Katherine MacLean is a research scientist, teacher and meditator. In her academic research, she studied how psychedelics and mindfulness meditation can promote beneficial, long-lasting changes in personality, well-being and brain function. Following her sister's untimely death from cancer, she left academia and co-founded the Psychedelic Education & Continuing Care Program in New York (www.psychedelicprogam.com), which focuses on increasing awareness and reducing risks of psychedelic use. WLRN's Thistle Pettersen was able to connect with her by phone to capture this interview in February 2019. Hear Ms. MacLean talk about her experiences in the male-dominated medical establishment before she left it and how she discovered that this male domination carried over into her experiences in the "alternative" psychedelic community. Ms. MacLean will be giving one of the keynote addresses at the third annual Mycelium Mysteries Women's Retreat in Almond, WI taking place the weekend of September 27-29, 2019. Learn more at www.midwestwomensherbal.com/mushrooms.

In this July 4th, 2019 release of WLRN's monthly news program you will hear the world news as written and delivered by April Neult before hearing Thistle's song "We are More" about getting active in the face of the overwhelming problems of war and climate change. After the song, we present two interviews Thistle did with professors Joni Seager, author of The Women's Atlas and Earth Follies: Coming to Feminist Terms with the Global Environmental Crisis, and Leah Horowitz, professor of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin. Both professors confirm that climate change is disproportionately impacting women yet power over what to do about it remains primarily in the hands of men, who also are the primary drivers of the problem. After the interviews, you'll hear Sekhmet Sheowl's commentary that will encourage you to explore and reconnect with nature, away from cameras, phones and electronics, in order to be fully alive on planet earth in these times of massive change. Thanks for staying tuned to WLRN, our feminist community powered radio station. Please listen, like and share widely as we rely on listeners like you to get our work into the ears of women everywhere.

Leah Horowitz, a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison specializing in cultural geography, explores indigenous resistance to environmental destruction. She discusses the Kanak people's battle against nickel mining in New Caledonia, highlighting how women are increasingly taking on advocacy roles despite systemic challenges. The conversation also delves into the intersection of environmental and feminist movements, the importance of language in climate discourse, and the empowerment of collective action in addressing climate change.

Going to a women's festival or event this summer 2019? Consider creating some rad media around it for posterity. Contribute to WLRN's upcoming podcast focused on what we all did this summer. Take a listen to this public service announcement calling for submissions and then contact us at wlrnewscontact@gmail.com if you'd like to contribute your media to the program! More info here: https://wlrnmedia.wordpress.com/2019/06/26/call-out-for-media-submissions/ Thanks for tuning in to WLRN, our feminist community radio station powered by sisters who care.

Sisters! Women's right to our reproductive freedom is under attack AGAIN because patriarchy seeks to control women and women's bodies regardless of the year we are living in. In this 38th edition of WLRN's monthly podcast, we explore the issue of abortion. First up, hear WLRN's world news segment as written by Damayanti and delivered by Jenna Di Quarto. Next, enjoy Fallopian Rhapsody by the 90's band Lunachicks before hearing an interview Thistle did with MaryLou Singleton, midwife and women's healthcare advocate based in New Mexico. Then stay tuned for excerpts of an interview Julia Beck did with Judith Arcana of the Jane Collective last Spring. Finally, hear Sekhmet SheOwl's powerful commentary on the radical feminist politics of abortion and where our feminist conversations on this topic fall short. Thanks for staying tuned to feminist volunteer-powered community radio. Please listen, like, comment and share widely to get this handcrafted goodness into the ears of women everywhere.

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.

Memorial Day offers a unique backdrop for celebrating feminist icon Andrea Dworkin. Personal anecdotes highlight her influence on resilience and empowerment amid patriarchy. Dive into reflections on overcoming trauma, as well as the haunting effects of domestic violence. The transformative power of music is explored, uplifting spirits through emotional connections. Dworkin's legacy is critically examined, celebrating her contributions to feminist thought and the ongoing relevance of her radical views on gender and power dynamics.

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 interviews Thistle did with Julie and Meghan here: https://soundcloud.com/wlrn-media/interviews-with-julie-bindel-meghan-murphy-on-wort-899-fm-in-madison Why is it that women talking about the impacts of gender identity culture and laws on girls and women is viewed as "hate speech" and "incredibly harmful" to the community? Why are women not allowed to use our own tools of analysis and speech to describe women's oppression? Minutes 1:15-6:25 Emily Mills is author of this libelous piece in Our Lives Magazine http://ourlivesmadison.com/article/terf-wars/ Emily says "Thistle has harassed people I know who identify as transgender or non-binary" but provides no evidence for this statement. Minutes 6:25-6:55 David Devereaux-Weber, WORT board president Minutes 6:55-11:20 Dylan Brogan, staff writer at the Isthmus. He was at the meeting primarily to defend Molly Stentz's reputation among her peers at the station but also made disparaging comments about Ms. Pettersen. There was no "bait and switch" Here is proof on the WORT web site from a December 2017 post: https://www.wortfm.org/tag/womens-liberation-radio-news/ Minutes 11:25-16:35 WORT paid staff Nathan MQuillen. Since this meeting, Nathan has been dismissed from the WORT community due to charges of sexual assault of a child. You can read more about that here: http://www.hngnews.com/waunakee_tribune/news/local/article_c8c80121-b61f-5b3f-9791-52f0b9b82f24.html In Nathan's testimony he says that Thistle's guest engaged in "blanket misgendering of transgender individuals" and that the show should have been yanked from the air starting at the 16 minutes mark due to this. Minutes 16:45-20:25 Glenn Mitroff, paid staff at WORT. Glenn is the Volunteers Coordinator. He complains of Thistle's past shows that should have been "evidence" that the March 19th show was going to be just as bad. You can hear those two shows here: https://soundcloud.com/wlrn-media/november-3rd-2014-interview-with-sheila-jeffreys-elizabeth-hungerford-and-jane-doe and https://soundcloud.com/wlrn-media/the-sounds-of-michfest-2015-a-radio-documentary-on-the-last-michigan-womyns-music-festival Minutes 20:35-22:25 Nathan MQuillen Minutes 22:05-22:54 Dylan Brogan "I really think Molly needs to be here since her actions are being called into question." Minutes 23:20-24:15 Paul Novak, WORT board member. Minutes 24:20-24:35 Jerry Chernow, WORT board member. Minutes 24:35-26:25 Stuart Levitan, WORT board member talking with another WORT board member who says he thinks the show violated the WORT mission statement. Stu asks him if he's listened to the show and he says "no." 26:35-29:23 David, Doug and Stu discuss process and somebody mentions they have not heard Molly Stentz' point of view. 29:25 - 30:13 Glenn Mitroff 30:15-30:55 Dylan Brogan 30:55-32:10 Nathan MQuillen 32:12 - 33:35 Emily Mills

In this discussion, Coach Linda Blade, a track and field coach and president of Athletics Alberta, highlights the impact of trans-inclusive policies on women's sports. She emphasizes the need for women's voices in this critical conversation, focusing on fairness and safety in athletic competition. Alongside her, Beth Stelzer of Save Women's Sports tackles the physiological advantages that some trans women may have, urging advocates to contact the International Olympic Committee for equitable policies. They discuss the vital role of camaraderie and solidarity among female athletes.