Thriving Between The Lines

Transcript:Hello Thrivers! Life coach and personal development nuisance, Leslie Crudup Villagarcia here. And I’m officially wrapping up Season 1 of our podcast, which is something I really wanted to do before the end of 2024, but, as they say Life got in the way! As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m getting ready to move my family to Vietnam in a couple of weeks, so preparing for that has been an absolute whirlwind. Meka and I have also been dealing with illnesses and our various neurowobbles, which of course, has been a challenge to navigate from the beginning of this podcast. And we KNEW it was going to make it harder. But, just because we’re dealing with disabilities, that’s NO REASON to not do this thing we want to do, right!Now, I want to issue some thank yous and then talk about our plans for season 2.First a HUUUUUUGE thank you to Meka. My amazing co-host. Honestly, he has given SO much time and effort to this project and there are no words, really. Like, I don’t think anyone has ever believed in me so much. I really want to make Season 2 worth your while in a BIG way and…just never stop being my friend, okay?I also want to thank our listeners! Especially the ones who’ve reached out a number of times with comments on our episodes or general Kudos, people like: Kate, Alicia, Ange, Sky…uhhh I really shouldn’t start listing people, because I will forget names and I don’t want anyone to get offended. In season 2, we’re going to continue roasting your most beloved and be-loathed personal development books but the big change we’re bringing in is that we want to do more interviews with Authors and Creatives who can reflect on their experiences as marginalised people and the challenges they’ve overcome in a world that doesn’t always like to make room for us.So thanks again, gang! I love you all! Be sure to keep up with us through my Instagram @leslievcoaching, my website, leslievcoaching.com and, yes, I’ve jumped on the BlueSky train…@leslievcoaching.bsky.socialAlright, I hope that 2025 brings everyone so much joy and the ability to see through all the crazy challenges that it might bring. And if you ever need a sounding board to talk through it all, you know who to contact.Thank you. Keep reading. Keep Listening. Keep getting in touch, and keep thriving. Bye Bye!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, we expand on one section of 'He's Just Not That Into You' relating to resetting one's standards when it comes to dating/relationships. We discuss some of our boundaries, the benefits of re-evaluating boundaries, and, most importantly, the kinds of behaviours which have us turning to potential romantic connections and saying, I'm Just Not That Into You!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, we reflect on our recent experience participating in a nude photoshoot with world-renowned artist Spencer Tunick! Over 5000 people here in Meanjin (Brisbane) took to the Story bridge in the early hours of the morning in a grand celebration of body diversity and LGBTQIA+ pride. Also, Leslie finally saw Meka's new penis! Check out Spencer's work here: https://www.instagram.com/spencertunick/Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Strap on your Manolo Blahniks and pour yourself a Cosmopolitan, because we’re jetting back into the dating world circa 2004!On the latest episode of “Thriving Between the Lines” - the podcast examining personal development books through the lens of intersectionality, we do a cheeky little dive into one of the most influential dating books of the 2000s, He’s Just Not That Into You: the No Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys, by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. These authors were key contributors to Sex and the City, hence our sloppy references to the show 😜.So, do these so-called ‘truths’ about dating hold up 20 years later? Listen to our queer, neurodivergent, polyamorous, and otherwise traumatised arses give OUR take on yet another book that clearly wasn’t meant for “us”! Whether you’re a Charlotte or a Carrie, an Ayden or a Big, or thinking “who the hell are you even talking about?” This one is for you!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Meka used to hate the movie Labyrinth. I know, can you believe that?? It took him YEARS to understand, as a trans person, what was behind that hate. I think y'all might see where this is going 😆.Have a listen!Kindest regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia-Your No-Nonsense Life Coach-Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

How can we balance our energy levels to ensure our partners are being treated equitable? How can we prevent New Relationship Energy (NRE) from derailing our existing relationships? In this footnote, Meka explores these questions from the perspective of a person with chronically low energy levels.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This footnote explores Meka's experience of one of the questions most frequently asked to polyamorous folks, 'But, don't you get jealous?'There are many ways to respond to jealousy and not every polyam person reacts to it in the same way. So what is our take on the subject? Listen and find out!Kindest regards,Leslie and MekaSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

