Basically Unbothered: Modern Womanhood, Gender & The Gray Areas | Part 1

What happens when two women sit down to talk about modern womanhood, gender, identity, and all the messy gray areas in between?

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Gabie sits down with Persephone Rose, a writer, actor, and BDSM crisis actor, for a conversation that refuses to fit neatly into a box.

Persephone opens up about coming out as trans at thirteen, detransitioning for six years, and eventually coming back out of the closet after watching the world debate the experiences of trans kids. She shares what it was like navigating discrimination, relationships, healthcare, identity, and the complicated reality of being seen as both a man and a woman at different points in her life.

The conversation also gets into BDSM safety, consent, gendered expectations, the gender pay gap, pronouns, queer identity, representation, and why lived experience can completely change the way you see the world.

And because this is Basically Unbothered, we obviously couldn't have a serious conversation without getting into some pop culture chaos.

We talk Zendaya's paycheck, Angel Reese getting her own Barbie, Matt Damon's female stunt double, JK Rowling's latest controversy, the Barbie movie, Harry Potter, Pride, and why sometimes the real problem isn't disagreement. It's the complete absence of respect.

This episode isn't about pretending everyone sees the world the same way. It's about asking what happens when we stop demanding perfect answers and start making room for complexity.

And we're only getting started.

Part 2 goes even deeper into modern womanhood, trans identity, privilege, gender, and the uncomfortable gray areas we don't talk about enough.

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In this episode of Basically Unbothered, Gabi is joined by ArtRogueMel for a conversation that proves two Caribbean women can cover approximately 47 different topics before remembering what they were originally talking about.

The episode kicks off with island family culture, growing up as the eldest child, navigating Caribbean expectations, and the very specific experience of being an island person living far away from the islands.

Then we get into the pop culture chaos. Zendaya is taking over Hollywood, Rihanna may finally be returning to the studio, and Blake and Mel have plenty of thoughts about representation, celebrity culture, Marvel, DC, Poison Ivy, Batman, Spider-Man, and why some franchises desperately need to stop making everything three hours long.

But eventually, we get where we were always going: books.

Gabi and Mel dig into the realities of being indie authors, readers, ARC reviewers, and content creators. They talk about paid book reviews, influencer culture, unrealistic ARC expectations, review platforms, DNFing books, reading slumps, criticism, and the strange pressure placed on both authors and readers to turn something they love into a measurable performance.

They also get into what authors sometimes forget: an ARC reader is still a person. They have a life. They have a job. They have hobbies. They may have four other books open at the same time. And if you turn a book they were excited to read into another deadline-filled task, you can accidentally suck all the joy out of the experience.

At the heart of the conversation is something bigger than reviews or algorithms: community.

What happens when authors stop looking for people to validate their books and start building genuine relationships with the readers who actually want to be there? What can honest criticism teach us? And how do we create spaces where readers and authors can talk about stories without every disagreement becoming personal?

Basically, this episode is about books, but it is also about people.

And yes, there will absolutely be side quests.

🎙️ Featuring ArtRogueMel📚 Basically Unbothered

Find Art Rogue Mel Here!

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Basically Unbothered: AI, Art, Burnout & the Problem With Doing Everything the Hard Way

What happens when technology becomes another thing women are expected to either master perfectly or feel guilty for using?

This week on Basically Unbothered, Gabi sits down with Julianna Johnson, the woman behind Digital Darling, to talk about AI, technology, creativity, and why the conversation around all of it is a lot more complicated than “AI bad” or “AI good.”

But the conversation doesn't stop at AI.

Gabi and Julianna talk about using technology as a form of self-care, especially for women and small business owners carrying an enormous mental load. They unpack why women are often taught to struggle, why making something easier can feel like cheating, and how automation can create more space for the things that actually matter.

Then, because this is Basically Unbothered, they pivot into pop culture. Ariana Grande's body becomes a conversation about why we are still so obsessed with commenting on other people's bodies, Hollywood casting gets dissected, and Practical Magic 2 enters the chat for a round of Petty or Facts.

