Posts by Giovanna Rossi
334 Menstrual Cycle Key to Empowering Women with Dr. Jen Gunter
This Month on the Well Woman Show this month, I interview Dr. Jen Gunter. Originally from Winnipeg, Jen is an internationally renowned OB/GYN. In addition to her most recent book, Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation, she is the author of the two New York Times bestsellers, The Vagina Bible and The Menopause Manifesto. Her TED Talk on menstruation was the third most viewed TED Talk of 2020. She’s been called the Internet’s OB/GYN and one of the fiercest advocates for women’s health. Her mission is to build a better medical internet because to be empowered about health, one must have accurate information. Her writing has appeared in various publications, including the New York Times, Dame, The New Republic, and The Guardian. She runs a blog called The Vajenda, and her medical practice is in San Francisco, California.
We discuss:
- Lack of factual knowledge and education in women’s reproductive health
- How we need to challenge misinformation and stigma.
- The need for research, funding, and open conversations about women’s health.
- How the wellness industry is exploiting gender gaps and profiting from women’s health concerns.
And much more
She recommended:
- “Chain Gang All-Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, which she is currently reading and recommends as an incredible dystopian novel.
Plus her book,
“Blood” by Jen Gunter, which she wrote to help people understand the basics of the menstrual cycle
The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at
333: Better Menstruation Policy Improves Women’s Lives with Professor Marcy Karin
Hello Well Women! On the show today, I Interview Professor Marcy Karin, law professor, scholar, and Director of the Legislation and Civil Rights Clinic at the University of the District of Columbia. Through the Clinic, she supervises students’ systemic reform work at the intersection of gender, disability and racial justice for community-based organizations. Her scholarship advances social justice for current and former menstruators, breastfeeding workers, domestic violence survivors, people with disabilities, and the military community. As the 2023 Fulbright-Scotland Distinguished Scholar at the University of Edinburgh, she explored “Menstrual Justice at Work and School: Public Policy Lessons from Scotland’s Period Products Law and the UK’s Equality Act.” She has a LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, a JD from Stanford Law School and a BA from American University. Professor Karin also self-identifies as a disabled advocate, legislative lawyer, storyteller, mentor, mentee, carer, neighbor, niece, aunt, cousin, friend and explorer. She has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today, The Ferret, Arizona Republic, Law360, and Ms.
On the show we discuss:
- Professor Marcy Karen’s career trajectory from law to advocacy around menstruation, menopause, and reproductive justice.
- Scotland’s period products law and how it changed cultural attitudes, emphasizing the need for multi-level government involvement in these issues.
- Making menstruation and menopause more visible through policies like eliminating the “tampon tax”, providing accommodations in workplaces and schools, and expanding menstrual health education.
- The importance of inclusivity, connecting people, and embracing opportunities rather than a linear career path.
And much more
Also, The Well Woman Show is a proud media partner of the Work and Family Researchers Network conference happening on June 19-22, 2024 at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec Canada. You can hear our interview with conference chair Ellen Gallinsky at episode 325 and of course Prof. Marcy Karin is on the show today, a long time contributor to the Work and Family Researchers Network who’ll be presenting there this year as well.
The 2024 conference theme is Big Questions in Work-Family, which will be part of a two-year agenda. These are the cutting-edge global questions that are not yet fully answered or recognized, including:
- CHANGES IN WORK – What are the meanings of work at different life stages, for different groups, and in different kinds of jobs? How is work organized? What is the future of work and for whom?
- CHANGES IN FAMILY LIFE – How are families and family experiences changing around the globe and what changes might we expect? For example, fertility rates are declining in high-income countries and there are reports of an epidemic of loneliness. What other changes are evident and what are the implications?
- CHANGES IN WORK-LIFE INTERFACE: What theories, concepts, and measures best explain new and emerging intersections between work and family?
- THE LIFE COURSE – How do changes in work and family impact children and their capacities to enter adult roles, for adults to successfully navigate transitions, and for older populations to age well?
- SOLUTIONS AND PROMISING PRACTICES – What are the most promising solutions in policy and practice in the global north and south? What are the challenges and best opportunities for advancing equity and social justice?
The conference’s objective is to chart an agenda for the future of work-family research, policy and practice. And there will be numerous events to connect a global community of scholars with thought leaders in media, philanthropy, practice, policy, and social change. Find more information at wfrn.org.
The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at wellwomanlife.com/quiz
As always, all the links and information are at wellwomanlife.com / 333show
331: IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, WORK AND WELLBEING WITH SWETA VIKRAM
On the show today, I interview Sweta Vikram, a Doctor of Ayurveda and author of 14 best-selling books. The goal of her work is to alleviate stress and elevate the overall quality of her clients lives through Ayurveda-based health and wellness coaching. Sweta specializes in addressing disordered sleep, anxiety, digestion, appetite, and mood. With a Master’s degree in Strategic Communications from Columbia University and a post-graduate degree in Sports Nutrition, she applies her expansive knowledge to shape her approach. Sweta’s upcoming book, “The Loss That Binds Us, set to release this month is a heartfelt guide through grief. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, NBC, as well as a documentary collaboration with Dr. Deepak Chopra.
