In this episode, Becky and Taina dive into the world of children’s movies and TV shows that offer more than just fluff. From revisiting nostalgic favorites to exploring newer releases, they discuss how these stories tackle complex themes like grief, emotions, family dynamics, and representation. Whether you're looking for media to watch with your kids or hoping to heal your inner child, this conversation is packed with insights into the deeper layers of children's programming and its impact on adults and kids alike.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Avatar: The Last Airbender: Exploring its complex storytelling, themes of war, and whitewashing controversies.
• Where the Wild Things Are: A heartfelt movie review and its emotional resonance, especially for those dealing with grief or feelings of being misunderstood.
• Inside Out and Inside Out 2: Teaching kids (and adults) about emotional intelligence and understanding anxiety.
• Turning Red: Celebrating mother-daughter relationships and a refreshing absence of romantic subplots in animated films.
• Moana: Themes of female empowerment, righteous rage, and reclaiming personal identity.
• Soul: Pixar’s unique take on addressing grief and the meaning of life in a kid-friendly way.
• A Little Princess: A nostalgic favorite with an analysis of its themes of loss, resilience, and family.
• Magic School Bus: Making science fun and accessible for kids through immersive storytelling.
• The importance of diverse representation in children's media and the cultural impact of better storytelling.
• How children’s media can aid in healing the inner child in adults.

Resources Mentioned:

• “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
• “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Feelings Wheel

Call to Action:
What’s your favorite children’s movie or show that tackles big themes? Did we miss one of your go-to recommendations? Email us at MessyLiberation@gmail.com.

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In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into the complexities of the US healthcare system, sharing their personal experiences with chronic illness, denied insurance claims, and the frustrations of navigating healthcare in America. They also discuss the Luigi Mangione case and its implications for healthcare reform and inequality. With honesty and wit, Becky and Taina explore what it means to fight for health equity while balancing the personal and political challenges of living with disability.

From sharing practical tips like refusing unnecessary weigh-ins at the doctor to reflecting on the intersectionality of healthcare access, this hodgepodge episode is as informative as it is engaging. Tune in to hear how they bring their unique perspectives to a conversation that impacts us all.

Discussed in This Episode

• The struggles of living with chronic illness in the US healthcare system
• Why you can and should refuse unnecessary weigh-ins at the doctor
• Luigi Mangione, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting, and healthcare reform politics
• Intersectionality and disability: The shared vulnerabilities we all face
• The impact of denied insurance claims and inaccessible care
• Chronic pain experiences and the emotional toll of healthcare discrimination
• The importance of reclaiming agency in healthcare and firing bad providers
• What may come next for Messy Liberation in 2025

Resources Mentioned

• “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder
• Feminist Instagram account by Blair Imani
• BRB Crying podcast
• Pod Save America podcast
• You Made it Weird podcast
• Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers podcast
• Lonely Island and Seth Meyers podcast

In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dig deep into the complicated and often problematic world of philanthropy and charitable giving. From the systemic failures that make nonprofits necessary to the capitalist underpinnings of modern-day charity, this conversation unpacks why "giving back" often does more to maintain inequities than address them. Becky and Taina also explore alternative approaches like wealth redistribution and mutual aid, offering actionable insights for listeners who want to create real social impact.

Discussed in This Episode

• The problematic roots of charitable giving and white saviorism
• Nonprofit sector challenges, including financial transparency and CEO pay disparity
• Philanthropy’s role in perpetuating systemic inequality
• Wealth redistribution vs. traditional charity models
• The power of mutual aid and direct giving as alternatives
• The role of privilege in charitable giving and wealth redistribution
• The impact of nonprofits on marginalized communities
• Shifting from scarcity thinking to abundance thinking
• How the philanthropic sector mirrors capitalist structures
• Moving toward liberatory approaches to community care

Resources Mentioned

• Charity Navigator
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World" by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Trans Justice MO