Bodies

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Each episode of this documentary series begins with a medical mystery. Sometimes the sickness is in the body, and sometimes the sickness is in the system. Once you peel back the layers, more questions emerge. Created by Allison Behringer and supported by KCRW.

KCRW, Allison Behringer


    • Jun 7, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 38 EPISODES
    • 4 SEASONS

    4.7 from 1,889 ratings Listeners of Bodies that love the show mention: thank you allison, women s bodies, coming of age, medical mysteries, female body, refusing, individual stories, medical community, dismissed, medical system, thank you for finally, intimately, womxn, real real, women in my life, reduction, women s health, trans people, medical issues, birth control.


    Ivy Insights

    The Bodies podcast is an exceptional and deeply impactful show that explores a wide range of topics related to the human body. Each episode tells a story that is both informative and thought-provoking, leaving listeners wanting more. The storytelling in this podcast is vulnerable, insightful, patient, funny, and tender, making it one of the most thoughtful podcasts available. It has the ability to make you feel seen and invited to be present not only with the host but also with yourself.

    One of the best aspects of The Bodies podcast is its high-quality production. The audio is clear and well-produced, allowing for an immersive listening experience. The stories shared by the host and guests are powerful and relatable, covering topics such as chronic illnesses, painful sex, mental health struggles, birth control side effects, and more. The podcast not only provides personal narratives but also delves into broader issues surrounding society's views on bodies and the medical system.

    Another aspect that sets The Bodies podcast apart is its ability to create a sense of community. Listeners often feel less alone as they hear others talk about their own experiences with their bodies. The show encourages honesty and open conversations about topics that are often considered taboo or uncomfortable. Through this podcast, people are able to connect with their own bodies and empathize with others' physical experiences and agonies.

    While there are very few negative aspects to mention about The Bodies podcast, one potential downside could be that some episodes may be triggering for those who have experienced trauma or sensitive issues related to their bodies. However, the show does come with trigger warnings at the beginning of certain episodes to provide listeners with a heads-up.

    In conclusion, The Bodies podcast is a prime example of a best-in-class show that tackles important topics surrounding the human body in a way that is both informative and impactful. Its vulnerability and thoughtfulness make it a standout among other podcasts in its genre. Whether you are interested in learning more about chronic illnesses, mental health, or societal perceptions of bodies, this podcast is a must-listen. It has the power to change perspectives and foster important conversations about our bodies and how we navigate the world in them.



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    Latest episodes from Bodies

    The Fight for Abortion Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2023 41:08


    The overturning of Roe v. Wade has severely restricted how doctors can access training in abortion care and it's already having a devastating ripple effect on patients seeking all kinds of reproductive care. Two medical residents in abortion-restricted states fight for training and for the future health of their patients. Plus, the centuries-long battle over who gets access to abortion training in the first place.

    From This is Uncomfortable: The Price of Eggs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 42:07


    From This is Uncomfortable, we bring you the story of Ashleigh Griffin. She hoped the fertility industry could put her on the road to financial stability. But the decision to donate her eggs had some unexpected costs.

    The Fourth Trimester

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 41:01


    Jess was overjoyed when she got pregnant. But after giving birth, her reality spiraled out of control. She didn't know it, but she had postpartum psychosis, a mental health condition that occurs after about 1 in every 500 births.Read the full transcript here.

    Early Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 32:29


    Puberty is starting younger and younger, especially estrogen-dominant puberty. We talk to three kids and one teen about extra early puberty and the funny, scary, embarrassing and joyful experiences that come with it.

    From Embodied: Child-Free not Childless

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 34:17


    From the Embodied podcast, we bring you “Decided: Child-Free not Childless.” Embodied host Anita Rao has interrogated many aspects of parenthood. But how about the decision to become a parent at all? She talks with three women about making their child-free decisions and meets a psychotherapist who's devoted her career to helping people find clarity in that choice.

    The Great Beyond

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 29:01


    Angelina Fanous has been living with ALS for nearly a decade. She is almost fully paralyzed and losing her ability to speak. As she prepares for death, she's thinking about the story she'll leave behind. Transcript at kcrw.com/bodies.

    Diverging

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 34:46


    No matter how hard producer Hannah Harris Green tried, there were certain areas of life where she found herself to be deficient. Until she realized that a diagnosis could help relieve her shame instead of adding to it. Transcript at kcrw.com/bodies. 

    Touch

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2023 27:15


    A vending machine ritual, a life-changing massage, a spiffy velvet outfit and a belly full of caterpillars. Four stories of touch. Transcript at kcrw.com/bodies. 

    Trailer: Season 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 1:41


    Sneak peek: Bodies, new season 4 is full of medical mysteries and self-discovery. New episodes coming April 19.