On the show we discuss:
- Self-care, trusting women’s wisdom, and menopause from an Ayurvedic perspective.
- Her new book called “The Loss That Binds Us” about grief and loss after experiencing the deaths of her father and father-in-law.
- How Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to health issues, looking at all contributing factors rather than just treating individual symptoms.
Also happening next month, 100 Women Albuquerque will be meeting May 1st at 5:30pm in Albuquerque to amplify our impact and assist under-supported organizations. Come be inspired by the collective power of women. Join us to meet like-minded women committed to making a difference. Members can nominate local nonprofits and, promote a business or event during our meeting – I’ll be there facilitating the community sharing portion of the event and I’d love to see you there!
Ready to make a meaningful impact while staying active? Girls on the Run Rio Grande is all about empowering young girls through running, building confidence, and promoting healthy habits.
Here’s how you can be part of the action:
Our SoleMates adult running group kicks off on April 13th. Find all the details on our Instagram @girlsontherunriogrande or Facebook at Girls on the Run Rio Grande – Central New Mexico. This is a casual running group that benefits the young girls in our community. Your registration gives you access to our community, free coaching, free race registration, discounted coffee and so much more!
Save the date for May 11th! Join us for the Ladies Night 5K, where your registration directly supports Girls on the Run Rio Grande. Expect a fun run with music, vendors, celebration and more!
On May 19th, join us and our girls for the End of Season 5K hosted by Wise Pies Pizza. Keep an eye on our social media or visit WisePies Pizza Run for updates.
This is your chance to be a part of empowering the next generation of strong, confident girls!
The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at wellwomanlife.com/quiz
330 Changing the Narrative Helps Us Heal with Jennifer Lunden
Coming up on the Well Woman Show this month, I Interview Jennifer Lunden. She is the recipient of the 2019 Maine Arts Fellowship for Literary Arts and the 2016 Bread Loaf–Rona Jaffe Foundation Scholarship in Nonfiction, Jennifer Lunden writes at the intersection of health and the environment. Her essays have been published in Creative Nonfiction, Orion, River Teeth, DIAGRAM, Longreads, and other journals; selected for several anthologies; and praised as notable in Best American Essays. A former therapist, she was named Maine’s Social Worker of the Year in 2012. She and her husband, the artist Frank Turek, live in a little house in Portland, Maine, where they keep several chickens, two cats, one Great Dane puppy, and some gloriously untamed gardens. Her new book is “American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body’s Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life.”
We discuss:
- Chronic illnesses affecting women like MECFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and long COVID.
- Gender differences in healthcare and medical training that lead to delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment of illnesses.
- Illness stigma, the importance of recognizing women’s experiences, and empowering personal narratives for societal change and well-being.
Jennifer Lunden’s book is “American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body’s Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life.”
She also recommends “Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing,” by Jen Soriano.
The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at wellwomanlife.com/quiz
As always, all the links and information are at wellwomanlife.com/330show
329 Celebrating Latina Leadership for Women’s History Month with Raquel Benavidez
On the Well Woman Show this week in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, I interview Raquel Benavidez
Let’s talk a bit about International Women’s Day recognized each year on March 8. UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting women’s needs worldwide. UN Women recently called on investing in women as the best solution to face growing crises – really centering women in the solutions. In a news release from the United Nations, UN Women stated that in a year where almost half of the population lives in a country undergoing an election, this International Women’s Day is a crucial opportunity to define the future we want. As conflict, climate change and polarizing societies are eroding decades of progress in gender equality, UN Women is calling on “Invest in women: Accelerate Progress” to realize the gender equality dividend for all.
Ensuring pay equity is important to businesses not just from a legal compliance perspective, but also because research shows that employees have a high level of awareness around pay equity issues (and legislation), and are more likely to want to work for employers who are transparent about pay equity. As employees become more willing to talk about their pay with their coworkers, transparency from employers about pay, and pay equity, will become a critical differentiator for employers seeking to hire top talent in the future. Learn more at Family Friendly New Mexico.
Now, in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Raquel Benavidez is on the show today. She’s an advocate and leader for Latina Equal Pay and CEO of Bien Loca Industries, a medical and recreational cultivation and processing company with delivery/distribution and retail licenses in New Mexico. On the show we discuss:
- The importance of self-awareness and discernment in embracing one’s unique identity while letting go of negative traits.
- Reevaluating competition, while advocating for women and addressing challenges women face in male-dominated fields.
- Fully embracing one’s unique perspectives and abilities without worrying what others think in order to effectively express oneself and one’s leadership.
For the full interview, including a deep dive into the Four Agreements work Raquel has been leading, listen to Episode 329 available on NPR podcasts tomorrow, 3/13.
Raquel recommended The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz. ,and
The Well Woman Show is thankful for support from Collective Action Strategies – a consulting firm that supports systemic change so that women and families thrive, and by the Well Woman Life Movement Challenge Quiz at wellwomanlife.com/quiz
As always, all the links and information are at wellwomanlife.com/radio