The subject of polyamory often comes up in our book-specific episodes, as it is one of the lenses through which Meka and I experience the world. In personal development writing, especially where relationships are concerned, there is often an assumption that readers are both monogamous and cisgender/heterosexual (cishet). Of course, WE know the truth! 😊 We are loud and proud about our queerness and our ethical non-monogamy, so we figured now is a good time to give a little rundown of some useful books and learning resources for folks interested in learning more about polyamorous relationships.So check it out!Kindest regards,Leslie and MekaVisit leslievcoaching.com to book a free intro polyamory coaching session!Reference (content warning for sexual violence and misogynoir):https://ualr.edu/socialchange/2018/04/15/reflection-history-sexual-assault-laws-united-states/Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In the latest episode of Thriving Between the Lines, Meka shares his powerful journey of self-discovery, courage, and embracing his true identity! Meka speaks very openly about his own experience transitioning from female to male and how it allowed him to finally see a future for himself. With all the references we make to the lack of trans representation in personal development books, we figured now is a good time to give a more in-depth look at where Meka’s perspective on the subject comes from. Please note that Meka’s story is very much his own! He cautions against using his story as a representation of all trans people’s experiences. And as much as HE loves to share all the details of his bottom surgery (phalloplasty), please don’t go around asking other trans folks about what’s happening between their legs!! Have a listen and send us some love :)Kindest regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia-Your No-Nonsense, Won’t-Let-Anyone-F***-With-My-Trans-Homies, Life Coach-Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this Footnote, Leslie tells a story about how her ex weaponised non-violent communication against her. Let this be a reminder that power imbalances need to be taken into consideration when recommending NVC as a mediation strategy! Otherwise, those with oppression in mind can use it to bolster their oppressive behaviours.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Meka explores the main points from an article by Lori S. Katz Ph.D.  In the article, she offers 5 essential strategies for communication in the context of sexual trauma. Read the full article below:https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/healing-from-sexual-trauma/202008/5-essential-strategies-for-effective-communicationSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

"What could possibly be wrong with Non-Violent Communication? Haven't you two gone a bit too far with your cheeky deep dives this time??" I hear you ask. Well, listen to what we have to say and decide if, perhaps, we haven't gone far enough! We expect a more responsible presentation of influential concepts from people as world-renowned as the late Marshall B. Rosenberg. Look, it's not that the concept of non-violent communication (NVC) is bad, as such. In fact, we both dig it as a method of communication. Howeverrrrrr....as usual, it's the way the source material presents the concept that we need to dive into. And dive into it we did! We expect a more responsible presentation of influential concepts from people as world-renowned as the late Marshall B. Rosenberg. For anyone out there pushing NVC as the be-all-and-end-all of mediation techniques, take note that it's extremely important to carefully consider how parts of the process may hit very differently for people from marginalised backgrounds! Content warning: mention of sexual assault and LOTS of racial gaslighting!more resources:My first Black Lives Matter speech: https://youtu.be/2i3LbOTYGco?si=7EAyqeKfxh7MA25hMy 4th of July Black Lives Matter speech: https://youtu.be/YsVHHaBQrZI?si=tMdQaYW1cvTChuWhMusic Video: "Black" by Dave - https://youtu.be/mXLS2IzZSdg?si=RJxnoThFm_C7RC0LSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Content warning: Frank discussion of pregnancy lossThis footnote is about things not to say when someone has had a miscarriage.Have you ever wondered what to say to support a friend who has experienced pregnancy loss? Well, most of the time it's not about what you say, but about how well you listen! Leslie speaks very openly about her history with recurrent pregnancy losses, and in this footnote, she shares some of the most frustrating responses she heard repeatedly during that period in her life. And here's some bonus content from the Leslie V. Coaching Youtube channel:What NOT to say to someone who has miscarriedAnd on that cheerful note, happy listening :)Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Poor people don’t want money enough, apparently 🙄. And in other news, the reason you attract bad people is that you are a bad person!  ….Yeah, this was all news to us as well.Join us, Leslie and Meka, as we dissect yet another book that completely dismisses the role of privilege on success, You Are a Badass, by Jen Sincero. While there are some things this book gets right, there are many things it gets very…very wrong. In this episode, we dive into the author’s perspectives on self-perception, the law of attraction, and money. We also share our own perspectives on what it really takes to be a badass, especially as members of marginalised communities.  So have a listen and hear what we have to say about this book through the lens of intersectionality!Don’t forget to shoot us a message and tell us what you think about this episode! Find us on Instagram @leslievcoachingLinks to things referenced in this chapter:Bail: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)One the subject of ‘internalised homophobia’, here’s a luscious take-down of one of Sincero’s other books, by Savy Writes on YouTubeRANT REVIEW: Jen Sincero's BIG BOOK OF BISEXUAL ERASURESend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Here's another previously unpublished footnote from our episode on No Excuses, by Brian Tracy. In this footnote, Leslie goes off about toxic behaviours that are accepted in too many monogamous relationships. We speak very openly about being both queer and polyamorous, so when Tracy insists that married people must avoid engaging with members of 'the opposite sex' except for the purpose of business, there's no way we're not going to have something to say about this!Note: Toxic Monogamy is very different from healthy forms of monogamy. We hope that this footnote will help more people understand the difference.Also, Meka will be back from the US soon, so we're going to get back into publishing full episodes ASAP! Watch this space.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Here's another previously unpublished footnote from way back in Chapter 2, in which we spoke about The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo!In this footnote, Meka tells us about an app he uses to prevent gaining clutter by accidentally re-buying things. Different systems work for different people, and for those of us who are neurodivergent, it's even more important to find our own ways to keep ourselves...reasonably organised :)So, do you have a system for staying organised? Do you need one? Let's talk about it! Book a free introductory life coaching consultation at leslievcoaching.comSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Here's a previously unpublished footnote to keep y'all warm while Meka is away being a genius! This was originally attached to Chapter 8: Girl Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis. In this footnote, Meka explains the difference between Toxic Positivity and having an overall positive mindset. Toxic Positivity is incredibly harmful, yet so heavily present in a lot of self-help media. So why is it such a problem? Listen and find out!Kindest regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia-Your No-Nonsense Life Coach-Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

