We Are The Stigma

This episode left us speechless on cloud nine, Friends! Ready for some gold nuggets of life knowledge? Buckle in bc this one will rock your socks! We are chatting with Bevin, beautiful soul and aerobics creator of Fat Kid Dance Party. Bevin shares of self-love, chasing your purpose, and reminds us that "all bodies are good bodies!" She lives out loud with her forest dance parties and radical self-ownership, we left the convo insanely inspired, and we know you will too!  We are so grateful for the time Bevin shared with us, and for the gifts she is sharing with the world. In this episode we discuss:Body size & our changing bodies AKA Body CurrencyFounding of Bevin's aerobics class, Fat Kid Dance PartyMultifaceted self-loveChasing one's purpose Why is is so essential to work on our body imagesEmpowering leaders to feel free in their minds & bodies, Bevin is the creator of Fat Kid Dance Party - Dance Aerobics for ALL bodies -  and the host of the podcast Bevin: A Femme Over 40 and her

It's another 10 Minute Monday! Where we have silly and uncomfortable talks, in hopes of ending the stigma. One small conversation at a time will create tiny changes, which can lead to huge societal shifts. There's no shame in the menstruation game !See you next week for an all new episode xoxYou can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookYou can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube & Instagram Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus**The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes! Take a screenshot of your written review, and we'll send you any book written by our past guests! It's a way we can support them and you! ***As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

Trigger Warning: This episode deals w/Childhood sexual abuse, self-harm & suicide. If you or someone you know may be dealing with childhood abuse, please call 1-800-422-4453 Help is always available. Please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for 24hr support at 1-800-273-8255We're back this week! It's episode 6 of Season 3, and we're getting profoundly raw and vulnerable with 20-year-old Desi Martin. We all know there is beauty to be found on the other side of our struggles, but what's even more vital than that truth is how many of us have not yet discovered that true beauty, and that is OKAY!! Our journey is JUST AS important as our destination, and Desi is a brilliant example of that.Desi spent most of her adolescence burring the trauma of childhood sexual abuse; at 18 years old, her trauma would no longer stay hidden, and she was forced to face it head-on. Through addiction, suicide attempts, self-harm, and restrictive eating, Desi has continued to hang on. This episod

We're back! We're chatting with w/family friend & fire fighter, Hernan Cruz, about incarceration & rehabilitation! Hernan is a living example of what it means to take a rock bottom and build your life into whatever beautiful thing you choose! Hernan gets brilliantly venerable AF as he shares his life pre-incarceration, his time in prison, and the fulfilled life he lives post-incarceration. At a very young age & impressionable age, Hernan became involved in gangs and the lifestyle that came with it, which ultimately led to serving 9 years in prison. Through the power of friendship, leadership, and a divine intervention Hernan rose from a dark place and a deep past, and grew into a man living a life full of meaning.Hernan is a 29-year-old California native, who spends his days fighting fires and changing the lives of others. Sharing one's past tends to help the lives of those around you, and Hernan's story is PROOF of the profound truth - our past can help set others free! In thi

This episode Cody & Melissa are chatting with trailblazer Allison Morgan, founder of Zensational Kids. As parents trying to navigate the seas ourselves, we learned SO MUCH from this interview and we are SO EXCITED to share it with you! There are so many gold nuggets and Allison has a beautiful way of delivering them all.In this episode we discuss:Creating safety and connection within our own nervous system in order to build resilienceSharing mindful tools with children to help them calm and copeHow we can all heal from the trauma of COVID-19 Allison Morgan MA, OTR, E-RYT is the founder and CEO of Zensational Kids, an educational company bringing evidence-based yoga and mindfulness practices to school communities worldwide. She is a pediatric occupational therapist, author, public speaker/trainer, and mother driven to empower youth and the adults that care/serve them how to cultivate the inner resources we all desperately need in order to thrive in life at every age. Allison is passionate about training ed

Hold on to your seats, because we're about to go on a BEAUTIFUL ride! Cody & Melissa share a fluid and heartfelt conversation with the brilliant Shannon Louyindoula. The conversation flows as beautifully as her written words, and we are left feeling inspired, hopeful, and at peace, all at once.  In this episode we discuss:Adoption & MiraclesThe light, and dark sides of traumaLearning to “just be”Embracing FemininityThe power of pleasureShannon is a wife, mother, songwriter and influencer. She was born and raised in Houston, TX but currently lives in rural Indiana. Shannon is an advocate for walking your own path, and cultivating your own inner guru. Adopted at the age of 13, it was her overnight shift from chaos to extreme order that served as her introduction to miracles. Shannon went on to study human development and psychology at the University of Houston, where she received a bachelor of science. This served as a springboard for her deep dive into self-reflection, and generational healing. Th

