Blair Imani: Intersectionality of Bisexuality, Islam & Fearlessly Herself
Today’s guest is Blair Imani - a historian, educator, and the brilliant mind behind the viral web series Smarter In Seconds. She’s also an LA Times bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter, and if you’ve ever seen her content, you know she has a one-of-a-kind way of breaking down big, complex ideas with clarity, color, and compassion. The New York Times called her delivery “perky” and “quirky,” but her scholarship runs deep, covering everything from race and gender studies to intersectionality and U.S. history.In this episode, Blair opens up about:Embracing her bisexual identity and the beauty of self-discoveryNavigating faith as a proud Muslim womanHow intersectionality shapes the way we live, learn, and connectReshaping education and activism through storytellingLiving with purpose and impact while staying true to who you areFollow Blair Imani:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blairimani/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blairimani Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blairimani Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike
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1:16:57
Mariah Counts: Music, Healing & the Journey to Self-Power
Today’s guest is Mariah Counts, a genre-blending artist whose dynamic sexuality and musical versatility mirror her personal journey. From her early days as an athlete to her fearless rise in the music industry, Mariah has always led with grit and creativity. Music started as a coping tool through family struggles, grief, and coming out, but has grown into a powerful outlet for connection, performance, and purpose.In this episode, Mariah opens up about:Navigating loss, resilience, and the challenges that shaped herHow sports built her relentless work ethic and driveComing out and embracing her sexuality with confidenceThe highs and lows of the music industryStepping fully into her power as an artist and performerFollow Mariah:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcshmammer/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahcounts Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MariahCounts Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike
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1:11:07
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1:11:07
Ashamad Heard - Chasing Dreams & Creating Without Limits
Today, we’re sitting down with the insanely talented ally Ashamad Heard, a DIY fashion creator, musician, and streamer who’s making waves in the creative world. You might have seen him on Buy It Now or Beast Games on Amazon Prime, but today, he’s here to share his journey - the hustle, the creativity, and any baggage he’s carried along the way.Follow Ashamad:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notxashamad/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notxashamadYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotxashamadFollow She Comes With Baggage Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike
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54:58
Lexie Peters: Building Inclusive Community & Embracing Masculinity
Today’s guest is Lexie Peters - a creator and community-builder navigating identity, love, and what it means to show up authentically. From growing up more of a tomboy to finding balance in her masculinity today, Lexie’s story is about embracing all sides of yourself while building meaningful connections.In this episode, we’re diving into her journey of identity, adjusting to life in a healthy relationship and cohabitating with a partner, and how she approaches building community with mindfulness for diverse people and backgrounds.Follow Lexie Peters:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexiepeterss/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lexiepeterssYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@LEXIEPETERSSS Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike
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1:06:02
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1:06:02
Michael Amanor (Mikestyle): Creativity, Allyship & Building a Brand
This season is full of LGBTQ+ voices and perspectives, but today I wanted to include a conversation with one of my close friends and longtime allies. Michael may not be queer himself, but his story of creativity, identity, and showing up authentically still deeply resonates.This week on She Comes With Baggage, I’m joined by the brilliant and stylish Michael Amanor—aka Mikestyle—a civil engineer by profession and a travel, fashion, and lifestyle creator by passion. Today’s episode is a reminder that allyship, creativity, and identity come in many forms. Michael’s journey of self-expression, representation, and showing up authentically as a Black creator deeply aligns with the heart of these conversations.With over five years of content creation under his belt, Michael has built an impressive portfolio working with global brands and tourism boards—all while holding down a full-time job and launching Mikestyle Studios, a creative agency for digital storytelling.Follow Mikestyle:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammikestyle/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iammikestyle Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike
Kirstie Pike is back as your host for Season 2 of the original podcast, "She Comes With Baggage!" This season, she is not just unpacking her own stories - she is opening up the mic to feature incredible guests from all different backgrounds. From heartfelt moments to unfiltered truths, these guests will share their own experiences, and how they have leveraged their hardship with identity to create the success they have today. Season 2 will explore the raw and relatable sides of love, friendships, family dynamics, self-discovery, and the real, messy, beautiful parts of life & the baggage we all carry—this time with more voices, more stories, and more ways to connect. Each episode is designed to create connection and remind listeners they are never alone in their experiences. Through candid storytelling and heartfelt discussions, this season builds a stronger sense of community and empowers listeners to embrace their authentic selves.Get ready to unzip those emotional suitcases with Kirstie Pike, as the first episode is launching June 5th. Subscribe and follow She Comes with Baggage anywhere you listen or watch your podcasts, so you don’t miss out on the weekly episodes every Thursday. "This is your reminder: we’re more alike than we might realize. So get comfy, stay curious, and let’s get into it."
Canada - english