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Welcome to another episode of The Gynarchy Podcast! Today, I’m speaking with board-certified ob/gyn, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and host of the Muslim Sex Podcast, Dr. Sadaf Lodhi, about a common, but often overlooked condition: pain with sex, aka dyspareunia.

In “Episode 27: Pain with Sex”, we discuss the shame and stigma that surrounds this condition, often leading women to struggle in silence or lose hope when their concerns are dismissed, common causes of this condition, and the approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Here are some topics we discuss:

• Dr. Sadaf Lodhi shares her background and inspiration for her work, particularly educating women as a sexual medicine physician through an intersectional lens as a Muslim woman
• How British colonialism and puritanical views shifted cultural attitudes in historically sex-positive Eastern cultures towards shame and stigma around sex and women’s bodies
• Defining “dyspareunia”, pain with sex, and its prevalence
• Discussing common causes of pain with sex and the approach to evaluation
• Discussing one of the most common causes, vaginismus, and how it is treated
• Discussing other causes, including anatomic, hormonal, allergic, infectious, medical, surgical, and psychological causes
• The importance of finding the right provider that will work with you to diagnose and treat this complex and frustrating condition

Tune in on Monday, September 29, 2025 and make sure to subscribe and stay updated on all our episodes.

Where to connect with Dr. Sadaf Lodhi:

Website:

Dr. Sadaf Lodhi, Gynecologist & Intimacy Coach empowering women with perimenopause, menopause, & sexual health solutions

Instagram:

Dr. Sadaf Lodhi, CEO Femme Vie Health|Menopause|Sexual Health (@drsadafobgyn)

TikTok:

Dr. Sadaf | OBGYN on TikTok

YouTube:

Femme vie Health

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Follow Us for Updates:‌

• Bluesky: @thegynarchy
• Instagram: @thegynarchy
• TikTok: @thegynarchy
• YouTube: @thegynarchy

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Website: www.thegynarchypodcast.com

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Medical disclaimer: The content provided on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Welcome to another episode of The Gynarchy Podcast! Today, I’m speaking with Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, a board certified physician, certified clinical sleep specialist, author of the book Sleeping on the Job, and founder of The Solution is Sleep, about the importance of healthy sleep for women.

In “Episode 26: Healthy Sleep”, we discuss the gender sleep gap, why women are struggling more with getting healthy sleep, and the risks of chronic sleep deprivation. Dr. Holliday-Bell also shares her insights about what can be done to improve sleep.

Here are some topics we discuss:

• Dr. Holliday-Bell shares her background, including her own struggle with insomnia
• What is the gender sleep gap?
• Health risks of chronic sleep dysfunction
• Socioeconomic and racial disparities of sleep
• How much sleep you need and how to determine that
• The utility of sleep trackers
• What are the stages of sleep?
• Basic sleep hygiene (tips for better sleep)
• How sleep patterns can change throughout a woman's phases of life
• When to see a sleep specialist
• Does melatonin work?

Tune in on Monday, September 15, 2025 and make sure to subscribe and stay updated on all our episodes.

Where to connect with Dr. Holliday-Bell:

Website:

https://thesolutionissleep.com/

Instagram:

Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell | Sleep Specialist, Physician & Speaker (@thesleep_md)

TikTok:

Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell on TikTok

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Follow Us for Updates:‌

• Bluesky: @thegynarchy
• Instagram: @thegynarchy
• TikTok: @thegynarchy
• YouTube: @thegynarchy

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Website: www.thegynarchypodcast.com

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Medical disclaimer: The content provided on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Welcome to the Season 3 premiere of The Gynarchy Podcast! Today, I’m speaking with Sammy Kanter, founder, chief media strategist, content creator, & a new media producer at Girl and the Gov, a politics-focused communications platform, about how we as everyday citizens can politically resist rising authoritarianism in the US.

In “Episode 25: Resist”, we discuss how overwhelming and intimidating it can be to follow politics in our current situation and how tempting it can be to tune it out, and Sammy shares her tips about how to stay positive, remain engaged, and push back against fascist influences.

Here are some topics we discuss:

• Sammy shares a bit about her background and what inspired her to start Girl and the Gov
• How Sammy uses the Girl and the Gov and various newsletters she has created to make complex political issues more accessible, engaging, and actionable for diverse audiences, particularly women
• How to stay current and “microdose” politics, to prevent overwhelm
• Key political topics that women should be focused on
• Frustration with our political system, including the two-party system, term limits, age limits, campaign finance
• Positive things currently happening in the political sphere
• How social media is changing politics
• What to really focus on to effect real political change
• How to inspire disengaged young voters to participate
• The importance of supporting media influencers and platforms that align with your values

Tune in on Monday, September 1, 2025 and make sure to subscribe and stay updated on all our episodes.

