Women Transcend

In this honest discussion about societal expectations of mothers, and self-imposed expectations about what mothers would like to be for their children, we talk about how it is very difficult to live up to either of these expectations. As a result, a nearly inevitable part of motherhood is taking on a certain amount of guilt about the difference between what is ideal in your mind versus what is possible in our busy lives. We discuss the importance of giving ourselves the permission to not be perfect. We need to all acknowledge that we are doing the best we can for the most part, and taking on and carrying the burden of guilt is not helpful in being an effective parent or mother.

In this episode we have a critical and revealing discussion about media messaging to young girls, and how divergent the messaging to girls is both from reality and from what is healthy. We use the example of a magazine cover targeting young girls to critically discuss the current messaging as opposed to what would be ideal, healthy or inspirational for girls. I discuss the messages given to girls with the graphic artist Katherine Young. She is the artist who made a fascinating magazine cover showing what we should be telling our girls, juxtaposed against what modern media and magazines are telling our girls. Her remarkable comparison was circulated widely and drew a lot of attention to media messaging, beauty ideals, and differing standards for media targeting girls as opposed to media targeting boys.

At a time when we are becoming more acutely aware of the level of harassment endemic in American businesses, government, and the entertainment industry, we must pay particular attention to women working in technology fields. Some new research conducted by the non-profit organization Women Who Tech, revealed the full story of the level of harassment which is going on in tech industry. We need to encourage more women to enter technology fields, and play a part in the rapid growth and cutting edge developments. Women have something to add to this industry. But it is difficult for women to break into the field, and then to stay in the field because of an often hostile work environment as well as rather significant levels of sexual harassment. Because of the "brogrammer" atmosphere, women are being left out of this sector of the economy and limited in their potential for professional growth. Listen to our discussion with Justyn Hintze from Women Who Tech as we discussed their research on women in tech and the shocking level of harassment they face.

If you are interested in or concerned about human trafficking, this episode is a must listen. We are hearing more and more about human trafficking in the United States, including warning signs and who to contact if you suspect trafficking. What we do NOT hear about is what happens to women who have been trafficked and are able to move on from this imposed life. They escape sometimes with little more than their lives. In this episode we have a powerful discussion with Hope Jernagan, the Executive Director of Magdalene of St. Louis, and the Bravely company (https://bravely.org/). We also hear the empowering story of recovery from Anika, who is a resident of Magdalene and an employee of Bravely. Our discussion with these two amazing women highlights the array of services that can successfully help women onto the path of recovery and support them as they get back on their feet, and as they use their recovery experience to help other women as well.

I have a fascinating conversation with Pat Keating, a registered nurse and childbirth educator, about the trends she has seen over the last 37 years around childbirth, breastfeeding, and preparing for a baby. We discuss how women and couples prepare for a baby, through childbirth education, birth planning, and internet resources. About half of pregnancies in the United States are not planned, and we discuss how the optimal situation would allow women to begin thinking about their reproductive health plan far in advance of a pregnancy to prepare physically, emotionally, and financially for a baby.

Listen to our eye opening discussion on the rhetoric and language around women who have experienced sexual abuse. We specifically discuss the dichotomy of the labels "victim" versus "survivor" and how these terms are insufficient to describe the experience of many women who have experienced sexual abuse. We also acknowledge the implicit values attached to these labels and what that means to the women as they process the experience and try to move on. In researcher Rebecca Murphy-Keith's research, she uncovered a third term which some women preferred to use: thriver. Listen to us discuss the idea of post-trauma growth and overcoming.

In the second part of this two part series, we continue our discussion with reproductive psychologist Dr. Julie Bindeman. We examine the issue of fertility and chasing parenthood. We review the current technology and options available to couples who desire to have a child, and very importantly, the psychological impact that is associated with difficulty in conceiving a child without intervention. We go in depth in our discussion of the role of technology and fertility, and the moral and ethical dilemmas that come with advanced reproductive technologies to assist couples. Often the inability to conceive is a grief that is not shared beyond the couple, sometimes because of a stigma associated with infertility, and a grief the depth of which is not fully appreciated.

In this important discussion with reproductive psychologist Dr. Julie Bindeman, we examine the issue of fertility and chasing parenthood. We review the current technology and options available to couples who desire to have a child, and very importantly, the psychological impact that is associated with difficulty in conceiving a child without intervention. Along with advanced reproductive technologies to assist couples come some very difficult choices, and the very real possibility that efforts may be unsuccessful. Often the inability to conceive is a grief that is not shared beyond the couple, sometimes because of a stigma associated with infertility, and a grief the depth of which is not fully appreciated.

