iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

NEW EPISODE: Matrescence: Motherhood As Metamorphosis What does becoming a mother do to your brain, body and sense of self?⁠ Anita — currently in her third trimester — puts that question to science writer Lucy Jones.

Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "Matrescence: Motherhood As Metamorphosis." The episode title appears in large dark blue bold text against a warm orange and yellow halftone background. A faded silhouette of a pregnant woman appears in the upper right. White body text reads: "Science writer Lucy Jones spent years studying matrescence — the profound shift that happens during pregnancy, childbirth & becoming a parent. Anita asks her about all of it, as she prepares to become a mom!" A cutout photo shows Anita Rao smiling and visibly pregnant, holding two editions of Lucy Jones's book "Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood" — one the US cover featuring overlapping teal and red circles, one a smaller edition.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Imagine sitting down in a theater only to be distracted from the performance by armrests digging into your sides. Or arriving at the doctor’s office to find the patient gown won’t fit. For tens of millions of Americans in larger bodies, experiences like this are part of everyday life.⁠

Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "Everyday Spaces Weren't Built For Fat Bodies. So What's The Fix?" The episode title appears in large dark blue bold text against a warm golden orange background with subtle flowing line accents. White and gold body text reads: "Theater seats that dig into your sides. Hospital gowns that don't fit. For tens of millions of Americans in larger bodies, navigating everyday spaces can be uncomfortable and stressful. Anita talks to two people trying to change that." The lower half features cutout photos of two guests: on the left, a woman in a green off-shoulder dress holding a book and wearing a colorful scarf; on the right, a woman with curly hair and large decorative green glasses resting her chin on her hand. An illustrated row of blue theater seats appears to the left and a blueprint diagram appears to the right.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Somewhere between 20-50% of children are picky eaters at some point in early childhood, and many of us assume that’s just how kids naturally are. But after historian Helen Zoe Veit spent more than 10 yrs researching the topic, she came to a very different conclusion.

Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "Think Picky Eating Is Inevitable? History Begs To Differ." The episode title appears in large orange bold text against a soft lavender crumpled-paper textured background. Yellow and white body text reads: "Many of us assume kids are just naturally picky eaters. But after spending more than a decade reading memoirs, cookbooks and parenting manuals from the past 200 years, historian Helen Zoe Veit came to a radically different conclusion." The lower half features the book cover of "Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History" by Helen Zoe Veit, centered between two illustrated round cartoon figures — one on the left turning away from a plate of vegetables, and one on the right making a disgusted face at a plate of carrots.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

NEW EPISODE: At 28, Indigenous artist Julian Brave NoiseCat made an unlikely decision: move in with the father who had abandoned him decades before. A deep dive into Indigenous history and his family’s past changed how he saw his dad and prepared him for becoming a father.

Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "Native Fatherhood & Healing With Julian Brave NoiseCat." The episode title appears in large dark blue bold text against a night sky background with stars and aurora borealis colors transitioning from blue to purple to pink. White and gold body text reads: "At 28, Indigenous artist Julian Brave NoiseCat made an unlikely decision: move in with the father who'd abandoned him decades before. A deep dive into Indigenous history and his family's past changed how he saw his dad and prepared him for becoming a father." A photo shows Julian Brave NoiseCat smiling with his arm around his father, who wears a red hat and glasses. On either side, black silhouettes show a father and young child holding hands in different poses.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Thrilled to share that we've won a first-place award for Interview Program from Public Media Journalists Association! Intimate conversations are the heart and soul of what we do on the show, and it means so much to get this recognition!⁠

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

NEW EPISODE: For years, audio creator Helena de Groot felt almost certain that she did not want kids. Then, she got unexpectedly pregnant. That pregnancy was the first in a series of curveballs that set her on a path of questioning everything she thought she knew ...

Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "Making The Kid Decision … And Learning To Live With It." The episode title appears in large orange bold text against a purple background with a gold halftone dot pattern. White and orange body text reads: "For years, audio creator Helena de Groot felt almost certain that she did not want kids. However, a surprise pregnancy was the first in a series of curveballs that set her on a path of questioning everything she thought she knew." A cutout photo of Helena de Groot, a woman with dark shoulder-length hair wearing a white coat and teal scarf, anchors the center. White line-drawing illustrations of adult and child figures in motion appear on either side of her.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

When Mary Cain stepped onto the track as a high schooler, it was clear that she was a once-in-a-generation kind of talent. ⁠ ⁠ Her rise was quick and spectacular, which made it all the more stunning that just a few years after going pro with Nike, she stepped back from competitive running. ⁠

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Image: Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "Why The Former 'Fastest Girl In America' Wants To Change Sports." The episode title appears in large dark blue bold text against a purple and pink background styled to look like a running track with curved lane lines. White body text reads: "Just a few years after going pro with Nike, Mary Cain stepped back from competitive running. Now she is calling for systemic change in sports culture." The lower half features the book cover of "This Is Not About Running: A Memoir" by Mary Cain, a New York Times bestseller, alongside a cutout photo of Mary Cain mid-race in a red Oregon track uniform with her name on her competition bib.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

NEW EPISODE: How do you care for someone you struggle to communicate with & can never fully understand?⁠ ⁠ That's the question @danilynrutherford.bsky.social has been wrestling with for decades — ever since it became clear that her daughter would never speak, sign or use symbols to express herself.⁠

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Chris Mosier @thechrismosier.bsky.social has long been at the forefront of the conversation around trans athletes. ⁠ ⁠ He was the first trans athlete to qualify for Team USA in 2015, and now, more than a decade later, he’s pushing back as sports become a battleground for trans rights. ⁠

Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "The Future Of Trans Athletes In Sports." The episode title appears in large white bold text against a deep blue background with a faint globe grid pattern and faded silhouettes of athletes. Olympic-style colored rings decorate the upper corners. White and gold body text reads: "In 2015, Chris Mosier became the first openly trans athlete to qualify for Team USA. Now, more than a decade later, Chris is pushing back against bans on trans athletes in sports." The lower half features a black silhouette of a running athlete, a transgender pride flag, and a cluster of sports balls including a soccer ball, basketball, football, baseball, and golf ball.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

NEW EPISODE: Inside The World of Sugar Babies, Sugar Daddies & Sugar Dating What is it like to be a sugar baby – beyond the fancy dates & fantasy?⁠ In our new episode, B. Chionne shares stories from nearly a decade of sugar dating & how that experience shaped her views on money, power & intimacy.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

NEW EPISODE: Rebecca Auman has been able to read people & pick up on energy & vibrations for as long as she can remember. But as the daughter of a Methodist minister growing up in the South, she was encouraged to turn away from that intuition for a long time. ⁠

Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "You Don't Become A Witch, You Remember That You Are One." The title appears in large light blue outlined text against a dreamy blue background with stars, glowing swirls, and hanging geometric crystal illustrations. White and gold body text reads: "Rebecca Auman has long been able to tap into the unseen and mystical parts of the world. But she was encouraged to turn away from that power for a long time. She tells us about her journey to reclaiming her intuition." The lower half features a full moon illustration and five tarot cards: the Death card centered above a spread of the Knight of Cups, Page of Pentacles, a Two of Wands, and King of Swords.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

The Healing Power Of Horror Black horror writer @tananarivedue.bsky.social fell in love w/ the spectacle of #horror when she was a little kid. But it was only after she was well into her horror writing career that she discovered that the genre can provide not just entertainment but healing. ⁠

Promotional graphic for the Embodied WUNC podcast episode "The Healing Power of Horror." Bold orange text displays the episode title against a dark blue background with halftone dot patterns and orange paint drip accents. White and orange body text reads: "Writer Tananarive Due has always loved horror. But after experiencing real-life trauma, she started to take note of its healing potential. We talk with her about the power of horror and how she became a Black horror pioneer." The center features the book cover of "The Reformatory" by Tananarive Due, a Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner. Cutout images of actors from the film "Us" and "Sinners" appear in the lower corners.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

We are so thrilled to win this award from @podcastacademy.bsky.social! This year we are celebrating our 5th anniversary as a radio show, so it’s extra sweet to get this recognition right now. We couldn’t make it to NYC to say anything on stage … so here is our mini acceptance speech 👇

Graphic announcing “2026 Winner – Best Wellness or Relationships Podcast.” The image features the podcast cover art for “Embodied” (WUNC), showing an illustrated person pulling open a glowing orange shape from the chest of a large blue human silhouette. The background is bright orange with celebratory accents, and the bottom reads “Embodied” and “AMBIES Brooklyn On Air Fest.”