    Reading the Signs of your Body

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2021 29:35


    Growing up and going through puberty, the only thing many of us learned about the menstrual cycle was the period part. But there's so much more to it. How charting the cycle's fertile signs can be the basis for an effective method of contraception. And, how it saved a woman's pregnancy. 

    Not your average

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2021 37:07


    This week, the FDA will make a decision on whether or not to approve the first ever treatment for achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. But not everyone is celebrating. This controversial treatment is forcing parents of children with achondroplasia to grapple with an age-old question: What's best for my child?

    Bodies Bonus: Six Inches

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2021 10:02


    When Cody went online to search for a prosthetic penis, he couldn't find anything that met his needs. But when he realized he could create his own prosthetic, he also realized that this was how he could earn a living. Now he has a business that primarily serves other trans people looking for prosthetic genitals. 

    Carved from Secrets

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 26:05


    When River was first told that something was wrong with their body, they didn't think it was that big a deal. But the medical system and their parents disagreed. Outside pressure to make River “normal” would cause them tremendous pain and turmoil — until they discovered there's more than one right way to be a human. 

    LA's toxic secret

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 37:10


    An elementary school in L.A. County was built on a contaminated site and made its community sick — How that community came together to demand change, and a controversial plan to build a new school.

    Indie Spotlight: “Infinities”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2021 25:23


    On today's indie spotlight, we share “Infinities,” by Boen Wang. It's about mental illness, toxic workplace environments, Egyptian Rat Screw, and the nature of infinity. Find more of Boen's work at Boen.cool.

    Do Less Harm

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 47:18


    Lill lives in Appalachian West Virginia — it's coal country, and it's also the overdose capital of the United States. An increasingly dangerous drug supply and a lack of safe supplies like clean syringes leave people who use drugs vulnerable to disease and death. Lill is trying to fill that gap, providing safe supplies and care all over West Virginia — even as the government tries to stop them.

    Something Extra

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 33:40


    Kelly was in her 20s in the 1980s and she was determined enjoy sex without shame...until she got an STI she'd never heard of. And so she married the first person who accepted her. When stigma is all around, it can take decades to  break free and find pleasure.

    Trailer: Season 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 1:36


    Season 3 of Bodies coming September 22, 2021.Read the transcript below: RIVER GALLO: I was taken in by something. Something swooped me. ALLISON BEHRINGER: This season on Bodies, we bring you 6 new episodes. Stories that unearth the mysteries within LILL: It was something that I just buried, uh, because the contradiction was too painful. ALLISON: And stories that investigate the forces outside of us. BERTHA MARTINEZ: When the miscarriages started, you know, happening a lot, it seemed more like a – it didn't seem like a coincidence anymore.  AYDE BRAVOS: This soil has to be contaminated. Because you know, where I'm from, everything's contaminated. ALLISON: What it means to face stigma, BRUCE: They think if you're a druggie that, you know, you're just garbage.  ALLISON: And reject ideas of normal.   REBECCA COKLEY: Why would I want to be an average? I don't understand this desire to be like y'all. RIVER: And maybe there was a fear in that– of like, not knowing how I would be different.  ALLISON: Stories about how to give care, LILL: You know, like your life is so precious, you know, your life was just in my hands. It's so precious. ALLISON: And what happens when we come together. EVA RAMIREZ: Cuando nos prenden la mecha a explotamos, explotamos y hacemos mucho ruido. [When they turn on the wick we explode, explode and make a lot of noise.]  ALLISON: And, what it means to thrive. KELLY: Oh my god, I'm gonna get laid, I think I think I'm gonna get laid. ALLISON: Bodies, Season 3, from KCRW... coming this fall September 22. Subscribe now. LILL: I'll be emailing the mayor about your ass, believe that.

    Special Programming from Bodies Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2020 58:02


    KCRW’s Bodies podcast is a documentary show about medical mysteries. Each episode follows one person’s story to uncover the forces that shape their health. Host Allison Behringer guides us through two stories in this one hour special.

    Listen to Appearances

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 36:54


    From the brand new podcast Appearances, by Sharon Mashihi, we bring you “Episode 04: Last Ditch Effort.” Appearances is an audio mind trip about an Iranian American woman, the family she carries around in her head, and the family that she wants to have. Listen and subscribe.

    appearances iranian american last ditch effort sharon mashihi
    Changing Shape

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2020 26:30


    Nico is obsessed with counting calories. But this compulsion to monitor food doesn’t line up with how they see themself. Why does Nico want parts of their body to disappear? Why isn’t eating disorder treatment working?

