Max Sheffield (they/he) collapsed a block and a half from their kid's school. That was the moment that redefined how Max was able to move through this world -- in business, parenting, and in terms of how they approached rest.

In this episode, we talk about building a business and a life around how your brain and body actually work instead of how capitalism says they should. We get into chronic illness and entrepreneurship and why your weirdness is your marketing advantage (lol we do that well around here!)

If you've been white-knuckling your way through your to-do list and wondering why it's not working, this one's worth your time.

------

You can go find Max (and hire them if you want a marketer who will help you make your clients feel seen and not sold to!) over on IG @maxwildestories

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Kinzie's partner Donnie (he/they) joins to talk about what 16+ years of sharing space as a neurodivergent household has taught them: how to divide labor based on strengths, why explicit communication beats subtle signals every time, and the emoji codes they use to navigate the stuff that's hard or inconvenient to say out loud.

This episode reminds us that we don't need to stretch ourselves to do things the "right" way. What if we could build systems that actually work for the humans in them, instead?

--

We're re-releasing this episode from 2025 because it keeps coming up as a listener favorite -- so make sure to tune in if you missed it last time. And no need to spread the word about our roommate search -- we found someone who is a great fit for the studio since this episode aired!

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This episode originally aired in 2024 under our very first podcast name, Taking Up Space. It's one of our most popular for a reason, and we wanted it in the F*ck Confidence feed where it belongs.

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And then the whisper comes back. And we do it again.

In this episode, we talk about why doubt isn't a stop sign, why being "really busy" can actually be one of the sneakiest ways to stay stuck, and what it looks like to build real proof (PROOF!) that you're capable of change. The thing is, it's not always gonna be cute. Sometimes we have to do it messy, do it scared, or do it imperfectly. The important thing is that we do it at all.

I first talked about this concept in our F*ck Confidence workshop. The day after the workshop, I started getting texts: I'm stuck in the whisper stage and I already know I'm probably going to do the same thing I always do.

This episode is for those people. Which is probably most of us.

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In this episode, we're getting into the stuff nobody teaches you about honest communication in dating -- including how to decline a second date without making someone feel like they failed an audition, and why "let's just be friends" is sometimes... not actually what either person wants.

We also got into what it's like to date as a trans woman: the fetishization, the safety calculations, the exhausting math of when to disclose.

And I introduced one of my favorite communication principles: Prepared For No. PFN, babyyyyy (introduced is maybe a strong word, I'm sure you've heard me say it a lot before). If you're not already using this in your relationships, your asks, your whole life: this episode might change that!

BONUS: we're dabbling in the concept of a brand new call-in segment for your dating, polyam, and relationship questions. If you're into it: DM us on Instagram at @empowermentstudio__ (or our BRAND NEW podcast IG @fckconfidence) with a voice note. We're going to answer your Qs on air (and Rachael and I will almost certainly disagree, so you'll get two perspectives!) and let that guide us into some new fun conversations around connecting and relationship.

Thanks for tuning in, y'all!

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We've got an incredibly special guest for this episode -- someone who deeply shaped the way I move through the world. I would like to heartily welcome theatre artist and community builder, Angela Marcum (she/her) -- who also happens to be my mom!

In this episode, we talk about where my belief in beauty and community actually comes from, and how those values got built long before the Empowerment Studio ever existed.

This is a conversation about being seen. About building spaces where people feel like they belong. About why doing it alone isn’t actually the goal.

The way you build community changes everything -- and we were never meant to do this alone!

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree on this one, folks. This is a fun episode to tune into if you want to see where it all began.

To contact our guest (in case you want to collaborate with her!) -- https://angelamarcum.com/

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Inside the program, we’ve always set a North Star -- a vision for what you want your life to feel like and where you want to point your compass for the six months of the program. What I started noticing is how much is actually inside that process. “What do I want?” can open up a lottttt.

So we're creating even more space for it.

The North Star Workshop is now a 3-part experience to help you:

• get clear on where you are right now
• be radically honest about what you actually want
• turn that into a clear direction you can move toward

It also brings in something I’m calling practice menus -- ways to take action whether you have five minutes and no energy, or a full afternoon with more capacity. We're aiming to make it feel really achievable to actually begin to make the changes you are craving in your life.

This started as a nerdy, late-night idea and is now becoming a deeper layer of the program. I’m really curious to see what it opens up for people. So far it's been really powerful. Lots more to come, I can't wait to update you once we've completed the whole workshop series!

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And while we recorded this a couple months ago… that’s also not new.

This isn’t a one-time moment. It’s a pattern. It’s ongoing.

Which means the question becomes: how do we stay present, resourced, and able to actually show up inside of it?

So in this episode, Rachael and I pulled tarot for you.

Which led us into a conversation about what it looks like to step out of constant urgency mode without disconnecting, how to let time and space do some of the work instead of muscling your way through everything, and why small moments of celebration and care aren’t a distraction but actually fuel (then it becomes up to us for how we decide to use that fuel - but if we're resourced, we can do a lot with that!).

We also share a simple practice (we each name six things we’re celebrating) that ended up being way more grounding than expected -- let us know if you give it a try at home. (And DM me the things you're celebrating, if you want to!! I'd LOVE to see -- goodness knows we could all use a little moment to steep in the good these days.)

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Christina, in our Empowerment Studio community, submitted a question that unfolded into this podcast. We talk about the difference between taking up space energetically versus physically, and how being in your body can feel like a completely different challenge than just showing up in a room. A lot of people are waiting to feel confident before they allow themselves to be seen, photographed, or celebrated -- which keeps you stuck. What if not that?? So we talk about how to start seeing yourself differently, how to build from neutrality instead of confidence, and how small moments of noticing can begin to shift your relationship with your body over time.

Throughout the episode, we share our own experiences with shrinking, swinging between “too much” and “not enough,” and learning how to find a version of taking up space that actually feels aligned instead of performative.

Taking up space isn’t about loving your body all the time. It’s about learning how to stay in it -- and letting that be enough to start.

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Sarah grew up in a very religious environment where a lot of life decisions were already mapped out for them. Over time, especially after a divorce, they began the long process of figuring out who they actually were outside of that structure. They first found the Empowerment Studio through one of our selfie challenges, and over the years became a deeply involved part of the community.

During the Empowerment Experience, Sarah used the space to explore identity more fully -- including trying out they/them pronouns and embracing the full range of their masculine and femme expression. By the time we photographed their big Empowerment Experience shoot, they were stepping into that range completely: everything from a suit, to a bikini, to a flannel-and-axe lumberjack moment in the woods.

