F*CK THAT SHIT

The Darkly Divine: The Evolution of Erotic Labor

In this episode of Stripping Away Stigma, we sit down with Artina Darkly—a powerhouse performer, producer, and advocate reshaping the landscape of nightlife and sex work. With over a decade in the industry, Artina has carved out spaces that uplift, educate, and empower.

We explore her journey from stripping to burlesque, the stigma that still lingers within erotic labor, and the transformative power of performance. Artina shares how she’s breaking barriers and building community through her work, proving that sex work is not just survival—it’s an art form, a legacy, and a force for change.

Key Takeaways:

✨ The intersection of burlesque, stripping, and sex work—why the ‘heauxarchy’ needs to go
✨ The importance of creating safe spaces in nightlife and beyond
✨ How performance can be a tool for self-discovery, activism, and healing
✨ Breaking the stigma: What it really means to be a sex worker in today’s world

Where to Find Artina Darkly & Her Work:

🔥 X.E.S Swrks Seminars – A quarterly series creating educational and supportive spaces for sex workers
🔥 Dark Opulence – A weekly variety show celebrating sensuality and artistry (Saturdays at Pink Metal BK, 9 PM)
🔥 A Dazzling Dark Night – A monthly classical burlesque showcase (One Thursday a month at Le Boudoir BK, 8 PM)

Follow @ArtinaDarkly for updates on performances, events, and advocacy!

🎧 Tune in now & strip away the stigma with us!

In this episode of F*ck That Shit: Stripping Away Stigma, we sit down with the incredible AM Davies—a retired stripper, producer of Yes, a Stripper Podcast, and a fierce advocate for sex worker rights. With 20 years of experience in the industry, AMD has navigated the highs and lows of erotic labor, from personal empowerment to systemic challenges, and is now dedicated to amplifying the voices of sex workers worldwide.

We dive into:
✨ The realities of working in erotic labor & industry exploitation
✨ Life after a career-ending injury & reclaiming power
✨ The fight against stigma, SESTA/FOSTA, & harmful legislation
✨ Addressing the “But what about benefits?” argument
✨ The intersection of stripping, autonomy, and advocacy

AMD’s journey is one of resilience, activism, and radical self-acceptance. By the end of this conversation, you’ll be saying F*ck That Shit to whorephobia and the systems that perpetuate it.

📲 Instagram: @amdavies_
🎙 Yes, a Stripper Podcast: @yesastripperpodcast
💻 Website: Yes, a Stripper Podcast

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode of Fck That Shit, I sit down with the magnetic and titillating Honeybaby—a transsexual kink provider, educator, peer coach, and performer—whose work explores the intersection of eroticism, disability, mental health, healing, and connection.

We dive into:

🔥 The transformative power of the erotic as a tool for personal and collective healing

🔥 Navigating sex work while balancing multiple identities

🔥 The urgent need for accessibility in nightlife and sex work spaces

🔥 The impact of community, boundaries, and self-acceptance in both performance and advocacy

Honeybaby is not only a performer and educator but also a passionate advocate for disability and mental health inclusion. They co-facilitate a free Virtual SWer Support Group every Monday—DM them if you’re interested!

📲 Follow Honeybaby on IG:@honeybabynyc

📩 For education, facilitation & performance inquiries: [email protected]🔗

For SW/kink-related connections: [email protected]

Let’s strip away the stigma and say Fck That Shit to disability exclusion and erasure. Tune in now!

In this episode, we sit down with Cha Cha, a body-affirming photographer, burlesque performer, and producer of Hexes & Heauxs, a show centering Black, Brown, Trans, Fat, and Queer nightlife artists. They dive into the journey from photography to performance, the power of self-portraits, and the challenges of representation in burlesque. Cha Cha shares insights on building a community, balancing motherhood and art, and why holding space for marginalized voices is an act of resistance.

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Burlesque as empowerment & self-expression
• The importance of consent & control in performance
• Treating show production as a business
• Prioritizing mental health & community support

🔗 Connect with Cha Cha:
📸 Photography: cheyennegil.com
📷 IG: @chachamamaburlesque / @cheyennegil

Venmo: @chacha-mama

In this episode of Stripping Away Stigma, I sit down with the electrifying Queerly Femmetastic—a Brooklyn-bred bombshell, internationally renowned ecdysiast, and Grand Master Funk of the 2024 What the Funk Festival.

We dive into the erased Black history of burlesque, the whorearchy that divides erotic labor, and how outdated blue laws still police performers. Queerly shares insights on consent in performance spaces, the power of costuming, and why cash is queen. Through humor and wisdom, she reminds us to honor our past, reject stigma, and take up space unapologetically.

Key Takeaways:
🔥 Burlesque has deep Black roots – Black shake-dancers and hoochie-coochie performers shaped the art form.
🔥 F*ck the whorearchy – Erotic labor deserves respect across the board.
🔥 Blue laws still restrict performance – Outdated legal restrictions police bodies on stage.
🔥 Consent and etiquette matter – Audiences must respect performer boundaries.
🔥 Costuming is an evolving skill – Creativity and patience build a burlesque persona.
🔥 Cash is queen – Performance is labor and should be valued.
🔥 Healing through burlesque – Sensuality and movement can be powerful tools for self-discovery.

