Cat and I discuss the body positivity movement and how our weight-obsessed culture discriminates against overweight individuals. Cat shares her personal experience being a plus-sized woman and the discrimination she has faced within the healthcare sector with her doctors and in her personal life in the dating world. We chat about the importance of mental health on overall well-being in addition to the social determinants of health that impact a person's weight. Other topics include studies contradicting the medical advice we get, the obesity epidemic, being raised and socialized to hate your body, and have expectations set for what a man wants, beauty standards of today and some resources that shed light on the topic. Cat also shares her admiration for the influencers who are working tirelessly to challenge the norms of what a beautiful body should look like by posting nude and boudoir pictures on social media. The message remains that we must fight the stigma and should see more diverse bodies in the media and have more conversations like these.

Referenced Resources:

Book: XXL: Obesity and the Limits of Shame by Patrick Luciani

Song: Video by India Arie

Book and Facebook Page by the name: The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Influencer Gabi Fresh

Ted Talk: Enough with the fear of fat - Kelli Jean Drinkwater

Mike shares his extensive experience on the subject of dating but most importantly reflections on connecting online and in-person, subjective realities of potential partners, social skills, people skills. We also delve into referencing an SNL sketch titled: Girl at a Bar, tolerable flaws, authenticity, the magical spark, and how Drake wants his partners to reply back immediately after his text.

Mike and I discuss our “origin stories” as Mike likes to put it in addition to several tangents including but not limited to: ethnicity, food, moving 18-22 times in our lives, self-sufficiency and independence, making friends, identity and belonging, culture and family earning our respect, what makes our culture, and last but not least, eating egg embryos. You’re welcome.

Maria and I talk about our own experiences relating to emotional intelligence and awareness of certain social skills both in ourselves and in others. In addition to reminding ourselves that we’ll be dead soon, so cheer up love! We’re all gonna die anyway.

Mike and I discuss the concept of Ghosting and common relationship problems and scenarios. Topics include the chase, moral high ground and finding meaning and purpose to combat the pain of exclusion.

Andrew (who describes himself as 537 years old) and I discuss our experience with manners, being considerate, current infuriating trends, and how we can become more conscious and considerate to others around us.

An actual movie review (spoiler alert) of Todd Phillip’s movie Joker and other takes on the famous character’s various interpretations in the media. Mike, Ahsan, and I share our insights into what makes the Joker so popular as a character and how the new movie could have stayed true to the Batman universe. Also included: The Simpsons references, Jeff Bezos and Lex Luther and the iron man suit, amazon, Musk, going to space, and our favourite Batman.

Mike and I delve into the political correctness culture as we discuss activism, cancel culture, being a good person, and language shaping our behaviours, among other things. Comedian that was mentioned on disability activism was the late Stella Young (RIP).

Mike and I discuss the movie Joker in addition to the stigma of not talking or wanting to talk about mental illness. We delve into topics like how to have an intelligent conversation or disagreement, thinking, male vulnerability, inauthenticity, and challenging our values and internal bias.