Hello! I’m Dani Barg, a journalist, author, and speaker. My work explores how culture, media, and societal pressures influence women’s self-perception and body image.
My book, Beyond the Like (2025, Editora Senac), dives into these themes with real stories, expert interviews, and research on social media, beauty standards, and female representation.
I also give talks and workshops on media literacy and critical thinking around beauty ideals, sharing insights from the book with audiences who want to understand and challenge the forces shaping women’s self-esteem.
Below, you’ll find recent interviews and collaborations with figures ranging from fashion icons to chefs, nutritionists, media personalities, and more —c onversations that bring body image, identity, and representation to life.
✨ Body Image & Eating Behavior
Nigella Lawson on Food, Pleasure, and Body Image
Nigella Lawson, a British culinary icon, opens up about her unique relationship with food, body image, and pleasure. In this exclusive interview for Terra, she talks about embracing indulgence without guilt, challenging societal pressures on women, and how her mother’s experience with eating disorders shaped her own approach to food. This conversation highlights issues of body image, self-esteem, and women’s representation in media—topics I explore deeply in my book Além do Like and in my speaking engagements.
UCSF: Mindfulness and Eating Behavior
In a collaboration with UCSF, I contributed to this piece on how mindfulness practices can help combat stress and overeating. The article, published on the UCSF American Mindfulness Research Center site, reflects on connections between emotional well-being and eating behavior — themes central to my work on body image, self‑perception, and the cultural dynamics of food.
Fluvia Lacerda: Body Image & Self-Acceptance
Key excerpts from an exclusive interview with Fluvia Lacerda, a pioneer in Brazil’s plus-size modeling scene, on self-esteem, body acceptance, and breaking stereotypes imposed on women. Fluvia shares her journey from working as a cleaner in the U.S. to becoming an international model, and the power of inspiring women to feel free in their own bodies.
Bela Gil: Redefining Healthy Eating in Brazil
Bela Gil, Brazilian chef, nutritionist, and daughter of musician Gilberto Gil, has spent her career questioning conventional nutrition wisdom while promoting real, conscious food. Trained at Hunter College in New York, she hosted the GNT show Bela Cozinha, inspiring healthier habits with creative recipes. In this interview, she shared her views on holistic nutrition, the challenges of eating well in Brazil, and her advocacy for accessible, natural diets.
✨ Female Representation & Media Narratives
Erika Lust: Female Pleasure in Media
In this interview, Swedish filmmaker Erika Lust discusses how mainstream pornography has historically centered male fantasy while sidelining authentic female pleasure. She reflects on representation, aesthetics, casting choices, and why she considers sexuality a political act. The conversation explores how visual media shapes our understanding of desire — and what changes when women take control of the narrative.
Claudia Liz: Body Image, Aging, and Self-Esteem
Claudia Liz, a Brazilian model who rose to international fame in the 1990s, reflects on her journey with self-image, aging, and personal confidence. Now 45, she shares how her relationship with her body, beauty, and public image has evolved, navigating the pressures of the fashion industry, health challenges, and societal expectations. Through her story, she illustrates the complexities of self-esteem, the impact of aesthetic procedures, and the empowerment that comes from embracing one’s real self.
✨ Culture & Identity
Ronaldo Fraga: Fashion as Cultural Narrative
At the São Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW) — the largest fashion week in Latin America — Ronaldo Fraga, one of Brazil’s most respected designers, shared insights on blending fashion with cultural identity, heritage, and social purpose. Fraga challenges trend-driven fashion, emphasizes the power of design as a cultural force, and discussed his journey from a fabric store in Belo Horizonte to international recognition, while maintaining creativity and composure at one of the world’s major fashion events.
Gastón Acurio: Elevating Peruvian Cuisine and Local Culture
During Semana Mesa SP, Latin America’s premier gastronomic event, Gastón Acurio, Peru’s acclaimed chef, shared insights on promoting local ingredients, celebrating culinary traditions, and empowering young chefs. Known for his work at Astrid & Gastón and for founding the Mistura festival, Acurio discussed how gastronomy can foster cultural identity and connect communities across borders.