ALOK discusses letting go of control, embracing chaos, responding to hate with love, creating a beauty playlist, and the power of being a living contradiction. They explore trauma, belonging, and healing, emphasizing the importance of evolving identities and embracing impermanence.

ALOK doesn’t quite get the term multihyphenate – but how else to describe the internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker? From exploring belonging and the human condition, to fighting to degender the fashion and beauty industries, ALOK is tapping into their creativity constantly. Today, they share their approach to the creative process, how art has helped them accept the beauty and pain of life, why poetry and comedy need each other and so much more! For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The days that I feel most beautiful are the days that I am most afraid.”“What feminine part of yourself did you have to destroy in order to survive in this world?”“Why have we been taught to fear the very things that can set us free?”About ALOK: ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed writer, performer, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are the author of Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the Gender Binary (2020), and Your Wound/My Garden (2021). They are the creator of #DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and beauty industries and have been honored as one of HuffPo’s Culture Shifters, NBC’s Pride 50, and Business Insider’s Doers.Instagram: @alokvmenon To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1. How do we make a new thing with our life?2. What is your fingerprint on the world?3. Who does history try to erase and why?4. What does pain do to our bodies?5 .What is our capacity for transformation?About ALOK:ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed writer, performer, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are the author of Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the Gender Binary (2020), and Your Wound/My Garden (2021). They are the creator of #DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and beauty industries and have been honored as one of HuffPo’s Culture Shifters, NBC’s Pride 50, and Business Insider’s Doers.Instagram: @alokvmenon To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ALOK, an acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker, dives deep into the dynamics of creativity and self-acceptance. They challenge societal beauty standards and emphasize the importance of individuality. ALOK discusses the emotional interplay between comedy and poetry, advocating for confronting grief as a pathway to joy. They explore personal identity, highlighting the need for community and the exploration of diverse experiences, all while sharing their journey through healthcare challenges and the quest for dignity and equity.