Busy Body

This was such a thrilling insightful conversation! Join me as Laura Thomas helps to 'complicate simplistic food narratives for our overall peace' - I love that phrase! We discuss the societal and cultural influences on food choices and Laura's ultimate thorn, the hyper focus on ultra-processed foods in modern diets. As always, there is so much more to the story! Capitalism, domestic gender equality and politics all come into play on our plates. Find Laura Thomas, PhD in Nutritional Sciences, registered nutritionist, and author of the newsletter "Can I Have Another Snack." Her newsletter and podcast Here, IG here and her books here (apologies that the ‘zon was the only spot I could find selling them in the US).Subscribe to the Busybody Podcast for more discussions on topics like this! Follow me on Instagram at @BrooklynStrength and visit brooklynstrength.com for more information and ways you can work with me! (including to de-program your brain to stop fighting with your body)I’ve written about the joys of ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole FulfillmentAnd how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…You can still jump into the Summer Series! Grab it now and get consistent, safe, fun, (anti-anxiety cardio anyone??) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.I also teach beginner strength and stability via The Self Paced Series as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. Want to deep dive with me on YOUR unique issues? Get the accountability that private coaching creates? Join me for virtual one-to-one sessions, we’ll move together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Laura Thomas and Her Work02:51 Cultural Perspectives on Food: US vs UK05:33 The Role of Mothers in Nutrition and Food Choices11:42 The Burden of Food Work on Mothers14:37 Ultra-Processed Foods: Definitions and Implications29:34 The Societal Impact of Food Choices44:20 Critical Thinking in Food Consumption58:40 Conclusion and Future ConversationsIf you liked this conversation please rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts AND heart comment or share on this substack post! It helps spread the word and get this podcast and these wonderful conversations heard and seen.Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks. Podcast produced by Brad at Trains Sound Studio. Illustrations by Jackie Mendez and me#Nutrition #FoodCulture #Podcast #LauraThomas #BusybodyPodcast Get full access to After Class with Cadence at cadencedubusbrooklynstrength.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode I got a real STAR! Insert name-in-lights! Sarah shares her journey from a shy kid in a small town to a contestant on America's Next Top Model (whaaat!) which launches her plus-size modeling career AND exposes her to the outrageously disturbing manipulative nature of reality TV. We discuss the impact of objectification on self-perception and the pressure of being a plus-size model despite the seemingly built-in body positive message. Plus lots of juicy - they did whaaat? from her time on ANTM.Sarah's book, You Wanna Be On Top? a memoir of makeovers, manipulation and not becoming America's Next Top Model is out July 8th!!Order her book HEREFind Sarah HEREI’ve written about the positives of ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole FulfillmentAnd how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…You can still jump into the Summer Series BOGO 50% off is still going on! Grab it and get consistent, safe, fun (!) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you moving together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.I hope you can find something here that supports you.my offerings02:58 From Small Town to Reality TV05:59 Understanding Plus-Size Modeling08:53 The Reality of Modeling and Body Image12:00 Cultural Differences in Body Perception15:10 Navigating Attention and Performance17:56 The Transformation Through Comedy21:00 The Surreal Experience of Reality TV24:11 Manipulation in Reality TV27:01 The Psychological Tactics of Competition29:45 The Aftermath of Reality TV32:56 The Journey Beyond the Show39:09 The Early Days of Plus Size Modeling42:00 Objectification and Body Image46:00 The Struggle for Self-Identity51:02 The Impact of Objectification on Self-Perception55:47 Navigating Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance01:01:02 The Journey Towards Body Neutrality01:10:04 Reflections on Diet Culture and Self-Worth Get full access to After Class with Cadence at cadencedubusbrooklynstrength.substack.com/subscribe

