QUEST: A Journey To Wellness V Vasquez

Hey QUEST fam! We’re on summer break, but we didn’t want to leave you hanging on Juneteenth! So this week we’re featuring the amazing podcast duo Dr. Jon Paul (they/them) and Jordan ‘Joho’ Daniels (he/him) from the Black, Fat, Femme (BFF) Podcast. 

The BFF Podcast gives voice to two of the leading queer, fat and Black changemakers while calling in the world to examine and understand what it means to love oneself unapologetically - in a world where loving oneself often feels impossible.

On this episode, the hosts chat with the incomparable Angelica Ross (she/her). They expound on the obsession that cis-gender people have with queer people, while also exploring activism, allyship and advocacy. 

We hope you enjoy lovelies and have a wonderful Juneteenth.



FEATURED GUEST:

Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins (They/them) is a Leo and an educator, professor, national speaker, freelance journalist, thought leader, and media critic who is passionate about television and film. A Culture Strike 2021 Disruptor and Twitter Spaces Spark Creator, Dr. Higgins is a trailblazer who is creating, sharing, and crafting the stories their ancestors didn’t get to tell. Dr. Higgins has held positions at both Chernin Entertainment & Edith Productions and currently consults at United Artists, Amazon, and other media leaders. Some fun facts about them are that they were on “Nailed It” and that they are an avid user of Peloton.

Jordan 'JoHo' Daniels (He/Him) is a Libra and a Fat Queer Afro-Jew writer, photographer, activist, and fashionista. As co-host of the BFF: Black Fat Femme podcast, JoHo focuses on diving deep into the guests' experiences, their power as BFFs, and their joy. As a creative, Jordan has been featured locally and nationally in publications such as Tablet Magazine, Essence, and San Diego Voyager. During his free time, Jordan plays kickball in his queer kickball league, volunteers in the community, and spends his weekends at museums and art galleries."



WELLNESS RESOURCES:

Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here



THE TEAM:

♊ Host: V Vasquez (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@lovenessmonsta⁠

♑ Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@steviesees⁠

♋ Producer: Leah Jackson (She/Her) ⁠@djmsjackson⁠

♈ Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (She/Her) ⁠@la.vida.bruja14⁠



CONNECT:

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠

Be a guest on the pod ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com⁠

Podcast produced by ⁠pukapuka. Cover photo by Niko Storment. Music produced and composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him).  Episode transcripts available by email request⁠.

It’s the end of our season Queer Kittens, thank you so much for joining us on this amazing ride, we couldn’t have done it without you! 💕



To end the season, and kick off Pride month, we’re having a team “tea-time” chat. We discuss the “ups and downs” of celebrating pride, and our personal wellness tips to stay centered and mindful during this fun and energetic month. 



We also share our coming out stories with you! As a way to honor our journey and remind us all that we are truly not that different. We love you Queer Kitties! Have a wonderful Pride month and we'll see you later this summer 💕



♊ Host: V aka Vanessa (All pronouns accepted) A two-spirit human, joy influencer, energy worker and dad joke connoisseur. Mexican/Indigenious Yaqui & Hopi Nation / Filipinx. @lovenessmonsta



♑ Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (all pronouns accepted) The Founder of Third Place Wellness, a functional mushroom chocolate bar brand that is making the consumption of healthy mushrooms easy and delicious. Born and raised in San Francisco, Stevie aims to anchor their entrepreneurial endeavors in the power of intention, the optimization of self and community. @steviesees



♋ Producer: Leah Jackson (she/her) Queer, Founder of ⁠pukapuka, a podcast studio creating podcasts for LGBTQ+ and womxn, DJ, bulldog lover, proud vegan and Californian. @djmsjackson⁠



♈ Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (she/her) An Afro-Latina, Colombian y Dominicana from the Bay Area. An energy healer, bad bitch witch from the House of Hufflepuff who loves hiking, traveling, and getting weird with those she loves. She also has a big heart and even bigger hair! @la.vida.bruja14



EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:49 Season Finale Announcement

01:28 Meet the Team

04:57 Pride Season and Coming Out Stories

06:13 Personal Coming Out Experiences

20:03 QUEST Teams' Coming Out Stories

21:54 First Pride Experience

25:34 Navigating Sobriety and Pride

30:02 Balancing Wellness and Partying

33:41 Imposter Syndrome in the Queer Community

44:22 Respect and Allyship at Pride

45:21 Conclusion and Season Finale



WELLNESS RESOURCES:

Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here



CONNECT:

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠

Be a guest on the pod ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com⁠

Podcast produced by ⁠pukapuka. Cover photo by Niko Storment. Music produced and composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him).  Episode transcripts available by email request⁠.

Queer kittens this episode is one for the books! This week we share sacred space with the host of  “A Little Juju Podcast w/ Juju Bae”.  Juju (She/her) is an Oshún Priestess, author, star on the Emmy/GLAAD nominated Hulu series “Living For The Dead”, and an all-around “bad bitch witch”. 