One of the things Sarah talks about beautifully is how the program gave them a place where they didn’t have to edit themself. Over the six months, that practice of simply being themself started to carry into the rest of their life too.

We also talk about the community side of the Empowerment Experience -- the group photoshoot, the friendships that form, and the way people witness each other’s growth over time.

Sarah describes the whole experience as an investment in themself, and as a way of capturing the moment of who they are now.

PS This episode title is reductive for sure -- but I wanted all the cutie enby folks who might be podcast browsing to know that they've got a fun episode to tune in to. It's nice to know when something is extra perfect for you!

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So we walk through the arc of the experience -- from the welcome party and early connection-building, to Selfie Week and our guided group selfie practice, to the monthly Togetherness Times where we make space for play, creativity, and community. We also talk about the Empowerment Party, individual photoshoots, and the final celebration where everyone gets to see their images together at the end of the program.

One of the things I share is that the Empowerment Experience isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about choosing your own “win condition” and deciding how you want to show up for yourself over the six months.

If you’ve been curious about the Empowerment Experience but wondering what you’d actually be stepping into, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how the program works and why the structure is designed the way it is.

Doors are technically only open to the Empowerment Experience for one more day - but this episode was supposed to go out earlier this week and didn't (oops!) - so if you're seeing this and it's after the application window is open, but before the end of March, apply anyways (mention this podcast!) and I'll sneak ya in!

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People were having "oh sh*t" moments all over the place. The kind where something clicks and you can't un-hear it, and you've changed. Participants had breakthroughs mid-conversation, got a little uncomfortable (in the best way), and walked away seeing themselves differently than when they showed up.

And I know that sounds like it could have been a heavy night -- but it was SO joy-filled. We wiggled, we laughed, we had a genuinely good time. Communityyyy. The kind of space where you can be messy and feel totally held.

Here's the thing this workshop is built around: confidence is not actually what you're missing. And chasing it is keeping you stuck. In this replay, we dig into what's really going on, and how you can start getting what you want right now, without waiting until you feel "ready."

You'll also get a full overview of the Empowerment Experience: what it is, who it's for, and why it might be exactly what you've been looking for.

If something in this episode makes you go oh dang, that's me, that's your sign. You can apply here: https://empowermentphotographer.com/experience or send me (Kinzie) a DM here if you want to chat about it: @empowermentstudio__

I hope you give this a listen. You deserve amazing things, and this will help make them happen. We love you!

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Fuck confidence!

In this episode, Rachael and I unpack something that’s been simmering since our January team retreat at the Empowerment Studio. Libby and David and I were talking about the boudoir industry at large -- what people promise, what they sell, what they center -- and one word kept coming up:

Confidence.

Build your confidence.

Find your confidence.

Come in confident.

Leave confident.

But here’s the problem: the number one thing I hear from people who want to book a session but don’t is, “I’m just not confident enough.”

And here's what I'd like to offer: what if confidence isn’t the prerequisite?

What if you don’t have to feel ready?

What if you don’t have to feel bold or secure or certain?

What if you get to show up nervous, uncertain, even a little shaky -- and do it anyway?

Rachael talks about working on her first play and carrying a literal clipboard as a stand-in for confidence. We talk about doing things before we feel qualified. We talk about how the doing itself is often what creates the shift.

What are you postponing because you’re waiting to feel more confident first?

What conversations? What risks? What visibility? What joy?

Especially right now, in a world that requires more courage from regular people, waiting for perfect confidence might be the very thing keeping us small.

This episode plants a seed for the rest of the season. You’ll hear threads of this concept woven through future conversations -- about power, visibility, voice, embodiment, and taking up space.

You don’t need confidence to begin.

You begin. And confidence (maybe) follows. (And if it doesn't, THAT'S OKAY!)

If this sparks something in you, I want to hear about it. Where have you been waiting to feel ready?

We're not holding back anything in Season 2 of this podcast. LFGGGGGG.

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If you're new to the podcast, welcome! And if you're returning, OMG HI. This episode is one of my favorite types -- a long, cozy conversation between two people who genuinely like each other. We've got a lot to catch up on!

My amazing cohost Rachael (she/her) and I (Kinzie, they/she) sat down to kick off season 2 of this podcast, and we ended up talking about everything happening inside the Empowerment Studio, which turned into getting excited about what's coming (Cloud Parties! the Empowerment Experience! the Facebook group is open!), which turned into the kind of episode you really can't rush.

So don't try to. This one's made for a long drive, a sink full of dishes, a walk where you lose track of how far you've gone. Or: a cup of something warm, a craft project, and an hour where you just get to exist and listen.

This is us, settling back in. I hope it feels like coming home a little bit. We saved you a seat.

Season 2 -- let's gooooo.

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We share stories we haven’t told before... the behind-the-scenes chaos, the small victories, the moments that cracked something open for us, and the themes that kept weaving themselves through the season no matter what we thought we were talking about. Empowerment, growth, visibility, choosing yourself again and again. In a lot of ways, the podcast became its own version of the Empowerment Experience.

We also look ahead to Season Two and the kind of space we want to build inside the Empowerment Studio next year. What stays. What deepens. What we’re excited to experiment with. And, honestly, what we’re still figuring out.

The conversation feels like sitting down with us after closing time at the Empowerment Studio... warm, reflective, a little funny, a little messy, and full of the kind of connection that happens when you actually say the true thing out loud.

We close with gratitude and an invitation: take a moment to notice who you’ve become since the start of this season. You may be farther along than you think.

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Behind the scenes, we peek at our winter break plans, the return of our Facebook group in January, and the new modular sets being built by our artist-in-residence -- from bubble rigs to mermaid moments to old Hollywood feather robes. We also dive into the creative expansion these sets make possible, plus the upcoming add-ons, Empowerment Parties, selfie stations, and the “happy idea” energy guiding the Studio as we explore what magic awaits us in 2026.

This short, cozy episode is full of updates, big ideas, and a sense of playful possibility -- perfect for anyone curious about what’s next in the Empowerment Studio.

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Somewhere along the way, Audy and I realized that what took Audy years to unfold naturally in our community is now happening in a condensed, intentional way through the Empowerment Experience -- we effectively created a shortcut to the same magic. NEAT.

We talk about what it means to see yourself, to feel safe being visible, and how fun, anti-capitalist joy can be the most powerful kind of transformation.

Find Audy on Instagram: @audyaveryyyy

And follow their writing here: open.substack.com/pub/audyavery/

Learn more about the Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com/experience (and if you apply now and enroll before the end of 2025, you'll get a free mini session to do any time between now and when the program begins in April!)

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This recording picks up in the second half of our live session -- in the first half, we tuned into Jacqueline’s video on Glamour Magic (which is absolutely worth catching if you haven’t yet -- the link is below).

