In this episode, Becky and Taina dive into the world of children’s movies and TV shows that offer more than just fluff. From revisiting nostalgic favorites to exploring newer releases, they discuss how these stories tackle complex themes like grief, emotions, family dynamics, and representation. Whether you're looking for media to watch with your kids or hoping to heal your inner child, this conversation is packed with insights into the deeper layers of children's programming and its impact on adults and kids alike.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Avatar: The Last Airbender: Exploring its complex storytelling, themes of war, and whitewashing controversies.
• Where the Wild Things Are: A heartfelt movie review and its emotional resonance, especially for those dealing with grief or feelings of being misunderstood.
• Inside Out and Inside Out 2: Teaching kids (and adults) about emotional intelligence and understanding anxiety.
• Turning Red: Celebrating mother-daughter relationships and a refreshing absence of romantic subplots in animated films.
• Moana: Themes of female empowerment, righteous rage, and reclaiming personal identity.
• Soul: Pixar’s unique take on addressing grief and the meaning of life in a kid-friendly way.
• A Little Princess: A nostalgic favorite with an analysis of its themes of loss, resilience, and family.
• Magic School Bus: Making science fun and accessible for kids through immersive storytelling.
• The importance of diverse representation in children's media and the cultural impact of better storytelling.
• How children’s media can aid in healing the inner child in adults.

Resources Mentioned:

• “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
• “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Feelings Wheel

Call to Action:
What’s your favorite children’s movie or show that tackles big themes? Did we miss one of your go-to recommendations? Email us at MessyLiberation@gmail.com.

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In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into the complexities of the US healthcare system, sharing their personal experiences with chronic illness, denied insurance claims, and the frustrations of navigating healthcare in America. They also discuss the Luigi Mangione case and its implications for healthcare reform and inequality. With honesty and wit, Becky and Taina explore what it means to fight for health equity while balancing the personal and political challenges of living with disability.

From sharing practical tips like refusing unnecessary weigh-ins at the doctor to reflecting on the intersectionality of healthcare access, this hodgepodge episode is as informative as it is engaging. Tune in to hear how they bring their unique perspectives to a conversation that impacts us all.

Discussed in This Episode

• The struggles of living with chronic illness in the US healthcare system
• Why you can and should refuse unnecessary weigh-ins at the doctor
• Luigi Mangione, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting, and healthcare reform politics
• Intersectionality and disability: The shared vulnerabilities we all face
• The impact of denied insurance claims and inaccessible care
• Chronic pain experiences and the emotional toll of healthcare discrimination
• The importance of reclaiming agency in healthcare and firing bad providers
• What may come next for Messy Liberation in 2025

Resources Mentioned

• “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder
• Feminist Instagram account by Blair Imani
• BRB Crying podcast
• Pod Save America podcast
• You Made it Weird podcast
• Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers podcast
• Lonely Island and Seth Meyers podcast

In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dig deep into the complicated and often problematic world of philanthropy and charitable giving. From the systemic failures that make nonprofits necessary to the capitalist underpinnings of modern-day charity, this conversation unpacks why "giving back" often does more to maintain inequities than address them. Becky and Taina also explore alternative approaches like wealth redistribution and mutual aid, offering actionable insights for listeners who want to create real social impact.

Discussed in This Episode

• The problematic roots of charitable giving and white saviorism
• Nonprofit sector challenges, including financial transparency and CEO pay disparity
• Philanthropy’s role in perpetuating systemic inequality
• Wealth redistribution vs. traditional charity models
• The power of mutual aid and direct giving as alternatives
• The role of privilege in charitable giving and wealth redistribution
• The impact of nonprofits on marginalized communities
• Shifting from scarcity thinking to abundance thinking
• How the philanthropic sector mirrors capitalist structures
• Moving toward liberatory approaches to community care

Resources Mentioned

• Charity Navigator
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Trans Justice MO
  
  

In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown discuss the complexities of balancing business growth and personal well-being in the digital age. They dive into strategies for embracing digital minimalism, reflecting on how social media impacts mental health, energy, and productivity. Becky shares her journey toward reducing her digital footprint, including her move to BlueSky and creating a nine-grid on Instagram, while Taina reflects on her relationship with social platforms. This candid conversation is filled with practical insights, personal anecdotes, and recommendations for anyone seeking to rethink their digital presence.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Becky's digital detox journey
• What is a nine-grid on Instagram?
• Exploring BlueSky as a Twitter alternative
• The emotional and energy costs of social media
• Practical steps to audit your digital presence
• Hallmark holiday movies as escapism
• Balancing entrepreneurship and visibility without social media
• How social media shapes parasocial relationships
• Digital minimalism for business owners

Resources Mentioned:

• ”Digital Minimalism” by Cal Newport
• ”Stolen Focus” by Johan Hari
• Off the Grid podcast
• Alexandra Franzen
• Chatbooks photo book printing
• Kelly Mosser’s content capsule webinar
  
  

This episode is a thoughtful reflection on how to embrace digital minimalism and build a healthier relationship with technology, whether you’re a business owner or a social media user.