Because maybe the real question isn't whether we're using technology.

Maybe it's why we've decided that suffering through everything manually makes us better people.

In this episode:

AI, authors, and the ethics of creative technology

Why AI-generated art and writing are such complicated conversations

Privilege, access, and the indie author community

Technology as self-care for women

Mental load, burnout, and doing everything yourself

Why women feel guilty about making life easier

AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human creativity

Ariana Grande, body commentary, and why everyone's opinion isn't necessary

Hollywood casting and Practical Magic 2

A little Petty or Facts for good measure

Basically, use the damn tool. Or don't. But maybe stop policing everyone else's choices while you're at it.

Find Juliana here.

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Basically Unbothered | The Addiction, Shame & Vulnerability Episode

This week on Basically Unbothered, Blake sits down with author Austin Rampt for a conversation that starts with a book about addiction and somehow ends up unpacking shame, masculinity, loneliness, trauma, money, success, vulnerability, and what it actually means to recover.

Austin’s memoir, One Last Hit, chronicles a life that sounds almost too unbelievable to be real: starting drugs and alcohol at a young age, addiction, an overdose, multiple attempts at recovery, losing businesses and millions of dollars, fleeing to Mexico, and spending years caught in a cycle he genuinely believed would eventually kill him.

But this conversation isn't just about the chaos.

Blake and Austin dig into what was underneath it all: the desperate need for acceptance, the belief that achievement makes you worthy of love, the masks we learn to wear, and the ways addiction can become about much more than a substance.

They talk about faith-based recovery, the pressure to perform wellness instead of actually confronting what's happening, narcissistic traits and addiction, male loneliness, the fear of vulnerability, and the complicated relationships Austin had with the people who tried to love him while he was still deeply entrenched in addiction.

And then there's Nate.

A friendship formed in rehab becomes one of the most important relationships in Austin's recovery because Nate showed him something he hadn't been able to give himself: permission to be honest about the parts of himself that weren't pretty.

This episode ultimately asks a much bigger question:

What happens when you stop performing who you think you're supposed to be and finally allow yourself to be seen?

It's raw, uncomfortable, occasionally hilarious, and deeply human.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Basically Unbothered.

One Last Hit by Austin Rampt is available at onelasthitbook.com, with Austin on social media as @onelasthitbook.

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Basically Unbothered Recapped | KATSEYE, Hollywood Drama & Ariana Grande’s New Era

We took a week off, but the chaos waited patiently for our return.

On this episode of Basically Unbothered Recapped, we’re diving into the celebrity and pop culture stories that have been keeping us talking, from KATSEYE’s growing concerns to the complicated drama surrounding Children of Blood and Bone and Tomi Adeyemi’s experience bringing her bestselling book to the screen.

We talk about Sophia stepping away from KATSEYE for her mental health, what it means when multiple members of a group need time away, and whether HYBE x Geffen has actually created the international girl group they promised or accidentally created a pressure cooker.

Then we get into the Children of Blood and Bone trailer, Tomi Adeyemi’s comments about her experience on set, creative control in Hollywood, and the uncomfortable reality of what happens when an author’s story becomes a multimillion-dollar production. Where does the creator’s power end when someone else is paying for the project?

And because we clearly weren't done, we have to talk about Ariana Grande’s new album. We’re breaking down the songs, the themes, the industry commentary, and why this album feels like Ariana reclaiming her voice while simultaneously asking, “Can you hear me now?”

Plus, a little life update, indie bookstore happenings, upcoming Basically Unbothered episodes, and a reminder that sometimes taking a damn break is exactly what you need.

Grab your matcha and settle in. We’ve got thoughts.

Basically Unbothered Recapped is your weekly dose of pop culture, celebrity chaos, media analysis, and the occasional “wait...what the fuck is actually going on here?”

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blakegabrielle.substack.com/subscribe

Some celebrities inspire us because of their talent. Others inspire us because they remind us what's possible.

