iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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

Lucy spent years studying matrescence, a word for the shift that happens during pregnancy, childbirth and becoming a parent. They talk about Lucy's own path through motherhood and why we need new ways to support mothers through this transformation that never really ends. ⁠

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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

In our new episode, Anita talks to two people who say this is a design problem.⁠ ⁠Suzy Hooker is building a free, searchable directory that rates the accessibility of everyday spaces & designer Margarita Zulueta is reimagining how spaces, like airplanes, could be built with fat bodies in mind.⁠

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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

Listen to our latest episode to hear her argument about why picky eating is a modern cultural phenomenon. She tells Anita how we got here — to the age of bland kids’ menus and dinner tables ruled by toddlers yelling ‘yucky!’ Plus what lessons history has for modern-day parents.

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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

And learn more about Julian's story in the incredible Academy-Award nominated documentary "Sugarcane." www.youtube.com/watch?v=CisI...

youtube.com

Sugarcane | Official Trailer | National Geographic Documentary Films

YouTube video by National Geographic

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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

⁠ And of course to our distribution partner @prx.org and our public radio home @wunc.org. If you haven't yet heard this particular episode, you can listen to it here: www.wunc.org/show/embodie...

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

We were specifically granted this award for our program about the impact of long covid on relationships, featuring the lovely @philipandrewhoover.bsky.social & Lauren Hill-Hoover. Thanks so much to them for sharing their story with us and to PMJA for the recognition!⁠

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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

... not just about whether or not to have children, but about how to live with the doubt and uncertainty that comes with any big adult decision. Helena talks to Anita about this journey, captured in her new memoir podcast “Creation Myth.”

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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

Danilyn talks with Anita about how mothering a multiply-disabled child challenged her beliefs about the importance of language for human connection.⁠ ⁠ 🎧 Tune into ‘How A Mother Learned To Connect Without Language’ here: link.podtrac.com/embodied

link.podtrac.com

Embodied

Sex and relationships are intimate — and sometimes intimidating to talk about. In WUNC’s award-winning podcast, host Anita Rao guides us on an exploration of our brains and bodies that touches down in...

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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

In our new episode, Chris talks to Anita about the power of sports in affirming his identity, the flaws in current trans athlete bans, and solutions to make sports better for everyone. ⁠ ⁠ Listen HERE or wherever you podcast: link.podtrac.com/embodied

link.podtrac.com

Embodied

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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

Plus, we'll hear expert insight into the sugar daddy perspective and the broader trends in sugar relationships.⁠ LISTEN HERE: ⁠⁠https://link.podtrac.com/embodied

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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

In our new episode, she tells Anita about the long and winding road to reclaim her magic and how she has turned her gift into a service for others. ⁠ ⁠ TUNE IN wherever you podcast and share with your magic-dabbling friends!

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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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Reposted by Embodied WUNC

Scott @smadin.net · 01/03/2026

last week's episode of @embodiedwunc.bsky.social was definitely the best podcast about poop I've ever listened to

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

Tananarive talks to Anita about why she believes horror can help folks process real-world fears and trauma, using her most recent award-winning book “The Reformatory” as a case study: link.podtrac.com/embodied

link.podtrac.com

Embodied

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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

A huge thanks to our public radio home @wunc.org for supporting us; @prx.org for being our distribution partner and helping us reach more audiences around the country; and every single one of you who tunes into our radio show or downloads our podcast each week!

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

Our show is what it is because of the incredible folks who share their lives and stories with us each week — so this award is as much theirs as it is ours!

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

This show is a true labor of love born from a desire to create space in the public radio landscape for conversations about sex, bodies & intimacy. Our mission is to use journalism and personal storytelling as a way in to taboo and under-discussed topics.

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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

They tackle everything from poop myths and bathroom habits to the surprising science behind the #gutbrain connection.⁠ Listen in your podcast player of choice and share with your friends!

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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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Beacon Press @beaconpress.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Despite media reports of arrests and deportations, many Americans don’t know much about the day-to-day lives of the undocumented folks who live here and just how expensive it is to be undocumented in the US. @anterobot.bsky.social @embodiedwunc.bsky.social

buff.ly

Embodied

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 figure includes everything from wage theft and…

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

She and Antero discuss misconceptions about undocumented workers, describe the challenges of telling Alix’s story, and talk about the many costs that didn’t make the tally sheet — like lost dreams.⁠ LISTEN here: link.podtrac.com/embodied

link.podtrac.com

Embodied

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

Alix talks about those things w/ Anita as she discusses her new book “The Cost of Being Undocumented,” co-written with Stanford University scholar anterobot.bsky.social. Alix traces her personal story from growing up in Sinaloa, Mexico to fleeing to the U.S. w/ her younger brother when she was 20. ⁠

anterobot.bsky.social

Antero Garcia (@anterobot.bsky.social)

Associate Professor at Stanford University. NCTE President Elect. Education. Speculative Imagination. Healing. Dad of twins. he/him/his lacuenta.substack.com

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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

Host @asrao.bsky.social talks to Drew about why he fell so deeply for birds and how he has sustained that love despite the challenges he's faced as a Black man and a conservationist.⁠ Listen up!

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

Drew’s life has been defined by birds. He grew up in rural South Carolina learning mystical stories about birds from his grandmother, emulating bird calls and even trying to fly. This love sparked Drew’s academic and creative careers that center nature and winged creatures.⁠ ⁠

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