Is there such thing as "instant connections"? Or do genuine connections take time and effort? This short episode explores the connections between two friends living across continents, twin sisters, and high school sweethearts.

*This podcast was produced in 24 hours for a project.

Join me with award winning photographer, Adriana Arguijo Guttierez, as we discuss identity and art. We talk about all aspects of their identity, being queer, and culture. Plus, hear how they started their photography business and why diversity behind the camera is so important. 

On the last part of my sexuality series, Dom and I jump into gender identity, expression, and masculinity. Dom discusses and deconstructs the gendering of clothing for himself and tells the story of his first time buying and wearing a dress in public and what that felt like for him. Challenging the norm is hard and Dom's dream to work in politics is often something he thinks about before posting pictures of himself in a dress. But, thanks to supportive friends and inspiration from artists like Harry Styles, Dom is confident in his ability to be true to himself. 

Continuing on from Part One: Discovering Sexuality, join Madison and I as we talk about internalizing sexuality and what that looked like for us. Madison has been in a committed relationship with her partner for almost five years, and both she and her partner have made monumental discoveries in both their sexualities and gender identities over the last several months. Madison explains what these shifts look like in her relationship and how she has been navigating her own identity while also continuing to be a supportive partner. We also discuss bi-phobia, how you can't always see someone's sexuality or gender identity, and how using labels can be both helpful and hurtful. 

Join Sophie and I as we talk about discovering our sexuality and what sexuality means to us. While the road can be long, bumpy, and stressful, the road can also be beautiful and empowering. We discuss our first realizations, first kisses, and how having supportive friends helped us get to where we are today. The journey to feeling comfortable with your sexuality is something that takes time, and as we discuss our sexuality timeline, we want to clarify that ultimately there is no rush and that everyone's road looks different. 

Join Nevaeh, Safa, and I as we discuss how we were able to find the clothes and fashion styles that we feel comfortable in. We touch upon fast fashion, inspiration from TV shows, and the freedom to express yourself.  We also talk about what we see in fashion media and how that influences our sense of belonging and understanding of style. 

Join me with Safa and Nevaeh as we talk about balancing being an activist and mental health. We reference the 'Social Change Ecosystem' mapped out by Deepa Iyer, a South Asian American writer, lawyer, and racial justice advocate. We highly recommend checking out the map as it helps to clarify and establish your own role in the process of social change. Unfiltered and unapologetic, Safa, Nevaeh, and I share our personal stories and hope to inspire others to stand up for what is right. 

Kaylene and I want to talk about hook up culture. We share some of our experiences, some helpful tips, and the things that hook ups have taught us about ourselves. We tackle sexual liberation and the freedom to (safely) explore yourself and others. 

I want to talk about cults today, how they get even the “smartest” people to join, the signs to look for, and how to get out once you’re in. I recently got out of a cult like group in the Fall of 2019 and it was definitely a crazy experience. Thankfully, I stuck to my beliefs though and made the choice to leave before it was too late. *I am not an expert on cult studies and I am not discrediting or attacking any specific group, religion, or organization. This is put together from my own research and experience. 

Let's talk about COVID-19. This has been difficult to talk about for a while now because like many others,  this has been a time of feeling anxious, frustrated, and confused making it hard to be productive or able to focus. I hope to provide some helpful tips and support by sharing what I've been doing during social distancing. We will all get through this together.