In today's conversation I finally get to talk to my insta-crush Uncle Nat! Uncle Nat is an educator, innovator, and the founder of Uncle Nat’s, a radically inclusive salon located in Brooklyn. Uncle Nat has reshaped the field of body hair removal with the all-gender Brazilian and created a gender-affirming, fat-glorifying, trauma- and disability-aware, deeply POC-informed salon space that provides mutual care on multiple levels. Uncle Nat is a powerful proponent of the importance of vulnerability in client relationships, the role of community in creating safe spaces, and the problem with cancel culture. The need for emotional maturity and open communication in navigating the complexities of running a small business while maintaining a commitment to accessibility and care is a deep topic for us both and I so appreciated this conversation! Also Uncle Nat is hilarious and we share some good laughs. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!If you enjoy my substack, simply ‘hearting’ it helps to spread my work. If you want to do more, comment, re-stack or share it to someone whom you think will enjoyed it. All of my work exists because of the support of my community. Please consider upgrading to paid to make this a more viable income source for me and my small team.During our conversation Uncle Nat mentioned three people who speak about the problems inherent in cancel culture: Africa Brooke , Clementine Morrigan and Adrianne Maree Brown's book We Will Not Cancel UsFind Uncle Nat on IG Here on TikTok HereMake an appointment to visit their salon or book coaching HEREI’ve written about ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole FulfillmentAnd how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…Every Virtual Run Club series starts with a group coach call and 9 out of 10 participants begin by saying how much they hate running and don’t ever want to. It’s a wonderful group and many have gone on to create non-obsessive, joyful running practices to this day.I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you working out, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.I hope you can find something here that supports you.Chapters00:00 Understanding Accessibility in Business Models02:51 Uncle Nat's: A Revolutionary Salon Experience06:05 Navigating Gender and Hair Removal09:10 Safety and Intimacy in Aesthetic Spaces11:52 Debunking Myths in Hair Removal Practices15:05 Community and Care in Aesthetic Services18:13 Transformative Justice and Cancel Culture20:53 Perfectionism and Accessibility in Services38:28 Navigating Disability and Professionalism39:25 The Complexity of Accessibility40:30 Redefining Care in Business42:51 Balancing Client Expectations and Business Needs44:45 The Emotional Landscape of Small Business46:37 Creating a Supportive Work Environment48:10 The Impact of Virtual Spaces on Accessibility49:33 Rethinking Tipping and Service Industry Standards50:48 Valuing Yourself as a Business Owner52:21 Diversity and Representation in Service54:40 Education and Accessibility in Business57:38 The Importance of Open Communication01:00:01 Understanding Limitations and Expectations01:02:42 The Dangers of Cancel Culture01:05:11 The Need for Accessible Spaces01:08:55 The Role of Service Providers in Community Care01:11:16 The Complexity of Identity in Service01:13:34 Being of Service vs. Being Subservient01:15:51 Navigating Internal Ethics in Business Get full access to After Class with Cadence at cadencedubusbrooklynstrength.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is a LONG one because I've been wanting to have a Doctor on for awhile! I had a BUNCH of questions and Mara did not disappoint. Dr. Gordon is a size inclusive Doctor who in her own words 'does not yell at her patients for being Fat.' We discuss if there is really any time when its necessary to get weighed, answer my questions about GLP agonists like Ozempic and patient care, and discuss how challenging it is for patients to feel empowered to speak up and create relationships of trust with their Doctors. Also, hear Cadence walk the fine line of mistrust in western medicine without running out to steam her Yoni - challenging! Very much looking forward to having Dr. Gordon back.If you enjoyed todays episode please rate review and subscribe.You can find Dr. Gordon at IG or her Substack and her website Busy Body Podcast is part of my overall substack After ClassIf you enjoyed this please consider upgrading to paid. My work is not possible with out my producer and my small team of women that keeps Brooklyn Strength running. All proceeds go towards maintaining my ability to keep creating and providing.Work with me in other ways ⬇️I teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ .All my programs are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the shame or ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I hope you can find something here that supports you.This February enrollment opens for my once-a-year Coaching Program Nourish Yourself. NY is a seven-week anti-diet coaching program that aims to equip you with the information you need to empower yourself around food and finally let go of anxiety and overwhelm. Get the information and tools you need to make the choices that work for you, your life and your body. FULL INFO HERE.Nourish features Live Virtual one-to-one sessions with Cadence and a LIVE VIRTUAL GROUP COOKING CLASS with former Bon Appetit food and recipe writer (and soon to be cookbook author) Christina Chaey.Sign up for the waitlist here to be first on enrollment.You can also find plenty of free support on my IG HEREI’ve also written about food and nourishment in these posts:Literally Everyone Else Lives on CarbsGuacamole Fulfillmentand 7 Decades of Self DenialBusy Body Podcast is produced by Brad Parsons at Train Sound StudioMusic is written by Robert Bryn, performed by the Wild YaksIllustrations and design by Jackie Mendez at Aesthetics_Frames and Me! Get full access to After Class with Cadence at cadencedubusbrooklynstrength.substack.com/subscribe

