VIRGIN.BEAUTY.B!TCH

Bitch being used as an inspiration sounds counterintuitive, very contrary to how people have been conditioned to apply a word, which for centuries has been used as an insult keeping women in a subservient place in society. Jamie Louise Madigan became very familiar with the word Bitch after finding herself being used and abused in her intimate relationship. Jamie admits her good-girl, people-pleaser personality contributed to her being treated like a doormat by an abusive partner. Healing from her relationship introduced Jamie to poetry as a healing platform and Bitch as a healing companion. In our conversation, Jamie shares anecdotes on how she overcame the fear of asserting herself and the potential consequences of losing relationships or making others uncomfortable. She acknowledges the Bitch as a source that inspired her to operate with courage instead of fear and live authentically.  It’s a fascinating conversation that underscores the necessity of self-expression and authenticity in personal growth and a journey toward becoming more centered and confident without needing external validation, which exemplifies the liberating power of self-acceptance.

This is episode #One of the VBB Bitch Series. It begins with our conversation with Teacher, Life Coach, Speaker, and International bestselling Author of W.O.M.A.N.: A New Definition For Reclaiming The Feminine, Gina Cloud. Whether you like the word or not, Bitch is ubiquitous, timeless, and female-centric. For centuries to the present day, Bitch has been used to dehumanize women on the one hand, while on the other, Bitch has been an idolized symbol of woman’s emancipation.  Gina helps us unravel the contemporary and historical use of a word meant to marginalize women and how they can turn it into a tool for personal empowerment without giving in to rage or vengeance.  We explore how women can reclaim Bitch, embrace the essence of its power, use it to amplify their voice, and speak their truth with courage and integrity. We chose Gina to be on this journey because she walks her talk.

A Journey From Fear To Freedom. Lauren Wellbank is a courageous survivor who has successfully turned her harrowing near-death experience at the hands of a violent partner into a mission of hope and empowerment for others. After escaping her abusive relationship, Lauren realized the importance of sharing her story, knowing that 1 out of 4 women face similar situations, and many either don't survive or struggle to break free. Lauren openly discusses her frightening journey with the aim of inspiring and giving hope to women who haven't broken free and still feel trapped.  Her message illustrates that there is life beyond current circumstances. Lauren emphasizes empowerment through storytelling, the need to overcome fear and shame, and the importance of societal change to shift the blame onto abusers. She also highlights the significance of mental health support, raising awareness amongst children, and dispelling myths about women who find themselves in abusive relationships.

Sandy Phillips Kirkham shares her harrowing yet inspiring journey of overcoming abuse in a religious setting. Her book, "Let Me Prey Upon You: Breaking Free From A Minister's Sexual Abuse," sheds light on the devastating impact of clergy abuse and serves as a resource for education and support for others. Sandy's journey is a poignant testament to the often-downplayed reality that women and girls within the church can be easy prey for sexual predators disguised as priests. Her compelling story highlights the egregious abuse of power by church leaders and the victim-blaming that often follows. Sandy recounts her personal experience of being groomed, manipulated, and sexually exploited by her youth pastor and eventually being expelled from her church while her abuser moved on to another congregation. For years, Sandy grappled with the thought that the exploitation she endured was her fault. However, through tremendous personal growth and reflection, she came to recognize that she was deliberately targeted, groomed, and manipulated by her abuser, who sought only to use and control her. Sandy's experience underscores the critical need for awareness and support for all victims of abuse, challenging the stigmatization and silence that often surrounds clergy abuse.

Jamie Louise Madigan's book, "Lipstick Stains and Coffee Cups," is more than a collection of heart-wrenching poetry; it helped her exorcise painful memories of abuse and brings hope to women still lost or entangled in abusive relationships.  For Jamie, writing was the transformative process that allowed her to confront the stark realities of being abused, which, paradoxically, led to her nurturing a powerful sense of self-awareness and empowerment. Jamie's wish for her poems is they serve as both inspiration and a beacon of hope for women overwhelmed and trapped in abusive circumstances. Her journey illustrates how recognizing and articulating one's suffering can be an essential first step toward healing and liberation. Jamie's story is a testament to the resilience and strength of women worldwide who face similar challenges. We’re grateful for Jamie’s contribution to VBB's support of The United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

As part of our annual commitment in support of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, VBB continues to share personal stories that reveal the harsh realities of abuse but also the strength that comes from survivors. This week, we hear the inspiring and sobering narrative of special guest Sophia Diaz. Sophia is an indomitable spirit with a multifaceted global career, and also a woman who once faced a harrowing experience of betrayal, violence, and near death at the hands of the man sworn to love her and a judicial system that failed to protect her. Sophia's story is one of resilience, trust, and faith. We’re thrilled to bring you the wisdom and insights from International Entrepreneur, Recording Star, Author, and Film Producer Sophia Dias.

Lois Hollis is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist known for her work in the field of shame and guilt counseling. She specializes in helping individuals overcome the debilitating effects of shame and guilt, which often stem from childhood experiences, trauma, or societal expectations. Hollis’s approach to counseling emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of shame and guilt, as well as developing strategies for emotional healing and self-acceptance. Lois believes shame and guilt are pervasive energies that impact every aspect of a person’s life, from their relationships to their sense of self-worth. Through her counseling practice, workshops, and writings, Hollis offers up free tools and techniques for breaking free from the cycle of shame and guilt in a way that empowers individuals to live more fulfilling and authentic lives.

Rissa Miller is a fearless advocate for the term 'witch' and the longstanding stigma and fear around the word. We get into what qualifies a woman as a witch, and even though perceptions of a witch have evolved from the days when the Church condemned women for communing with devils to present-day pop culture where witches like Melisandre from "Game of Thrones, Wanda Maximoff as Marvel's Scarlet Witch, and Netflix Teenage Witch Sabrina are beautiful and powerful women.  While some people still hold onto outdated beliefs, Rissa believes society is catching up and evolving its understanding of what it means when women are okay with being called witches.

Is Self-Care Just Women Being Selfish?  Christina Marlett, BKin, BMT, believes you have the power to change the world, but first, you must address the fact that you need to take charge of your own life, starting with self-care that goes beyond bubble baths, chocolate, and wine. Christina is an International Speaker who has shared the stage with Michael Beckwith, Marci Shimoff, Lynne Twist, Ocean Robbins, and Jean Houston. She is also a #1 International Best-Selling Author, a Master Facilitator, a Certified Embodiment Coach, and the Founder of Courageous Self-Care. Christina teaches high-achieving leaders that self-care is not simply about luxurious acts of pampering but that it's a real necessity if you truly want to step into your greatness. Through her coaching, workshops, and online programs, Christina helps you revitalize your energy from the inside out so that you can be productive and peaceful at the same time. We talked to Christina about the importance of self-care and her new book, Not Your Mama's Self-Care Guide (cause she probably had none, so you should read this). In it, you'll learn the top mistakes intelligent women make with self-care. You'll also discover why courage is a useful barometer for self-care. As the book title suggests, Christina makes self-care fun and accessible so that you can be productive and peaceful at the same time.

We learn very young about beauty as a commodity, how beauty has become women’s gilded cage in society, how beauty is a weapon women use to compete with one another for economic or professional status, and how young women feel pushed to manipulate beauty to win love or affection. We learn how beauty is fleeting and cruel, especially to women, and the inevitability of aging only makes women more vulnerable and desperate to invest eternally in cosmetics, surgeries, weight programs, or anything that promises to preserve Beauty. In this episode, Christopher and Heather take a step back to ask the most important question to women: What is Beauty to You?