Cheryl Chambers is a Licensed Mental Heath Counselor and a person who suffers from a chronic illness. We openly talk about mental health in an effort to dispel some of the stigmas associated with it. Cheryl also outlines what it’s like to be a person with a chronic illness and offers some coping mechanisms for women who may be suffering in a similar way.
Womankind’s first episode after a summer break features Mary Odden, self-identified gamer. Kelsey and Mary discuss the complications women face in this vast world and the significance of existing.
Maureen Darcy, a certified nurse midwife, joins Womankind to discuss her experiences guiding women through their birthing experiences for the past several decades. Maureen emphasizes the importance of a woman’s choice in healthcare. This episode is dedicated to Maureen’s mother, Dorothy Sullivan.
The world of jazz is dominated by men. However, Denver-based musician Annie Booth is making a name for herself as a pianist and composer. Annie discusses her musical background and the importance of getting girls interested in music at an early age and keeping that passion burning.
Sue Cervi of the Buffalo City Mission sits down with Womankind to discuss the mission’s offerings, the process of becoming a volunteer, and Sue’s journey to the position of manager of volunteers and outreach. Sue provides insight into how she balances a job that requires so much of herself with her personal life.
This Buffalo-centric episode of Womankind focuses on Kristy Michelle, founder of the webzine Qween City! Kristy and I have a fun chat about the many offerings of Qween City, Kristy’s personal journey that led her back home, and the “badass bitches” that inspire us daily in this city.
As a Korean American woman who has called several countries “home”, Esther Kim has often felt “rootless” and as if she has not been able to find a country to claim as her own. In this episode of Womankind, Esther speaks of her intersecting knowledge and experiences of the Eastern and Western worlds, and of her work as an aspiring YA writer, a teacher, and the lead singer of Tokyo and the Boy.
When Karen Magill was thirty-five years old, she woke up to find an entire side of her body paralyzed. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with MS and found herself in financial crisis. Nearly twenty years later, Karen has redefined her life and joins Womankind as a published author, motivational speaker, and debt reduction coach.
This special mini-episode features Senator Karin Housley! Senator Housley has been many things throughout her life: a mother, an author, a broadcaster, a real estate business owner, and, now, a senator. During this episode, she gives Womankind listeners advice for juggling career and family life as well as advice for how to enter politics.
The American Flag. Girl Scouting. Bruce Springsteen. These are some of the topics of discussion with Womankind’s latest guest, TV producer and Girl Scout leader, Emily Berens.
Mother-daughter team Susan and Ciara Morreale are the owners of Her Story and Her Sanctuary, two Buffalo-based businesses that feature all female-produced products. In this episode, these two entrepreneurs discuss the dynamics of running a business together and the importance of self-care. Breast cancer is an issue that is close to these women’s hearts, and they are on a mission to change the conversation to reflect the true struggles of people with this deadly disease.
Rochester native and professional ballerina Aesha Ash is Womankind’s 25th guest! Aesha, creator of The Swan Dreams Project, is using her platform as a former ballerina to challenge stereotypes about black women and reach out to young girls to inspire them to dream big and see themselves as multi-faceted.
Maura Kutnyak, self-proclaimed “intellectual wanderer”, and host Kelsey Novits have a quality conversation about Maura’s journey into the field of public administration, her dabbling with forms of dance and performance (especially aerial dance arts), and the evolution of the podcast she hosts with her brother (Radio Ellipsis). Determined to “have it all”, Maura also discusses the unfair choices women are forced to make when balancing family and career.
Early in her career, Jackie Stroh quit her job at a bank to start her own consulting business. Nearly thirty years later, she hasn’t looked back! On this episode of Womankind, Jackie uses this journey to give listeners advice about life balance, taking leaps of faith, and being “fruitful” instead of busy.
Erin Bagwell is a girl who follows her dreams. She is the creator and director of Dream, Girl film, blogger at Feminist Wednesday, and host of BeaverTalk podcast. In this episode of Womankind, Erin shares what it takes to get a creative project off the ground and tells the story of how she met Oprah!
Buffalo artist Julia Bottoms is fighting to represent the experiences of women of color in the art world. In episode twenty-one, she discusses some of her latest projects including Albright Knox Art Gallery’s “The Freedom Wall” and running her own business at Buffalo Brush Paint and Sip.
Womankind’s first guest of 2018 is…Kelsey Novits, creator and host of Womankind! This special (extra long) episode features Jen O’Donnell from Episode One as guest host interviewing Kelsey about the origins of the podcast and what it means to be a woman.
