovered her inner voice and courage to stand up for herself. Her PeaceMaker Program supports all women born to shine bright in the world!
As a parent, did you sign up for this: homeschooling at all grades, full-time stay-at-home child care, gender flexing, role flexing, and doing it all on budgets scraping the bottom of the barrel? Didn't think so, and now what?
It's the most misused, misunderstood, and mysterious word in any language. It also the most powerful word we can share! Love, what exactly is that? A conversation with Dr. Jason B. Whiting - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Her book, Manic: A Memoir, is a New York Times best-seller, her story inspired Anne Hathaway to portray her in the TV series, Modern Love. Hers was the sexy lifestyle of a high-powered entertainment attorney in Los Angeles, representing some of the business's biggest names, including Michael Jackson. She had it all, the men, the clothes, the cars, coveted invitations to parties, exotic vacations, but Terri Cheney also hid a dark secret about her bipolar disorder. It's a secret that nearly cost Terri her life.
Eight Reasons Women Stay in Abusive Relationships and Trapped at Home: Domestic Abuse During the Pandemic are two articles from Dr. Jason B Whiting - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He walks us through his vital research point by point.
Where does prejudice come from, along with greed and entitlement? Do any of us have a clean conscience where prejudice is concerned, and if we don't, what can we do about it?
It's just assumed that as a woman, married to a man, I'm straight, but two years ago, I realized, I'm pansexual. Jillian Johnson, Air Force spouse, mom, mental health, and LGBTQ advocate.
Lisa Selin Davis is an essayist, novelist, and journalist who has written for major publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, Time, Yahoo!, and Salon. Her first non-fiction book is TOMBOY: The Surprising History and Future of Girls Who Dare to Be Different was written with inspiration from her two daughters, one a girly-girl, and the other a tomboy.
Melanie Esperon is a born clairvoyant, open channel healer, and guide who trains clients worldwide and in every walk of life, including celebrities like Dwayne Johnson - The Rock!
Tilar J. Mazzeo is a cultural historian who writes about women in resistance. Her books include The Widow Clicquot, The Secret of Chanel No. 5; The Hotel on Place Vendôme; Irena's Children, and her latest a biography on Eliza Hamilton, the wife of American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton. She's a New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle Bestselling Author. Tilar's an Associate Professor of English at Colby College, in Maine, a Proprietor and Winemaker producing raw & natural wines at her Vineyard's in BC. She's a stepmom, a domestic stalwart, and her resistance is as a mature woman embracing her white rage. @Tilar J. Mazzeo
Tia Meredith, a woman of mixed-race, she's from a midwest town, worked her way up the ladder to a DC job with all the sweet government perks. She’s making more money than anyone in her family ever has, more money than she could ever imagine, but in her gut, she’s restless. In her soul, there’s a rebel and no matter how successful she gets, no matter how much money she makes, that voice won’t allow her to find satisfaction or have peace. This quiet voice calls for her to give up everything, sacrifice it all for an unknown, and to trust herself. What comes next is one of life’s beautiful lessons.
Christopher and Heather, we're Female and Male, White and Black, Pansexual and Straight, and we dig each other, respect each other, and we get along. Why can't the world?
When a woman learns a life-lesson the hard way, will shame silence her well-earned wisdom? Christina Wessendorf is a young woman who gave up a comfortable life in Germany and moved to the Middle East to become an Egyptian man's second wife. Her hard lesson is one for every woman who has ever put herself second to anyone.
Randy Thomas was once an executive with an organization that preached and practiced conversion therapy — the denial and reorientation of same-sex attraction. He learned the hard way they ware wrong and dangerous.
"Most people think my job as a hypnotist is to put them to sleep when in reality, it is to wake them up to their own abilities, creativity, and ultimate confidence." De’Anna Nunez, Speaker, Trainer, Coach, and Hypnotist ~ our guest.
A woman, called to ministry, in a conservative Baptist church… and a lesbian … who came out… at seminary! Rev. Terri Steed Pierce, Senior Pastor, Joy Metropolitan Community Church shares her inspirational story.
