Shows
The Pain Gap53. Trauma Isn’t Just the Big Things: Understanding PTSD, Complex PTSD & Healing with Allison KirvanThis week on The Pain Gap, we sit down with trauma therapist Allison Kirvan, whose work centers on trauma, EMDR, complex PTSD, and the often invisible emotional patterns that shape our adult lives. Allison helps clients untangle childhood dynamics, understand their nervous systems, and rebuild a sense of safety and self-worth, especially for those who grew up navigating chaos, gaslighting, or emotionally immature parents.In this conversation, we dig into some of the most misunderstood aspects of healing: why therapy isn’t for “broken people,” how two individuals can experience the same event but walk away with entirel...
2025-12-0443 minThe Pain Gap52. She-ology and the Truth About Women’s Bodies with Dr. Sherry RossDr. Sheryl A. Ross, aka “Dr. Sherry”—Ob/Gyn, author, and health expert—has been a fierce advocate for women’s health and reproductive rights for over 30 years. Her book, She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period and she-ology, the she-quel, Let’s Continue the Conversation, were all award-winning bestsellers in women’s health. She co-hosts the highly anticipated podcast Pair-a-Docs: Two Experts. Zero Filters with renowned sex therapist Dr. Tammy Nelson, launching Winter 2026. Dr Sherry is the Chief Medical Officer for Menopause Hormone Therapy for QuickMD, a telehealth platform that launched in October 2025. She is launching Onesel...
2025-11-2056 minThe Pain Gap51. Dr. Alopi Patel and Dr. Meera Kirpekar: The Female Pain Docs Changing Women’s HealthDr. Alopi Patel and Dr. Meera Kirpekar, better known to their patients and followers as the Female Pain Docs, are anesthesiologists and pain medicine specialists who met during training and quickly realized they shared more than just a career path. They shared a mission to make women’s pain visible, measurable, and treatable. Together, they founded The Female Pain Docs, a platform dedicated to education, advocacy, and innovation in women’s pain medicine, particularly in the area of chronic pelvic pain.In this episode, we talk about what it means to be women, and women of color, n a...
2025-11-131h 01The Pain Gap50. Autoimmune to Advocacy: How Perelel’s Founder, Alex Taylor, Is Rewriting Women’s CareAlex Taylor, Co-Founder of Perelel, the first OB/GYN-founded vitamin company built to support women through every hormonal stage from preconception to perimenopause. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in her twenties and facing her own fertility challenges, Alex realized how deeply the women’s health research gap fails patients. She turned that frustration into action—building a clinically backed supplement brand designed by doctors, not marketers, and advocating for systemic change through research funding and policy reform. We discuss why less than 8% of NIH funding is allocated to women’s health, how policy and celebrity storytelling can foster...
2025-11-0652 minThe Pain Gap49. Dr. Deborah Heiser: Second Puberty, Lateral Mentorship & The Midlife Power Move We’ve Been MissingDr. Deborah Heiser is an applied developmental psychologist, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Mentor Project, whose work redefines what life after 40 looks and feels like. A researcher, professor, and award-winning author, Deborah has spent her career studying aging, depression identification, dementia, and the emotional milestones of midlife—including the one most women are never prepared for: menopause. Her mission is to replace silence and shame with community, clarity, and agency.In this episode of The Pain Gap, we talk about why 90% of women are blindsided by menopause, how “lateral mentorship” (peer-to-peer guidance) can be life-saving, and what i...
2025-10-3053 minThe Pain Gap48. Hype Women, Not Mean Girls: Erin Gallagher on Breaking the CycleErin Gallagher is the CEO and founder of Hype Women, a bestselling author, and one of LinkedIn’s Top 100 Creators and DEI voices. A lifelong advocate for women’s empowerment, Erin’s new book, HYPE WOMEN: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy, and Systems Silencing You, is a rallying cry for authenticity, healing, and collective liberation. Her mission is to empower women to stop shrinking, start thriving, and rediscover their true selves.In this episode, we explore the hidden systems that teach women to view each other as competitors rather than community members, examine why “mean girl” behavior i...
2025-10-2358 minThe Pain Gap47. Dr. Aviva Romm and The Invisible Load: Burnout, Bias & the Female BodyDr. Aviva Romm is a Yale-trained physician, midwife, and herbalist whose work bridges science, story, and the soul of women’s health. A bestselling author and board member of Every Mother Counts, she’s spent decades challenging the idea that “being a woman is a diagnosis.” In this episode, we talk about how burnout and bias collide inside medicine, why one in four women is on antidepressants, and what it really means to treat the root cause instead of just the symptom. We also dig into perimenopause, food as medicine, and the radical power of asking your body, How do I fee...
2025-10-161h 17The Pain Gap46. Aubrey Hirsch: When Anger Becomes Art and Pain Becomes PurposeAubrey Hirsch is a writer, illustrator, and NEA Literature Fellow whose work, featured in The New York Times, TIME, and beyond, explores gender, justice, and the body. We talk about surviving gun violence and how healing is “exhaustingly repetitive,” why the language of trauma often shows up as images, and how comics can turn rage into research-backed advocacy. We also get tactical about navigating medical gaslighting, setting boundaries in exam rooms, and building functional hope when the news feels impossible. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, silenced, or reduced to a chart label, this one’s for you. You’re not “too...
2025-10-0954 minThe Pain Gap45. The Menopause Myth: Balance, Science, and Taking Back Your Power with Dr. Arianna Sholes-DouglasDr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas is a board-certified OB-GYN, founder of TULA (“balance” in Sanskrit), and author of The Menopause Myth. We decode perimenopause starting in your 30s, how dropping estrogen rewires the brain (hello, rage/brain fog/sleep chaos), and why these shifts are biochemical—not character flaws. We delve into a practical approach to an integrative plan that combines hormones, nutrition, movement, and mental health; how to distinguish between TikTok tips and evidence-based recommendations; and why menopause is a workplace issue that leaders can’t ignore. If you’ve ever been dismissed, told to “just manage stress,” or treated like midlife i...
2025-10-0244 minThe Pain Gap44. Gyno Girl Unplugged: Dr. Rahman on Midlife Sexual HealthDr. Sameena Rahman is an OB-GYN, menopause & sexual medicine specialist, and the force behind Gyno Girl. We unpack perimenopause beyond hot flashes, how vasomotor symptoms connect to heart and brain health, why South Asian women carry outsized cardiac risk, and why antidepressants are prescribed far more often than hormones. We also break the silence around sexual pain, recurrent UTIs, and pelvic floor dysfunction (spoiler: it’s not “just do more Kegels”) and walk through evidence-based treatments, including when vaginal estrogen or DHEA can be lifesaving. If you’ve ever been dismissed, rushed, or told to “have a glass of wine,” this...
