In this episode, Elisha sits down with Musical Theatre performer and teacher Jon Clayton on a mission to uncover his passion for teaching and nurturing future performers, no matter their age or skill level. Jon talks about his belief that teachers are undervalued, especially in career terms in the performing arts industry as well as his work in Cats and his tips for young performers. They also discuss the issue of transparency of the audition process and what he believes can be done to address this. 

This episode takes a deep and reflective look at 2024 research by teams at UC Berkeley Public Heath on menstrual products, depicting how commonly used menstrual products for women globally have been found to contain traces of arsenic, lead, cadmium and other harmful materials.

Elisha talks about this research and the notion that this would have not happened, or at least come to light earlier if this was a men’s health product, as well as her deep rooted belief that women have been lied to on menstrual products. She also discusses other options for women aside from tampons, as well as touching on best practice across the board. She also takes questions from Sarah-Louise, Tara and Gemma on contraception, endometriosis and menstrual products based on our recent Instagram poll.

Research credited: https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/news-media/research-highlights/first-study-to-measure-toxic-metals-in-tampons-shows-arsenic-and-lead

This episode does not constitute medical advice and you should consult a professional before making changes to your healthcare, including the products you use.

In this podcast, Elisha discusses all things contraception and continues from last week’s episode, including IUD, Combined Pills, Emergency Contraception as well as implants. She also talks about menstrual products and how recent tests found some had substantial amounts of harmful chemicals in them. She also takes your questions, so continue to send them in. The information/advice in this episode does not constitute medical advice and for the right healthcare options for you, you should contact a healthcare professional. 

“If a man had this problem, it would surely be fixed”

Elisha talks all thing healthcare in this episode, discussing how discrimination persists and how often women are ignored and dismissed when seeking medical attention, talking her about her experiences not being listened to in regards to her POTS, PCOS and Endometriosis in the UK healthcare system. She unpicks the need for further expansion of self-referral of many women’s health services, arguing many GPs simply decline referral due to misogyny and a failure to listen. She also takes your questions on women’s healthcare, with more questions answered in further episodes, so keep sending them in!

Get in contact with your thoughts, questions and comments about this episode as well as questions for future episodes.

Instagram: @thebeautyinbeingreal

Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

In this episode, Elisha dives in and shares her tips, experience and best practice working as a choreographer in the performing arts industry, as well as the audition and rehersal process. She takes questions from Gabby-Lee and Kathleen on starting out and improving their choreography, as well as speaking to cast members of the recent performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Lighthouse Theatre Poole, which she featured as an ensemble dancer, to discuss their best parts and how they made their characters come to life! It’s a must-listen episode for all aspiring choreographers and performers.

Get in contact with your thoughts, questions and comments about this episode as well as questions for future episodes.

Instagram: @thebeautyinbeingreal

Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

This episode marks a different tone for The Beauty In Being Real, exploring what the new Labour government of the UK means for all us us, taking a specific focus on women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Elisha is joined by producer George, to unpick new Labour policies in regard to Domestic Violence, Single-Sex Spaces, Conversion Therapy and the worrying rollback of trans rights. They also discuss the harassment of female MPs and candidates, in what has been described as one of the scariest elections to participate in.

Sources Credited: 2024 Labour Manifesto; ONS Employment Data 2023

Get in contact with your thoughts, questions and comments about this episode as well as questions for future episodes.

Instagram: @thebeautyinbeingreal

Email: ⁠[email protected]

Welcome to your preview of the Beauty In Being Real...

The Beauty in Being Real is your chance to pursue self-love, self-improvement and become a higher person, one change at a time. Hosted by dancer and activist Elisha Smith, currently on her journey to become a professional dancer, she talks all thing Relationships, Inner Beauty and Navigating Today’s Society, including the political environment, personal finance and healthy eating. As a dancer, she also explores the issues in the performing arts industry that permeate most, including discrimination, Equity and mental health as well as speaking with guests inside and outside of the industry!

Elisha sits down with Editor George in this episode to talk all things veganism, vegetarianism and plant-based diets and the merits of such, in regard to the environment, health and animal cruelty. They talk about the trade-offs between the cost of living and more expensive vegan options as well as organic food, and the relationship with veganism and eating disorders. They touch on personal experience from Elisha living as a vegetarian, material from advocacy group the Vegan Society as well as empirical studies from Tobias-Mamina and Maziriri (2021), Shafie and Rennie (2012) and Dean et al. (2008).

This episode touches on animal cruelty and disordered eating so may not be suitable for all.

Get in contact with your thoughts, questions and comments about this episode as well as questions for future episodes.

Instagram: @thebeautyinbeingreal

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Elisha is joined by editor George to talk with local reporter Thomas Hanway, based in Worthing about his work as a local journalist, talking about the decline of local reporting as well as his views on the political environment. They touch on issues of culture wars, abortion in light of the Roe vs. Wade reversal as well as the cost of living and views on the present Conservative government (2019-2024). This episode was recorded in August 2023 and so the content may not reflect the recent political environment but it does shed a light on issues often not discussed so we thought it was worth sharing.

Thanks for all of your recent support and engagement, we really do appreciate it. A reminder to reach out via instagram and email, with your questions you want to hear answered as well as your thoughts on the content discussed in this episode.

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thebeautyinbeingreal

In this episode, Elisha takes YOUR questions on everything from relationships, griefs, current and future life plans, what's coming up on this season, eating disorders and much more. A big thanks to everyone who emailed/DM'ed their questions in, and keep them coming, with future episodes taking your questions too!

Email: [email protected]

Instagram @thebeautyinbeingreal