Embodied

The Art of Giving Good Advice

There are few things that are certain about 2026, but one of them is that at some point, you’ll be called upon for advice. Anita talks to Meghan Keane, the founder of NPR's Life Kit and author of “Party of One,” about how to give good advice. Meghan shares her personal journey to striking the balance between overthinking, venting and actually getting to the root of a problem. Plus, she sits in the hot seat to answer some big questions from our listeners.Meet the guest:- Meghan Keane is the author of "Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner" and the founder and managing editor of NPR's Life KitRead the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for EmbodiedPlease note: This episode originally aired January 2, 2025.

Reimagining The Wedding Ceremony

The marriage rate in this country has fallen nearly 60% in the last half century. So what’s motivating those of us still choosing to say I do? Anita ponders this question with the Hindu officiant who helped her build a ceremony that bridged the gap between her values and her dad's traditional desires. Plus, a comedian and queer ex-nun explains how she takes people from the place of "marriage is a dumpster fire" to a ceremony they're excited about. Meet the guests:- Raja Gopal Bhattar is a consultant, author and officiant who Anita and her family worked with to design her wedding ceremony- Kelli Dunham, a comedian, nurse and queer ex-nun who officiates weddings and funerals — and refers to herself as "queer secular clergy"Read the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for EmbodiedIf you want to hear more of Satish Rao on Embodied:Mixed (Parent Edition), where Anita talks to her parents about growing up mixed racePooped, where Satish gets to share his expertise as a gastroenterologistPlease note: This episode originally aired September 26, 2024.Update: Raja Gopal Bhattar released an interactive memoir, “Queering Constellations: Mapping This Journey Called Life.” 

Coming Of Age As A Chinese Restaurant Kid

Curtis Chin grew up inside Chung’s Cantonese Cuisine. His great-grandfather first opened the Detroit restaurant in 1940, and in the 1970s and ‘80s Chung’s was the backdrop for many of Curtis’s formative lessons about race, identity and belonging.He talks to Anita about his experience learning how to code-switch as an Asian American and gay kid in a Black and white city — and how serving and observing customers in the restaurant helped him find his own way as a writer, filmmaker and activist.Meet the guest:- Curtis Chin is the author of “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant”Read the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for Embodied

Sex And Intimacy After Sexual Assault

After being raped at 18, journalist Katie Simon had a burning question: How do you navigate sex and intimacy after sexual assault? Katie tells Anita about their journey of trial and error with sex and how connecting with other survivors helped them write the guidebook they wish they’d had years ago. They explore everything from disclosure and triggers to kink and healing — both for survivors and their partners.Meet the guest- Katie Simon is the author of “Tell Me What You Like: An Honest Discussion of Sex and Intimacy After Sexual Assault"Read the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for Embodied

Dating, Sex & Love With HIV

How does living with a condition that is so deeply stigmatized affect who and how we love? Anita meets a mixed-HIV status couple who shares how they've approached sex and intimacy in their 11+ year relationship. Plus, a woman who was born HIV positive talks about dating, disclosure and overcoming the fear of rejection.Meet the guests:- Rainer Oktovianus is a photographer and user experience designer living with HIV- Eka Nasution is a project management professional and Rainer's husband- Diana Koss is a content creator and host of the "Born Positive" YouTube channelRead the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for EmbodiedPlease note: This episode originally aired September 5, 2024.