Where to connect with Sammy Kanter:

The Girl and The Gov website (where you can sign up for The Gov Hub, #Viral, Keeping it Currant, and Yappers Digest newsletters):

Girl And The Gov, Politics Rebranded

YouTube:

Girl and the Gov®

Podcast:

Girl and The Gov, The Podcast

Instagram:

Sammy @ Girl and the Gov (@girlandthegov)

Girl and the Gov® HQ (@girlandthegovhq)

TikTok:

Girl and the Gov on TikTok

Support the show

Follow Us for Updates:‌

• Bluesky: @thegynarchy
• Instagram: @thegynarchy
• TikTok: @thegynarchy
• YouTube: @thegynarchy

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Website: www.thegynarchypodcast.com

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Medical disclaimer: The content provided on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Welcome to another episode of The Gynarchy Podcast! Today, I’m speaking with ob/gyn and past president of the Canadian Colposcopy Society, Amanda Selk, MD, to share some facts and debunk myths about the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine.

In “Episode 24: Real Facts About the HPV Vaccine”, Dr. Selk joins me to demystify the HPV vaccine and talk about what it is, why it’s important, its risks and benefits, and why it matters for everyone, not just girls.

Here are some topics we discuss:

• What is HPV is and how prevalent it is
• What diseases HPV causes, including genital warts and cancers of the head and neck, vulva, vagina, cervix, anus, and penis
• What the HPV vaccine is and its development
• HPV vaccine safety and effectiveness
• Debunking common myths about the vaccine
• Recommended vaccine schedule and anticipated future changes
• What to do if doses are missed
• Screening for HPV related cancers

Tune in on Monday, June 23, 2025 and make sure to subscribe and stay updated on all our episodes.

Where to connect with Amanda Selk, MD:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-selk-4100921bb/

Bluesky:

Dr Amanda Selk (@dramandaselk.bsky.social)

Twitter/X:

Amanda Selk (@DrAmandaSelk) on X

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/drselkdownthere?igsh=MWpkMWtlaWxydXh4Yw==

Support the show

Follow Us for Updates:‌

• Bluesky: @thegynarchy
• Instagram: @thegynarchy
• TikTok: @thegynarchy
• YouTube: @thegynarchy

‌

Website: www.thegynarchypodcast.com

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Medical disclaimer: The content provided on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Welcome to another episode of The Gynarchy Podcast! Today, I’m speaking with endocrinologist and obesity and culinary medicine specialist Dr. Disha Narang about a common but misunderstood medical condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

In “Episode 23: Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”, Dr. Narang joins me to explain what PCOS is, how it’s diagnosed, the variety of symptoms it can cause, and approaches to treatment.

Here are some topics we discuss:

• What is PCOS and what causes it?
• Why rates of PCOS are increasing
• Signs and symptoms of PCOS and how it is diagnosed
• Approach to treatment of PCOS and the symptoms it causes
• Other health conditions that patients with PCOS are at risk for
• Why birth control is often recommended for management of PCOS

Tune in on Monday, June 9, 2025 and make sure to subscribe and stay updated on all our episodes.

Where to connect with Disha Narang, MD:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dishanarangmd/

X:

Disha K. Narang, M.D.| Endocrinologist, Dipl. ABOM (@DishaKumarMD) on X

Support the show

Follow Us for Updates:‌

• Bluesky: @thegynarchy
• Instagram: @thegynarchy
• TikTok: @thegynarchy
• YouTube: @thegynarchy

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Website: www.thegynarchypodcast.com

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Medical disclaimer: The content provided on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Welcome to another episode of The Gynarchy Podcast! Today, I’m speaking with HeHe Stewart, an experienced doula, founder of the Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge service, creator of The Birth Lounge childbirth education program, and host of The Birth Lounge Podcast about her work as a doula.

In “Episode 22: Working with a Doula”, we demystify the role of doulas in pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period and explore how doulas provide emotional, physical, and educational support that can radically change the childbirth experience. We talk about the difference between a doula and a midwife, how doulas advocate within the medical system, and why their presence is especially powerful for people navigating hospital births.