content warning: eating disorders, spiritual abuse, suicidal ideation, cult mentalityThis is the story of why Meka had to stop watching to documentary part way through. Let this be another cautionary tale for anyone who still turns to Robbins and people like him for 'guidance' or puts self-help gurus on a pedestal.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is a story about Leslie's first Success Resources experience (2018), which was also her first and only live Tony Robbins experience. Like, seriously, she had to make herself a Bingo card for day 2 just to stay engaged. Have a listen! A screenshot of the Bingo card in questionAlso, Mike Winnet gets a mention here, so definitely check out his videos about Success Resources and similar organisations. Here's one to get you started:The Contrepreneur Formula ExposedSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Tony Robbins has been upheld as the number 1 personal development guru of our time. BUT is he doing more harm than good? And should someone with such power in the self help world be held to a higher standard of ethics?In this chapter, we’ve changed things up a little bit and sunk our teeth into a documentary, Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru, rather than a book. We’ve done this for a few reasons:Meka is heading overseas to be a genius for a few weeks and has been super busy preparing for the trip.This documentary gives enough of a look at what Tony Robbins is about that we don’t have to cover one of his many bestselling books in order to examine the influence he has had on society.We just kinda felt like it, oKAY!So, let’s get this content/language warning out of the way first…This episode deals with challenging themes including suicide, abuse, trauma, and masculine/feminine polarity. Do you suppose the doco deals with these in a sensitive, trauma-informed manner?.......nahhhh. Also prepare for loads of F-bombs because #edgy 🤔Get us in your ears!Kindest Regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia-Your No-Nonsense Life Coach-Resources:Youtube: Tony Robbins Does Not Understand The #MeToo Movement | NowThisPunishing Followers And Preying On The Vulnerable: A Timeline Of The Tony Robbins Investigation - GQ MagazineUnlimited Power: A Buzzfeed News investigation Youtube: The Problem with Tony Robbins (Deep-Dive - Pt.1) - münecatSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

