Ditching Diet Culture with Lizzie Merritt
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: why diet culture’s all-or-nothing mindset keeps people stuck the psychology behind weight loss and body confidence letting go of perfectionism, shame, and pass/fail thinking treating behavior change as an experiment, not a failure why you don’t need to change your body to start living fully Resources + Links: Visit Lizzie’s Website at Get Lizzie’s Book — LIGHT: The New Psychology of Weight Loss Connect with LizzieInstagram | LinkedIn | Grow your brand, income, and impact! Learn more on our website Connect with...
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Why Personal Branding Is the Asset of 2026 (and Why Most People Are Doing It Wrong) (Solo Episode)
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, Sara talks about: why personal branding matters more heading into 2026 the rise of a “trust recession” AI’s impact on credibility and content credibility as the new scarce resource why sameness—not saturation—is the real problem why service providers should not brand like content creators the importance of focus and specialization why aesthetics don’t solve trust problems choosing positioning over popularity integrity as a long-term brand advantage the evolution of personal branding Resources + Links: Grow your brand, income, and...
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A 2026 Reset (Solo Episode)
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
A New Season of Chicks Who Give a Hoot: Why We’re Going Shorter, Sharper, and More Intentional In this episode, Sara talks about: relaunching the podcast with a clear reset and new direction the overwhelm of today’s crowded, AI-heavy content landscape why the show is shifting to concise, 10-minute episodes using a journalism mindset to lead with one strong idea focusing each episode on a single, practical takeaway centering conversations on business, branding, visibility, and impact aligning the new format with the nonprofit mission and respect for listeners’ time ...
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The Power of Stages for Women Entrepreneurs with Jenn Espinosa-Goswami
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: Jenn’s early experiences with bullying, body image, and learning to avoid visibility how losing 100 pounds led her to discover the power of story and eventually build Weightless Chronicles. the contrast between Sara’s lifelong comfort on stage and Jen’s slow journey toward confidence and presence how Toastmasters unexpectedly opened the door to speaking and helped Jen recognize her message creates impact why clarifying your core message and signature speech is essential before seeking any stage the importance of choosing a message you can...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Launch Party Live Recording with Beta Readers
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: what embodiment truly means beyond the buzzword, and how Domini personally defines it. the feeling of having a spirit “too big” for the body and how inhibition, conditioning, and permission influence that experience. the role of agency, pacing, and self-permission in expanding into your full embodied self. learning to separate internal truth from external narratives and recognizing the voices that shape your self-perception. using visualization, meditation, and humorous reframing to distinguish “your stuff” from the world’s projections. ...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Embodiment with Domini Anne
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: what embodiment truly means beyond the buzzword, and how Domini personally defines it. the feeling of having a spirit “too big” for the body and how inhibition, conditioning, and permission influence that experience. the role of agency, pacing, and self-permission in expanding into your full embodied self. learning to separate internal truth from external narratives and recognizing the voices that shape your self-perception. using visualization, meditation, and humorous reframing to distinguish “your stuff” from the world’s projections. ...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Body Confidence with Camellia Jade
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: Camellia Jade’s journey as a body confidence advocate and founder of Confidera and the Body Confidence Dance Party. what it means to be a “body confidence advocate” and how Camellia began helping women embrace their bodies. her personal path to body confidence, including confronting internalized negative self-talk. the creation of the series Your Body Is Not the Problem, Your Clothes Are and the power of social media to show real bodies. insights on body dysmorphia and shifting self-perception through mirror work and positive language. the...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: The Truth About GLP-1s with Dr. Bonnie Brock
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: Sara’s personal experience with GLP-1 medications, her journey with insulin resistance, and how medical validation reshaped her relationship with her body and health. Dr. Bonnie Brock’s integrative approach to medicine and her explanation of how GLP-1 medications and peptides work in the body. the myths, misinformation, and stigma surrounding GLP-1s — including how cultural narratives about weight, willpower, and “cheating” distort medical realities. the idea of “food noise” and how these medications can shift emotional and psychological...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Your Body is Not Your Brand with Shine Image Consulting
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: leaving corporate life to build Shine Image Consulting and empower others through authentic self-expression. the link between personal style, confidence, and identity beyond clothing or trends. how inner transformation supports showing up authentically and being seen. addressing body insecurities and shifting from self-criticism to self-acceptance. aligning personal image and professional brand for greater credibility and consistency. redefining what’s “flattering”—focusing on proportion, comfort, and confidence instead of thinness. ...
