MOTHER-podcast with Karina Vazirova

Our bodies are a byproduct of millions of years of evolution. MOTHER-nature, as the most iterative technologist, has orchestrated the female form - from the menstrual cycles to orgasms, from pregnancies to menopause. But, how? Why did our biology evolve to be exactly the way it is today?Deena Emera, PhD is an evolutionary geneticist, author, educator and senior scientist at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. In her latest hit book "A Brief History of the Female Body" she draws on her vast expertise as a biologist, her experience as a mother of four children, and her love of teaching to look far into our evolutionary past, illuminating how and, more importantly, why the female form has transformed over millions of years and its effects on women's health.(0:00) Intro(01:10) Unexpected benefits of knowing our evolutionary biology(04:40) Mother-child conflict during and after pregnancy(15:43) Evolutionary purpose of the menstrual cycle(18:32) The endometrium as an embryo sensor(23:42) How studying the endometrium can help cure cancer(25:22) Female orgasm from the evolutionary perspective(33:02) Menopause as a rare evolutionary trait(38:12) Delaying menopause: current state of the art and goals(42:06) Reproductive choice(44:16) The dynamic between biological and technological evolution(47:34) Current tensions between females and malesLinks:Deena's book "A Brief History of the Female Body" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brief-History-Female-Body-Evolutionary-ebook/dp/B0BB8SCVDQDeena's Boston Globe article "Reproductive choice is at the core of being a female mammal" - https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/20/opinion/reproductive-choice-is-core-being-female-mammal/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could psychedelics start a new era in women's holistic health?Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley is a Neuroscientist with 10 years of experience researching cannabis, cannabinoids, and psychedelics. She is the founder of Hystelica - the first research organisation in the world focused on understanding women's biology for safe and effective psychedelic use. Grace currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer at NWPharma Tech and is also the Research Director at Heroic Hearts Project, a charity connecting military veterans with mental trauma to psychedelic therapy options: ayahuasca, psilocybin, and ketamine.In this episode, you'll hear about the incredible potential of psychedelics in women's health. (0:00) Intro(01:16) What is a psychedelic?(02:33) Why is it important to study psychedelics for women separately?(11:24) Safety of psychedelic use for women(13:50) Hystelica's research into psychedelics for women(15:42) Microdosing and menopause(19:32) Anti-inflammatory properties of psychedelics(21:31) Evidence that women process trauma differently(23:59) The exact mechanism between trauma and disease(28:44) Neuroscientist's definition of trauma(31:11) Women in combat and PTSD(33:52) How indigenous women use of psychedelics(36:39) Big goal in psychedelics for women's health: Big Data(38:56) How can anyone participate in Hystelica's research?Links:Grace's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-blest-hopley-msc-akcHystelica - https://www.hystelica.com/Hystelica's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wearehystelica/Heroic Hearts - https://www.heroicheartsuk.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does the female body respond to space?Dr. Shawna Pandya is a scientist-astronaut candidate with Project PoSSUM, physician, aquanaut, speaker, martial artist, advanced diver, skydiver, pilot-in-training, VP Immersive Medicine with Luxsonic Technologies and Fellow of the Explorers’ Club. She is also the Director of the PosSUM Space Medicine Group and Chief Instructor of the PoSSUM Operational Space Medicine Group. Shawna holds degrees in neuroscience (BSc Hons. Neuroscience, University of Alberta), space (MSc Space Studies, International Space University), entrepreneurship (Graduate Studies Program, Singularity University) and medicine (MD, University of Alberta), and is currently completing a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine (Academy of Wilderness Medicine).Today, women constitute approximately 12% of all astronauts. How has being in space affected their menstrual cycles, reproductive health, ovarian longevity, bone density, and hormones?This is important to think about now, because as Shawna put it: "We are going to space for humanity so we need to do it with all of humanity."A shared and visionary goal within the space industry is for humans to live and thrive across multiple planets. Human ingenuity is incredible so if someone is dreaming about it, it will eventually happen. And when it does - will we be able to reproduce in space? What will just thinking about it teach us about life and pregnancy? Scientists and entrepreneurs are already looking for answers while you are reading this sentence! From figuring out how to have intercourse in space to exploring whether it is possible to conceive a baby out there.This spaceship is launching. Join me and Shawna in this episode to get on it ;)(00:00) Intro(01:25) What does it feel like to be in space?