We talk about the ways Jacqueline practices Glamour Magic as a tool for self-expression, evolution, and play -- and we explore how it weaves beautifully into the work we do here at the Empowerment Studio.

✨ Watch Jacqueline’s original Glamour Magic video here: https://youtu.be/u45V1egX3_o?si=IzpoV8b1W-29aO1F

✨ This episode is part of our Empowerment Festival series. Learn more about the Empowerment Festival (and be the first to hear when we announce our next one!) here: empowermentphotographer.com/festival

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Our beloved friend Jamie Byers (she/her) is the founder of:

1️⃣ Plump Resale (a curated thrift experience that helps every body, especially plus-size folks, find their personal style),

2️⃣ The Byers Effect (her intuitive energy-work practice blending grounding, sound, and magic), and

3️⃣ Jamie Byers graphic + web design for artists, dreamers, and small businesses doing good things in the world

-- all based right here in Kansas City.

Jamie joined us for a live podcast recording that really just feels like sitting in on a coffee chat between two passionate besties!

Come hang with Jamie and Kinzie as they talk about visibility, taking up space, and what it means to be show the fuck up in your business and your life.

You can find Jamie here (@just.jamieb) and here (@plump.resale) and here (@thebyerseffect).

Do yourself a favor and follow all three accounts because Jamie is GREAT.

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My sweet and powerful friend Ellie Berland (she/her) -- founder of HERA (@hera_co_) -- helped us welcome in our day with a beautiful and grounding ritual. Pour yourself a cup of tea and join us.

Ellie began with a gentle reflection that connected us with our brains and our bodies and our hearts before guiding a breath of life practice to help us connect with our days. From there, she pulled a card and invited us to listen deeply -- to what our bodies were asking for, what our brains were asking for, and how we might honor both in the day ahead.

You might want to save this podcast to your phone so that you can come back to it again and again. What a lovely way to start the day.

You can find Ellie on Instagram at @ellena_berland and @hera_co_

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This one’s all about how I use Pinterest as a powerful tool for style evolution, self-discovery, and vibing with who I’m becoming next.

Rachael came in as a total Pinterest skeptic, and by the end of this episode, she was at the very least lukewarm to the idea -- maybe even all in (lol you'll have to ask her). Together we build her very first Pinterest boards -- from “Empowered Rachael” to “Rocker Rachael” -- and talk about how personal style shifts can reflect deeper identity and empowerment.

We explore how fashion can be fluid, gender expression can be playful, and why sometimes you just need to let yourself pin the things that make you go ooh. It’s chaotic, funny, a little slumber-party energy, and a lot of self-exploration in digital collage form.

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I’ll walk you through each day’s theme -- Ground, Revel, Own, and Witness -- and share all the ways you can participate, whether you’re here in Kansas City or joining from anywhere in the world. This festival came together fast, and it already feels like pure magic. So grab your calendar, mark the dates, and let’s get ready to show up for ourselves, take up space, and celebrate together.

Sign up here: http://empowermentphotographer.com/festival

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We talk about how confidence doesn’t magically appear beforehand -- it’s something that grows because you do the thing. We also explore how documenting yourself right now, in the body and stage you’re in, builds a muscle of self-love that carries into every future version of you.

Rachael shares vulnerably about her own boudoir sessions with me -- one during an earlier stage of her gender transition, and another after gender confirmation surgery. Seeing herself reflected at both moments gave her an anchor point for who she was becoming and reminded her that her growth was real.

We also touch on the realities of finances, societal pressure, and the internalized muscle of self-criticism. This episode encourages you to stop waiting and take action even if it doesn’t feel “perfect.”

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Come hang out with us online in our pop-up Facebook group, or in-person at the Empowerment Studio. Get the full scoop, snag a VIP ticket, and add your name to the guest list at empowermentphotographer.com/festival.

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This week we're pulling back the curtain -- because I just signed up with a new business coach! 🎉 In this episode, Rachael and I chat about what it actually feels like to invest in yourself (especially when it feels big and scary), why group coaching is so powerful (and sometimes messy, wheeeee!), and how magnetizing the exact right people at the right time has been a game-changer in my life.

We also veer off into some very important tangents: like my new productivity app (thanks Hank Green), what it means when your clothes suddenly stop feeling like you (Pinterest episode coming to a podcast near you one of these days!), and why I’m so dang passionate about creating spaces where people can try things out messily and still feel supported.

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In this episode, we pass the mic back and forth and hand out radical permission slips for y'all. Wanna exist in photos without changing a damn thing about yourself first? Permission granted. Wanna wear bigger pants that actually fit? Dare ya. Wanna look silly on the dance floor, take a nap instead of muscling through, or just show up as today’s version of you? You're allowed!!

DM me at @empowermentstudio__ to tell me which permission slip you are snagging (or if there's another specific one you found yourself hoping we'd say next).

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Rachael spent the summer on a cruise ship that was still being built -- which means she’s got wild tales about isolation, construction zones, and how a ship gets lifted out of the ocean. She also shared about feeling out of sync with her clothes and vibe, and what it’s like to have this feeling that it's time to step into a whole new version of yourself (but to not necessarily know what version of yourself that is).

Meanwhile, my summer was its own whirlwind -- parenting, travel, and running the Empowerment Studio (and our EPIC Selfie Challenge + Model Call!) -- so it felt extra good to land back in this creative space together.

This episode is a mix of reunion joy, transformation vibes, and a little cruise-ship nerdery. Come hang out with us -- it feels so good to be back.

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And now... onto the episode!

"I wanna live here forever. I just wanna live in these wings. I want to live as this superhuman forever. It was just so empowering and so FUN!"

Sarah and I had the best time talking together! We talked about how a boudoir session is a chance to PLAY! They told me how good it felt to tap into an incredibly empowered version of themself.... and now they get to take that vibe home with them, and have photos to look back on to help them come back to that version of themself. 

Sarah also told me how comfortable they felt the whole time, showing up as the fullest version of themself. 

"Be ready to have a great time. It's an investment, and it's worth every single penny. Do it for you, don't do it for anyone else. This going to be something you remember for the rest of your life, and you're not gonna regret a single moment."

This was such a great conversation. Enjoy!!

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I am now newly obsessed with Rebecca Black (she was hot and gay during her daytime set -- and vibey and magnetic at her midnight DJ set) and may or may not have cut my bangs while peering into a 3" camping mirror a couple days after seeing her perform (this decision was premeditated, but seeing hot perfect her bangs were during her DJ set late at night was absolutely the catalyst for making it happen WHILE I was camping, lol).

