Reproductive Left

In this episode, Cat and Aspen talk about the successes and shortcomings of the body positivity movement, how the fat acceptance movement has always been led by Black women, and some of the historical influences on diet culture and fatphobia in our society today. Do you know what the eugenics movement and the BMI have in common? Join us to find out and dip your toes into the huge topic that is bod...

On this episode, we make a big announcement regarding the future of Reproductive Left and air a mix-up of past interviews. This gives you a taste of what you can find in the Reproductive Left archives.

On this episode, we talk with Regina Rooney, the education and communication director at the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. Regina discusses the role of the coalition in the state of Maine and describes the work of their membership organizations. We explore topics like domestic violence within LGBTQ communities, how partner abuse can look different in teen relationships and reproductive...

In this episode, we are discussing the #metoo movement from the perspective of healing. With us is Gail Foss, RN and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, we talk about how she helps women and men heal after experiencing sexual violence. In the interview, Gail opens up about her own experience and tells us a little bit about what needs to be done to change our culture so this doesn't continue...

On January 18, 2018, we had the privilege of hosting Jamila Perritt MD MPH FACOG for our annual Roe v. Wade celebration. She spoke about her experience as an abortion provider, shared her story along with stories of the women she takes care of and highlighted why reproductive justice is what we all need to be working towards. Jamila Perritt MD MPH FACOG is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gyneco...

As we begin this new year, we thought it was important to host an episode that focuses on two topics that are central to women's equality and reproductive justice: paid leave and childcare. Joining us for this episode is Kathy Kilrain del Rio the director of program and development at the Maine Women's Lobby. We've changed things up in our "Ask Mabel" segment. This year, we are focusing our "Ask M...

Just over a year ago, we interviewed the executive director of the Maine Women's Lobby, Eliza Townsend, about why the federal courts matter and how they impact our daily lives. She highlighted the power a president holds in regards to their nominations and the impact of their appointments. A lot has changed since November 2016 and on this episode, we invited Eliza Townsend back to give us an updat...

With Election Day just around the corner, on this episode, we are talking about women in leadership and the importance of voting. Here with me today is Bangor City Councilor Sarah Nichols. After successfully completing the Emerge Maine training program for Democratic women candidates, Sarah was elected for the first time to public office after winning a 7-way citywide race in November of 2015. Bor...

On this episode, we talk with Sharon Barker, co-founder of Mabel Wadsworth Center and former director of the University of Maine's Women's Resource Center. Shortly after Sharon retired from the University of Maine, the Women's Resource Center abruptly closed. Due to committed student activists, the WRC has reopened without a director or a budget. Sharon explains what happened to the Women's Resour...

On this episode of Reproductive Left, our executive director, Andrea Irwin, joins us to discuss a new report by the Abortion Care Network titled: "Communities Need Clinics. She explains the importance of independent abortion care providers in communities across the United States and highlights what makes Mabel Wadsworth Center unique. We also discuss Medicaid expansion and abortion coverage. In ou...

In this episode, we had the opportunity to interview Victoria Yeboah, a young African leader with the Mandela Washington Fellowship. The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. It started in 2014 and this year, the Fello...

On June 22, 2017, we hosted a Bangor Pride Week event which included lunch, networking, and the opportunity to learn more about the services Mabel Wadsworth Center offers for the LGBTQ+ community. We were thrilled to open our doors during Pride to give our community the chance to see our center and to meet our healthcare providers and staff. We offered an "LGBTQ Health Questions and Answers" progr...

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 s...

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, executi...

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 vulner...

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 wa...

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 co...

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 an...

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...

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 a...