Reproductive Left

Happy Spooky Season! For our October episode, join Aspen as they explore the history of witches, midwives, and where the two overlap. From the history of witch hunts that Hollywood never told you to the present realities of childbirth. Grab some candy corn, light some candles, and enjoy! Image: Ksenia Yakovleva (via Unsplash) References: Witches, Midwives, and Nurses by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/10/c-section-rate-high/600172/ https://www.statnews.com/2016/04/04/medical-students-beliefs-race-pain/ https://www.pnas.org/content/113/16/4296.abstract https://www.sistersong.net/reproductive-justice

Osmolality and pH and stigma, oh my! Join our host Aspen as they delve into the slippery world of sexual lubricant. What's the deal with osmolality? This isn't chemistry class, so why does pH matter? Who needs lube? We'll answer all of these questions and more in this episode of Reproductive Left, featuring an interview with Nurse Practitioner Lindsey Piper! Image: Deon Black (via Unsplash) References: https://badvibes.org/whats-in-your-lube/the-science-of-lubricants/ http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/76580/WHO_RHR_12.33_eng.pdf;jsessionid=F2717415C8839529E67BECDA8A7D2D46?sequence=1

Join our host Aspen as they discuss herpes and the stigma surrounding it. Why is such a common virus that usually has a minimal impact on people's lives seen as such a big deal? If someone has herpes, what do they do? What's the deal with cold sores? How many people have herpes? Explore all of these questions and more on this episode of Reproductive Left! Image: Sincerely Media (via Unsplash) Reference list: https://slate.com/technology/2019/12/genital-herpes-stigma-history-explained.html https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7265941/ https://www.instagram.com/safe.slut/

Join our host Aspen and special guest Samaa Abdurraqib as they discuss Samaa's poetry and how different elements of identity influence her work. Along with being a talented and published writer, Samaa is a dear friend, supporter, and board member of Mabel Wadsworth Center. Image: Nicolas Messifet (via Unsplash)

Join our host Aspen as they discuss the topic of feminist poetry. What is feminist poetry, and who is a feminist poet? Enjoy some of their favorite feminist poets along with favorites from other members of the Mabel Wadsworth Center team as we explore poetry that touches on sexuality, identity, and more! Image:Laura Chouette (via Unsplash)

Join Cat and Aspen for the final installment of their three-part adventure in exploring gender.

Join Cat and Aspen for part two of a three-part adventure in exploring gender! In this episode, the pair focuses on gender roles in our culture. Our host Aspen could talk about gender all day, the final episode in the series will be released in May.

Join Cat and Aspen for a three-part adventure in exploring gender! In this episode, the pair focuses on a few identity labels and language questions. Our host Aspen could talk about gender all day, and this conversation spread across three episodes is just the tip of the iceberg. Image: Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

In this episode, Cat and Aspen talk about the successes and shortcomings of the body positivity movement, how the fat acceptance movement has always been led by Black women, and some of the historical influences on diet culture and fatphobia in our society today. Do you know what the eugenics movement and the BMI have in common? Join us to find out and dip your toes into the huge topic that is body positivity! Photo by AllGo - An App For Plus Size People on Unsplash Theme music by: WinkingFox

On this episode, we make a big announcement regarding the future of Reproductive Left and air a mix-up of past interviews. This gives you a taste of what you can find in the Reproductive Left archives.

On this episode, we talk with Regina Rooney, the education and communication director at the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. Regina discusses the role of the coalition in the state of Maine and describes the work of their membership organizations. We explore topics like domestic violence within LGBTQ communities, how partner abuse can look different in teen relationships and reproductive coercion. We wrap up the episode with our "Ask Mabel" segment where we are hearing women's stories regarding their own experiences with birth control. On this show, Terry talks about using the birth control method fertility awareness.

In this episode, we are discussing the #metoo movement from the perspective of healing. With us is Gail Foss, RN and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, we talk about how she helps women and men heal after experiencing sexual violence. In the interview, Gail opens up about her own experience and tells us a little bit about what needs to be done to change our culture so this doesn't continue to happen. In the "Ask Mabel" segment we learn about the Mirena IUD.