So, we've been producing Thriving Between the Lines for a little while now so, we figured it's about time we do a little roundup of our experience thus far. When we set out to create a podcast examining personal development books through the lens of intersectionality, we weren't exactly sure what we were signing up for. We just knew that the topic was so important to us that we were ready to endure whatever headaches were required to get the project off the ground!In this episode, we tell the story of how we got started and some of the things we've learned so far. We also talk about some of the original plans that didn't quite pan out, as well as how we've overcome the challenges we've faced along the way.Have a listen, will ya? :) And don't forget to rate us!Kindest regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia-Your No-Nonsense Life Coach- Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is a little story about the sorts of things that used to give Leslie anxiety and how that all changed once she became a mum.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is a little story about a piece of art Meka once made as an illustration of his worry and anxiety.  Have you ever tried to shove your worries into a box? Then perhaps you can relate. Click below to see the image in question:Meka's worry boxSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

As an openly depressed/anxious life coach, I am very sceptical about any form of media that claims to offer a 'cure' for worry. So, naturally, there was no way this book was not going to be tossed under our microscope. We're going wayyyy back in time and diving into a self-help classic, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, by Dale Carnegie! Can a book published in the 1940s offer us insights relevant to 2024? What about the revised version, 'updated for the 1980s!'? And is there anything in this book that may be relevant for people from marginalised communities? Let's talk about it!Join Meka and I as we examine some key themes in this book through the lens of intersectionality. Some of our focus topics:- Is 'keeping busy' a path to a worry-free life, or simply a recipe for burnout?- Can we really cure our bodies using 'positive thinking' in place of medicine?- Are disabled folks obliged to be 'inspirational'? (spoiler alert: no)- WTF is up with the chapter titled 'How to cure depression in 14 days'??? Have a listen, drop us a message and let us know your thoughts! Any books you want us to discuss? Tell us about those too!Kindest regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia- Your No-Nonsense Life Coach -Links to topics mentioned in the video:Confronting Belle Gibson - the health advocate who faked cancer | 60 Minutes AustraliaStella Young TED Talk: I'm not your inspiration, thank you very muchSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Meka asks Leslie a set of questions that started trending back in the mid-2010s. This topic came up in the full episode on Girl, Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis during a chat about the ethics around adoption.Full question list:1. Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?2. Babywearing?3. Circumcision?4. Adoption?5. Baby piercing?6. Breast milk vs formula?7. Cry-it-out method?8. Spanking?9. Co-sleeping?10. Home VS Public VS Private schooling?11. Vaccinations?12. Medicating children?13. Cloth vs disposable nappies?14. Home-made vs store-bought baby food?So, what do Leslie and Meka have to say about these topics? You can probably guess the answers to some already. Have a listen and see if you were right!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this episode, we dive into the 2018 New York Times Bestseller 'Girl, Wash Your Face" by Rachel Hollis.Rachel Hollis built her brand on a platform of being super 'relatable'.....until it stopped working for her. Join us as we examine some key themes in this book through the lens of intersectionality. Some of our questions:- What is the difference between being relatable and being #relatable?- How does toxic positivity manifest in conversations about diversity (and should people just Google stuff instead of overburdening their 'diverse' friends with questions all the dang time)?- How can a person be body positive and fatphobic all at once?- Is adoption always compassionate? (spoiler: its not)Hollis-bashing has been done to death, so we've really tried our best to focus mainly on the content of the book, rather than the whole Hollis....situation. So how'd we do?Drop us a message and let us know! Any books you want us to discuss? Tell us about those too.Kindest regards,Leslie and MekaLinks to topics mentioned in the video:The viral bikini photo that launched Rachel Hollis into the self help stratosphereDave Hollis SHOCKING cause of death revealed -KeyasWorld on YoutubeNPR report: Ethiopia Bans All Foreign AdoptionsEthiopia, Evangelicals and the Fake Orphan RacketSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This footnote is about Meka's ongoing quest to find space in this world for some quiet while it's being so bloody loud. Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is a story about the time Leslie was pushed into a mental health crisis that led to her transitioning into a new career. Let this be a lesson to any managers or supervisors out there-- psychological safety is important!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

