Naked Beauty

You may not know her name, but you've seen Zerina Akers' work. The Emmy Award-winning costume designer and celebrity stylist is best known for her work on Beyoncé's Black Is King. In this conversation, Zerina takes us back to her roots. She remembers growing up between her aunt's strict professionalism and her Panamanian grandmother's early beauty lessons. She shares what interning in the fashion closet taught her about hierarchy, hustle, and never looking idle. She also gives an honest breakdown of how stylists get paid. Brand deals, the emotional labor, and the weeks of unpaid prep behind a single red carpet look may surprise you.

Zerina is also candid about her own style evolution at 40, including a closet that suddenly feels outdated, a changing body, and the search for a silhouette that feels powerful. She shares her wardrobe organizing system, her ruthless twice-a-year purge, and why she believes in investing in designer pieces with resale value over fast fashion. She also gets personal about her wellness routine, her skincare staples, her ancestral prayer practice, and how she protects her energy.

(2:52) The red dress that started it all

(4:13) Beauty lessons from her aunt and Panamanian grandmother

(7:09) Self care when your job is serving others

(8:50) Interning in the W Magazine fashion closet

(14:12) How a celebrity stylist organizes her closet

(17:43) June Ambrose, Missy Elliott and Megan Thee Stallion's "Hiss"

(21:09) Styling Chaka Khan

(22:40) LA style vs New York style

(26:07) How to find your signature style

(28:37) Closet purge and buying designer to resell

(35:02) Tailoring and the details that elevate a look

(38:55) Style at 40 and an outdated closet

(43:38) Behind the looks of Beyoncé's Black Is King

(48:36) Why music videos outlast the red carpet

(51:37) How celebrity stylists get paid

(56:53) The emotional labor of styling

(1:01:03) Wellness, fitness and meal prep

(1:05:27) Zerina's skincare routine

(1:11:28) Prayer, protecting your energy and "I never say no"

(1:15:04) When Zerina feels most beautiful

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Follow Zerina: @zerinaakers

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Blakely Thornton is an original. A self-described Pop Culture Anthropologist and Out 100 Honoree, Blakely has built a digital career that uniquely spans comedy, entertainment, and style. On social media, fans flock to him for his honest, no-holds-barred commentary on their favorite topics. Others tune into Yestergays to hear him and his podcast co-host critique fashion and celebrity culture with his signature wit. Celebrities are smitten with him, often tickled by their engagements at red carpet events like the Met Gala and ultra-exclusive gyms. This very public, creative life wasn't what Blakely imagined for himself as an athletic kid growing up in Dallas, Texas. Blakely was a closeted football player at UPenn, majoring in finance and hoping to follow in his parents' footsteps into a respectable, stable career. Headed towards a traditionally corporate career, Blakely worked at Ralph Lauren and pursued the corporate finance life until he didn’t.

Eventually, Blakely decided that he wouldn’t spend another twenty years as anything other than his full self, and it has paid off. Instead of trying to find ways to inject creativity into a 9-5, Blakely leverages his taste and honesty into a living. During our conversation, we cover everything pop culture, from GLP1s to what makes an It Girl to how much attention Zendaya is actually generating for films and fashion houses. We cover the other side of being very popular online, like the mean comments on Reddit, being seen only as a product, and being expected to carry the emotional weight of a fanbase. Blakely is open about the mental and emotional safeguards he needs to manage the opinions of hundreds of thousands of fans, and why he turns to working out to maintain his peace of mind. We also chat about misogynistic beauty standards, how he makes friends with so many celebrities, and why Heated Rivalry was so impactful.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Blakely