In this episode, Juju discusses the impact of colonialism as a child growing up in Baltimore, and how de-colonizing her spiritual practices led her to find her voice.  She talks about her connection to her Ancestors, and how this has greatly impacted her wellness, her work as a healer and her role as an educator on spiritual traditions of the Black Diaspora.



We also discuss her upcoming book, 'The Book of Juju: Africana Spirituality for Healing, Liberation, and Self-Discovery” aimed at empowering readers to engage with their ancestral spiritual practices in order to find healing, liberation and self-discovery. 



Instagram | Podcast | Linktree | Website



📖 Pre-order “The Book of Juju” HERE



EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Embracing Radical Acceptance and Belonging

00:59 Introducing the Voices Behind the Podcast

01:46 Juju Bae: A Journey into African Diasporan Religions

02:20 The Power of Listening and Personal Stories

03:33 Exploring Spirituality and Relationships

06:10 Juju's Personal Journey: From Quiet Child to Spiritual Educator

09:18 Navigating Identity and Culture in School

15:46 Finding Healing Through Ancestral Connections

22:30 Understanding Ancestral Relationships and Queerness

25:46 The Impact of Authenticity on Depression and Ancestral Healing

27:09 Healing Generational Trauma and Spiritual Exhaustion

28:00 Finding Balance and Listening to Ancestors

28:34 Protecting Your Energy: A Bartender's Mantra

29:27 Discovering and Embracing Spiritual Gifts

30:03 Journey into Adulthood: Embracing Spiritual Gifts

32:15 Living for the Dead: A Unique Paranormal Show

33:27 Maintaining Calm in the Face of the Paranormal

36:46 The Power of Community Support

38:55 Writing 'The Book of Juju': A Serendipitous Journey

43:59 Navigating Spirituality as LGBTQ+

46:36 Radical Acceptance and Self-Care

48:04 Connecting with Juju Bae



WELLNESS RESOURCES:

Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here



THE TEAM:

♊ Host: V (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@lovenessmonsta⁠

♑ Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@steviesees⁠

♋ Producer: Leah Jackson (She/Her) ⁠@djmsjackson⁠

♈ Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (She/Her) ⁠@la.vida.bruja14⁠



CONNECT:

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠

Be a guest on the pod ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com⁠

Podcast produced by ⁠pukapuka. Cover photo by Niko Storment. Music produced and composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him).  Episode transcripts available by email request⁠.

We’re excited to be back with the incredibly talented Toushai (@toushai). Toushai is a Puerto-Rican Lesbian, multi-faceted artist known for her contributions to the QTBIPOC community through music, tattoos, and the creation of the widely popular #TEEFTuesdays. 

Tune into the beautiful sounds of nature in the background as we discuss with Toushai the power of self-reflection, silence and internal healing. Toushai discusses how her music is a healing space where she processes emotions, and how she hopes to empower others by sharing her story through her songs. V and Toushai also discuss the transformative power of nature, and how a simple hike can positively affect your emotional and spiritual growth. 

FEATURED GUEST:

Toushai (she/her) @toushai

Lesbo, artist (music/tattoo/bodyart) Sagittarius Sun/Scorpio Moon. I am Boricua from Perth Amboy / Carteret, NJ. I cook 90% of my meals all vegan/gluten free ; never tasted vegan food that taste like my grandma’s food till I made mine. Raspberries make my throat small. I have 3 brothers names Luis along with my dad, uncle and grandpa, all with the same initials. Super athlete. Creator of #TEEFtuesday.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Embracing Radical Acceptance and Self-Care

00:36 Introducing the Podcast: A Queer Compass

01:19 Spotlight on Touche: A Multifaceted Artist's Journey

03:07 Touche's Personal and Artistic Evolution

07:27 From Childhood to Queer Identity: Touche's Story

10:39 Athletic Achievements and Coaching Success

15:02 Navigating Anger and Healing Through Self-Reflection

27:13 Exploring Silence, Nature, and Self-Discovery

30:02 Emotional Release Through Music

30:36 Discovering New Music and Emotional Connections

31:44 The Power of Silence and Self-Reflection

32:57 Exploring Meditation and Mindfulness

34:10 Spirituality Beyond Religion

35:35 Family's Spiritual Influence and Experiences

38:41 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance

40:19 The Impact of Reading and Personal Growth

41:40 Starting a Spiritual Journey and Embracing Nature

44:02 Transitioning to Veganism for Health

45:55 The Art of Vegan Cooking and Future Projects

47:35 Radical Acceptance and Self-Care

49:21 Closing Thoughts and Social Media Connect

WELLNESS RESOURCES:

Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here

THE TEAM:

♊ Host: V (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@lovenessmonsta⁠

♑ Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@steviesees⁠

♋ Producer: Leah Jackson (She/Her) ⁠@djmsjackson⁠

♈ Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (She/Her) ⁠@la.vida.bruja14⁠

CONNECT:

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠

Be a guest on the pod ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com⁠

Podcast produced by ⁠pukapuka. Cover photo by Niko Storment. Music produced and composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him).  Episode transcripts available by email request⁠.

