The Body Grievers® Club

85. Unflattering: Clothing Grief with Dacy Gillespie

In this episode of The Body GrieversⓇ Club, Bri interviews anti-diet, weight-inclusive personal stylist Dacy Gillespie about clothing grief, style, and size accessibility. Dacy shares how styling clients revealed the need to address body feelings and how "flattering" advice often aims to make bodies appear smaller, rooted in white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism, referencing work by Sabrina Strings and Sonya Renee Taylor. They discuss real scarcity in plus-size clothing, including brands dropping extended sizes, and the grief and privilege tied to beauty standards. Dacy shares some of her practical tips for rejuvenating your closet through size changes, while still taking care of your own emotional wellbeing.   01:50 How Mindful Closet Began 03:58 Size Access and Hidden Grief 07:42 Unpacking "Flattering" Culture 13:34 Scarcity Mindset vs Reality 25:52 Client Clothing Grief Questions 30:19 Move Clothes Aside 33:02 Budget Shopping Tips 37:04 Unlearning Body Shame 44:30 Dream Your Style EPISODE RESOURCES: "Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fatphobia" by Sabrina Strings "The Body Is Not An Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love" by Sonya Renee Taylor "Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness" by Da'Shaun L. Harrison Episode 67: Being SEEN: picture grief with Lindley Ashline Summer Support Anti-Diet Panel Study on Women's Clothing Size WANT MORE OF DACY GILLESPIE? Join Dacy's newsletter at https://dacygillespie.substack.com/  "Mindful Closet" styling services with Dacy https://www.mindfulcloset.com/  Watch for Dacy's upcoming book, "Unflattering: A Radical New Way to Get Dressed" WANT MORE OF BRI? *Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri
 *Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ *Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/seven-steps  

84. Seasons of Bravery in Dating as a Plus Size Late Bloomer with Allora Dannon

In this episode of The Body Grievers® Club, Brianna interviews TikTok creator and author Allora Dannon, who describes herself as a plus-size "accidental late bloomer spokesperson." Allora explains how she reframed "late bloomer" to mean not dating or experiencing physical intimacy until her thirties, and she shares how growing up as the oldest of ten in a supportive religious family still left her feeling embarrassed, isolated, and "left behind" as her sisters married while she received little romantic attention. Together, Bri and Allora discuss the cultural whiplash around sex and inexperience, the impact of fatphobia on dating, the desire to be wanted without tying worth to men's attraction, and how platitudes about dating can be more harmful than validation.    TIMESTAMPS: 01:27 Meet the Guest: 'Accidental Late Bloomer' Allora Dannon 04:13 Her Background: Big Family, Faith, and Feeling 'Too Much' 10:25 Wanting to Be Desired Isn't a Moral Failing 13:16 Modern Dating Is Brutal: Apps, Anxiety, and Outdated Advice 21:12 Season of Bravery: Dating Apps, Rules, and Asking People Out 33:13 First Relationship After Late Blooming: Beautiful Firsts & Red Flags 36:14 A 'Season of Bravery': Dating Apps, One-Month Rule & Meeting Her Fiancé 40:31 Do It Scared, Not Traumatized: Nervous System, Anxiety Meds & Expanding Attraction 46:26 Intimacy as Healing: Sleeping Naked, Loving Your Shape & Protecting Your Progress 51:16 Ode to the Apron Belly: Body Dysmorphia, Moving Goalposts & Finding Neutrality 56:47 Closing Advice & Community: The Memoir Plug, Where to Start Healing, and Where to Find Her EPISODE RESOURCES: "Who Is She? A Late Bloomer's Survival Guide" by Allora Dannon  "Thank You, More Please: A Feminist Guide to Breaking Dumb Dating Rules and Finding Love" by Lily Womble WANT MORE OF ALLORA DANNON? https://www.alloradannon.com/  @alloradannon On All Social Channels   WANT MORE OF BRI? *Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri
 *Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ *Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/seven-steps   

