GynoCurious

In this episode of Vulva Views , hosts Amy Novat and Alison Chawla engage in a candid discussion about embracing beauty, self-confidence, and the power of positive self-perception. They open with lighthearted banter about fashion and the pressure of accepting compliments, highlighting Alison's recent short haircut and her effort to graciously accept praise. They delve into the societal challenges...

In this episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novat engages with Mystkue Woods, MEd (she/her), a sexuality arts educator and consultant based in Philadelphia, PA. Mystkue, the CEO of Mystkue Publications, L.L.C, delves into her unique approach to integrating expressive arts such as poetry, dance, music, drama, and storytelling to promote positive attitudes towards sexual and reproductive wellness a...

In this episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novatt delves into the theme of community service and the various ways individuals contribute to the health and education of others. Dr. Novatt interviews two dedicated professionals, Ashley Rayner and Antonia Hughes, who work at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. Ashley, a health educator, and Antonia, a comprehensive adolescent pregnancy preventi...

In this episode of "Vulva Views," hosts Amy Novat and Alison Chawla delve into the intricate subject of menstrual cycles and the experience of raising daughters who will soon face this biological transition. They start the conversation by sharing some casual opening lines, amusing anecdotes, and an appreciation for going barefoot on a warm day. The discussion soon shifts to the macro and micro imp...

In this enlightening episode of GynoCurious, host Dr. Amy Novatt welcomes back physical therapist Keri Gill Smith to delve deeper into the conditions of lymphedema and lipedema. Dr. Novatt and Keri provide a detailed overview of lymphedema, a condition resulting from damage to the lymphatic system leading to chronic swelling. They dispel common misconceptions and share up-to-date research, offerin...

Keri Gill-Smith PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, speaks to GynoCurious about her work at a physical therapist. She speaks in detail about the role of the lymphatic system and how she interfaces with patients who have disruptions to their lymphatic system, causing lymphedema. As a practitioner of manual lymphatic drainage techniques she helps us learn how to identify, care for and treat lymphedema; for those who...

In this enlightening episode of Gyno Curious, host Amy delves into the world of massage therapy with special guest Suzu Kawamoto, a certified abdominal therapy collective practitioner. The conversation begins with Amy sharing her curiosity about why massage therapists often avoid the abdomen, setting the stage for an insightful discussion. Suzu shares her personal journey into the field of massage...

Dear Sister is a breathtaking memoir about two sisters and the high-profile case involving Nikki Addimando, who was incarcerated for killing her longtime abuser. Michelle Horton, her sister, tells the audience about the harrowing years of Nikki's trials, incarceration and the devastating fall-out to raise Nikki's young children and to battle the criminal justice system. She speaks about her own he...

After years of listening to women speak about the challenges of relationships, communication issues with their heterosexual partners and difficulty discussing all things that are emotional with male identified partners, I thought we might dive deep into this by discussing why some grown men lack emotional intelligence by looking back to what they learn as boys. Gender stories run deep in our cultu...

Maryl Sackeim, MD wrote a personal perspective on the imperfection of childbirth in 2019. This written piece inspired the conversation with Gynocurious about the false expectations and narratives medicine has shared with women and their families about childbirth. She discusses the individual journeys of childbirth and illness and reviews the importance of speaking openly and honestly about all pos...

In this episode of "Vulva Views," hosts Amy Novatt, MD and Allison Chawla, a psychotherapist and alternative healer, delve deep into the complexities of eating disorders with their guest, Tabitha Limotte, a family therapist specializing in eating disorders. The conversation spans the psychological and physiological facets of eating disorders, the multiple misconceptions surrounding them, and the c...

About 1 in 100 women experience recurrent miscarriages (3 or more in a row). Theresa tells us about her multiple miscarriages and challenges getting pregnant. Using many modalities to help heal and despite addressing deep seated emotional barriers she eventually had her son only after a surrogate egg transfer. Moving through infertility as an older woman brings many obstacles and difficult choices...