Follow Queerly Femmetastic:
📸 Instagram: @queerly_femmetastic

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/queerlyfemmetastic

Tip Queerly or Support their art here: https://ko-fi.com/queerlyfemmetastic

Stay Connected:
💬 Follow me: @emmglobina / @fckthatshitpod

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to rate, review, and share! 💃🔥

In this episode of F*ck That Shit, host Emma Shull interviews Jackrabbit Slims, an Afro-Latina burlesque dancer and drag performer based in NYC. They discuss Jack's journey into burlesque and drag, the cultural influences shaping their artistry, and the challenges of navigating stigma while maintaining authenticity. Jack shares insights on body positivity, self-expression, and transitioning from performer to producer, as well as reflections on sobriety, personal growth, and the evolution of NYC's performance scene.

The conversation explores the unique appeal of Coney Island pageants, the intersection of burlesque and sex work, and the importance of fair compensation for performers. Jack also highlights their current show, Los Diablos, and the significance of community support in their career. Tune in for a candid discussion on artistry, resilience, and breaking the rules in the world of burlesque.

Stay tuned for the end, where Jack and Emma circle back about the question: Is Burlesque sex work?

In this episode, host Emma Shull sits down with Amanda Poise, a theater artist turned burlesque performer. Amanda shares how she built War in High Heels, a project that amplifies performer stories while navigating the intersections of family concerns, safety, and artistic freedom.

Together, they unpack the nuances of burlesque as both a community and a scene, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and how city environments—from New York to Seattle—shape artistic expression. Through personal stories and reflections, Amanda reveals how burlesque is more than entertainment—it’s a form of storytelling, self-discovery, and rebellion.

This episode is an unfiltered look at how burlesque challenges norms, redefines artistic spaces, and offers a stage for radical self-expression.

Learn more about Amanda and their work: https://amandapoise.com/warinhighheels

Follow them on instagram: @poisonamanda and feel free to send them a tip for their thoughts! Venmo is @amandapoise and Cashapp is $sipsofpoison

Join us for an intimate conversation with actress, director, and sex work advocate Luna Sofia Miranda. From their beginnings as a college stripper to their recent success in the award-winning film Anora, we explore their mission to bridge the gap between Hollywood and sex work through authentic storytelling.

In this episode, we dive deep into the realities of strip club culture, the power of community, and the importance of fair compensation in both the entertainment and sex work industries.

Luna shares invaluable insights about creating change through representation, challenging industry norms, and the overlapping worlds of burlesque and sex work. Whether you're an artist, activist, or curious about authentic storytelling in Hollywood, this raw and honest discussion breaks down stigmas while offering meaningful perspectives on empowerment through art and activism.

Topics include:

- Journey from strip club to silver screen

- Building bridges between entertainment and sex work

- Creating platforms for marginalized voices

- Empowering sex workers through education

- Transforming Hollywood narratives

- Finding community in unexpected places

Follow Luna Sofia Miranda @lunasmic on Instagram and their cash app is $doctorxluna. Send them a tip if you loved the convo! You can also catch their latest film Anora now and stay tuned for her upcoming directorial project, FilmGirl.

Join us for an intimate conversation with award-winning burlesque performer and producer Qualms Galore. From their journey as a spectator to becoming "The Problem You Wish You Had," we explore the transformative power of burlesque and the importance of creating inclusive spaces in the industry.

In this episode, we dive deep into navigating relationships, setting boundaries, and balancing artistry with privacy.

Qualms shares invaluable insights about producing shows, maintaining authenticity, and the essential distinction between burlesque and sex work. Whether you're a performer, aspiring artist, or curious about the world of burlesque, this raw and honest discussion breaks down stigmas while offering practical wisdom about empowerment through performance.

Topics include:

- The journey from audience to stage

- Creating inclusive performance spaces

- Setting boundaries in relationships

- Balancing day jobs with artistic pursuits

- Building community in burlesque

- Tips for new performers

Follow Qualms Galore @qualmsgalore on instagram and Venmo. Send her a tip if you loved the convo! You can also, catch their show Snake Bite every third Wednesday at Medusa Bar in Brooklyn, New York.

Disclaimer: This episode contains discussions of sexual trauma, assault, and adult themes.

Welcome to Season 3 of the F*ck That Sh*t Show! In this powerful season opener, Emma introduces "Stripping Away Stigma: Voices of Erotic Labor" by sharing her transformative journey into burlesque as Carmen Brûlée. From her sex-positive upbringing to discovering her power through performance, this episode sets the foundation for a season dedicated to challenging stigma and celebrating the diverse voices within erotic labor.

Key Moments:

* The radical feminist roots that shaped Emma's understanding of sex work and bodily autonomy

* Discovering Josephine Baker and the enchanting world of burlesque

* How the art of the tease became a pathway to healing and reclaiming power

* Understanding and challenging whorephobia and the "whore-archy"

* The mission behind "Stripping Away Stigma" and why these stories matter

Upcoming Episodes:

Get ready for a season of raw, honest conversations with diverse voices from the world of erotic labor. Each episode will challenge stereotypes, celebrate autonomy, and continue the mission of destigmatizing sex work through personal stories.