With Leora Tanenbaum

What if owning your image didn’t make you vain—or a target—but powerful?
In this week's episode of the Find Your Feminine Fire podcast, I’m joined by Leora Tanenbaum, the world’s leading expert on slut shaming and author of six books on the policing of women’s sexuality.

We explore how the culture of nonconsensual sexualization—fueled by social media, AI, and outdated gender norms—impacts girls and women at every age. Leora shares the shocking realities young people face today, and how we as adults can better support, protect, and believe them.

✨ Why the “she asked for it” myth is still dangerously alive
✨ The 3 buckets of harm: dress codes, image-based sexual abuse, and victim-blaming
✨ Why young women say they’re “owning” their sexuality—and what that really means
✨ How parents can approach tough conversations with empathy, not panic
✨ What collective action can do to create lasting change

This episode is a call to stop shaming and start listening. Whether you’re a parent, a survivor, or someone who’s been judged for how you show up in the world—this conversation offers deep validation and real direction.

Leora Tanenbaum, author of six books, began researching and writing about slut-shaming before the term even existed. Her newest book is Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today’s Toxic, Sexist Culture.

Her first book, Slut!, called one of the 20 "must-read" books of all time for women, is regarded as a significant contribution to feminist thought and the foundational text on slut-shaming.

Tanenbaum has written for The New York Times, Teen Vogue, Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, New York Daily News, The Nation, and U.S. News & World Report and has been a guest on Oprah, The Today Show, Nightline, Bill Maher, Fox News, MSNBC, and National Public Radio. She is a frequent commentator for USA Today, where she discusses the gendered double standards faced by celebrities and non-celebs alike.

Download the transcript here. 

My name is Amanda Testa, and I'm a Sex, Love, and Relationship Expert + Trauma Resolution Guide.

My goal is to support you to heal your relationship to your sexuality so you can eliminate shame and guilt, own your sexy confidence, feel like a Goddess/Goddex in your skin, and have the deeply connected relationships you desire.

My unique proven process, The Feminine Fire Method™ combines the latest in neuroscience and somatic healing with ancient practices to facilitate rapid and lasting transformation. 
I'm also a Mama to a spunky 12 year old,  Wife to my sexy hubs, and lover of outdoor adventure and live music. 


I believe deep in my soul is that sexuality is the missing key in personal growth and development. 

I believe your sexuality and sexual energy fuels your creativity, confidence, and power. It is a vital part of your holistic health and vitality.

When we own our sexual power our pleasure and creativity flourishes.  Our confidence and body image soars.

Our relationships deepen.

And when you can connect to that power in yourself, it’s life-changing.

If you’ve been thinking about it, maybe we should talk! Click to book a free call to see if we’re a fit.

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