#181 - Stripper Competitions: Featuring, Creating, and Touring Domestically and Internationally with Ciara

Wow, can't believe we're on episode 3 of my COVID mini series! Thank you all for your support and tuning in! This week I speak with Sara Tonin of Vancity Vixens Cabaret (formerly Cabaret Torlage). She is fairly new to the burlesque scene in Vancouver, Canada and is also a competitive pole dancer and local actress. We speak about her multidisciplinary training and how COVID has limited her gigs, performances and competitions and the toll it has taken on her both physically and mentally. We bring up the topic of mental health and the importance to speak about it, with an emphasis to open the discussion surrounding stigma around mental unwellness, medication, and family. We also discuss how sex workers, artists and fellow performers are adapting to pandemic life: moving showcases online and ways to navigate teaching virtually on various online platforms. Go see Sara Tonin in her upcoming performances: PENT UP: June 3rd @ 8pm PSO United - Online Competition: June 13th & 20th (time TBA) Connect with Sara Tonin on social: IG: @saratoninburlesque / @vancityvixenscabaret facebook.com/VVcabaret

24 Maj 20201h

We are STILL RECORDING! YAY!!! This week I caught up with Kordella Kosor, a traveling feature exotic dancer who was former Miss Nude World and Exotic Dancer United States. She recently relocated from Vancouver to Winnipeg due to COVID-19 which is still rampant across the globe today. She opens up on she got into the industry, competing in pageants and touring all around North America and how she has had to modify her work due to the coronavirus. Canceled tours, flights, bookings and more - we've heard it all. And it's heartbreaking. But with Kordella's positive outlook on life and vast amount of experience in the industry, she's taking a well-deserved break and gaining ammo for her fiery return to the stage. IG: @ms_kordella_kosor Facebook: Kordella Kosor twitter.com/kordella_kosor Don't forget to like, rate, share and subscribe! @strippedbysia @siasteph

17 Maj 20201h

I'm not quite finished yet. I just can't seem to sit idly while the entire world is on lockdown when there are still so many issues we are facing as sex workers. But I wanted to highlight a voice that probably isn't listening to this podcast and hasn't been represented on the show yet: our street sex workers. I spoke with Morgan Sexter this week, a fellow dancer who is currently working with WISH Vancouver on their Mobile Access Project (MAP Van). WISH Vancouver is a non-profit organization which works to provides harm reduction services, shelter, food and resources for Vancouver's street se workers. Morgan and I speak about the challenges street and survival sex workers are facing, currently and also in the time of COVID-19, how this virus has affected their income, their clients and even the drop-in centres. We also discuss current needs for the organization, our speculations about what will happen post-COVID and what will happen with dancers and lap dances once, and if, clubs choose to reopen in the future. Morgan is also taking orders for her home sewn masks as well! IG: @morgansexter / @melonsandsweetcheeks https://wish-vancouver.net https://wish-vancouver.net/program/mobile-access-project-map-van/ Don't forget to like, rate, review and subscribe! @strippedbysia @siasteph

10 Maj 202053min

Well, this might be the most narcissistic episode ever. Just kidding. You asked and you have received: my AMA episode! I answer ALL of your questions regarding how I got started in the industry, pole dancing, my life before sex work, how I started this podcast, hustling tips, sex work channels, and a whoooooole lot on my time as a sugar baby, then and now. This was a really reflective episode and honestly, I had a lot of fun! I know a lot of you had questions throughout Season 1 and I've now had time (thanks to this COVID-19 lockdown) to answer it all. Thank you all for your questions and support over Season 1 of Stripped by SIA. British Columbia may be lifting some of our lockdown regulations this month so I'm hoping to get Season 2 out to you as soon as that it is possible. Don't forget to like, rate, share and subscribe! @strippedbysia @siasteph

3 Maj 20201h 28min

Surprise! I'm BACK with a bonus episode for all y'all. I was itching to record again and it felt a little bittersweet and honestly a bit of a disservice to not address how the sex industry has been affected by the coronavirus so this episode is dedicated to all facets of how we are dealing with the effects of COVID-19. No guests this week - just me, myself and I. I tackle subjects on how sex workers, clients and small business owners are handling this virus, online work vs. physical work, a post-COVID society and normalcy, the Canadian government and sex workers and where this podcast is going. There was a LOT to cover so be sure endure all of my rambling and tangents and to listen to the very end of the podcast for some exciting announcements in the near future. Don't forget to like, rate, review and subscribe! @strippedbysia @siasteph

26 Apr 20201h 7min

Have you ever been curious about the men who are into feet fetishes? Or what about those guys that send you messages on IG for feet photos in exchange for money? Well, you guys, I've got one of them on the show this week - introducing MY SLAVE! We're flipping things a bit here and seeing the client's perspective on this one and to understand the psyche of those who are into feet. Feet fetishes makes up the largest group, and not to mention the most common, in the kinky community. We cover a little bit of everything on today's episode (ALSO, possible LAST episode of Season 1?! Damn you, COVID-19!) including trampling, heel insertion, branding, toe sucking and more. Don't be too grossed out - feet fetishes are fairly vanilla in the kink world! Learn some precautionary steps to take both as a client as a service provider and a couple pointers for those who would like to get into this line of work, both virtually and in person. We also speak briefly on what it's like to be an actual slave, what services are provided in that and how I benefit from it. This was such fun episode yet heartbreaking having to halt recording. THANK YOU ALL to those who have listened thus far. Still can't believe 32 episodes have come and gone. I will be starting Season 2 of Stripped by SIA as soon as it is safe to do so when when the COVID-19 pandemic ceases. Thank you for all of your support over the last half of a year - muchas gracias! Don't forget to like, rate, review and subscribe! @strippedbysia @siasteph

19 Apr 202054min

We have our very first gay-identifying male sex worker on the show today - please welcome Hamed Raidd! It's so interesting to hear of an individual with so many contradicting backgrounds and layers: identifying as gay, being of Arab descent and growing up in an Islamic country - there is SO much to breathe and take in on this episode! Hamed opens up about growing up in the United Arab Emirates, addressing issues like gender segregation and censorship. Since coming to Canada, he slowly discovered what the term "gay" meant and was intrigued by what he had discovered. He has since then gotten into porn and escorting as a gay male and has faced racial stereotyping and challenges with role playing in porn. As a male, he faces both similar yet very different issues in the sex industry - we uncover these issues and more on this episode. IG: @hamed_raidd justfor.fans/HamedRaiddXXX onlyfans.com/hamed_raidd twitter.com/HamedRaiddXXX Don't forget to like, rate, review and subscribe! @strippedbysia @siasteph

12 Apr 202059min

We're getting a little bit loud and a little bit rowdy today with none other than DORA FUCKING KOLA herself! I'm a supporter of any fellow person of colour (especially Asians!) in the industry and I just knew I had to have her on the podcast at some point. With roots in broadcasting and as an award-winning rock radio DJ, this girl was meant to be an entertainer. The amount of energy and passion she has not only for music and dancing not only shows on-stage, but is also so apparent in her interview here on the pod. But it's not all about the glitz and glam. Dora opens up about how she was bullied as a kid, slut-shamed in high school, experienced online harassment from her former colleagues when working in Alberta and the racism she's felt on stage as an Asian dancer. She spills a LOT on this episode and isn't afraid to throw shade at her haters. Learn more about how music has helped guide her way through life and how it has shaped and changed her as an entertainer. IG: @dorakola Don't forget to like, rate, review and subscribe! @strippedbysia @siasteph

5 Apr 202049min