In this candid and thought-provoking episode, Becky and Taina tackle the complexities of Thanksgiving—a holiday deeply rooted in colonialism and one that many now see as a day of mourning for Indigenous peoples. From exploring the history of the Land Back movement to dissecting the capitalist takeover of the holiday season, this episode is full of reflections, insights, and actionable ideas for listeners who want to align their celebrations with their values. Becky and Taina discuss ways to decolonize Thanksgiving traditions, support Indigenous rights, and rethink consumerist habits like Black Friday shopping. They also share personal anecdotes and commitments for making this time of year more meaningful.

Discussed in This Episode

• The history and myths of Thanksgiving
• The Land Back movement and its implications
• Why Thanksgiving is a day of mourning for Indigenous peoples
• Decolonizing Thanksgiving celebrations with small but meaningful actions
• Ethical considerations around Black Friday and consumerism
• How capitalism shapes Thanksgiving traditions
• Practical ways to support Indigenous businesses and organizations
• Intersectional feminism and its connection to Indigenous rights
• Teaching kids about the true history of Thanksgiving
• Small steps listeners can take to honor Indigenous communities

Resources Mentioned

• Native-Land.ca
• An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In this episode, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into strategies for building resilience, creating community, and thriving amidst social and political upheaval. They discuss creative resistance tactics, managing privilege in allyship, and ways to support mutual aid efforts at local and national levels. From anti-capitalist holiday shopping to the power of small, purposeful actions, this conversation is packed with ideas for meaningful change. Becky and Taina also explore how we can set boundaries with media and social media for mental health and make values-aligned decisions for the holidays.

Discussed in This Episode

• Practical ways to participate in mutual aid and community support
• Creative resistance strategies and preparing for social activism
• The impact of reducing news and social media consumption
• Leaving Meta and transitioning to BlueSky for more intentional engagement
• Anti-capitalist approaches to holiday spending and gift-giving
• Ways to support marginalized communities through direct action
• Managing privilege in social justice work and creating safe community spaces
• Using Signal and encrypted apps for secure organizing and resource sharing
• Insights from My Grandmother’s Hands on somatic healing and conflict management
• Reflections on Patricia Hill Collins' Matrix of Domination
  
  

Resources Mentioned

• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
• My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem
• Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
• Bluesky
• Signal

In this episode, Becky and Taina discuss the ethical and environmental concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. Reflecting on the impact of AI on content creation and business, they dig into the unsettling future AI could bring if unchecked. From Google's Notebook LM to ChatGPT, they explore the role of ethics, climate change, and mindful usage in navigating AI’s complex landscape.

Discussed in This Episode:

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• Google's Notebook LM and its potential applications
• The ethics of AI in podcasting and content creation
• The environmental impact of AI, including water consumption
• AI's potential biases and limitations
• AI’s influence on social media and attention economy
• The need for mindful and intentional tech usage
• Personal and community-driven approaches to using AI responsibly

Resources Mentioned:

• Sophia Noble's Algorithms of Oppression: https://amzn.to/40xGvVu
• Google Notebook LM: https://notebooklm.google/
• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/

In this special post-election episode, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into the emotional impact of the recent election, exploring how communities can heal and find resilience amidst political trauma. Joined by pleasure activist Goddess Erica, the episode includes a powerful grounding meditation for self-care and stress relief. This practice is designed to center the mind, reconnect with purpose, and empower listeners as they navigate the emotional challenges of the current political climate. Becky and Taina also discuss the importance of white allyship, accountability, and intersectional feminism in the wake of voting outcomes, highlighting the need for unity, reflection, and action.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Emotional impact of post-election trauma on communities
• The complexities of racism, misogyny, and white allyship in politics
• Guided meditation led by Goddess Erica for grounding and stress relief
• Intersectional feminism as a foundation for mindful activism
• Navigating accountability within white allyship
• Personal reflections on post-election stress, resilience, and the path forward
• The importance of voting and community support in social justice movements
• Exploring the Deepa Iyer Social Change Map and roles in activism

Resources Mentioned:

• Goddess Erica’s Website and Instagram
• Building Movement Project Social Change Ecosystem Map
• Building Movement Project Post-Election Toolkit
• Manifest Your Dream Life free group coaching experience signup: Nov 9 and Nov 17
• Practicing New Worlds by Andrea J. Ritchie