Busy Body

On today's episode I'm joined by Michelan LeMonier the co-executive director of viBe Theater Experience in Brooklyn NY. We discuss the power of art, story and empowerment and learn about the incredible breadth of dynamic programming that viBe Theater Experience is able to provide - even during the pandemic to young women, and nonbinary youth of color. Today's discussion touched on everything from where and how healing happens, destigmatizing mental health in the Black community, to the power of creating and sustaining a BIPOC female led community organization. 

viBe Theater Experience produces original theater, music, and media written and performed by young women and nonbinary youth of color ages 13-26. As of 2020 viBe Theater Experience is nation-wide with programming that is both in-person and virtual.

This episode was originally recorded as a conversation with both co executive directors of viBe Theater Experience; Beryl Ford and Michelan LeMonier. Due to my own inexperience as an interviewer I felt that that original conversation did not fully highlight viBe Theater Experience and the experience of its participants. Fortunately I was able to interview Miss LeMonier a second time, as she is not only the co-executive director but a former viBe Theater Experience participant. That conversation is the one you'll hear. 

Any inconsistencies and the absence of Beryl Ford are due to the constraints of having one episode for each interview and my own learning curve. They are in no way a reduction or minimization of Beryl Ford, her importance to viBe Theater Experience and her work. I am grateful she was able to take the time to join us for that first interview and regretful that due to my own mistakes, it was not possible to share. 

If you are interested in collaborating, viewing their performances, donating, or working with viBe Theater Experience, reach out to them HERE. Follow viBe Theater on IG HERE. Watch performances HERE

I had a wonderful time talking with Miss LeMonier again. I hope it is the first of many connections. 

Illustration by Jackey Mendez @aesthetics__frames

Production by Brad Parson of Train Sound Studios

This episode I'm joined by my former long-time client and friend, the incredible journalist and author Virginia Heffernan. Virginia is the author of Magic and Loss The Internet as Art. On today's show discuss the substack article she wrote about Ozempic. Virginia is a warrior for humanity's human-ness. We had a wonderful conversation. Be sure to subscribe to her newsletter and find her recent writing and media appearances here. Follow her on IG here.

On this episode I'm joined by NY's top Top Surgeon, Dr. Alexes Hazen. Dr. Hazen and I have collaborated several times on workshop/events for Top Surgery recipients combining my Fascia Release™ recovery work with her expertise and information through the OUT Foundation. You can find pre-recorded versions of a past workshop with Dr. Hazen and I and add'l Top Surgery resources HERE.

Be sure to check out Dr. Hazen's office and offerings here for all your plastic surgery and skin care needs. Follow her on instagram here.

Follow Busy Body Podcast on IG @brooklynstrength for free content to help your body feel better and opportunities to work with me directly.

This episode I'm absolutely thrilled to welcome author and journalist Danielle Friedman. Danielle is the author of Let's Get Physical How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World. In this episode we discuss several themes in the book including the powerful feminist story that each of these women blazed as they created firestorms of fitness, and in some cases empires, where before they hadn't been allowed in the door. 

I so enjoyed this conversation. Be sure to check out the newly released paperback version of Let's Get Physical and find Danielle Friedman on IG and her website.

Follow Busy Body Podcast on IG @brooklynstrength for free content to help your body feel better and opportunities to work with me directly.

This episode I am speaking with Caroline Contillo, a Disaster Equity Researcher who has been exploring somatic healing in the face of our collective impending doom (or atleast future major upheaval). Caroline has a wonderful perspective on how we can engage with the overwhelming prospect of climate change on an individual, physical level while still staying plugged into the collective community that will ultimately sustain us. 

She gives us some wonderful practical somatic tools to stay grounded and even have levity in such frightening times. I'm so glad to welcome Caroline to Busy Body and look forward to having her back!

Please follow, share, like, review, all that jazz. It helps spread the word! Fan mail and questions for future shows to [email protected]

Follow Busy Body Podcast on IG @brooklynstrength for free content to help your body feel better and opportunities to work with me directly.

Resources mentioned or related to this episode:

Relational Uprising

The Politics of Trauma

Adrienne Maree Brown 

The Body Keeps Score

It's the season finale, can you believe it? We’re wrapping up with a big talk on what it really means to “work out.” Cadence teaches us how to do a proper plank and, at long last, goes off on the barre fad. Plus jello shots and dog snores. But the big cliffhanger is: Who will sponsor us next season? A sneaker company? A candle company? Caftans? Meat sticks? The monarchy? Stay tuned.

Follow us @busybodypodcast for our move of the week and more exercises.

This week we’re talking about the importance of breathing. For energy and movement. For rest and relaxation. For doing a really good Elizabeth Holmes impression. Plus: Kegels? Kegels!

Follow us @busybodypodcast for our move of the week and more exercises.

Walking! It’s more complicated than it looks! And we have a lot to say about it. Come for Cadence calling BS on the “10,000 steps” myth, stay for our increasingly desperate pleas for a prominent shoe sponsorship. This episode also features our favorite subject (British royalty).

Follow us @busybodypodcast for our move of the week and more exercises.

Follow us @busybodypodcast for our move of the week and more exercises.

Pranayama breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=395ZloN4Rr8

This is not a podcast about dieting. Repeat: NOT a podcast about dieting. But we are talking about the relationship between eating and working out: food as energy and fuel. It’s complicated! Ergo, Cadence and Jess get into a vicious argument over a meat stick snack. Also: Does anyone actually know what “inflammation” means?

Follow us @busybodypodcast for our move of the week and more exercises. https://www.instagram.com/busybodypodcast