Today's guest is one of the coolest chicks I know (and you too, soon!), and a conversation that's a LONG time coming: scholar/writer/teacher/activist Natalia Mehlman Petrzela.

Natalia is a historian of contemporary American politics and culture and is currently writing a book on American fitness culture. She is the author of Classroom Wars: Language, Sex, and the Making of Modern Political Culture, and the co-host of Past Present Podcast, a show that turns hindsight into foresight by examining what's going on in America today through a historical lens. Natalia is Associate Professor of History at The New School, a co-founder of wellness education program Healthclass 2.0 and a Premiere Leader of intenSati, a fitness class that combines cardio with positive affirmations to make the ultimate uplifting workout. In this episode we talk about (and, we go there) gun violence and talking to kids about what's going on in an "appropriate" way, where a quest for happiness and "following your bliss" really came from and if it's actually serving us, making wokeness more than a gimmick, locker room talk (no, not in THAT way), feminism/activism's place in the wellness industry, and so, SO much more. Show Notes: Website Past Present Podcast Instagram Facebook Twitter Choose Love, Not Fear in 2013 How “Empowered” Speech About Your Body Might Mask The Same Old Issues Derek Beres (introduced us!) Gerren Liles (asked an awesome question!) Like this episode? I’m so glad! Sign up for The (Good) Word, WANT’s weekly email group, at womenagainstnegativetalk.com, leave a review on iTunes (the more reviews and five-stars, the more our message is spread), share it on Facebook, tweet it out on Twitter, or post it on Instagram (and tag Katie and I so we can send you love!). Be sure to use the hashtags #WANTcast, #womenagainstnegativetalk, and/or #WANTyourself!

043: On Woke Wellness, Feminist Fitness, Having Hard Conversations, and The History of "Happiness" with Natalia Mehlman Petrzela