S2 E18: I'm a Proud Bed-Rotter, and I Think Everyone Should Try It with Lana Hart
When We're Not Hustling: Sex Workers Talking About Everything But
Release Date: 11/04/2024
When We're Not Hustling: Sex Workers Talking About Everything But
In this special crossover episode of When We're Not Hustling and Hobby Whores, Jessie Sage speaks with Mia Walsch, an Australian leatherworker and former sex worker, about her journey into leather crafting during the extended lockdowns in Melbourne. The conversation explores Mia's transition from sex work to a creative outlet that became a side hustle, as she intricately crafts leather harnesses and other items, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of working with her hands. They discuss the challenges of selling on platforms like Etsy and the ethical considerations Mia faces as a vegetarian...
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In this episode of When We're Not Hustling, Jessie Sage speaks with Zalika U. Ibaorimi, PhD, about the complex intersections of race, gender, and sex work. They discuss how Blackness disrupts conventional categories of identity and the limitations of the term "sex worker" in encompassing the diverse experiences within the sex industry. The conversation delves into the historical and systemic dehumanization of marginalized bodies, particularly focusing on the concept of "no humans involved" as a police code and its broader implications in Black studies. Zalika, an anti-disciplinary artist and...
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In this episode of When We're Not Hustling, Jessie Sage speaks with Ruby about her extensive work with the Peers Victoria Resources Society, a nonprofit supporting sex workers in Victoria, BC. Ruby shares insights into the organization's history and services, such as night outreach and harm reduction programs. She discusses the challenges sex workers face, including legal issues under the Nordic model and societal stigma, and highlights efforts to reform Canadian sex work laws. Ruby also touches on her personal journey from being sex work-adjacent to advocating for sex worker rights and her...
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In this episode of When We're Not Hustling, Jessie Sage interviews Savannah, a UK-based full-service sex worker turned webcam model and contemporary artist. Savannah discusses her self-care guide for sex workers, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging sex workers as full people with complex lives beyond their jobs. She shares how art has helped her find a sense of home and belonging as an immigrant and how it aids in processing her experiences of survival and stigma. Savannah's work includes the Self Care for Sex Workers Journal, aimed at promoting well-being and balance for sex workers,...
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In this episode of When We're Not Hustling, host Jessie Sage and guest Katarina "The Domme Kat" Pierce delve into her journey from TV production and journalism to becoming a co-founder of the Sex Work Survival Guide, a nonprofit providing crucial resources and education to sex workers. The conversation covers the challenges and stigmas within the sex industry, the importance of safety and community, and the unique blend of creativity and empowerment found in wrestling and BDSM. Katarina highlights her passion for wrestling as both an art form and a means of personal expression, illustrating...
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In this episode of the When We're Not Hustling podcast, host Jessie Sage welcomes Ms. Faith Rae, a Canadian sex worker and multidisciplinary artist. The conversation explores Faith's life outside her work persona, delving into her passions for sustainability and art. Faith shares her unique craft of creating art with ethically sourced animal bones, a practice that connects her with nature and offers a sense of healing and honoring life cycles. Her dedication to sustainability extends to her lifestyle choices, including plans to build a homestead with permaculture principles. Throughout the...
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In this episode of When We're Not Hustling, host Jessie Sage sits down with Steph Sia, a multidisciplinary artist and content creator from Vancouver, to discuss her diverse experiences in the adult industry. As a stripper, podcaster, and online content creator, Sia shares insights into balancing work and personal life while navigating the challenges and misconceptions surrounding sex work. The conversation also explores her unique YouTube channel, Sia Slurps, where she reviews instant noodles, highlighting her passion for creative expression beyond the industry. Throughout the episode, Sia...
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In S3 E5 of When We're Not Hustling, Jessie Sage sits down with Jet Setting Jasmine, an award-winning adult film director, psychotherapist, and master fetish trainer, to discuss perimenopause, evolving identities, and the challenges of navigating life, family, and sex work with autonomy and care. They explore the impact of bodily changes, the importance of boundary-setting, and Jasmine’s unique approach to parenting and education through travel. This episode offers a candid look at embracing new phases of life with confidence, community, and self-acceptance. In this Episode: 00:02:51...
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In this episode of When We're Not Hustling, host Jessie Sage sits down with Suzanna Weiss, a sexologist and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject. Weiss shares her journey toward sexual empowerment, beginning with overcoming an eating disorder tied to societal objectification and evolving through experiences like sex parties and sex writing. Her book challenges traditional narratives around women’s sexuality, urging women to reclaim agency and become active participants in their own desires, rather than passive objects of male fantasy. This episode offers a nuanced discussion on...
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In this episode of When We're Not Hustling, Jessie Sage sits down with long-time friend Xanthe Rhea to discuss her journey from stripping to full-service sex work. Xanthe shares insights into the financial pressures dancers face, including the challenges of "pay-to-work" club systems, and how these experiences shaped her transition within the industry. Beyond sex work, the conversation explores Xanthe's passion for urban farming, her background in herbalism, and her commitment to holistic health practices. They discuss the philosophical differences between herbalism and Western medicine, as...
info_outlineIn this special crossover episode with Tryst blog's "Hobby Whores" column, host Jessie Sage sits down with Lana Hart, a sex worker, comedian, and writer, to explore the concept of "bed rotting." Described as the act of lying in bed to recharge and care for oneself, bed rotting is framed as an essential form of self-care—especially for those in demanding professions like sex work.
Together, Lana and Jessie discuss the mental and emotional demands of sex work, from the pressure of constant social engagement to the need for meaningful downtime. They challenge societal expectations around productivity, emphasizing that rest is a valuable activity rather than a guilty indulgence. The conversation also covers the balance between personal relationships and the intensity of their work, underscoring the importance of dedicating time to oneself. By embracing restorative activities like watching favorite shows or pursuing hobbies, the episode highlights the therapeutic benefits of rest and self-care.
Lana Hart's Article:
Hobby Whores: Bedrotting with Lana Hart
In This Episode:
00:01: Introduction to When We're Not Hustling
01:24: Overview of Podcast and Mission
02:44: Crossover Episode with Tryst Blog
03:58: Raffle Announcement and Future Episodes
05:16: Introduction of Guest Lana Hart
06:27: Lana Hart Discusses Bed Rotting
09:18: The Importance of Rest in Sex Work
17:30: Challenges of Maintaining Social Energy
20:08: Regular Clients and Relationship Dynamics
21:32: Bed Rotting as Self-Care Practice
Guest:
Lana Hart is a comedian, sex worker, and writer; a woman who wears many hats and sometimes wears nothing at all.
Lana moved to New York City in 2014 after graduating from Emerson College to pursue a career in stand up comedy and comedy writing. While doing nightly comedy shows, occasional tours, and various freelance gigs, she picked up multiple side hustles to support herself. In 2018, she finally found one that stuck when she began stripping. Lana’s experience with sex work made its way into her comedy writing, as she found a passion for presenting audiences with the radical idea that sex workers are people who deserve respect. She dedicated her punchlines to lifting up sex workers and punching down on narrow-minded people who discriminate against them. She also wrote multiple articles for Betches Media advocating for sex workers’ rights and the decriminalization of sex work. Her written work has also been featured on Reductress, Someecards, Paste Magazine, and Tryst.
You can find Lana:
Instagram: @lanadelslayee_
Recommendations:
SLUTS: Anthology by Michelle Tea
The Rest:
Host: Jessie Sage
Producer: Emily Foster
Music: Benjamin J Benamati
Sponsor: Assembly Four
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When We're Not Hustling is a 501(c)(3) non-profit project of the Social Good Fund.
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