michellehaimoff's Podcast

Shelby Knox is the brazen 23 year-old who has been speaking out for comprehensive sex education since she was 15 and living in the ultra-conservative, deeply-religious town of Lubbock, TX. She is the star of the award-winning documentary "The Education of Shelby Knox," and travels the country promoting sex education, women's rights, and youth empowerment. Shelby and I talk about growing up in socially disparate American cities and speculate as to what makes a person a feminist.

I interview Jay Kallio, a transgender man who lived as a woman for 50 years about the other side of sexism, queer theory and why gay men are his male role models.

Wedding photographer Parris Whittingham talks about the day his relationship turned violent. We discuss the factors that lead to physical violence, the nature of violence in relationships and how the experience changes those involved.

Marcia Pappas, President of the National Organization for Women (NOW) - New York State, explains how "feminism" became a dirty word, the problem with the women's rights industry, and the greatest feminist challenges left to overcome.

Mo Krochmal, Assistant Professor of Journalism at Hofstra University, talks about the versatility of a journalism education, why we need journalists to tell us things we don't want to know and the importance of doubting the love of one's mother.

Cindy Gallop, founder of makelovenotporn.com and ifwerantheworld.com, explains why younger men and older women are the perfect match, how her life changed after she stopped looking for "the one," and the ultimate secret to human happiness.

I interview Alexander Olch about his unique documentary, "The Windmill Movie." The film is about an autobiographical documentary that the late Dick Rogers never got around to finishing. Olch and I discuss what it takes to finish this kind of project, the energy of the reject pile, and why only someone unlike Rogers could have told the story of his life.

Judith Rosenthal, a financial advisor and the primary breadwinner of her family, talks about the way female breadwinners are depicted in the media, the cultural definitions of masculinity and femininity, and the myth of "having it all."

Caroline Woolard and Jen Abrams from OurGoods.org discuss the benefits and pitfalls of the barter system and community currencies. OurGoods.org, which is launching this summer, will facilitate the barter of goods and services between artists.

Scott Belsky, founder of Behance, offers words of encouragement to artists and entrepreneurs at every stage of the creative process. He discusses ways to overcome internal and external limitations and explains why a terrible economic climate is the best time to achieve creative goals.

On America's National Day of Prayer, I speak with Nica Lalli, author of "Nothing: Something to Believe In" (www.nicalalli.com) about America's most hated minority. We also discuss spirituality without god, raising children in a secular home and why more and more atheists are "coming out of the closet."

Jessica Roy is a Junior at NYU's Gallatin School, where students can major in anything, even Evil. She talks about living in a virtual world, the future of the English language and why she isn't scared of strangers.

Dana Thomas, author of the New York Times Bestseller "Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster," speaks with me about where those counterfeit Louis Vuitton bags come from, why expensive handbags aren't worth the price, and why fashion is like food. (Photo by Nora Feller)

Tomer Versano, an openly gay former Israeli soldier who came out of the closet during his three years of service, speaks with me about what he thinks of the American army's "Don't ask, don't tell policy," why the Israeli army was the best experience of his life and why the American army needs to "chill."

Candice Hopkins, Director of loveisrespect.org, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: (866) 331-9474, talks about what it takes for couples to work through abuse, why the victim is never to blame and what Rihanna can do to help other women in her situation.

Next Page