On this latest episode we get vulnerable with the one and only Luis Cornejo (He, Him, They, Them) a Queer, Indigenous, Latinx(e), Licensed Marriage & Family/Sex Therapist, a model and host of the podcast, Queer Magic.

Luis shares his journey towards embracing his queer expression, and how being authentic impacted his private practice serving the QTBIPOC community. He also discusses the importance of healthy relationships in personal growth, and how being honest about your personal experience can help you heal through trauma. 

We hope this episode brings you closer to YOU queer kittens! 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Embracing Radical Acceptance and Self-Care

00:53 Introducing the Hosts: Stories of Queer Identity and Empowerment

02:49 Journey to Self-Discovery: Moving Away and Finding Oneself

04:10 The Transformative Power of College and Embracing Queerness

12:37 Unpacking Religious Trauma and Embracing Queer Identity

15:33 The Journey of Self-Acceptance and Launching a Private Practice

33:43 Overcoming People Pleasing and Embracing Authenticity

36:19 Unlearning People Pleasing: A Journey to Self-Love

36:57 The Roots of People Pleasing: Trauma and Survival

38:32 Personal Growth: From Self-Neglect to Self-Care

40:20 The Power of Supportive Relationships

41:07 Love and Learning in a Long-Term Partnership

42:55 Embracing Differences: The Dynamics of a Complementary Relationship

44:16 Navigating Love, Self-Discovery, and Therapy Together

46:11 The Importance of Communication and Empathy in Relationships

49:37 Green Flags and Red Flags in Connections

59:49 Radical Acceptance and Self-Care: Closing Thoughts

WELLNESS RESOURCES:

Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here

THE TEAM:

♊ Host: V (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@lovenessmonsta⁠

♑ Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@steviesees⁠

♋ Producer: Leah Jackson (She/Her) ⁠@djmsjackson⁠

♈ Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (She/Her) ⁠@la.vida.bruja14⁠

CONNECT:

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠

Be a guest on the pod ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com⁠

Podcast produced by ⁠pukapuka. Cover photo by Niko Storment. Music produced and composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him). Episode transcripts available by request⁠.

This week we chat with the wonderfully unique and multi-talented, Alexis Benefield (she/her). Alexis is a Black/Filipina Bay Area native, queer femme, and multidisciplinary artist, designer and community organizer, who believes we are all perfectly and uniquely made beings finding our way back home to ourselves ✨

We discuss her community driven projects SIS (Solidarity in Sisterhood) and Tender, aimed at fostering BIPOC liberation by creating safe spaces for artistic expression and healing in nature. 

We hear about Alexis’ need for a community that she felt aligned with. Which led to her creating events that specifically focus on healing spaces for BIPOC to be seen, heard, and supported in their wellness journeys. 

We hope you enjoy! 💕

FEATURED GUEST:

Alexis Benefield (She/Her) 

Instagram Handles : @alexisben @solidarityinsisterhood @tender_bipocshowcase

Bio: Alexis Benefield (she/her) is a Black/Filipina Bay Area native, queer femme, and multidisciplinary artist, designer and community organizer. With an Aquarius sun and a tender, loving pisces Venus Alexis believes we are all perfectly and uniquely made beings finding our way back home to ourselves ✨

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

00:00 Exploring Radical Acceptance and Self-Care

00:38 Introducing the Hosts and Their Mission

01:19 Guest Introduction: Alexis Benefield's Journey

02:37 Empowering QTBIPOC Communities Through Art and Solidarity

05:31 The Evolution of Tender: A BIPOC Artist Showcase

11:31 Creating Spaces for Healing and Community

14:48 The Transformative Power of Vulnerability and Community

18:49 Rhythm 33: A Birthday That Unveiled Deep Connections

26:01 The Impact of Intergenerational Trauma and Healing

30:12 Finding Wellness Through Community and Curiosity

33:00 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

WELLNESS RESOURCES:

Check out all the wellness resources mentioned on the podcast here

THE TEAM:

♊️ Host: V (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@lovenessmonsta⁠

♑️ Executive Producer: Stevie Cua (All Pronouns Accepted) ⁠@steviesees⁠

♋️ Producer: Leah Jackson (She/Her) ⁠@djmsjackson⁠

♈️ Associate Producer: Raphaella Landestoy (She/Her) ⁠@la.vida.bruja14⁠

Music: Produced and Composed by ⁠BASK⁠ aka Eric Guizar Vasquez (He/Him)

CONNECT:

Follow us on Instagram ⁠@questwellnesspod⁠

Be a guest on the pod ⁠questwellnesspod@gmail.com⁠

Podcast produced by ⁠pukapuka. Cover photo shot by Niko Storment. Episode transcripts available by request⁠.