Christina is the special guest chef and recipe provider in our Nourish Yourself coaching program that runs only once a year. We recently put out an AMA on Instagram asking what questions and anxieties are particularly present for you in this precarious post holiday moment when the New Year, arrives along with RESOLUTIONS SELF CARE and of course DIETS.We got so many wonderful questions, from what is ‘balanced eating’ and how do I get there, to how to handle other peoples' body/diet talk. Today, we discuss your questions and provide (hopefully) some answers. We will be doing a part 2 early next month (when maybe a few dry-January/Whole 30 plans haven’t shaken out as hoped). Feel free to comment with more questions to be answered in that episode!These are also the questions that are addressed in Nourish Yourself, our seven-week anti-diet coaching program that aims to equip you with the information you need to empower yourself around food and gain the confidence to make choices that work for YOUR life and YOUR body. Our winter 2025 course starts in March and enrollment opens in February—you can sign up for the waitlist here to be notified.During Nourish Yourself you get 7 Weeks of gentle focus, redefining the patterns and thought processes holding us back from ease and joy around food, cooking and even grocery shopping! The course also features Live Virtual one-to-one sessions with Cadence and a LIVE VIRTUAL GROUP COOKING CLASS with Christina Chaey to ground us in our own personal skills and goals.Let go of anxiety and overwhelm around food and 'diet'. Get the information and tools you need to find what works for you, your life and your body. FULL INFO HERE.I’ve also written about food and nourishment in these posts: Literally Everyone Else Lives on Carbs Guacamole Fulfillmentand 7 Decades of Self DenialCurious about working with me? Please check out my other offerings…Virtual Run Club enrollment is currently open and closes Jan 10th. Each series we start with a group coach call. 9 out of 10 participants begin by saying how much they hate running or are terrified to start. It’s a truly beginner friendly program. Many VRC alums have gone on to create non-obsessive, joyful running practices, and even inspired our next level up Virtual Marathon Training Club.I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ . All my programs are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the shame or ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I hope you can find something here that supports you.You can also find plenty of free support on my IG HERETranscriptCadence: Hello, I’m Cadence Dubus. This is Busy Body podcast and today I'm here with Christina Chaey. I'm super excited to kind of co-host this conversation today with Christina because we are collaborating on the Nourish Yourself program which is rolling out this winter/spring to support everyone. Christina, introduce yourself and why you're here today.Christina: Oh, sure. Hi, I'm Christina Chaey. I use she/her pronouns, and I am a recipe developer, a writer, soon-to-be first-time cookbook author. I have my first cookbook coming out in early 2026. I write a newsletter on Substack called Gentle Foods where I write essays and contribute recipes really around a very aligned topic of you know kind of nourishing yourself and just meditations on I think finding peace with cooking and just finding ritual and practice in that process.Cadence: That's exactly one of the reasons why I reached out to you to do this program together, because your focus is very much in this space of accessible eating that's still delicious, exciting, interesting, not rote, you know. And also makes space for mistakes or jazzing up something from your pantry, like there's a lot of options. It feels very scalable. I really like cooking and I like e

I’m so happy to share this conversation that is a bit more personal as Susanna and I discuss her memoir and the intersection of our childhood experiences. Susanna grew up in a Utopian experiment in the UK. I grew up with a bunch of artists experiencing near constant accident, divorce, and trauma. Neither of us had adults around who guided or protected us very much in our childhoods. Susanna has written an incredible book, articulating with an eye that goes back and forth in time, what that felt like as a child and teen and now, as an adult engaged and empowered in her own life, what our childhood means to us as adults.I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. You can find Susanna’s work and contact HERE and her Instagram HEREMy winter Coaching Series open for enrollment January and February:Get on the waitlist for VIRTUAL RUN CLUBand NOURISH YOURSELF - my anti Diet support course.Join the Self Paced Series open now!Drop in to weekly Live Virtual Restorative ClassesOr join the Monthly Fascia Release™ workshop.Fascia Release™ is a system I developed to help relieve pain, develop mobility and prevent injury in an accessible, low cost way.or work with me one-to-one Live Virtual for coaching, pain relief or fitness.If you like the pod please rate review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Share with a friend! Subscribe to the substack or …Busy Body Podcast is produced by Brad Parsons at Train Sound StudioMusic is written by Robert Bryn, performed by the Wild YaksIllustrations and design by Jackie Mendez at Aesthetics_Frames and Me! Get full access to After Class with Cadence at cadencedubusbrooklynstrength.substack.com/subscribe

Quick news - If you want to work with me in the fitness space - Virtual Run Club enrollment opens Monday and my Self Paced Series also go on a little fall sale on Monday as well, to assist the people who like to take part in both :) I’m also teaching a special Master Class version of the Monthly Fascia Release™ workshop tomorrow Sat, Sept 21st 4-5:15PM EST all about POSTURE - sitting standing and walking posture. We will do all our self massage love but we will also tie it into our daily life skeletal structure. Don’t miss it if you’ve ever had complaints about your own posture 💖The Episode:I'm so excited to finally have this episode out. Alex Auder is an actor, a writer and an incredible Yoga Teacher, part of a very specific OG niche of the NY Yoga scene. Her book, Don't Call Me Home is out now.This episode gets both personal and very NY-yoga-world-insider-y as she and I reminisce about our beginnings in the movement world, the loose boundaries of our childhood upbringings, and a topic I've been desperate to discuss - how any of us can practice Yoga when pretty much every major Yoga teacher has been "Me-too-ed".Also please forgive that the first 20 minutes of the episode, Alex's mic wasn't connecting so she sounds a bit muffled, my producer hopped on and fixed it, and the rest of the interview she's crystal clear.Alex is a brilliant, hilarious, wonderful guest and the author of the memoir, Don't Call Me Home. I highly recommend it and her extremely rare classes that pop up at Kula Yoga. You can also follow Alex on her Instagram account where hopefully she will grace us with more performance art soon.I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. As always please subscribe, like, share and leave a review. It helps get this podcast listened to.Mentioned in this episode:We are both fans of Kevin Bigger - stream his Yoga classes HERERead the New Yorker article about the Guru Alex mentions HEREWe fan on Rodney YeeAnd Judith Lasater is still out teaching the good stuff HERE!Read about Alex and the Chelsea Hotel HEREBusy Body Podcast is produced by Brad Parson of Train Sound StudioMusic, She's a Wise One, by Robert Bryn, performed by the Wild Yaks Get full access to After Class with Cadence at cadencedubusbrooklynstrength.substack.com/subscribe