A Map Of My Evolution

Dubbed Pittsburgh's Motivational stripper, Luscious D has been writing and performing since she was in kindergarten and has shared her journey into self-love and acceptance with audiences around the country. Her 2016 performance piece Loving My Reflection sparked her to launch Loving Your Reflection, celebrating it's 6 year anniversary, where she organizes empowerment activities -themed photoshoots, fashion shows, classes, and more. Passionate about changing the narrative of how we view and speak about our bodies, one story at a time, she was inspired to start A Map of My Evolution Podcast in 2020. This podcast was launched in response to rampant online body shaming during the pandemic. A Map Of My Evolution podcast is providing space to showcase stories of ALL bodies and abilities. ALL bodies are valid. ALL stories are worthy of visibility and acceptance. Our collective voices are so powerful !!From burlesque and variety performers to actors and artists, and everyone else in between, A Map of My Evolution podcast will feature a diverse array of guests. Sharing our stories is so powerful and you never know who may be listening and need to hear exactly what you are saying!

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Jessie Sage is a Pittsburgh-based writer and sex worker and describes herself as an unapologetic fat femme. You can find her writing in the Washington Post, Motherboard, The Daily Beast, Buzzfeed, Hustler and more. She’s the co-founder do Peepshow Magazine, and is working on a book for West Virginia University Press on sex work, motherhood, and disability. You can check out more of her work at jessiesage.com. Follow her on twitter/sapiotextual. Photo by PJ Sage.

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This episode is sponsored by

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We will be back from hiatus soon. Stay tuned!!

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This episode is sponsored by

· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support

Dr. Rachel Kallem Whitman is an educator, advocate, and writer who has been shacking up with bipolar disorder since 2000. Rachel is an adjunct professor who teaches courses on unpacking ableism (disability oppression) and her speeches, interviews, and writings on the topic have garnered acclaim locally in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, across the United States, and internationally. Her debut book, “Instability in Six Colors,” paints a vivid picture of what it is like living with chronic mental illness, trauma, and a complicated relationship with sanity, safety, and suicide. Rachel’s mission and passion is to create safe learning communities to empower individuals to look beyond their illness to find themselves. You can buy this bipolar narrative through One Idea Press, a woman-owned independent press based out of Pittsburgh, PA, as a paper copy or ebook. For more of her work please be sure to check out Rachel’s website seebrightness.com

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This episode is sponsored by

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It’s your girl from the depths of the indoors, with the fake air and artificial lights. No stranger to a mic to draw a laugh, or a tune, this lady likes to move a little, too. She has competed as a semi finalist in the 2018 March Madness Standup Comedy Competition at the Pittsburgh Improv, in the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival Amateur Stand Up competition, in Burlypicks for Master of Comedy 2020, and is one of the top 100 voices in Pittsburgh for American Idol in 2011. She has style, grace, and resting bitch face - give it up for the comedy of Arla White! Catch her on stages near you in Pittsburgh and beyond in September! 9-10 HMH Geeks and Gaymers, 9-17 With Blackwater Cabaret in Cleveland for Hot at the Mic , and doing some comedy for 9-24 Loving Your Reflection:Body Stories.

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This episode is sponsored by

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CW/TW, talk of abuse, self-harm, Suicide Attempts. Amanda Pierce is a 30 year old bisexual cis female living with invisible chronic illness. She is also a survivor of childhood verbal and emotional abuse, leaving her struggling with accepting her body. While not a performer, she has produced the burlesque benefit show Ghouls Gone Wild and is co-host of the podcast Happy Ever After Party with her BFF Sam. She enjoys horror movies and true crime.

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This episode is sponsored by

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Boobs Radley has been shedding her inhibitions in Chicago's burlesque scene as a solo artist since 2010. While Boobs has performed for decades as an actor and singer, she came to burlesque later than most burlesque performers, making her debut at 39 years old. Her background in musical theater influences Boobs' signature sing and strip – as she likes to put it, “like Rosemary Clooney but more naked”. Boobs has appeared at festivals all over the U.S., including the Vermont Burlesque Fest, Ohio Burlesque Festival, Buxom Blaze Burlesque Festival, Burning City Festival and the Nashville Burlesque Festival. Boobs has also opened her heart (among other things) to produce charity variety shows in support of animal shelters, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights and ending gun violence.

Boobs can be seen regularly at The Darling supper club in Chicago.

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This episode is sponsored by

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Bio:

Rosie Bourgeoisie is a Montreal born and bred superstar, loving all things shiny and sparkly since the day they first performed on stage at the tender age of five. Their experience on the stage has included dance, burlesque, drag, musical theatre and clown, centering their practice on reclaiming space in the performing arts for bigger and differently-abled bodies. Bringing their passionate energy and imaginative presence to the stage, Rosie combines femininity with queer sensuality to inspire people of all genders and body types to embrace their power and beauty.

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This episode is sponsored by

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Eric isn’t a burlesque performer, but he’s no stranger to the stage. Eric trained as an opera singer and sang for several years. Although he doesn’t sing full time anymore, Eric can be found regularly singing around the Pittsburgh area and teaching young singers.

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Voluptuous Lady Boutique caters to the PLus-Sized aka QueenSized Woman. Created from my love of fashion and beauty, and wanting to bring awareness that beauty has no standards we all are beautiful no matter size you are and that being true to herself is the best thing a women could ever do for herself. Shop the fashions at https://voluptuousladyboutique.com/. Get your tickets to CurvSplashhttps://voluptuousladyboutique.com/products/curvsplash-tickets. August 8 from 3PM-7PM. Tickets will sell out!

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This episode is sponsored by

· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/amapofmyevolution/support