(3:30) The Met Gala Experience

(5:45) Growing Up in Dallas

(7:40) The Trauma of Predominantly White Prep Schools

(16:25) Coming Out As An Adult

(17:15) Heated Rivalry’s Impact

(21:30) America’s Obsession With Beauty Standards

(32:55) Gay Beauty Standards

(43:15) What Makes Someone an It Girl or It Boy

(51:00) The Beauty of Tactile References

(53:20) Pop Culture Lightning Round

(1:02:50) When He Feels The Most Beautiful

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Ashley Zsaton, DNP, ACNP-AG, learned about hair politics early. Growing up biracial in Milwaukee, she wasn’t always accepted for wearing her natural curls. Her search to understand what people meant by "good" and "bad" hair led her to become a board-certified nurse practitioner and hair loss specialist. As co-founder of the Hollywood Hair Institute, California’s preeminent hair transplant & aesthetic treatment center, Dr. Zsaton established herself as a leading hair restoration specialist and trichologist. Her medical background also includes supporting patients in critical conditions in the ICU and in ophthalmology, where her research led to the national publication of a school-based vision screening program. But before she began her medical career, she was trying to develop a healthy relationship with her own hair. A move to the Dominican Republic opened her eyes to the incredible beauty and versatility of naturally curly hair.

In the Dominican Republic, Dr. Zsaton was exposed to a country filled with curly hair styled and cared for in all manner of styles. She brought this newfound passion for hair back to the States, and when she decided to pursue a career in medicine, her husband encouraged her to follow her interest in scalp care towards medical aesthetics. Fast forward to now, and Dr. Zsaton is changing lives by helping people access the hair restoration treatments that are best for them. During our conversation, we discussed every hair restoration treatment from PRP to Follicular Unit Extraction to Minoxidil. Dr. Zsaton walked us through what a good surgical candidate profile looks like, and which alternatives may be a better fit for her patients. In fact, Brooke walked us through the exact routine Dr. Zsaton prepared for her and detailed how effective each product has been in growing her hair. Dr. Zsaton doesn’t hold back when it comes to telling us which hairstyles may be causing the most damage, for men and women, and which products aren’t doing anything helpful at all. She gives us a peek into the aesthetic innovations she’s explored in Turkey and Korea that she’d like to offer her patients here in the States. Dr. Zsaton offered an unfiltered, honest look at the limits and possibilities of hair restoration.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Ashley Zsaton, DNP, ACNP-AG

(1:45) Scalp Care's Rising Popularity

(3:00) How Good Hair vs. Bad Hair Conversations Impacted Her

(3:30) Her Hair Health Journey

(3:45) How the Dominican Republic Inspired Her Natural Hair Journey

(4:00) What Inspired Her Medical Career

(5:40) Defining Hair Terminology

(8:30) Which Hairstyles May Cause Hair Loss

(9:00) What To Do When Your Braids Are Too Tight

(11:40) Differences In Types of Hair Transplants

(15:00) Determining Hair Transplant Candidacy

(17:10) How Iron Impacts Hair Thickness

(19:25) Determining PRP Candidacy

(22:25) Why Minoxidil Is Underrated

(24:00) Why Ashley Hates Biotin

(25:25) Hair Loss Starts Earlier Than We Think

(27:24) Which Hair Conditions Cannot Be Fixed

(30:20) Tips For Men With Hairline Concerns

(32:00) Brooke's Full Hair Restoration Protocol

(39:30) Why Keratin Treatments Can Be A Good Solution

(43:43) Aesthetic Innovations in Turkey & Korea

(47:15) Ashley's Haircare Regimen

(49:40) Caring For Healthy Bleached Hair

(52:00) When Ashley Feels the Most Beautiful

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Follow Ashley @ashleyzsatondnp

Products Mentioned:

Cécred Hair Reconstructing Treatment Mask

Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner

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KJ Dillard is the definition of a multi-hyphenate. Before he became a Summer House fan favorite, KJ was a professional skateboarder, genre-defying musician, and model. How has he managed to achieve all of these dreams so fervently? He won’t allow anyone to put him in a box. Growing up in Kansas and Arizona, KJ learned early on how to adapt to different circumstances. Initially, he was part of a well-to-do community, but his parents' divorce shifted everything, and he soon found himself in an entirely new world. KJ leaned into his interests and started a band with friends from church, where he rapped and sang as their frontman. He also began to take skateboarding seriously, even though it wasn't very popular. KJ became engrossed in skate culture, obsessing over its rebellious nature and style. His interest blossomed into a nearly ten-year career as a professional skateboarder, during which he inadvertently invented a never-before-seen trick and attracted the attention of the entire skating community. Like that accidentally career-defining moment, KJ seems destined for greatness, no matter the medium.