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

NEW EPISODE: Nearly 40% of Americans say digestive troubles disrupt their daily lives.⁠Neurogastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha tells Anita about the everyday knowledge that can help folks navigate their gut woes: link.podtrac.com/embodied ⁠

Promotional graphic for the Embodied podcast on WUNC titled "A Practical Guide To Poop." A smiling woman in a dark blue blazer with gold buttons rests her chin on her hand, surrounded by illustrated icons including a brain, a large intestine/colon, and a sparkling toilet. Text reads: "Gastroenterologist Trisha Pasricha likes to say that you've probably been pooping all wrong. In this episode, she joins Anita for the poop 101 you need and a primer on the brain-gut connection." The background is a soft purple-blue gradient with abstract line designs.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

NEW EPISODE: "Tallying The Costs Of Being Undocumented." After more than a decade living in the U.S. without permanent legal status, Alix Dick calculated the cost of her survival: $1.9 million. ⁠That includes everything from wage theft & underpayment to complex PTSD and medical visits.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

STEP AWAY from your weather app ... and download our newest episode for a heart and soul filling listen! A conversation with ornithologist J. Drew Lanham about Lessons Learned From Loving Birds: link.podtrac.com/embodied

Promotional graphic for 'Embodied' podcast episode titled 'Lessons Learned From Loving Birds' featuring a blue sky background with bird silhouettes. Two illustrated orange and brown birds frame a photo of the book 'The Home Place' by J. Drew Lanham. Text describes how ornithologist and poet J. Drew Lanham discusses what birds can teach us about wildness, joy and belonging. A 'New Episode' badge appears in the top right corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Ready to get in the #WinterOlympics state of mind? Our newest episode features a conversation with former competitive figure skating siblings Brad and @jocelynjanecox.bsky.social who tell Anita about their 11 years of competing and how their partnership continued into adulthood.

Promotional graphic for "Embodied" podcast featuring guests Jocelyn Cox and Brad Cox against a starry blue background with geometric shapes. Shows Jocelyn Cox, described as "Author of 'Motion Dazzle: A Memoir of Motherhood, Loss, and Skating on Thin Ice'" - a woman with glasses and pulled-back hair smiling in front of what appears to be an ice rink; Brad Cox, described as "Figure skating coach" - a man with short gray hair wearing a black shirt smiling in front of an ice rink; and Anita Rao, "Host & Creator of Embodied" wearing glasses and a black blazer in a radio studio. Text at bottom reads "Click the link in bio to tune into How Competitive Figure Skating Shaped A Sibling Relationship."

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Curtis Chin grew up inside Chung’s Cantonese Cuisine. His great-grandfather first opened the #Detroit restaurant in 1940, and in the 1970s & ‘80s Chung’s was the backdrop for many of Curtis’s formative lessons about race, identity and belonging.⁠⁠

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

NEW EPISODE: After being raped at 18, journalist Katie Simon had a burning question: How do you navigate sex & intimacy after sexual assault? Katie tells Anita about how connecting with other survivors helped them write the guidebook they wish they’d had. LISTEN: link.podtrac.com/embodied

Episode artwork for "Embodied" podcast titled "Sex & Intimacy After Sexual Assault" against a dark background with an abstract figure silhouette. Text reads "How do you navigate sex after sexual trauma? That's a question rape survivor and writer Katie Simon struggled to find an answer to, so they decided to write a guidebook themself." Features a red rose with stem and leaves, and the book cover for "Tell Me What You Like: An Honest Discussion of Sex and Intimacy After Sexual Assault" by Katie Simon, which displays colorful gradient lettering. "New Episode!" badge appears in top right corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

If you're starting to feel the Black Friday pull ... our newest episode is for you. It's a deep dive into WHY we keep buying fast fashion even though we know the toll its taking on the environment & garment workers.

Episode artwork for "Embodied" podcast titled "Why It's So Hard To Break Up With Fast Fashion" against a purple-blue gradient background with a faded denim jeans texture. Text reads "We know fast fashion is harmful... so why do we keep buying it? In this episode, fashion insider Amanda Lee McCarty joins Anita to dig into how retailers keep us hooked and what you can do about it." Features illustrated graphics including: a burning Earth with a thermometer showing climate impact, a hand holding green dollar bills, and colorful shopping bags in turquoise and tan. "New Episode!" badge appears in top right corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

People have been pretending to be Native American for decades. While talking about ethnic fraud is controversial, Native scholar dinagw.bsky.social says its necessary.

