February 2026 Briefing: Laying the Foundation
February has been a month of structural growth at YAS Work. While there haven’t been major public launches, significant work has been happening behind the scenes to strengthen the foundation of our sex worker-led media platform. Even building this monthly briefing as a new addition to our work has taken a week of strategizing and trial and error. Our first release of our new way of getting info to you was messy, but after days of trying new things, we finally landed on this design and approach. Please let us know what you think! Our goal is to make digestable media, and we'd like to know what's working and what's not. We value our community's feedback.
Announcements
Shifting From Podcast To Network
YAS Work is evolving from a single podcast into a network, which means shared infrastructure, multiple shows and long-term growth. YAS Podcast will still be one of the shows, but more will be added in the near future.
We are in the process of developing new shows with their own titles, hosts and content that is separate from YAS Podcast content. We decided to share our resources with artists and give them autonomy. YAS Work has the tools to support the production of new artists podcasts, so we decided to run with it. This has not been made public on social media (as of February 2026). We plan to start making announcements no later than April of 2026.
Building & Restructuring the Archive
We’re organizing transcripts, expanding episode summaries, and restructuring the blog so conversations are searchable, navigable, and accessible.
YAS Work is becoming a living archive, documenting sex workers’ stories, political analysis, and resistance in a format that lasts.
The Network Takes Shape
YAS Work is expanding into a podcast network. Princess Marx and Huck Reyes are developing their own show (separately) under the YAS Work umbrella, with additional artists currently in development. We anticipate announcing the first wave of network shows in Spring 2026. Interested in hosting your own project? Contact us.
YAS Veterans Spotlight
We are pleased to share with you the newest listings of experts on YASVeterans.com. We are welcoming Khadija Roane, Monique Starr and Mari De Luna. We are always adding new consultants, as this is a unlimited opportunity. YAS Veterans is a hub resource for people looking for sex worker consultants. This is a free resource for sex workers, YAS Work does not take any cut or participate in profit share, but we do the admin of adding you to the site. This is a part of our ongoing work and support for the sex worker communty.
Khadija Roan
Expertise: a filmmaker, artist, and intimacy coordinator dedicated to authentic, sex worker–affirming storytelling.
Monique Starr
Media Representation, Social Justice, Media Analysis, Social Media and Censorship, Marginalized Communities in Media, Journalism, Content Strategy…
Mari De Luna
Expertise: Nervous System Regulation, Trauma-Informed Embodiment, Pelvic & Lymphatic Tools , Recovery Support & Self Care, NeuroSpicy Support
What We’re Seeing and Doing
The Phase We're In
This phase is about durability. Not quick wins. Not viral moments. We are investing in structure, clarity, and systems so YAS Work can grow without losing its foundation. We've seen other movements grow quickly and burn out just as fast. Our foundation is being built in real time and it's taking time, which means we are able to be thoughtful as we move through on this journey.
The Quiet Work
As we’ve summarized and organized our transcripts, something has become clear: we’ve already been building. The conversations, the collaborations, the patterns, they form something tangible now. To see more of our transcripts as blog posts, visit YASPodcast.com.
The Group Meetings
A small group of us are meeting weekly, creating media and art together, and shaping this work intentionally. The foundation is visible, especially when we are together. Working together has been so fulfulling. Together we created the vision and media for an anti ICE video. You can view that video on Instagram or TikTok.
YAS Podcast Monthly Highlight
This month's highlight is Rain Supreme. Episode #93
Released on February 16, 20222, in this episode, hosted by GiGi Holliday, Rain Supreme shares how discovering Black burlesque performers in New York inspired her to step into the art form herself, reclaiming space as a dark-skinned Black woman in a predominantly white scene. She and GiGi reflect on colorism, hood girl roots, hip-hop and R&B as burlesque music, ADHD, aging in performance, and the subtle racism of liberal spaces, while celebrating Black joy, sensuality, and community. At its heart, the conversation is about choosing authenticity, honoring cultural lineage, and taking up space unapologetically, onstage and off.
A Message from AMD
This month slowed me down briefly. I had the flu and have been caretaking, which forced me to move at a different pace.
It reinforced something important: sustainability matters.
We are not building something fragile or fast.
We are building something stable.
~ AMD
'Resist Whorephobia' Tee
'Jesus Loves Strippers' Tee
'Decrim All the Way' Tee
From one of our supporters...
Sara from Bees Knees Knee Pads
“Bee's Knees Knee Pads 3.0 are finally here.
The same convenience + style you've come to trust, now with softer binding, flexier Velcro, better pad inserts, and a pre-2020 price point.
The Nudes finally have matching binding, and the strap extenders even match too.
See, I've been listening!
Since November I've found a new manufacturer, made product improvements, cleared out old inventory, and prepped for this launch. And it's time. It's finally time.
Black knee pads are in stock and shipping. Honey, Caramel, and Cocoa should be here any day now and will ship by 2/15. Knee pads now come with a free washing bag too!
I hope you love this latest version of Bee's Knees Knee Pads. They were made with your body and unique needs in mind.”
~ Sara Bee
Founder, Bee’s Knees Pole Dance Essentials