Is it possible for a horror movie to teach you history? In this episode, Becky and Taina dive deep into the viral new film “Sinners,” unpacking its cultural, political, and emotional power. From Ryan Coogler’s revolutionary copyright deal to the legacy of Jim Crow and Chinese immigration in the South, they explore how this southern gothic, vampiric allegory reveals the truth about American racism, resilience, and black joy. With plenty of irreverence and a little lipstick talk to start, this episode is one for your brain *and* your heart.

Discussed in this episode:

• The movie “Sinners” and its allegorical brilliance
• Ryan Coogler’s unheard-of copyright ownership deal
• The Mississippi Free Press review of Sinners
• How horror can offer historical and cultural education
• Depictions of Black life, trauma, and joy on film
• The Chinese Immigration Act and racial context in the South
• America’s myth-making and white savior complex
• Trump’s military parade and the “No Kings” rallies
• The reality of what’s happening in Palestine
• Taina’s former life as an evangelical Republican

Resources mentioned:

• Mississippi Free Press: https://www.mississippifreepress.org
• No Kings Rallies: https://www.nokings.org

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You don’t expect to leave a conversation about death and capitalism feeling inspired—but here we are. This episode dives headfirst into the intersections of death work, money trauma, collective care, and class consciousness. Stella Gold (they/them), founder of My Gold Standard, joins Becky and Taina to talk about their journey from hospice and death doula work to anti-capitalist money coaching—and how rebirth, grief, and radical redistribution play into all of it. Whether you’ve sworn off capitalism or are just starting to untangle your money mindset from the girlboss playbook, this convo will meet you where you’re at. Get ready for real talk about financial legacy, wealth redistribution, and why slow divestment can be a revolutionary act.

Stella Gold (they/them) is a genderqueer Rebirth + Wealth Coach for changemakers and comes from a lineage of activists. They are the founder of My Gold Standard, a believer in wealth activism, pro liberation from all oppressive systems, and collective care. Website | Instagram

Discussed in this episode

• What death work teaches us about money and community
• How grief impacts financial decision-making
• Why class consciousness must be part of any money conversation
• The myth of ‘pure’ divestment and the messiness of resisting capitalism
• Spirituality, religious trauma, and their role in financial healing
• What slow divestment looks like in real life (ex: leaving Amazon, ethical investing)

Resources mentioned

• "The Sum of Us" by Heather McGhee
• Carbon Collective
• Going With Grace
• Real You Leadership

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What happens when fanfic, therapy, chronic illness, and croissants collide? This episode of Messy Liberation is a rich blend of real talk and radical self-reflection. Becky and Taina explore chronic illness, returning to therapy, and the nuances of finding a Black therapist. They also deep-dive into the power of rest, hyperfixation (hello fanfic and HTML rabbit holes), and the liberatory framework of awareness, analysis, action, and accountability. With laughter, food porn, and a dash of ADHD hyperfocus, this convo is messy, meaningful, and full of feminist flavor.

Discussed in this Episode

• Taina's return to therapy and navigating chronic illness
• Why representation matters in therapeutic relationships
• The liberatory framework from Barbara J. Love: Awareness, Analysis, Action, Accountability/Allyship
• Fanfic as a tool for dissociation and joy
• Hyperfixation, ADHD tendencies, and the dopamine drip
• Rest as resistance and modeling what liberation looks like in real-time
• Resmaa Menakem and somatic healing
• Stolen Focus by Johann Hari and the attention economy
• The superior science of laminated croissants

Resources Mentioned

• Barbara J. Love’s Liberatory Consciousness Framework
• "My Grandmother’s Hands" by Resmaa Menakem
• "Stolen Focus" by Johann Hari
• Joy Oladokun music
• Becky’s Corporate Speak or Real Talk Game

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