Episode artwork for "Embodied" podcast titled "How Fake Claims To Native Identity Cause Real Harm" against a turquoise textured background. Text reads "What happens when Indigeneity becomes a commodity? In this episode, we speak to scholar and writer Dina Gilio-Whitaker about the history and impact of ethnic fraud." Features a collage including: a sepia-toned historical photograph of a Native American woman in traditional dress with long braids, a vintage photograph labeled "Nespelem George & Riders, Colville Reservation, Ida[ho]," a San Francisco Chronicle headline reading "Sacheen Littlefeather was a Native American icon. Her sisters say she was an ethnic fraud," the book cover for "Who Gets to Be Indian?" by Dina Gilio-Whitaker, and decorative elements including an arrow and spiral design. "New Episode!" badge appears in top right corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

In the coming weeks, we’re hosting an episode focused on intimacy & sex after sexual assault. And we'd love to have our guest respond to YOUR questions: If you’re a sexual assault survivor (or partner of one!): what questions do you have about rekindling a healthy connection to sex?

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

NEW EPISODE: Margaret Roesch & Pat McAulay got together in their 40s, and as lesbian women who’d come out in middle age, they were well aware of the challenges experienced by queer elders. After struggling to find a senior housing community that fit their needs, they decided to build their own.

Episode artwork for "Embodied" podcast titled "How LGBTQ Seniors Are Aging In Community" against a purple-blue textured background with residential homes. Text reads "As queer seniors age, they face unique challenges in accessing care and safe spaces. In this episode, we speak to the lesbian couple who built the first LGBTQ-focused 55+ co-housing community in Durham, NC." Features an illustrated collage of five diverse seniors celebrating Pride: one person in a green shirt holding a rainbow flag, three people wearing purple shirts with rainbow heart designs (two wearing sunglasses and hats), and two people in the front holding a large rainbow Pride flag together. "New Episode!" badge appears in top right corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

There's a growing number of women challenging the expectation that you need a partner to have a child. Anita meets two single moms by choice who talk about why they chose this parenting path and how they navigate everything from false assumptions to dating.

An illustration of a child's drawing of a family tree, with the words "My Family Tree" at the top and a hand hovering over the drawing holding a picture of a kid with light brown skin and short hair being put on the drawing above the word "Me." The tree has a dark brown trunk and pink flowers. It features the names and photos of family members including "Grandpa," "Grandma," "Aunt" and "Mom." There is a ruler, crayon and pair of scissors sitting on top of the project. The words "Embodied" and "(Single) Mothered" are in the lower left hand corner of the illustration.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

You’ve likely seen some version of the headline: “Gen Z Is In a Sex Recession.” But there’s a lot more to the story. Journalist @cartersherman.bsky.social takes Anita into the many conversations she had with people under 30 about their sex lives for her book.

Artwork for "Embodied" podcast titled "The Sex Lives Of Gen Z (And Why They Matter)" against a blue background. Text reads "In the midst of grabby headlines about The Gen Z Sex Recession, journalist Carter Sherman set out to understand what's going on beyond the data. What she discovered – after more than 100 conversations – has implications for all of us." Features a playful graphic design with a downward-trending red bar chart overlaid on orange dotted columns, an eggplant emoji on a white plate in the lower left, a peach emoji in the upper right with "XOXO" text.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

For almost 29 years, journalist @jennifersenior.bsky.social was a self-described “brilliant sleeper.” Then, one night, something changed &Jennifer has struggled with chronic #insomnia ever since. She talks to Anita about insights from both her reporting and personal life: link.podtrac.com/embodied

Episode artwork for "Embodied" podcast titled "Navigating Chronic Insomnia In A Sleep-Obsessed Culture" against a dark blue starry night background with crescent moon. Text reads "A few nights of bad sleep is rough ... but what do you do when insomnia becomes your new normal? Listen to our conversation about chronic insomnia and how it can affect romance, sex, motherhood, and productivity." Features illustration of unmade bed with blue pillows and rumpled bedding, along with a peach-colored sleep mask and orange alarm clock with lightning bolt symbols indicating disrupted sleep. "New Episode!" badge appears in top right corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

