The Shape Campaign

In this raw and powerful episode of The Shape Campaign, Arica opens up about the hidden pain behind her past and the strength it took to break free. From childhood sexual abuse to using sex as a coping mechanism, Arica candidly describes how trauma shaped her early years and how therapy, life coaching, and purpose gave her a path to healing. After losing both her brother and her mother just four months apart. Consumed by grief, Arica is using her story to inspire others. She's an author, a speaker, and a woman reclaiming her voice, one truth at a time. Arica’s story is a testament to the power of survival, transformation, and purpose. She proves that even in the face of deep loss and betrayal, it’s never too late to rise.

In this episode of The Shape Campaign, Shy opens up about the pressure of growing up too fast, her close bond with her mother, and how traditional values shaped her beliefs about love. She challenges today’s “50/50” relationship narratives and unapologetically shares her vision of partnership — one rooted in provision, protection, and rest. With bold clarity and soft strength, Shy reminds us that embracing femininity, legacy, and standards doesn’t make you old-fashioned — it makes you self-aware. Her story is about choosing what feels right for you, even when it goes against modern noise.

In this powerful episode, Moriah opens up about the complexities of identity, family, and the fight to reclaim her health. Raised in Wisconsin, she grew up with a quiet strength—one shaped by the divorce of her parents and her own struggle with multiple eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and orthorexia. What’s even more unique? Her father also struggled with anorexia in his youth and now advocates for awareness—proving that healing is not just personal, but generational. For resources or support, visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).

Janice grew up in a household full of powerful women, raised in Connecticut by her mother, with her sister; however, Janice began to struggle with alcohol—something she now openly names and owns: “I was an alcoholic.” Her journey through addiction wasn’t just about drinking; it was about trying to silence pain, perfectionism, and unmet expectations. In this deeply personal episode of The Shape Campaign, Janice reflects on her relationship with alcohol and her evolving connection with her father. Through honesty, accountability, and grace, she is learning what it truly means to reclaim her voice, her power, and her peace. Whether you’ve faced addiction, grief, or the pressure to be strong all the time—Janice’s story is a reminder that healing is never linear, but always worth it.

From surviving an assault at just 14, coerced by someone she trusted, to being dismissed by members of her own church, Brittney’s story is one of deep pain, but also incredible strength. In this raw episode of The Shape Campaign, she shares how silence shaped her early years, and what it means to speak out now. Brittney also reflects on navigating relationships as an adult, the moment she realized her story mattered, and the lessons she’s passing on to her son, who is autistic, curious, and learning to advocate for himself just like she is. This isn’t just a story about trauma. It’s a story about survival, truth, and the power of saying: I believe in me, even if no one else does.

In the season 3 finale of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with model and entrepreneur Marla Johnson, who shares her journey from growing up in the rural town of Roxboro, North Carolina to spreading her wings and finding out what life is truly about. Marla discusses the sudden passing of the woman who was her lifetime lover, the relationship with her estranged husband, and the death of her beloved mother. While these series of unfortunate events happen all within close proximity of one another, somehow, Marla unleashes the inner power to soar.

In season 3, episode six of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Tiffiny Thornton, the woman who bared her all in her first photoshoot ever! What better way to enter the world of modeling than with The Shape Campaign. Tiffiny is more vulnerable than ever before after sharing her life journey of overcoming two very devastating losses,  the death of her newborn baby and mother in the same year. Tiffiny shares how fighting through one of the most painful experiences of her life gave her the courage to keep on living.

In season 3, episode five of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Chaina Smith, the bright-eyed beauty who shares her journey of experience studying at a PWI (predominantly white institution), as opposed to the more familiar path of educating at an HBCU (historically black college/university). Chaina discusses her extensive and impressive career in railroad operations and her heartbreaking story of her fiance severing their engagement for another lover across the seas while on deployment.

In season 3, episode four of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with the woman who says she's "classier than you'll ever be", Ms. Tiffany Longs. Tiffany discusses her tumultuous upbringing that often involved moving from place to place, being told she was mentally unwell by her mother, and dealing with a failed marriage to a man whose actions were questionable at best. Now, living as an entrepreneur and single mother of four. Tiffany, has found an undeniable love that will never fail, and that is the love for herself and God.

In season 3, episode three of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Shonoda McMillian to discuss her deep-rooted challenge of being able to listen to her inner voice to stand up and advocate for herself in the face of adversity. Her gentle and regal demeanor is often mistaken for weakness, but this couldn't be farther from the truth. Shonoda is defying the odds of her "naysayers" and showing them that strength comes in various forms and she's regaining her power and letting her true inner voice be heard.

In season 3, episode two of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with the Chazy, New York native, Anna DeMars to discuss a painful and bleak childhood that caused her PTSD at the hands of her abusive and manipulative father. With her living a somewhat compromised existence, Anna's pain became unbearable which almost resulted in her taking her own life. Now a champion at life, Anna talks us through her methods of overcoming a past that didn't seem to have such a promising future. With her dreams shining brighter than ever, Ms. "Sassafras" is determined that nothing will stop her!

Kicking off season 3, episode one of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Miss Exquisite Full-Figured North Carolina 2023, Terra Koger to discuss her rise to stardom in the pageant world after the sudden tragedy of the death of her beloved father and pastor; overcoming self-doubt and being told that she wasn't the right fit for a "full-figured" pageant. Terra expresses how something so tragic fueled her newfound passion for living a life she could have only dreamed of. Terra's pursuit of her new career in modeling is opening up undeniable doors, and she's not walking or strolling, but she's running full speed ahead.

In episode one of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Trina Caesar to discuss her newfound freedom after deciding to end her marriage of 22 years, along with her life-threatening health scare which prompted her to make some lifelong changes. She holds nothing back as she reveals her decision to go under the knife for cosmetic surgery after releasing 100+ pounds.

In episode two of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Arielle "Arie" Fisher to discuss her painful past of being bullied and contemplating the thought of no longer wanting to exist on Earth. Arie unpacks her troubled childhood trauma by revealing that she was raised by her beloved grandparents after her mother was murdered while she was a baby. Arie reflects on her life experiences as she discovers the strength within to realize her self-worth.

In episode three of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Eboni Cooley, to discuss her challenges with balancing her interpersonal relationships and the lifelong journey of discovering a more elevated version of herself. Eboni unpacks her challenges with her mental health and alcohol abuse while continuing to stay rooted in her faith.

In episode four of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Serina Johnson, to discuss her passion for dance and children while being faced with a hearing impairment due to underdevelopment as a baby that eventually resulted in her going completely deaf. Serina speaks of the importance of being represented in spaces where marginalized groups often can feel isolated and ostracized. Serina expresses the importance of being a representation for her students who too have hearing impairments.

In the final episode of this season's Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Pauline Uwandji, as she discusses being crowned Miss Full-Figured North Carolina "Plus", and the pressure that she's faced to live up to everyone's expectations of her. Pauline reflects on her challenges with accepting her skin tone due to the bullying she faced as a young child, while now feeling empowered to encourage other women to embrace their beauty, from the inside, out!