(04:15) Why are humans travelling into space? What is the goal?(07:58) The golden age of commercial space travel is now!(10:26) How do female astronauts experience space travel?(12:17) Is it too early to care about female health in space?(15:58) What happens to the human body in space?(25:48) Can humans reproduce in space?(35:41) What's your take on artificial wombs?(38:10) What's the effect of space travel on ovarian reserve?(42:27) What's the effect on menopause and perimenopause?(44:39) Could there be health benefits of going into space?(46:24) Doing innovative science experiments in space(49:06) 3D printing in space(50:28) Women's health research in the space environment(53:13) Key ethical health considerations about the future of space exploration(54:27) Shawna's plans for 2024 and closing thoughtsLinks:Shawna's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnapandyaShawna's Twitter - https://twitter.com/shawnapandyaShawna" Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shawnapandya Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if we could delay the age of menopause? Staša Stanković, PhD is a geneticist and bioinformatician with a PhD in Reproductive Genomics from the University of Cambridge. She focuses on deciphering genetic architecture of reproductive ageing and fertility, and their link to health outcomes in women. This work led to the discovery of genetic signals that influence the age women begin menopause and the first evidence of the ability to, through gene manipulation, extend reproductive lifespan and improve fertility in mice, thus paving the path towards first genetic test for the prediction of menopause time and next-generation therapeutics for ovary-centric disorders in humans.(00:00) Stasa's early experiences with womanhood(03:32) Intro to genomics in women's health(05:33) Historical neglect in women's health research(07:51) Delaying motherhood vs. female biology(09:39) Redefining menopause as "reproductive ageing"(13:54) The difference between reproductive ageing in men v. women(14:39) Menopausal timing variation and early menopause(16:54) How the age of menopause can help fertility planning(19:30) How reproductive age relates to our longevity and health(23:02) Epigenetic factors that influence menopause timing(24:49) Mother's diet during pregnancy can influence the menopause timing of the baby(26:46) How genomic medicine is revolutionizing reproductive ageing(30:08) Insights from DNA analysis of 200,000 women(39:45) How ancestry can influence menopausal timing(42:52) Can we delay menopause today?(46:15) Using CRISPR technology to delay menopause in mice(48:49) The goal of delaying menopause(59:23) Why should we "mess" with our biology?Links:Staša's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stasa-stankovic-93723a137 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we entering a new dawn of sexual liberation?Aella is a model, camgirl, escort and internet personality. She has been one of the highest-earning models on OnlyFans, making up to $100,000/month. But what makes her a truly fascinating human is her highly analytical, curious and creative mind. Aella realised that no one was asking questions about sexual preferences in a systemic way. So she taught herself data science and created The Big Kink Survey which went viral online and has been filled out by over 1 Million people. The survey is now the most comprehensive dataset on fetishes, kinks, and sexual preferences. Naturally, I was curious: What are women into according to the survey results? Turns out, there are fascinating patterns! In this episode, Aella explained that fetishes are actually on a spectrum, just like sexual preferences. She talked about her "How to Be Good in Bed" blog series for men, her view on the future of the sex profession, the pros and cons of OnlyFans, her hot take on feminism, artificial wombs, psychedelics and much much more. (00:00) Intro(01:12) The Big Kink Survey(01:28) Understanding fetishes(03:48) Women's fetishes(12:08) Women's preference for violent porn(16;51) Aella's sex parties(18:51) Sexuality and creativity(19:53) Aella's experience with social shame(25:30) Spirituality(30:32) OnlyFans trends(32:20) Non-nude cam girls(33:02) Male group psychology on OnlyFans(34:04) Sex work and safety(34:54) Escorting(36:36) Aella's "Date Me" application form(42:46) How Aella got into sex research(43;59) New exciting survey Aella is working on(48:03) Artificial Wombs and FeminismLinks:Aella's Website - www.knowingless.comBlog & Research - https://aella.substack.com/To take the The Big Kink Survey - https://www.guidedtrack.com/programs/u4m797m/runTwitter - www.twitter.com/aellagirl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could psychedelics be a game changer for women's health?Nina Patrick, PhD - Head of Innovation at the Champalimaud Foundation Center of the Unknown in Lisbon, a state-of-the-art research facility working on cutting-edge technology in oncology and neuroscience. Her popular newsletter, Nina's Notes, is a bite-sized editorial on science & health topics like longevity, psychedelics, web3, space travel, and the future of medicine.In this episode, we discussed the latest research and the legality of psychedelic therapy (which is different from taking psychedelics recreationally). Nina explained how psychedelics work on the receptors in the brain, and we discussed how psychedelics can have a huge impact on women’s health - from postpartum depression to eating disorders, to menopause.If you are interested in this topic and are looking for a credible overview - this episode is for you.(0:00) - Intro(1:14) - What is a psychedelic?(2:30) - Psychedelics and the brain barrier(3:50) - Examples of psychedelic therapy & ketamine clinics(07:50) - Legality of Psychedelics(12:36) - MDMA for treatment of PTSD(16:53) - Psychedelics v. Antidepressants(20:25) - MDMA v. Psylocibin(20:36) - What happens in the brain on psychedelics?(25:01) - Micro v. Macro-dosing(28:35) - Women's Health and Psychedelics(34:32) - Female Hormones(36:56) - Menopause(38:22) - Eating disorders(41:32) - Post-partum depression & Moms Who Mushroom(47:04) - Words of caution(52:11) - Other research Nina is interested in(57:06) - The Future of MedicineLinks:Nina's Notes - https://www.notes.ninapatrick.xyzEdition about Psychedelics and Women's Health - https://www.notes.ninapatrick.xyz/p/48-what-we-know-about-the-effectEdition about the Future of Medicine (Med3) - https://www.notes.ninapatrick.xyz/p/46-med3Champalimaud Center of the Unknown - https://www.fchampalimaud.org/champalimaud-foundation/champalimaud-centre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darwin viewed females as passive and coy. Today's female scientists are revealing the real truth about animal queens!Lucy Cooke is a British zoologist and an author, director and television producer. She is a graduate of the University of Oxford, where she was tutored by Richard Dawkins. A trailblazer in the field of evolutionary biology, Cooke’s works have included multiple BBC films and documentaries and has published numerous books on various members of the animal kingdom. In her latest book, Bitch: On the Female of the Species, Cooke gives a new look at the females of the species—from same-sex albatross couples raising chicks, to murderous mother meerkats and the titanic battle of the sexes waged by ducks. In her words, “This isn’t your grandfather’s evolutionary biology,” dispelling myths and showing just how ravishing the kingdom’s queens can be.(00:00) Intro(01:34) Lucy's journey to writing Bitch(02:22) Promiscuous female lions(03:41) Competitive or aggressive animal queens(06:37) Female evolutionary scientists finally asking the right questions(13:08) Competitive female songbirds(17:07) Murderous female meerkats(21:29) Menopause in the animal kingdom(23:05) Menopausal orcas and their beyond-human empathy(27:24) Sex v. Gender and Sexuality in the Animal Kingdom(29:00) How bisexuality influences societal dynamics in bonobos(36:31) The maternal instinct myth(44:03) The bigger picture: What does the animal kingdom teach us?(45:31) The most surprising animal of them all(48:31) Female v. Male brains(49:59) Lucy's exciting next bookLinks:Lucy's book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitch-Female-Species-Lucy-Cooke/dp/0857524135Lucy's website - http://www.lucycooke.tv/Evolutionary Scientists Mentioned:Sarah Blaffer HrdyJeanne AltmannBarbara SmutsAngela Saini and her book "Inferior" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inferior-Science-Women-Research-Rewriting/dp/0008172021Catherine DulacGina Rippon and her book "The Gendered Brain" - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gendered-Brain-neuroscience-shatters-female/dp/1784706817 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that the old Islamic texts celebrated female pleasure?Noor and Sura are the founders of Mauj, the first sexual and menstrual wellness brand by and for Arab women. Mauj exists to de-stigmatize the conversation around women’s bodies in the Arab world and to make the experience of discovering our bodies, sexuality, and pleasure as shame-free, easy, and celebratory as possible. Since launching the brand in 2021, Mauj has rapidly grown its community to over 100,000 followers with thousands of satisfied customers. The brand has been celebrated in major media outlets including VICE Arabia, VOGUE and The Economist, referred to as the "first of its kind, ground-breaking digital platform for Arab women."