F*CK THAT SHIT

Neha Gautam shares her journey to solo motherhood, exploring fertility options, community support, and challenging societal norms around family and parenthood. This episode offers insights into intentional parenting, queerness, and overcoming societal expectations. Learn more about Neha and her work below: Nehagautamnyc.com https://nehgautam.substack.com/p/solo-and-with-community Follow us on Inst...

In this episode of The Dating Diaries, Emma gets personal about what it's like to navigate a new romantic connection when your nervous system was taught to be suspicious of the good things. She talks about catching feelings and not trusting them, the pull toward assuming the worst in someone who has done nothing wrong, and why she's choosing to stay instead of run — because everything is d...

In this episode of Fuck That Shit, Emma sits down with the one and only Dirty Lola — sex educator, Netflix sexpert, creator of Sex Ed A Go-Go, and your go-to when you want sex ed served hot, honest, and a little hilarious. Dirty Lola has been getting real about sex, polyamory, and kink for over a decade, with a microphone in one hand and a dildo in the other, dropping knowledge on Netflix, HBO, Vi...

Dating is supposed to be about connection — so why does it feel so lonely? In this episode, Emma sits down with Isabella Cassell, founder of The Full and creator of the NYC Dating Collective, to get honest about why modern dating feels so hard, what our swiping habits are actually revealing about us, and why ease might be the missing ingredient we're all overlooking. They get into the real cos...

In this episode, I sit down with Vaish Sesetty and Cyrus Belsoi, the founders of Pique — a human connection organization based in NYC on a mission to bring the human back to human connection. We get into how Pique evolved from a dating app into a full community experience built around in-person events, vulnerability, and genuine connection of all forms. We talk about the Love Wall, creating safe s...

In this personal vignette, I'm getting real about self trust — what it looks like when it's missing, what it feels like when it starts coming back, and what happens when someone unexpected shows up and makes it really hard to keep hiding from yourself. We're talking about the sorry habit, the holding back, the skin itching and crawling the moment something genuinely good shows up — and...

In this episode, I sit down with Benjamin Camras (@benjamincamras) — flirt and dating coach, host of the Flirtations Flirtcast, and self-proclaimed lifelong introvert — to talk about what it really means to flirt fearlessly. Benjamin shares his journey of navigating social anxiety and depression while helping singles and daters build confidence, clarity, and connection in all its forms. We get int...

In this episode of The Dating Diaries, Emma gets into what it actually looks like to stop following a healing rulebook that was never really hers — and start living by her own rules. She shares what went down with Mr. New Years (including the most unhinged plot twist), how she hosted her own Hottie Hour to prove you don't need an event to give yourself permission to connect, and yes — why she,...

Ted Nimbe is the founder of Lunaire, a social events company reimagining the way people meet in real life. Built on the belief that connection should feel natural rather than performative, Lunaire creates carefully curated social nights across London's warmest, most vibrant spaces — warm lighting, balanced rooms, grounded energy, and zero pressure. No apps, no algorithms. Just people open to c...

In this episode, we sit down with Ariana Nathani, founder of Drinks First — a media and events company that has built one of NYC's most beloved communities around getting people out from behind their screens and into the same room. We discuss: How COVID-19 reshaped dating culture and what it actually cost us socially Why anonymity creates safety — and how that safety opens people up to real co...

In this episode of F ck That Shit*, Emma Shull speaks directly to survivors of sexual assault, sharing her personal journey of healing and how it has shaped the way she navigates vulnerability, safety, and dating. She unpacks the urge to control outcomes, define labels, and “need to know” as a way to avoid getting hurt, and explores the grief of heartbreaks that haven’t even happened yet. This con...

In this episode, we sit down with Claire Fountain to explore the complexities of dating, trauma, and healing while staying open to connection. Together, we unpack how past experiences shape our nervous systems, influence what feels “safe” in relationships, and impact the way we show up in modern dating. We discuss: The difference between safety and comfort—and why they often get confused after tra...

In this episode of The Dating Diaries , Emma Shull gets honest about the patterns that keep us stuck—examining how alcohol, people-pleasing, and avoidance can quietly shape our dating lives and sense of self-worth. Reflecting on her experience with Sober October, Emma shares how stepping away from drinking revealed deeper cycles of self-sabotage and disconnection, and how learning to trust her int...

