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Taina Brown Podcasts

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Join feminist coaches Taina Brown and Becky Mollenkamp for casual (and often deep) conversations about business, current events, politics, pop culture, and more. We’re not perfect activists or allies! These are our real-time, messy feminist perspectives on the world around us. This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions like: • Why is feminism important today? • What is intersectional feminism? • Can capitalism be ethical? • What does liberation mean? • Equity vs. equality ...
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Welcome to the Ambitious Empath Show! My name is Bao, your host and I am also a copywriter who writes website copy that connects with your soul clients on a deeper level. I created this podcast as a safe place to talk about all the ups and downs of being an empath and an ambitious one in this world. Entrepreneurship is already tough, so we don't need to go through it alone. Join me as I share insights, tips, and interview fellow ambitious empaths in navigating their sensitive gifts and use i ...
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This isn’t your average podcast—it’s a radical little book club for your ears. Each week on Assigned Reading, feminist business coach Becky Mollenkamp invites a brilliant guest to read and unpack a feminist essay. Together, they dive into the juicy, nuanced, sometimes uncomfortable questions these texts raise about power, identity, leadership, liberation, and more. If you’ve ever wanted to have big conversations about big ideas—but without having to get dressed, make small talk, or leave you ...
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show series
 
This week, Becky and Taina sit down with client experience designer and “business cousin” Portia Michele Osumaré for a liberatory conversation about the beauty of being “messy”—and why it’s not something to fix. Together they explore what it means to live outside the boxes that capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy build for us. From being mu…
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Becky and Taina try something new in this episode—a looser, more conversational format inspired by their friends from BRB, Crying. Each host brings a “messy situation” to unpack together. Taina starts with a real-life scare: police chasing a man through her backyard in Baltimore. The conversation unfolds into a raw discussion about policing, white …
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Becky and Taina are joined by fitness coach Laura Thomas for a brutally honest conversation about body image, aging, and what it really means to feel at home in your body. They unpack how diet culture is a tool of patriarchy and capitalism, how the “male gaze” shapes even the most “empowering” wellness trends, and how we can start to reclaim moveme…
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What happens when two podcasts built on honesty, healing, and humor come together? In this special crossover between Messy Liberation and brb crying, Becky and Taina sit down with Angela (“Nins”) and Ariana (“Arns”), lifelong best friends and co-hosts of brb crying, for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply real conversation about what it means to fee…
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In this fiery, messy conversation, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive headfirst into celebrity culture, capitalism’s endless hunger, and the idea of enough. What started as a chat about Taylor Swift’s latest grift spirals—naturally—into reflections on fascism, fire-hose overwhelm, and why local action matters more than ever. They talk about: • W…
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👉 On October 9, 2025, Feminist Founders is hosting The Weight We Carry, a free, focus-group-style conversation on invisible labor. We’ll share stories, hold space, and imagine what collective relief might look like. And your stories will directly shape a white paper we’re writing to push this issue into wider conversations where it belongs. ✨ Reser…
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Becky’s sick, Taina’s tired, and somehow that makes for the best kind of messy conversation. From writing smut to why summer feels like winter, this grab bag episode runs the gamut of sex, TV, astrology, and systemic injustice. Discussed in this episode: What it’s really like to write sex scenes (and why it’s more about logistics than lust) Becky’s…
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THIS IS FOR COACHES (or anyone who uses coaching skills)... Join Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown for a free live workshop on October 30th at 2 p.m. ET where we’ll explore what it really takes to grow as a coach rooted in liberation, not just business. 🌟 In this session, you’ll learn: What liberation can look like for you and your clients The 3 ess…
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This week, Becky and Taina cut through the noise—what “compromise” really means in a deeply divided America. Triggered by Jerry Greenfield’s exit from Ben & Jerry’s, Tad Stoermer’s critique of liberal nationalism, and the recent killing of Charlie Kirk, we unpack how stories are told, how power is preserved, and who gets to be the “martyr.” We talk…