When Kit Heyam was first trying to understand their gender identity as an adolescent, they looked to history. They only found stories that painted a very narrow picture of what it means to be #trans. But years later, when Kit started studying history professionally, a different picture emerged.⁠

Episode artwork for "Embodied" podcast titled "A Mission To Tell Trans History Differently" against a purple and blue gradient background with pink and blue brushstroke elements. Text reads "Trans and genderqueer people have existed for millennia — but modern interpretations of history often fail to capture their stories. Meet the historian determined to document the untold stories of trans history." Features four historical portrait photographs in ornate frames: a person in Victorian-era black dress seated in a chair (gold frame), a person in blue jacket and brown pants (ornate bronze frame), a colorful illustrated portrait of a Black person wearing a decorative headdress and green draped clothing (oval silver frame), and a sepia-toned photograph of a person in dark Victorian clothing (gold frame). "New Episode!" badge appears in top right corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

NEW EPISODE: Searching For Love And Legal Status When María Lopez was 6, her grandmother gave her a piece of advice: marry someone with papers. María was #undocumented, and throughout her teens & 20s, she dealt with the struggle of dating to find both #love & a path to permanent legal status. ⁠⁠

Episode artwork for "Embodied" podcast titled "Searching For Love & Legal Status" with subtitle "What's it like to date when you are undocumented? We explore one woman's journey to find both love and legal status against the backdrop of changing immigration policies, threats of deportation and xenophobia." Features a blue background with silhouette of the United States, two gold wedding rings, a pink heart, and passport/visa documents. "New Episode!" badge appears in top right corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

NEW: Is art worth the sacrifice it requires? 🎨⁠ ⁠ Writer @sgriest.bsky.social has been asking this question since the early days of her career. "My love for what I do made my life logistically a nightmare, or impossible!"⁠ Stephanie hustled for decades--putting aside life milestones to write.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

🚛✨ NEW EPISODE ALERT ✨🚛 The Life of Trans And Queer Long-Haul Truckers Long-haul #trucking isn't for everyone—the hours are brutal, and the burnout is real. But for many #LGBTQ+ drivers, the open road offers something invaluable: the freedom to be authentically themselves.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

NEW EPISODE: One Sperm Donor, 31 Half Siblings & A Long Search For Identity link.podtrac.com/embodied Ryan Kramer was born through an anonymous #spermdonor in 1990. By the time he was 2 years old, he already had some big questions about his identity — and the desire to find answers.

Illustration of three smiling people standing between the vertical bars of a large DNA double helix, as if the strands are columns. The word “Embodied” is written in bold green letters at the top. The background is a gradient of peach to blue with dotted patterns. Text at the bottom reads: New on Embodied: One Sperm Donor, 31 Half Siblings & A Long Search For Identity.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

When Philip & his wife Lauren tested positive for #COVID19 3 years ago, they thought they knew what to expect. But then Philip’s symptoms persisted, morphed and intensified. ⁠In our new episode, they talk to @asrao.bsky.social about how Phil's experience with #LongCovid upended their life.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

TWO WEEKS from tomorrow, we have a very special live event happening at @motorco.bsky.social!! We'll be exploring the topic of REINVENTION through music, poetry and storytelling. And we have super special ZINE made just for attendees. Grab your ticket now! motorcomusic.com/event/the-em...

Promotional poster for "Transformed: A Variety Show From WUNC's Embodied" featuring an illustrated scene with blue stage curtains and a large microphone in the foreground. A cartoon figure of a person with glasses and dark hair wearing a white shirt peeks out from behind the blue curtains, with an orange spotlight beam illuminating them. The title "Transformed" appears in large white script lettering at the top. Event details show "Friday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at Motorco Music Hall in Durham" and the show is presented by WUNC 91.5 North Carolina Public Radio and Embodied.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

NEW EPISODE: Parenting Wisdom From An Interabled Couple -- When jessicaslice.bsky.social‬ was 28, a bout of heat exhaustion triggered an underlying neurological disorder that led to permanent physical disabilities. In the 14 years since, Jessica met her now-husband David Yourdon & started a family.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

NEW EPISODE: Rae Garringer grew up on a sheep farm in rural WV, and once they left & came out as #queer, they weren't sure they could move back. They believed the story that to thrive as an out, #LGBTQ+ person, you have to live in a city. But when Rae did move back, they realized that was a lie.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

What would you do if you knew your brain would stop functioning normally in just a decade? For brothers Ansel Dow (31) & Cosmo Hinsman (26), this isn't hypothetical. They carry a rare genetic mutation that makes frontotemporal #dementia almost inevitable by their mid-40s.