When the author or "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" then sells us the solution to our constant distraction, it's natural to be a little suspicious. Nir Eyal has been tremendously influential in the business/tech world for his insights into how companies can design services and products that will keep consumers wanting more, more, MORE! Many have argued that Eyal has been at fault for the problem he now claims to have the solutions for, but is that fair? Maybe, maybe not. And what do his insights say about who is responsible for our collective shrinking attention spans? Does Eyal implicate people like himself for the addictive nature of innovations such as social media? We dive into just that in this episode.So strap yourselves in, kiddos! Because we're about to share the useful/not-so-useful/and highly questionable insights from 'Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life'.....through the lens of intersectionality! To all of our fellow ADHD/autistic/and otherwise neurodivergent friends, this one is especially relevant to you. Enjoy!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Leslie reflects on how becoming a parkour instructor helped solidify good habits while reflecting with Tash on signs that a group has become culty or restrictive. Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Meka and Tash dive into the dangers of linking weight gain with habits, based on their own personal experiences having gained and lost significant amounts of weight.Criticism, toxic praise, Eating disorders, healthcare discrimination, financial guilt associated with taking care of oneself...these things are just the tip of the iceberg.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

We were thrilled to be joined by the business and marketing superstar Tash Corbin for this very special episode about one of the most influential personal development books of our time, Atomic Habits, by James Clear.Tash is a superhero in the world of consent-based marketing and facilitates a thriving online community of women and non-binary entrepreneurs. Her dedication to recognising the differing needs of marginalised communities in the business world is a breath of fresh air among the sea of voices who still insist that everyone has equal access to all tools of success. In this episode, we three neurodivergent baddies dive into the useful, not-so-useful, and downright dangerous aspects of Atomic Habits and its potential impact on marginalised communities and society in general. Is it mindful of intersectionality in its current form?... listen and find out! Find the Heart-Centred, soul-driven entrepreneurs group on Facebook.Find out more about Tash, including how to work with her, at Tashcorbin.comAnd if you want to book a free introductory life coaching consult with me (Leslie), book online at leslievcoaching.comChat soon!Meka's diagram (mentioned)Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

I think we're calling this one... a special insert? We decided it was time to talk more in depth about the origins of The Vanguard Book Club for Personal Development: Why it's been going strong for nearly 3 years, what inspired its genesis, and who we do and DON'T want to make welcome into the space 😜. Remember, we're all about intersectionality! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🖤💛❤️✊🏽Want to check us out? You can join us (for free) from wherever you are in the world! Find us on our Meetup.com page:The Vanguard Book Club for Personal DevelopmentSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

What happens when your 'cheese' is a basic need rather than one of those nice-to-have goals?Meka is onto it! Have a listen to hear what he has to say. Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

What happens when the one who keeps moving your cheese is your own body??Here's a little story about Leslie's most frustrating chronic condition, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

What can a story about a pair of mice and a couple of miniature people teach us about adapting to change? Quite a bit, actually. However, when that story is used by people in power to wield control over others, should we really look to it for inspiration? Who Moved My Cheese, by Dr Spencer Johnson was published in the late '90s and has been upheld as a self-help essential ever since. But does it hold up in the face of systemic imbalances that disadvantage some groups more than others?   Eh....maybe, maybe not. Listen and find out!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

As a trans man, Meka has had to fight hard for his place as a man. So how does he feel when people trash men as a whole around him? In this footnote, we chat about Meka's most influential models of manhood as well as some men we see as examples of positive masculinity.  Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is a brief chat between Rudi and Meka, two gender non-conforming folks who know what it's like to push through the fear of living outside of gender norms.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is a story about how easily Leslie has disappointed some white men on dates simply by not being 'the kind of Black woman' they're looking for. Maybe she's just not the right 'temperature' on the David Deida scale? ::shrug::Also in this footnote: the kind of thing that happens to Leslie in the presence of super attractive Black menSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

