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 patriarchal mindsets, they dive deep into the intersections of anger and grief, why somatic expression matters, and how caretaking roles often obscure our own needs. This episode is a tender reminder that grief and joy, anger and love, can—and do—coexist.

Discussed in this episode

• Why grief is always present—even when we don’t acknowledge it
• How female anger is suppressed (and why that’s dangerous)
• The myth of the angry Black woman
• Why anger and grief are somatic experiences, not just mental
• How American culture fails at grief
• The emotional labor of caretaking and parenting during loss
• Ways we gaslight ourselves through loss
• Visualization and embodiment practices for emotional release

Resources mentioned

• "Uses of Anger" by Audre Lorde
• The Emotions Wheel
• Bernadette Pleasant, The Emotional Institute
• "Patriarchy Stress Disorder" by Dr. Valerie Rein

☀️ Join us in the Messy Liberation Coaches Circle

🎤 PROUD MEMBERS OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE

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 a world that demands constant output and productivity.

They explore how hustle culture and girlboss messaging warped her creativity, why she stopped making art for money, and what it looks like to reclaim joy as a daily practice. She offers insights into how her habit tracking system, morning pages, and refusal to commodify everything have helped her stay rooted in her creative process—and why rest, fun, and fanfiction are deeply radical acts. This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with burnout, self-doubt, or wondering if it’s okay to just make art for art’s sake.

Krishna’s website | Ink Blots and Fragments on Spotify | Krishna's Substack

Discussed in this episode:

• Creative liberation beyond capitalism
• Using fanfiction as resistance and joy
• The emotional toll of monetizing your passion
• Habit tracking for personal data and self-trust
• The Artist’s Way and morning pages
• Finding boundaries between public and private art
• Self-permission to create without perfection
• Rest as resistance and lunch as liberation
• Krishna’s podcast Ink Blots and Fragments
• Her Habit Tracker journal

Resource mentioned:

• "The Artist’s Way" by Julia Cameron

☀️ Join us in the Messy Liberation Coaches Circle

🎤 PROUD MEMBERS OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE

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 fanfiction as reclamation, Hermione’s white savior complex, Lavender Brown’s erasure, and how to love problematic art without ignoring its dangers. Come for the Draco redemption arc, stay for the discussion on teaching critical consciousness through pop culture.

Prof. Julian Wamble (Womble), he/him, is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University, where he teaches a popular class called Harry Potter & the Politics of Social Identity. He’s also the host of Critical Magic Theory podcast.

Tiktok: @profw | Instagram: @prof.jw

Discussed in this episode:

• Teaching white supremacy using Harry Potter
• Hermione’s white saviorism and gendered politics
• Fanfiction as a tool for social change
• The erasure and racism around Lavender Brown
• The problem with redemption arcs only for male characters
• Draco Malfoy as a projection for reform
• Why separating art from artist is dangerous
• Creating guides for conscientious readers
• How fanfiction rewrites justice and inclusivity

Fanfic etiquette:

• Fanfic is free; never buy or sell to protect the space and observe copyright and IP laws
• Observe the authors rules regarding sharing and personal binding
• We don’t rate or review fanfic; it’s a gift. If you don’t like a particular one simply DNF (do not finish) and move on
• Always, always leave a kudos or comment to show appreciation for the authors effort
• Don’t be an asshole.

Resources mentioned:

• “James” by Percival Everett
• Let the Dark In by SenLinYu
• The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy by speechwriter
• Manacled by SenLinYu is no longer available
• Bloody, Slutty, and Pathetic by WhatMurdah
• Save Me Again by wolfstarlover20 (all queer fic Taina read during Pride month)

☀️ Join us in the Messy Liberation Coaches Circle

🎤 PROUD MEMBERS OF THE FEMINIST PODCASTERS COLLECTIVE