Tyler the Creator's set was also so potent and I'm very inspired by his merch. I love a weird and all-in creative concept.

There's lots more about Hinterland in this episode, but also a lot of Empowerment Studio future-dreaming out loud (you’ll have to listen to find out what that's all about). I always come back so inspired and I have a feeling the Hinter-magic is really just beginning to unfold. Lots of tiny moments cracked something open in me -- and I'm so curious how it's all going to shake out.

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Gramma Iris returns to the pod, and this time it’s pure JOY. We’re talking recipes, stories, advice, favorite outfits, and everything in between. She’s 90 years old, fabulous as can be, and somehow even more iconic than last time.

We recorded this one in person with my amazing co-host (hi, Rachael!), and it felt like a cozy kitchen table hangout full of laughter, memories, and a whole lot of love.

You’ll hear:

-- our favorite family recipes

-- how Gramma Iris makes friends literally everywhere

-- her go-to outfit for Target trips (recorded before we started boycotting Target, just to be clear!)

-- her thoughts on aging, joy, and staying curious

-- and the questions she wished we’d asked her last time!

Honestly, this episode feels like a hug in audio form -- and it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to be playful, connected, and fully yourself.

(I love you, Gramma! Thank you for being here!!)

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One of our favorite podcast guests is back! I got to sit down with one of my dearest humans, Audy Avery (they/them), and talk about something we don’t hear nearly enough about: asexuality and aromanticism, in all their layered, nuanced, and beautifully fluid forms. Rachael (she/her) popped in too (as she does), and honestly, it felt like a big warm return to the Empowerment Studio After Dark days -- the vibe was cozy, intimate, campfire-y. My favorite kind.

Audy shared their unfolding journey of realizing they’re on the ace and aro spectrums, and how that discovery has reshaped how they understand their body, their relationships, and their own self-consent. We talked about sex, the differences between libido and attraction, and the subtle but powerful ways we can show up more honestly in our desire -- or lack of it. I especially loved the part where Audy talked about being “romantic with life” and inviting others into that energy without needing to call it something traditional.

This conversation made space for a kind of radical softness -- for people who experience attraction differently, for those of us still unpacking purity culture, and for anyone exploring embodiment on their own timeline.

Whether you identify as ace or not, there’s something here for everyone -- a reminder that attraction, desire, and romance don’t need to follow a script. They can just be yours.

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This week on the Empowerment Studio Podcast, I sit down with my co-host, friend, and longtime Empowerment Studio member Rachael Cady to talk about her transition journey. Rachael shares the deeply personal, powerful story of coming out as a trans woman in her 50s -- including the first time she let herself imagine a different life, and her coming-out moment at work (which is a really fun and beautiful story!).

We talk about permission, identity, hormones, vulnerability, second puberty, joy, and the long arc of becoming more fully yourself. I’m so honored to hold space for this story -- and I hope you love it as much as I do.

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👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

You don’t have to feel confident to do a boudoir session -- honestly, I usually find that my clients need the session in order to become confident. (Wild, right? We have it all backwards!)

In this episode, I’m joined by happiness coach Jessica Lyonford (she/her) for a really powerful conversation about confidence, body image, and how our brains are actually wired to change. We talk about neuroplasticity -- how our brains create new pathways over time -- and how intentional experiences (like a boudoir shoot!) can become anchors that help shift the way we see ourselves.

Jessica shared so many beautiful insights about building trust with yourself, releasing perfectionism, and why confidence isn’t something you have to have before you start -- it’s something that can grow through action.

✨ And if this conversation speaks to you: the Empowerment Studio’s Model Call is open now through Friday, July 11 at 11:59 PM central. Come apply if you’re ready to take that first brave, beautiful step: https://empowermentphotographer.com/apply

You can find Jessica Lyonford at:

www.jessicalyonford.com

https://www.instagram.com/themorehappycoach

https://www.facebook.com/projectmorehappy

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👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

✨ “You are on a really big journey right now, learning your body in new ways... and that’s a really big deal.”

Thank you for being here -- you are so beautiful.

APPLY FOR OUR MODEL CALL HERE!

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👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

✨ “Maybe instead you say, thank you. You appreciate the curve of my hips. I can receive that.”

Give a compliment, receive a compliment, and let yourself take one tiny step further into that magic today.

And for fun, here's a blog post with some Empowerment Studio compliment tips! https://empowermentphotographer.com/blog/compliments-101-intersectional-empowerment-style

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✨ “Giving those compliments to other people can be a fortifying process for you as well.”

Once you post your selfie, stick around and leave a few kind words for others. It really does make a difference.

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🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

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🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

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For Day 2 of the Selfie Challenge, I guided a calming, grounding meditation to help you ease into taking your selfie. We breathed, imagined warm golden light filling our bodies, and connected with ourselves before picking up the camera.

✨ “Maybe we’re not going for a perfect final image—maybe we’re just setting out with the intention of existing in some photos.”

Go post your Day 2 selfie in the group when you're ready.

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(If this is the first you're hearing about our Selfie to Self Love 5-day Challenge, it's not too late to join! selfietoselflove.com)

I’ll walk you through how to take today’s selfies without overthinking them, help you trust the process, and I'll hype you up to take a ridiculous number of photos without stopping to nitpick.

Don’t peek too soon. Don’t talk yourself out of it. This is your invitation to meet your own cutie face—with curiosity, courage, and maybe even a little joy.

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

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👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

In this episode, I (Kinzie, they/she!) and my radiant co-host Rachael (she/her) share what this challenge is, why we do it, and how it has changed lives -- including our own. Whether you’ve never taken a selfie before, or you're a seasoned self-portrait pro, this is your invitation to show up, be seen, and maybe even surprise yourself.

It’s not just about posting a photo. It’s about claiming space in community, receiving and giving genuine compliments, and existing in photos on your own terms. This is about togetherness, joy, play, and that specific kind of magic that happens when we all show up at the same time for something.

Come hang out with us from June 23–27, and let’s take some selfies together. And if you're nervous???? I promise you -- we've got you! Let’s see what shows up when you show up.

Sign up for FREE at selfietoselflove.com

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

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📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

I got to sit down in person with my beloved Gramma Iris — yes, my actual grandma — and talk about life, legacy, growth, and the power of sharing our stories. At 90 years old, Gramma Iris has lived through loss, transformation, deep love, and reinvention more times than I can count. And lately, she did something really brave: she stepped on stage for the very first time to perform a piece about her life as part of The She Said Project, directed by the wonderful Jenette Jurczyk.

In this conversation, she talks about what it felt like to tell her story for the first time just about her — without hiding behind the people she’s spent her life loving and serving. She shares memories from growing up in a conservative small town, teaching preschool (after retiring five times!), baking mini muffins, and still showing up for her community — with a little sass and a lot of heart.

