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What do we mean when we talk about self care? Why do people get so cranky about it? Marianne has so many opinions on this. Also, fun fact: poor-taking-care-of-self is a reason why this episode was so delayed! Lesley is sorry, she's just living her truth here.SOME LINKS:GOOPDr Martens, Pride EditionShannon Barber's Self Care Like a BossLesley's First Isolation Tank ExperienceWTF is a salt cave anywayBumper music: “Two Pianos” by Manuel Senfft (www.tagirijus.de)

In this episode, Lesley and Marianne tackle the listener-suggested topic of writing. How did each of them turn writing into a career? Why is it so hard? Why do writers continue to be riddled with uncertainty even when they're fairly successful? What kind of advice would they offer people trying to get a start? They also discuss Jessica Wakeman's recent Medium essay about having spent her 20s writing candidly about sex, and how she feels about that now as a thirtysomething married person. Also there's a little bit about the xoJane era. Enjoy!Bumper music: “Two Pianos” by Manuel Senfft (www.tagirijus.de)

“I DO have problems with authority figures! I always have.”At the end of March, Lesley and Marianne attended Ultra Music Festival in Miami, an EDM event that draws roughly 140,000 people to the placid environs of Bayfront Park. They recollect the weekend and discuss age, and ableism, and other stuff that becomes a factor when you're twenty years older than most of the attendees. It was an awesome experience, although Lesley might have gotten into minor shouting matches with police twice, and Marianne might be very relieved that she was not arrested. They had a great time though. Seriously.Bumper music: “Two Pianos” by Manuel Senfft (www.tagirijus.de)

“I think I'm a little fuckin' annoyed!”We discuss the politics of size — like, literal sizing — and access to fashion. Lesley goes on a strident rant about Reese Witherspoon's line for Eloquii. Marianne is still mad at Old Navy. Both are ruffled about Gwyneth Paltrow's plans to make Universal Standard's “so stylish” fat clothes for thin people. In cheerier news, everybody wants Whitney Mero's excellent dresses.Also, the sound on this podcast is a work in progress, as Lesley is busy relearning how Soundbooth works and the secrets to making us seem velvety and radio-friendly. Bear with us, it'll get better.SOME LINKS:PremmeReese Witherspoon designs clothes for fats??Gwyneth Paltrow goops up Universal StandardWhitney Mero makes beauuuuutiful dressesAlight.com via the Wayback Machine: STEP BACK IN TIME TO 2005Bumper music: “Two Pianos” by Manuel Senfft (www.tagirijus.de)

“IT IS DEFINITELY NOT FATCAST.”Hello, welcome and please enjoy the first episode of our new podcast (and other assorted sundries to be specified later), the catchily named Untitled Lesley Kinzel / Marianne Kirby Project, which we've also been calling the WDGAFpod for short (and if that's confusing, we invite you to consult the name again). In episode one, we reintroduce ourselves and our totally nebulous concept for this podcast, and then move on to discuss one of the most difficult of adult topics: MAKING FRIENDS. How do you do it? Lesley, who has recently moved cities, is flummoxed, and Marianne gamely tries to help.This is a bit of a soft launch while we're figuring shit out. If you love it, let us know. If you hate it, you don't have to let us know, but we're figuring you won't be able to resist telling us, so have at it.No links on this ep because I didn't write any down.Bumper music: “Two Pianos” by Manuel Senfft (www.tagirijus.de)