I met with wonderful women at Selina in Berlin to record this first ever LIVE episode of Boudoir Talk and talk about the experience of solo traveling. We wondered what is it about traveling solo that makes it special and how it's different when you identify as a woman. We share our best and worst memories, talk about the privilage of travel and respect you should show others, and give some tips on where to start if you would like to try it. Get pulled into stories of sun on our faces, making friends with strangers and discovering yourself in a way you would have never imagined.

My smart & funny conversation partners:

• Linh is a Body Acceptance Coach and founder of @bona.fide.life. Besides being passionate about raising awareness around the harmful effects of diet culture and helping her clients improve their relationship with food and their bodies, she loves trying new food and exploring new places.
• Anna is a feminist mom and the founder of www.wolf-mothers.com, where she changes the unhealthy narrative around motherhood with sustainable fashion designed for actual mothers needs. Also she's a solo-traveler turned-family traveler.
• Nikita started her solo-travelling journey in her early 20's and since then never stopped exploring. Apart from that she's on a journey of spreading awareness and challenging the stigma around menstruation.
• Barbara is a dancer, choreographer, yoga teacher, event manager and founder of Dance on the Mat. She creates immersive experiences designed to expand and uplift all hearts.

Get yourself comfortable and enjoy this wonderfully sunny episode!

#10 Write a Love Letter to Your Body - the story of Nato

I talk to Nato about:
- her experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer at a very early age
- going beyond the stigma of cancer and not being defined by the sickness
- the joy of life and the importance of writing a love letter to your body
- how to go beyond the superficial pink ribbon and become a true advocate for people with cancer

Nato mentions in the episode "StyleLikeU" series available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/StyleLikeU1

#9 Kill it with kindness - on imposter syndrome with Keana Korn

I talk to Keana Korn about:
- letting go of the idea of a perfect job
- exploring your talents and finding different ways to use them in professional life
- imposter syndrome and how it affects women (horrifying statistics on that!)
- your looks being treated as your main asset in the workplace
- finding ways to overcome imposter syndrome
- the importance of small gestures that make a big change

Follow Boudoir Talk on Instagram @boudoirtalk

#8 No idea is too wild or how to make things happen - an interview with Serita Braxton

I talk to Serita Braxton:
- about her experience of living and dating in Berlin, which became the foundation of her book "Recovering Loveaholic";
- about the journey to find your place on earth;
- how afro became political;
- how popular beauty standards were cut to exclude black people;
- and finally, about her new dream project - Monita Tequila, a new tequila brand in the memory of her mother.

You can fund Monita Tequila on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/seritabraxton/monita-tequila

And buy the "Recovering Loveaholic" book here: https://www.seritabraxton.com/get-recovering-loveaholic

#7 Unpolished motherhood and the permission to experience pleasure - an interview with Alena

My friend Alena Grahn decided to share with you her intimate journey through motherhood and discovering herself anew. We're bombarded by images of picture-perfect moms and seemingly no-problem experience of giving a birth to a new human being. Alena shares her personal perspective on that and then we dive deep into the topic of finding balance between being a mother and being a woman, allowing yourself to experience pleasure and "reclaiming" your pussy.

Even though it may seem like an episode for moms only - please don't get discouraged, we promise no baby talk. We share thoughts important for any woman - with or without children.

Book mentioned by Alena:
Regena Thomashauer "Pussy: A Reclamation"

#6 After a very long pause I invite you to listen to a very intimate episode, where I share my reasons for being quiet for a while and I what I have learned in 2020 - the year of changes. My guide here is Julia Samuel, with her book "This Too Shall Pass", from which I share a simple yet effective framework to cope with change in our life. The hero of this episode is Elsa from Frozen, who taught us all how important it is to "Let it Go"...

#3 Black Female Photographers

An episode I recorded May 6, 2020 in the heat of protests for racial equality worldwide. I realized that even though I never considered myself a racist, I also never pursued learning and reading more about inspiring black female artists. I decided to change it and did a personal research which brought to my attention 3 wonderful black female photographers, that I dedicated this episode to: Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Carrie Mae Weems and Denisse Ariana Pérez.

http://www.jeannemoutoussamy-ashe.com/portfolio/
http://carriemaeweems.net/
http://www.denisseariana.com/

Articles I used:
Megan O’Grady, "How Carrie Mae Weems Rewrote the Rules of Image-Making, Oct. 15, 2018, The New York Times Style Magazine
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/t-magazine/carrie-mae-weems-interview.html

Kalia Brooks, Interview with Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Sep 11, 2014, Bomb Magazine
https://bombmagazine.org/articles/jeanne-moutoussamy-ashe/

Larisa Mamonova, my first Instagram friend (yay!), artist and designer, shares her lessons from healthy relationships, which helped her recognize toxic behavior. We talk about friendship - does it have an expiration date, is it possible long distance? How sensitivity can be your advantage. The importance of having your own space in any relationship, romantic or not, and claiming your right to it. All of that while sipping wine and enjoying this Polish-Russian women union.

Eva Casini, my friend, feminist and women gifted in so many ways, shared with me a quote from Virginia Woolf's "To The Lighthouse" which became the starting point for our conversation about finding your own way in the world, and the importance of staying creative, no matter what you do.

Eva's blog:
https://evacasini.wordpress.com

Mentioned in the episode:
Virginia Woolf - To The Lighthouse
Anita Rée - German artist
Shonda Rhimes - creator of Grey's Anatomy
movie Amadeus by Milos Forman

#2 Self-love interview with Sara Lynn
Self-love has become the hip word of our times, present on everything - from morning cereal to our pajamas. I decided to dig deeper and ask why it is important to love ourselves. Especially now, during the time of coronavirus lockdown, when we're left on our own more than ever. I talk to my friend and personal coach, Sara Lynn, who dedicated her life to exploring the importance of self-esteem. Check out her podcast The SL Method!

Mentioned in the episode:
Brené Brown - The power of vulnerability, TED Talk
Bella Hooks, All About Love