In this listener-suggested episode, Renée takes Gio into a research rabbit-hole about the surprisingly and insidiously gendered and binary concept of "self-care". TW for discussions of discrimination, racism and gender binary bias in the medical industry and industrial health complex; brief mentions of homophobia, toxic masculinity, death and chronic illness. Gio and Renée share their own experiences with and understanding of self-care, based on their relationship with gender and their upbringings; discuss the difference between integrated, foundational self-care and the commodified version of self-care presented to us in media; the business of marketing self-care and how "self-love" is something that you can achieve as long as you're buying the right products or services; and how to take better care of yourself from a place of love, community and self-compassion. Find more of Gio at giografik.com; Renée at reneewrought.com; and check out the Listen 2 Me Patreon for early episodes and sweet bonuses! ✨