In this episode, we sit down with the one and only Rew Starr—musician, artist, talk show host, and all-around NYC legend. Crowned Miss Underground NYC and called a “firebrand” by The New York Times, Rew is a force of nature who has spent her career amplifying voices, building community, and keeping the rebellious spirit of art alive.

From hosting ‘ReW & WhO?’, a talk show celebrating underground talent, to launching ‘renegade rewandwho’ during the pandemic as a space for connection and creativity, Rew has never stopped creating platforms for artists to shine. She’s also an incredible visual artist, turning quarantine into a creative revolution with her daily drawings—an artistic time capsule of resilience that even earned her an award for mental health advocacy.

Rew is an FCW because she lives and breathes the values of Respect, Encourage, and Celebrate. She doesn’t just make art—she creates community, empowers other artists, and fearlessly challenges the norm.

She reminds us that creativity isn’t just about expression—it’s about survival, connection, and staying unapologetically true to yourself.

Links for Rew

• http://luvrew.com
• http://linkedin.com/in/rewandwho
• https://www.facebook.com/rew.starr

Support the FCW Podcast:If you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

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• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

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• Website: www.FCWSociety.com

Sharokin BetGevargiz, known spiritually as “Ishtaro,” is an author, artist, ceremonialist, teacher, and shamanic practitioner whose work bridges ancient wisdom with modern healing. An Assyrian born in Iran, she draws from her heritage as a descendant of Indigenous people who survived genocide—blending resilience with sacred practices to empower deep transformation.

Sharokin spent over a decade as a university professor, teaching design and user experience mapping—expertise she now channels into guiding clients through pivotal life transitions and helping them align with their highest good.

A graduate of the Light Body School of Energy Medicine under Alberto Villoldo, she integrates shamanic traditions with contemporary modalities to support the release of trauma and the reconnection to one’s inner beloved. Her work cultivates self-love and creates new neural pathways through movement and gratitude.

Reviving lost Mesopotamian traditions, Sharokin offers spiritually curious clients tools to navigate today’s fast-paced, anxiety-driven world. She is currently documenting her mother’s legacy of resilience and creativity through a biography and memoir. As the founder of Whirling Shaman, she inspires others to embrace the sacred feminine and fully step into their unique journey of self-discovery.

To buy her book, search "Unleashing the Courageous Feminine"

Check out her links here:

www.whirlingshaman.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhirlingShaman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whirling_shaman

Support the FCW Podcast:If you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

Follow Us:

• Substack: https://fcwsociety.substack.com/

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/FCWSociety

• Website: www.FCWSociety.com

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFCWSociety

Leah Carey

In this episode, we dive into an open and empowering conversation with Leah Carey—Sex & Intimacy Coach and host of the podcast Good Girls Talk About Sex. Leah is on a mission to help people untangle the confusing and often harmful messages around sexuality, guiding them toward confidence, clarity, and deeper connection in their relationships.

Through private coaching, workshops, and candid conversations, Leah helps individuals and couples identify their truest desires, improve communication, and break free from shame and societal expectations. Her work has transformed countless lives—both in and out of the bedroom—by fostering self-acceptance, pleasure, and intimacy without fear or guilt.

Leah is an FCW because she creates space for real, honest discussions about sex and intimacy, a topic that’s too often silenced or stigmatized—especially for women. She embodies the FCW values of Respect, Encourage, and Celebrate by empowering people to own their pleasure, speak their truth, and cultivate relationships built on trust and authenticity.

Leah's Links!

https://www.facebook.com/leahcarey1

https://www.leahcarey.com/

Support the FCW Podcast:If you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

Follow Us:

• Substack: https://fcwsociety.substack.com/

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFCWSocietyy

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/FCWSociety

• Website: www.FCWSociety.com

Val Kinzler 

In this episode, we sit down with the powerhouse that is Val Kinzler—aka “Valkyrie”—a New York City-based musician, songwriter, and fierce advocate for women in music. From starting piano at five to sharing stages with legends like Dr. John, B.B. King, and Three Dog Night, Val has carved out a dynamic career that fuses rock, rhythm, and blues with a message of resilience and activism.

More than just an artist, Val is a force for change. After losing her brother, she channeled her grief into Music Cool World, an anti-bullying initiative using music to teach tolerance and conflict resolution to at-risk youth in New York City schools post-9/11. Today, she continues to uplift and connect female musicians through “NYC Women Who Rock”, proving that music is more than entertainment—it’s a tool for empowerment and revolution.

Val is an FCW because she embodies strength, passion, and purpose. She doesn’t just play music—she uses it to amplify voices, create space for women in the industry, and fight for a more just world.

🔥 Tune in for an electrifying conversation about music, activism, and what it means to be a woman who rocks!

Follow Val Here

http://www.valkinzler.com

http://www.linkedin.com/valkinzler

http://www.instagram.com/valkinzler

Support the FCW Podcast:If you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

Follow Us:

• Substack: https://fcwsociety.substack.com/

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFCWSocietyy

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/FCWSociety

• Website: www.FCWSociety.com

In this episode, we highlight the incredible work of Chelsea Simpson (Altman)—a community builder, writer, and speaker dedicated to empowering young girls and fostering meaningful connections. As the Community Engagement Manager for Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Chelsea works tirelessly to create opportunities for girls to develop confidence, courage, and character, shaping them into the next generation of strong, impactful leaders.

