The Girl Talk: Self Care Is An Act of Political Warfare Edition

This episode was recorded live at The Hideout in Chicago on January 23, 2018.

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” - Audre Lorde

One year into Trump's presidency feels like 1,000 years, but a new year brings new hope, as difficult as that is to muster at times.

This month on The Girl Talk, we'll speak to women who can help give us that hope by reflecting on what we've accomplished in the last year, how to care for ourselves even at our darkest moments, and how we can avoid fatigue and keep striving to make the world less awful.

It’s easy to be a dick to yourself a few weeks into the new year if you missed the gym or broke your resolutions in some other ways, but that’s no way to love yourself! Let’s surround ourselves with some positive femme-rgy and get ready to slay 2018.

What is The Girl Talk, you ask? It's a monthly show on the fourth Tuesday of the month hosted by journalist Jen Sabella and public education warrior/CPS teacher Erika Wozniak Francis and co-produced by Chicago media strategist Joanna Klonsky. We feature influential Chicago women and gender nonconforming individuals fighting for social justice. All are welcome to take part in these important conversations.

THIS MONTH'S GUESTS
Khadijah Kysia is a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified herbalist, and poet with a Bachelor Degree in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (Chicago). She is currently enrolled in the DAOM/Ph.d program at Five Branches University in San Jose. Khadijah is a momentum strategist specializing in resolving pain internally and externally, accessing joy to transform challenges into health and stability.

Alexa James is a licensed clinical social worker and has devoted her professional life to serving people living with mental illnesses. In 2013, Alexa assumed the leadership of NAMI Chicago as Executive Director. In the 10 years preceding her appointment as Executive Director, Alexa worked with children and adults living with mental illness as well as those impacted by poverty and trauma. She earned her Master’s Degrees in Social Work from Loyola University and in Child Development from Erickson Institute. Alexa’s passion is to see that our community is equipped to support those in need of mental health support and to end the crippling stigma that attaches to those living with mental illness. Alexa’s mission is to support the creation of a system of care that is compassionate, trauma informed and comprehensive so that individuals affected by mental health conditions get better, not worse.

A lifelong Chicagoan, Alexa lives in Lincoln Square with her husband and two young children.

The mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago is to provide hope and improve the quality of life for those whose lives are affected by mental illness, by providing information and referrals, education, support, advocacy, and active community outreach.

Let us know what you think! Contact us on Twitter @GirlTalkChi or on Facebook @girltalkchicago
Special thanks to the amazing Bleach Party for our theme music. Check them out at http://letshaveableachparty.bandcamp.com/