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Amanda Blank is a determined entrepreneur who dropped her finance career to improve the online bra shopping experience—all with newborn twins in tow. After entering a startup competition with no prior entrepreneurial experience, she was amazed that her business idea was accepted to compete. Then, Amanda dove headfirst into founding Bratadah. The company’s goal was to solve a challenge that she and many other women face: buying a bra online that fits perfectly. While working to grow Bratadah, giving birth to her sons, and finishing her MBA at Chicago Booth, COVID-19 happened. Amanda has gone through the highs and lows of building an e-commerce marketplace during a pandemic. She can give advice on establishing brand partnerships, navigating feedback from VC firms, and developing retail tech for the evolving lingerie market.

Karima's Renee career started backward. If you ask her about her journey in becoming a personal stylist and The Philly Bra Lady, that's what she would say. It began on a hot summer day in 2007 with an internship with celebrity stylist June Ambrose. Since then, she has focused on women's style, imaging their bra's top priority. Karima Renee has positioned herself and her brand The Philly Bra Lady(formerly, Skinny Minority)as the go-to brand for intimate apparel expertise in Philadelphia. For the majority of the past decade, Karima Renee has worked in both the New York and Philadelphia fashion markets honing her skills and sharing her expertise with brands like Macy's, H&M, Lane Bryant, Tallutos, Indique, No Nonsense and Simon Malls. Today, her mission is the same as when she first started, to help professional women feel confident and comfortable in their clothing and bras.

Beverly Franklin and Gail Williams are Certified Bra Fitters! They have been connected through their strong faith and interest in helping others for many years. They have experience, passion and are committed to the beauty, confidence and comfort of all women. Their goal is to increase women’s self-esteem, their confidence and the perception of their own beauty. Beverly Franklin spent 30 years in corporate administrative services, working with many high-ranking professionals. Beverly has always believed that it was her job to help others look good, and today she’s leveraging her extensive experience, to support women in her community in a direct way. Gail Williams worked as an administrator providing support services for over 20 years, and later worked in direct sales for 10 years. Gail has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a heart for serving others. Beverly & Gail’s own bra-fitting experience inspired them to bring that to other women and thus, Measured To Fit LLC was formed. Measured To Fit’s mission is to enlighten and empower women by knowing what the right fit feels like and how to achieve it. “It’s a blessing to be a blessing in the lives of women with a properly fitted undergarment, Because One Size Does Not Fit All!” https://measuredtofit.com/

Kaarin Von founded the eponymous Von Bar in 1995. (@vonbarnyc Currently open for delicious to-go cocktails!) It started as an antique shop with coffee service, but guided by friends and the small matter of high rent, transformed into a trend-setting nightspot, and ultimately into the “neighborhood fixture” it is today. As it grew, Von helped to reinvigorate the neighborhood and will always be remembered as a pioneering Noho-Bowery business. Married to an Italian “Count” for 12 years, Kaarin and her family regularly travel throughout Europe seeking the best coffee and cake that can be found. She can converse in Italian and rusty French and German.She holds a Master’s Degree in Medieval Literature and is an amateur writer and historian (skills used mostly to answer late night bar disputes about Chaucer or the court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Federico II—since there are many such disputes at the Von, believe it or not). Kaarin is an elected official for Assembly District 66 of New York, serving as the Democratic Party’s County Committee Person. Active in community matters, Kaarin is also a member of the Noho-Bowery Stake Holders, the Noho Alliance and a sponsor of ACE for the Homeless. Kaarin has coordinated innumerable fundraising events at Von for Not-For-Profit organizations such as Project Pet, Japan Society, Unicef, Solar Salon, STEPS to end family violence, Move-On, and the New Amsterdam School among others.In her non-professional life, she has continued the community building activities that define her role at Von, serving on the board of the Grace Church Choral Society, a choir in which she has sung for the past twelve years, and helping to spearhead fundraising efforts at the New Amsterdam School, where she co-chairs the resource development committee and the craft cooperative, and where she also pursues studies in anthroposophy.She also, incidentally, made Vogue’s best-dressed list a few years back (but since then she hardly dresses up at all, preferring the simpler art of sweatpants).