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Do It Fat Mini Series: Health is Not a Size with Liz Brinkman
Chicks Who Give a Hoot
In this episode, they chat about: how Liz found her calling as a dietitian helping people heal their relationship with food and their bodies the shift from traditional, weight-focused nutrition to a weight-inclusive, non-diet approach why health isn’t defined by body size and how fat bias harms everyone the impact of diet culture and how it shapes our beliefs about food, worth, and health how to rebuild trust and freedom with food after years of rules or restriction recognizing signs of disordered eating and the difference between discipline and shame the influence of family,...
info_outlineIn this episode, we chat about:
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our friendship and work history
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transition to working in communications and branding for small businesses and nonprofits
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the role of the Monastery in supporting and showcasing artists, hosting events and workshops.
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Charith’s experiences in Bali, Indonesia, and the impact of travel on her perspective and creativity
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the process of creating art that transcends visual representation to connect deeper with personal stories
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the importance of emotional connection in their friendship and professional dynamics
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the challenges and support in transitioning to self-employment
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therapeutic aspects of creating art
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Charith and her husband’s art residency in India focusing on human dignity
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overcoming personal challenges and societal expectations around creativity
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how non-artists can engage in creative processes
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the role of community in fostering creativity and providing support for artists
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the importance of supporting and compensating artists for their work
Resources + Links:
Explore more about Denson Creative Agency at densoncreative.art
Learn more about The Monastery and check out their upcoming events and workshops at atthemonastery.com
Follow Denson Creative Agency on socials
Instagram: @densoncreative
Facebook: DensonCreative
Follow The Monastery on socials
Instagram: @themonasteryaz
Facebook: The Monastery
Connect with Charith
Instagram: @charithdenson
LinkedIn: Charith Denson, PMP
Grow your brand, income, and impact!
Learn more on our website ellyandnoracreative.com
Connect with Sara on Instagram | @sarachamberscreative
For show notes, resources, and more, visit Chicks Who Give a Hoot
Follow along with the podcast on Instagram | @chickswhogiveahoot
Show Notes:
In this episode of The Chicks Who Give a Hoot podcast, I have the pleasure of chatting with my bestie, Charith Denson. We dive into our unique friendship that blossomed in a working context, managing each other at different points, and how our lives became deeply intertwined. She shares her journey through photojournalism—traveling the world and capturing stories that transcend cultural barriers. We discuss the significance of art in conveying human dignity and empathy, her transformative experience at an art residency in India, and the importance of fostering creativity in everyday life. She also talks about her new venture, The Monastery, an art space in Peoria dedicated to supporting artists and creating a vibrant community.
With over a decade of communications and creative leadership experience, Charith has visited 29 countries, capturing impactful stories and creating campaigns that drive change. As a mixed media artist, her work is showcased in galleries and through commissioned projects for brands and businesses, reflecting a passion for storytelling and cultural inclusivity. Her career highlights include managing multimillion-dollar budgets, leading creative teams, and developing strategies that have increased engagement, elevated brands, and driven impactful campaigns. As the owner of Denson Creative Agency and Co-Founder of The Monastery, Charith channels her creativity and vision to empower communities and support female entrepreneurs, aligning with her mission to inspire growth, dialogue, and shared humanity. Tune in to hear about the profound impact art has on our lives and how it shapes our understanding of the world.
00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:59 Meet Charith Denson
01:45 The Unique Bond of Friendship
04:29 Professional Journeys and Shared Experiences
06:11 Launching Creative Ventures
06:55 The Monastery: A Dream Realized
13:49 Exploring Global Perspectives
20:17 Art as a Language and Identity
24:43 Emotional Connection and Creativity
27:45 Navigating Control and Creativity
30:05 Art Residency in India
31:09 Michael's Residency in India
32:37 Experiencing the Trash Picker Community
34:12 Joining the Art Residency
35:46 Creating the Identity Series
37:49 The Power of Art and Artists
42:42 Engaging with Art as Non-Artists
46:36 The Therapeutic Nature of Art
54:47 The Monastery and Community Workshops