btchfest

Are you really a girl's girl?

On our final episode of Season 2 of btchfest, we're unpacking the quiet ways internalized competition, jealousy, and conditional support can sneak into our relationships with other women—even when we think we’re cheering them on.
 
Being a girl’s girl isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being honest, checking your biases, and showing up for other women loudly and consistently, even when no one’s watching.
 
This week we’re asking the hard questions:
Do you clap for her only when it’s convenient?
Do you cheer in public but compete in private?
Do you call it “just being honest” when you’re actually judging her confidence, ambition, or outfit?
 
Being a girl’s girl means more than vibes and hashtags. It’s about showing up with integrity, letting go of scarcity, and making room at the table without conditions. Would you like to share your feedback on this episode or suggest a question for a future episode?  Connect with us on Instagram @btchfestpod or email us directly at btchfestpod@gmail.com.

How can BDSM help women define boundaries and communicate more clearly?

What if the taboo world of BDSM held the key to better communication, deeper self-understanding, and stronger boundaries—especially for women? In this episode, Sami and Ami dive into the misunderstood realm of kink to explore how the structure of BDSM—negotiation, safewords, aftercare, and consent—can radically shift how we advocate for ourselves in relationships, work, and even family dynamics.
 
Plus, they’re joined by a guest who lives this work daily—international BDSM model and educator Ariel Anderssen—who shares how submission is anything but weak, and how embracing kink helped her take control of her body, her voice, and her power.Find Ariel on her Substack: https://arielanderssen.substack.com/
This episode is for anyone who's ever struggled to say what they want, questioned if they were “too much,” or felt shame for exploring their desires. Tune in, take notes, and maybe even start your own sexual revolution.

Why are labels more commonly imposed on women versus men?

Why is it that women are constantly labeled—bossy, emotional, crazy ex, diva—while men in the same roles are called leaders, assertive, or passionate? In this episode, Sami and Ami talk roots of gendered labels, from patriarchal traditions to modern media portrayals, and how these reductive terms shape the way women are perceived at work, in relationships, and even in their own minds.
 
From the “Madonna/Whore” dichotomy to the rise of terms like “girlboss,” we explore how language can box women into impossible binaries and create competition instead of community. We also discuss how social media and cancel culture amplify these issues—and how comedians and creators are pushing back by reclaiming the words once used against them.
Would you like to share your feedback on this episode or suggest a question for a future episode?  Connect with us on Instagram @btchfestpod or email us directly at btchfestpod@gmail.com.

Why is diet culture still such an issue (and how can we break away from it)?

Why is diet culture still such a thing? And more importantly—how do we break away from it?
 
In this week's episode Sami and Ami sit down with Hailey Grandchamp, founder of WOAT – Women of All Terrain – to unpack the toxic roots of diet culture and the insidious ways it still shows up in our lives today. From early Hollywood ideals to the ‘90s supermodel era and today’s #WhatIEatInADay culture, we explore how unrealistic beauty standards have shaped our relationships with food, fitness, and our bodies for generations.
Hailey shares her personal story of recovering from years of restriction and body shame—starting from her time as a young gymnast to becoming a powerhouse coach helping over 700 women rediscover strength, confidence, and joy through movement and reconnection, not restriction.
We talk about:
The real origins of diet culture (spoiler: it’s not about health)
The billion-dollar industry that profits off your shame
Social media’s role in reinforcing toxic messages—and how to resist
What it means to actually heal your relationship with your body
🎉 Special offer for listeners! Hailey is offering 10% off her coaching program for our audience. Book a call at go.becomingallterrain.com/welcome and mention btchfest!

Why don’t we think leaving is an option?

Leaving a toxic relationship isn’t always a moment of clarity—it’s often a slow, painful process clouded by shame, fear, and second-guessing. In this episode, we get very vulnerable and talk about our own experiences, as well as with our guest Nicole, a woman who bravely shares her story of being stuck in a relationship that was quietly damaging her. 
Together, we unpack what it’s like to start telling the truth out loud, only to realize that staying feels more embarrassing than leaving. Nicole reflects on the turning point when shame became fuel for accountability, and the powerful steps she took to finally break free.
If you’ve ever been in it, are in it, or love someone who is—this conversation is for you.
Would you like to share your feedback on this episode or suggest a question for a future episode?  Connect with us on Instagram @btchfestpod or email us directly at btchfestpod@gmail.com.

What does it mean to be a tomboy?

