In this episode, I bring on Diana Caribe, psychologist from Tulum, spiritual activist and founder of Empodera. We discuss how mindfulness meditation can help decrease stress, anxiety, and depression and help improve our connections with ourselves and our vulvas. 

Diana Caribe is a local psychologist from Tulum, spiritual activist and founder of Empodera; a mental health center located in town. Her mission is to help people achieve mental peace offering science based interventions and therapies, like mindfulness practice. She believes now is important to evolve our consciousness to contribute with the evolution of planet earth. Human beings are meant to connect with nature and find freedom within. She puts nature and the expansion of consciousness with a therapeutical purpose designed to improve your well-being.

Resources from episode: 

Follow her at: @empodera_

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://empodera.mx/

Follow Dr. Cara Quant: @drcaraquant and @vivalavulvaLA

In this episode, I bring on Lily Wang, CEOwner of MedAmour (Intimate Products Company) for a special episode in Masturbation May. MedAmour sent a variety of sex products for me to try and review on the podcast. MedAmour sells only products that have the cleaniest and safest ingredients and are approved by doctors like me. 

Products reviewed: 

Magic Wand Original, Je Joue Bullet Vibrator (green), Rianne S Bella Vibrator Wand (purple), Je Joue Ami Kegel balls, Bella CBD Aqua d'Amore lube

All reviewed products can be found at: www.medamour.com and use code: vivalavulva to get $10 off $50 purchase and free shipping on $75+.

In this episode, I talk with Casie Danenhauer, a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and yoga instructor about the benefits of yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and breathing on your pelvic health and wellness.  We discuss all about how yoga and meditation combined with pelvic floor physical therapy can help improve conditions like urinary incontinence, endometriosis pain, and recurrent UTI and vaginitis. 

Casie Danenhauer is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Yoga instructor and owner of Enlighten Physical Therapy: Conscious Care for Pelvic Health in Santa Monica, CA. Her mission is to provide conscious care for her clients by finding balance between evidence-based science and an integrative consideration of the physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual systems for maximizing whole body health.

Resources from episode: 

- Yoga Nidra (or yogic sleep)

Casie Danenhauer, DPT

Social Media: @enlightenpt 

Website: www.casiedpt.com (to sign up for monthly newsletter)

On this episode, I bring on Justine Wentzell, activist, producer, and author of the book, "Pocket Full of Dreams: Turning one nightmare into a million dreams". We have an open discussion about her experience with intimate partner violence, when to suspect domestic violence, and how she turned her trauma into many dreams and inspiring others to do the same. 

Resources from episode:

Social media: @j.isforjawesome

Blog and order books at: www.lovejustine.com 

(Only available in April 2019, get 20% off signed copied books and use code: April20)

If you think you are involved in Domestic Violence: 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1 (800) 799-7233 

In this episode, I get all into talking about what bacterial vaginosis is, the risk factors for getting it, how it's treated, and supplements for prevention. I also open up about my personal story with vaginal discharge and some psychological components surrounding it when a partner came to visit me. 

Resources from the episode: 

Swanson brand: Lactobacillus Reuteri and Lactobacillus Rhamnosus for prevention of Bacterial Vaginosis. 

Check with your healthcare provider if you are having symptoms of abnormal discharge. 

In this episode, we discuss all about tantra: the practice of connection to self and/or partner with tantra practitioner, filmmaker, and sex educator, Lawrence Lanoff.  We get into this ancient practice that is essentially more about connection than sex and can help make space for vulnerability. 

Resources from episode:

Lawrence Lanoff and to learn more about tantra: www.lawrencelanoff.com

- Email Lawrence and in subject line type: Viva La Vulva 

Monique Darling FB: https://www.facebook.com/monique.darling.divineinterludes

In this episode, we discuss all about the orgasm from the perspective of Dr. Erica Marchand, a licensed psychologist and sex therapist and creator of "Big O Masterclass", an orgasm course. We take a deep dive into answering the questions: What is an orgasm? Why many women have a hard time having one? and What can be done about it?

"Her Therapy Secrets" is a course that takes vulva owners through how to have their very first orgasm or orgasms more easily. Dr. Erica Marchand is a sex and couples therapist based in the Los Angeles Area. 

Resources from episode: 

Dr. Erica Marchand and Orgasm Course Websites: www.hertherapysecrets.com and www.drericamarchand.com

How to find a sex therapist: www.sstarnet.org and www.isswsh.org

In this episode, I bring on Heather Jeffcoat, DPT who is author of "Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide To The Sex Life You Deserve" and a recognized expert in the field of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy. We discuss her reasons for writing the book, what are some conditions that can cause pain with sex, and the right and wrong way to do Kegel exercise! 

Heather has most notably been a featured guest on Sex With Emily on Sirius XM and podcast, ABC Radio, Loveline with Mike and Dr. Drew, Livestrong, Mom.me, and numerous other magazines, websites and television appearances. Heather received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University.

Here are the resources discussed in the episode!

Vaginal dilators: www.soulsource.com

Intensity vibrators and ApexM: www.incontrolmedical.com

Book:

Sex without Pain book: 

Sex without Pain website

Amazon book link

Heather's website for Pelvic Floor PT: 

www.feminaPT.com

Social media: @TheLadyPartsPT

In this episode, I answer listener questions and questions from past Viva La Vulva Panel discussions. I nerd out and answer the question of what changes occur neurologically during and after sex? How depression and certain medications can affect sexual desire, arousal,  and orgasm? And how to ask for what you want in bed?

If you like the podcast, please subscribe! And if you have questions that you want answered by me, Dr. Cara, please send them to [email protected].

In this episode, I bring on a very special guest, my Mom, Gwen, who talks about how she delivered all 5 of her children at home with a midwife without drugs or epidurals. I've always found it a fascinating story of natural childbirth and wanted to share it with everyone. The vulva is a powerful part of the female body!

Listen in!