Beyond Beauty Project: The Podcast

In this episode, Bridgett dives into the journey of embracing natural beauty through the transition to silver hair with Margaret Osler, creator of the Instagram account @aging_is_amazing, which has grown into a vibrant community of 158k followers. Known for her message, "Be natural, be authentic, be yourself, as you age beautifully, contentedly, and peacefully," Margaret shares how her silver curls have become a symbol of self-acceptance and freedom. She reflects on how embracing her natural beauty has deepened her confidence and led to a sense of peace, showing that beauty goes far beyond youth or external appearances.Bridgett and Margaret share their reflections on the pressure younger women face in today’s beauty culture and how breaking away from societal expectations can lead to a more fulfilling life. With heartfelt advice for future generations, Margaret emphasizes that beauty comes from within and true authenticity shines brighter than any external ideal. This conversation invites us all to fall in love with the wisdom, freedom, and beauty that come with age and to model that authenticity for those who come after us.For more, you can follow the Beyond Beauty Project on Instagram & Youtube!Produced by Peoples Media

In this episode, Bridgett sits down with Pasha Marlowe (she/they), a mental health professional with over 30 years of experience and a leading advocate for neuroinclusion and accessibility. Pasha shares their insights on the neurodiversity paradigm, shedding light on the misconceptions and biases surrounding neurodivergence. They dive deep into the significance of destigmatizing and depathologizing neurodivergent identities, highlighting the challenges individuals face due to late diagnoses, particularly in adulthood and menopause. Through their lived experiences as a therapist and coach, Pasha explains how neurodivergence intersects with mental health, disability, and LGBTQIA+ identities, urging listeners to embrace the unmasking of their true selves.Bridgett and Pasha also explore the vital importance of representation and awareness in dismantling societal norms that marginalize neurodivergent individuals. They discuss the empowering journey of self-compassion and self-care, especially when navigating life as a neurodivergent person in a world often designed for neurotypicality. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on creating inclusive spaces, understanding hidden disabilities, and the power of empathy in fostering a more accessible and accepting society.For more, you can follow the Beyond Beauty Project on Instagram & Youtube!Produced by Peoples Media

Kristina Bruce is a certified Change Coach who specializes in helping women feel good in their bodies. She guides women to recognize and trust their Inner Wisdom so they can live in a way that is authentic and empowering. She does this through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and courses at kristinabruce.com. Kristina shares her personal journey, which led her to today's work of worthiness and Inner Wisdom. She shares her experience about the societal pressures to "stay small" and the impact of generational conditioning on body image. As she expanded her self-development path, Kristina began to question these deeply ingrained beliefs; she recognized the historical roots of body image issues and the conditioning passed down by society. Through inner work and accessing her own inner guidance, she started to distinguish the conditioned mind from her true self. She challenges societal conditioning and external validation, encouraging listeners to let go of control, embrace change, and live authentically. Bridgett and Kristina dive into the barriers to body acceptance and the journey toward true freedom, exploring how we can rewire our beliefs and tune into our Inner Wisdom. For more, you can follow the Beyond Beauty Project on Instagram & Youtube!Produced by Peoples Media

Ellie Haney, founder of Here For You Clothing, drew inspiration from her mental health journey and channeled her darkness into creative energy amid the COVID-19 pandemic by creating purposeful garments and finding optimism and resilience through the process. With her two childhood best friends, the team travels across the US, sharing Ellie's story and spreading the message that it's okay not to be okay, using their brand as a symbol of support and unity. In this episode, Ellie Haney recounts her journey through the challenges of self-medicating during college, the pressures of living the perfect life, and drug-induced psychosis. She walks us through her path to understanding mental health, the support she found from her parents, and how the pandemic became a turning point with the discovery of tie-dying, which led her to discover her passion for creating Here For You Clothing. Ellie emphasizes the importance of therapy, uncovering your life's passion, and realizing no one is alone through difficult times. During Bridgett and Ellie’s vulnerable conversation, they bond over their experiences of self-medicating, suppressing emotions, and finding hope as the "cloud" of pain lifts. Ellie also shares her sobriety journey and how overcoming alcohol dependence has been key to her healing.For more, you can follow the Beyond Beauty Project on Instagram & Youtube!Produced by Peoples Media

Jesse Israel is a meditation leader, keynote speaker, and leadership coach known for founding the mass meditation movement The Big Quiet. Named "The Meditation Expert" by The New York Times, Jesse has led some of the largest meditations on earth — having toured arenas with Oprah Winfrey and co-hosted international broadcasts with Deepak Chopra. An Audible Originals best-selling creator and a Forbes Next 1000 recipient, Jesse has collaborated on meditation projects with Grammy-winning rappers, coached the world's most influential entrepreneurs, and keynoted at Fortune 500s around the globe.Jesse shares his story of discovering meditation, a practice that not only transformed his life but also became his profession and mindset. Through pivotal moments of his transition, he highlights the importance of intuition and how tapping into our collective power and voice can drive positive change. This "superpower of gathering" has been a cornerstone of Jesse's work, from founding Medi Club to creating the experiences of The Big Quiet. Jesse breaks down the various forms of noise that distract us from our true selves and shares his philosophy on connecting to our core to unleash our potential, joy, and power through community and human connection. His expertise accentuates the importance of listening to community needs and how every human possesses a reservoir of energy. For more, you can follow the Beyond Beauty Project on Instagram & Youtube!Produced by Peoples Media

Amy Cohen Epstein, President and Executive Director of the Lynne Cohen Foundation since 1998, refused to let her mother's memory fade with her passing due to ovarian cancer. She leads educational efforts, preventive care programs, and collaborative medical initiatives to promote early detection and intervention. Amy's passion birthed initiatives like The SEAM, amplifying awareness through impactful stories and events. The foundation's preventive care clinics nationwide ensure access for all women. Her advocacy, recognized by platforms like the Today Show and People Magazine, emphasizes her dedication to empowering women's health.In this episode, Amy shares her mission to ensure her mother's legacy lives on. With a passionate dedication to women's health, Amy explains the importance of early detection, emphasizing proactive measures and self-examination as fundamental tools in the fight against breast and ovarian cancers. From transforming her family's private foundation to a public 501c3, the Lynne Cohen Foundation serves as a pillar of support, bridging the gap between physical and mental health. By encouraging conversations, amplifying expert voices, and spreading awareness, the foundation educates and empowers women of all ages to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Bridgett and Amy talk about learning your body's "normal" so you can be your own best advocate!Listen to Amy's podcast, The SEAM for more information on women's health and the Lynne Cohen Foundation.For more, you can follow the Beyond Beauty Project on Instagram & Youtube!Produced by Peoples Media

Chrissy King is a powerhouse writer, speaker, educator, and former strength coach passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive wellness industry. She is also the author of The Body Liberation Project. Through her work, Chrissy empowers individuals to stop shrinking, start taking up space, and use their energy to create their specific magic in the world. With degrees in social justice and sociology from Marquette University, Chrissy merges her passion for social justice with her passion for wellness to inspire members of the fitness industry to create spaces that allow individuals from all backgrounds to feel seen, welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated.In this episode, Chrissy shares her journey, revealing how her experiences ignited a lifelong quest for self-acceptance and empowerment that later led to the writing of her book. From grappling with the constraints of diet culture to reclaiming autonomy over her body, Chrissy shares insights into the mental and emotional toll of societal beauty standards. Drawing from her social justice and sociology background, she sheds light on the intersectionality of body oppression and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. Throughout the episode, Chrissy advocates for a paradigm shift toward body neutrality and emphasizes the importance of self-love as a radical act of resistance, while also uncovering the deep-rooted connection between white supremacy and diet culture. From unlearning white feminism to prioritizing self-care in the BIPOC community, Chrissy offers advice and actionable steps for fostering inclusivity and empowerment. Tune in as Bridgett and Chrissy explore the transformative power of the body liberation movement and envision a future where every individual is celebrated for their inherent worth.For more, you can follow the Beyond Beauty Project on Instagram & Youtube!Produced by Peoples Media

Cole Kazdin is a writer, performer and four-time Emmy Award winning television journalist. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, The Daily Beast, Cosmopolitan, NPR, and more. Author of her first book, What's Eating Us: Women, Food, and the Epidemic of Body Anxiety (St. Martin's Press) blends personal narrative and investigative reporting to reveal disordered eating as an epidemic crisis killing millions. Cole explores the complexities and realities of eating disorder journeys, shedding light on the flaws within the diet industry and research community.Bridgett and Cole emphasize the importance of nourishing our bodies and the profound effects it has on our overall well-being, from sleep patterns to anxiety levels and beyond. They discuss confronting weight discrimination and the trauma-induced effects on children, while also addressing the lack of research surrounding eating disorders in black communities, revealing underlying racist ideologies at play.The two unpack the influence of diet culture and the weight loss industry, revealing the scientific reasons why our bodies resist these societal pressures. Through engaging discussions, they explore the intricate connection between brain health and proper nourishment.They also dive into the stark reality of treatment and the alarming absence of a standard of care for eating disorders. As we navigate through these topics, Bridgett and Cole guide us back to the essence of reconnecting with our bodies and fostering a healthier relationship with food.Listen to understand the complexities surrounding eating disorders while advocating for greater awareness and support for those affected.For more, you can follow the Beyond Beauty Project on Instagram & Youtube!Produced by Peoples Media