Kimmay Caldwell is a self-love coach and Undergarment educator who supports people to say hurray inside, outside, and underneath™. She is an expert bra fitter with over 15 years of experience of getting intimate with people from cup sizes A to N. Previously based in NYC, she made a dramatic move to rural Oklahoma, and travels around the world to spread her empowering message of self-love, and how to use the everyday ritual of putting on a bra to uncover your confidence, stand in your power, and learn to love yourself. You may have seen her in one of over 100 press outlets, including The Martha Stewart Show, The Today Show, The Rachael Ray Show, and more. Or perhaps you caught her teaching bra fitting workshops at the largest lingerie expo in the world. You can connect with Kimmay @Hurraykimmay, and always find her at www.HurrayKimmay.com

Holly is the owner of The Full Figured Chest Copywriting, a content marketing and consulting company that provides creative and elegant copywriting for the high- end lingerie industry. The Full Figured Chest helps boutique owners, lingerie authors, experts, and apparel companies create a message that resonates with buyers worldwide. She has written for media outlets from The Lingerie Journal to The Toast.Check her out at  thefullfiguredchest.com

Laura's love for intimates began during a wonderful stint directing the AmBRAssador team at Bare Necessities, the largest online specialty retailer of women's & men's branded and designer intimate apparel and underwear. During her first week on the job she was properly fitted and changed her size from a 36C to a 34F! She began her career in banking and has a Bachelors of Science in Finance from the University of Connecticut. For the last 8 years she has been working in Fashion, however she recently left her job in the Fashion industry to make Fit by Burke her full time commitment. Her bra fitting studio is located in Larchmont New York. It's a warm judgement free zone dedicated to supporting women. www.fitbyburke.com @fitbyburke

Lisa Garner is a Psychology Professor at Tallahassee Community College. She is a graduate of University of Florida, where she received her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology, and conducted research on cognitive development in infants and children. When not engaged in event planning and other creative endeavors, she focuses on teaching full time at TCC. As a community college graduate herself, she appreciates the critical role strong female mentors play in young women’s lives. She owes her own success, in large part, to the excellent teachers she had, and firmly believes that the potential to forward even a fraction of that inspiration on to her students is what motivates her to strive for excellence. Dr. Garner was also the recipient of a NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award in 2006.

Naama Laufer is slightly obsessed with Portuguese wine..and with smiling. Raised around the world, she has always sought out ways to feel at home and in harmony with whatever situation she was dealt. A Politics Major from Brandeis, she stayed true to her studies (with a twist, of course). Her love for communication and engaging with people quickly drew her to the world of PR & Branding, where she has been perfecting the art of "getting it done" for the past 16 years, whatever the industry. Ten years ago, Naama created NLC Wines with her Portuguese husband, Luis, with a goal to bring to the US a unique selection of wines that deliver a Portugal rarely experienced before. They’re a bit crazy over indigenous grapes (and she is a fiend for older vintages), and a bit obsessed with educating just about everyone on the virtues of drinking Portuguese wine. They happily live and smile in New York with their two kids, three cats and an apple orchard.

We are looking back on some of our favorite Curvy Pod moments of 2019, in case you missed it! In honor of the holiday season, we are exploring a fun question that we ask all of our guests on the show which is, "What is your current favorite indulgence?" This episode and short and sweet.. literally! Happy Holidays! Follow us on instagram @thecurvypod

Looking back on our favorite moments of 2019, in case you missed it! On this episode of The Curvy Pod we hear from 5 of our previous guests and how they trusted their inner wisdom to create a career and life where they can thrive! Instagram @thecurvypod

Kiera Doyle is a hairdresser, facilitator, Human Design reader and former yoga instructor with a career path that’s been non-linear, to say the least. While caring for others came second nature, learning to love herself has been a journey. Kiera is the host of Beauty Therapy Podcast where she shares real conversations about seeking inner love in a world of outer beauty. 

Asia Mone’t is a Plus Size Model affectionately known as the “G” in the Intimate Apparel Business. Brands like Calvin Klein, Target, Lively, and Elila USA (just to mention a few) have developed and perfected their fuller bust designs on her form. As a face Asia Mone’t has been seen on campaigns for Size Inclusive brands such as Curvy Beach and Plus Size Retailer Ashley Stewart. Asia Mone’t continues to use her image and influence on her social media platforms to redefine the “Standard of Beauty” promoting self-love and confidence #IamBeautyToo . www.AsiaMonet.com https://www.instagram.com/modelasiamonet/ https://www.facebook.com/ModelAsiaMonet/

Hilary-Paige Willis is a vocalist, dancer, instructor, actor, and activist from Atlanta, GA. HP is a 2007 graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and has been dancing, acting, and singing since the age of three. Her credits include featured vocalist for Carnival Cruise Lines, HAIRSPRAY the Musical, Mamma Mia!, Sister Act, and as Della in the cult hit, Della’s Diner. Hilary-Paige is the lead vocalist for the band Garden Party Duo, and also headlines her one woman show, "How Do You Do, Miss Paige?" She is passionate about empowering others to be compassionate towards themselves and others, most especially in the areas of body liberation, fat activism, and intersectional feminism. You can follow her on all major social media platforms @howdoyoudohp, or email her at howdoyoudohp@gmail.com!

