Abiding Hysteria

What should have been a celebration became a horror story for this month's guest, Alice. Join host Rachael Woodard in a conversation about womanhood, medical neglect, surgery recovery, and Alice's hopes for the future in this month's episode of the Abiding Hysteria podcast.

Strong trigger warnings for the following: Graphic descriptions of wounds & healing; descriptions of the technicalities of gender confirmation surgery; body dysmorphia; discrimination; medical neglect, trauma, and gaslighting; major depression, and isolation.

Join host Rachael Woodard as she interviews guest Logan Kinch about being childfree by choice, her health story, medical bias, and the intersection of these in her life.

Trigger warnings for medical trauma regarding surgeries and pain.

From the ages of sixteen to twenty one Logan Kinch underwent seven surgeries. After all of that pain and trauma Logan started her most difficult journey yet, getting a hysterectomy. Although endometriosis was damaging her quality of life and she has no desire to ever have children, bias always got in her way. Doctors prioritized the maternal role...

What does it take to run a business? A lot of time and energy, right? Imagine what it takes for someone with chronic illness or who is neurodivergent. In this episode of Abiding Hysteria, I sat down with Randi Pullar, of Chronically Cozy Life, to discuss what it's like being a neurodivergent chronically ill entrepreneur, helping others find their place in the world of entrepreneurship, the difference between the US and Canadian healthcare systems, and more.

For more from Randi Pullar, check out her website at https://www.chronicallycozylife.com or find her online at @chronicallycozylife

Join host Rachael Woodard and Ashley Bell, candidate for North Carolina's 10th district, in discussing Bell's career in healthcare, struggles with chronic illness, platform, and more!

Ashley Bell is a lifelong public servant, educator, and healthcare professional running for Congress to bring compassion, competence, and common sense back to Washington. A physician associate, former public school teacher, and university professor, Ashley has spent her life putting people first — in the clinic, the classroom, and the community.

Raised in rural East Texas by small business owners, Ashley became the first in her family to attend co...

When Amanda went to the ER, her primary care doctor had told her she had appendicitis and that she needed to be seen immediately. She'd previously had a full hysterectomy, so imagine her surprise when the ER physician diagnosed her with ovarian cysts. In a series of events that paints a harrowing picture of the bias in our healthcare system and medical gaslighting, Amanda finally left the ER with an incorrect diagnosis, still in extreme pain.

After telling her story on TikTok, Amanda expected to see a few responses from other women agreeing that they had experienced...

In this episode of Abiding Hysteria I speak with Liana McKenzie about gender affirming healthcare experiences and a cancer diagnosis. Liana shares with us her personal journey with challenges and triumphs, her story of obtaining competent care as a trans woman, and what her experiences can teach us about the healthcare system's treatment of gender diverse individuals. Join us as we explore the stories of real people and find ways to not only abide but thrive in a world where healthcare is a battle for inclusivity and compassion.

Thank you for supporting Abiding Hysteria and helping us...

In this month's episode we chat with Dr. Katherine Farris of Planned Parenthood to discuss reproductive health, the inclusive, accessible care that Planned Parenthood provides, and the importance of telling our health stories - especially those who are in the margins of society. Learn what it's like to visit a Planned Parenthood, how to find care and stay informed about laws in your state, why PP's mission is so important, and how we can support its efforts. For an uncut version of this interview, become a Patron for only $5 a month at Patreon.com/abidinghysteria

In this deeply personal episode, I (host, Rachael Woodard) share my own difficult journey through chronic pain and chronic illness- a path filled with resilience, frustration, and ultimately, finding purpose. You'll hear how I came to start this podcast, why it's so important to me and so many others to share our stories, and how you can share yours. For too long inherent bias in the medical and insurance industries have harmed women and gender diverse people, and it's time we stand together and say "No more." It's time to break our silence, find our community, and rewrite the...

Welcome to Abiding Hysteria. I'm your host, Rachael Woodard. Join me as we give women and gender diverse people a platform to tell their health stories, both as patients and professionals in the field, and work to dismantle the gendered bias that has, for so long, been dismissed as simply "hysteria."