The What’s Underneath Podcast
What’s Underneath is the passion project from mother daughter duo stylikeu. As I already gushed in the Sights section (find the piece here), the YouTube series is one of my favourite things to watch when feeling deflated or in need of seeing people who understand what it's like to feel lost (and found). So naturally, when I saw that they were beginning a podcast I immediately started listening to it. And, no surprises, the Podcast definitely lives up to the magnificence of its YouTube sister.
The Podcasts are hosted by mother Elisa and daughter Lily, and they interview a guest for around an hour. The guests may have been featured on the original YouTube series (which is still ongoing and expanding btw, so check it out), or the guests may be completely new to the vulnerability and honesty facilitated in the beautiful interviews. In the first three episodes Elisa and Lily interview one another and then their son/brother, which gives a calm and welcoming introduction to the podcast, as you learn about the lives and depths of the project creators and their loved ones. I haven't yet listened to all of the episodes (I think there is around 15 right now), but the ones I have listened to I have listened to more than once. I'm not sure if it's a coincidence that they tend to interview some of my favourite people, or if I originally discovered said people through the project, but it sure makes for dream listening for me. My favourite episodes so far are the ones with Riya Hamid, Alok Vaid-Menon, Domino Kirke and Molly Rosen Guy. The episode with Molly Rosen Guy may catch you off guard - she is incredibly open and honest about her grief after her father's death, but the stories she tells and her authentic expression of grief is beautiful. The episode with Riya Hamid has stayed with me since I first listened to it around a month ago. Hamid is an artist and writer and passionate advocate for mental health awareness and openness. I think I'm on my fourth time of listening to that episode, as the honest and inclusive conversations the three have, and the rawness of Riya's pain and love for her friends is extremely special. For her episode there is a content warning for talk of suicide and CSA.
Although I will always have a special place for the videos, I might have to admit I prefer the podcasts, as they go so in depth with the guests. A whole hour means they can explore questions intricately and you can hear the ongoing process of radical self-acceptance in both the guests and the beloved interviewers. And a bonus is you can listen to them anywhere - whether you're in bed, on a walk or about to go to a job interview (I would heavily recommend against the latter, as I made this mistake and walked into the interview on the verge of heartbroken tears, thanks to Molly Rosen Guy's interview...).
Find the podcast here, on Itunes, Spotify or YouTube:
