Women's Liberation Radio News

One of WLRN's earliest interviews; In it, then-WLRN member Elizabeth talks with Ms. Hungerford about the Purvi Patel abortion/miscarriage case, among other cases, and their implications for women's reproductive freedoms.

Welcome back, sisters, to the first hour of Women's Liberation Music in 2020. It's been eight months since my last music show when I featured the writings of Andrea Dworkin. I can honestly say that the two deaths of well-known writers who have affected me the most have been Andrea Dworkin (who died April 5, 2005) and Mary Oliver who died a year ago today, January 17, 2019. So it seems appropriate that I return with another edition of my music show with a tribute to Mary Oliver. This month's varied music of international under-represented female artists will accompany my reading of some of Mary's poems, all of which celebrate nature, my most beloved muse. I went to visit Mary's hometown for 40 years, P'town, last Fall for a week and walked the beaches and trails she walked and wrote prolifically about, like around Blackwater Pond and the Pinewoods. It was a significant and magical time there; I felt Mary Oliver close, chiding me, for example, to wake before dawn so as to catch the first glint of the day on

Last month, WLRN's Dani Whitaker spoke with Emily Kaht, an athlete and feminist who recently completed a marathon while carrying a flag that read, "Save Women's Sports. Woman = Adult Human Female." As Kaht discusses, this courageous act garnered both support and criticism during and after the event. Kaht is a twenty-nine-year-old woman with a bachelor's degree in biology. She has been involved in sports throughout her life with a current focus on long-distance running, and is committed to protecting the integrity of women's sports so that other women and girls can enjoy the same fulfillment and opportunities that sports have provided her. In this interview, Kaht shares the motivation behind her recent activism as well as the importance of acknowledging biological sex and preserving women's spaces.

In this interview, feminist author Lierre Keith gives us her take on the top stories and developments of 2019 as they impact girls and women and her analysis of the women's movement over the last decade and into the next. Keith gives listeners a fantastic overview of what's going on from her vantage point as an author and speaker with her finger on the pulse of what's changing, shaping up and shifting in the world. Stay tuned for Lierre as moderator of the Q & A after the talk titled "The New Misogyny: A Feminist Analysis of Gender Identity" featuring Meghan Murphy, Saba Malik and Kara Dansky as speakers at Seattle's Public Library, the central location on February 1st. There has been much hype and hoopla around this talk as transactivists gear up to confront the women attending with the aim to either shut it down or disrupt the event. Stay tuned for WLRN's on-the-ground coverage of the February 1st talk in Seattle. Follow our FB page for updates. For more information about the event, click on this link: h

We made it to 2020 without blowing up! Unreal, right sisters? Grab your hats and put on your space suits for a fabulous journey into WLRN's first podcast of the new year and the new decade. First up, be greeted by WLRN's newest member, Dana Vitalosova from Slovakia who also delivers WLRN's January 2nd world news segment before passing off the baton to Thistle who interviews Elizabeth, a radfem from the Midwest and admin for the popular group Radical Feminism Resources. Elizabeth gives Thistle the skinny on her take on the top stories and developments of 2019. Elizabeth and WLRN wanted to make sure all of our listeners have this link to FIST's feminist amendments to the Equality Act, a story to look for in 2020. https://feministstruggle.org/2019/10/19/feminists-in-struggle-fist-launches-campaign-for-feminist-amendments-to-the-equality-act/ After hearing from Elizabeth, enjoy Ani DiFranco's rockin' tune from new year's eve 2008 called Red Letter Year before transitioning to listening to Lierre Keith ring in t

In this 44th edition of WLRN's monthly podcast you will hear the world news written and delivered by WLRN's April Neault followed by the song "Libres" by Mora Navarro. Next up, Thistle speaks with Mexican feminist Laura Lecuona Gonzalez of the organization Mexican Feminists Against Surrogacy. Laura Lecuona studied Philosophy at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and her professional life has been devoted to the editing world. Currently, she is an independent editor and translator, having worked for some major publishing houses for more than twenty years. She is the author of "Las Mujeres son Seres Humanos" (Women are human beings), an introductory book on feminism for teenagers and young adults, and keeps writing and giving lectures and talks on feminism despite the backlash she is facing. Laura spoke with Thistle about her feminist work and her experiences with trans activists in Mexico who have targeted her for attack and about how she has responded to those attacks. Next, enjoy the song “Anti

