She Comes With Baggage

Today’s guest is Dexter Mayfield—a dancer, actor, plus-size model, and fierce force of queer joy and self-expression. From his early roots in Dallas to performing with icons like Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry, Dexter has built a career that celebrates visibility, movement, and radical self-love. Whether he's lighting up the stage with Savage x Fenty or judging on Paramount+’s Come Dance With Me, Dexter is rewriting the rules of representation—on his own terms. In this episode, we talk about it all: breaking into the beauty industry as a plus-size, queer performer, navigating a religious upbringing, challenging outdated beauty standards, and what it takes to build a thriving career while staying true to yourself. So get cozy, stay open, and let’s get into it. Follow Dexter Mayfield: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dexrated/  [https://www.instagram.com/dexrated/] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dexrated [https://www.tiktok.com/@dexrated] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DexterMayfield  [https://www.youtube.com/@DexterMayfield] Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast:  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike [https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike]

Today’s guest is Lauren Abedini—aka KITTENS. She’s a powerhouse DJ, music producer, podcast host, creative strategist, and an unapologetic voice for intersectional feminism. With Iranian-American roots and a deep connection to her identity, Lauren has spent the last decade carving out space not just in music, but across fashion, beauty, and advocacy. Her influence is bold, intentional, and always evolving. In this episode, we get into all of it—her rise in the industry, what it means to take up space authentically, and how to empowering untraditional healthy relationships. So get cozy, stay open, and let’s get into it. Follow KITTENS, Lauren Abedini: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkittens/ [https://www.instagram.com/iamkittens/] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamkittens [https://www.tiktok.com/@iamkittens] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamKITTENS [https://www.youtube.com/@iamKITTENS] Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast:  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike [https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike]

Today’s guest is Kelly Balch—a queer, nonbinary artist, filmmaker, and intuitive storyteller whose work feels like both a mirror and a portal. With over 15 years behind the lens as a photographer and director, Kelly’s creates mediums for us to be seen and celebrated. From their mythic fantasy book series Aphrodite’s Sister, to their docuseries Beyond the Norms, Kelly weaves stories that celebrate identity and transformation. In this episode, we talk about their journey as a creator, how they channel emotion and authenticity into art, and what it means to live—and create—from a place of truth. So get comfy, stay open, and let's get into it. Follow Kelly Balch: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellybalch/ [https://www.instagram.com/kellybalch/] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kellybalch [https://www.youtube.com/@kellybalch] Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast:  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike [https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike]

Matt McKenley is a model, actor, and content creator whose bold blend of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle has made waves across TikTok and Instagram. But beyond the aesthetic, Matt shares something much deeper—his journey of growing up gay in a religious household, the process of unlearning shame, and embracing his full, authentic self in both life and online. In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to find your voice, show up for yourself unapologetically, and create content that empowers others. So get comfy, stay open, and let’s get into it. Follow Matt Mckenley: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattmckenley/ [https://www.instagram.com/mattmckenley/] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattmckenley [https://www.tiktok.com/@mattmckenley] Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast:  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike [https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike]

Hey everyone, welcome back to She Comes With Baggage! Where we unpack the real, unfiltered experiences that shape who we are. My hope is that through these deep conversations and laughs, we realize we’re all more alike than we are different. Today, I’m joined by two incredible guests, Dominic Pérignon and Carter Nelson—creators, storytellers, and passionate advocates for the trans community. Dominic shares authentic experiences through travel, fashion, and his series T-Time, while Carter, an actor in Grand Army and Dead End: Paranormal Park, uses his platform for photography and celebrating self-expression. In this episode, we’re diving into the power of friendship, navigating life as trans creators, and how Dom and Carter are using their voices to advocate for visibility and change.  So, get comfy, stay open, and let’s get into it! Follow Dominic Pérignon: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolhidominic/ [https://www.instagram.com/lolhidominic/] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lolhidominic [https://www.tiktok.com/@lolhidominic] Follow Carter Nelson: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnelson/ [https://www.instagram.com/cnelson/] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itscnelson [https://www.tiktok.com/@itscnelson] Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast:  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.instagram.com/shecomeswithbaggage__] * Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__ [https://www.tiktok.com/@shecomeswithbaggage__] * Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike [https://www.youtube.com/@KirstiePike]