Here are some topics we discuss:

• HeHe’s background and experience working as a doula
• What is a doula?
• The kinds of services a doula provides during the prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum periods
• How to find a doula to work with
• How to become a doula
• The difference between doula versus midwifery and ob/gyn physician care
• How a doula can help support and enhance your medical care, particularly in terms of respecting your autonomy, providing education, and supporting informed consent
• The problem of overmedicalization of birth and need to return to woman-centered care

Tune in on Monday, May 19, 2025 and make sure to subscribe to stay updated on all our episodes.

Where to connect with HeHe Stewart:

Instagram:

Instagram (@tranquilitybyhehe)

Instagram (@the.birth.lounge)

TikTok:

HeHe on TikTok

Website:

Birth Services | Tranquility by HeHe | United States

The Birth Lounge Podcast:

The Birth Lounge Podcast

Free Resource - Interviewing Providers:

https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Interviewing-Providers

Support the show

Follow Us for Updates:‌

• Bluesky: @thegynarchy
• Instagram: @thegynarchy
• TikTok: @thegynarchy
• YouTube: @thegynarchy

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Website: www.thegynarchypodcast.com

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Medical disclaimer: The content provided on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Welcome to another episode of The Gynarchy Podcast! Today, I am speaking with Dr. Neel Shah, an ob/gyn, Chief Medical Officer of Maven Clinic, visiting scientist at Harvard Medical School, and advisory board member of the National Institutes of Health, Office of Women’s Health Research, about the ob/gyn doctor shortage in the US.

In “Episode 21: The Ob/Gyn Doctor Shortage”, we discuss a growing crisis in women’s healthcare - the severe shortage of ob/gyns. With rising burnout, increasing restrictions on reproductive care, and medical students steering away from the specialty, we discuss what the future holds for obstetric and gynecologic care and possible solutions.

Here are some topics we discuss:

• The scope of the ob/gyn shortage and its serious impacts on women’s health, particularly maternal health and access to care
• The especially dire situation in rural America
• Factors contributing to the shortage: physician burnout, aging workforce, restrictive laws affecting reproductive healthcare, litigation fears, limited number of residency slots, less medical students entering the field
• Healthcare system issues that contribute to the problem, including undervaluing women’s healthcare, leading to low reimbursement for women’s healthcare services, often resulting in closures of maternity units at small hospitals
• Possible solutions, including healthcare policy changes, expanding healthcare coverage, improving reimbursements, increasing telehealth and virtual care, increasing the ob/gyn physician pipeline, creative solutions to find balance and prevent burnout for physicians in the field

Tune in on Monday, May 5, 2025 and make sure to subscribe to stay updated on all our episodes.

Where to connect with Neel Shah, MD:

Substack: Neel Shah, MD | Substack

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neeltshah/

Website: Maven Clinic - The next generation of care for women and families

Support the show

Follow Us for Updates:‌

• Bluesky: @thegynarchy
• Instagram: @thegynarchy
• TikTok: @thegynarchy
• YouTube: @thegynarchy

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Website: www.thegynarchypodcast.com

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Medical disclaimer: The content provided on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Welcome to another episode of The Gynarchy Podcast! Today, I am speaking with information technology leader, gender equity researcher, and co-author Amy Diehl, PhD about her book Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back.

In “Episode 20: Shattering Glass Walls” we discuss the structural and cultural barriers that hinder women’s success in the workplace, despite decades of progress we have made. Dr. Diehl names the problematic behaviors, offers examples from her book, and practical advice and strategies for overcoming these biases so women can empower themselves and others.

Here are some topics we discuss:

• An overview of Dr. Diehl and co-author Dr. Dzubinski’s gender bias research
• Defining ‘glass walls’, the six gender bias barriers that hold women back in the workplace: male privilege, disproportionate constraints, insufficient support, devaluation, hostility, acquiescence
• The importance of recognizing and naming the behaviors that reflect these biases
• How male privilege is the bedrock from which all the other biases grow
• Examples from the book of the six gender bias barriers
• How to approach solutions and strategies for dealing with these barriers
• How one can check their own bias with the “flip it to test it” technique

Tune in on Monday, April 21, 2025 and make sure to subscribe to stay updated on all our episodes.

Where to connect with Amy Diehl:

Website: Amy Diehl, PhD / Gender Bias and Gender Equity Expert + Speaker

Bluesky: Amy Diehl, Ph.D. (@amydiehl.bsky.social)

Instagram: Instagram (@amydiehlphd)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-diehl/

Support the show

Follow Us for Updates:‌

• Bluesky: @thegynarchy
• Instagram: @thegynarchy
• TikTok: @thegynarchy
• YouTube: @thegynarchy

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Website: www.thegynarchypodcast.com

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Medical disclaimer: The content provided on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.