One day she’s a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow, the next she’s on the front line as a Resident Palliative Care Doctor managing cases of the most critically ill in a city hit hardest by Covid-19, New York City. Our conversation with a New World Hero, Divya K Chhabra.
Caroline Heldman is a Professor at Occidental College, LA, specializing in Politics - the presidency, media, gender, race, and rape culture, in the American context. She’s also one of the first celebrities in the United States to contract Covid 19.
Evangelos Diavolitsis, Founder - 5Rhythms Movement, and Meditation Teacher at Meditation Moves talks with us from his lockdown in Florance, Italy.
"Fear does not prevent death; it prevents life!" Just one of the encouraging pearls Christopher and Heather share in support of living through challenging times.
It's always interesting, the off-mic conversations after our interviews. In this case, our guest Amanda McCracken felt her post-interview thoughts could be of value to our listeners, so she gave us her permission to included them as part of the formal interview. It's an Extended Mix Version of #VBB
“I Waited Until I Was 41 To Lose My Virginity. But Was It Worth it?” Amanda McCracken is one of the very few people with qualified “inexperience” to answer that question - honestly. We share a candid conversation with this Late in Life Virgin.
Can a former sex worker teach you how to be wealthier and healthier? Certainly, especially when the Oprah Winfrey Network has invited her as a guest, and her latest book is titled, The Spiritual Entrepreneur: Quantum Leap Into Your Next Level of Impact and Abundance. A book she offers as a gift if you email her angelina@angelinalombardo.com and mention hearing her on VBBPodcast.
Black History is more than a calendar month, but in celebration, we share a conversation with Dr. Aria Halliday, a women's studies professor at the University of New Hampshire. Dr, Halliday authored "The Black Girlhood Studies Collection," a resource for meaningful discussions around race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, religion, and nationality.
As a youthful bride, she was all but kidnapped into a religious cult, as a new mother, she watched helplessly as her firstborn came near death because church doctrine forbade medical intervention. Annie Francesca, voted an “Iconic Woman Creating a Better World for All” at the Women Economic Forum in London, 2019, is one of the most resilient women you will ever have an opportunity to hear.
A fearless young entrepreneur reveals a perturbing truth that she feels safer, and more respected at her part-time job on stage as a stripper than she does at her corporate office day job with her male bosses.
We have conversations all the time, and afterward, Heather and I always wish we had turned on a recorder. This time, I rolled tape but didn’t tell her. It’s a personal exchange that came around to the tragic passing of an imperfect hero — Kobe Bryant.
Are you enough — what does your mirror have to say about it? Are you pretty enough, sexy enough, perfect enough — to pose nude? World renown boudoir and nude photographer, Mark Laurie, shares how women facing his camera have come to discover that their true beauty is something no mirror can accurately reflect.
2020 is the New Virgin Year, but 2019 had its moments, some Beautiful like Greta and Billie, but we don't ignore those that were simply a Bitch. Christopher and Heather revisit the year that was.
As 2019 winds down, Heather and I challenge each other to rewind one fave VBB show each. My pick, our conversation with the Irreverent Reverend, Stephanie Clarke. The Rev. enlightened us about Adam and Eve and the BS of original sin.
As 2019 winds down, Heather and I challenge each other to recall one conversation each to re-share. Heather's pick, our conversation with Registered Psychotherapist Jennifer Kirk who also gave a book review for VIRGIN BEAUTY B!TCH ~ Origin of the Man-Made Woman.
We talk with a Playboy cover model and playmate about what else, true courage, domestic violence, and self-respect, oh, and the meaning of true beauty. Jasmine Shojai, two time Australian Glamour Model of the Year is our guest.
Did you know 1-5 girls are sexually abused? That only 14% of sexually abused kids ever report the abuse? Or that kids who don't live with both parents are 20x's more likely to be abuse? A VBB conversation with former Playboy.com photographer turned sex-education activist Emily Gaudreau.
