Redefining Innocence: My Story of Embracing My Sexuality & Femininity Artwork

The Co-Elevate Podcast with Shana

Let’s be real. Navigating life in your 20s is hard. There is so much confusion and pressure to “figure it out.” But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it alone. Led by a woman in her 20s, The Co-Elevate Podcast with Shana invites you into relatable and thought-provoking conversations with inspiring guests that will change the way you think about yourself, your relationships, and your life. Tune in weekly to hear the wisdom and guidance you need to find clarity and direction in your 20s (without losing your sanity!). Get ready to turn your quarter-life crisis around through personal growth, vulnerability, and a whole lot of straight talk!

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The Co-Elevate Podcast with Shana

Redefining Innocence: My Story of Embracing My Sexuality & Femininity

March 17, 2023 • Shana Ginsburg • Season 1 • Episode 8

Throughout my life, I've attached myself to the identity of being a "pure," "innocent," "good girl," while unknowingly repressing my femininity and sexuality. On today's episode, my best friend Marissa, who is also a boudoir photographer, helps me disentangle the conservative beliefs that have kept me from expressing all sides of myself. If you have ever felt ashamed or repressed, you're going to walk away from this conversation feeling liberated and empowered to embrace the powerful, sexual, sensual, and feminine woman that you are!

01:20 - My relationship with Marissa

3:22 - How I was as a teenager

9:09 - Approval and popularity from my conservative beliefs

10:51 - How my career reinforced how I thought I needed to be

12:53 - The identity crisis I’m having now as a 24-year-old

13:16 - The influence new friends had on my life in my early twenties

15:22 - How I’ve changed since being a teenager

17:09 - Realizing there’s nothing wrong with being feminine or sexual

18:24 - Being closed off to guys and my playful side

21:37 - Why I’ve been “behind” in dating compared to others

23:18 - Exploring my sexuality while remaining “innocent”

24:22 - The association of innocence and virginity

25:21 - My views on sex now after my breakthrough

25:43 - Why I was so confused about my identity as a woman

28:29 - Marissa’s take on this from a boudoir photographer’s perspective

29:54 - How my repression has affected my relationship with guys

30:55 - All women struggle with shame

32:16 - Embracing all aspects of the woman that you are for YOU!

32:51* - How this realization will impact my life

34:36 - My approach with dating in the past and why I hated it

36:58- How my sisterhood of friends embraced and encouraged me to evolve into the woman I am now

38:33 - The truth about your virginity/purity/innocence

40:04 - My biggest fear about exploring my sexuality

40:52 - What’s next for me as a result of this change in belief

42:50 - Letting the different sides of my personality be seen

44:23 - Surprising Marissa with a SHOCKING DECISION!

47:12 - Embracing all aspects of myself without shame or judgment

48:53 - The pressure of being a woman in today’s society

52:00 - The BIG reason I’m risking discomfort to share my story with YOU