2025-09-251h 02The Pain Gap43. Four Mothers with Abigail Leonard: What the World Gets Wrong About Supporting MomsAbigail Leonard is a journalist and author who blends intimate storytelling with sharp policy analysis. In her new book, Four Mothers, she follows first-time moms in Finland, Japan, Kenya, and the United States through their babies’ first year, revealing how culture and policy shape birth, postpartum care, mental health, and a mother’s sense of self.Abigail’s work feels urgent for our community. In the U.S., new parents navigate a system with no guaranteed paid leave, patchy childcare, and persistent myths of maternal self-sacrifice. By contrasting that reality with countries that center maternal well-being, Abigail shows...
2025-09-1847 minThe Pain Gap42. Unlearning Silence: Finding Your Voice in Health, Work, and Life with Elaine Lin HeringElaine Lin Hering is a globally recognized facilitator, writer, and speaker who has worked on six continents, helping people and organizations develop the skills we often lack: effective communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution. She has taught executive education at Harvard, Dartmouth, Berkeley, and UCLA, and has even served as the Advanced Training Director for the Harvard Mediation Program.Elaine’s book, Unlearning Silence, feels especially urgent for our community. Too often, women, and especially women of color, are told that the solution is to “speak up.” But as Elaine shows us, silence isn’t a personal failing. It’s som...
2025-09-1148 minThe Pain Gap41. Believe Women: Dr. Bayo on Birth Trauma, Bias & Changing Maternal HealthIn this powerful episode, physician, medical director, and advocate Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell shares her harrowing birth story, how she was dismissed in her own hospital, and the mission it launched: to make U.S. healthcare believe women, especially Black women, the first time they speak. We unpack why America’s maternal mortality crisis persists, how bias shows up at the bedside, and what concrete steps clinicians, patients, and policymakers can take now.In this episodeBirth trauma & the credibility gap: Why women aren’t believed about their bodies and what that costs.Beyond access: How implicit bias...
2025-09-041h 01The Pain Gap40. Shannon Watts on Living Fired Up: How to Find Your Spark and Fan the FlamesShannon Watts is someone who has forever changed the conversation around gun violence and what it means to be a woman on fire. She is the founder of Moms Demand Action, the grassroots movement she launched from her kitchen table the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy. What started as a single Facebook post quickly grew into the largest women-led, volunteer-driven organization in the country, now part of Everytown for Gun Safety, with chapters in all 50 states and nearly 11 million supporters.Before all of this, Shannon was a stay-at-home mom of five and a former corporate communications...
2025-07-1046 minThe Pain Gap39. It’s Not All in Your Head: Jackie Piasta Breaks Down the Menopause MythsJackie Piasta is a nationally recognized Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and certified Menopause Society Practitioner. Jackie has dedicated her career to filling the gaping holes in how we care for midlife women, from revamping the menopause curriculum at Vanderbilt University to training over 150 clinicians through her mentorship program. She's also the founder of Monarch Health, where she’s reimagining what compassionate, evidence-based, personalized care looks like for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, sexual health, and everything in between.In this conversation, we talk about the myths that keep women suffering in silence, the staggering gaps in medical trai...
2025-06-2657 minThe Pain Gap38. How Kyndred Is Transforming Black Women’s Health and Reimagining What Health Equity Looks LikeBrittany Brathwaite, Kimberly Huggins, and Tesiah Coleman are the founders of Kyndred, a revolutionary new health platform transforming care for Black women and gender-expansive people.Together, these leaders are not just exposing what is broken in the system. They are building something radically better. With backgrounds in reproductive justice, trauma-informed therapy, nursing, and health equity, Brittany, Kimberly, and Tesiah bring deep expertise and lived experience to the creation of a healthcare model that is digital first, race-conscious, and rooted in community.In this episode, we explore:• The origins and vision behind Kyndred...
2025-06-1944 minThe Pain Gap37. Dr. David Clarke on Neuroplastic Pain, Trauma, and Women’s HealthDr. David Clarke is the President of the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms and a board-certified gastroenterologist. Dr. Clarke has spent decades uncovering the hidden link between emotional trauma and physical illness.We unpack what neuroplastic symptoms are, real, brain-generated conditions triggered by stress, trauma, and repressed emotions, and why women are disproportionately impacted. From IBS and migraines to chronic pelvic pain and long COVID, many “medically unexplained” conditions are rooted in the brain’s wiring.Dr. Clarke also explains how Neuroplastic Recovery Therapy is helping patients finally find relief, without the need for dr...
2025-06-1236 minThe Pain Gap36. Womanist Bioethics, Ethics and the Future of Healthcare with Dr. Wylin WilsonDr. Wilson is a leading scholar and creator of Womanist Bioethics, a groundbreaking framework that confronts how traditional bioethics has failed Black women. At its core, Womanist Bioethics centers the lived experiences of Black women, who, across nearly every health indicator, suffer and die at higher rates not because of biology, but because of systemic devaluation. Dr. Wilson calls this what it is: not a gap in care, but a failure of justice. Rooted in the Black Christian prophetic tradition and drawing on womanist and liberation theology, her work challenges the white, male-centered foundations of medicine. It offers a...
2025-06-0555 minThe Pain Gap35. Terry Chang & Dr. Ulrike Kaunzner on Reimagining Hormonal Health Through Seed CyclingTerry Chang and Dr. Ulrike Kaunzner are the founders of Two Moons Health, a wellness company on a mission to demystify hormonal health and bring natural, evidence-informed care to women navigating PMDD, PMS, and perimenopause. Terry brings deep experience from the legal and business world, while Ulrike blends Western medicine with a holistic approach rooted in science and compassion. Together, they’re challenging a healthcare system that too often gaslights and dismisses women’s symptoms.In this episode, we unpack why hormonal imbalances are about more than mood swings; they can affect everything from digestion to sleep to m...
2025-05-2928 minThe Pain Gap34. The Cost of Ignoring Moms: Erin Erenberg and the Fight for Maternal RightsErin Erenberg is the CEO and Co-Founder of Chamber of Mothers, the Founder of Totum Women, an IP Attorney, and a fierce advocate for maternal rights. She has spent her career building successful ventures and championing systemic change for mothers across America. Through Chamber of Mothers, she’s rallying the collective power of 85 million moms to demand better, affordable childcare, paid family leave, and a healthcare system prioritizing mothers' lives.In our conversation, Erin shares the personal experiences that inspired her to co-found Chamber of Mothers, the staggering societal gaps she’s fighting to close, and why uniti...