We laugh, we sing, and she even performs her piece for you — “90 Years in 10 Minutes.” (Spoiler alert: you're going to want tissues.)

💗 You can watch her full That’s What She Said performance on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtmZCc2KSZ4

Gramma Iris is the person I’m probably the most like in my whole family — and I am so proud to share her with you today.

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But for real, y'all: this session had me emotional too. Eda was one of the very first people I photographed when I started my photography business back in 2012/2013. Knowing Eda all those years ago, and seeing them blossom into a beautiful, capable grown-ass human has been a treasure - and getting to celebrate them in the form of a boudoir session, where we really got to make our magic together, was the most special thing.

Here in the Empowerment Studio, we talk about the beauty of timing, claiming space as a queer and gender-fluid person, and what it felt like to adorn stretch marks and tan lines in gold as a celebration of a body that’s been through so much and keeps going. Eda shares the emotional arc of their session—from pre-shoot anxiety to post-shoot journaling and baby bunny symbolism—all wrapped in love, laughter, and a touch of chaos (like any good quad ball match).

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step into a session at the Empowerment Studio, especially as a queer client, this episode is a beautiful peek inside. And if you’ve been waiting for a sign that your shoot might be right on time—this is it.

You can find Eda on IG at @hadeschica5sos (and, go take a peek for real, because they recorded their love letter to themself that they wrote before their session at my prompting and it's honestly the most beautiful thing)

*And yes: happy pride, queerdos! It's honestly always PRIDE around here, you know that if you've been hanging around with us for any stretch of time. But we don't mind the extra chance to celebrate and take up space and honor our history and remember that we're all in this together.

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We go month-by-month through Audy’s year-ahead tarot pull—what landed, what surprised us, and how the cards have offered reflection, insight, and sometimes straight-up warnings 😅 (January and February, we’re looking at you).

✨ If you're tarot-curious, witchy-aligned, or just navigating a lot right now and wondering how the pieces might someday fit together again—this one’s for you. We talk about grief, polyamory, solo parenting, creative rebirth, and living in radical partnership with your own life.

🪵 We also reflect on what it means to build a deeply local, offline life of magic and care—the kind of life where your community knows your rhythms and your gifts ripple outward from your doorstep, not your feed.

This episode was an indulgent exploration. Do you do year-ahead tarot pulls? If you do -- tag us! We’d love to see it.

You can find Audy ..... well, mostly in person in Kansas City (and you can hire them for a porch chat or a guided 🌿 meditation) but also over on IG (@audyaveryyy) and Substack (breath + blood + bone)

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In this one, we go full shenanigans mode with a mix of spicy hot takes and tender little soft questions. You’ll hear about my deep love for Love is Blind (Rachael had never heard of it!!), the joys of Sims cheat codes and heart-shaped vibrating beds, and the gender euphoria of catching your own reflection and saying, “Oh yeah, that’s me.”

We talked weird compliments (someone once told me I’m easy to take my clothes off in front of—professionally speaking, of course), the magic of toggling between your identities like a theatre kid with range, and how our comfort shows weirdly tell on us. (Looking at you, Star Trek.)

Oh—and we get a little deeper than planned, because of course we do. Gender journeys, embracing past versions of ourselves, and how our identities shift in big and small ways over time. So, basically: laughter, queerness, weird compliments, nostalgic chaos, and soft landing pads for self-discovery.

It’s one of those episodes where you laugh hard and leave thinking.

💌 If you want to get in on the fun, DM me your answers to any of the questions we ask—comfort shows, Sims must-haves, or what you believed five years ago that’s totally changed. And send me pics of your Sims love beds if you dare.

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Also: I make the case for vision boards (and yes, even if you’re allergic to crafting, I just might convince you), we gush over mixed CDs, I reveal my secret DJ dreams, and we celebrate the incredible range of identities and gender diversity in this cohort of the program.

The Empowerment Experience isn’t just six months of selfies and photoshoots -- it’s this alive, evolving, co-created thing that lights me all the way up.

Also yes, I’m recruiting more people to talk Love Is Blind with me. Please. @empowermentstudio__

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We get into the real stuff -- like how showing up in front of a camera (even when it’s just your front-facing phone) can be deeply vulnerable, wildly powerful, and even... fun? Yes, fun. There’s laughter, a little sidebar story time (as always), and some stories from my pre-Empowerment Studio life -- turns out singing “Wheels on the Bus” to 12 babies at a daycare was the perfect foreshadowing of me singing encouragements to my grown-up clients now 😆

This episode is an invitation to join us in our next round of the Selfie to Self Love 5-Day Challenge (it's free!). The challenge is all about reclaiming your image on your own terms. It’s not about filters or perfection—it's about you, showing up for yourself one photo at a time. Whether you’re selfie-curious, a selfie-pro, or selfie-resistant, this challenge, and this episode, is for you.

👉 And if your curiosity is piqued (or you already know you want in), head to selfietoselflove.com to sign up. You’ll be the first to hear when the next challenge dates are announced. (It'll be sometime this summer!)

Trust me, you don’t want to miss it.

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Rachael shares the story of losing her mom and the complex, layered experience of moving through grief -- from the bittersweet moments of caregiving to the unexpected gifts of being truly seen and loved.

We reflect together on how we can better show up for people who are grieving (hint: bring the avocado toast!), why vague offers like "let me know if you need anything" aren’t always the most helpful, and how important it is to be specific, to show up, and to say all the things — even when it feels scary or awkward.

This conversation is about big feelings, real friendship, chosen family, and living with your heart wide open. Bring some tissues — and maybe a sandwich.

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Bonus moments:

• Donnie is a rainbow-clad handyman dreamboat.
• “Respect the X” becomes a rallying cry for calendar boundaries.
• Foldies (PB&J tortillas) are a household staple.
• There’s a monocle emoji code for “hey, check the kitchen.”
• Their 8-year-old is already out here naming overstimulation and skipping birthday parties with grace.

Overall? It’s like a cozy hangout where doing the dishes becomes a metaphor for care, clarity, and coexisting with deep intention.

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We cover a lot of ground: the ripple effects of a boudoir session (because it’s so much more than just a few cute photos), how music and memory and even the most random, silly moments can become anchor points for coming back to yourself later. Rachael shares what it meant to see one of her Empowerment Studio portraits posted on Trans Day of Visibility—and how those photos have helped her not just feel seen, but actually see herself.

There’s talk of selfies, sponge metaphors (yep, really), nervous laughter, and my accidental superpower of creating experiences that quietly sneak up and change your life. And we explored what it takes to slow down and notice what's happening so you can really savor the moment.