Promotional graphic for Embodied podcast featuring illustrated portraits of two men against a purple cloudy sky background. One wears a captain's hat and sunglasses with a dark shirt featuring blue mountain design, the other has shoulder-length hair and wears a light blue tank top and beanie. Text reads 'NEW on Embodied: Two Brothers, One Uncertain Future' with headphone icon.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

NEW EPISODE: Doctors are expected to make high-stakes decisions quickly and often. And while plenty of medical guidelines exist, sometimes finding the right answer relies on intuition as much as logic. So what happens when suddenly that intuition is … gone? ⁠

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

NEW EPISODE: Decades Of ‘Death #Cramps’ Later, A Search For Answers To #Period Pain Ever since Kate Downey got her first extremely painful period at age 14, every month feels like playing Russian roulette with her uterus. Will she get “normal” abdominal discomfort — or excruciating “death cramps”?

A promotional graphic for an "Embodied" podcast episode. It features the podcast name "Embodied" in large blue letters at the top against a textured red/pink background with abstract line drawings of hands cradling a stomach over an outline of a blue uterus. At the bottom is a blue banner with headphone icon stating "NEW on Embodied:" followed by the episode title "Decades Of 'Death Cramps' Later, A Search For Answers To Period Pain."

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

NEW EPISODE: Why We Need Trans Tech In 2025 For decades, trans folks have responded to emergent needs in their community w/ technological innovation. Scholar @haimson.bsky.social tells Anita why it's vital to understand the role of trans technology in this moment: episodes.fm/1525727534/e...

A colorful podcast artwork for "Embodied" with a pink-to-blue gradient background. The image shows an illustrated figure wearing a VR headset, reaching out with one hand surrounded by sparkles and small heart symbols. The figure is drawn in a line art style with pink and blue coloring. The overall aesthetic combines digital technology themes with warm, inclusive imagery."

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

NEW EPISODE: Despite a decade of restrictive behavior & a career path in mental health counseling, Alishia McCullough had never associated herself with the phrase eating disorder. And she’s not alone.

An illustration of a curvy, confident figure outlined in white against a dark, floral background. The figure has full, voluminous hair and soft facial features. Vines and flowers, intricately drawn in white, wrap around the figure's arms, chest and hips. The background features a rich pattern of pink, black and brown flowers with abstract shapes and textures. At the top, the word "Embodied" is displayed in bold, gold letters with a white outline.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

NEW EPISODE: Owning Your Multiracial Story When @asrao.bsky.social moved away to college, she experienced a big shift in her #biracial identity. Turns out that the questions that emerged for her are ones that many mixed young adults still ponder today 15 years later.

An illustration of a family portrait. One parent, on the left, is white and masculine-presenting with short, brown hair. The other parent, on the right, is Black and more femme-presenting with natural hair gathered in a ponytail. The white parent is holding and looking down at a young girl who presents as Black with kinky-looking hair in a bun on top of her head. She is looking at the camera and smiling. The Black parent is holding a little boy who has lighter brown skin and hair that looks wavier. Both parent and child are looking at the camera. The word "Mixed" is in the upper righthand corner.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

NEW EPISODE: "Forgive, But Don't Forget: Sexuality & Healing From Religious Trauma." In 2015, while the nation celebrated marriage equality Celeste Gracia was sent to conversion therapy. 10 yrs later, Celeste (now a @wunc.org reporter) shares how current politics have sparked reflection on healing.

An illustration depicts a pair of dark-skinned hands holding and looking through a photo album on a table. One hand is turning a page, revealing a photograph of four smiling people sitting together, while the other hand holds a separate photo of three people wearing rainbow accessories, embracing and smiling. A purple bookmark with a Christian fish symbol is tucked into the album. A Holy Bible lies on the table nearby. The bold title "Embodied" is displayed at the top of the illustration.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

NEW EPISODE: Parenting can be a relentless job ... so if you're doing it all without a partner, how is it possible to also sustain a relationship with s3x and romance? Anita talks with two unpartnered moms about juggling pleasure, dating and parenthood. LISTEN: episodes.fm/1525727534/e...

