#### Body-positivity sure seems popular right now—but that conversation is often limited to celebrating _slightly_ larger bodies and _slightly_ broader sizing options. Our guest today challenges those ideas—ands helps us understand what _real_ liberation would look like.

[Sonalee Rashatwar](https://www.sonaleer.com/) is a fat, queer, non-binary therapist, community organizer, and donut queen based in Philly. Katel first found out about her as [@thefatsextherapist on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thefatsextherapist/), where she posts about body image, fat positivity, and delicious food.

> Pleasure is very virtuous. We need food pleasure and sexual pleasure to survive this capitalist nightmare. And it’s okay. I give you permission.

>

> **—Sonalee Rashatwar** , [The Fat Sex Therapist](https://www.instagram.com/thefatsextherapist/)

Sonalee provides counseling to people navigating sexual trauma, body image issues, racial or immigrant identity issues, and South Asian family systems, and she holds workshops on topics like unlearning body image issues.

**Follow Sonalee:**  [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thefatsextherapist/) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/sonaleer?lang=en)

We talk about:

- Reclaiming slurs that have been used against you—with a shout out to Jes Baker’s new book, [_Landwhale_](https://www.sealpress.com/titles/jes-baker/landwhale/9781580056816/)

- Being featured on _Breitbart_ for saying that “thinness is a white supremacist beauty ideal” while [speaking at the University of Vermont](https://www.facebook.com/events/examining-race-and-body-image/1887483811564940/)

- Expanding our idea of body image issues “beyond body size, eating disorders, and self esteem” using Megan J. Smith’s [Repeal Hyde Art Project](http://www.repealhydeartproject.org) as a parallel

- Decolonizing sex and pleasure

- Triaging trauma responses during this seemingly endless sexual-assault-filled news cycle

- Getting hyped about “boring self care”

#### Plus:

- Katel looks great in a $7 metallic jumpsuit

- Sara’s _done_ eating $14 airport chicken wraps

- 7–11 sells quinoa?

- It’s okay to skip the boozie slushies (unless that’s your jam—no judgement!)

## Sponsors

This episode of NYG is brought to you by:

[](https://www.shopify.com/careers)

_[Shopify](https://www.shopify.com/careers), a leading global commerce platform that’s building a world-class team to define the future of entrepreneurship. **Visit [shopify.com/careers](https://www.shopify.com/careers) for more.**_

[](https://www.getharvest.com/)