2025-05-2240 minThe Pain Gap33. Brown Girl Therapy: Sahaj Kaur Kohli's Mission to Bridge Mental Health and Cultural IdentitySahaj Kaur Kohli is an award-winning therapist, mental health educator, and founder of Brown Girl Therapy, the first and largest mental health community for adult children of immigrants. You may know her as the advice columnist behind Ask Sahaj in The Washington Post, or as the author of the powerful book But What Will People Say.In this episode, Sahaj unpacks the deep intersection of mental health, cultural identity, gender, and generational trauma. We talk about the emotional toll of being raised in collectivist cultures, why traditional therapy often fails women of color, and how guilt, shame...
2025-05-1550 minThe Pain Gap32. From Mormonism to Mushrooms: Marcella Hill’s Journey to Radical Self-DiscoveryMarcella Hill is a hormone educator, fearless truth-teller, and advocate for women waking up to their own power.You might know Marcella from her viral posts on perimenopause and hormonal health, but we’re going even deeper today. We’re talking about the healing potential of psychedelics, including mushrooms and MDMA. Yes, the taboo topics we were raised to fear, but that are now emerging as tools for radical self-discovery and emotional liberation, especially for women navigating midlife, religious deconstruction, and burnout.Marcella opens up with breathtaking honesty about her first guided psychedelic journey, how it c...
2025-05-0848 minThe Pain Gap31. Why Ida Tin Coined ‘Femtech’—And What’s Still Missing in Women’s Health InnovationFemtech pioneer and Clue co-founder Ida Tin joins us to explore the intersection of technology, equity, and women’s health. Ida shares the story behind coining the term “femtech” and how she helped shape an entire industry to address the overlooked needs of women and people with periods. We discuss the founding of Clue, the systemic barriers that prevent innovation in reproductive health, and why data privacy and ethical tech design are critical to building trust. Ida also opens up about the funding challenges female founders face, the cultural stigma surrounding menstruation, and how femtech products can empower users by mak...
2025-05-0146 minThe Pain Gap30. Reproductive Rights in 2025: What’s at Stake with Caitlin HorriganCaitlin Horrigan is the Senior Director of Global Advocacy at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Caitlin is the definition of a powerhouse. She has spent decades on the frontlines of reproductive rights, shaping U.S. policy at home and abroad.We’re talking about the state of reproductive rights in 2025, what’s happening post-Roe, how U.S. foreign policy impacts women and girls worldwide, and why this moment demands more than just allies—it demands accomplices.This conversation is smart, urgent, and, yes, hopeful. Caitlin’s clarity, expertise, and refusal to give up are exactly what we...
2025-04-2437 minThe Pain Gap29. The Future of Menopause Care Starts Here: Sally Mueller on Building WomanessSally Mueller is the co-founder and CEO of Womaness, a groundbreaking brand revolutionizing menopause care with innovative, accessible products and much-needed education.After a long and successful career at Target and building powerhouse brands, she found herself in menopause without even realizing it. Her symptoms were dismissed, her options outdated, and the space completely neglected. Instead of accepting it, she decided to change it.In this episode, Sally takes us behind the scenes of launching Womaness, breaking menopause taboos, and addressing the massive gaps in healthcare that still leave women uninformed and unsupported. We also...
2025-04-1739 minThe Pain Gap28. BRCA, Breast Cancer & the Medical Blindspot: Dr. Menn’s Journey Through the Pain GapDr. Corinne Menn is a board-certified OBGYN, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and a leading voice in menopause and women’s health. As a 23-year breast cancer survivor, BRCA carrier, and early menopause patient, Dr. Menn has dedicated her career to advocating for women, especially cancer survivors and those at high risk, who are too often dismissed by the medical system.In this episode, she shares her deeply personal journey through breast cancer, premature menopause, and medical gaslighting, shedding light on the systemic gaps in women’s health care. We’ll discuss why so many doctors lack menopause traini...
2025-04-1046 minThe Pain Gap27. From Viral to Vital: @Gemma_Talks and the Future of Gender EqualityEve is from @Gemma _Talks, the viral digital series that breaks down reproductive rights, gender justice, and public health in the most engaging way possible. Along with her co-founder, Pari, who is currently on maternity leave (which we, of course, deeply respect!), Eve is on a mission to educate, advocate, and cut through misinformation about abortion, contraception, and gender equality.In this episode, we explore the origins of Gemma Talks, the power of digital activism, and how reproductive rights intersect with race, income, and broader public health issues. Eve also discusses the real challenges of fighting for...
2025-04-0340 minThe Pain Gap26. Dr. Seema Desai on Burnout, Balance, Breaking Cultural Cycles, and Redefining SuccessDr. Seema Desai is a speaker and credentialed executive coach specializing in performance and well-being. Her work helps high-performing, ambitious leaders thrive at work by nurturing their well-being and building deeper connections at home. Desai draws on her cultural background and experiences with Imposter Phenomenon, postpartum depression and being a working mom to bring empathy and compassion to the people she serves.Desai is the author of the book, Connected: Discovering Your Inner Guides and co-host of the multiple-award-winning-podcast Happy and Human. She recently served as Co-President of the Austin chapter of Pratham USA, a non...
2025-03-2759 minThe Pain Gap25. Dr. Felice Chen on Acupuncture, Herbal Remedies & Rethinking Women’s HealthDr. Felice Chen is a board-certified acupuncturist and herbal medicine expert who seamlessly blends Eastern and Western medicine to offer holistic, long-term healing solutions. Raised in Hong Kong, Dr. Chen grew up surrounded by traditional Chinese medicine, but her journey into the field wasn’t linear—initially immersed in Western medical studies, she ultimately found her calling in a practice that treats both the symptoms and the root cause of illness.In this episode, Dr. Chen unpacks the philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine, the misconceptions about acupuncture, and the critical role of balance in health. We’ll discus...
2025-03-2038 minThe Pain Gap24. The Sexual Evolution with Dr. Nathan Lents: Rethinking Sex, Gender, and NatureNathan Lents is a scientist, author, and professor at John Jay College, where he directs the Cell and Molecular Biology program. Dr. Lents is a leading voice in evolutionary biology, forensic science, and human behavior, and his work challenges long-held assumptions about what is “natural” regarding sex, gender, and relationships.His latest book, The Sexual Evolution, explores how the animal kingdom defies rigid gender roles, debunks myths about biological binaries, and ultimately offers a scientific rebuttal to bigotry. In this episode, we unpack how science has been weaponized in gender debates, why diversity—not conformity—is nature’s rule, an...
2025-03-1346 minThe Pain Gap23. Reclaiming Balance with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar: Burnout, Resilience & the Mind-Body ConnectionDr. Aditi Nerurkar is a physician, public health expert, and bestselling author whose work focuses on stress, resilience, burnout, and mental health. With a background in integrative medicine and public health, Dr. Nerurkar has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between science and well-being, making stress management both accessible and evidence-based.Her book, The 5 Resets, has been recognized as a must-read by Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell’s Next Big Idea Club and is available in 35 countries. She has been a trusted voice in the media, appearing on MSNBC, NBC News, The Today Show, and Good Mo...