The first 10 Minute Monday of Season 3! Melissa & Cody are discussing all thing Ginger! Cody, a red head himself (or is he?) talks about what it was like growing up with red hair & freckles. We learn:Red heads don't steal souls (only hearts) The carpets don't always match the drapes& Red heads aren't aliens (we think)Come get goofy with us! And remember, no matter what skin color, hair color, or body type - Choose kindness, always :)-You can follow us @_wearethestigma on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook-You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!-Find Melissa on Instagram @_thepetitecactus-The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review on iTunes!-As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

It's Season 3 Episode 2 and Melissa & Cody are chatting with the beautifully bold and fiercely  powerful, Carrie Pullaro! When we first heard carries story on Season 2 Episode 30, we knew we had to interview her, and we are so grateful we were given the opportunity! Carrie's story is relatable and deeply honest. We were left juiced up and ready to step from our own shadows, into our light! This episode we talk about:Addiction & recovery Testing positive for herpesUsing abortion like birth controlLiving w/shameWorking through our past to live a life free of ourselvesCarrie Pullaro is a Personal Freedom & Emotional Wellbeing Coach, NLP Practitioner, Speaker, and founder of the program "ACTION”."ACTION" focuses on supporting women in breaking through shame and a lack of self worth. By helping them break free from the self defeating stories that prevent them from living the life that they desire, they are empowered to pursue their goals and dreams. It also allows women to acti

Welcome back to an all-new season of We Are The Stigma!! Melissa & Cody kick off this season with the best-selling Canadian Author, Elaine Alec, and it gets beautifully powerful!! Elaine Alec (she/her) is an author, political advisor, women’s advocate, and spiritual thought leader, and teacher and is a direct descendant of hereditary chiefs, Pelkamulaxw and Soorimpt. The trio discusses the power of self-love, recovery from addiction, healing your trauma wounds, the idea of cultivating safe spaces, and what it’s like to chase your dreams. Though the most educational and eye-opening part of this interview is when we learn of #MMIWG -Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls, who have become victims of what is known as The Highway of Tears. Melissa & Cody left this conversation with a deeper understanding of their privilege, with this knowledge of a very real - and very dark - reality of the genocide of indigenous peoples that is still happening today.  However, their hearts on fire knowing bea

Holy Moley, y’all!! Somehow, we made it! Season 2 has come to an end and damn, it’s been a good one.This season has been full of goosebumps and laughter, we have learned SO MUCH, and we are forever grateful for the humans who have shared with us, and for our listeners who have joined along for the ride. We truly hope it was as good for you, as it was for us *insert sex joke* Rather than trying to find the words to describe the awesomeness of each guess, we let them do all the talking! In this episode we discuss season 2 highlights & our excitement for the future! Then we end by asking every single one of Season 2 guests - If you could go back and tell anything to yourself, or someone else who may be struggling, what would it be? From harm reduction to trauma, we are HERE for it.  Whatever your personal struggle may be, we promise these answers will fill you with HOPE. Have a great end of 2020, and we’ll see you on the other side xox (Don’t forget, you can leave us a review on iTunes, send us a screenshot

When Melissa found Evelyn From The Internets on YouTube TV, she KNEW we had to get her on the podcast!! A few months later, Evelyn is the closing interview of season 2 and Melissa & Cody couldn’t be more honored. Evelyn is a video producer and Internet personality, using her platform to discuss important (and not so important!) cultural topics and current events. The trio sit down for a quick, hilarious and enlightening conversation about therapy, social media boundaries, life as an influencer, and what it was like growing up with immigrant parents in American culture. Evelyn From The Internets is an Austin, TX-based video producer and Internet personality. From not-so-serious beauty tutorials and cultural critiques to humorous takes on somber current events, she strives to inspire and entertain viewers, including Beyonce who featured her Lemonade review on the Formation World Tour. Yes, that really happened.-Find Evelyn on Instagram @evelynfromtheinternets-Check out her linktree here-And of course, her Y

What a beautiful episode we have this week!! Cody & Melissa are chatting with the powerful Bek Antonucci about STI shame, body image, and radical self ownership. Bek is a woman who has spent the last 7 years on a spiritual journey which has transformed her life and allowed her to wholeheartedly step into her power. From bullying to abuse, negative body image and a positive STI test, Bek owns her journey and has dedicated her life to helping other humans, from all walks of life, find strength in their vulnerabilities. She is an advocate for freedom and believes true happiness is ultimately an inside job. Bek is a POWERHOUSE and the co-hosts were left in awe of her energy and wisdom, and we know you will be too!Bek is a free thinker, embodied female thought leader, stigma fighter, public speaker, workshop mentor, founder of the online group program “Being Brilliant,” and Naked Awakening facilitator.”Bek Antonucci is an Embodiment and Personal Freedom Coach. Bek supports women to break through ineffective bo

