In this episode, Kimberly dives deep into guest author Catherine Simone Gray's book Proud Flesh: A Memoir of Motherhood, Intimate Violence, and Reclaiming Pleasure. With tenderness, Kimberly and Catherine share their mutual appreciation for each other’s writing and the deep impact Kimberly’s work has had on the journey that led to Catherine’s book. Catherine guides us through her journey of healing from a vaginal tear postpartum, which led to the discovery of proud flesh, a term for hypergranulation tissue. She describes the emotional and physical challenges she faced across two births (one hospital/C-Section, one home/natural), including silver nitrate treatments and the support of her husband; recounting the story of how the couple’s relationships to one another’s bodies changed when she invited him to draw her vulva daily. Catherine and Kimberly both emphasize the importance of language and writing in redefining sexuality and eroticism, and how this process can support women in reconnecting with their body. If you enjoyed this conversation be sure to sign up for their online gathering Writing as a Pathway to Pleasure on Sunday, February 23rd at https://kimberlyannjohnson.com/writing-pathway-to-pleasure/

Bio

Catherine Gray is the writer and creator of Unsilenced Woman, a blog where she explores modern motherhood, sexuality, and healing after trauma. Catherine’s writings have captivated audiences globally of up to 2.5 million, and she’s devoted almost a decade to helping writers mine the stories of their lives for self-knowledge and growth.

Her writings have been featured by respected organizations for new mothers, such as La Leche League USA, International Cesarean Awareness Network, and ImprovingBirth. She has been a guest on The Birth Hour, the #1 podcast in iTunes Kids & Family, and her essays have been acclaimed by The Bitter Southerner in its Top 10 reader favorites for two consecutive years. A charismatic speaker, Catherine has delivered two addresses at the Mississippi Women’s March. Her first memoir Proud Flesh: A Memoir of Motherhood, Intimate Violence, and Reclaiming Pleasur was published in 2025 by Penguin Random House.Today, Catherine lives happily (and mostly healed) in Jackson, Mississippi, with her husband and their two young sons.

What You’ll Hear

• Kimberly’s deep appreciation for the writing craft found in Catherine’s book and is moved by the way their work has intersected

• Catherine has been a Jaguar since 2017 and shares the way many baths listening, reading and sitting with Kimberly’s work influenced Proud Flesh

• Catherine recalls key moments with her doctor in making a healing plan for a natural birth injury

• Catherine describes how the scientific term Proud Flesh took on poetic meaning in her life

• Catherine discusses the difference in healing from the numbing disconnect of C-Section to the embodied pain of a natural birth.

• Catherine describes a profound confrontation with how her and her husband relate to each other’s bodies, which led to a durational art project in which he drew her vulva over time.

• Catherine and Kimberly reflect on erotic writing that doesn’t reify centering the male gaze

• Kimberly and Catherine talk about their own evolving relationships to their bodies and the craft of writing

Links

IG - @unsilencedwoman

Website - www.unsilencedwoman.com

Book - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771427/proud-flesh-by-catherine-simone-gray/

Online Gathering - https://kimberlyannjohnson