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Bail to talk about the complexities of navigating relationships, particularly through the lens of dating apps and the impact of COVID-19 on personal growth. We discuss: Breakups and the transition to online dating How the pandemic disrupted our plans for self-improvement and social engagement What it means to decenter both alcohol and dating in our lives Findi...

Summary In this episode one of the Dating Diaries, Emma Shull shares her personal journey through the complexities of dating, self-worth, and the impact of past trauma. She reflects on her experiences with dating apps, the societal pressures surrounding relationships, and the importance of self-discovery. Emma emphasizes the need to reject forced connections and mindless swiping, advocating for ge...

The Dating Diaries is a F*ck That Shit podcast season exploring what happens when we stop swiping and start showing up. Through thoughtful, personal reflections and candid conversations, host Emma Shull documents her own journey of navigating dating without the apps—pushing past comfort zones, flirting IRL, and learning how to build connection with intention. Each episode peels back the layers of...

In this powerful episode of F CK THAT SH T , I sit down with the iconic burlesque queen, Perle Noire , to explore her journey of transforming stigma into strength and using seduction as a tool for liberation. Known for her captivating performances and trailblazing work in redefining sensuality and self-love, Perle Noire has empowered over 5,000 women and femmes through her signature workshop, Heal...

In this provocative and thought-provoking episode of  F* ck That Shi t , we’re stripping away the layers of shame, stigma, and societal expectations with the brilliant  Fancy Feast —a Brooklyn-based burlesque performer, writer, and sex educator. Together, we explore: 🔥 The intersections of burlesque, drag, and sex work 🔥 How shame is weaponized—and monetized—against sex workers 🔥 Reversing the...

In this episode of  F* ck That Shit, we sit down with  Gigi Holliday —burlesque icon, educator, and co-host of  Assorted Chocolates Podcast . Ranked  #8 most influential burlesque performer in the world , Gigi opens up about navigating family judgment, fighting for industry recognition, and unapologetically choosing herself. From stripping to burlesque to dominatrix work, she shares how she built...

The Darkly Divine: The Evolution of Erotic Labor In this episode of  Stripping Away Stigma , we sit down with  Artina Darkly —a powerhouse performer, producer, and advocate reshaping the landscape of nightlife and sex work. With over a decade in the industry, Artina has carved out spaces that uplift, educate, and empower. We explore her journey from stripping to burlesque, the stigma that still li...

In this episode of  F* ck That Shit: Stripping Away Stigma, we sit down with the incredible AM Davies—a retired stripper, producer of  Yes, a Stripper Podcast , and a fierce advocate for sex worker rights. With 20 years of experience in the industry, AMD has navigated the highs and lows of erotic labor, from personal empowerment to systemic challenges, and is now dedicated to amplifying the voices...

In this episode of Fck That Shit , I sit down with the magnetic and titillating Honeybaby —a transsexual kink provider, educator, peer coach, and performer—whose work explores the intersection of eroticism, disability, mental health, healing, and connection. We dive into: 🔥 The transformative power of the erotic as a tool for personal and collective healing 🔥 Navigating sex work while balancing...

In this episode, we sit down with  Cha Cha , a body-affirming photographer, burlesque performer, and producer of  Hexes & Heauxs , a show centering Black, Brown, Trans, Fat, and Queer nightlife artists. They dive into the journey from photography to performance, the power of self-portraits, and the challenges of representation in burlesque. Cha Cha shares insights on building a community, bala...

In this episode of  Stripping Away Stigma , I sit down with the electrifying  Queerly Femmetastic —a Brooklyn-bred bombshell, internationally renowned ecdysiast, and Grand Master Funk of the 2024 What the Funk Festival. We dive into the erased Black history of burlesque, the whorearchy that divides erotic labor, and how outdated blue laws still police performers. Queerly shares insights on consent...

In this episode of  F*ck That Shit , host Emma Shull interviews Jackrabbit Slims, an Afro-Latina burlesque dancer and drag performer based in NYC. They discuss Jack's journey into burlesque and drag, the cultural influences shaping their artistry, and the challenges of navigating stigma while maintaining authenticity. Jack shares insights on body positivity, self-expression, and transitioning...