Emma Smales (rhymes with “males”) is a woman who wears many hats. She is the owner/operator of a small business called Smales Pretzel Bakery in Dayton, Ohio, a public health worker, a “young democrat”, and a self-proclaimed feminist and activist. In this episode of Womankind, Emma outlines some of the challenges of being a young, female entrepreneur and describes how she runs her business and her life as a feminist.
For educator Angelecca Jackson, what it means to be a woman cannot be separated from what it means to be black. On this episode of Womankind, Angelecca shares personal experiences of what it means to be a black woman at this moment in history. Then, for Stories of Subversion, I run through a list of “first” ladies—women who have been the very first to do what they’re doing!
As part of our commentary on recent sexual assault allegations against many prominent Hollywood figures, guest Brittney Heller and I share our own #metoo experiences. Brittney also provides information about reiki healing and her emerging business, Rapha Reiki.
Rocks of Unity™ is an organization that works tirelessly to promote kindness and positivity in response to intolerance and hate. Founder Alexa Zappia joins Womankind to spread the message of Rocks of Unity™ while sharing some personal insight into life as woman. If you’re looking to be inspired, listen as Alexa discusses the importance of taking a leap, breaking barriers, and leaving your mark on the world!
Womankind’s guest in Episode Fifteen, Jessica Decker, gets real about motherhood and what it really mean to be a “stay-at-home mom”. We discuss social media, society’s misconceptions, and changing relationship dynamics—all in relation to motherhood. We also play a game in which Jessica responds to comments that people make to new moms!
Episode Fourteen of Womankind welcomes Kate Sanetra-Butler and Kim Spelman of Dignity Matters, a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization that collects feminine sanitary products and undergarments for women who are homeless and in need. Listen to discover ways that you can contribute to Dignity Matters’ mission in your own community!
Episode Thirteen of Womankind celebrates food and our bodies by interviewing Kara Lydon, registered dietitian nutritionist, blogger at The Foodie Dietitian, and author of e-book Nourish Your Namaste. As a certified intuitive eating counselor, Kara shares the drawbacks of a restrictive diet versus the benefits of intuitive eating. We also get to hear the role nutrition played in Kara’s personal and professional journeys.
Listen to Episode Twelve of Womankind as author Alyssa Palombo and I geek-out over literature! Author of two historical fiction novels, Alyssa discusses her writing process, the importance of reading about resilient women, and the problematic term “strong female character”. We also get into Alyssa’s personal beliefs about womanhood and the ideal of all women supporting women.
Womankind Episode Eleven’s guest, Kate Connelly, reveals what it’s like to work in the food service industry. From her experiences being on the other side of the bar, Kate offers thoughtful commentary on the unique culture that exists in restaurants. We discuss the prevalence of sexual harassment in this profession and ponder some solutions. We also attempt to answer some burning questions such as: Who invented pants?
Womankind is in the double digits! Episode Ten features Womankind’s first panel interview with the owners of Revolution Indoor Cycling in Buffalo, NY. Colleen Kirk, Rachel McCrone, and Amanda Meyers (AKA the Rev Girls) offer advice to potential entrepreneurs and give some insight into what it’s like to run and own your own business. Listen in to learn more about the personal story of each of these amazing women and receive a special offer!
On this week’s episode of Womankind, Ashley Way, volunteer coordinator for Jericho Road Community Health Center’s The Priscilla Project, joins us to discuss how this program serves underserved pregnant women in the Buffalo, NY community. Ashley, head “matchmaker” for Priscilla, digs into the process for mentors and mentees and gives information about the refugee and immigrant populations in Buffalo. In the spirit of Ashley’s belief that the key to success is support, Stories of Subversion honors...
This week on Womankind, the lovely Theresa Morlock of Rosen Publishing delves into issues of gender and heteronormativity. From her personal experiences, Theresa gives listeners insight and good questions to ask themselves about sexuality. While musing on the cloud of guilt that many women experience when entering motherhood and exiting the working world, Theresa also reminds listeners that women are humans first and women second. Episode Eight is topped off by Stories of Subversion featuring un...
After a brief hiatus, Womankind returns with its youngest guest so far—twenty-one year old pre-med student, Brianna Gibney. Bri shares her experiences as a child adopted from China and discusses how traveling can increase empathy. Additionally, she discusses the “art” of being a woman and takes a different stance from past guests by considering the “privilege” of getting to be and do all things. This episode also includes some updates on past Stories of Subversion and features the story of marat...
