Meet Lauren Barineau | Founder of Talk More

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Barineau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
After a career in nonprofit, building Talk More as a social enterprise providing resources and services through a business model has inspired a lot of personal growth. Through this shift, the most significant things I’ve learned are:

Firstly, extend yourself some grace. The work of building a business is endless, especially if you’re still in a stage of doing it alone. Take time off when you need it without feeling guilty about what’s not being done and when you don’t accomplish what you planned in the timeline you set for yourself, adjust your goal. Social impact work requires a commitment to the long game and the best work often comes when we give ourselves time to move at our own pace.

Secondly, stay authentic to yourself. Although in many ways I still feel like a new business owner, when I first started Talk More, it felt like I needed to say “yes” to every opportunity that came my way, whether it was for exposure, for income, or for connections. But many of the opportunities that were suggested to me early on, such as hosting a podcast, starting a TikTok, or writing a book, didn’t feel like the right fit at the time. Staying authentic to yourself means pursuing opportunities that reflect your values, being able to define your work in your own way, saying no to a funding opportunity that isn’t the right fit, or passing on a project that you know others could do better.

And finally, continually be inspired by your own work. I’ve learned that Talk More’s work is universal with limitless potential. One thing that surprised me early on was that when people first learn about Talk More, they are excited to share their own stories of talking with their families about sexuality. Everyone has an experience about the first time their family talked with them about sexuality (or didn’t at all – which folks are equally eager to tell me), and how it impacted them. People share all sorts of things: that they wish they had been told something different; a memorable awkward conversation; they repeat their parent’s best or worst advice; they remember how their family never talked about it and how they wished they would; or they feel excited about being able to parent their own kids differently when it comes to sexual health and wellbeing. Talk More’s work thrives on the importance of this universally shared experience and how families can begin to recognize ways they can improve conversations about sexuality with their own own kiddos to support their wellbeing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve worked in sexual and reproductive health for almost 15 years, and much of that has been with schools. I’ve supported school districts in selecting sex ed curricula, training teachers, and coaching them towards effective implementation to improve the health of students nationwide. A foundational component of this work is emphasizing the positive role families play in their child’s sexual health outcomes, and training teachers to encourage students to talk with their families about topics related to sexuality. Although there are extensive resources in the reproductive health field to support school based sex ed, it quickly became clear there was very little information for families to navigate conversations about sexuality with their kids. This remains true despite the fact that when families talk with their kids about sexuality, it leads to healthier outcomes.

Talk More is shifting the focus to families as kid’s primary sexuality educators to support communication about sexuality. Families frequently share that they know these talks are important, but don’t know where to start. Parents avoid conversations because of their own reported lack of knowledge, their discomfort, or their belief kids aren’t ready yet.

I’m deeply committed to this work because I believe family communication about sexuality is one specific way to shift the cultural norms about sexuality resulting in less stigma and shame associated with sex, and reduce violent attitudes towards sexuality. When conversations about sexuality happen early and often, kids don’t have to recognize and unlearn problematic behaviors as teens, because they will have understood and practiced these concepts from childhood.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We live on the east side of the city and love what Decatur and its surrounding communities have to offer. For coffee, we love our neighborhood coffee shop, The Corner Cup, and our everyone loves the walking trail that connects Medlock Park and Mason Mill Park. Another great way to spend outside (but with drinks!) is Tucker Brewing Company in their shaded beer garden.

If you’ve got kiddos, a trip to the Center for Puppetry Arts is our fave – show-goers get access their amazing museum and kids can often create a puppet craft afterwards. They also do a Halloween show for grown-ups that is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This may seem trite, but it’s totally my Mom. As I shared once in a Talk More blog post, she’s the main reason for the work I do. Although many parents find conversations about sex with their kids difficult, I know it’s possible, and even easy, because my own family modeled it. My parents had often initiated conversations about bodies, love, and relationships to build our comfort and confidence around this topic. Not only did they talk about sexual health risks, but they talked about our families values, they emphasized that sex was a normal and healthy part of being an adult, and they trusted us to make our own choices about relationships. Importantly, they always modeled clear boundaries related to their personal behaviors. As I grew into adulthood, this approach has stayed with me and shaped my career path and personal philosophy. Now, as a parent of two little people ages 5 and 8, I’m aware of just how often opportunities to talk with kids about sexuality arise. They remind me daily of the culture shaping power families can have when they create and take advantage of organic teachable moments at home.

Website: www.talk-more.org

Instagram: @_talk_more

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-barineau-talk-more/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkmore21

Image Credits
Allie Hine Photography