Hear the fallout as a Wonder Woman — business mogul, and super mom, exposes all her fears, including her 50-year-old body, to the world. A powerful conversation with Lisa Mundell.
Guest Vindy Teja is a Professional Divorce Coach, a Life Coach, a Ted-X Speaker, and the author of YOLO [You Only Live Once]: Essential Life Hacks for Happiness. It’s a book for anyone striving for more joy and meaning in life.
Growing up, it’s different for girls. Being a grown-up, it’s different for women. Can a book, written by a man, be empowering for women and girls? VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH ~ Origin of the Man-Made Woman, reviewed by Registered Psychotherapist, teen educator, and mother, Jennifer Kirk.
Podcast host Christopher has written his first book, VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH ~ Origin of the Man-Made Woman and invites critique from a retired veteran broadcaster, Jacque Donaldson.
The Podcast that grew up to be a book. VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH ~ Origin of the Man-Made Woman, written by show host Chris Kennedy. The Man-Made woman, who is she, is she you?
Shoes to die for, from a woman who wouldn't be caught dead making cookie cutter footwear. The passion and the brilliance of Chantal Pilon, founder, and creative juggernaut behind Chanii B Shoes.
We meet up with former Miss Universe contestant, Founder, and President of Eternal Beauty International, and writer, a contributor to the Number One Bestselling book, “I Am a Brilliant Woman,” Barbara McBean
In our society, we’ve decided that the most important virtue a woman can have is beauty, but what if as a child you had been burned and scarred over 75% of your body? What if beauty was never your option. Kelly Falardeau lives that reality but believes more than many women, that she is still beautiful. Her truth in her own words.
Sam Crowley is the host of the #1 Motivational Podcast on the Planet, "Every day is Saturday." But he's also the father of four girls. What that's like for a man who never knew his own father?
It's empowerment, inspiration, and motivation from the Irreverent Reverend Stephanie Clarke. We get the low down and dirty on her new book, The Sex Goddess: Debunking the Mythology of God & Sex. It's the first time in publishing history that a religious minister has shared her intimate and “irreligious” exploration into the forbidden realm of sexuality.
Inspire, motivate and empower - a VBB conversation with Karina Popovich, Founder of Alpha and Proto http://karinapopovich.com/ It’s nothing new to hear about a teenager who talks back, but how many will talk about their role in making the world a better place?
- a teen runaway, cancer survivor and battler of eating disorders asks, so what do you have in your life to be grateful for? A surreal real conversation with the Vitality Dr., Dr. Marilyn Joyce.
For millennia women have questioned, can a woman truly have it all? Debra Poneman is founder and CEO of Yes to Success, Inc., a world-renowned keynote speaker, a bestselling author, and seminar leader with students who've become household names: Deepak Chopra, Janet Attwood, Marci Shimoff and Steve Farber, but what she’s most prideful of is her 21-year career as a stay at home mom.
This re-boot of VBB reintroduces co-hosts Christopher and Heather. Our differences are sex, skin, social backgrounds, age, experiences, and opinions, but as Podcast partners our differences have proven to be our greatest strength. We share what we do, our why, along with what's in the name VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH. We reveal it all on this reintroduction episode.
Who can say, is it a trend, but more and more women are choosing to close themselves off sexually? Their reasons are valid: broken trust or shame over their own sexuality. However, if as a woman you feel even a single spark in your sexual furnace we encourage you to listen to our conversation with Kat Trimarco — coach, speaker, and author of ‘Self Approved’.
If there’s a young girl in your family you know the pressure they feel to be perfect, including perfect at hiding their anxieties, self-criticisms, and even debilitation depression. B’tween Girls is a groundbreaking program where girls share how they feel in an environment that’s comfortable and safe.
Is an office romance ever a good play? Yvonne Silver, veteran chartered HR consultant, certified executive coach, and founder of Flourish and Women & Wisdom Media speaks from experience when she shares these words. Don’t do it! Hear's her why.
Can love ever be spoken out of turn: said too soon, too late, too much or too little? VBB breaks it down, when is it safe to share the worlds “I Love You?”
