Choose the Bear dives deep into the power and joy of living a vibrant, independent life on your own terms. this podcast is your go-to source for smart, fun, and insightful conversations about what it means to embrace independence and live life on your own terms. Together, we’ll explore how this movement is challenging outdated stereotypes, redefining success, and empowering people to live their best, independent lives.
Choose The Bear
Claim This Podcastby Kat Calvin
5.0(6 reviews)
62 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
64
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality89
Social0
YouTube64
Engagement32
Podcast Overview
Choose the Bear dives deep into the power and joy of living a vibrant, independent life on your own terms. this podcast is your go-to source for smart, fun, and insightful conversations about what it means to embrace independence and live life on your own terms. Together, we’ll explore how this movement is challenging outdated stereotypes, redefining success, and empowering people to live their best, independent lives.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/3/2024
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
64
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality89
Social0
YouTube64
Engagement32
9
Excellent Areas
0
Good Performance
10
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Publishing Consistency
Every 7 days
Performing excellently!
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
1 verified contact email on file for Choose The Bear
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
January 22, 2026
Middle Aged Rage: Lisa Congdon on Starting Over, Creative Confidence & “A Glorious Freedom”
<p>What if your life doesn’t “click” at 22- and that’s actually the point?In this episode of Choose the Bear, I’m joined by beloved illustrator, author, and creative mentor Lisa Congdon to talk about reinvention, creativity, and the myth that your best years have an expiration date. We start with a little friendly “beef” over her book A Glorious Freedom: Older Women Living Extraordinary Lives (40 is not “older”!), then go deep on what the book really offers: proof that women can begin again, at 40, 50, 70, and beyond.Lisa shares her path from elementary school teacher and education nonprofit leader to becoming a full-time artist in her late 30s, plus the practical, honest stuff that makes change possible: persistence, transferable skills, learning through failure, and getting comfortable with uncomfortable feelings.We also dig into her essential guide Finding Your Artistic Voice, why “practice + failure + practice” is the only real shortcut, how to stop perfectionism from strangling your work, and what it looks like to give fear a bear hug and move forward anyway.And because this is Choose the Bear, we connect it all back to the bigger message: women living whole, joyful lives on their own terms, regardless of relationship status, parenting status, or age.In this episode, we cover:- Why the “figure it out in your 20s” timeline is a lie- Starting a new career later in life (and why it can be an advantage)- The “beginner gap” and why most people quit right before it gets good- Perfectionism vs. becoming an “imperfectionist”- How to work with fear instead of letting it run your life- Finding your voice (in art, writing, activism, life)- Using art as activism + creating change through creativity- Why women in midlife have more power, skill, and wisdomIf you loved this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share, especially with a friend who needs the reminder that it’s not too late.</p>
January 7, 2026
Comedian Alison Leiby on Abortion, Horror Movies, and Why Women Don’t Owe Motherhood
<p>Comedian, writer, and podcaster <strong>Alison Leiby</strong> joins Choose the Bear for a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation about horror movies, feminism, abortion, friendship, and choosing a full life outside of marriage and motherhood.</p><p>Alison is best known as the co-host of the hit podcast <strong>Ruined</strong>, where she bravely (and hilariously) listens as horror movies are explained to her so she never has to watch them. She’s also the creator of the acclaimed off-Broadway solo show <strong>Oh God, a Show About Abortion</strong>, which explores abortion with humor, honesty, and zero shame, and a writer on <strong>The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel</strong>.</p><p>In this episode, we talk about:</p><p>• Why horror is one of the most feminist film genres• The “final girl,” body horror, and why women understand fear differently• How Ruined became a cultural phenomenon• Abortion stories that don’t center shame or tragedy• Why women are still punished for not wanting kids• The pressure to frame childfree women as “sad” or “incomplete”• Friendship, collaboration, and building community outside the nuclear family• Being bad at something new, and why that’s actually the point• Navigating male-dominated industries as a woman• Why women don’t owe marriage, motherhood, or explanation</p><p>This conversation is funny, smart, deeply validating, and full of moments that will make you feel seen- whether you love horror, hate horror, are childfree by choice, undecided, or just tired of women being told there’s only one acceptable way to live.</p><p>🎧 <strong>Subscribe for more conversations about single life, independence, feminism, and choosing your own path.</strong><br>Because everything you are is more than enough.</p>
December 9, 2025
Burlesque Is for Every Body: Dirty Martini on Confidence, Politics & Tassel Twirling
<p>Burlesque icon <strong>Dirty Martini</strong> joins Choose the Bear for a powerful, hilarious, and deeply inspiring conversation about confidence, creativity, and claiming your body on your own terms. From the Vegas stage with <strong>Dita Von Teese</strong> to intimate performances around the world, Dirty shares how burlesque became her path to visibility, artistry, and radical self-love.</p><p>We talk about:<br>✨ How Dirty went from being told she’d “never be a dancer” to becoming a global burlesque star<br>✨ Burlesque as a political act—and why stepping onstage in your body matters<br>✨ Body pride vs. body positivity<br>✨ The magic of seeing real, diverse bodies onstage<br>✨ Advice for beginners who feel scared, uncoordinated, or “not dancer enough”<br>✨ Why taking a burlesque class can transform how you see yourself<br>✨ Gen Z, cringe culture, and the courage to try new things<br>✨ Dirty’s upcoming European tour and her work coaching performers</p><p>Whether you love burlesque, are burlesque-curious, or just want to feel more powerful in your body, this conversation is a gift.</p><p>🩸 <strong>Guest:</strong> Dirty Martini<br>Instagram: <strong>@DirtyMartiniNYC</strong></p><p>🎙 <strong>About Choose the Bear</strong><br>A podcast for women building joyful, bold, independent lives—single, childfree, and fully themselves. Hosted by activist and author <strong>Kat Calvin</strong>.</p><p>💬 <strong>Tell us:</strong><br>What’s one thing you’d try if you weren’t afraid of being “cringe”?</p>
62 total episodes available
Recent guests on Choose The Bear
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Adrienne Spires
Guest
Lauren Urasek
Guest
Jordan Nutter
Guest
Tilar J Mazzeo
Guest
Delaney Buffett
Guest
Florence Wlodarski
Guest
Verena Brunschweiger
Guest
Deep-dive analytics for Choose The Bear
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Choose The Bear?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 6 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.