If you’ve ever wondered how to keep that post-photo-shoot glow alive in everyday life, this one’s for you.

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🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

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🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Enter: RADAR.

It’s a conversation structure we learned from the amazing folks at Multiamory, and honestly? It was a game changer. In this episode, I’m sharing what RADAR is, how we used it, and why it felt so nourishing, supportive, and grounding. Whether you're navigating polyamory, partnership, roommates, or anything in between, this framework might just be the communication tool you didn’t know you needed.

Listen in for some tenderness, honesty, and a little reminder that hard conversations don’t have to be messy—they can actually bring you closer.

P.S.: We first learned about RADAR from Multiamory, and they have an awesome breakdown of how to use it—plus a full podcast episode on the topic. If you want to explore more or try it out with your people, check out their page right here: https://www.multiamory.com/radar

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In this episode, I invited my partner and current D&D campaign DM -- Donnie (he/they) -- to join me and Rachael (she/her) for a fun chat about the intersection of identity and role play in Dungeons & Dragons.

We reflect on our long-running campaigns, personal connections to our characters, and how storytelling in D&D allows for self-exploration. Donnie, a longtime storyteller and our current campaign DM, shares how their goblin artificer, Gorple Flint, embodies many of their real-life traits, reinforcing the campaign’s lighthearted tagline: "So, we’re playing ourselves."

You'll even get to hear us do a little bit of play in character -- can't wait for y'all to hear my voice for my character, Gnunt, who is a Firbolg Bard.

I think Rachael was a bit mystified, but very intrigued, by this entire episode, so even if D&D is not your jam, I think you'll still enjoy this one.

Do you play D&D? DM me (haha, get it?) so we can be nerds together!

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Kinzie chats with Shay (she/they), a past client and fellow photographer, about the magic of photography—how it’s not just about snapping pretty pictures but about capturing presence, identity, and joy. Shay shares their journey with Golden Door Photography, spilling the tea on rebrands, wedding photography, and their dream of documenting end-of-life stories with dignity.

Shay also reflects on their own boudoir session at the Empowerment Studio, where they explored gender expression, laughed a lot, and had the radical experience of just existing in their body without judgment.

The convo gets real when they dive into body image and editing—how do you balance what’s “flattering” with what’s real? Kinzie breaks it down: some photos make you go “Damn, I look good!”, while others help you learn to love the parts you’re still making peace with. Shay shares how a simple comment about their belly folds completely reframed how they saw themself. They also chat about the struggle of picking photos—Shay is more logical, Kinzie trusts the sparkle in the eyes—but both agree that photography is pure magic, helping people see themselves in ways they never imagined.

Go check out Shay's amazing new website (no but for real, I love it so much) at https://goldendoorphoto.com/

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Hey, it’s Kinzie! I’m bringing you a throwback episode—this was recorded right before we kicked off the very first round of the Empowerment Experience in 2024. And fun fact? Tiffany, who you’ll hear in this conversation, went on to be an amazing part of that group.

In this chat, Tiffany and I dive into what it really means to step into your power, exist in photos, and embrace yourself fully. As she puts it, “It’s in our vulnerabilities that we find our greatest strengths.” That’s at the heart of what we do—helping people see themselves in a way that feels real, powerful, and theirs.

Tiffany's passion for showing up, even when it’s hard, is something so many of us can relate to. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling ready for photos or wondered what it’s like to be part of this experience, you’re going to love this one.

Join us in the second round of the Empowerment Experience. Can't wait to get to know you in there <3

empowermentphotographer.com/experience

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Together, with a round-one Empowerment Experiencer joining me, we really get into the specifics of the program. If you're anything like me, and you're considering investing in something, you want to know as much as you can before you take the leap.

In this episode, Paulita (she/her) talks about:

• The emotional experience of seeing herself in photos, and how she felt so supported in the context of the Empowerment Experience
• Her growth journey, including how the Empowerment Experience helped her embrace her Leo nature and shed self-doubt
• Amazing advice for future participants: trust your gut and take the leap—this journey will be more transformative than you expect

I'd love to welcome y'all to join us in this conversation between me (Kinzie, they/she) and Rachael (she/her) and Paulita. We talk through so many different components of the Empowerment Experience and how it all works together to really take people on a beautiful journey.

Are you next? https://empowermentphotographer.com/experience

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

If you’ve been holding back, it’s time to break through. In the Empowerment Experience, we guide you through the Grow Method step-by-step, ensuring you have the support you need to rise up and claim your space. Here's what we’ll walk you through:

Ground: You can’t build a solid foundation without knowing where you stand. In the Empowerment Experience, we help you get real with yourself—identify where you are emotionally, physically, and energetically. You’ll know exactly what’s holding you back and what you’re working with.

Revel: You’ve probably spent too much time focusing on what you don’t like about yourself. It’s time to flip the script. We’ll guide you to celebrate your strengths, your wins, and your unique qualities. This is where you start seeing the full power of who you are, right here and right now.

Own: This is the heart of the Empowerment Experience: we’re all about stepping into your story with confidence. You’ll learn how to own your space—without hesitation or apology—and embrace your worth unapologetically. No more shrinking back.

Witness: This is where you get to step back and really see yourself. In the Empowerment Experience, we help you witness your transformation—physically, mentally, and emotionally. You’ll see the badass you’ve always been and start taking pride in the power you’ve been sitting on.

And here’s the kicker: you won’t have to do this alone. You’ll have a community to cheer you on, and I’ll be right there guiding you every step of the way.

Ready to stop watching other people step into their power and take the leap yourself?

Join the Empowerment Experience today and let’s make this happen together.

https://empowermentphotographer.com/experience

And if you want to talk to Kinzie directly, because you have questions or want to see if you're a good fit for this next round of the Empowerment Experience, you can book a call here: https://empowermentstudio.as.me/experience I’ll be real with you: if this isn’t the right time for you or if you’re not the right fit, I’ll tell you. But don’t worry, I’ll also point you in the direction of what’s going to work for you.

Time to face it: this is either your moment to rise, or you’re going to keep watching others take up space.

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Your body isn’t the problem. Your relationship with it is. (And really, it’s the systems and structures at play that taught you to have a relationship like that.)

Some of you listening might already feel good in your body—but maybe you’re wondering, what’s next? Others might just now be realizing, wait, I don’t have to hate myself?

Wherever you are in your journey, this episode is for you. And I'd like to invite you into our workshop on Thursday night - February 20, 2025 at 7:15 pm Central time. (If you're listening to this after Feb 20, chances are high the replay will be up on our youtube channel, go check it out!)

