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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Afi’s colorful upbringing in Nigeria and the UK, and how it influenced her love for vibrant style
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her father’s impact on her appreciation for luxury, tailoring, and presentation
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What luxury styling really means and how Afi curates personalized experiences for high-traveling, high-achieving clients
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the power of visual consistency in personal brand and confidence
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Dopamine dressing, minimalist vs. maximalist fashion, and finding your “power colors”
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how women are reclaiming visibility and moving away from societal expectations to “dim” themselves
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Afi’s life-changing diagnosis with type 1 diabetes and her journey from fear to fierce advocacy
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breaking stigma and creating representation in the diabetes community through media partnerships
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the unexpected parallels between styling and branding—strategy, personality, balance, and boldness
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celebrating women openly and the transformational power of giving compliments
Resources + Links:
Explore Afi’s styling services at afiliketaffy.com
Connect with Afi
Instagram:@afiliketaffy
LinkedIn: Afi Maita
Facebook: Afi Maita
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, host Sara engages in a vibrant conversation with luxury stylist Afi Maita. They discuss the significance of self-expression through color and fashion, sharing personal anecdotes about overcoming the challenges of adhering to societal norms. Afi opens up about the deep influence of her father on her style philosophy and explains her journey from Nigeria to England and eventually to the United States. Beyond styling, Afi shares her advocacy work in the diabetic community, aiming to destigmatize the condition and encourage others to live boldly with their medical devices. They explore the impact of fashion on self-perception and the importance of being seen and heard in a world that often tells women to stay in the shadows. This episode is a blend of light-hearted fashion insights and profound discussions on life, health, and personal empowerment.
Afi Maita—affectionately known as “Afi Like Taffy”—was born in Nigeria, raised in North London, and now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband of 15 years. Her love of fashion was inspired by her father’s refined taste and bespoke tailoring, leading her to a degree in Media Studies and over a decade of experience in luxury retail. In 2020, Afi launched her own company, Afi Like Taffy Styling, and is now a successful stylist, co-owner of The Power of 3 Wardrobe Consulting, and a fashion and lifestyle influencer. Afi also uses her platform to advocate for others living with type 1 diabetes, sharing her story to educate, empower, and inspire mindful, confident living.
00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:58 Meet Afi Maita
01:43 The Founders Community and Colorful Personalities
03:19 Afi's Background and Family
03:57 The Importance of Appearance and Style
07:14 Afi's Career in Luxury Styling
10:55 Empowerment Through Fashion
14:34 The Evolution of Personal Style
20:24 Balancing Fashion Choices
23:34 The Role of Brand Colors
28:40 A Personal Journey with Type 1 Diabetes
32:32 Advocacy and Breaking Stigmas
36:38 Embracing Light and Positivity
37:35 Final Reflections and Gratitude