As the first Black male Summer House castmate, KJ had to learn to navigate the new world of reality television with millions of eyes watching. Ever graceful, he’s taking the lessons and carrying them into another season. In our conversation, we talk about what it means to give yourself grace when you live and date in the public eye, and how he manages the pressure of being “the first.” KJ models the kind of transparency he hopes inspires other men to open up and share more deeply about what they’re feeling. He opened up about his childhood experiences with living with undiagnosed ADHD and having to live with his grandmother. KJ shares that his love for skateboarding has never left him and now serves as a space for self-care. We also cover his return to music and how excited he is to try a new genre and sound. As is his nature, KJ is turning back to the creative outlets that brought him joy as a kid, except now he’s sharing them with the world.

Tune in as we discuss:

0:00 Welcome KJ

4:05 Preparing For The Spotlight

5:00 Growing Up In Arizona and Kansas

5:25 How His Parents' Divorce Changed Their Lives

6:25 His Early ADHD Symptoms

7:25 KJ’s Relationship With His Grandmother

8:10 Comparing His Life To His Cousins

9:35 Why He Chases Success

10:00 KJ’s Introduction To Skateboard Culture

11:50 The 90s Black Skateboarders Who Inspired Him

12:45 Unspoken Skateboard Rules 

13:30 His Favorite Skateboard Looks

15:50 Iconic Skateboard Brands

17:45 Accidentally Inventing A Skateboard Trick

20:25 Navigating Reality Television

23:15 His Awkward Tyler The Creator Meetup

30:00 Pre-Public Appearance Prep

30:45 Why KJ Gatekeeps Some Things

31:50 His Signature Look

33:45 When He Became Interested In Music

39:15 Microagressions In The Fashion Industry

40:12 Dating In The Public Eye

41:25 What He’s Learning About Himself    

42:20 Emotional Vulnerability Among Friends

43:55 KJ’s Self-Care Routine

45:45 When He Feels The Most Beautiful

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Follow KJ @kellyjustindillard

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Tabitha Brown was destined for greatness. Her natural ability to connect with people, paired with her professional training as an actress, only strengthened her self-belief. A viral video catapulted her onto the screens and into the lives of millions of people worldwide, cementing what she always knew would happen. Since then, Tabitha has become a two-time Emmy Award-winning host, four-time bestselling author, children’s entertainment creator, multi-NAACP award winner, and serial entrepreneur across beauty, food, haircare, and fragrance verticals. Before her rise to fame, Tabitha was hustling in L.A., building connections and a portfolio of work in pursuit of her acting career. She came from North Carolina with a dream and a supportive family, determined to build the life God had promised her. Along the way, divinely aligned opportunities charted a path toward the success she knew she was destined to have and capable of maintaining. 

During our conversation, we discussed the importance of strong faith and a strong work ethic. Tabitha explained that she decided she wouldn’t just have a viral moment, but would build on her skills and experience to create a sustainable career. She walked us through her decision to move to L.A. twice, both times to pursue her creative dreams, and how she prepared for success while doing so. We dove deep into her business acumen and how she's found success across many industries while staying true to her vision and sense of purpose. She shared her entire hair journey, the many big chops, working with her husband, and how to handle online negativity. When Tabitha says, everything must be aligned, she means it. Every aspect of her business reflects who she is and what she loves; whether that’s her commitment to a vegan lifestyle, her love of children, or her lifelong love of haircare. Tabitha gave us full access to the dietary, beauty, and haircare choices that make up the woman we all admire.