Our edition 43 November 7th 2019 podcast features WLRN's world news delivered by Sekhmet SheOwl followed by the song "Gold Dust Woman" by Fleetwood Mac. Next, you'll hear an interview Thistle did with New Zealand feminist activist and writer, Renee Gerlich, before hearing the song "Wise Up" by Aimee Mann. Here is a list of books Renee refers to in her interview: Harriet Lerner - The Dance of Anger Gabor Mate - When the Body Says No Charlotte Kasl - Women, Sex and Addiction Andrea Dworkin - Our Blood Here is the video she recommends at the end of the interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C7XAdVxdf8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR31ywiW3vWyFr5Zkue3zyPrzs6is8L3BD8fuShXQkjJIwczGmL5LGZJsss Next, tune in for an interview Sekhmet did with Jen, a young New York City dyke who is in recovery from alcohol addiction. Finally, WLRN's April Neault closes out the program with her stellar commentary on addiction and substance use both from a personal perspective and from the perspective of her work at a local women'

Ann Menasche has devoted most of her life to working for economic and social justice, civil rights, environmental sanity, and peace. Ann spoke with WLRN via skype about the recent launch of Feminists in Struggle (FIST)'s campaign to amend the US Federal Equality Act. In the interview you will hear Ann talk about the difference between sex and gender and how the concept of "gender identity" effectively erases girls' and women's sex-based rights and protections. Ms. Menasche has 40 years of litigation experience in civil rights and public interest law, having worked since 2002 in the field of disability rights. She is a long-time activist in the peace, disability rights, and gay rights movements. Ann came of age during the social movements of the 1960's and 70's. She attended Vassar College in New York and became a leader in the growing anti-Vietnam war, student, and feminist movements. More information about FIST's campaign is here: https://feministstruggle.org/2019/10/19/feminists-in-struggle-fist-launche

Cindy Sheehan is an American anti-war activist, whose son, U.S. Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, was killed by enemy action during the Iraq War in 2004. Since then, she has traveled in the USA and abroad to speak out against US led wars and war time economics that fuel endless wars. In October 2019 Ms. Sheehan was dis-invited from speaking at an anti-war event in Carbondale Illinois due to trans activist pressure on the organizers of the event. This interview focuses on the story of her de-platforming at that event and also her thoughts and analysis of what trans activism is and the role it is playing in leftist movements.

Happy Halloween to all of our WLRN listeners! This podcast is full of witch magic as the team at WLRN explores the witches of old and new. Hear world news as written and delivered by April Neault after a haunting greeting by WLRN's resident female separatist, Sekhmet SheOwl. Following the world news, hear an interview Sekhmet did with Max Dashu, founder of Suppressed Histories Archives. Dashu speaks about the witches of old and puts into context the current state of witch resistance and culture today. Then stay tuned for Thistle's interview with Ruth Barrett at the Mycelium Mysteries Women's Retreat in Almond WI this past month. Ruth talks about who the witches are and what their practice is in today's world. To finish off October's podcast, hear Thistle deliver her commentary about her life as a witch both as a child and adult. The music in the background swirls with Thistle's voice singing a Sonia Johnson chant at the end. You won't want to miss this special commentary for the Season. We hope you enjo

WLRN's Danielle Whitaker recently spoke with Donna Freitas, author of the newly released novel, Consent: A Memoir of Unwanted Attention, which tells the story of a young woman who was stalked in an unconventional way by her mentor. Freitas is a writer and scholar who has conducted extensive research on students, consent, and sex on college campuses. She has spoken at nearly 200 colleges and universities about her research and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post. Her latest book offers a unique perspective on the nature of stalking and the type of "unwanted attention" that can often be difficult to recognize or define. This interview explores the narrative of Consent, its background, and what inspired Freitas to come forward and share her traumatic story after all these years.

Issy Dickinson is a Lesbian-Feminist Activist and one of the Organisers of the Lesbian Strength March and Rally that took place in her hometown of Leeds in the UK on September 7th, 2019. Ms. Dickinson is studying for a Masters Degree at the University of Leeds and spoke with Thistle via skype on September 18th about the lead-up to the March and what the March was like on-the-ground the day it happened. This interview if full of useful information and lively discussion for any budding feminist activists out there who wish to learn how to organize uplifting and positive demonstrations on the streets. The Lesbian Strength March was born out of months of weekly meetings and planning sessions a handful of creative and dedicated women attended to make sure the marchers and speakers would be safe and have an enjoyable time. The two main organizations putting the March on were ReSisters and Get the L Out UK. Both had members who had attended Pride events in Lancaster and in Leeds prior to creating their own marc

WLRN's edition 41 podcast celebrates women's cultural gatherings by highlighting the spirit of community and female empowerment generated at the Michigan Framily Reunion (MFR), a women-only festival that takes place every year in the pines of Michigan.  Jenna and Thistle set up a WLRN table in the marketplace at MFR this year and had a blast meeting and greeting with all of the amazing women who showed up. In this edition, hear the world news as written and delivered by WLRN's youngest member from India, Damayanti, before enjoying Alix Dobkin's classic song "If it Wasn't For the Women." Next, listen to an exclusive interview with Dawn Smith, founder and producer of the Michigan Framily Reunion as she reflects on the highlights of MFR 2019, the year of the Mother, and talks about plans for MFR 2020, the year of the Dragyn. After the interview, hear a sound collage of women gathered this year in the woods of Michigan chatting, attending workshops and singing. The sound collage is framed by Nedra Johnson's son

Thistle Pettersen caught up with Jen and Eli, two sisters who attended the 2019 New York City Dyke March. Featured in podcast Edition 40.