We’re diving into:

🔥 Why confidence isn’t something you have to earn—it’s something you get to expand into.

🔥 What’s keeping you stuck in the story you were given about your body.

🔥 How to step into even more self-expression, embodiment, and power.

🔥 Why making space for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.

And if this episode hits home? Join us for GROW: Balancing Self Care, Joy, and the Weight of the World a free online workshop where we’ll go even deeper. Because confidence isn’t just for other people—it’s for you, too.

🎟 Save your spot now: empowermentphotographer.com/workshop

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

It’s 2025. Our country is on fire (literally and figuratively), and many of you listening are fighting just to exist.

And whether you're feeling the impact of the current climate on a very personal level, or you're watching it attack people you love -- it's easy to feel like now isn’t the time to focus on yourself.

But here's the thing:

Finding joy, taking care of yourself, and even (dare I say) putting yourself first, isn’t optional—it’s necessary. Maybe more now than ever before.

Wanna hear some bold truths?

• Shrinking yourself won’t save anyone.
• Guilt is a tool used to keep marginalized people small.
• Joy isn’t selfish (and being selfish isn't even a bad thing!)—it’s survival.

In this episode, we’re talking about why making space for your own healing and growth isn’t a luxury, but a necessity—especially in times like these.

And if this conversation resonates, join me for GROW: Balancing Self Care, Joy, and the Weight of the World — a free online workshop designed to help you step into even more self-expression, power, and presence, even (especially) when it feels like the last thing we should be doing.

Sign up at empowermentphotographer.com/workshop

If you're listening to this after Feb 20, chances are high the replay will be up on our youtube channel, go check it out!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Rachael shares her journey from hiding (even from herself) to fully embracing visibility as a trans person, and how photography (both selfies and photoshoots in the Empowerment Studio) played a huge role in her self-acceptance. We talked so much about community, self-love, and the magic of seeing yourself the way others do.

We are at a time where being visibly trans, or out and proud as a trans person, is an incredibly vulnerable thing. We recorded this episode before our current administration (🤮) took office -- but the message here is only more potent and relevant than ever before. If you're trans, I hope you listen to this episode as a warm hug, knowing you're in excellent company and there are so many people right here in the Empowerment Studio who love you. And if you're a cis person, I hope you listen to this episode as a call to action: to see what you can do to create more safer spaces for the beautiful trans folks in our community.

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Here's Part 2 from last week's episode (in which I confessed having the feeling "I don't know that I deserve to rest right now."). If you missed it, head back to episode 015, and once you've given it a listen, come on back over here to see how it all unfolded.

In this episode, Rachael and I deep dive into the overwhelm I was feeling back in October, and took a look at how I moved through and on from this really challenging period. Looking back, it was a VERY growthy period of my life (still processing through it all, honestly!) and this is an exploratory conversation around how it's all been shaking out.

Maybe your own way of handling overwhelm and big shiftings will be different, but I personally always find it helpful to hear how someone else goes through something -- even if my own version won't look the same.

Let me know if you resonated with this episode. I think we could all stand to give ourselves a little more grace, especially these days...

-----

If you're feeling these vibes, come join us on Thursday, February 20th at 7:15 pm central. We’re setting the tone for 2025—redefining how we connect with our bodies and finding ways to feel more at home in a world that often feels like it’s trying to shrink us down.

In this workshop, you'll go from feeling disconnected and overwhelmed to reclaiming your body and your strength. We’ll help you reconnect to your body, claim your power, and cultivate joy, so you can move forward with purpose. 

Sign up to GROW with us here: https://empowermentphotographer.com/workshop

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

We recorded it back in October. Right after I'd gotten home from France. Right before my birthday. Right before going to my favorite music festival.

And I caught myself saying, "I don't feel like I deserve to be celebrated." "I don't deserve to go on this trip." "I don't deserve rest."

WHAT???!! That's not how we roll around here...

But it's one thing to talk about this with all of you. It's a whole 'nother thing when you catch yourself saying it. When you really FEEL it on a deep level, you know?

I was behind on a lot of things, feeling wayyyy in over my head, and didn't know how to fix it. This conversation helped me remember the value I talk about NON STOP with all of you - you do not need to earn your rest, you are worthy of being loved and celebrated exactly as you are, even if you want some things to change.

If you listen -- I'd LOVE to hear from you. Especially if you relate. I'd love to know I'm in good company. (If you're reading this and you're like, yeah yeah but Kinzie doesn't really want to hear from ME.... Yes, yes I really do. Even if you don't think I know who you are, or if it's been a really long time since we've talked.) If you've got my number, text me. If you're on instagram, DM me. Send me an email through the contact form on my website. Post about it in the Empowerment Studio fb group. However you do it, I'd just really appreciate hearing from you, after sharing something this personal online.

PS Part 2 coming next week - I'll update y'all on the last couple of months and how this all shook out.

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

You can get in on the sale here if you wanna: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/668c4145ffb2fd003a178c97

I love you, and I'm glad you're here. Stick with me, we're gonna get through this next four years together.

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

But selfies are a pretty nuanced thing -- not everyone loves them. So in this episode, we're responding to real struggles that people have shared with us about taking selfies, and then exploring how we can help y'all with those things!

It's kind of fun to hear what challenges people have with taking selfies -- and you might be surprised, like Rachael and I were, at what some of them are. Or maybe you'll relate!

Listen in if you're nosy or if you want to hear some actionable selfie tips and tricks. Oh, and join the Empowerment Experience. We kick off April 2025!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Tune in to hear why I think "being sexy" is the absolute wrong thing to aim for in your boudoir session, and two other boudoir myths that I'm ready to debunk!

Enjoy this episode, loves!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Audy and I (Kinzie) talked about Polyamory and Relationship Anarchy (and how we both started out identifying as polyamorous, but more and more often, Relationship Anarchy rings more true these days). We break down both concepts for you! 

We also got into the heart of what makes these relationship structures so meaningful: the focus on intentionality, open communication, and mutual care. Audy shared their journey of moving beyond traditional relationship expectations and discovering the beauty of decentering romance to prioritize friendships, chosen family, and community.

One of the highlights? Hearing Audy’s perspective on how relationship anarchy isn’t just about personal relationships—it’s about rethinking the way we build and nourish our community. Kinzie and Audy shared practical ideas like resource-sharing, “Kid Swap Weekends,” and finding ways to meet each other’s needs without losing sight of boundaries and capacity.

We also dove into a game-changing practice our pal introduced to our community: Prepared For No (PFN). It’s a simple but powerful way to make requests while honoring everyone’s limits and building trust within a community.

