Hi again, everyone!

While half of our dynamic duo is still on her hiatus (during which time, she’ll be creating and starting her own online nutrition-based education/coaching system – Go, Nikki!), the other half, Kate, is here to give you our fifth podcast episode, “Self-Hate and Female Rivalry.”

This podcast episode focuses on how we, as the female gender/sex, are taught to aspire to a particular body image and ideal weight, and the damage that we do to our own bodies and lifespans by pursing those ideals in an unhealthy way.

The episode also details the competitive and destructive nature of the female psyche when it comes to interacting with other women, whether it’s about hitting certain milestones “first,” being the very best mom/homemaker/spouse, being a superior female because you’re a working professional (as compared to a stay-at-home mom), and even between other women in your profession.

Kate spends the hour detailing how destructive these methods can be, not only to the women we direct our negative energy towards, but also to ourselves.

We need to be kinder and more loving, not only towards others, but towards ourselves. There’s no unlimited amount of happiness out there. We can all succeed without tearing one another down. Let’s lift each other up, and become better role models for the next generation of women/females out there.

As always, we hope you’ll enjoy this episode of the podcast, just as we hope that you’ll stay tuned for the next one. We’re still planning to ask some pretty awesome guest co-hosts to come in for the next few episodes, so make sure you’re following us via Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube, or Tumblr to keep up with us! Remember – our episodes are also available to stream on iTunes and Google Play.

We’d love to continue receiving your feedback as to past episodes, as well as suggestions for upcoming episodes. Feel free to hit us up via social media, or by sending us an email at hammertimewithnikkiandkate@gmail.com.

Stay well, friends, and remember – be kind to each other, and to yourself!

Referenced resources:

1. Roxane Gay, “Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body”
2. Ashley Graham, “A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like”
3. Jen Mann, “People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges” ***CORRECTION – Kate’s reference to Jenny Lawson and her hilarious and bravely honest books were in error – she meant to reference Jen Mann and her hilarious and bravely honest book. Her bad.***
4. “Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie” (available on Hulu)
5. Gabrielle Union, “We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True”