Beyond her work with Girl Scouts, Chelsea is a storyteller and advocate for resilience, healing, and the power of community. Her upcoming memoir, Healing with Help from the Village, explores how support systems—both expected and unexpected—can help us navigate life’s toughest moments. Through her writing and speaking, she encourages others to embrace vulnerability, lean into their communities, and find strength in connection.

Chelsea is an FCW because she lives and breathes the values of Respect, Encourage, and Celebrate. Whether she’s uplifting young girls, sharing powerful stories of resilience, or advocating for deeper human connection, she is a force for empowerment and transformation.

Support the FCW Podcast:If you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

Follow Us:

• Substack: https://fcwsociety.substack.com/

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFCWSociety

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/FCWSociety

• Website: www.FCWSociety.com

On today’s episode, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Twanna A. Hines, the powerhouse behind FUNKY BROWN CHICK, Inc., a Black-owned, woman-owned creative social enterprise dedicated to driving positive  

 Twanna A. Hines is the founder and CEO of FUNKY BROWN CHICK, Inc., a creative social enterprise focused on driving positive change through education, advocacy, and art. With a background in sexual and reproductive health, Twanna’s expertise extends to digital strategy, data analytics, and fundraising for nonprofits and NGOs.

Her work has been featured on CNN, NPR, NBC News, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and more. As a gifted storyteller, Twanna’s theater performances and writing inspire audiences to embrace both joy and justice.

Twanna’s energy, expertise, and fearless approach to life are a testament to what makes her a Fucking Cool Woman (FCW).reative Change alum. Just casually changing the world through art and education!

The accolades don’t stop there—she’s been called “one of the Internet’s sultriest sharers” by the Village Voice and praised for her charismatic and riveting storytelling by outlets like The Washington Post and DC Theatre Scene.

But what makes Twanna a Fucking Cool Woman? It’s her ability to blend education, advocacy, and art to create real change in the world. She’s the kind of woman who challenges you to embrace pleasure, fight for justice, and never back down from the important conversations. She uplifts communities, speaks truth to power, and inspires others to live authentically and boldly.

Twanna Links:

funkybrownchick.com 

twannahines.com 

linkedin.com/in/twannahines

Support the FCW Podcast:I

f you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

Follow Us:

• Substack: https://fcwsociety.substack.com/

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFCWSocietyy

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/FCWSociety

• Website: www.FCWSociety.com

Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills

 In this episode of the FCW Society Podcast, we sit down with a true powerhouse in leadership and empowerment, Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills. As a Solutions Navigator, coach, and business consultant, Barbara has dedicated her career to helping people feel seen, heard, valued, and validated. With three decades of experience in government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, she has worked with over 2,130 leaders, businesses, and companies, guiding them to identify opportunities, challenge mindsets, implement action plans, and scale successfully.

Barbara Anne's expertise spans executive leadership, mental fitness, community and economic development, and creating workplace cultures rooted in civility and respect. Through coaching, training, and customized consulting, she helps individuals and teams BECOME their vision of extraordinary—breaking barriers, fostering inclusive leadership, and ensuring sustainable success.

She is an FCW because she embodies everything the FCW Society stands for—Respect, Encourage, Celebrate. Her work empowers leaders, transforms workplaces, and drives meaningful impact, proving that leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about people.

Stay in Touch with Barbara Anne

https://www.cbaclenders.com/\

https://www.purposefilledsande.com/

linkedin.com/in/bgardenhiremills

Support the FCW Podcast:If you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

Follow Us:

• Substack: https://fcwsociety.substack.com/

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFCWSocietyy

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/FCWSociety

• Website: www.FCWSociety.com

In this episode of Women Are So F*cking Cool, host Joanne Morton sets the stage for this bold, unapologetic podcast celebrating women who are making an impact.

She shares the vision behind the podcast, why it’s more important than ever to uplift feminist voices, and how focusing on respect, encouragement, and celebration can create real change.

This episode is a call to action for all the badass women out there—artists, activists, leaders, and dreamers—who are shaping the world in powerful ways.

Tune in to hear why this podcast exists, what to expect, and how you can be part of the movement!

Support the FCW Podcast:If you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

Follow Us:

• Substack: https://fcwsociety.substack.com/

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFCWSocietyy

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/FCWSociety

• Website: www.FCWSociety.com

  
  

#WomenAreSoFuckingCool #FCWPodcast #FeministVoices #RespectEncourageCelebrate #EmpoweredWomen

In this episode, we sit down with the phenomenal Cyd Ahlberg (she/they)—a multi-passionate artist, poet, musician, and photographer who is using their creativity to amplify marginalized voices and inspire change. A proud Black non-binary woman and committed Christian, Cyd weaves faith, identity, and activism into their work, proving that art is a powerful force for healing, representation, and empowerment.

Through their brand, Cydvolution Art LLC, Cyd crafts impactful visual identities and branded content that uplift underrepresented communities. As the poetic voice behind CJ Giovanni, they honor Black legacies, speak on mental health and faith, and use spoken word as a tool for advocacy and transformation. Their music and photography further capture the raw depth of human experience, making space for stories that deserve to be told.

Cyd is an FCW because they embody everything we stand for—Respect, Encourage, Celebrate. Their work challenges the status quo, centers marginalized experiences, and creates spaces for healing and connection. They remind us that art isn’t just about expression—it’s about impact.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you feeling uplifted and ready to embrace your own creative evolution!

Support the FCW Podcast:If you love what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Help us spread the word about the F*cking Cool Women making a difference in the world!

Follow Us:

• Substack: https://fcwsociety.substack.com/

• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@FCWSociety

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFCWSocietyy

• Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/FCWSociety

• Website: www.FCWSociety.com