Illustration of a person pulling back a section of a large, starry silhouette to reveal a glowing orange shape underneath, with the text 'Embodied' and 'WUNC' displayed at the top and logos for PRX and WUNC at the bottom.

A nationally-syndicated radio show and podcast about sex, relationships & health.

In 2019, I created this show to make space for intimate conversations about under-discussed aspects of the human experience. It’s now an award-winning program that’s distributed nationally by PRX and also enjoyed as a podcast.

Where you can listen to Embodied on public radio stations around the country.

Public radio has not always made room for conversations about sex, relationships and health. Embodied is trying to change that through journalistic curiosity, intimate interviews, and poignant conversations.

SEX: We don't shy away from talking about sex and pleasure ... in fact I believe both are fundamental aspects of the human experience, and our show models how to talk about them with honesty, curiosity and empathy.

RELATIONSHIPS: One of our show's core values is connection. We examine relationships from all angles: platonic, romantic and familial.

HEALTH: I believe that our understanding of our bodies is shaped by our own assumptions, backgrounds and experiences. Our show aims to explore diverse aspects of our health (physical, mental and emotional), and how they inform everything from the way we interact with others to how we understand ourselves and our communities.

Some of my favorite episodes

  • An illustration featuring two femme-presenting individuals holding each other and smiling. The person on the left has light brown skin and long dark brown hair that is up. She is wearing a red sari with gold accents and a golden sash across her body,

    Reimagining The Wedding Ceremony

    Listen
  • An illustration featuring two people in a kitchen. The person on the left is younger with curly dark hair and medium-tone skin. She's wearing a striped tank top and blue pants and is smiling and dancing while facing the person on the right.

    The Creative Work of Dementia Caregiving

    Listen
  • An illustration featuring the word "Stimulated" in the center surrounded by different kinds and colors of vibrators. There is an orange dot pattern around the edges of the illustration.

    How Vibrators Became America's Favorite Sex Toy

    Listen
  • An illustration of a person's chest, without a view of their face. The person is wearing a dark shirt under a denim jacket that features several colorful pins: a pansexual flag, a lightning bolt, a friendly mushroom, a smiley face.

    Diversifying The Way We Speak

    Listen
  • An illustration of a Black man walking down the street in a suit. He is surrounded by other faceless people, all colored in purples and pinks, and he is looking down and off to the side at someone pushing a stroller with a toddler in it.

    The Silence Around Male Infertility

    Listen
  • An illustration featuring two people sitting on a couch with a blanket and pillows. The person on the left is wearing a hearing aid. That person's fingers are in the hair of the person on the right.

    Building Intimacy With Hearing Loss

    Listen

Press & Features

  • TED: How To Be A Better Human

    Chris Duffy interviews Anita about body talk without shame.

    Listen
    A stylized human head silhouette segmented into bright blocks of yellow, green, blue, and red with the title "How To Be A Better Human" written across it in bold, uppercase letters. Two teal hands reach toward the head, holding a red puzzle piece.

  • CURRENT

    Anita was recognized as one of 22 “Rising Stars” redefining public media.

    Read
    A white C on a blue background.

  • CURRENT

    PRX will distribute Embodied to public radio stations around the country.

    Read

  • Indy Week

    A profile of Anita and Embodied one year into the show’s tenure as a stand-alone show on WUNC.

    Read
    "INDY Week logo in bold white text on a black circular background, with the word 'INDY' in large letters and 'week' oriented vertically on the right side.

  • Huff Po

    A personal essay by Anita: “I Started A Public Radio Show About Sex And Listeners Were Not Ready For It.”

    Read
    Huff Post Logo: Minimalist featuring a green square with a diagonal black slash through the center, all set against a black circular background.

  • NPR'S Code Switch

    Embodied was selected by NPR’s Code Switch as a featured show for their 2022 Summer Roadtrip Playlist.

    Read & Listen
    Podcast cover art for NPR's 'Code Switch' featuring bold, abstract artwork of a colorful, fragmented face with geometric patterns and vibrant hues of blue, orange, pink, and black. The 'Code Switch' title is in large white text, with the NPR logo.

  • Mashable

    Embodied named as one of the best sex, erotica and relationship podcasts. “Like Radiolab, but for sex.”

    Read

  • EarBuds Podcast Collective


    Embodied was chosen by Alison Behringer for a curated playlist on Bodies.

    Read & Listen

Embodied Live Events

  • An illustration of a stage with a single mic stand waiting. In front of the mic stand is a purple stool with a rose on it. There are rose petals all over the stage. The word "Purified" is on the image .

    Live Stories Of Living Through Purity Culture

    In October 2022, listeners gathered in the pews of the Hayti Heritage Center for an evening of storytelling about life beyond evangelical purity culture. Produced in partnership with The Monti, Purified Live featured five storytellers on the lasting impact of the abstinence pledge and reclaiming their bodies and sexuality.

    Listen To The Event Recording

  • Confessed: A Family Secrets Variety Show

    In April 2024, 250 Embodied fans gathered at Motorco Music Hall in Durham for a variety show called “Confessed.” We explored the theme of family secrets through dance, storytelling, comedy and conversation with featured guests Aya Shabu, Brenda The Drag Queen and North Carolina country duo Blue Cactus.

    Listen To Part Of The Event
  • Anita Rao and Kennedy Ryan sit in armchairs in front of microphones on a stage with a WUNC North Carolina Public Radio Banner and shelves decorated with books in the background.

    Kennedy Ryan's Recipe For Romance

    Kennedy Ryan has released 23 romance books in the past decade, and along the way she's developed a style that speaks to many readers. Anita sits down with her at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill to talk about how her own relationships inform her work, the art of writing unskippable sex scenes and what's next for her career.

    Listen To The Conversation

Award Highlights

Ambies: Best Wellness & Relationships Podcast

Public Media Journalist Association: Best Interview (first place) and Best Podcast (second place)

Edward R. Murrow Regional Awards: Best Podcast

National Headliner Awards: Best Information Podcast

Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas : Best Long-Form Interview & Best Long Podcast

2024


2024



2021, 2022 & 2024


2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024


2021, 2022 &2023