What does it mean to be a tomboy in 2025? For decades, the word described girls who shunned pink dresses in favor of scraped knees, tree climbing, sports, and “boyish” interests. But does the label still hold meaning today—or has it become another outdated box to break out of?
In this episode, we dive into the history and cultural legacy of the tomboy: where the term came from, how it shaped generations, and what it says about gender expectations. We unpack media influences, personal childhood memories, and shifting societal norms—with help from a very special guest: Julie, Ami’s mom(!), who shares her own reflections on girlhood, identity, and raising kids in a more inclusive world.
From gendered clothing to playground politics, this conversation explores whether “tomboy” empowered authenticity or reinforced a narrow view of what girls were “allowed” to be. We ask: what’s the modern alternative to this label, and how do we raise the next generation with more freedom to be exactly who they are?

Why is it on women to “fix” the issue of women’s safety?

From being told to carry pepper spray to changing their entire routines to avoid danger, women have long been expected to shoulder the responsibility for their own safety — but why? 
 
In this week's episode, Sami and Ami are joined by Leah, a thoughtful and passionate advocate, to unpack why the burden of safety so often falls on women instead of addressing the root causes of harm. Together, they dive into cultural conditioning, victim-blaming, male accountability, institutional failures, and the role the media plays in reinforcing these harmful narratives. They also explore how the stakes are even higher for marginalized women and how “solutions” like workplace self-defense classes or “share your ride” apps don’t solve the real problem. Plus, personal stories, reflections on motherhood, and a much-needed conversation about how men, institutions, and communities can step up.
 
It’s time to shift the narrative—and the responsibility—away from women, for good.

Who says you have to have it all figured out?

Why do so many women feel like there’s a deadline for figuring life out? Whether it’s marriage, kids, career, or success by 30, there’s a deep-rooted pressure to hit certain milestones “on time.” In this episode, we unpack the origin of that pressure—and ask if it still holds so much power in 2025.
Hosts Sami and Ami sit down with Danielle Mashuda, founder of Keystone Artist Connect and a total powerhouse in the music and events world, to explore the forces that have shaped women’s timelines—from historical gender roles and the myth of the “biological clock” to cultural narratives, family expectations, and shame around aging. Danielle shares her own path, the freedom she’s found in rejecting traditional expectations, and the clarity that comes when you stop doing what you should do and start doing what you want to do.
This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt behind, stuck, or like they missed some invisible deadline. (Spoiler alert: you didn’t.)

Why must we choose between motherhood or career?

It’s a lingering Double standard. Men aren’t labeled as “working dads” because it’s assumed that their career remains uninterrupted by parenthood. So…why is this label still applied to mothers?
What happens when a woman stops chasing productivity and starts prioritizing presence? In this week's episode, we dive into the outdated but persistent choice fallacy—the idea that women must choose between career and motherhood—and the emotional labor and mental load that often accompany both. From media narratives like Mr. Mom and I Don’t Know How She Does It, to workplace policies that claim to support working parents (but often penalize mothers), we explore how societal structures are—or aren’t—set up for modern motherhood.
This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt the pressure to be everything, do everything, and smile through it. Let’s unpack the unspoken expectations—and imagine something better.

Why does the pop culture we experience as we grow affect us so much as an adult?

The pop culture we experience during our formative years — especially in childhood and adolescence — has such a lasting impact on us as adults because those years are a time of intense emotional and psychological development. There are lots of reasons why it resonates so deeply with us as adults, which is why we're diving into today's question.
We also have an incredible guest joining us! She is a powerhouse in the world of immersive storytelling and themed entertainment—Andy Crocker. Andy is an experience designer, writer, and creative director with a knack for crafting interactive narratives that break the fourth wall and invite audiences into unforgettable adventures. She’s worked with Walt Disney Imagineering, as the Immersive Performance Director for the original cast of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, The Second City, Knotty’s Berry Farm and currently serves as the Creator in Residence for The Los Angeles Public Library. If you’re in LA, you should check out her amazing creation, The Bureau of Nooks and Crannies.
Alongside her husband Jeff Crocker, Andy creates live experiences designed to delight audiences and turn strangers into pals through their partnership Mister & Mischief. They have created award-winning interactive productions that have captivated audiences at Universal Studios, IndieCade, and beyond. Their projects, like Escape from Godot, 40 Watts from Nowhere, and The Apple Avenue Detective Agency, have been hailed by The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Broadway World, and they’ve even earned a spot among Blooloop’s Top 50 Immersive Influencers.
Andy’s work is truly rooted in sparking curiosity, play, and connection and we’re thrilled to have her here today to talk about her journey, the magic of immersive experiences, and what’s next for Mister & Mischief.