This week on Basically Unbothered, Gabi sits down with Isabel Bagsik, brand oracle, visibility guide, and founder of Unconventional Bliss, for a conversation about creativity, intuition, and building a life that's actually aligned with who you are.

Together they dive into:

Why routines can fuel creativity instead of restricting it.

Building a brand without losing yourself.

How icons like Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, Tyra Banks, and Mulan have shaped their outlook on success.

Zara Larsson's decision to go independent and what it means for creators.

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and the pressure society puts on family and legacy.

Whether celebrity stories can actually teach us something meaningful.

Why representation matters and how seeing someone break barriers expands what's possible for everyone.

It's an honest conversation about creativity, ambition, pop culture, and trusting yourself enough to build something different.

Follow Isabel Bagsik here!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blakegabrielle.substack.com/subscribe

This week, Gabi dives headfirst into one of the busiest weeks in pop culture, and nobody escapes the side eye.

From Andrew Tate's latest arrest and the conversation around accountability, to Angel Reese's response to controversy on the court, the Coffee Convos shakeup, and the latest Love Island fallout, this episode unpacks what happens when public figures refuse to own their actions.

Gabi also reflects on friendship, betrayal, rebranding your business, the pressure of living online, and why taking accountability will always age better than trying to control the narrative.

If the internet has been exhausting this week... don't worry. We've already sorted through the chaos for you.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blakegabrielle.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Basically Unbothered, Blake sits down with Elona Washington, Chief Publishing Officer of The Author's Journey, for a candid conversation that blends mental health, relationships, pop culture, and the realities of the publishing industry.

The two discuss living as neurodivergent women, Elona's experience with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), healing from trauma, and redefining what healthy relationships look like before diving into a thoughtful conversation about traditional publishing, self-publishing, author marketing, royalties, burnout, and building a sustainable creative career. Along the way, they unpack current pop culture stories including Children of Blood and Bone, Prince Harry and Meghan, and Love Island, using each as a jumping-off point for bigger conversations about boundaries, representation, and authenticity.

Whether you're a reader, writer, creator, or someone navigating life on your own terms, this episode is full of honest conversation and practical insight.

🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and if this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with a fellow writer, creative, or book lover. Every share helps us keep these conversations going.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blakegabrielle.substack.com/subscribe

Basically Unbothered Recapped: Healing, Holding People Accountable & Love Island Fallout

This week, Blake catches listeners up on exciting podcast milestones, upcoming author appearances, and the journey toward embracing change, both personally and professionally.

Then it's time for a deep dive into the latest Love Island USA aftermath, from the finale and reunion drama to the conversations surrounding accountability, public perception, and the difference between criticism and bullying. Blake also unpacks the latest Saint Satine news, why Lexi's departure feels bigger than just another lineup change, and what it says about burnout, integrity, and choosing yourself.

Plus:

Project Runway officially joins the recap lineup

Thoughts on Hayden Panettiere's memoir and what it reveals about trauma, motherhood, and depression

Current book recommendations

Criminal Minds updates

Why rest isn't something we should have to earn

A candid conversation about healing while still building your dreams

Sometimes staying unbothered means choosing yourself... even when the world expects you to keep pushing.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blakegabrielle.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when two creators sit down to talk about gaming... and end up unpacking purpose, community, creativity, and the internet?

This week on Basically Unbothered, Blake is joined by woodworker, tabletop creator, and content creator Thomas Tusano for a conversation that wanders in the best possible way.

Together, they discuss:

Why every hobby doesn't have to become your career

Streaming, content creation, and creator burnout

Finding genuine community online through platforms like Threads

The realities of parasocial relationships

Social media algorithms and why diversifying your platforms matters

Gabby Douglas' inspiring comeback

Whether money actually buys happiness

Diversity in gaming and why representation creates better stories

How storytelling helps us understand each other

If you've ever felt caught between creating what you love and chasing the algorithm, this conversation is for you.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blakegabrielle.substack.com/subscribe