What does it really take to be a 'superior man'?  What are the actual societal impacts of expressions like 'the masculine' and 'the feminine' and the idea of 'sexual polarity'? Do these ideas leave any space for the existence of gender non-conforming folks?Oh! And did you know that the way to tame a woman who is acting up is to lick her neck?? Yeah...neither did we :/ You better start clutching those pearls and gritting those teeth now, because this one is wild, y'all!In this episode, we are joined by our friend Rudi Landmann for a rousing discussion from the sidelines of the 'manosphere'.So, what do this batch of queer feminists have to say about how masculinity has been promoted and marketed to people who subscribe to the gender binary and those across the gender spectrum? Only one way to find out!Listen, rate, share, win! Thanks :)Kindest regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia-Your No-Nonsense Life Coach-Connect with Rudi on insta/facebook @Rudilandmann!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is a story about one way in which Meka's wonderful partner, a straight, cisgender man, supported him through his gender transition. Prepare to say 'awwwwww'!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Leslie tells a story about how her life-long love of photography led to her passion for capturing the raw authenticity of human rights activists through close-up candid portraiture. Follow Leslie on instagram @leslievcoaching to get notified when her activism-specific insta goes live. Also mentioned in this story - Leslie's Black Lives Matter Speech from June of 2020:https://youtu.be/2i3LbOTYGco?si=GLX-u_yKrnUijQf1Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts has sold over 5 million copies and has been published in over 38 languages. But, what is the underlying message of the book? Why is this book actually for, and which marginalised communities may be negatively impacted by its message? And why do so many people try to put its ideas into practice without actually reading the book? In this episode, Meka and Leslie discuss each of the 'languages' through the lens of intersectionality, answering questions like, 'How can a person with ADHD please their 'quality time' partner if they struggle with eye-contact?' and sharing their OWN top 5 love languages lists. Have a listen. Get it touch. And don't forget to share with your friends!Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

What is a mum to do when her 5-year-old takes it upon herself to bag up her precious memories so she can get started on the process of growing up? In this footnote, Jennifer chats with us about the day her budding minimalist claimed her own identity with the help of a big bag of stuff!Don't forget to listen to Chapter 2: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, with decluttering expert Jennifer Burger!Kindest regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia-Your No-Nonsense Life Coach-Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is the brief story of my unpublished travel podcast. I had recorded a bunch of stories about my travels through the Arabian Peninsula and Southeast Asia. So, where did they all go? They went to data heaven courtesy of a flood at my house in Vietnam.  Have a listen to find out what I learned from the whole ordeal.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Jennifer generously shares the story of buying a pretty sexy pair of shoes that she couldn't afford. She tells us why she bought them, why she hung onto them despite not having anywhere to wear them, and what she learned from the experience!These are the shoes in question. To be fair, they do look pretty damn awesome!https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d6/2d/47/d62d47010fd5b788abbc33066ad7c62f.jpgSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Jennifer Burger (@simplyfiercely) is a professional decluttering expert! She is a prolific blogger on the subjects of decluttering and minimalism and also teaches courses on clearing out clutter in a mindful and sustainable fashion. My (Leslie) first encounter with Jennifer at a Christmas party in 2023 led to a 4-hour long, prosecco-fueled conversation about the lack of diverse perspectives in mainstream discourse around decluttering. I knew immediately that we HAD to get her on the 'cast! We were absolutely THRILLED to have her as our featured guest for our discussion on The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo. How can people from marginalised communities apply or adapt 'the KonMari method' for having tidier spaces? Are there more accessible methods for living 'tidier' lives? What about us neurodivergent folks? We dive into it all in this episode!Happy listening :)Kindest regards,Leslie Crudup Villagarcia-Your No-Nonsense Life Coach-‘Marie Kondo effect’: Netflix tidying guru sparks increase in charity shop donationshttps://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/marie-kondo-netflix-charity-shops-increase-donations-a8740076.htmlWhat really happens to your clothes after you donate themhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/01/04/how-to-donate-clothes-waste-environment/Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Leslie tells the story of how she joined a Skype meeting to plan a national parkour gathering while she was in labour with her rainbow baby! Content warning: recurrent pregnancy lossSend us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Meka tells the story of his decision to transition and the realisation that he had no excuses NOT to live his truth and become the amazing dude we all know and love today.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Wow....just wow! When two goofballs create a podcast about the influence of privilege on success, there really are 'No Excuses' for not starting with this book! Does everyone start out in life with equal opportunities? Brian Tracy thinks so. Is extreme personal responsibility ALL that it takes to succeed in business, work, and romance? Eh.....let's talk about that! In this episode we dive into the insights from this author, the grand-daddy of sales/ success writers, and see what, if anything, the rest of us can gain from his words.Send us Fan Maillinktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!