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Death isn’t something most of us are taught to face with honesty, compassion, or ritual. In this episode of Messy Liberation, hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown sit down with Nikki Smith, The Death Doula, to explore what it means to navigate dying, grief, and collective loss with more humanity. Nikki shares how her personal experiences with los…
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What does it mean to rest in a world that’s constantly demanding more from us—and why is rest such an essential part of resistance? In this episode, Becky and Taina sit down with Jordan Maney (aka The Radical Joy Coach) to talk about rest as resistance, how to distinguish between anger and rage, and why “rest so you can rage” is a mantra worth reme…
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Becky and Taina sit down with Tiana Dodson, a body liberation facilitator who helps people reconnect with their bodies, destigmatize fatness, and confront the oppressive systems that keep us at war with ourselves. Together, we dig into the messy, nuanced truths about body liberation: what it really means beyond “body positivity,” why loving your bo…
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This week on Messy Liberation, Becky and Taina dive headfirst into the chaos of U.S. politics, personal rights under threat, and the culture wars playing out in real time. From the militarization of D.C. to the looming Supreme Court cases threatening Obergefell, they unpack how Project 2025 is already reshaping daily life and why “just wait and see…
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Misogyny isn’t just something “other people” do. In this conversation, Becky and Taina unpack the invisible ways it shows up in our language, our friendships, our relationships, and even inside ourselves. From judging women for wearing too much makeup to men who call women “females,” we explore the sneaky red flags we’ve normalized. And we get real…
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Polyamory isn’t what you think it is. In this episode of Messy Liberation, we sit down with Frances Crusoe to talk about ethical non-monogamy, what it really looks like in practice, and how she navigates parenting, faith, and family while living a polyamorous life. We tackle misconceptions (no, it’s not all orgies), explore how jealousy really work…
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What does it really mean to dismantle systems of oppression? In this episode of Assigned Reading, Becky is joined by writer and publicist Cher to unpack Audre Lorde’s iconic 1979 speech “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House.” They explore tokenism, parenting under patriarchy, the trap of girlboss feminism, and how discomfort i…
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Pedro Pascal’s red carpet style, Malcolm Jamal Warner’s tragic passing, and the chaos around the Epstein files — this episode of Messy Liberation goes everywhere at once. Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into pop culture, politics, astrology, and messy real-life feminism with zero polish and plenty of swearing. From debating Pedro Pascal’s “da…
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Becky Mollenkamp and Sandhya Sudhakar dive into adrienne maree brown’s blog post "Relinquishing the Patriarchy." This rich, layered discussion covers gender roles, emotional labor, discomfort, and how patriarchy harms us all. From parenting to dating, personal identity to privilege, they explore how internalized systems shape us—and what it really …
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Ever feel superior for hating the mainstream? Same. In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky and Taina dig into the hidden hierarchies we create when we judge popular culture, and how that feeds into white supremacy, fatphobia, and American exceptionalism. From YouTube vlogs and Hallmark movies to queer fanfiction and Audre Lorde, they explore ho…
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This week, Becky and Goddess Erica discuss Andrea Dworkin’s 1988 essay on pornography and power. They explore ethical porn, sex education reform, and the intersection of pleasure, patriarchy, and AI. A bold, vulnerable conversation about dismantling shame and building new systems for healing and desire. This week’s text: ✍️ “Pornography: Men Posses…
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Grief is always in the room—and in this raw and powerful conversation, Becky and Taina explore the emotional weight of loss, anger, and what it means to truly feel your feelings. They unpack their personal experiences with recent death, the stigma around female rage, and why American culture is so broken when it comes to grief. From pet loss to pat…
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In this episode of Assigned Reading, Becky and Kim unpack Barbara Love’s essay on developing a liberatory consciousness. Using the framework of the “4 A’s”—Awareness, Analysis, Action, and Accountability—they reflect on the deeply personal work of moving from complicity to liberation. This episode explores queer identity, internalized oppression, w…
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What if making art wasn’t about monetizing, optimizing, or gaining followers—but about freedom? In this episode, artist and writer Krishna Kayastha joins Becky and Taina to talk about reclaiming creativity from capitalism. From journaling to fanfic, motherhood to self-trust, Krishna shares her journey of redefining what it means to be an artist in …