Tune in as we discuss:

(00:00) Welcome Tabitha

(02:35) Why Relaxed Hair Seemed Necessary Before The 00s

(03:35) Age-Appropriate Hairstyles

(06:00) On Chasing Her Dreams In L.A. Twice

(10:15) The Sign From God That Reinvigorated Her Creative Dreams

(13:15) Why Even "Natural" Talents Must Study Their Craft

(16:20) How Tabitha Leveraged Her Virality Into A Sustainable Career

(20:45) Managing Online Backlash

(22:30) Her Natural Hair Journey From 1998 To Now

(26:30) How Being Vegan Impacts Her Hair Health

(29:15) Tab's Favorite Donna's Hair Recipe Products

(36:30) Balancing Partnership In Marriage & Business

(38:25) What Building A Fragrance Is Like

(43:00) Why Scheduling Breaks & Vacations Are Non-Negotiable

(45:40) Her Skincare Routine

(46:50) Her Makeup Routine

(50:00) When She Feels The Most Beautiful

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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Tabitha @iamtabithabrown

Products Mentioned:

FENTY BEAUTY Cheeks Out Blush

FENTY BEAUTY Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Shampoo

Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Conditioner

Donna’s Recipe Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Leave-In Conditioner

Donna’s Recipe Strength Oil

Donna’s Recipe Biotin Hair Vitamin Gummies

Donna’s Recipe Whipped Vanilla Cream Curl Enhancing Gel

Donna’s Recipe Whipped Vanilla Cream Curl Defining Mousse

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While the beauty industry has made some progress in terms of authenticity and acceptance, discourse around cosmetic filler still doesn’t feel completely free of judgment. Which is why this episode with cosmetic skin doctor Dr. Ewoma Ukeleghe feels so incredibly important. Not only do we delve into what to look for before starting fillers or botox, but Dr. Ewoma breaks down exactly - and I mean exactly - what she does to her own face to achieve a stunning “natural glam” look. Tune in for her radical transparency on filler, the U.K. 's extremely liberal qualifications for cosmetic injectors, upcoming beauty trends and so much more. 

Links to Products/Resources Mentioned: Klur Symmetry Fluid, Beauty of Joseon, Isntree Watery Sunscreen, Shiseido Skin Filler Serums, Obagi Acne Toner

Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet 

Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic

Rate, Subscribe & Review the Podcast on Apple 

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you’re listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :) 

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Dr. Ewoma: @drewomaukeleghe

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Before she became Lady London, Zaire Stewart was a fly toddler exploring New York City’s unique beauty culture. At just three years old, she was being carted to Dominican hair salons, getting her hair washed and pressed by the same women she still visits today. Her mother kept her dapper in DKNY and Moschino as they traveled between the Bronx and New Jersey. Greatly influenced by the beauty and brilliance of the women in her family, an aunt with an interest in global politics and anti-apartheid messaging recommended her name; it’s no wonder Lady London is such a cultural force. In 2018, Lady London developed an interest in music, built on a foundational love of literature from childhood to college. Lady London joined Naked Beauty to talk about how she discovered she had presence and how she wielded it into a nearly decade-long career and fanbase of more than a million people.