2025-03-0646 minThe Pain GapSpecial Episode - Bridging the Pain Gap: Lessons from a Transformative YearIn this episode, we reflect on an incredible year for The Pain Gap Podcast. Throughout 2024, we explored powerful stories at the intersection of women’s health, systemic inequities, and personal empowerment. Featuring activists, authors, healthcare professionals, and cultural changemakers, each episode challenged us to think bigger about solutions for women everywhere.We tackled the systemic barriers in women’s healthcare, uncovered innovative solutions, and learned how personal growth and advocacy can drive meaningful change. A standout tradition this year was asking each guest, “What would you tell your younger self?” Their transformative answers offered unique perspectives, inspiring listeners...
2024-12-3013 minThe Pain Gap21. The Collected Schizophrenias: Breaking Stigma and Navigating Creativity with Esmé Weijun WangIn this episode, Esmé Weijun Wang, author of The Collected Schizophrenias, shares her journey navigating mental and chronic illness while pursuing a thriving writing career. She discusses misconceptions about schizophrenia, the challenges of intersectionality, and her advocacy for writers with limitations. Tune in for powerful insights and inspiration.Episode Resources:The Pain GapEsmé Weijun WangTo learn more about Anushay Hossain's work, check out Anushay's website or sign up for her substack. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM @anushayhossain or email me at thepaingap@gmail.com
2024-11-2646 minThe Pain Gap20. The Mother Load: Redefining Motherhood and Mental Health with Erica DjossaIn this episode, Erica Djossa, founder of MomWell and maternal mental health advocate, shares her deeply personal journey through postpartum depression and how it led her to create a platform that empowers mothers to thrive. Erica unpacks the invisible load women carry, the societal pressures that drive burnout, and the myths of “perfect motherhood.” She offers insights on setting boundaries, asking for help without guilt, and reclaiming joy in the chaos of parenting. With practical advice and a compassionate approach, Erica shows how moms can prioritize their mental health while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Tune in for empowerment and...
2024-11-1948 minThe Pain Gap19. From Gaslighting to Empowerment: Lulu Ge on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Menstrual WellnessLulu Ge, founder of Elix, joins us to discuss her groundbreaking approach to menstrual wellness, inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine and the critical need for personalized care in women’s health. Lulu opens up about her own struggles with post-birth control symptoms and medical gaslighting, revealing how these experiences fueled her mission. She explains Elix’s focus on root-cause solutions and her vision for empowering women to become their own health advocates through natural, effective, and personalized treatments.Episode Resources:The Pain GapElix's websiteLulu's InstagramLulu's Tiktok
2024-11-1247 minThe Pain GapSpecial Episode - Processing Trump’s Re-Election and What’s Next for WomenLike so many of you, the team at The Pain Gap was heartbroken and deeply affected by the news of Trump’s re-election. In these last few days, we’ve taken time to process, grieve, and support each other through the shock and disappointment. As a team, we’ve come together to record this special episode to share our thoughts, emotions, and, most importantly, our continued commitment to advocating for women’s rights and well-being. We want every listener to know that we see, hear, and stand with you. The fight continues, and we’re right here beside you.Episo...
2024-11-0925 minThe Pain Gap18. Jenny Albertini, Professional Organizer, Author and Public Health AdvisorIn this episode, Jenny Albertini, a public health expert and one of the first KonMari-certified organizers, reveals the powerful link between clutter and personal well-being. Drawing from her 20-year career in global health, Jenny shares how decluttering goes beyond organizing—it’s about setting life intentions. She discusses how mindfulness can ease the emotional and mental stress that often manifests as physical clutter, offering practical tips for sustainable, compassionate organizing. Listeners will learn how to make purposeful choices about their spaces, improve their emotional well-being, and discover how clutter affects both their mental and physical health. Tune in for insp...
2024-10-2243 minThe Pain Gap17. Intergenerational and Interconnected Healing with Dr. Ammara KhalidIn this episode, Dr. Ammara Khalid and Anushay dive into the critical need to decolonize mental health practices. She emphasizes integrating traditional wisdom with modern therapy, acknowledging the deep impact of colonization on generations. Dr. Khalid advocates for mental health approaches that honor cultural and ancestral roots, offering a more compassionate, inclusive path to healing. Through her expertise, she highlights the importance of community and resilience in mental well-being, encouraging a shift from solely Western-centric practices to a more holistic and globally-aware perspective on mental health.Episode Resources:The Pain GapDr. Ammara...
2024-10-1549 minThe Pain Gap16. Clinical Trials, Cardiovascular Health, and Equity: A Conversation with Dr. Jayne MorganIn this episode, Dr. Jayne Morgan shares her journey as a cardiologist and the significance of diversity in clinical trials, especially for women and people of color. She highlights the disparities in healthcare, including microaggressions faced by women of color, and advocates for equitable access to medical research and heart health care. Dr. Morgan reflects on her groundbreaking work in expanding clinical trials to include diverse populations and the need for inclusive menopause research. Her passion for education and advocacy shines as she discusses her mission to close the health equity gap in America.Episode Resources:
2024-10-0857 minThe Pain Gap15. Huge Pussy Energy with Jacqueline BuckinghamIn this episode of The Pain Gap podcast, host Anushay Hossain interviews Jacqueline Buckingham, founder of Cliterology, to discuss women’s health, societal stigmas around female bodies, and the importance of embracing "huge pussy energy." Jacqueline shares insights on medical gaslighting, gender health disparities, and her vision for a world where women’s health is honored and respected. With a mix of personal stories, advocacy, and humor, this conversation explores the power of speaking up and the ongoing fight for gender equity in healthcare.Episode Resources:The Pain GapTo learn more about Anus...
2024-10-0134 min
Happy & HumanThe Pain Gap with Anushay HossainSend us a textHere to discuss The Pain Gap, Seema and Dinesh welcome special guest Anushay Hoissan. They’re having the necessary conversation around women’s health, pain, and the gaps in women’s health research. Anushay shares her personal experience and what drives her to continue to advocate for women’s health and the challenges women, espeically women of color, are still facing within the U.S. healthcare system. She shares ways we can make meaningful change and what excites her about the future of women’s health. Anushay Hossain is a Washington, DC-based au...