Dr. Rachel Masch s a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mount Sinai medical school and is board certified in Complex Family Planning. She is the co Medical Director of the division of family planning at Mt sinai Beth Israel in NYC. She has a masters in public health from Columbia University and serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Basic Health International (BHI), a nonprofit org...

Amy and Allison discuss the billion dollar industry in feminine products promoting vaginal/vulvar hygiene. They review that clean vaginas are not necessarily healthy ones. They speak about the ways in which the vaginal Ph and the microbiome can be interrupted. With a sense of humor and science they explore the long standing media messages that imply vaginas are dirty and our need to vigilantly cle...

Virginia Reath, PA and GynoCurious continue their series on the menopause. Reviewing symptoms and perceptions about this time in women's lives are discussed. The benefits and the challenges, the variation in each individuals experience and the treatments that can be discussed with your clinician are all a part of their conversation. Questions of comments? Call 845-307-7446 or email comments@radiof...

Jenna Smith, CM and Katie Guernsey, CNM speak with GynoCurious about their lives as midwives. They describe the arc of their professional choices, the impact and perspectives gained by their own child birth experiences and the challenges of working in todays medical environs. From both sides of the speculum, Jenna and Katie review how professional and personal experiences inform each other. Both w...

Jennifer Ciotta shares further information about healing from a life threatening ulcerative colitis flare in 2021. She tells GynoCurious the lessons she has learned about diet and lifestyle and her individual decisions about treatments. She reviews allopathic and complementary approaches in healing. Jennifer describes the additional diagnosis of mold toxicity and its relationship with her UC and h...

Vulva Views reviews the history of corsets, plastic surgery and the social norms that have challenged women into fitting into/accommodating the expectations for tight bodies and youthful appearances. Questions of comments? Call 845-307-7446 or email comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org Produced by Jennifer Hammoud and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhinecliff

Dr. Branka Bryan, clinical psychologist, joins GynoCurious to discuss the sobering reality of domestic violence. One out of every third woman in the US has experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. This is truly a staggering statistic. As the executive director of the Grace Smith House, a resource for women and their families who are victims of d...

Zoe Weinstein, MD speaks with GynoCurious about the early years of training as a general surgeon. She shares with us the challenges of (her) residency as a female in the world of male clinicians. She has realized her passion for caring for others coupled with her love of surgery despite many obstacles along her path. She now treats women with breast cancer offering them support, clinical expertise...

Zara Altbach speaks with Amy and Allison about her diagnosis of Catamenial pneumothorax and endometriosis. After three spontaneous pneumothorax, Zara learned she had an unusual form of endometriosis affecting her right lung. After years of doctoring and a lack of diagnosis, Zara eventually found a team of physicians who listened to her concerns and helped her heal. https://www.northwell.edu/news/a...

Wendy Stark, is now president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater NY after spending the last 30 years in leadership and advocacy roles in the health care space. She speaks with great compassion, patience and humility about her work and the challenges of politics, economies and issues around medical/personal autonomy on individuals seeking wellness. She shares with GynoCurious how she feels in...

Jessica turned 40 years old in October. She is a single mom of two boys and works in the healthcare management field with a focus in Pediatrics. She is also a fitness and nutrition coach after turning her attention to her own body and well being some years ago. She trains to compete in body building shows and practices Martial arts. She has learned how to eat and improve her own nutrition and now...

After learning about an unexpected pregnancy, Laurel enjoyed months of a really easy pregnancy. Then due to a concern about her premature babies health she was induced to deliver her baby. Upon delivery, Laurel shares with us the moments after birth when she didn't get to see, feel or hold her baby until almost 24 hours later. She tells us about the hardships and challenges and also the love she e...

Melissa Eppard, an educator, breast cancer thriver and flat activist, life and holistic cancer coach shares with GynoCurious her journey of healing from a double-mastectomy in 2014. After learning she was positive for triple-negative breast cancer and a carrier of the BRCA1 gene, Melissa has spent the last decade healing, teaching and sharing her experience with other women and their families affe...