Whether you’re new to these ideas of polyamory, relationship anarchy, and intentional community building, or you’ve been exploring them for a while -- this conversation has something for you. It’s all about creating connection, care, and support in ways that feel authentic and expansive. What happens when you dream bigger than the boxes we were handed?

We’d love to hear your thoughts—what resonates with you from this episode? Do you have any follow up questions? Let us know!

Follow Audy Avery on Instagram (@audyaveryyy) or subscribe to their Substack because boi does this human have a way with words (https://audyavery.substack.com/)

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

You're listening to an extended episode preview. The whole episode (which gets a LOT more personal) is available exclusively to our email subscribers. You can go get the rest of the episode sent to your email inbox immediately by going here: https://empowermentphotographer.com/polyamory

The rest of our episode gets into more details of how my formerly monogamous partner Donnie and I opened our relationship, and especially how we eased our transition from monogamy to polyamory. Plus, I give my best tips for ways you can begin the work of transitioning your relationship in as healthy of a way as possible.

Go grab the rest of the episode here -- enjoyyyyyy!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Here's the episode where you get to listen in on one of those conversations. Rachael Cady (she/her) gets nosy (with consent!) and Kinzie Elizabeth (they/she) doesn't hold anything back.

You're listening to an extended episode preview. The whole episode (which gets a LOT more personal -- we really dive in after these first 15 minutes) is available exclusively to our email subscribers. You can go get the rest of the episode sent to your email inbox immediately by going here: https://empowermentphotographer.com/polyamory

The rest of our episode gets into how my formerly monogamous partner Donnie and I opened our relationship. How our earliest conversations went, the jealousy we both experienced (at different times!), and how we navigated the transition from monogamy to polyamory. Truly this is a little chance to overhear a conversation between close pals. It gets pretty juicy, tbh. Go grab the rest of the episode here -- enjoyyyyyy!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Here are a few highlights from the episode:

• Nettie’s Non-Binary Zine Distro Project and how it’s creating space for learning and connection.
• The power of zines as tools for education and empathy-building.
• The importance of community and ritual in creating inclusive spaces.
• Nettie’s personal journey with non-binary identity and creativity.
• Nettie's YouTube channel that is full of delights (linked below)
• How you can be part of the zine project (apply here: Submit to the ENBY Zine Library).

You can fill out Nettie’s non-binary questionnaire here: Non-Binary Questionnaire.

Check out Nettie’s YouTube channel here, and find more about them at NettieZan.com or on Instagram @listenmore.

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Kinzie shares how the program evolved from a concept into a life-changing experience, with activities like vision boards, dessert nights, and paint-alongs helping them build bonds that boosted their confidence during the photoshoots. They also discuss the program’s impact, how it helps participants recognize their worth, and the lessons learned for the next round in 2025.

If you’re interested in joining the Empowerment Experience and experiencing a transformative photo shoot with supportive community, Kinzie invites you to join the waitlist for the next cohort, running from April-September, 2025. Learn more and sign up here: https://empowermentphotographer.com/experience

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

📸 Ready for some selfie magic? We’re hosting a free selfie workshop on Tuesday, December 10th from 7-8:30 pm, designed for beginners and seasoned selfie-takers alike! Then from December 11-13, we’ll come together in our mini selfie challenge—a chance to connect, uplift, and grow through a three-day journey of self-love and empowerment.

🔗 To join the Empowerment Studio community: Visit empowermentphotographer.com/community or search for the Empowerment Studio Pop-Up Community on Facebook.

PS You’ll hear us mention dates for our upcoming Selfie Workshop and Selfie Challenge in this episode, but heads up—the dates have changed (because we listened to our intuitions and realized we needed to welcome in more spaciousness right now). These events were all going to be in November but we've got some new dates for ya!

New Dates:

• Selfie Workshop: Tuesday, December 10
• Selfie Challenge: Wednesday, December 11 - Friday, December 13

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Audy also reflects on how the Empowerment Studio has been a space to explore who they truly are after growing up in a rigid religious environment. They describe it as a “playground" for self-discovery, where photo sessions and community have helped them grow in ways they hadn’t imagined. We get into why it’s so powerful to have a space where you can just *be*—whether that’s exploring your identity, getting comfortable in front of the camera, or celebrating yourself as you are.

Oh, and you might have noticed this episode is dropping on a Tuesday. Going forward, we’re moving to Tuesday releases! Tuesdays felt like the perfect time to drop a little boost in your week, right when you might need it most. It’s also a better fit for the Empowerment Team’s rhythm—and since we’re all about adjusting to better fit how our lives and minds actually work, it just makes sense! Can't wait to hang out with y'all every Tuesday from now on!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Then, we dive into that unforgettable moment when you see your photos for the first time. Spoiler: it's usually way more emotional than people expect. And finally, Kinzie talks about what it means to have these photos for the rest of your life—how they can become a powerful reminder of your own confidence and beauty.

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes down during a boudoir shoot, or you’re curious about what the experience could do for *you*, this episode is for you!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Rachael shares her personal experiences as a client in the Empowerment Studio, reflecting on the emotional and transformative process of preparing for a boudoir session.

Together, they walk listeners through the first phase of the boudoir experience: everything that happens before the session actually begins. From the excitement of planning to the hair and makeup process, they break down what it means to feel supported and celebrated before the your session.

This is part one of a two-part series, with part two focusing on the day of your session! Come back next week for more boudoir magic!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

Here are some bullet points about this episode for ya:

• Kinzie tells the story of how they manifested the building in Kansas City, MO that the Empowerment Studio has been in since 2018.
• Rachael indulges us in the intimate story of some magic she experienced in Thailand when she was there for her gender confirmation surgery.
• Oh and HEY, an epic Enchanted Forest set is being built in the Empowerment Studio as we write this podcast description and you can get your photo taken in it! empowermentphotographer.com/party
• We love the moon a whole lot.

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio

In this introductory episode, Kinzie and Rachael share their vision for the podcast, emphasizing the importance of creating a comfortable environment where vulnerable topics around bodies, pleasure, and self-expression can be openly explored. They discuss how their individual styles complement each other -- where Kinzie likes to let ideas simmer, Rachael is quick to take action. They make a great pair.

Together, and with incredible guests, they aim to normalize conversations that society often shies away from, inviting listeners to engage with these essential topics in a supportive and empowering way. Tune in and discover the journey ahead!

🤳🏼 Get our FREE selfie guide: https://empowermentphotographer.com/selfie

🔗 Sign up for the #SelfietoSelfLove Challenge: selfietoselflove.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @empowermentstudio__

🌐 Learn more about our boudoir sessions and Empowerment Experience: empowermentphotographer.com

👥 Join our Facebook Group: The Empowerment Studio