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Embodied

WUNC
Mental Health
Intimacy
Community Support
Relationships
Aging
Sexuality
Masculinity
Healthcare Access
Gender Identity
Therapy
Queerness
Body Image
Dementia
Grief
Motherhood
Body Positivity
Parenthood
Artificial Intelligence
Psychedelics
Trans Technologies

Sex and relationships are intimate — and sometimes intimidating to talk about. In WUNC’s award-winning podcast, host Anita Rao guides us on an exploration of our brains and bodies that touches down in taboo territory.

Follow the show on Instagram at @embodiedwunc and on Bluesky at embodiedwunc.bsky.social. You can find Anita on Bluesky at asrao.bsky.social.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes278Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SexualityHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Embodied

Latest Episodes

For years, audio creator Helena de Groot felt almost certain that she did not want kids. Then, she got unexpectedly pregnant. That pregnancy was the first in a series of curveballs that set her on a path of questioning everything she thought she knew... more

When Mary Cain stepped onto the track as a high schooler, it was clear that she was a once-in-a-generation kind of talent. Her rise was quick and spectacular, which made it all the more stunning that just a few years after going pro with Nike, she st... more

YouTube

Stuttering occurs in every culture with a spoken language. So why do many communities treat it as a source of shame? Two speech-language pathologists and a comedian help Anita question cultural assumptions about stuttering and explore the growing mov... more

YouTube

How do you care for someone you struggle to communicate with ... and can never fully understand? That's the question anthropologist Danilyn Rutherford has been wrestling with for decades  — ever since it became clear that her daughter Millie would ne... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mary Cain
Athlete and author of This Is Not About Running
Former Nike Oregon Project athlete, Stanford Med student
Episode: Why The Former ‘Fastest Girl In America’ Wants To Change Sports
Courtland Crain
24-year-old speech-language pathologist and person who stutters
YouTube educator / clinical practice
Episode: Stuttered: Diversifying The Way We Speak
Matice Morris
YouTuber and figure in the stuttering community
YouTube creator
Episode: Stuttered: Diversifying The Way We Speak
Danilyn Rutherford
Anthropologist and author of Beautiful Mystery
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill/WUNC
Episode: How A Mother Learned To Connect Without Language
Chris Duffy
Comedian and author of Humor Me
Author, Humor Me; Host of How To Be a Better Human
Episode: The Case For Taking Humor Seriously
Kaila Yu
Taiwanese-American writer, former model, and singer
Freelance writer; Fetishized memoir author
Episode: Reckoning With The Asian Fetish
Nancy Wang Yuen
Sociologist focusing on Asian American representation in media
Author and scholar
Episode: Reckoning With The Asian Fetish
Chris Mosier
Trans man, athlete, advocate for trans rights in sports
Advocacy for trans athletes in sport
Episode: The Future of Trans Athletes in Sports
Dan Savage
Sex and relationship advice expert, author of Savage Love
Savage Lovecast / Savage Love
Episode: BONUS: How to Emigrate as a Throuple, from How To!

Host

Anita Rao
Host of Embodied; NPR-affiliated interviewer focusing on bodies, sexuality, and culture

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 331 ratings
  • Neutral and objective

    Common sense approach, well researched, logical, and sensitive journalism in this story are refreshing in this day of insanity in the u.s. Thanks Embodied!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dog Momz
    United States2 months ago
  • Professional. Raw. Beautiful.

    Anita has the most intuitive and elegant presence around asking questions, making guests comfortable with front topics, making people feel seen. What an exceptional addition to the world of podcasts. I’m grateful for her affect as calming and curious. Grateful for the topics.

    Always looking forward to episodes. Thank you, Anita!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CatCat53
    United States3 months ago
  • So relatable!

    As a millennial mom of young mixed race boys I feel like every episode speaks directly to some part of my life. Thanks for hosting such a great show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LindsDeA
    United Statesa year ago
  • 1000%

    So grateful for this incredible podcast!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mmmmmmmrose
    United Statesa year ago
  • Shouldn’t be aired

    Host has zero judgment. I’ll never forget tuning in to WUNC, at noon on a Friday, and the first words I heard were “sex toys” and “penises.”

    You shouldn’t have to worry about turning on NPR with little ones in the car.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    hangdawg33
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes resonate across demographics with thoughtful takeaways and diverse perspectives.
Listeners praise the host's balanced approach and ability to make difficult topics accessible.
Host and guests are consistently thoughtful, well-researched, and respectful in exploring nuanced topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How A Mother Learned To Connect Without Language
Q: What have you learned about Millie from your team and experiences in public settings?
That Millie has agency and preferences that can be communicated through subtle cues and that caregivers must attune to, balancing the desire for visibility with Millie's own comfort and responses.
How A Mother Learned To Connect Without Language
Q: How did Millie respond to the POD communication system?
She showed strong engagement and interest in the voice of the consultant and the materials, though implementing it at home proved difficult due to the intensive training required for everyone, leading to a pause in using the system.
The Future of Trans Athletes in Sports
Q: How did you perceive the reaction of the sporting world to your coming out in Advocate Magazine, and how did it influence your subsequent actions?
There was a mixed reaction—initial buzz and a shrug from some—but it reinforced my resolve to prove what I could achieve and to press for policy changes that would benefit others in similar situations.
The Future of Trans Athletes in Sports
Q: What factors were you weighing during the period you considered coming out publicly?
Safety and the impact on career and family were paramount, but so was the desire to live authentically in sport, which ultimately led to using advocacy as a pathway to help others.
BONUS: How to Emigrate as a Throuple, from How To!
Q: What about potential criminal history or antecedent issues in the visa process?
An antecedents certificate must be disclosed; minor/older offenses can be weighed by authorities with explanations, but serious or recent violent crimes are likely to complicate eligibility.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Embodied

What is Embodied about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Embodied explores sexuality, health, relationships, and the body through thoughtful conversations that blend expert insight with personal storytelling. Episodes frequently tackle taboo topics with nuance, incorporating scientific context, lived experience, and cultural critique. The show stands out for its accessible yet rigorously researched approach, its willingness to surface diverse perspectives, and its location-based NPR roots that add a sense of grounded, listener-friendly journalism. Listeners are likely drawn to psychologies of intimacy, inclusive conversations about identity, and practical takeaways for navigating real-life relationships and body autonomy.

Where can I find podcast stats for Embodied?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Embodied. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Embodied and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Embodied get?

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How many subscribers and views does Embodied have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Embodied?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Embodied:

1. Death, Sex & Money
2. Proxy with Yowei Shaw
3. Hidden Brain
4. Love Letters
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Embodied are there?

Embodied launched 6 years ago and published 278 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Embodied?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Embodied?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Embodied from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Embodied?

Recent guests on Embodied include:

1. Mary Cain
2. Courtland Crain
3. Matice Morris
4. Danilyn Rutherford
5. Chris Duffy
6. Kaila Yu
7. Nancy Wang Yuen
8. Chris Mosier

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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