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Aging, feminism, and power collide in this juicy conversation. Becky and podcast producer Ana Xavier discuss Susan Sontag’s The Double Standard of Aging and how it still resonates decades later. From gray hair and menopause to child-free choices and decentering men, this feminist talk gets real about the aging double standard and what it means to o…
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If you’ve ever wondered how a Harry Potter course can be a masterclass in teaching white supremacy, systemic oppression, and feminist critique—you’re gonna love this episode. We’re joined by Professor Julian Womble, who uses the Wizarding World to help his students explore the messy intersections of identity, power, and representation. We dig into …
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What happens when the law can't see you? This episode dives into Kimberle Crenshaw’s landmark 1989 essay on intersectionality, exploring how courts systematically erase Black women. Becky and Tori break down Crenshaw’s trapdoor metaphor, legal analysis, and the continuing relevance of intersectional feminism today. This week’s text ✍️ “Demarginaliz…
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You ever feel like the world is on fire and you're holding the matches and a bucket of water? Yeah, us too. In this raw and candid convo, Becky and Taina unpack their experiences around the No Kings protest, the complicated dynamics of white allyship, what it means to show up (and what it doesn’t), and the impossible standards placed on parents, es…
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SPECIAL RELEASE: Becky & Taina on Becky's other podcast, Assigned Reading (if you like this conversation, check out this new podcast here) Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into Sylvia Rivera’s 2001 speech, "Bitch on Wheels." They unpack Rivera’s righteous rage, explore the erasure of trans voices in LGBTQ history, and reflect on the impor…
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In this episode, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into Sylvia Rivera’s 2001 speech, "Bitch on Wheels." They unpack Rivera’s righteous rage, explore the erasure of trans voices in LGBTQ history, and reflect on the importance of solidarity and intersectionality in the fight for liberation. This raw speech from a legendary activist is just a…
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This episode dives deep into Becky and Taina’s wildly different takes on romance novels, smut, and fanfic—plus what makes storytelling feel intimate or just pornographic. We cover the books we’re reading this summer, why Becky knocks stars off for explicit content, and what Audre Lorde has to say about feeling embodied. It’s messy, it’s honest, and…
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In this powerful conversation, Becky Mollenkamp and Faith Clarke unpack Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s iconic essay *We Should All Be Feminists*. They explore how feminism intersects with race, colonization, shame, and identity. Faith shares deep insights from a Black Caribbean lens, and the two reflect on how culture is created—and can be disrupted. T…
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Is it possible for a horror movie to teach you history? In this episode, Becky and Taina dive deep into the viral new film “Sinners,” unpacking its cultural, political, and emotional power. From Ryan Coogler’s revolutionary copyright deal to the legacy of Jim Crow and Chinese immigration in the South, they explore how this southern gothic, vampiric…
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✍️ This week’s essay: “Love as the Practice of Freedom” by bell hooks 🎙 This week’s guest: Heather Vickery is a coach, speaker, podcast host, and joy-bringer. Her work centers around intentional living, courageous leadership, and aligning action with values. Heather brings radical honesty and warmth to everything she does—even when it’s tough love.…
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You don’t expect to leave a conversation about death and capitalism feeling inspired—but here we are. This episode dives headfirst into the intersections of death work, money trauma, collective care, and class consciousness. Stella Gold (they/them), founder of My Gold Standard, joins Becky and Taina to talk about their journey from hospice and deat…
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This week’s text: ✍️ “What No One Else Will Tell You About Feminism” by Lindy West This week’s guest: Paige Worthy (she/her) is a writer, editor, and brand messaging strategist for progressive entrepreneurs. Known for her spicy takes, thoughtful wordcraft, and zero tolerance for misogynist bullshit, Paige shows up in business and life as a truth-te…
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What happens when fanfic, therapy, chronic illness, and croissants collide? This episode of Messy Liberation is a rich blend of real talk and radical self-reflection. Becky and Taina explore chronic illness, returning to therapy, and the nuances of finding a Black therapist. They also deep-dive into the power of rest, hyperfixation (hello fanfic an…
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This week’s text: ✍️ “Speaking of Nature” by Robin Wall Kimmerer This week’s guest: Nancy Harris (she/her) is an executive coach, keynote speaker, and facilitator supporting leaders and organizations committed to equity, people-centered work, and transformational change. She’s the founder of Restart Consulting, host of The Intersection podcast, and…
