In this episode of When We're Not Hustling: The Afterparty, hosts Jesse Sage, Emily Foster, and guest host Emery Fields discuss the concept of "bedrotting," inspired by a recent episode featuring Lana Hart—a New York City-based stripper, writer, sex worker, and stand-up comic. In her article for the Tryst Blog titled "Hobby Whores," Lana describes "bedrotting" as the intentional act of lying in bed to relax and recharge. The hosts emphasize the importance of viewing downtime as an active and valuable part of self-care, especially in a hustle-driven economy where constant productivity is often the norm. They highlight how scheduling time for rest is essential for mental health, creativity, and maintaining balance.

The discussion also delves into the challenges of separating personal life from work as artists and freelancers, where even moments of relaxation can feel tied to productivity. Each host shares their experiences with balancing work and downtime, striving to embrace rest without constantly measuring it against their professional output. They conclude by celebrating the joy of transforming everyday experiences into art and meaningful discussions while acknowledging the necessity of rest to sustain their passion and effectiveness.

In This Episode:

00:12: Introducing guest host Emery Fields

01:02: Discussing live event and upcoming episodes

02:02: Explanation of bedrotting and its origins

03:20: Bedrotting as a restorative process

05:04: Bedrotting compared to couch relaxation

06:47: Watching TV as part of bedrotting

09:02: TV shows and off-grid living discussion

10:49: Balancing work and life with active bedrotting

17:37: Scheduling downtime for mental health benefits

People:

Guest: Lana Hart

Hosts: Jessie Sage, Emily Foster, Emery Fields

Producer: Emily Foster

Music: Benjamin J Benamati

You can support the show at pateron.com/sapiotextual

When We're Not Hustling is a 501(c)(3) non-profit project of the Social Good Fund.

You can support our show with your tax-deductive donation HERE.

In this special crossover episode with Tryst blog's "Hobby Whores" column, host Jessie Sage sits down with Lana Hart, a sex worker, comedian, and writer, to explore the concept of "bed rotting." Described as the act of lying in bed to recharge and care for oneself, bed rotting is framed as an essential form of self-care—especially for those in demanding professions like sex work.

Together, Lana and Jessie discuss the mental and emotional demands of sex work, from the pressure of constant social engagement to the need for meaningful downtime. They challenge societal expectations around productivity, emphasizing that rest is a valuable activity rather than a guilty indulgence. The conversation also covers the balance between personal relationships and the intensity of their work, underscoring the importance of dedicating time to oneself. By embracing restorative activities like watching favorite shows or pursuing hobbies, the episode highlights the therapeutic benefits of rest and self-care.

Lana Hart's Article:

Hobby Whores: Bedrotting with Lana Hart

In This Episode:

00:01: Introduction to When We're Not Hustling

01:24: Overview of Podcast and Mission

02:44: Crossover Episode with Tryst Blog

03:58: Raffle Announcement and Future Episodes

05:16: Introduction of Guest Lana Hart

06:27: Lana Hart Discusses Bed Rotting

09:18: The Importance of Rest in Sex Work

17:30: Challenges of Maintaining Social Energy

20:08: Regular Clients and Relationship Dynamics

21:32: Bed Rotting as Self-Care Practice

Guest:

Lana Hart is a comedian, sex worker, and writer; a woman who wears many hats and sometimes wears nothing at all.

Lana moved to New York City in 2014 after graduating from Emerson College to pursue a career in stand up comedy and comedy writing. While doing nightly comedy shows, occasional tours, and various freelance gigs, she picked up multiple side hustles to support herself. In 2018, she finally found one that stuck when she began stripping. Lana’s experience with sex work made its way into her comedy writing, as she found a passion for presenting audiences with the radical idea that sex workers are people who deserve respect. She dedicated her punchlines to lifting up sex workers and punching down on narrow-minded people who discriminate against them. She also wrote multiple articles for Betches Media advocating for sex workers’ rights and the decriminalization of sex work. Her written work has also been featured on Reductress, Someecards, Paste Magazine, and Tryst.

You can find Lana:

X: @lanadelslayee

Instagram: @lanadelslayee_

Recommendations:

SLUTS: Anthology by Michelle Tea

Charli xcx

The Rest:

Host: Jessie Sage

Producer: Emily Foster

Music: Benjamin J Benamati

Sponsor: Assembly Four

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When We're Not Hustling is a 501(c)(3) non-profit project of the Social Good Fund.

You can support our show with your tax-deductive donation HERE.

In this episode of "When We're Not Hustling: The After-Party," the hosts explore the themes of singlehood, societal expectations, and the importance of friendships through the lens of Gem DeMilo's story. Gem, who has chosen to remain intentionally single after past relationships, sheds light on the societal pressure to prioritize romantic relationships and how she values friendships instead. The discussion also delves into how societal norms often restrict men from forming intimate friendships and how this contributes to a loneliness epidemic. Moreover, the conversation highlights how being single can be an empowering choice rather than an indication of loneliness, as it allows individuals to focus on self-growth.

The hosts share personal anecdotes about navigating relationship dynamics and challenge the traditional view of relationships being solely romantic or monogamous. They emphasize that friendships and professional relationships, including those in sex work, can also provide fulfillment when the transactional nature is understood and respected. The episode concludes with an affirmation of the value of diverse relationships and the importance of expressing love and appreciation for friends.

In This Episode:

00:34: Hosts Introduce Themselves

00:51: Gem DeMilo's Choice to Be Intentionally Single

01:43: Societal Expectations of Relationships

03:06: Cultural Views on Monogamy and Intimacy

05:23: Masculine Socialization and Emotional Isolation

07:21: Financial Independence in Single Life

09:14: Redefining Relationship Dynamics

14:42: Singleness as Self-Actualization

33:33: Closing Thoughts on Relationships

People:

Guest: Gem DeMilo

Hosts: Jessie Sage, Emily Foster, Melissa Milk

Producer: Emily Foster

Music: Benjamin J Benamati

You can support the show at pateron.com/sapiotextual

When We're Not Hustling is a 501(c)(3) non-profit project of the Social Good Fund.

You can support our show with your tax-deductive donation HERE.