83. Core Beliefs

In this episode of The Body Grievers® Club, Bri discusses the challenges of self-advocacy within the context of body image and core beliefs. She recounts a personal experience at the Sacramento Airport where she found herself struggling to ask for a wheelchair accommodation due to an injury. Bri explores the layers of body image distress, internalized ableism, and the difficulty of allowing oneself to ask for help. Through examining core beliefs and emotional triggers, she identifies a deep-seated fear of being perceived as a fraud by her clients and herself. The episode highlights the importance of understanding and reframing core beliefs, the role of emotional work in body image healing, and the necessity of compassion and patience in the journey toward self-acceptance. Bri offers practical advice on navigating distressful body image moments and emphasizes the value of vulnerability in the healing process.   00:53 Core Beliefs and Body Image 01:13 A Personal Story from Sacramento Airport 03:33 The Struggle with Asking for Help 03:45 Injury and Vulnerability 05:32 Unpacking Body Image Distress 11:58 Core Beliefs Worksheet: A Practical Guide 16:37 The Emotional Weight of Self-Advocacy 24:50 Reframing Core Beliefs 28:08 Conclusion: Embracing Vulnerability   WANT MORE OF BRI? *Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri
 *Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ *Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/seven-steps 

82. Weight Loss + Cutting Carbs Won't Solve Your PCOS: Ending Body Blame with Kimmie Singh

In this episode of The Body GrieversⓇ Club, Bri sits down with Kimmie Singh, a registered dietitian specializing in PCOS and eating disorders, to discuss the complex journey of body liberation. They explore the societal assumptions faced by fat dietitians, the challenges of navigating professional spaces, and the stigmas around PCOS and body image. Kim breaks down her unique approach to nutrition, which emphasizes body liberation and destigmatizing food and body size. They delve into the importance of self-care, the limitations of behavior change alone, and the nuanced role of medications like GLP-1 in managing PCOS. The conversation also touches on their personal friendship dynamics, the diversity in movement preferences, and the importance of creating supportive and non-judgmental spaces for clients. Whether you're managing PCOS, grappling with body acceptance, or just looking to learn more about holistic and compassionate health care, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.   01:59 The Role of a Non-Traditional Dietician 03:52 Personal Stories and Professional Challenges 07:07 Understanding PCOS: Personal Journey 15:07 Common Misconceptions and Myths about PCOS 22:20 Weight Neutral Management for PCOS 28:44 Healing Relationship with Movement 31:23 Gentle Encouragement vs. Pressure 39:03 Explaining PCOS in Simple Terms 42:06 Behavior Change and Medication 48:11 Final Thoughts and Resources   WANT MORE OF KIMMIE SINGH? https://www.bodyhonornutrition.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bodyhonornutrition/    WANT MORE OF BRI? *Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri
 *Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ *Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance  

81. Healing Your Body Image is Healthy as F*ck

In this episode of The Body GrieversⓇ Club, Bri goes live and bears all about the complexities of body image and the radical notion of body acceptance. As a body image coach, she challenges societal norms and misconceptions around health and body size, dives deep into the emotional and psychological toll of weight discrimination, and introduces the concept of 'body grief.' The discussion includes common fears that hinder radical body acceptance and highlights the importance of grieving the loss associated with societal body standards. Bri also explores the transition from pursuing weight loss for social privilege to embracing one's body through a lens of compassion and dignity. Join Bri on your body grief journey – you are not alone in this transformative process. TIMESTAMPS 01:55 Challenging Conventional Health Beliefs 03:33 The Reality of Body Image and Health 04:25 Common Hurdles to Radical Body Acceptance 05:15 Litmus Tests for True Health Motivation 06:34 Personal Journey and Professional Insights 07:57 Understanding Body Positivity and Fat Phobia 08:41 Shocking Statistics on Body Image and Health 11:41 The Turning Point: Personal Therapy Experience 16:54 The Concept of Body Grief 22:24 The Path to Body Liberation 31:08 Navigating the In-Between: Body Grief and Healing 35:46 Conclusion: Starting with Body Grief WANT MORE OF BRI? *Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri
 *Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ *Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance