Women's Liberation Radio News

WLRN's Danielle Whitaker recently interviewed RAINBOW STAR (all caps — listen and learn why!), a feminist performer and songwriter from Kentucky. RAINBOW STAR's first album is available at rainbowstarmusic.com, and her new album, Music from the Rainbow Sparkle Palace: Volume II, is coming soon, with part of the proceeds benefiting a domestic violence shelter in Richmond, Kentucky. One of the album's tracks entitled "Patriarchy Song" was recently banned from Facebook due to lyrics that were considered "offensive." In this interview, RAINBOW talks about the impact of this ban, the challenges of living as a feminist in rural Kentucky, and her journey as a feminist musician.

Thistle was recently invited by a group of women interested in land-based women's community to Colorado for a retreat and brainstorm at an urban farm near Denver. She made that trip in May, 2019 and while there, was interviewed by one of the sisters at the gathering who does media work. The interview took place in the parking lot of Boulder's Community Radio Station, KGNU because there was no studio space available at the time. The woman who interviewed Thistle is a volunteer at the station. In this dynamic interview, you will learn more details about Thistle's story as a feminist media activist in Madison and how her community has treated her because of it.

It’s May 27 2019, so called Memorial Day under patriarchy. This is a day which, as a child I was taught, marked the beginning of summer and thus we ladies could finally wear white. Ugh. Also it’s a day that war heroes are celebrated. Interesting conjunction. Since now I wear white any damn time I want and know about patriarchy’s true war on women I thought it fitting to honor one of my favorite war heroes, radical feminist Andrea Dworkin. In the background to my reading of her 1978 essay which she wrote and published in Letters from the War Zone, you'll hear Kitka and their entire 1999 album called Nectar. Kitka is an American women’s vocal arts ensemble inspired by traditional songs and vocal techniques from Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Founded in 1979 as an offshoot of the Westwind International Folk Ensemble, Kitka began as a grassroots group of amateur singers from diverse ethnic and musical backgrounds who shared a passion for the stunning dissonances, asymmetric rhythms, intricate ornamentation, an

On March 19th, 2018, WLRN's Thistle Pettersen aired interviews with feminists Julie Bindel and Meghan Murphy via WORT 89.9 FM's airwaves. Two days later, a public discussion took place at the station at their board meeting that Thistle was not invited to nor was she aware that it was happening. This is a recording of that discussion. Several members of the Madison community, some local journalists and others paid staff at WORT, spoke disparagingly of Thistle's character, accusing her of being "less than honest" and pulling a "bait and switch" regarding her program. The truth is, Thistle met about a month before the program aired with Molly Stentz, WORT's news director, and outlined the content of the live interviews she was going to air. The news director did not object to Thistle's choice of guests and the program was aired. The only thing that changed about the program is that one of Thistle's guests, could not be on the air live, so Thistle recorded the interview ahead of time. You can listen to the

In this edition, hear WLRN world news as written and delivered by Jenna DiQuarto before enjoying the song "Ode to a Gym Teacher" by Meg Christian. After that, you'll hear the interview WLRN's Robin Long did with Coach Linda Blade, president of Athletics Alberta and Beth Stelzer of Save Women's Sports. This stellar interview is followed by Thistle's commentary on the beauty and sanctity of women bonding through competition and team sports. Women's sports have the potential to serve as an organizing tool for women's rights and protections like no other issue because EVERYONE can relate to the concept of fairness and integrity when it comes to being a "good sport" on the field and as a spectator. As mentioned in the interview, please consider contacting the International Olympics Committee to voice your opposition to including males as competitors in women's sports. WLRN found the following contact information for that organization. Thanks for tuning in to WLRN. Please like, listen and share widely as our podcas

It’s Earth Day 2019 and this month’s music hour will be given to songs about the Earth in her peril, her beauty and her resilience. I’ll be weaving in quotes by Rachael Carson whose consciousness changing book Silent Spring has affected a generation of environmental practices and attitudes. Song List: Cold Frost Morning Barbara Higbie The Whole World is Burning Jennifer Berezan Muddy Road Walela Battered Earth Sweet Honey in the Rock Beautiful Dawn The Wailin' Jennys Mississippi Song Rising Appalachia Cherokee River Walela Gula Gula Mari Boine Aye Kerunene Keruna Tuulet (The Winds) Tellu Tundra Flower Mari Boine Earth My Body Alice Di Micele, Elouise Burrell, Freyda Epstein, Tina Malia, Windsong In These Arms: A Song for All Beings Jennifer Berezan

We are celebrating 3 years of WLRN, Women's Liberation Radio News! In this 36th edition of our monthly podcast, the world news is written and delivered by our youngest member, Damayanti from India, and the commentary is by Sekhmet SheOwl, desert dweller and resident female separatist. In this anniversary edition you will hear a debate between WoLF (Women's Liberation Front) board member and lawyer Kara Dansky and FIST (Feminists in Struggle) lawyer and member, Ann Menasche, facilitated by WLRN member Danielle Whitaker. Cover art by Natasha Petrov. Music is by Band of Skulls with their song Honest, Tracy Chapman with her song Women's Work and Thistle Pettersen with her songs Real Voice and Michigan, aka Gender Hurts. Thanks for staying tuned to WLRN. Please like, share and comment widely as the only way we get our handcrafted programs out there is by relying on listeners like you to help us grow as a grassroots radical feminist media organization.

Join us for this program focused on two amazing women's gatherings in the woods of Wisconsin focused on herbs and mushrooms. We interview Linda Conroy, founder of Midwest Women's Herbal and organizer for both these gatherings in nature and in intentional community. You'll also enjoy the words of Barbara Bitondo, Linda's student and an urban herbalist. Dr. Cho speaks with WLRN's Robin Long about mushrooms and her work as a pediatrician. The final interview is with keynote speaker at Mycelium Mysteries Women's Retreat, Katherine MacLean and her work with pslicybim mushrooms, meditation and consciousness. The program is rounded off with Sekhmet SheOwl's commentary about the importance of women gathering in nature and to share plant wisdom together in community. For more information about the two women's gatherings featured in this radio show, go to www.midwestwomensherbal.com. Get your tickets for Mycelium Mysteries by April 1st and you are eligible for early bird pricing. Thanks for tuning in to WLRN. Musical

Opening background song Keep on Keeping On Jojo Call Back Signal Spirit Passages Song for the Unborn Mari Boine Syadotako Tatyana Lar Geese Nukariik Maybe Ulali Compulsive Rhythms poetry and drumming by women of CAPSA Tihou Beyatene Tartit Oshun's Orange Aco Takenaka Tuatha-na-Gig Global/Carolyn Hillyer/Nigel Shaw Uldda Nieida (Uldda Girl) Mari Boine Transformation Kitka Everything is Music Kris Delmhorst Tell Me My Sister Kim Trusty Here we are at the threshold holy day of the Equinox. We are either returning to Spring or Fall, depending on where we are on the planet. Either way, it is always an energetically magically rich time that can feel full of shift and promise. So, this month I hope to bring you music that will stir your wonder and curiosity at the crossroads. Most all the artists are under represented or non-represented female voices. They range internationally from a traditional Ukrainian Slavic song about the Rusulka (the restless spirits of women who

This program features our newest member, Danielle Whitaker from Atlanta who greets listeners before the world news written and delivered by Damayanti, WLRN's youngest member from India. Next you'll enjoy music by Gaelynn Lea and her song "Someday We'll Linger in the Sun" before Thistle's interview with our guest Ellana Crew, a blind lesbian from Baltimore. Then, enjoy Johnnie Mae Dunson's song "I'm a whole lotta woman" that leads into Robin Long's interview with Tara Ayers, a disability rights activist and long time producer of women's cultural events, theater and concerts. Finally, we are happy to feature another stellar commentary by our resident female-separatist, Sekhmet SheOwl. Please listen, like and share widely! We are a grassroots feminist community powered program that relies on our followers for ever wider audiences and distribution.

Song listing: Animal Dreams Sticky Red Egg Corpse Bike Lane Bella Ciao Jezebel Michigan Sister Voices This special edition of the WLRN Music Hour features our own Thistle Petterson. DJ Phoenixx's selection of songs from Thistle's discography gives you taste of the strong and sincere womon who started what is Women's Liberation Radio News. Listen as she introduces and connects with each song in her own words. The recent events of the past few years that have sought to erase Thistle's work, connection, reputation, and effectiveness as an activist have not stopped our fearless amazon. Thistle's music is heartfelt, and tells the truth - truth cannot and will not be stopped. Enjoy this hour of wimmin's music from WLRN's unstoppable leader. The featured picture is of Thistle playing in Madison with an old bass player friend in 2010.

In this interview, WLRN's Robin speaks with long-time member of the collective Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter, Lee Lakeman. Since 1973, VRR has been a safe haven for victims of rape and domestic violence, and women who have escaped the sex trade. Here, Ms. Lakeman speaks about her and the collective's herstory of feminist action, strides VRR has made, and how women can continue to work for women's liberation in today's political climate. WLRN thanks Lee for giving her time to speak with us, and all the members of Vancouver Rape Relief for their continued contribution and dedication to women.

2/11/19 ~ We hit our goal of $150 but keep donating to keep us alive and thriving! Thanks to those who bought us a hard drive to preserve our handcrafted podcasts.

Wondering how to sustain radical feminist organizations over the long haul? Take a listen to WLRN's Edition 34 dedicated to an in depth exploration of the Vancouver Rape Relief Center & Women's Shelter that has been in existence for 45 years. Our program starts off with the greeting by Damayanti, WLRN’s youngest member from India, who also delivers our world news segment this month. The world news is followed by a radio skit by Jenna and Thistle to help get the word out about our fundraiser to raise $150 for WLRN's own hard drive to back up all of our media files. Next, is the song Dead Men Don't Rape by 7 Year Bitch followed by an interview Julia did with Laurel McBride of the Vancouver Rape Relief Collective. Dominique Christina is next with her spoken-word piece called "The Period Poem" and is from a live recording WLRN captured of Christina performing it at the Vancouver Rape Relief Center's annual Montreal Massacre Remembrance event in early December of last year. Then, learn a ton from member of the V

Welcome back sisters to another hour of women’s liberation music on WLRN! I’m Phoenixx and it is the end of January 2019. Someone said the other day that it felt like the 74th of January! In some ways the month has felt interminable--like it’s just not passing quickly enough. And that it’s just been two Januarys of insanity, violence, hate and abuse and still no impeachment!!!! Luckily, we still have these airwaves of radical women’s liberation feminist thought, action and music as refuge for us refugees fleeing from the continual onslaught of misogyny and male supremacy. A few months ago I put out a call for current women’s music that take on real issues relevant to us as radical feminists and Lesbians. Songs that include such themes like sexism, male supremacy/violence, female revolution, the war on women and girls. Recently I was gifted the album Cronesong released in June 2018 by The River Hags: Lizzie Yee-Haw, Sally Starflower, Lili Yee and Melanie Gorguny! I first encountered the river hags at Ohio

These songs are meant to carry us down and into our cores. Many of them are from a Tuvan throat singer Sainkho Namtchylak who was born in far south Siberia. According to patriarchal tradition as reported by patriarchal research, women in Tuva were forbidden to throat sing because it was believed the female voices could hurt male relatives or could cause childbirth problems(no comment necessary). In spite of the taboos, Sainkho’s grandmother taught her much of her traditional repertoire from which Sainkho has produced many albums. There is only one all-female folk ensemble who performs Tuvan throat singing: Tyva Kyzy directed by Choduraa Tumat. Unfortunately, I was not able to access their music. Also included in this hour is a sister duo called Ibeyi whose music I heard on the website for one of the first returning gatherings this Summer on MichFest’s land. Ibeyi is a French (with Cuban, Venezuelan and Tunisian origins) musical duo consisting of twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz. The duo sings i

In this interview, WLRN member Robin speaks with Meghan Murphy about her start in radio, her path to Feminist Current, and her recent experiences with online censorship and harassment. Meghan Murphy is a radical feminist writer and journalist who was recently banned from Twitter for posting public information about a man in the news. On January 10th, 2019, Meghan will be appearing at he Vancouver Public Library for a discussion on the effect of gender ideology on women’s and girls’ civil rights. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Happy New Year! Sisters, let us start the year right. Let's hit the ground running. Let's speak out and stand up. Women will NOT be silenced. Join the revolution, and take a listen to our freshest edition on the misogynist censorship of women. Our 33rd show begins with an introduction by our newest member, Robin. Then Damayanti's world headlines are followed by "Your Revolution" by Sarah Jones. Julia speaks with Natasha Chart, board member of Women's Liberation Front, about the Wordpress blog Gender Identity Watch. After that interview, Jennifer Lopez's song "Let's Get Loud" segues into Robin's interview with Meghan Murphy, a feminist writer who was banned from Twitter for using male pronouns in reference to a male pedophile. Finally Sekhmet reads the collectively-written commentary to round out the hour. Thank you to all of our fabulous listeners for all your support. We love hearing from you, so let us know what you think. Reach out, and speak up!

Way to the Well Keruna Aye Kerunene Keruna Zamuci se Bozja Majka (Serbian) Kitka Collage of Koleda Carols (Bulgarian) Kitka A gute vokh (Yiddish) Kitka This week I'll continue to read from Sally Miller Gearhart's classic feminist novel The Wanderground: Stories of the Hill Women while interspersing chapter readings with music from Keruna and Kitka. Hope you are moved to a deep and powerful remembering of your power as women unto yourselves.

Brought to you directly from Our Feminist Fires, the WLRN collective is happy to release this toasty news program dedicated to Sisterhood & Solidarity this December 2018. In Edition 32, hear the voices of women who attended and participated in the Vancouver Rape Relief Montreal Massacre Remembrance event held on December 1st at the Vancouver Public Library in addition to a recent interview Thistle did with Samantha Berg of JohnStompers.com about her views on the topic. WLRN's Thistle and Julia were able to attend the event in Vancouver and captured some fantastic audio, video and pictures while there. We are still in awe and in gratitude that our collective was invited by the Vancouver Rape Relief Center to participate in their annual event. WLRN's world news segment is written and presented by Thistle and this month's commentary is by Sekhmet SheOwl. The podcast is produced by sound engineer and producer, Jenna DiQuarto. Musical selections are by Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin & Annie Lennox and Tata Vega. O