Rethinking Health Equity: The Intersection of Mutual Aid and Fat Liberation

Messy Liberation: Feminist Conversations about Politics and Pop Culture

In this episode of Messy Liberation, hosts Taina Brown and Becky Mollenkamp welcome guest Marina Daldalian, a software product manager, health coach, and passionate advocate for fat liberation and mutual aid. Marina shares her journey into mutual aid, including how it intersects with fat liberation, and explores the power of direct giving over traditional charity models. The conversation delves into how systemic inequities in capitalism and healthcare impact marginalized communities, the principles of Health at Every Size, and the importance of ethical health coaching. Marina also reflects on COVID realism, its connection to disability, and her approach to community care that centers values of equity, mutual aid, and intersectional feminism.

Marina's Website

Discussed in This Episode:

• What mutual aid is and why it matters
• The intersection of fat liberation and mutual aid
• Direct giving vs. charitable donations: What's the difference?
• How mutual aid circles work and amplify impact
• The challenges and rewards of setting boundaries in mutual aid
• Health at Every Size and its principles
• Ethical health coaching and navigating systemic barriers to health
• COVID realism and its connection to chronic illness and disability
• How systemic oppression shapes access to healthcare
• Choosing belief, compassion, and community care

Resources Mentioned:

• Marina DalDalian
• Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH)
• Angel Austin of Sacred Space for Fat Bodies
• Episode 27 of Messy Liberation: "Beyond Charity"
• You Need a Budget (YNAB)
• Marquisele (Mikey) Mercedes
• Lindo Bacon Accountability controversy