Learn more about Alesia Galati of Galati Media and Listeners to Leads at:

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Alesia's website

Grief isn’t just about losing a loved one—it’s also about losing a sense of security, hope, or the future we envisioned. In this episode, we explore collective grief, political trauma, and how to navigate grief in uncertain times. Whether you're dealing with election grief, managing stress and burnout, or struggling with systemic trauma, we share practical strategies for self-care during political turmoil, coping with overwhelming news, and finding comfort when the world feels heavy.

We’ll also discuss how grief manifests in the body, somatic healing techniques, and the surprising connection between burnout and grief. If you’ve been wondering how to survive grief in tough times and keep going despite everything, this episode is for you.

Discussed in this episode:

• Processing political and social grief and why it’s more than just about death
• How political changes impact mental health and everyday life
• The relationship between burnout and grief (and how to manage both)
• How to navigate grief in difficult times without shutting down
• Self-care strategies for dealing with election grief and political overwhelm
• Somatic healing and grief: How our bodies hold onto stress and trauma
• How to find comfort during uncertain times and create safe spaces for healing

Resources mentioned:

• “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily & Amelia Nagoski
• SmashingPatriarchy.com - feminist merch
• Taskmaster on BBC
• Follow Becky on BlueSky
• Follow Taina on BlueSky
• Taina’s post about the Lunar New Year

In this episode of Messy Liberation, hosts Taina Brown and Becky Mollenkamp welcome guest Marina Daldalian, a software product manager, health coach, and passionate advocate for fat liberation and mutual aid. Marina shares her journey into mutual aid, including how it intersects with fat liberation, and explores the power of direct giving over traditional charity models. The conversation delves into how systemic inequities in capitalism and healthcare impact marginalized communities, the principles of Health at Every Size, and the importance of ethical health coaching. Marina also reflects on COVID realism, its connection to disability, and her approach to community care that centers values of equity, mutual aid, and intersectional feminism.

Marina's Website

Discussed in This Episode:

• What mutual aid is and why it matters
• The intersection of fat liberation and mutual aid
• Direct giving vs. charitable donations: What's the difference?
• How mutual aid circles work and amplify impact
• The challenges and rewards of setting boundaries in mutual aid
• Health at Every Size and its principles
• Ethical health coaching and navigating systemic barriers to health
• COVID realism and its connection to chronic illness and disability
• How systemic oppression shapes access to healthcare
• Choosing belief, compassion, and community care

Resources Mentioned:

• Marina DalDalian
• Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH)
• Angel Austin of Sacred Space for Fat Bodies
• Episode 27 of Messy Liberation: "Beyond Charity"
• You Need a Budget (YNAB)
• Marquisele (Mikey) Mercedes
• Lindo Bacon Accountability controversy

Learn more about Alesia Galati of Galati Media and Listeners to Leads at:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Spotify
• Apple
• YouTube

Alesia's website

Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown discuss what’s bringing them joy amidst the chaos of 2025. The duo explores topics ranging from the emotional weight of MLK Day coinciding with the inauguration of a second Trump presidency to personal tools for finding balance, like Becky’s “sexy-ass spreadsheet.” They also dive into the cultural phenomenon surrounding Red Note, the platform rising from TikTok's potential ban, and their favorite media that brings light to dark times. This episode offers equal parts levity, resilience, and actionable inspiration to navigate a complex world.

Discussed in This Episode

• MLK Day Reflections: The emotional complexities of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy during a politically charged inauguration.
• Protecting Peace: Balancing self-care and civic engagement during tumultuous times.
• Red Note vs. TikTok Ban: The political and cultural implications of shifting platforms, including the risks and ironies involved.
• Finding Joy: Becky’s 100-rejections challenge and how her spreadsheet is helping her stay organized and motivated.
• TV and Media Highlights: Shows that brought joy, including Shrinking, Ghosts, and Survival of the Thickest, contrasted with critiques of shows written by men about women.
• Book Recommendations: Becky’s delight with Frozen River by Ariel Lawton, a surprising find focusing on women’s resilience and justice.
• Joyful Acts of Service: Stories of grassroots aid efforts, like replacing wedding dresses for brides impacted by California fires.
• Upcoming Guests: A sneak peek at the podcast’s first guest, Marina, discussing mutual aid and health equity.

Resources Mentioned

• ”Frozen River” by Ariel Lawton
• “Miss Benson's Beetle” by Rachel Joyce
• Shrinking (Apple TV)
• Ghosts (CBS)
• Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)
• Kelly Mosser’s initiative to replace wedding dresses for fire victims
• Email Becky and Taina at messyliberation@gmail.com
  
  
• Sign up for the newsletter and stay updated: MessyLiberation.com
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