2024-09-241h 02The Pain Gap14. The Postpartum Brain with Dr. Nicole PensakIn this episode of The Pain Gap Podcast, Dr. Nicole Pensak, a Harvard and Yale-trained clinical psychologist specializing in postpartum mental health, discusses the critical state of maternal health in the U.S. , and dives deep into the (really rough and isolating) postpartum experience in America.Dr. Pensak shares insights from her personal and professional experience, exploring the transformative power of the postpartum brain. Dr. Pensak redefines "mommy brain" and emphasizes the importance of cognitive growth during motherhood. She also talks about her book, Rattled, which provides practical strategies for managing new mom anxiety. Tune in to...
2024-09-2431 minThe Pain Gap13. Heart Disease with Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum.In this episode of The Pain Gap podcast, we sit down with Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a leading cardiologist and women’s health advocate, to discuss the critical issue of heart disease in women. Dr. Steinbaum shares eye-opening insights into how heart disease manifests differently in women, the gender gap in medical research, and why women’s heart health is often overlooked. She also offers practical advice on prevention and the importance of self-advocacy in medical settings. Tune in for an empowering conversation that sheds light on the urgent need for awareness and change in women’s cardiovascular health.Episod...
2024-09-1039 minThe Pain Gap12. From Lawyer to Healthcare Leader with Priya BathijaIn this episode of the Pain Gap podcast, healthcare leader, attorney, and policy expert Priya Bathija shares her journey from law school to becoming a pivotal figure in women's health advocacy. Priya discusses her early career as a healthcare attorney, her transition to policy work at the American Hospital Association, and her passion for improving maternal health in the U.S. Triggered by the tragic loss of a colleague, Priya delves into the systemic issues within the American healthcare system, emphasizing the need for better support for doulas, midwives, and community-based organizations. She highlights the importance of addressing social...
2024-07-0241 minThe Pain Gap11. The Cycle and Breaking the Silence on Menstrual Health with Shalene GuptaShalene Gupta is an exceptional writer, journalist, and author. She is here to discuss her latest book, "The Cycle: Confronting the Pain of PMDD and Periods," in which she bravely shares her personal journey with PMDD and sheds light on this often misunderstood condition and the challenges women face with this condition. Shalene Gupta hails from Minnesota and is currently based in Boston, bringing a rich cultural background with her Chinese-Indonesian and Indian roots. She's the author of "The Cycle" and co-authored "The Power of Trust: How Companies Build It, Lose It, Regain It," which was nominated...
2024-06-2531 minThe Pain Gap10. Marcella Hill's Take on Women's Health and HormonesMarcella Hill is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the Amazon bestseller "Wake Her Up." Known for her eye-opening TikTok videos on perimenopause and hormones, she brings much-needed attention to the often overlooked symptoms women face. Marcella's journey with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has inspired a global movement, "Wake Her Up," which empowers women with hope, information, and resources to reclaim their health. Discover how Marcella is revolutionizing women's health conversations worldwide.Episode Resources:The Pain GapMarcella HillTo learn more about Anushay Hossain's work, check out Anushay's website or si...
2024-06-1143 minThe Pain Gap9. Nitika Chopra’s Path to Building a Community for the Chronically IllNitika Chopra is the pioneering force behind Chronicon, a renowned media and events conglomerate dedicated to empowering individuals living with chronic illnesses. Diagnosed with psoriasis at 10 and psoriatic arthritis at 19, Nitika's health challenges became defining aspects of her life, inspiring her to transform her experiences into a catalyst for change. Despite a successful career as the founder of a popular online magazine, host of a global talk show, and brand ambassador for prestigious beauty brands, Nitika felt a deep longing for something more impactful.In 2019, she launched Chronicon, an inclusive community-building event for those living with chronic...
2024-05-2829 minThe Pain Gap8. A Conversation with Dr. Jamila TaylorDr. Jamila Taylor is a distinguished national health equity leader, seasoned health policy researcher, and dedicated social justice advocate. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Taylor's expertise shines in addressing maternal health and reproductive justice, tackling structural barriers to healthcare access, and advocating for equitable health outcomes for women of color. As President and CEO of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, she spearheads initiatives to ensure vital healthcare access and dismantle systemic racism within the U.S. healthcare system. With a Ph.D. in Political Science from Howard University and a wealth of contributions to publications and me...
2024-05-1437 minThe Pain Gap7. Inside HerMD's Revolutionary Approach to HealthcareWe're diving deep into revolutionizing women's healthcare with Dr. Somi Javaid, MD, and her sister and business partner, Komel Caruso, from HerMD. What sets HerMD apart is that it's healthcare powered by women.But what does that even mean? Consider this: Only 20% of OBGYNs are trained in menopause and sexual healthcare. Yet, menopause affects 51% of the population, and three in five menopausal women are negatively affected at work. Shockingly, a UK study found that almost 900,000 women left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms!Despite the challenges, there's hope. Women's health companies raised about $1.16 billion in 2022...
2024-04-3038 minThe Pain Gap6. Navigating Chronic Illness with Ilana JacquelineIlana Jacqueline is the award-winning author behind the insightful blog Let’s Feel Better. At just twenty-two, Ilana embarked on a journey to share her candid experiences grappling with chronic illness, offering a blend of humor, humility, and heartfelt stories. From grappling with skull-crushing migraines to embracing life as a human pincushion, she fearlessly chronicles the highs and lows of her health journey. With a bold pen, Ilana sheds light on the stigma and frustration surrounding chronic illness, encouraging others to embrace vulnerability and resilience. Beyond her writing, Ilana is a respected health journalist and patient advocate, contributing to es...
2024-04-1643 minThe Pain Gap5. A Conversation with Dr. Neel ShahDr. Neel Shah, MD, MPP, FACOG, is Chief Medical Officer of Maven Clinic, the world's largest virtual clinic and first "unicorn" technology company for women's and family health. He is also a visiting scientist at Harvard Medical School where he previously served as Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive biology. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Shah has written landmark academic papers on maternal health and health care policy, and contributed to four books, including as senior author of Understanding Value-Based Healthcare (McGraw-Hill), which industry leaders have called "an instant classic" and "a masterful primer for all clinicians." He is l...
2024-04-0218 min
Embracing Your VoiceThe Importance of Being Your Own Advocate With Anushay HossainIn this episode of Embracing Your Voice, Atima Omara sits down with Anushay Hossain to discuss the structural barriers women of color face in healthcare, the pervasive issue of racism in healthcare systems, and actionable strategies for advocacy. Together, they unpack the connections between systemic racism, sexism, and America's women's health crisis.Timestamped Key Topics[00:00:00] IntroductionAtima Omara introduces the episode, focusing on systemic racism in healthcare and its disproportionate impact on women of color.[00:02:00] Meet Anushay HossainAnushay shares her background as a Bangladeshi-American advocate and writer and...
2024-04-0145 minThe Pain Gap4. A Candid Discussion with Hala GoraniJournalist and former CNN anchor Hala Gorani memoir, "But You Don't Look Arab," unpacks her many roots across Istanbul, Syria, France and the U.S. — and grapples with how her identity and its impact on her work have been scrutinized for decades. In the premiere episode of the show, she speaks with Anushay Hossain about belonging, the quest for identity, and the mental health toll of covering war and displacement.Episode Resources:The Pain GapHala Gorani websiteBut You Don't Look ArabVogue ArticleTo...
2024-03-2644 minThe Pain Gap3. Redefining Postpartum with Freida PintoAnushay talks about redefining postpartum, having the courage to tell your story, and more with actress and “Anya” Chief Impact Officer (CIO) Freida Pinto.Episode Resources:The Pain GapAnyaTo learn more about Anushay Hossain's work, check out Anushay's website or sign up for her substack. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM @anushayhossain or email me at thepaingap@gmail.com
2024-03-2226 minThe Pain Gap2. How HerMD and Dr. Somi Javaid are Revolutionizing Women’s HealthcareHerMD Founder, Dr. Somi Javaid is on a mission to make women’s healthcare exceptional by educating, advocating for, and empowering patients to take control of their health concerns. She speaks with Anushay about why women need to own our sexual health, how we are embracing the new menopausal woman and more.Episode Resources:The Pain GapHerMDTo learn more about Anushay Hossain's work, check out Anushay's website or sign up for her substack. To continue the conversation, feel free to DM @anushayhossain or email me at thepaingap@gmail.com
2024-03-1930 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E15: Corner Office Breakdowns with Ambika PaiHow do you gain the courage to be your authentic self as a woman of color at work and in the world? How do you bring the pain and joy of everyday motherhood in America feel seen and heard? Host of the "Corner Office Breakdowns," Ambika Pai spills the tea with Anushay on our season finale.
2023-07-2630 minSpilling ChaiS5 E14: Revolutionizing Women's Healthcare with Dr. Somi JavaidDr. Somi Javaid is on a mission to make women’s healthcare exceptional by educating, advocating for, and empowering patients to take control of their health concerns. She spills the tea with Anushay on owning our sexual health, embracing the new menopausal woman and more.
2023-07-1130 minSpilling ChaiS5 E13: Unlearning Silence with Elaine Lin HeringHow can you unlearn silence when women, especially women of color, have been told to not use our voice for centuries, by our cultures and families? Women still face grave risks to their personal and professional lives when they do choose to stand up for themselves. Speaker, writer, and facilitator, Elaine Lin Herring spills the tea with Anushay on how women can unlearn their silence.
2023-06-1325 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E12 Creating Your Own Media Company with Snigdha SurHow do you create a successful news company for South Asians in the diaspora and beyond as a woman of color? How do you get funding? Snighda Sur spills the tea with Anushay on how she did just that and more.
2023-05-1730 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E11: Meeting the Magnificent Ms. Molly Jong-FastAuthor, podcaster, political commentator, editor-at-large, and contributor. Is there anything Molly Jong-Fast can't do? She spills the tea with Anushay on having Twitter- famous puppies, staying sober, and the key to being grateful.
2023-05-0324 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E10: Republican In Name Only: Rina Shah on Democracy & Country LoveCan you be a woman of color and be a Republican? Are you really from the U.S. if you're brown? There was a time when answers to both those questions not only were "yes" but it still should be. And maybe it still can be. Political strategist and analyst, Rina Shah spills the tea with Anushay on making your American dream as a brown girl.
2023-04-1939 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E8: Anushay Hossain One On One with Freida PintoAnushay talks redefining postpartum, having the courage to tell your story, and more with actress and “Anya” Chief Impact Officer (CIO), Freida Pinto.
2023-03-2129 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E7: How Not To Be Ageist and Other Wisdom with Pete DominickWhen we think of stand-up comedians, we don’t really think about mindful masculinity and raising strong daughters. The #MeToo movement wreaked havoc on the stand-up comedy world but honestly, the deep-rooted misogyny was already well- documented. But our guest today shatters stereotypes not only of the stand-up guy but also of the clueless, privileged white guy. The one and only Pete Dominick joins Anushay to spill the tea on his major life lessons.
2023-03-0129 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E6: Inclusion on Purpose with Ruchika TulshyanMost of us believe inclusion is both the right thing to do and good for business. Then why are we so terrible at it? Anushay speaks with bestselling author, Ruchika Tulshyan about creating a culture of belonging at work.
2023-02-1536 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E5 The Secret Life of Cookies with Marissa Rothkopf BatesThe kitchen is normally thought of a space confined to women or rather where women have been confined. Anushay speaks with food writer, baker, and passionate eater, Marissa Rothkopf Bates about her work and her podcast, "The Secret Life of Cookies" where she flips the script on how we think of the spaces women occupy. And of course, the love that goes into baking and eating cookies.
2023-01-2530 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E4 Redefining ‘The Other’ with Daniela Pierre BravoIn her second book, The Other, Daniela Pierre-Bravo shares her journey and those of other women to help you recognize your power in the workplace outside of the white gaze. She spills the tea with Anushay about reshaping the way you think about career advancement without losing your sense of identity.
2023-01-1120 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E3: Thriving with Chronic Illness with Nitika ChopraHow do you learn to not only live with a chronic illness but thrive with it? That's the mission of talk show host, beauty and lifestyle expert, chronic illness advocate, and founder of Chronicon, Nitika Chopra. Whether you're battling cancer or going through a divorce, Chopra spills the tea with Anushay on not only living your best life but how to be more committed to your happiness than your sufferring.
2022-12-2822 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E2: The Racism of White Women with Saira Rao and Regina JacksonWhat role to white women play in upholding white supremacy and racist systems? A pretty big one! Even though we tend to leave them out, historically (most) white women always stood by white men when it comes to social orders that place whiteness as superior to well, everything else. To this day, majority of college women in America vote for their race over their gender and played a huge role in ushering in white nationalist and misogynist, Donald J. Trump. So what’s their problem? Bestselling authors, Saira Rao and Regina Jackson spill the tea with Anushay in this must...
2022-12-1426 min
Spilling ChaiS5 E1: The Power of Sisterhood with TK Wonder and Cipriana QuannAnushay talks personal branding, fashion designing, healing from childhood trauma with power sisters, Cipriana Quann and TK Wonder. The power duo also dishes on their new YouTube show, "Chew on This" and spill the tea on why this was the time to launch a cooking show.
2022-11-3023 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E13: The Power of Telling Our Stories with Tomeka IsaacOne of the key themes in Anushay's book is the power of women telling their stories. During her research, Anushay became obsessed with the stories women don't tell and what we keep to ourselves. One of the most powerful stories she came across in her work is that of Tomeka Isaac who started the nonprofit organization, Jace's Journey after the loss of son. Isaac's story embodies the message that when women share our narratives, everything changes. How we view an issue changes. The season finale of Spilling Chai on the Pain Gap is a tribute to women who have...
2022-06-0139 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E12: Can A Digital Community Save Women of Color From Dying in Childbirth? with Layo GeorgeOne of the biggest messages in Anushay's book, The Pain Gap is that maternal health is that America's maternal health crisis is solvable. We already have the tools and expertise to ensure no woman dies giving life. Yet, America's maternal mortality numbers, especially for Black women and women of color, are not only the highest amongst rich nations but that number is increasing. Layo George, the creator of the digital community, Wolomi, is a nurse and entrepreneur who has developed a tech intervention to change the dangerous pregnancy and birth experience in America.Learn more about Wolomi...
2022-05-2531 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E11: Can Women Be Someone Other Than a Mother? with Erin S. Lane Anushay describes herself as being “obsessed” with motherhood in America, largely because of its constant cultural contradictions. The image of motherhood in America is so white, yet its Black & Brown women who are more likely to die giving birth in the US. We claim to worship mothers but remain the only industrialized nation without paid maternity leave. And what about the women who don’t want to be mothers? Is it possible to do something more meaningful than mothering? The latter is the question at the heart of Theologian Erin S. Lane‘s book, Someone Other than a Mother.
2022-05-1735 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E10: The End of Unpaid Motherhood? with Reshma SaujaniAnushay has been a long time fan of American lawyer, politician, civil servant, founder of Girls Who Code, the Marshall Plan for Moms, five-time author, Reshma Saujani. Saujani is a warrior for women’s rights, using her platform to encourage us to raise brave not perfect girls and demand we pay moms in the workforce. Saujani joins Anushay to talk about her new book, “Pay Up,” a battle cry for working moms to finally get what their owed, and calls on companies and policymakers to do their part.
2022-05-1020 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E9: Where's The Research in Women's Health? with Dr. Alyson McGregorWhen Anushay began researching her book, it didn’t take long for her to discover gaps in addition to the pain gap in women’s health. While our previous episode analyzed the credibility gap, this episode we ideal with Dr. Alyson McGregor and her work exposing the serious lack of research in women health aka the knowledge gap.
2022-05-0421 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E8: The Credibility Gap: Why Don’t We Believe Women? with Jaclyn FriedmanWomen don’t just face a pain gap when it comes to their health but we also have to deal with a “credibility gap.”In Anushay’s research, she finds that women are not believed about their bodies period— whether we’re in pain or if we’ve been assaulted or anything else. We are not believed.In this episode, Anushay speaks with author, Jaclyn Friedman about the crisis of not believing women, having hope, and why sex education in America is more crucial than ever.
2022-04-2741 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E7: The Truth About America's Maternal Health Crisis with Dr. Kanika HarrisWe often hear the statistic that women of color are more likely to die giving birth in America. But how many of us know that Black women are 243% more likely to die than their white counterparts? In this episode, Anushay speaks witness Dr. Kanika Harris about birth trauma, Black maternal mortality, and the truth about America’s maternal health crisis.
2022-04-1244 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E6: Can An App Save Women From Dying in Childbirth? with Kimberly Seals AllersOne of the most important things to remember about maternal mortality is that it’s a crisis that’s solvable. We already have the tools and expertise to save women’s lives. So why do so many women, especially Black women, die giving birth in the world’s richest democracy? Kimberly Seals Allers, author and founder of the Irth App, speaks to host, Anushay Hossain about using technology to intervene in America’s maternal health crisis and empowering women with life-saving information.This is Season 4 Episode 6: Can An App Save Women From D...
2022-04-0625 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E5: Lessons From the Development and Delivery of the COVID Vaccine with Hitha PalepuHow can you talk about just one topic with multi-hyphenate Hitha Palepu? You can't! That's the first thing our host Anushay Hossain learned when she sat down to speak with author, entrepreneur, investor, writer, speaker, and CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals, Hitha Palepu. In this episode, the two women talk about pandemic motherhood, women and alcohol, the inspiring life of Vice President Kamala Harris, thriving as women of color, and what we can learn from the development-- and delivery-- of the most anticipated vaccine of our lifetime.
2022-03-3038 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E4: The Fight For Safe Abortion Is Global with Dr. Milly Nanyombi Kaggwa, Dr. Michele Bratcher Goodwin, and Jess JacobsHow does US foreign policy impact women's reproductive health and rights around the world? How does America import its domestic abortion politics by creating foreign policies that deny women access to safe abortion and a full-range of reproductive healthcare? Those are the questions Anushay asks this week's guests who have taken the fight for safe abortion global with their work for Population Services International.
2022-03-2233 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E3: Why Are America's C-Section Rates So High? with Dr. Neel ShahFive of the 10 most common medical interventions performed in the US are related to childbirth, and cesarean sections are the most widely performed surgery in the US. The cesarean section delivery rate has increased 500 (!!!) percent since 1970, and today more women die from pregnancy-related complications in America than any other rich country in the world. So what is driving America's insanely high C-sections numbers? In this episode, Anushay Hossain speaks with Dr. Neel Shah, the OB-GYN on a mission to reduce the rate of unnecessary cesareans, and ensuring women know the truth for their own health and the health of th...
2022-03-0826 min
Spilling ChaiS4 E2: Pursuing Justice As A Woman Of Color with Laura CoatesWhat does justice look like for women of color in America? That is the key question for our episode this week as host, Anushay Hossain, speaks with CNN’s chief legal analyst and author, Laura Coates about her new book, and pursuing birth and racial justice as a Black woman in the world’s richest democracy.
2022-02-2832 min
We Heal TogetherA Conversation with Anushay Hossain: The Pain Gap: How Sexism and Racism in Healthcare Kill WomenGUEST INFORMATION: ANUSHAY HOSSAIN'S BIOAnushay Hossain is a journalist and political analyst whose work is featured on CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and more. Her writings on politics, gender, race, immigration, and being Muslim in America are published on Forbes, CNN, The Daily Beast, and Medium.She is the author of The Pain Gap: How Sexism and Racism in Healthcare Kill Women. She is also the host of the Spilling Chai podcast.Anushay is the Washington Correspondent for the Daily Ittefaq where she pens a political column for the iconic Bangladeshi newspaper, providing in-depth an...
2022-01-171h 02
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 12 - Full Circle Chai with Bilal QureshiHello my fabulous, dear Spilling Chai listeners! How is everyone? Welcome to the final episode of Season 3, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.When I was thinking about who we should have as the last guest for our season finale, only one person came to my mind: Bilal Qureshi, who was not only our very first guest on the first episode of the first season of Spilling Chai, but is also the father of this podcast.Of course, Bilal has many other accomplishments, too.Bilal is a br...
2021-08-2635 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 11 - Breaking Down Critical Race Theory with Tim WiseHello my Spilling Chai listeners! How is everyone? Welcome to episode 11 of season 3 of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain!Right before I graduated from college at UVA in 2002, a favorite professor of mine told me something I think of often: “In the real world, you’ll be shocked at how uninformed people really are.”I’ve been thinking about Professor Robert’s words more as the nation feels like it’s getting ready to go to war over Critical Race Theory (CRT).From Texas to Pennsylvani...
2021-08-0533 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 10 - Mindful Masculinity with Pete DominickHello my fabulous chai drinkers! How are you? Welcome to episode 10 of season three of the show coming to you as always from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.When we think of stand-up comedians, we don’t really think about mindful masculinity and raising strong daughters. The #MeToo movement wreaked havoc on the stand-up comedy world but honestly, the deep-rooted misogyny was already well- documented.But our guest today shatters stereotypes not only of the stand-up guy but also of the clueless, privileged white guy. I am talking about the one and only...
2021-07-2244 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 9 - Decoding Iran Diplomacy with Negar MortazaviHello my fabulous chai drinkers! How is everyone doing? Welcome to episode 9 of season three of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.When you hear the words “Iran nuclear deal” what are the images that come up in your mind? I think of men-- mainly American and Iranian diplomats sitting across one another in the conference room of some major hotel in Vienna, Geneva, or New York.But it’s an Iranian woman that many in the US have come to rely on when it comes to decoding...
2021-07-0822 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 8 - Centering People of Color in Politics with Atima OmaraHello my fabulous chai drinkers! How are you? Welcome to episode 8 of season 3 of the show coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain!One of my favorite things about living in DC as a University of Virginia (UVA) alum is having so many friends you went to college with so close by. And when you find yourselves working on the same core goals professionally, well that makes life that much sweeter.Which brings me to our guest today! You may know Atima Omara as one of Washington, DC’s top poli...
2021-06-2420 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 7 - Being the King of the Hill with Manu RajuHello my fabulous chai drinkers! How are you? Welcome to episode seven of season three of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain!We hear so much talk about diversity in the media but every now and then there is a journalist who becomes iconic just by doing their job. And when that person is a person of color? Well, that’s even better.
2021-06-1018 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 6 - Being A Living Legend with Maria HinojosaHello my chai drinkers! How are you? Welcome to episode 6 of season 3 of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain!When you think about American mainstream media, the image that naturally comes to mind is that of a white, middle-aged man or woman, and with good reason. Whiteness has been synonymous with journalism and media in the U.S. since forever. From Walter Cronkite to Dan Rather to Wolf Blitzer to Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters.But there have always been people of color, pioneers who shattered barriers fr...
2021-05-2721 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 5 - Finding The Optimist's Telescope with Bina VenkataramanHello my fabulous chai drinkers! How is everybody doing? Welcome to season 3, episode 5 of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.It’s such a weird time to be alive and the duality is even more jarring if you’re South Asian-American: You watch the Indian subcontinent gasping for air while simultaneously watching America reopen.Lucky for us, our guest today is an expert in planning during uncertain circumstances and has even written a book about it. I am talking about Bina Venkataraman, author of The Optimist’s Telescop...
2021-05-1329 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 4 - How to Catch a Spy with Naveed JamaliHello My Dear Chai Drinkers! How are you? Welcome to episode 4 of season 3 of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.When we think of spies, we think of iconic, leading Hollywood men (read: white men) like Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig. But in real life, patriotic immigrants, men of color also go undercover, risking their lives for love of country.And no one knows what it’s like to play spy games with dangerous enemies more intimately than our guest today.Sending you epis...
2021-04-2935 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 3 - Episode 2 - Cooking Along the Silk Route with Shayma SaadatHello My Amazing Chai Drinkers! How are you? Welcome to episode 2 of season 3 of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.If you follow me on Instagram, my favorite social media platform, you may have figured out that I am a big lover of all things food.I am not only an excellent eater and dessert connoisseur, if I do say so myself, but I am also a closet cook. Not something I do too often, but you’d be surprised at culinary talents.But when I co...
2021-04-0152 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 2 - Episode 12 - #BlackGirlMagic with Errin HainesHello My Dear Listeners! How are you? Welcome to Episode 12, the season finale of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.For so long, journalism in America has been defined and run by white men-- and some white women. But where do the rest of us fit in and what happens to our stories?No one is poised to better answer this question than our guest today who is the founding mother of the 19th, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom reporting at the intersection of gender, politics, and policy. I...
2020-12-0326 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 2 - Episode 11 - Discovering the Colors of Honey with Hanifa Abdul HameedHello Spilling Chai listeners! How is everyone? Welcome to Episode 11 of Season 2 of the show, coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain!When we first launched this podcast and we were setting up our social media accounts, on Instagram I kept finding myself reposting these incredibly colorful, vibrant, and super-feminist images with this very cool South Asian vibe.The account was called “Colors of Honey” and the artist’s work led me down this rabbit hole of Desi artists on Instagram whose talent is not only beautiful but makes powerful social...
2020-11-2618 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 2 - Episode 10 - Unapologetic Feminism with Mona EltahawayHello Everyone! How are you? Welcome to episode 10 of season 2 of the show coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.One of the things I love about having this podcast is getting to invite people whose work I’ve admired and fan-girled from a far to be a guest on Spilling Chai. So, of course, I would take this opportunity to reach out to a woman who proudly calls herself an anarchist and a feminist.I am talking about feminist writer and author, Mona Eltahaway.
2020-11-1926 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 2 - Episode 8 - The Power of Women's Anger with Soraya ChemalyHello Fabulous Spilling Chai listeners! How are you? Welcome to Season 2, Episode 8 of the show coming to you from Washington, DC. I am your host, Anushay Hossain.While many of you who follow my work may know that I am a massive feminist, how many of you know that I am actually a raging feminist? Feminism for me is more than just believing in women’s equal rights as human beings. I also rely on it in a very spiritual way as well-- to hold me up, to give me hope, inspiration, and motivation.A lo...
2020-10-3022 min
Spilling ChaiSeason 2 - Episode 4 - Can Men Be Feminists? with Greg ProopsHi Spilling Chai Listeners! How are you? Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 2 of “Spilling Chai” coming to you from Washington, DC. I’m your host, Anushay Hossain.I’ve been a feminist for such a large part of my life and one of the things that makes me the happiest is when men not only support women’s rights but openly call themselves feminists. One of the most frustrating things I have dealt with in my career is having to repeat that being a feminist does not mean hating men. [Insert massive eye roll gif please].Thank go...
2020-10-0136 min