It's one o'clock in the morning and my husband and I have just returned from a friend's housewarming party where some innocent flirting has launched us into a conversation about trust, jealousy, and the quirks of our relationship.

I'd like to reminder you, dear reader, that we recorded this episode not because we believe our relationship is one to emulate. In the six years we've been married, we've made own rules (and sometimes scrapped rules altogether), so if you take anything from this, I hope it's that with trust and mutual respect, you can build whatever kind of life you want with the person you love. x

To my wonderful husband, I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to spend this life with you. I would not have survived these past few weeks - hell, I would not have survived, period. -  if you hadn't been there, picking up the pieces and reminding me that as long as we're together, we're exactly where we're meant to be.

I love you. Unconditionally.

Hemingway said "sit down and bleed," and I certainly did that.  Now that the dust is beginning to settle, I'm ready to share my experience. I recorded this as part of my own personal healing and with the hope it may reach someone having trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Believe me, it's there.

JUMP AROUND:

00:00 - 41:37: 

Intro + the wave of public sexual assault and harassment accusations.

41:37 - 01:03:15: 

The threats to net neutrality + our goals for 2018.

01:03:15 - 01:12:25: 

Listener Question 1: With the wave of public accusations, should men change how they approach women?

01:12:25 - 01:18:38: 

Listener Question 2: What is the best way to approach a girl in the gym?

01:18:38

Closing inspiration

01:20:39

Bonus Clip: I want to "Tom Cruise" Cat Callers

More: https://wp.me/p1vZqN-cA

I met Jaymee Payan, a Doula, Placenta encapsulator, and soon-to-be surrogate mother, through the Tattoos for Planned Parenthood fundraiser. She joins me on the podcast, along with her sister Tommee who's also had a career in childcare, to share her experiences as a doula, explain what the hell a placenta encapsulator does, and let me in on her journey to surrogacy.

Reminder: Respect for pregnancy and childbirth fall under the umbrella of respect for women and women's rights to decide what happens to our bodies. Whatever decision you make about your body is the right decision for you. Episodes like this serve to inform and share real experiences with a wider audience.

February was good to me! #TattoosForPlannedParenthood raised over $25,000, and shops across the country are following suit. The idea is to maintain this momentum in creative ways that engage my mind as well as the community's. If you're an Angeleno, don't forget to vote for Los Angeles Mayor in the primary elections on Tuesday, March 7th! Enjoy the episode!

With the impending deconstruction of Obamacare and the threats to defund Planned Parenthood, I thought it important to record an episode on reproductive rights. Sometimes I feel people (generally men) who haven't had to rely on Planned Parenthood, or Medicare, or who haven't felt the strain of a government hell bent on legislating women's bodies, it may be hard to empathize. I hope this episode helps those people understand this complex issue a little better, or at least encourages them to find compassion. When it comes to protecting reproductive rights, I am proud to call myself an angry feminist.

Nothing like the illusion of a fresh start, right? I'm kicking off 2017 with a solo, stream of consciousness episode that I recorded yesterday. It's from the heart and I hope you enjoy it. Tweet me your resolutions @thesleepybandit, and let's kick 2017's ass!

Is your money working for you? If you're anything like me, facing the complexities of a responsible financial life is daunting to say the least. It was embarrassing to admit I wasn't perfectly financially literate, or that I was still digging myself into debt. But in a capitalist society, where it's impossible to ignore the influence of money, we are the last group of people who should be squandering it without second thought. In this episode, I am joined by Jen Bailey and Carla Pineda, who work in the financial advising and investments industry and offer excellent advice on educating, motivating and planning for the future.

This week, I'm picking up the conversation about race with Noel Tarifi, Jasmine Samuels, and Courtney Linsey. In this half, we scratch the surface of media power, fear, the LGBT movement, and our individual responsibility in shifting a culture.

In times of great racial tension, we often feel hopeless. With recent events, it's obvious we are a far cry away from racial equality in our country. I decided at the very least, it was important to sit down with my Black brothers and sisters for a real conversation about race and class. I believe progress begins with addressing how much we still have to learn about one another, and how much there is to unlearn within our deeply-rooted socialized bias. Thank you to Noel Tarifi, Jasmine Samuels, and Courtney Linsey for lending your time and insight to this conversation. Look out for Part 2 of this episode in 2 weeks!