During our conversation, we talked about how she learned to maintain her composure as a public figure and how her confidence can’t be shaken by industry execs or online trolls. Lady London shares that her confidence was well earned, as it took her some time to accept that she could be beautiful and smart without downplaying one or the other. We get some tips on how to model that self-assurance during the Show & Tell portion of the show, when Lady London demonstrates how not to be baited. Of course, we learn all about her beauty rituals, tips, and favorite perfumes. We got other advice from Lady London, including how she mentors women coming into the industry behind her, and what she’s learned from the hip-hop legend pouring into her. Lady London is a creative force, poet, rapper, executive producer, mentor, and hobby enthusiast. As we learn in this interview, with Lady London, there is always more than meets the eye.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Lady London

(2:20) Growing Up Nerdy In The Bronx and New Jersey

(3:25) Her Early Style Icons

(4:20) New York Beauty Culture

(6:45) Growing Into Beauty

(8:55) Discovering That She Had Presence

(12:35) Show & Tell: Tips For Not Being Baited

(20:10) Her Beauty Routine

(21:15) Getting Protein As A Pescatarian

(24:30) Makeup Routine

(26:20) Hair Care & Health

(31:15) Rejecting Male Perspectives On Beauty

(34:45) Female Rap Friendships

(36:25) Her Approach To Mentorship

(38:20) Committing To Perseverance

(42:30) Self-Care Practices

(44:45) What's On The Horizon

(45:20) When Lady London Feels The Most Beautiful

Shop K18 Future IQ at Sephora or get 10% off your first purchase at K18hair.com with code BROOKE.

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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Lady London @ladylondon

Products Mentioned:

Bio-Oil

Bond No. 9 New York Fragrance Tasting Collection

Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity

Mind Games Perfumer Extraordinaire Discovery Set

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In the second half of my conversation with  Kevin "KevOnStage" and Melissa Fredericks, we talk about all the ways they take care of themselves and one another. We cover therapy and how a combination of individual and couples therapy has helped them thrive in this season of their marriage. Before the pair were beloved by millions, they were a young couple searching for good marriage advice. They took what they learned and shared it with other couples during local gatherings at a BBQ joint, hoping they would all stay together. Their approach to learning and teaching out loud has only grown as they share this information on their own podcasts, a New York Times best-selling book, and here on Naked Beauty.

During our conversation, we discuss how the pair manages to be open with their audiences while also setting firm boundaries. Kev and Melissa also open up about how they push one another to be their best selves, and explain why they’ll never be the other’s “yes man.” While talking about grieving his brother, Kev revealed that it was Melissa who pushed him to work through his grief onstage and using comedy. Melissa was sure that he could challenge his art and build something beautiful, and given the positive reception to his shows, she was absolutely right. 

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Kev and Melissa

(1:05) Kev’s Skincare Routine

(3:45) Melissa’s Skincare Routine

(5:15) Melissa’s Monthly Facial Routine

(6:25) Why It’s Important To Discuss Their Relationship Publicly

(8:05) Setting Boundaries With The Public

(10:00) What Role Therapy Has Played In Their Lives

(12:00) On Choosing A Marriage Therapist

(17:30) Managing Grief Through Comedy

(20:05) How Melissa’s Support Influences Kev’s Comedy

(24:55) How They Practice Self-Care

(27:30) Melissa Rediscovering Literature

(29:50) When Does The Couple Feel Most Beautiful

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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Kev @kevonstage

Follow Melissa @mrskevonstage 

Products:

Dove Soap

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum

Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum

Kennedy Ryan Novels

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   Kevin "KevOnStage" and Melissa Fredericks are the hardest-working couple in independent media. The pair has turned their natural humor and 20+ years of partnership and parenting into a creative empire. Military brats who spent their childhoods traveling the globe, the pair met in high school and quickly became friends. Both athletic and churchy, with a special love for FUBU, Kev and Melissa began dating and never looked back. Kev and Melissa joined Naked Beauty to talk about their early connection and how it has grown into the partnership loved by their audience of millions. During our conversation, we talked about what moving around so much taught them about adaptability and how it prepared them for the flexible creative careers they have now. We dived deep into 90s style, and what they remember most about their high school selves.  