We attach to people and to things, but we are never trained on what to do when we suffer loss. A conversation with life coach and grief recovery specialist Melody Chardon.
Nobody can fake being a leader, but how do you gain the skills, or find mentors eager to share their experience and help you become a leader of self or a leader of many?
Her official title is a sex-toy company CEO, but her true mission is to bring about social revolution around sexual fluidity and gender equity. Her company is Lora DiCarlo and after you hear her you won't soon forget the name.
Owner of Imagine Seminars and Amazon Bestselling Author Karen Klassen shares the 5 cycles in the evolution of relationships and titillates with stories from her recent journey to Dubai and India.
It’s “the addiction nobody will talk about,” but next time you’re in a crowded elevator consider the statistic that 1 in 3 men and 1 in 5 women are addicted to pornography. Joshua Shea is a recovered porn addict who now helps others through recovery.
In high school, I was the conservative girl, the overachiever, the straight A student. Nobody would ever imagine that I would end up as that girl, but once I got in the strip club as a dancer I felt every woman should have this experience if they want to truly explore feminine energy.
International Women’s Day — A Day of Reflection; A Day of Lament. A conversation around Women, Sex, Money, and Politics.
How do you sneak a special gift for the first lady, Michelle Obama, past Secret-Service security? Use your bra. Canadian Business Chicks CEO Monica Kretschmer, rebel and her cause.
"I’m interested in how people change their relationships when they don’t need to depend on a partner to satisfy their sexual needs". Dr. Marina Adshade, author of Dollars and Sex: How Economics Influences Sex and Love.
“In The #MeToo Era, You Should Teach Your Teens How To Flirt!” Huffington Post writer Linda Simpson — @LinSimpson66, for parents of any child capable of having a sexual thought or of feeling a sexual urge.
Detoxing the "toxic masculine." A conversation with Jake Stika, Executive Director, Next Gen Men.
1 in 3 women will experience physical violence in their lifetime. 38% won't live to tell their story. One organization has a unique cure — the systematic education of boys and men on a global scale. White Ribbon Program Manager, Véronique Church-Duplessis, is our VBB guest.
“Some men are afraid to speak to women in public places for fear they’re going to be considered a freak.” Wanda St. Hilarie
A conversation with the two curators of a secret girls club teaching women how not to fear the orgasm.
Who owns the rights to a woman’s body when her sexual desires make her a slut, enjoying sex makes her a whore, multiple partners make her promiscuous, and her activities bring shame?
“I’m Sorry, It’s Cancer!” Words that can be the end of a world. We share a candid conversation to experience cancer with a woman who faced those words more than once. Author Wanda St. Hilarie on life beyond “I’m Sorry, It’s Cancer.”
She said what? Pamela Anderson said it, “I think feminism can go too far,” and we can't help but break it down.
She's a petite, pretty little blond who worked ten years in the oil fields of Northern Alberta. Ask her and she's a feisty, mean little thing and anybody who screws with her regrets it. Meet Megan Smith.
We chat with author Yvonne Silver about her new book, Words, Women & Wisdom. It's a conversation about how ordinary, simple words can be our greatest nemesis and kill our self-confidence.
With the courage to call out the catcallers of New York: Sophie Sandberg @catcallsofnyc
She's the best selling author of "The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen"; CEO of The 7 Virtues Fragrance Collection. Ernst & Young named her “Entrepreneur of the Year"; Profit Guide Magazine included her in of the "Top 30 Cool and Fabulous Canadian Entrepreneurs,” and she’s been named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. She is Barbara Stegemann, and her wisdom shared with us is peerless and priceless.
“May as well put lipstick on a pig.” It’s what said to a woman who uses the tools of beauty - lipstick, and mascara and more - to revive the spirits of drug attics, the homeless, the destitute, as well as prostitutes. Meet a woman you can't soon forget - Caroline MacGillivray Executive Director of Beauty Night Society.