Lee Padgett has been a serial entrepreneur since elementary school. She is best known for her entrepreneurial experience in the past 15 years as the owner and operator of Busted Bra Shop, the podcast Bras, Bitches, and Balls, Cafe de Troit, and Eat Detroit.com. She was a top 10 finalist in HATCH Detroit and although she did not win, she was so encouraged by the many Detroit women who needed a bra shop in the city. She started off in a small office and quickly grew into a 1400 sq. foot retail location in Midtown. As of 2019, Busted Bra Shop has grown to 3 stores, 2 being in Detroit, and one in Chicago. As a member of the Disabled American Veterans Lee served as adjutant with her local chapter for three years. She was also one of the first females in the country inducted into the TRENCH RATS, a national veteran’s organization. As President of the Rotary Club of Detroit A.M., she quadrupled the membership in a year. The Club worked with other Rotary Clubs on Operation Warm, a service project that provided over 3,000 coats to local children. She coaches and encourages women to become entrepreneurs and some have opened their businesses in Detroit.

Jessica Medoff is breaking down barriers, showing her multi-dimensional talents and emotional depth as an actress of stage and screen. She is praised as a performer who, “skillfully employs her trademark vocal versatility to wring out every drop of emotion…”(Harold Journal), and is sought after throughout the United States for her impressive vocal background and dramatic commitment. Lauded for her diversity as singing actor, she is continually engaged in an impressive array of roles, both comedic and dramatic, among performing arts companies and producers spanning film, television, theatre, and opera. She and her husband pianist Michael Bunchman are creators of two original cabarets, The Truth About Love…and the Usual Lies and Gershwin and Beyond.  Critics and audiences alike have raved about their “seamless collaboration” and in a review of The Truth About Love Jon Sobel of blogcritics says “If Jessica Medoff does not have a fan club, someone should start one”.  Jessica holds two degrees in Classical Vocal Performance.  Favorite operatic roles include Judith in Bluebeard’s Castle, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Giulietta in Verdi’s Un Giorno di Regno, and Marguerite in Faust. On the concert stage she has twice been honored to sing the soloist in the Faure Requiem in Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.  Incredibly active as a POPS soloist she has had the opportunity to star with many orchestras including New Haven Symphony, Ridgefield Symphony, Breckenridge Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival with Maestro David Zinman, and the Las Cruces Symphony.

For over two decades as a leading voice and face in the fashion industry, Emme is the iconic and world-renowned supermodel. With the conviction that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, Emme has paved the way and given women a voice to feel beautiful and empowered. A TV personality, brand spokesperson, model, consultant, author, creative director of her EMME®, mebyEMME®, and TrueBeautybyEMME® clothing lines, cancer survivor, lecturer, former Revlon spokeswoman and globally recognized women’s advocate for positive body image and self-esteem, Emme’s message is clear – to awaken the inner magnificence inherent in each of us, to be whole. She is the first model invited to speak before a Congressional subcommittee in Washington, D.C. with a mission to increase public awareness of eating and body image disorders and is the founder of Fashion Without Limits: Changing The Face of Fashion, in it’s 5th year with partner Syracuse University - a first of it’s kind - an inclusive fashion design initiative, teaching future fashion designers how to design for all women size 0-24+. For the first time in 28 years, Emme walked in Chromat's spring 2018 fashion show at New York Fashion Week, then landed three spring 2018 campaigns placing her right back into her modeling career with Iconic Focus. Part of the ensemble cast of the documentary Straight/Curve, Emme participates with screenings and panels at high schools, college campuses and public gatherings supporting this break out body work. You can find her podcast EmmeStyle: Remarkable people. Empowering stories, on iTunes, and collaborating with yoga legging brand sensation KDeer with a legging bearing the #EMME®stripe to benefit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). Emme has authored five books, “True Beauty”, “Life’s Little Emergencies”, co-author of Morning Has Broken and co-author of her children’s book “What Are You Hungry For? And in 2017 co-authored with Natasha Stoynoff and Amy Newmark Chicken Soup For The Soul Curvy and Confident: 101 Stories of Loving Yourself and Your Body”. Emme is a sought after media, healthcare and retail consultant, tapping into her invaluable insight from her 30 years dedicated to positive body image and celebrating a woman's body™. She is frequently interviewed by the media on a variety of topics relating to eating disorders and body image, fashion & beauty trends, marketing and fitness, as well as surviving cancer and women's health. She is consistently booked to appear on such media outlets as: Today Show, GMA, CBS The Early Show, CNN, MSNBC, HLN, OWN, FOX News, OMG! Insider, Huff Post Live, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, and others to share her point of view on these topics.  Her work receives national and international coverage from the NYTimes, Women’s Wear Daily, R29, Bustle, People Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Marie Claire, TIME Magazine, HuffPost, WSJ, Yahoo!Style, PeopleStyleWatch, USAToday BusinessInsider.com, Vogue Italia, Tribune India, MTV, The DailyMail, among many others. A TEDx presenter, Emme has twice been selected to People Magazine’s "50 Most Beautiful People" and Ladies’ Home Journal chose her as one of the "Most Important Women in America" and one of the "Most Fascinating Women of the Year." She has also been honored as one of Glamour magazine’s "Women of the Year" and as one of Biographymagazine’s “25 Most Influential Women”, Emme is an Ambassador to The National Eating Disorders Association, board member of the Model Alliance, honorary board member of Project Heal, and donates her time to the Girl Scouts of America.  Emme was invited to the US '84 Olympic Trials for rowing and her passion for nature and fitness fuels her active lifestyle, which includes triathlons, rowing, snowshoeing, boogie boarding, hiking, yoga, swimming and yes, camping.  Emme grew up in Saudi Arabia and she and her daughter currently live in Northern New Jersey. 

