Happy Pride Month folks!!!

This week we discuss a topic that is surrounded by misconceptions and stigma (surprise, surprise!). Can you believe that many people do not understand how their own bodies function? If you haven't guessed yet, this week we are talking about periods. Menses. Menstruation. The Red Devil. Whatever you want to call it, most uterus-having people experience a menstrual cycle at some point in their lives. I'm here to tell you that periods are not shameful or 'dirty' or something that needs to be hidden. In fact, it is something we SHOULD talk about.

In this episode I explain the various phases of the menstrual cycle (newsflash - it's not just your period!) and share my experience with getting my first period. Nobody should be embarrassed or ashamed of their body's normal functions and hormonal processes. Periods are nothing to be ashamed of. Let's talk about it!

Please follow us on Instagram and TikTok @mugwortandmoonpod and don't forget to subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for updates on new episodes! You can also become a Patron at www.Patreon.com/Mugwortandmoon for exclusive content and special downloads made by yours truly.

We have a Spotify Q&A available if anyone would like to suggest topics for future episodes! We appreciate the engagement.

Thank you, see you next week!

Sources for this episode include:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/what-is-the-pink-tax-and-how-does-it-hinder-women/

https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/atlantic-canada-wildfire-responses

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/canadian-province-of-quebec-looks-for-international-support-to-fight-over-160-wildfires

https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2023/what-you-should-do-as-canadian-wildfire-smoke-moves-across-us.html

https://www.wsj.com/articles/wildfire-air-quality-health-effects-smoke-us-canada-f9a2c7d4

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/canada-wildfires-lead-to-air-quality-alerts-in-u-s-heres-how-to-stay-safe

An Indian Nonprofit Wants To Tackle Menstrual Exile ... By Building Better Huts : Goats and Soda : NPR

Menstrual Cycle (Normal Menstruation): Overview & Phases (clevelandclinic.org)

Menstrual health, not just hygiene: The path toward a strong cross-sectoral response (who.int)

Menstrual Health and Hygiene (worldbank.org)

This week we talk spring foraging! Foraging is a family-friendly activity that can be done year-round and fosters a knowledge and appreciation for our natural ecosystems. The information and advice in this episode comes from my own personal experience and years of education in forest ecology and medicinal plants. It should not be considered medical advice nor should anyone consume anything that they are unsure of. Please seek out the help of experienced foragers and use many different resources for identification.

In this episode I discuss my favorite plants to forage in the spring, the scientific names for each plant, their edible or medicinal properties and how I like to use them, and some common toxic or poisonous look-a-likes to watch out for. This is the first in what will be a seasonal series in locally-gathered wild food and I am excited to share with you!

Please forage sustainably and abide by local conservation laws and regulations. Reach out to your local forest service for more information.

What is your favorite foraged spring edible? Tell us in our Spotify poll!

Big shoutout to our first Patron, Cayci! Thanks so much for becoming a member!

Mugwort and Moon Podcast is on social media! If you like this podcast and would like more content like this please like, follow, and share with your friends!

Follow us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/mugwortandmoon

Instagram: @mugwortandmoonpod

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Sources for the show include:

Allium tricoccum Facts for Kids (kiddle.co)

Ramps (Allium tricoccum): Factsheet (psu.edu)

Ramps Fact Sheet (usda.gov)

Fiddleheads: Foraging, Recipes, and Fern Folklore | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Foraging for Fiddleheads - Northern Wilds Magazine

Garlic Mustard: Invasive, Destructive, Edible (nature.org)

Morel (Morchella esculenta) - Woodland Trust

How to Find Morels for a Delicious (and Safe!) Mushroom Feast (bhg.com)

Foraging for Wild Violets: an edible early spring flower (growforagecookferment.com)

Spring is here in Vermont, and the foraging season is off to a good start. - Stowe Forager

Two Burning Houses: A Natural History of Stinging Nettle — North Cascades Institute (ncascades.org)

6 Benefits of Stinging Nettle (Plus Side Effects) (healthline.com)

Happy Belated Mothers Day to all the mom's out there! This week we will be discussing paid family leave, FMLA, and universal healthcare and healthcare access in the United States.

What better way to show appreciation for mothers in the U.S. than provide them adequate time off and compensation while they recover from giving birth and taking care of a newborn or infant? Wouldn't it be wonderful if parents adopting a child had a reasonable amount of time to process the adoption and bond with that child? Shouldn't someone with a sick or disabled family member be allowed time off to care for them without worrying about how they're going to pay bills?

This week we discuss access to paid family and medical leave in the United States compared to other countries around the world. The United States is the only country out of 41 developed nations without a guaranteed paid family leave policy for its citizens. The United States ranks last in the world for healthcare outcomes and has some of the most expensive healthcare in the world. As a first world country, it is disgraceful that we do not guarantee our citizens adequate time off and pay for major medical events, family needs, and other unforeseen circumstances. We can do so much better and we SHOULD do better.

Join me as we talk about the facts and statistics surrounding paid family and medical leave, universal healthcare and FMLA.

Sources:

Quick Facts on Paid Family and Medical Leave - Center for American Progress

Fact Sheet #28: The Family and Medical Leave Act | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Where in Europe should you live to get the longest paternity leave? | Euronews

EPRS_ATA(2022)698892_EN.pdf (europa.eu)

Of 41 countries, only U.S. lacks paid parental leave | Pew Research Center

Health Rankings (apha.org)

Paid Family Leave Matters — For All Workers | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)

Human Rights Crisis: Abortion in the United States After Dobbs | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)

Follow us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/mugwortandmoon

Instagram: @mugwortandmoonpod

TikTok: @mugwortandmoonpod

In this episode Jenn shares her birth story publicly for the very first time. She also discusses maternal-fetal medicine and abortion laws in the United States since the overturning of Roe V. Wade in June 2022. Please join her as she examines the connection between states with high maternal mortality rates and abortion bans across the country and combats misinformation about abortion care.

Please follow us on Patreon at patreon.com/mugwortandmoon as well as on Instagram and TikTok!

The resources used in this episode can be found here:

Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2020 (cdc.gov)

Maternal deaths and mortality rates by state, 2018-2021 (cdc.gov)

Texas Judge Cosplaying as Medical Expert Has Consequences Beyond Abortion Pill (theintercept.com)

What to know about Texas ruling that could see abortion drug taken off the market - ABC News (go.com)

DOJ files appeal after judge reverses FDA approval of abortion drug - Good Morning America

Federal judge bans abortion pill: What the ruling means for women across the country - ABC News (go.com)

Tennessee’s Heartbeat Law Now in Effect: Attorney General Slatery Responds to Sixth Circuit’s Ruling (tn.gov)

HOUSE BILL NO.242 (2023) - Abortion, pregnant minors (idaho.gov)

What U.S. Abortion Legislation Looks Like in 2023 — ProPublica

Maternal mortality (who.int)

Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2020: estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and UNDESA/Population Division

2023-2024 Bill 3549 Text of Previous Version (Dec. 15, 2022) - South Carolina Legislature Online (scstatehouse.gov)

2023-2024 Bill 240: Abortion Ban with Exceptions - South Carolina Legislature Online (scstatehouse.gov)

Later Abortion | Guttmacher Institute

South Carolina GOP lawmakers propose death penalty for women who have abortions | The Hill

H.57~Jill Sudhoff Guerin~Vermont Medical Society Protection for Women's Reproductive Rights~2-1-2019.pdf