Reproductive Left

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. On this episode, we speak with Arianna Sessoms, a graduate student who works at the Office of Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention at the University of Maine. We discuss the services they offer students at UMaine and the education programming. Lindsey Piper, WHNP, joins us for the "Ask Mabel" segment where she answers questions about what sexual assault survivors can expect at an appointment at Mabel Wadsworth Center and tips to prepare for the exam.

March 10th is Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, to recognize this important day, Jennifer Thibodeau from the Abortion Care Network joins us on this episode. We discuss what it means to be an independent abortion provider, like Mabel Wadsworth Center, and we explore the challenges we face as a movement. We switch things up a bit in our "Ask Mabel" segment - this month we ask Andrea Irwin, executive director of Mabel Wadsworth Center, to explain how defunding Planned Parenthood will impact Mabel's and what would happen in Maine if Roe v. Wade were overturned.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we decided this was a good month to discuss healthy relationships. Joining us on this episode is Alex Patel, a local Marriage and Families Therapist, with 20 years of experience. We explore what it means to be in a healthy relationship, what to do when conflict occurs, she offers advice for single folks, and promotes the importance of honesty and vulnerability in relationships. Additionally, Alex explains why she isn’t actually the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day. In our “Ask Mabel”, Lindsey Piper answers questions about Transgender Healthcare at Mabel Wadsworth Center and we explain a little more about our new name!

For the first episode of 2017, Andrea Irwin, executive director of Mabel Wadsworth Center, guest hosts to give our listeners a chance to get to know your host Abbie Strout. On this episode, Abbie discusses how she got involved in reproductive rights and at Mabel Wadsworth Center. She provides an overview of the education and community engagement work at the Center and announces some news. There wasn't time for our "Ask Mabel" segment this month, but we promise to answer your sexual and reproductive health questions in February.

On this episode, Maggie Campbell, the director of communications and development at the Health Equity Alliance, joins us to discuss World AIDS Day. Maggie talks with us about how stigma impacts people with HIV/AIDS, the harm reduction philosophy of HEAL, and provides prevention tips. Since the election, we have noticed an increase of interest in IUDs. Many women are worried they will lose birth control coverage with the next administration and are considering getting IUDs inserted prior to January 20th. In our "Ask Mabel" segment, Terry Marley-DeRoiser, WHNP, answers questions about Long Acting Reversible Contraception, including IUDs, providing medically accurate information to help with your decision.

On this episode, we speak with Eliza Townsend, executive director of the Maine Women's Lobby. With the election right around the corner, we discussed the importance of the federal courts and how they impact our lives. Don't forget to vote on November 8th! We end with "Ask Mabel" where Lindsey Piper, WHNP, answers questions about breast/chest exams!

On today's episode local writer, pianist, and composer, Bundy Boit, joins us to talk about her most recent play. It is titled: An Inner Voice and is about Margaret Sanger’s fight, in the 20th century, for access to birth control information for all women. Bundy has published short stories and essays in diverse anthologies and magazines. Her original music has been performed in churches, schools and on television. She’s the author of four plays with music about 19th and 20th century women. We were thrilled to have her on Reproductive Left. In the "Ask Mabel" segment, Terry Marley-DeRosier, WHNP, answers common questions about the suction abortion procedure.

On this episode, we re-aired the first Reproductive Left show to air on Community Radio WERU. The interview is with Posie Cowan of Blue Hill, Maine. She talks with us about discovering suffrage banners in her family's attic. This took her on quite the adventure as she learned about her grandmother's activism. In the "Ask Mabel" segment, Terry Marley-DeRosier, WHNP, gives us great advice on how to reduce stress. Picture: 2015 Women's Equality Day Rally

In June, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Whole Woman's Health in the biggest abortion case in decades. On this episode, Andrea Irwin, executive director of Mabel Wadsworth Center, helps us understand what the ruling means and what implications it has for the future. In our "Ask Mabel" segment, Lindsey Piper, WHNP answers questions about birth control and annual exams!

On May 21, 2016, Mabel Wadsworth Center celebrated our 21st Annual Dinner and Auction honoring two inspiring and courageous leaders in reproductive rights: Dr. Paul Savidge and Kathy Kilrain del Rio. In this episode, we hear a client's story about the amazing care she received from Dr. Savidge and the inspiring remarks from Kathy.

On this episode, we get to know Lindsey Piper, WHNP. Lindsey has been working at Mabel Wadsworth Center for over two years. On the show, she tells about her approach to providing care and why she finds it important to work at a health care center that provides a full spectrum of reproductive health services. Lindsey Piper also answers the "Ask Mabel" questions this month!

In this episode, our intern, Amelia Forman-Stiles, discusses the importance of comprehensive sexuality education. As a mother of two she explains why she wants her kids to receive sex ed at school. We end the show with "Ask Mabel" where NP Terry Marley-DeRosier answers questions about vaginismus.

The is the radio cut of our first ever live recording of Reproductive Left. If you'd like to hear the interview in it's entirety, including audience questions, listen to Choice and Chocolate Live Recording (full-length). The interview is with Allison Webster and Hannah Gray from Reproductive Justice New Brunswick. We discuss access reproductive health services in New Brunswick including abortion and how a group of committed activist raised the funds to open a new independent clinic less than a year after the previous clinic closed.

This is the full-length recording from Choice and Chocolate including the audience questions and answers. The interview is with Allison Webster and Hannah Gray from Reproductive Justice New Brunswick. We discuss access reproductive health services in New Brunswick including abortion and how a group of committed activist raised the funds to open a new independent clinic less than a year after the previous clinic closed.

A brief reminder, during cervical cancer awareness month, that whether or not you need a Pap test, every woman needs an annual exam!

In this episode, we are getting to know nurse practitioner and co-founder, Terry Marley-DeRosier. You have been listening to her answer our listener's sexual and reproductive health questions in our "Ask Mabel" segment for over a year! On today's show, Terry discusses her passion for women's health, gives advice for new folks in the field and answers a couple sexual and reproductive health questions!

In this episode Mabel Wadsworth Center's executive director, Andrea Irwin, joins us for an interview about the Texas abortion law that the Supreme Court recently decided to hear. She also discusses how the political attacks on Planned Parenthood impact independent clinics like Mabel's and announces some exciting news! Once again we didn't have time for "Ask Mabel."

To recognize #GivingTuesday we asked clients, volunteers, and supporters why they give to Mabel Wadsworth Center. We'd love to hear why you give - email educate@mabelwadsworth.org and you can donate online http://www.mabelwadsworth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11&Itemid=12

On this episode Abbie interviews former NOW (National Organization for Women) activist JoAnne Dauphinee about how feminist activism has changed (or hasn't changed) over the past 40 years. In the "Ask Mabel" segment Terry Marley-DeRosier answers a question about HPV.

On this episode we talk with Arielle Greenberg, a widely published feminist poet. Arielle discusses how her sex-positive feminist lens influences her writing and her parenting. To learn more about Arielle visit ariellegreenberg.net. In our "Ask Mabel" segment, Terry Marley DeRosier answers questions about fertility following long-term contraception use and following multiple abortion procedures.