In our discussion of women characters and the portrayal of women in graphic novels, we unpack the history of women in comics and early characters. We take a look at how the portrayal and story lines of women in comics have changed over time, and the contemporary women characters, as well as interest by girls and women in graphic novels. We uncover an unappreciated but potentially important aspect of graphic novels in getting young girls interested in reading. We discuss the recent Wonder Woman movie, and determine if the character is really wonderful.

I have a discussion with the incredibly talented Rebecca Blaine Carton about her independent short on harassment and catcalling, Smile. We talk about how this is an almost universal experience for women and girls, and how it is very difficult to avoid. We discuss the sense of shared experience we sometimes feel when we see another woman being harassed or another woman is our witness, but the same sense of powerlessness. These catcalls and harassment can often cross the boundary into feeling unsafe or even threatened. Rebecca's independent short, called Smile, which was featured by Hollaback and Upworthy, takes a light-hearted look at one woman experiencing a catcall, and running through in her mind the various reactions that she could have to a man harassing her. We have an open and honest discussion about what led her to make this movie short, and the other projects that she has coming out. You won't want to miss my "behind the scenes" talk with Rebecca Blaine Carton.

In this episode, we discuss sexuality and "the talk." Parents need to be aware of all the sources that children are using to get their information about sexuality. We shouldn't think our children find us to be the only source for information, because we aren't. They are bombarded with potential sources of varying qualities, most readily being their peers. My guest, Dr. Stephanie Loomis Pappas discusses an article she posted on her blog SnackDinner in reaction to a provocative article in Teen Vogue about helping to teach children to be critical consumers of information, including information on topics like sexuality. She has some great thoughts on how to start teaching young children to know who it is they are reading so when they get old enough to Google search, they can discern information from junk.

In this special episode, we focus on four important policy changes that were very quietly implemented by the Trump administration over the last week while media attention was diverted to by national tragedies. All of these policy changes are relevant and important to the health, safety, and rights of women, girls, and families. The common thread of these policies seems to be that they take away agency of women - control of one's own body and the ability to make decisions that will impact you on a deeply and intimately personal level. Listen for my informative interview with Dr. Colleen Begley, an activist and OB/GYN, as we discuss and dispel mythology around contraception and what you should be doing right now to protect yourself from the potential impact of these policies.

I have a powerful and raw discussion with Rob Scheer from the non-profit Comfort Cases about the foster care system, and what he calls its invisible children. There are about 500,000 children in the foster care system at any given time in the United States. The average age of a child in the foster care system is nine years old. The majority of these children spend years in the system, not knowing from week to week, month to month, where they will end up. We discuss how the lack of stability and lack of support provided to these children gives them few options for their futures, and they move from the foster care system, to the criminal justice system in many cases.

In my discussion with Justyn Hintze from the non-profit Women Who Tech, we unpack the various forms of cyber harassment and the various platforms in which women are most likely to become victims of cyber harassment. The anonymous nature of the cyber environment can contribute to a willingness to push boundaries of appropriate behavior, sometimes becoming abusive, hateful, or even dangerous. Justyn helps debunk some myths about cyber harassment, and what you can do if you are the recipient of harassing online messages. She also offers some tips on how to protect yourself from unwelcome and often abusive exchanges in the online environment.

I have a fascinating discussion with psychologist Dr. Dahlia Topolowsky about how to raise a healthy girl in a patriarchy. We discuss the influences of gender norms, stereotypes, and how to be an active and present parent. Dr. Topolosky talks about nature vs. nurture and what aspects of a healthy development parents can play a critical role in. Whether you have a daughter or a son, or no children at all, you will find this an enlightening listen.

Discussion with Mark Story, communications strategist and committed advocate, about slacktivism and whether people are having the impact they think they are. Are the activities of "the Resistance" having the impact we would like?

I discuss the difficult reverberations resulting from the rise in toxic masculinity, and the impact it has had on women, policy and politics in the US with attorney and activist, Amy Vanderpool, also familiarly known by her Twitter handle @girlsreallyrule. We elaborate on how women have not just been impacted, but moved to action in communities across the country.

We have a conversation about Season 1, our favorite episodes and guests, and our favorite moments from the 26 episodes of Season 1. We tease our upcoming Season 2 episodes, and some of the exciting topics we will be covering. Hope you stay tuned and subscribe if you haven't already!

Discussion with relief expert Annie Agle about the plight of women living in conflict zones, trying to hold families together and keep themselves and their families safe from perils such as systematic gender-based violence.

We discuss the sexualization of young girls through fashion and beauty ideals perpetuated in various forms of media, and the dangerous trend of self-objectification that this can lead to.