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What if creativity wasn’t about talent or output—but about liberation? In this raw and relatable episode of Messy Liberation, Becky and Taina unpack the complicated relationship adults have with creative expression, especially under capitalism and toxic productivity culture. They talk about creative hobbies like sewing, baking sourdough, painting r…
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This week’s text: ✍️ “Compulsary Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence” by Adrienne Rich This week’s guest: Lindsay Johnson, aka The Radical Connector, is a sales & visibility coach for misfit entrepreneurs building their businesses to the beat of their own drums and radical enough to believe they can change the world! Lindsay’s superpower is getti…
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This week’s text: ✍️ “Joy” by Zadie Smith (New York Review of Books) This week's guest: Jordan Maney is the Radical Joy Coach™ helping Black, brown, and queer folks recover their softness, reclaim their joy, and rest without guilt. She’s a writer, speaker, and coach whose work centers joy as a liberatory, ancestral practice. Jordan’s presence is su…
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This week’s text: ✍️ “Abolition Can Mend Our Democracy” by Angela Y. Davis (Inquest) This week’s guest: Amelia Hruby is a feminist writer, podcaster, and producer with a PhD in philosophy. She’s the founder of Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio for entrepreneurs and creatives, and host of Off the Grid, a podcast about leaving social media wit…
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In this grab bag episode, Becky and Taina get candid about everything from perimenopause and airplane germs to religious trauma and transformative fanfiction. Taina shares how one piece of Draco/Hermione fanfic cracked her wide open, while Becky reflects on the power of feeling seen in storytelling and media. They dig deep into the Catholic Church’…
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In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky and Taina go deep on how to stay informed and engaged without burning out. They talk about the importance of limiting your news intake, ditching moral judgment about productivity, and embracing self-care that actually nourishes you (hint: it’s not a face mask). From managing chronic illness to laughing in …
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Becky and Taina are pulling back the curtain on the newest thing they’re building together: the Messy Liberation Coaches Circle—a community for people who coach (formally or informally) and want to practice coaching through a liberatory, feminist, and anti-capitalist lens. In this episode, they share the messy, honest backstory of how the group evo…
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Welcome to Assigned Reading—the feminist podcast where we read bold, brilliant essays and talk about them like real people. In this short trailer, host Becky Mollenkamp introduces the show and what to expect: weekly conversations about powerful feminist essays, deep questions, occasional confusion, and a whole lot of curiosity. Each episode feature…
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Feeling helpless about the state of the world? Same. In this episode, Becky and Taina serve up a spicy mix of rage and real talk about how to practice anti-fascism and anti-capitalism without burning yourself out. From mailing junk to the White House as protest (yes, really!) to joining tool libraries and neighborhood swaps, they share ideas that a…
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In this powerhouse episode, Becky and Taina go deep on the tangled roots of American music—from Negro spirituals and funk to country and bluegrass—and how Black artists have always shaped the sounds we now call “mainstream.” They unpack Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter backlash, how misogynoir fuels that criticism, and the difference between cultural apprec…
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Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown explore what it means to move from reactivity to proactive dreaming in business and life. They unpack how a feminist future isn't just a dream—it's a practical framework rooted in collective care, somatic awareness, and justice-based entrepreneurship. They weave in the wisdom of Black and Indigenous feminists like b…
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In this fiery episode of Messy Liberation, feminist business coach Becky Mollenkamp and special guest Taina Brown dive into the growing generational divide around gender equality. Sparked by Cosmo's recent “Feminism Recession” article and the global study it references, this episode unpacks the backlash to feminism among Gen Z men, the weaponizatio…
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In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Kaela Singleton joins us to discuss the neuroscience behind manifestation, dopamine hacking, and why happiness isn’t a sustainable state. We explore how trauma and epigenetics impact the brain, why radical self-care is essential, and the intersection of neuroscience and systemic oppression. Kaela also shares insi…
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