10 Min Monday!! We've talked about it, now it's time to BE about it!Poop is stinky, stigmatized, and SUPER uncomfortable to talk about (especially for Melissa) But, in order to end stigmas, we MUST get uncomfortable. So, we'll start the convo for you, we only ask that you keep talking about it. We go over our own stigmas, our own fears and why it's all so damn hard to discuss! So much love and we'll see you next Monday for an all new episode! xoxThe best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! -As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

After taking a week off, Melissa & Cody are back and cannot wait to share this heartfelt episode! They chat with the exceptional Ben Woodward, author of the transformative book, The Empowerment Paradox. Ben’s book teaches one how to turn their struggles into strengths, by utilizing the 7 Vital Virtues.Cody shares a truly powerful & vulnerable conversation with Ben that should NOT be missed. They discuss mental health & adversity, and we are reminded that while it can be extremely difficult to find hope when we are down, it is ALWAYS there waiting for us when we become willing to fight for ourselves.Ben Woodward has become a highly sought after authority on personal and corporate transformation, helping individuals and organizations alike navigate through the complex and often uncomfortable journey of meaningful, lasting, and positive change. As the author of the best-selling book, The Empowerment Paradox, Ben is quickly becoming the go-to person for empowering others in their efforts to turn adver

This week Melissa is interviewing her co-host and husband, Cody Kreutz. In early February 2020 Cody went through a spiritual awakening that completely changed him as a human. A man who was once full of self-doubt and self-distain suddenly found self-love and a world of possibilities. He was depressed, bored, unfulfilled and felt hopeless in the world around him, somehow he became open to spirituality, the ideas and beliefs he found, suddenly made sense and everything quickly changed.  Cody never believed in spirituality nor the idea that we're all connected, he didn't practiced meditation, yoga, or breath work, spent no time reading or enjoying nature - but, after his spiritual awakening, he does it all. Was his awakening simply a random coincidence? Or was this a moment in the making for the past 39 years?  We talk about how it  happened and what it looks like. The most important thing of all?? Finding self-love and understanding ones limiting beliefs. If you're unhappy, unfulfilled, looking f

This week we are sharing a heartfelt conversation with Anise, and we promise you’ll be just as moved, enlightened, and inspired as we were.Anise opens up about her childhood trauma, growing up around drugs and alcohol, how it impacted her life, and ultimately, how she is working to overcome her past. Anise is proof many of us have pasts & struggles that not many people know nothing about. We are in awe of her wisdom, vulnerability, and growth. We are ALWAYS humbled by our guest's vulnerability and this interview is no different. No matter what pain you may have gone through, or are currently  fighting, there is strength and inspiration to be found in this episode. -The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! -As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!

(Trigger Warning: Self-harm) In this episode we are re-interviewing Juliana Lorton from Season 1, Episode 2. Julie's back to talk about life with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Her first episode is by far our most listened to episode, so we're here to check-in and to keep learning! It's been 3 years since her BPD diagnosis - 3 years of learning, growing & living. Join us as we talk about love, relocation and what it's like to live your life honoring your mental health diagnosis rather than fighting it. Julie is proud of the woman she has grown into, and you KNOW we are to. BPD is still one of the most stigmatized and unknown of the mental health diagnosis and we hope to keep breaking that stigma with education, open-mindedness and understanding. Please, if you or anyone you know is affected by BPD (either directly or indirectly) share this episode - you never know who may need to hear it! Thanks for listening!   -The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five

It’s another 10 Minute Monday and we’re getting personal again! The couple last discussed Cody’s life as a stay-at-home-dad, now they’re flipping the script. Melissa opens up about the life and feelings of a full-time, working mom. We discuss the stigmas & the guilt of this side of parenthood. We'll be back next week with an all new episode! Thanks for listening! xox-You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook -You can follow Cody’s spiritual journey here on YouTube!-The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! -As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

What is Sexual sovereignty? Body literacy?? Well, you're about to find out! Melissa and Cody are chatting w/ Isabella Frappier and the conversation couldn't be more beautiful! We learn about sex, kink, the nervous system, spirituality, sexual aftercare, sex magic, and so much more! The convo left us feeling all juiced up and we know it will do the same for you! No matter what your sexual life does (or doesn't) look like, we promise you will learn a little bit more about who you are, as a being. Isabella Frappier is the real deal and holds no knowledge back! She's been featured in Vice, Netflix's Goop & the Sex With Emily podcast. Join us as this incredible human helps us grow. Isabella Frappier is a sexual activist and pleasure mentor, focused on body literacy and sexual sovereignty, she's been featured in Netflix, Goop, Sex With Emily podcast, and VICE. Isabella works with clients in one-on-one video sessions and in group workshops and transformational online courses to help

In this 10 min Monday, Melissa and Cody are talking about one of society's biggest stigmas, the life of a Stay-At-Home-Dad. Cody has been a SAHD for over a year, and he has a lot to say! The couple share a candid conversation about the ups, the downs, and the inner battle that Cody faces. There are many variables of parenthood, but one thing is clear - being a stay at home parent is by far, the most difficult job one may do.