WLRN's 40th edition podcast takes a look at the current state of lesbians within what is now known as the LGBTQ+ movement, by exploring women's experiences at this year's Pride Parades and Dyke Marches. In this August 1st broadcast of our monthly news program, April Neault delivers the latest in women's news, followed by our featured song, "Whole Woman" by Ali Bee, written about a dyke march that was taken over by men. http://alibeemusic.com/ Next, you'll hear an interview with Eli and Jen, two lesbians who participated in this year's Dyke March in New York City who were barred from marching by trans activists who were Dyke March officials. Next up, Sofia Simonson of the Lancashire Resisters speaks with WLRN's Sekhmet SheOwl about the Resisters' demonstration this year at Lancaster Pride. They too encountered trans activists but had a "street plan" before they went and managed to maintain a lesbian feminist presence for quite some time before being taken over by the mobs. Finally, for our commentary this m

Katherine MacLean is a research scientist, teacher and meditator. In her academic research, she studied how psychedelics and mindfulness meditation can promote beneficial, long-lasting changes in personality, well-being and brain function. Following her sister's untimely death from cancer, she left academia and co-founded the Psychedelic Education & Continuing Care Program in New York (www.psychedelicprogam.com), which focuses on increasing awareness and reducing risks of psychedelic use. WLRN's Thistle Pettersen was able to connect with her by phone to capture this interview in February 2019. Hear Ms. MacLean talk about her experiences in the male-dominated medical establishment before she left it and how she discovered that this male domination carried over into her experiences in the "alternative" psychedelic community. Ms. MacLean will be giving one of the keynote addresses at the third annual Mycelium Mysteries Women's Retreat in Almond, WI taking place the weekend of September 27-29, 2019. Learn mo

In this July 4th, 2019 release of WLRN's monthly news program you will hear the world news as written and delivered by April Neult before hearing Thistle's song "We are More" about getting active in the face of the overwhelming problems of war and climate change. After the song, we present two interviews Thistle did with professors Joni Seager, author of The Women's Atlas and Earth Follies: Coming to Feminist Terms with the Global Environmental Crisis, and Leah Horowitz, professor of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin. Both professors confirm that climate change is disproportionately impacting women yet power over what to do about it remains primarily in the hands of men, who also are the primary drivers of the problem. After the interviews, you'll hear Sekhmet Sheowl's commentary that will encourage you to explore and reconnect with nature, away from cameras, phones and electronics, in order to be fully alive on planet earth in these times of massive change. Thanks for staying tuned to WLRN, o

This interview with Leah Horowitz took place on the University of Wisconsin Campus at Science Hall in professor Horowitz' office on June 24th, 2019. Thistle talks with Leah about her studies of the New Caledonian islands people and their resistance to nickel mining. Professor Horowitz' stories from that region illustrate a pattern occurring worldwide of environmental destruction disproportionately impacting women and women's work, yet decisions about this impact primarily remaining in the hands of men.

Going to a women's festival or event this summer 2019? Consider creating some rad media around it for posterity. Contribute to WLRN's upcoming podcast focused on what we all did this summer. Take a listen to this public service announcement calling for submissions and then contact us at wlrnewscontact@gmail.com if you'd like to contribute your media to the program! More info here: https://wlrnmedia.wordpress.com/2019/06/26/call-out-for-media-submissions/ Thanks for tuning in to WLRN, our feminist community radio station powered by sisters who care.

Sisters! Women's right to our reproductive freedom is under attack AGAIN because patriarchy seeks to control women and women's bodies regardless of the year we are living in. In this 38th edition of WLRN's monthly podcast, we explore the issue of abortion. First up, hear WLRN's world news segment as written by Damayanti and delivered by Jenna Di Quarto. Next, enjoy Fallopian Rhapsody by the 90's band Lunachicks before hearing an interview Thistle did with MaryLou Singleton, midwife and women's healthcare advocate based in New Mexico. Then stay tuned for excerpts of an interview Julia Beck did with Judith Arcana of the Jane Collective last Spring. Finally, hear Sekhmet SheOwl's powerful commentary on the radical feminist politics of abortion and where our feminist conversations on this topic fall short. Thanks for staying tuned to feminist volunteer-powered community radio. Please listen, like, comment and share widely to get this handcrafted goodness into the ears of women everywhere.