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
  
  

In this episode of Messy Liberation, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown discuss the complexities of balancing business growth and personal well-being in the digital age. They dive into strategies for embracing digital minimalism, reflecting on how social media impacts mental health, energy, and productivity. Becky shares her journey toward reducing her digital footprint, including her move to BlueSky and creating a nine-grid on Instagram, while Taina reflects on her relationship with social platforms. This candid conversation is filled with practical insights, personal anecdotes, and recommendations for anyone seeking to rethink their digital presence.

Discussed in This Episode:

• Becky's digital detox journey
• What is a nine-grid on Instagram?
• Exploring BlueSky as a Twitter alternative
• The emotional and energy costs of social media
• Practical steps to audit your digital presence
• Hallmark holiday movies as escapism
• Balancing entrepreneurship and visibility without social media
• How social media shapes parasocial relationships
• Digital minimalism for business owners

Resources Mentioned:

• ”Digital Minimalism” by Cal Newport
• ”Stolen Focus” by Johan Hari
• Off the Grid podcast
• Alexandra Franzen
• Chatbooks photo book printing
• Kelly Mosser’s content capsule webinar
  
  

This episode is a thoughtful reflection on how to embrace digital minimalism and build a healthier relationship with technology, whether you’re a business owner or a social media user.