An Exclusive Interview with Shalen Lowell, Author of the Debut Novel Gender Optics
January 15, 2021 by Robyn Hussa Farrell
Filed under Body Image, Eating Disorders, Empowerment, Featured, Finding Your Voice, Freedom, LGBT, Loving Your Body, Self Esteem, Self-Acceptance, Self-Care, Self-Compassion, Social Justice, Writing and Poetry
Shalen Lowell(they/them) is a transgender and genderfluid author, blogger, and poet originally from Woburn, Massachusetts, who now resides in Southern Maine. They specialize in fiction that represents the intersection of fantasy and postmodern genres and queer literature, with particular emphasis on illustrating, highlighting, and validating the lives, struggles, and experiences of nonbinary and gender nonconforming […]
Staying Sane #RealDeal Style
June 30, 2018 by Robyn Hussa Farrell
Filed under Activism, Advocacy, Featured, Finding Your Voice, Healthy Communication, LGBT, Livin in the Moment, Loving Your Body, Media Literacy, Recovery, Role Models, Self-Acceptance, Sharing Feelings, Social Justice, Wellness
With all that is happening around us politically, socially and environmentally, we need some serious strategies for staying sane, #RealDeal style. Below is a Top 5 list … but we’d love you to add your additions in the comments. In solidarity, Robyn Hussa Farrell, Editor #RealDeal Top 5 Pics for Staying Sane this Summer #1. […]
Conversations with Patricia Leavy Part 3: Social Justice
March 2, 2018 by Robyn Hussa Farrell
Filed under Activism, Featured, LGBT, Media Literacy, Prevention, Recovery, Social Justice, Treatment
Patricia Leavy, Ph.D. is an independent sociologist and best-selling author. She has published twenty-four books, earning critical and commercial success in both nonfiction and fiction, a rare feat by any author. Her work has been translated into numerous languages. She is also the creator and editor for seven book series with Oxford University Press and […]
Interview with Olympic Gymnast Josh Dixon
December 5, 2016 by Jacob Burman
Filed under Activism, Body Image, Empowerment, Featured, Finding Your Voice, Guys, LGBT, Livin in the Moment, Movement, Role Models, Self-Acceptance, Self-Care
Our Editor, Robyn Hussa Farrell, sat down with Josh to capture his #RealDeal story… Please tell us about yourself and what you do? California native, mixed race and 1 of 3 adopted children to Michael and Kathleen. I grew up in the Bay Area and ended up doing my collegiate gymnastics as a student-athlete at Stanford. Post […]
#WhatIsBeautiful Interview with #MakeItFair Founders
August 7, 2015 by Robyn Hussa Farrell
Filed under Activism, Activism, Advocacy, Body Image, Empowerment, Featured, Finding Your Voice, LGBT, Loving Your Body, Media Literacy, Politics, Prevention, Role Models, Self Esteem
Robyn Hussa Farrell, Editor of #RealDeal, interviews Nadia Quinn and Patricia Noonan, two of the Founders of the #MakeItFair campaign to learn how they define beautiful. (see the full interview about #MakeItFair here) 1. What is the #MakeItFair campaign? #makeitfair is a call for gender equality in the stories we tell, the wages we earn, and the future we […]
What If You Were Friends with Ingrid Nilsen or Caitlyn Jenner?
June 18, 2015 by Amy Leigh Mercree
Filed under Activism, Activism, Advocacy, Anxiety, Body Image, Depression, Empowerment, Featured, Freedom, Guys, Healthy Communication, Healthy Communication, Healthy Coping, LGBT, Livin in the Moment, Media Literacy, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Moms & Sisters, Parents, Role Models, Self Esteem, Self-Acceptance, Self-Compassion, Sharing Feelings, Stress Management, Wellness, Wellness, What to Say, How to Say It
This week I’m so inspired by Ingrid Nilsen. She shared a video about her coming out journey that is really sweet and beautiful. Nilsen courageously wore her heart on her sleeve talking about the inner struggle she experienced. When a friend or family member shares their inner being, let’s be there for them. How can […]
Body Image Myths and the Last Accepted Prejudice
October 24, 2014 by Amy Leigh Mercree
Filed under Activism, Body Image, Empowerment, Fat Acceptance, Fat Talk, Featured, Guys, HAES, LGBT, Loving Your Body, Media Literacy, Self Esteem, Self-Acceptance, Self-Care, Self-Compassion, Weight Stigma, Wellness
A lot of us spend a lot of time consuming media from all directions. Print, online, video, audio. We are bombarded with messages about how we are supposed to look. For women, the pressure to achieve the ideal female body image is powerful. All-around we are shown images of hyper-slim, either tall or petite, large […]
Choosing Love in Politics and Life
October 22, 2013 by Amy Leigh Mercree
Filed under Activism, Advocacy, Empowerment, Finding Your Voice, Freedom, Healthy Communication, LGBT, Loving Your Body, Politics, Role Models, Self Esteem, Self-Acceptance, Self-Care, Self-Compassion, Spirituality, Volunteering, Wellness, Wellness
Well, I thought my first post for We Are the Real Deal, one of my favorite sites, would be about healthy relationships or self-empowerment but it turns out something kind of amazing has happened: someone has announced a political campaign based on love and dignity and I want to celebrate that with you today. Marianne […]
What the Heck is Gender Inclusivity?
February 26, 2013 by Matt Wetsel
Filed under Anorexia, Body Image, Eating Disorders, Featured, LGBT, Males with Eating Disorders
A December 2012 search on Amazon.com for “eating disorders” revealed the following: out of thirty books, only five were authored or co-authored by men. Take away the more academic writings such as clinical handbooks or guides tailored to professionals and only include books written for a general consumer audience (such as parental guides, self-help books, […]
5 year old boy dares to dress as a girl, neighborhood moms freak.
April 18, 2012 by MamaV
Filed under Featured, Finding Your Voice, Guys, LGBT, Role Models, Self Esteem, Talking To Kids
WATRD blast from past, originally posted 11/2010 I found this story about a “Boo” a 5 year old boy who decided to dress up as Daphne from Scooby Doo quite interesting and I think you will too. His mother has an awesome post on the “aftermath” of Halloween, but here are the highlights. The kid […]
