How would you describe your outreach work & what do you hope to accomplish?
I am a feminist life coach, podcaster, and book club mama. I’m a firm believer that we can change the world by telling our stories and listening to others’ stories, no matter how small they may seem. My podcast Wild Cozy Truth is a platform to amplify women’s stories. Each episode, I include a bit of my own story through the form of a personal essay, and then I interview women from all walks of life - authors and pole dancers, cancer survivors and widows, friends, artists, accountants, witches, strangers - as long as you identify as woman or femme full-time or part-time, your voice and story are welcome on this platform. To connect with one another, I host an online women’s circle and book club where we dive into deep conversations about feminism, sexuality, and what it means to be a woman in this world and in this political climate. My ultimate goal is to be a lighthouse for femme-identified folks to find a place that feels like home, both online and within themselves. I am committed to creating safe spaces to exist amongst other women.
Why is this work important?
We’re more connected than ever but so isolated in our connection. We’re inundated with messages telling us that we’re not doing enough and everyone else is tackling great big things so we must be too lazy or fragile to manage the same level of DOING. But when we peel back the shiny veneer of performance, we’re actually all struggling in some ways. There’s nothing in life that’s ACTUALLY Instagram-perfect, so it’s important to give the mess voice. If my work can help one person feel a little less alone, it’s important work.
Can you talk about the evolution of your work?
I was recently reminded by a podcast guest that I’ve provided space for women’s stories for over a decade. In college, I directed a hyperlocal version of The Vagina Monologues, with essays and monologues written by members of the college community. I created an online version of it where I hosted anonymous bloggers’ stories of pain, triumph, fear, and joy on my personal blog for a few years. After leaving my academic career, I decided to devote my full-time energy to amplifying these stories via podcasting, one of the most intimate and democratic forms of media we have today.
What is your background in feminism and/or social justice?
I come from the academic side of feminism. I have a B.A. in Gender Studies, an M.A. in Communication with a certificate in Gender Studies, and I recently dropped out of my PhD program after six years where I had been researching women’s experiences online. I use my background in feminist theory to inform my coaching practice and my storytelling but recognize that theory means nothing if not put into practice. So I’m still finding the balance between theory and practice.
Who is your favorite feminist mover, maker and/or shaker?
I’m currently inspired by the voices of Gen Z. When I taught college courses, I thought for sure the young Millennials were going to change the world, but now I see that it’s the Tumblr generation that are shaking things up. It’s the incredible teens like Emma Gonzalez and the other Parkland High School shooting survivors, and women like Malala Yousafzai who are organizing and marching and challenging the status quo and refusing to shut up about what matters. They’re empathetic, resilient, and so fucking smart. I get goosebumps thinking about them and can’t wait to see how they continue to impact this country and the world.
How do you make your work/outreach/project more inclusive and intersectional?
My coaching practice is rooted in feminist theory, so that means I recognize that identity is fluid, intersectional, and full of contradictions. I don’t tell my clients what to do or how to feel; they are the experts in their inner life. Instead, I can stand beside them and remind them that our paths out of this cave we’re in may look different, but the skills to navigate it are the same. In other words, every situation requires contextual knowledge and unique tools, and the language of feminism helps me and my clients approach scary transitions with courage, compassion, and resilience.
What is day-to-day life like in your workspace?
I always start my day with a cup of coffee. It’s my favorite ritual first thing in the morning. The smell and taste are soothing and nostalgic for me. That first sip is better than any meditation. Depending on what’s on my schedule for the day, I may sit down at my desk at home or I may put some Real Person clothes on and spend the day at the coworking space I’m a part of. It’s an all-women’s coworking space in Minneapolis, full of badasses, kombucha, comfy furniture, and natural light. Most days you can find me in the rocker in front of a wall of windows, tricking my brain into thinking that the sunshine means I’m at the beach and there’s not 3” of snow on the ground in March.
How do you balance your mission of social justice with earning a living?
I struggle with this. I don’t earn a living from my work quite yet. I’m extremely lucky to be in a partnership where my partner provides for our living expenses and I’m trying not to feel guilty about that. With that said, I am doing my best to contribute financially to our household. I have an uncomfortable relationship with money, in that I don’t ever want to charge for my services, but I know that is not the best way out of capitalist patriarchy. Money is an energy and I’m coming to terms with asking for fair compensation in exchange for my time and energy. I remind myself that we can’t topple the kyriarchy if we continuously devalue our work. I can critique and participate in capitalism in the same moment. It’s a work in progress. Stay tuned.
What was the best advice you were given as a mover, maker and/or shaker?
Shut up and listen. As a white, cisgendered, Western, middle class, highly educated, mostly straight, mostly able-bodied, femme-presenting woman, I recognize the obscene amount of privilege I have. I can’t let my privilege blind me. We have to shut up and listen to marginalized voices and utilize our privilege to help them be heard.
What are 5 ways our readers can support the work you’re doing?
- Listen to the Wild Cozy Truth podcast on your favorite podcast app.
- Leave a rating and review for Wild Cozy Truth on iTunes.
- Join the Women’s Circle and Book Club for wholehearted discussions about feminist books and real-world feminism.
- Consider scheduling a call with me to see if feminist life coaching might be a good fit for you.
- Follow my work on social media (but especially Instagram cuz it’s my fave) - @wildcozytruth
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