A young mother with curly brown hair and light brown skin reclines on a bed, wearing a white tank top and light green sweatpants. She is casually browsing dating apps on her smartphone, with icons for Tinder, Bumble and a heart symbol floating around her. In the background, a baby sleeps peacefully in a crib, swaddled in a pink blanket. The room has soft lighting, with green pillows and curtains creating a cozy atmosphere. The word "Embodied" is at the top in bold blue letters.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

NEW EPISODE: Soph Myers-Kelley & his mom, René Myers, have always been close. As of 5 years ago, they also share a diagnosis: the connective tissue disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. #eds explained symptoms they’d been experiencing for decades, like waking up w/ jaw or shoulder dislocations.

An illustration of three hands resting on a cane. The person resting two hands on the cane is white, wearing a red scarf and black and red jacket with gold jewelry. The other person is also white, and has one hand resting on the other person's hands, wearing gold mobility devices on their fingers. The text "Embodied" is written in green across the top of the image.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Food & sex have been deeply intertwined in our cultural imagination for millennia. Anita talks with a cultural historian who has combed through centuries of sex & food chronicles to understand what makes that connection so strong: episodes.fm/1525727534/e...

A stylized digital illustration of various foods and candles arranged on a white background with subtle floral and geometric decorative elements. The word "Embodied" is prominently displayed at the top in bold, red lettering. The food items include a heart-shaped plate of oysters, a bowl of shrimp with lemon slices and garnish, a halved avocado, asparagus spears, sliced potatoes, dark chocolate pieces, and sliced bell peppers. Small candles are scattered throughout the composition, adding a cozy and intimate ambiance. The overall color palette is soft and warm, with shades of red, pink, green, and brown. The style is minimalistic with clean lines and a hand-drawn aesthetic.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

One Woman's Guide To Divorcing America: episodes.fm/1525727534/e... In the hours and days following President Donald Trump’s re-election, online searches about leaving the U.S. surged. Historically, most folks who have considered a move haven’t taken action, but Tina Strawn is an exception.

An illustration of a woman standing on a sandy beach, facing the ocean with her hands resting on her head. She wears a pink and orange swimsuit with a sheer pink cover-up. She has brown skin and brown, curly hair that is shoulder-length. Beside her, an orange suitcase with an American flag sticker that’s partially torn off stands near a metal bench. The background showcases a tropical island with lush greenery, a bright blue sky with wispy clouds, and turquoise waves. The bold red title "Embodied" is prominently displayed at the top.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Anita is committed to self-improvement but skeptical of self-help. She brings her qualms to the experts: @kristenmeinzer.bsky.social, who has lived by more than 50 self-help books & Beth Blum who's traced the genre back to its roots.

An illustration of a woman with long, brown hair, a white shirt, blue jean and white sneakers. She has a curious expression. She is walking up steps made out of various self-help books with titles that read: “ The Four Agreements,” “ “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,” “YOU ARE A BADASS,” "Atomic Habits,” and “The Secret.” The background is a light green color with large white and yellow flowers. Across the top right are the blue words “(Self) Helped” on a yellow background.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Anita finds a lot of #ASMR videos to be deeply relaxing, but she doesn't get the well documented 'brain tingles.' Why? She puts the question to physiologist Craig Richard who's been exploring the science of ASMR for the past decade: episodes.fm/1525727534/e...

An illustration featuring a person with shoulder-length brown hair listening to headphones with their eyes closed. There are artistic swirls and images of a makeup brush, a person with a long Q-tip and an electric razor floating around the headphones. The person looks relaxed and content. The word "Tingled" is in the upper left hand corner of the illustration.

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Embodied WUNC @embodiedwunc.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

How does selling s3xy online affect your offline relationship with s3x & your body? Anita poses that question to 2 creators: Paris Bush, who in 4 years has become one of Only F@ns top earners, and Maxim Lupin, who says that online s3x work is the profession that best supports his health.

An illustration of a woman viewed from behind, seated on a pink bedspread in a room with purple, tropical-patterned wallpaper. She is wearing a floral, off-the-shoulder bra that she is slipping off her shoulders. She's wearing a matching skirt. A laptop displaying blurred content is placed in front of her, and the word "Embodied" appears in bold purple text at the top.

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