Co-pilot on Virgin.Beauty.B!tch Podcast, an evocative journey into the reformation of feminine, and a Woman of Inspiration 2018 - Heather Erlen.
Integrative Health Coach and Founder of Mamaita’s Journey admits that she is an accidental entrepreneur, but what she has to share in the healing of mother and child relationships is wisdom no amount of money can’t buy. Sam Bell is a woman of inspiration.
A Millennial who's all fire when it comes to terms used to discredit the drive and creativity of her generation. To push her buttons just mention the words “hustle” or “busy”. We did! Sarah Kirkpatrick, a feisty woman on inspiration.
Connie Jakab shares her story of how being thrust into the middle of a hip-hop circle became a moment that changed her entire outlook on herself, and on a world that once intimidated her. Connie is a woman of inspiration.
It’s the world’s most difficult, most important job yet nobody has a certification for parenting. Laura Watson is a Business Coach with Venture Coaching International, she’s also a mom turned in-house coach with resources for any mom or dad wanting to turn the world’s hardest job into their most rewarding. Laura is a Woman of Inspiration!
She gushes that she has the greatest job in the world. She is beyond Superhero status, she is a Woman of Inspiration! Daphne Simkin, Founder YEGBOX and YYCBOX.
What does a strong, confident woman standing in her power sounds like, and what does it look like when a woman blindly gives up their own power? Our conversation with Karen Stewart - Founder & CEO Bumble Bees Venture Capital Inc., and Fairway Divorce Solutions Ltd. reveals all.
A CEO with a colorful past and great stories to share. Audrey Mascarenhas - President and CEO of Questor Technology Inc. and a Woman of Inspiration.
How much do you enjoy waiting in the cue at your doctor's office? What if health care came to you? Who does that? A true Florence Nightengale, a Woman of Inspiration, the Founder of Direct Health Solutions, Family Nurse Practitioner, Jessica Tsang.
How feminine and masculine stereotypes will play out in their relationship is the last thing couples think about, but it's inevitably, their happiness together will depend on it. We challenge a young couple to explore the point.
I had just spent four years in university, three years in law school, passed the bar exam, had my orientation and an office, and on my first day, I knew I had to give it all up and follow my heart's calling. Jenny Hogg Ashwell
I did it all, by society’s standards I was "Successful”. What no one knew was that I was having up to 20 seizures a day. VBB guest, Launa Germiquet
Why consumer goods for women are so limited versus men's products, and why do they cost women an arm and a leg more to buy, is the question for debate.
9 year old female inventor and business mogul, Sofia Fairweather, tells adults what they can do with comments that she’s ’cute’.
You can't achieve good health if you're uncomfortable with your health-care provider. Jessica Tsang - Head Nurse Practitioner
Time Magazine celebrated Person's of the Year 2017 for all the women and men who came forward to speak out about sexual abuse. We bring the conversation to the mic.
Sexual harassment craves silent victims. Our guests, one a coach the other a cop, are teaching women to be neither.
POWER, POLITICS & PREJUDICE, an intimate conversation with TED X Rockstar, and CNN Superstar Dr. Caroline Heldman.
19-year-olds say stuff, we just don’t expect them to say stuff like this: “education isn't just about books and the sciences, social education is a topic missing in the school system; we intend to change that.” Sanya & Meaza of Uplift Youth.
Mother of 6, owner of 6 business, grandmother of 2, and a 2-time cancer survivor, Lisa Mundell-Lawrence is Superwoman in the flesh, and she shares with us words of wisdom and empowerment.
Courage, confidence, commitment, and integrity are not attributes exposed by every woman, but qualities common to all who are Women of Inspiration. A conversation with Women of Inspiration creator, Monica Kretschmer.
"You have to be a little crazy to start a business… but a little crazy is exactly what it takes to fuel any successful business." More pearls in our conversation with Canadian Business Chicks founder, Monica Kretschmer.
What does it take to become a remarkable man! We catch up with Dwayne Klassen founder of The Remarkable Man Project.
What is the next step in human spiritual evolution? It is Her!