Linda joined Sunbridge Institute as director of education in 2018, having previously served as a trustee on the Sunbridge Board. From 2006-2018 she was a class teacher at Manhattan’s Rudolf Steiner School, where she also sat on the Board of Trustees and College of Teachers and chaired the Community Education Committee. A longtime student of anthroposophy, Linda’s background in education also includes teaching at the university level. She earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in the field of German area studies from The Johns Hopkins University, her master’s and doctoral degrees in German languages and literatures from the University of Pennsylvania, and her certificate in Waldorf teacher education from Sunbridge College. The parent of a college sophomore (and Steiner School graduate), Linda is excited to be back at Sunbridge, embarking on a new administrative phase of her career in Waldorf Education. In her free time, she loves to travel with her husband and parents and indulge her love of Broadway theater as often as possible. She also enjoys singing, cooking, knitting, and reading historical mysteries and is writing a book—either a collection of midlife poetry or a mystery novel (whichever comes first!).

Tiza Garland is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Florida where she teaches in the MFA, BFA, and BA programs.  Her primary teaching responsibilities including teaching the Movement for the Actor courses, Stage Combat, and Period Styles Movement.Professor Garland is a Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA).  She is a Certified Teacher with the National Michael Chekhov Association and she is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), a Certified Teacher with the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat (BASSC), and a Senior Teacher with Dueling Arts International. Tiza recently completed her course work towards a Ph. D. in Fine Arts at Texas Tech University.  She earned her MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in Theatre Pedagogy with a focus in Movement and Fight Direction, and she earned her BA in Theatre, Spanish and Asian Studies from Western Michigan University. Professor Garland has a varied movement training background. She is a classically trained actor and has trained  with the Dah Theatre in Belgrade, Serbia in Grotowski-based work, she has studied Meyerhold's Biomechanics with Gennadi Bogdanov, as well as trained with the United Stuntmen's Association in Seattle, Washington. She has attended the Aerial Dance Festival in Boulder, Colorado where she trained in various aerial dance techniques and apparatus. 

Naimah is a Modern Day Muse in NYC. She is where Fashion comes to Life. Her body is the canvas where Designers visualize, check the fit, and the drape of the clothes that you wear everyday. The Muse whose body an personality sells collections to fashion buyers. She is beautiful, statuesque, well balanced, toned and solid. The Plus Muse for contemporary brands like Adore Me (Intimates and Swim), Fashion to Figure (Contemporary Ready to Wear), David's Bridal (Bridal & Dresses), Christian Siriano (Luxury Ready to Wear), RBX (Activewear) and many more. Naimah also models for brands like Levis, Avenue, Ashley Stewart, Macys, and JCPenny to name a few. Naimah is also a Lead Actor in Curvy Girls Rock Web Series. Naimahterry.com TheMuse360.com