Wild and Wonderful Women

In this episode, we discuss Erin's work as a midwife as well as her personal journeys through motherhood, including infertility and infant loss. Erin talks about the importance of educating pregnant people while providing agency for them to make decisions about pregnancy and birth. She articulates what we can do in WV to better support birthing people and families, including family leave and an emphasis on holistic health.

In this episode, we discuss Diane Tarantini's experiences as a mother and survivor of childhood sexual abuse that prompted her to become a body safety educator and to write a book entitled The Brave Knight that teaches kids about grooming and abuse. Tarantini discusses the book's origins, story, accompanying resources, and her advice on establishing a communicative relationship with children to help them navigate the difficulties they may encounter.

In this episode, we discuss paid leave in West Virginia, including the varied reasons why someone might need this option and the barriers to access that currently exist.  Kelly Allen, the executive director at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, shares her expertise on the topic and her vision for paid leave in our state to allow individuals to care for themselves and their loved ones.

In this episode, we discuss Dr. Antolini's interest in motherhood which led her to the Mother's Day Shrine in Grafton. She studied Anna Jarvis' letters and shares her knowledge about the origins of the holiday and the ever-growing frustrations of Anna Jarvis as industries and individuals did not celebrate the day as she had imagined. 

In this episode, I chat with Presbyterian minister and chaplain Emily Harden, a co-founder of West Virginia Faith Leaders for Choice, which organizes faith leaders from multiple traditions to advocate for reproductive rights in our state. She explores her interpretation of scripture on the topic of abortion and articulates her vision for the future of our state when it comes to reproductive rights.

In this episode, we discuss Tiffany's career in early childhood development that led her to advocate on a state level for childcare centers and employees as well as the children and families that they serve. Tiffany explains why childcare is vital in providing children with care during critically important stages of their young life, as well as key for our society to allow parents to remain in the workforce.

In this episode, my mother and I discuss her own journey into motherhood, especially the joys of seeing children learn and grow and the challenges of navigating work and parenting. We also explore her transition into being a grandmother and her advice for new mothers.

In this episode, we discuss Dr. Armstrong Tucker's journey into her current role as the chancellor of West Virginia's Community and Technology College System and the Higher Education Policy Commission. Armstrong Tucker explains the initiatives to make higher education more accessible to West Virginians and her dreams for the future of postsecondary education in our state.

In this episode, we discuss Jenny Williams' role as a church leader, her thoughts on the value of religious communities in our state, and the connection between religious faith and issues of social justice. Williams describes the need for churches to provide not just acts of charity but acts of compassion, addressing more systemic issues in our society.

In this episode, we discuss Cheryl Laws' journey into creating Pollen8, an organization that provides prevention, treatment, and reintegration programs for women in West Virginia. Listen to learn more about the evidence-based practices that can help someone sustain their recovery, and the programs that Laws has created to help women do just that.

In this episode, we discuss Charkera Ervin's advocacy work for the CROWN Act, working towards legislation that prohibits discrimination based on hair. Listen to learn more about the social, economic, and health implications of hair discrimination and why West Virginia should take action.

In this episode, we discuss Nikki Bowman Mill's decision to start New South Media in 2008 and the ways it has grown since then to include multiple publications and podcasts, and now a physical location with stores and an event space. Her mission to celebrate the good in West Virginia, while working with communities to try to address challenges, is clear in her words and in her work.

In this episode, we'll discuss Jeanne Peters and Kim Williams' entry into local politics with their advocacy work on the ultimately unsuccessful nondiscrimination ordinance in Parkersburg in 2017. Though it was a challenging situation, they built from the community of folks they met at that time to develop Out MOV. In this episode, listen to their goals for the organization, including state-level legislation, community events and education, and a pledge to identify local organizations and businesses that support diversity.

In this episode, we'll discuss what brought Alex Weld to her new position as the executive director for Generation WV and the goals of the organization to attract and retain young people in the state, including developing training for new career areas, expanding broadband, and providing networking opportunities.For information on Generation WV, you can check out their website here: https://generationwv.org/

In this episode, we'll discuss Karen Haring's own journey of self-discovery that led her to connect with other women and build an organization called Libera that helps provide support for West Virginia's women and teens through listening and connecting them with needed, relevant resources.

In this episode, we'll discuss Amy Hutchison's work as an economic justice advocate, including her own experiences living in poverty and her new organization Rattle the Windows. We discuss the challenges of living in poverty and the policies that could help individuals and families in our state and nation. 

In this episode, we'll discuss Kelli Caseman's work with Think Kids, whose data-driven advocacy elevates the narratives of children in our state. We discuss school-based health centers, the impact of the opioid epidemic on youth in our state, and how we can help the children of West Virginia thrive, even in the midst of adversity.

In this episode, we'll discuss Angie's work as the executive director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, including how environmental changes have impacted West Virginia and what we can do to ensure a flourishing future for our state.

In this episode, we'll discuss Rosemary's experiences of moving to the state and being elected to public office, as well as her thoughts on what we can do to help support the LGBTQ+ community in West Virginia moving forward.

In this episode, we'll discuss the substance use recovery movement in West Virginia, including how Susie Mullens has seen the movement change over the last thirty years, her experiences in collegiate recovery, and her project to develop an organization for women in recovery.

In this episode, we'll discuss the Black Lives Matter movement in West Virginia, including the injustices Delegate Walker has experienced, the way that race intersects with other issues, and her vision for the future of our state.

In this episode, we'll discuss the COVID-19 pandemic in West Virginia, including the ways our state has been uniquely impacted as well as what to expect over the holidays and in the coming year.

In the episode, we'll talk about the role West Virginia played in ratifying the nineteenth amendment, Renate's opportunity to hear RBG speak in 1978, and her advice for women interested in running for office.