On January 18, 2018, we had the privilege of hosting Jamila Perritt MD MPH FACOG for our annual Roe v. Wade celebration. She spoke about her experience as an abortion provider, shared her story along with stories of the women she takes care of and highlighted why reproductive justice is what we all need to be working towards. Jamila Perritt MD MPH FACOG is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist who specializes in Family Planning and Reproductive Health. Dr. Perritt is a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine and completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She completed a Family Planning Fellowship at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. During her fellowship training, Dr. Perritt received a Masters Degree in Public Health from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After completion of her fellowship, she returned to her hometown of Washington, DC where she served as the Medical Director at Planned Par

As we begin this new year, we thought it was important to host an episode that focuses on two topics that are central to women's equality and reproductive justice: paid leave and childcare. Joining us for this episode is Kathy Kilrain del Rio the director of program and development at the Maine Women's Lobby. We've changed things up in our "Ask Mabel" segment. This year, we are focusing our "Ask Mabel" segment on birth control. On each episode, we will hear from the true expert themselves, women who use birth control. Following their story, our nurse practitioners will answer questions about that specific birth control method. On this episode, Casey explains why she uses birth control pills and Terry Marley-DeRosier, WHNP answers common questions about the method.

Just over a year ago, we interviewed the executive director of the Maine Women's Lobby, Eliza Townsend, about why the federal courts matter and how they impact our daily lives. She highlighted the power a president holds in regards to their nominations and the impact of their appointments. A lot has changed since November 2016 and on this episode, we invited Eliza Townsend back to give us an update on "Why the Courts Matter." To learn more you can visit: www.mainewomen.org/mwl. In our "Ask Mabel" segment, Nurse Practitioner, Lindsey Piper gives us an overview of all the birth control options and we announce an exciting addition to our podcast starting next year.

With Election Day just around the corner, on this episode, we are talking about women in leadership and the importance of voting. Here with me today is Bangor City Councilor Sarah Nichols. After successfully completing the Emerge Maine training program for Democratic women candidates, Sarah was elected for the first time to public office after winning a 7-way citywide race in November of 2015. Born and raised in Bangor, She studied New Media at the University of Maine and currently works for three feminist organizations; Maine Women’s Lobby, Hardy Girls Healthy Women, and Mabel Wadsworth Center. Additionally, Sarah currently serves on the Emerge Maine Board of Directors. When she isn't working to better the lives of all women and girls you will find her cross-country skiing, hiking, traveling abroad, or enjoying a local beer at her favorite bar, Nocturnem Draft Haus. She talks about why she ran for office, what it is like being the only woman on the council, and she offers some advice for other women who wa

On this episode, we talk with Sharon Barker, co-founder of Mabel Wadsworth Center and former director of the University of Maine's Women's Resource Center. Shortly after Sharon retired from the University of Maine, the Women's Resource Center abruptly closed. Due to committed student activists, the WRC has reopened without a director or a budget. Sharon explains what happened to the Women's Resource Center (WRC) and why it was so important. We also discuss the overall landscape of women in higher education. In our "ask Mabel" segment, Terry Marley-DeRosier explains the cause and remedies of dysmenorrhea (painful periods).

On this episode of Reproductive Left, our executive director, Andrea Irwin, joins us to discuss a new report by the Abortion Care Network titled: "Communities Need Clinics. She explains the importance of independent abortion care providers in communities across the United States and highlights what makes Mabel Wadsworth Center unique. We also discuss Medicaid expansion and abortion coverage. In our "Ask Mabel" segment, nurse practitioner, Lindsey Piper, joins to answer questions about birth control options.

In this episode, we had the opportunity to interview Victoria Yeboah, a young African leader with the Mandela Washington Fellowship. The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. It started in 2014 and this year, the Fellowship has provided 1,000 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home. The Fellows range in age from 25 to 35 and have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive impact in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. The Fellows represent a diverse group of leaders from 48 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and 50 percent of Fellows are women. Each fellow is connected with a local leader or organization for mentorship during the program

On June 22, 2017, we hosted a Bangor Pride Week event which included lunch, networking, and the opportunity to learn more about the services Mabel Wadsworth Center offers for the LGBTQ+ community. We were thrilled to open our doors during Pride to give our community the chance to see our center and to meet our healthcare providers and staff. We offered an "LGBTQ Health Questions and Answers" program and recorded it for Reproductive Left.