    Not This Again

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2020 22:46


    Angelina was a journalist living in Brooklyn when she was diagnosed with ALS. She now lives with her parents. How do you stay true to yourself when you rely on others to keep you alive?

    Listen to Here Be Monsters

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2020 6:45


    Is your body more like a machine or a body of water? An excerpt from Here Be Monsters, a KCRW podcast about fear and the unknown.

    monsters kcrw here be monsters
    Invisible Impact

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2020 35:34


    Stacie escaped her abusive partner. But eight years later, her inner world was still in disarray. Why wasn’t she better? And why did it take her so long to leave? 

    Postpartum in a Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 23:46


    ShiShi was in labor for 12 days. She gave birth, only to find herself at home in isolation during a pandemic. She’s also a doula, so her job is to support people through pregnancy and postpartum. What’s her advice for parents? How is she coping herself? 

    The Cost of Silky Soft

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2020 34:00


    Johnson & Johnson knew its baby powder contained asbestos but kept selling it and specifically marketed the product to Black women. Krystal is one of thousands of women who claimed J&J’s baby powder caused their ovarian cancer. How did normal body odors become racialized? Who determines if our products are safe?

    Not Tested on Humans

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2020 42:38


    Why did it take doctors years to figure out that a medical device was the cause of Melynda’s debilitating pain? How did this dangerous vaginal mesh get implanted in millions of women? 

    Uncontrollable Orgasms

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2020 32:04


    Orgasms are supposed to feel good. But for Angie, they’re painful and spontaneous. Anything can trigger the horny feelings: Bumpy bus rides, loud music, even a hug from her mom. What’s causing Angie’s body to go haywire? This episode of Bodies is about the connection between desire and arousal. 

    Trailer: Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2020 1:28


    Season 2 of Bodies coming March 4, 2020.

    Update: Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 1:06


    Bodies is coming back! Season 2 will launch on March 4, 2020.Join Bodies Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BodiesPodcast/Email us: allison@bodiespodcast.comFollow us: @bodiespodcast

    Unraveling

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2018 31:59


    In a lot of ways, menopause is like puberty. Your hormones are changing and setting off a whole host of bodily changes. It’s something that happens to half the population, but still, it’s full of mysteries. In this episode we hear from Lisa Hartman and another woman who you’ve heard from once before. To learn more and to share your own story, visit our Facebook group. 

    unraveling lisa hartman
    Refusing to Feed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2018 33:45


    New parents have one job: keep the baby alive. But what happens when the baby won’t eat? Vivian Chen is a trained family doctor, but when she can’t figure out what’s wrong with her own newborn, she must reckon with the shortcomings of her medical training. To learn more and to share your own story, visit our Facebook group here. Nothing is off the table and everyone is welcome.

    The Bodies Award

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2018 15:03


    Host Allison Behringer plays the three finalists from the KCRW Radio Race “Bodies Award.” She takes us behind the scenes and explains why she chose these short stories. Each piece was created by independent producers in just one day as part of KCRW’s 24-Hour Radio Race. To learn more and to share your own story, visit our Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/BodiesPodcast/. Nothing is off the table and everyone is welcome.

    bodies kcrw hour radio race
    Other Than

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2018 27:43


    Jeromey is sixteen when the hair appears on her cheeks. She thinks she’s transforming into a monster. Stuck in a world where beauty begets womanhood, Jeromey creates her own sexuality and power. To learn more and to share your own story, visit our Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/BodiesPodcast/. Nothing is off the table and everyone is welcome.

    stuck jeromey
    Anxious Mess

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2018 33:42


    For Reese, the hum of daily life isn't a hum at all. It's exhausting, disorienting and always out of her grasp. What people assume about her work as a stripper is just one of the false assumptions that she must overcome. It isn’t until she starts talking to women in an online forum that she begins to find answers. Join the conversation in our Facebook group at: www.facebook.com/groups/BodiesPodcast/

    Bleeding

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2018 36:36


    KalaLea has terrible, awful periods. But don’t a lot of women? Well, yes and no. After more than a decade of suffering, KalaLea discovers that the cause of the pain is common for Black women like herself, but far from normal. Join the conversation in our Facebook group at: www.facebook.com/groups/BodiesPodcast/

    Sex Hurts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2018 33:50


    For Bodies host Allison Behringer, sex suddenly becomes painful. This is her journey to find out why. Join the conversation in our Facebook group at: www.facebook.com/groups/BodiesPodcast/. Nothing is off the table, and everyone is welcome.

    hurts allison behringer
    Bodies Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2018 2:29


    “What’s wrong with me?” Bodies is a new documentary series that begins as a medical mystery. But once you peel back the layers, more questions emerge.  

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