Simplify Self-Acceptance: Sonya Renee Taylor Says Self-Love will Change the World
What would the world look like if we were free of body shame and body terrorism, and instead living in a state of radical self-love? Radical Self-Love Champion and author of The Body Is Not An Apology, Sonya Renee Taylor, explains what her utopia would look like in this week’s episode of Simplify.
As Sonya explains, our language and mindset about our bodies impact us in ways that we are often entirely unaware of. Increasing our awareness of this factor enables us to better understand our own low moments, but also helps to explain major historical and societal harm.
Listen in to learn more about how something as small as our image of the default body can lead to much bigger consequences, and what we can do to avoid repeatedly making these same mistakes.
“I like to say that, you know, radical self-love is contagious. I love it. You can totally catch it like a cold, but so is body shame, you know, and the truth of the matter is, we live in a world where we’re constantly passing on body shame, all the time. And so if we’re going to be contagious either way, I figure, I might as well be spreading some radical self-love.”
This is a message that everyone needs to hear. Sonya Renee Taylor’s ideas are transformational in thinking about our bodies and the bodies of others as they relate to personal, systemic, and political structures. It is a beautifully explained, fresh and positive perspective on how we can be better to ourselves and our environments.
Who’s Sonya Renee Taylor?
Sonya Renee Taylor is a multi-talented artist, activist, educator and transformational leader. She is the Founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology—a digital media and education company spreading the message of radical self-love as a means for personal as well as broader systemic and social change. She is the author of two books, including The Body is Not An Apology, an award-winning poet, and has been recognized by organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Bustle Magazine, and the Obama White House for the influence that her work has had.
The Body Is Not an Apology
- 15 min reading time
- audio version available
Sonya Renee Taylor’s Recommended Read
Heavy by Kiese Laymon
This memoir beautifully covers a vast array of complex and painful topics including abuse, shame, weight, identity, and honesty. Laymon’s personal essays of growing up as a young black boy with a complicated family history revisit his own struggles and experiences, and also more broadly examine American society and culture and what it will take to free ourselves from the weight we often find ourselves under. This book was named the Best Book of 2018 by the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, NPR, Buzzfeed (Nonfiction), Library Journal (Biography/Memoirs), The Washington Post (Nonfiction), The New York Times Critics, and more.
Extra Credit Reading
If you would like to dive deeper into some of the topics Sonya Renee Taylor covers in this Simplify episode, check out this book list composed by Ben and Caitlin!
Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
- 26 min reading time
- audio version available
This book began as a letter from Adichie to her childhood friend, who asked for advice on raising her daughter to be a feminist. In its total of fifteen funny, honest, and direct suggestions, this book ends up making many points beyond the words written on the page.
Utopia for Realists
- 16 min reading time
- audio version available
Rutger Bregman argues that the gap between our undeniable material wealth and comfort and our continual unhappiness call for a radical rethinking of how our society functions. The book covers topics ranging from work to personal life and makes the case that we can achieve a utopia in our lifetime.
Travel as a Political Act
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
As a travel writer, Rick Steves has discovered countless places, cultures and important lessons along the way. In this book, he shares what he has learned and encourages all readers to broaden their horizons, travel, and discover what the world has to offer.
What’s Simplify?
Simplify is a podcast for anybody who’s taken a close look at their habits, their happiness, their relationships, or their health and thought “There’s got to be a better way to do this.” We talk to bestselling writers, productivity wizards, sex geniuses, and happiness experts to find it for you.
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Talk to us!
We want to hear from you! Drop a line to us at [email protected] about whatever tickles your fancy.
If you want to say hi to Ben and Caitlin in the meantime, you can find them on Twitter: @bsto and @CaitlinSchiller.
Who made this?
Your hosts are Caitlin Schiller and Ben Schuman-Stoler.
Research and production assistance by Ines Bläsius, sound and editing by Christoph Meyer.
Gorgeous new music by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.
Got links?
Sonya Renee Taylor’s Website
The Body is not an Apology Website