No conversation with the Fredericks would be complete without hearing them discuss their process for chasing their ambitions across the country. Trading in a stable life and career for an uncertain future is no easy task, but the pair reminds us that there is no reward without risk. Kev and Melissa walk us through the details of their journey to Los Angeles and how they decided together when and how to make the cross-country move. Clearly that choice was the correct one as they’ve built television shows, a media app, joint and separate podcasts, and creative content that is always flowing. We cover the most surprising accomplishments and how they celebrate every single win, despite their busy schedules. We even played a fun game of “guess that beauty product,” and learned that Kevin definitely pays attention to Melissa’s makeup routine. Kev and Melissa are incredibly funny and talented individuals, but together, they are powerful.

Tune in as we discuss:

(0:00) Welcome Kev and Melissa

(2:10) Growing Up Military Brats

(2:45) What Moving Around Taught Them About Adaptability

(4:40) Did They Feel Beautiful Growing Up

(6:40) Beauty Diversity In The 90s

(7:20) High School Sweetheart Style

(9:15) Melissa's Nostalgic Hairstyles

(10:20) Individual Style Metamorphosis

(12:50) What Attracted Them To One Another

(15:55) Making The Decision To Chase Their Dreams In L.A.

(20:10) The Accomplishments That Most Surprised Kevin

(22:35) Melissa's Accidental Influencer Path

(26:04) Celebrating Every Single Win

(28:45) The Benefits Of Not Being Recognized In L.A.

(32:30) Why Red Carpet Posing Is A Skill

(36:55) Show & Tell: Beauty Product Guessing Game

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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

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Shop My Favorite Products & Pod Discounts on my ShopMyShelf

Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Kev @kevonstage

Follow Melissa @mrskevonstage

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Shan Boodram is a certified sex educator, board-certified sexologist, and the leading figure in a new kind of sexual education. Wielding an MS in Psychology and a longstanding curiosity, Shan helps people move towards greater intimacy between their partners and themselves. Born and raised in a predominantly white neighborhood in Canada, Shan’s initially poor experiences with sex led her to educate herself on how to prevent these kinds of experiences from occurring again. She built on this curiosity and self-education with professional training and a growing desire to build a new kind of sex ed. Shan joined Naked Beauty with her usual candor, granting us access to her personal experiences with desire, intimacy, sex, and pleasure. During our conversation, Shan made it clear that her goal isn’t just to get people talking about sex, but to take back their power from dominant narratives about sexual development and education to empower ourselves.

Shan walks us through how her loving relationship with her husband exposed her to unconditional love she didn’t realize she was missing. She offers couples tips on how to have a fruitful sex life while managing the responsibilities of long-term partnership, parenting, and the daily drudgery of life. We covered the more unpleasant side of relationships, like how couples can move away from resentment and towards repair. Shan also provided us with specific examples that we can employ immediately to have better sex with ourselves and our partners. Shan even offered a live demonstration of her favorite sex positions and toys that are sure to please. 

(0:00) Welcome Shan

(3:55) Navigating Beauty In Predominantly White Spaces

(6:55) Novels That Shaped Her Early Understanding Of Intimacy And Sex

(12:40) Masturbation & Self-Pleasure

(18:25) Her Favorite Sex Toys

(23:50) Tapping Back Into Self-Intimacy

(33:20) Shan's Pre-Intimacy Ritual

(40:00) Incompatible Sex Drives In Relationships

(41:25) Managing Her Shifting Sex Drive During Pregnancy

(42:50) Conversations Couples Should Have About Sex

(45:25) Moving From Resentment To Repair

(48:20) Lightning Round: Easy Sexual Upgrades

(54:25) Show & Tell: Sexual Positions Demonstration

(01:05:57) When Shan Feels The Most Beautiful

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Join the Naked Beauty Community on IG: @nakedbeautyplanet

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening @nakedbeautyplanet & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

Check out nakedbeautypodcast.com for all previous episodes & search episodes by topic

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Stay in touch with me: @brookedevard

Follow Shan @shanboody

Products Mentioned:

Dr. Poucher All Over Balm

FENTY Beauty Hydra Vizor Sunscreen

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