Our conversation with author Sandra Dosdall on the creation of a female deity.
From the mouth of babes: two young women 17 and 18-years old share with us the angst of casual virginity, refrained beauty, and keeping the bitch in context.
I Am Beautiful! Even behind a mask of powder, paint, and gloss these are the hardest three words - in any language - for women to repeat. What if we could change that paradigm? Our guest is working on exactly that.
POWER, GRACE, WISDOM, WONDER are marketing tags used to promote Wonder Woman the movie, but we wonder and explore why don't we see feminine in this light every day off the silver screen.
Imagine, looking in a mirror and never seeing yourself as the sex you were born, never feeling comfortable in the gender you are being convinced to become. Christopher and Heather take on the topic with an MLA.
Who would dare challenge the benevolence of Mother's Day? Um, how about a mother of three! Christopher and Heather get into it with Astrologer, Writer, Facilitator, and Mom, Lesley Francis.
From calling out a VP for his sexual advances on young women to advancing her career up to Director at a major oil and gas firm, our guest is unafraid of speaking her mind on being feminine and powerful.
"Get good at mastering relationships and you'll find yourself really, really good at mastering life." Christopher and Heather in conversation with relationship expert and author of The Relationship Code, Heron Free.
Relationships are the Bitch! Relationships will test your commitments, and call you on your BS. What it takes to master relationships is the journey we take with wife and husband, Christina and Paul - 18 years in relationship. Their secret, great relationships begin with housework?
Christopher and Heather take VBB on the road to record with a live audience. Here's a snippet of our conversation, the part about the B!tch.
Christopher and Heather walk the fine line between victim blaming and victim responsibility, a line often blurred in crimes of violence against women, both by society and by the law.
Christopher and Heather share a candid, open and raw conversation with author, speaker, coach, and former bitch, Karen Klassen. "When I was considered a bitch it was my aggressive self in regards to I was so done tolerating the life that I was tolerating and I needed her to come out, I needed her to just rage."
Christopher and Heather talk money, time, glass-ceilings and bloodsucking ticks with a corporate VP who traded in a power position in the corporate world for energy healing as an entrepreneur.
Christopher and Heather catch up with a rare woman, one who goes face-first off the side of a glacier pushing 130 km/ 80 mph, pulling 5 g with no steering and no brakes. We welcome skeleton racer Cassie Elise Hawrysh.
Christopher and Heather explore the oldest profession known to woman: exploits of a stay-at-home-mom.
Christopher and Heather talk with a beauty queen who refuses to be put into a box: "I will never be a typical, normal or well-behaved woman. I’ve never done well in constraints."
Christopher and Heather talk with relationship coach Christina Hart about a few common relationship killers including jealous feelings and who gets to wear the pants!
Christopher and Heather share a candid conversation with Psychologist Tasha Belix to learn why kids today hurt so much.
Christopher and Heather explore whether feminine can be monetized and if yes then what's the dollar value?
Christopher and Heather explore an ideology that impacts every human life. We engage the stereotypes of gender.
Christopher and Heather explore the masculine woman and what might be her reformation, a universal feminine code.
Christopher and Heather discuss, is make up a servant to your beauty, or is it the master you don’t dare leave the house without?
Christopher and Heather take on the most misunderstood word that falls between yes and no: consent.
Christopher and Heather empathize with America over their electoral choices: a masculine female, or a misogynist male.
Christopher and Heather tangle with the taboo of parental preference, or gender-segregation: the desire to have a child of one sex over the other.
Christopher and Heather discuss the rampant culture of rape and the vague understanding in many social circles of the meaning of one word: consent.
Christopher and Heather explore the dynamic shifting of relationships between the feminine and the masculine within the culture where we live, and within the sex we've chosen as our identity.
Christopher and Heather converse about what has motivated us to become hosts and the themes that compel us to share our passion out loud.
In this premiere, Christopher and Heather spin positives from typically restrictive names and archetypes that have defined and confined women for centuries: The Virgin, The Beauty, and The Bitch.