logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
45m 5s

The Risk It Takes To Bloom (Raquel Willi...

Elise Loehnen
About this episode
“Well, the interesting thing is, I guess some of this came from writing the book too, but all of those versions of me live inside of me, right? Even the kid that was, you know, forced to kind of navigate the world as a boy and all of these different things, like that kid is still inside of me, right? The teenager slash young adult who was gay, just like regu ... Show More
Up next
Jul 3
The Gold of Midlife (Chip Conley)
“The midlife crisis is not a dark night of the soul,” says Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy. “It’s a dark night of the ego.” Conley, who is also the author of Learning to Love Midlife, outlines the main myths that we’re led to believe about midlife—and some optimi ... Show More
38m 23s
Jun 30
Is This Our Push Up the Spiral? (Monthly Solo)
In this month’s solo episode, I’m sharing: The tools and people helping me to manage my fear right now. Thoughts on growing up versus waking up. The most important things I’ve learned from the Spiral Dynamics theory of human development, and Ken Wilbur’s concept of holarchies. Wh ... Show More
57m 2s
Jun 26
How to Think About Genius (Helen Lewis)
In her new book, The Genius Myth, journalist Helen Lewis explores how and why we label certain people geniuses; and the impact this has on said geniuses, us, and culture at large. Today, we talk about our perception of the exceptional, and some of our more pernicious and dark mis ... Show More
1h 1m
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
The Risk It Takes to Bloom
Raquel Willis is an activist, author, and media strategist whose work focuses on Black transgender liberation. Willis joins Cleo Wade today to talk about her debut memoir, The Risk It Takes to Bloom, and making peace with her younger self while chipping away at the idea of wantin ... Show More
45m 45s
Jun 2022
Pride on Stage: Cheryl Dunye
Cheryl Dunye (1966-present) was the first Black lesbian to direct a feature film. The movie, called The Watermelon Woman, established her as a leading voice in the New Queer Cinema movement of the 1990’s.Special thanks to our exclusive Pride Month sponsor, Mercedes-Benz! Mercedes ... Show More
6m 42s
Feb 2022
FEMINISM: Trans Liberation, Culture Wars and Class with Shon Faye
It’s Episode 2 of our Feminism mini-series and Floss is joined by the glamorous and hilarious genius that is Shon Faye. Shon is a writer, editor, journalist, and presenter known for her commentary on LGBTQ plus, women's and mental health issues. She hosts the podcast, Call Me Mot ... Show More
50m 49s
Jun 2022
Pride on Stage: Nancy Cárdenas
Nancy Cárdenas (1934-1994) was an actor, poet, and writer. She was also the first queer person to come out on live television in Mexico.Special thanks to our exclusive Pride Month sponsor, Mercedes-Benz! Mercedes-Benz continues to support and stand with the LGBTQIA+ community. Li ... Show More
5m 35s
Jun 2022
Pride on Stage: Maude Adams
Maude Adams (1872-1953) was America’s most popular and highest paid actress of her day. Beyond her skills onstage, she also helped invent technology to improve stage lighting and develop color film photography.Special thanks to our exclusive Pride Month sponsor, Mercedes-Benz! Me ... Show More
5m 47s
Jul 2021
Understanding Our Sexual Fantasies
Tracy Clark-Flory is a senior staff writer at Jezebel and author of Want Me: A Sex Writer’s Journey Into the Heart of Desire. Her book explores the messages we receive from society about sex, intimacy, and pleasure and how this shapes our sexual lives and identities. She explains ... Show More
39m 5s
Apr 2022
Eco-Warriors: Ellen Swallow Richards
Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911) was the first woman to be admitted to MIT. She founded the home economics movement and ignited the study of ecology to create life-saving environmental health standards. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we w ... Show More
9m 39s
Jun 2022
Pride on Stage: Suzanne Jeanne Baulé (Frede)
Suzanne Jeanne Baulé (Frede) (1914-1976) created a space for others to dance, perform, and be free. She was an androgynous queen of nightlife during one of the most liberated and frightening times in French history.Special thanks to our exclusive Pride Month sponsor, Mercedes-Ben ... Show More
5m 34s
Nov 2023
260. Roxane Gay: Should We Quit Social Media?
Author and cultural observer, Roxane Gay, examines the landscape of the internet and our relationship with it. We discuss the line between constructive criticism and online toxicity; how to decide when to speak up and when to stay quiet; and how to stay human and allow redemption ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2018
Jill Soloway Wants It
Did you know that a synonym for women’s genitalia has its root in the Latin word for “shame”? This is one of many intriguing observations that emerges from Tina Brown’s conversation with Jill Soloway, creator of the groundbreaking series Transparent, that was inspired by Soloway’ ... Show More
35m 34s