(00:00) Intro(01:25) Starting a sexual wellness brand in the Arab world(03:27) Sexual liberation in the West v. the Arab World(09:07) The surprising erotic history of the islamic world(14:01) Differences across the Middle East when it comes to attitudes towards sexual pleasure(16:33) How they create engaging content on social media(23:07) Considerations while designing a vibrator for Arab women(26:07) Obsession with virginity(26:50) Public reaction to Mauj(29:22) Letters to their fathers(35:14) The bigger picture: the link between sexuality, pleasure and creativity, autonomy(40:14) Advice for entrepreneurs in sexual wellness in more conservative cultures(43:21) What is next for Mauj?Links:Mauj Platform - https://www.mauj.me/Mauj Shop - https://maujshop.me/Mauj Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mauj.me/Habeeb Akande (sex educator, historian and erotologist) - https://www.instagram.com/habeeb_akande/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What secrets do our ovaries hold?Dr Güneş Taylor is a postdoctoral research scientist at The Francis Crick Institute (https://www.crick.ac.uk/). As a molecular biologist, she uses many cutting-edge technologies to understand how reproductive systems are built. She is now leading an independent research program, unravelling details of ovarian function, with the goal of developing solutions for women’s health and fertility. Güneş is a public speaker, regularly appearing at public venues discussing future technologies and sex differences with household names such as Richard Dawkins, Yuval Harari, Slavoj Zizek, Robert Plomin, Simon Baron-Cohen and Lord Robert Winston. Over the last ten years, she has been interviewed for numerous articles and podcasts such as New Scientist, Beyond Today and The Guardian Science Weekly, and recently consulted on BBC documentary Dolly: The Sheep that Changed the World (2022). In 2019, Güneş was a finalist for the NESTA Tipping Point Prize with an essay on the potential environmental benefits of genome editing. Güneş speaks and writes about fertility research, academia, future technologies and philosophy across multiple social media platforms. Her open style of communication and personal life experiences as a refugee and member of the LBGTQ+ community who has moved many times across different European countries make her relatable to diverse audiences. Reflecting this passion for making biology accessible to everyone, Güneş was awarded the Inaugural Francis Crick Award for Science Communication in 2018.(00:00) Intro(01:25) How does nature decide the sex of an embryo?(05:12) What drives sex determination?(07:12) Mechanisms of sex determination, organ development, and genetic modification of sex after birth(13:48) Synthetic embryos and the recent discoveries in reproductive technology(19:21) Population growth(20:34) Zooming into the ovaries and the ovarian reserve(24:06) The link between ovarian reserve and menopause(27:14) Is it possible to genetically modify the ovarian reserve?(30:01) Egg quality and ageing(32:06) Egg freezing(33:52) Is there such a thing as a "sperm reserve?"(41:16) What can our understanding of our reproductive biology help us understand about life, nature, and the universe?(43:30) Are male and female brains different?(50:47) What is the future of reproductive technology?Follow Güneş and check out her research work:https://www.gunestaylor.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if our menstrual cycle holds the answers to health and longevity?Meet Alisa Vitti, the MOTHER of the #cycle-syncing movement.While attending Johns Hopkins, Alisa was diagnosed with PCOS. Her doctor painted a grim picture of her future and offered birth control as the only solution. Not willing to accept this as the only option, Alisa went on a quest to find alternative ways to heal. Through this journey, she’s become a thought leader for women’s hormonal health, a pioneer in FemTech, a US patent holder for her tech, and an advocate for gender equality in nutrition research. As a researcher and author, Vitti has published 2 best-selling books—WomanCode and In the Flo. She uncovered the Infradian Rhythm and created The Cycle Syncing® Method which became a viral wellness movement on social with 5 million #cyclesyncing. She’s spoken on every stage from TED to SXSW and has been featured everywhere from the NYTimes to Forbes to Vogue, as well as hundreds of podcasts. In 2001, Alisa founded Flo Living (https://floliving.com/) - the next-gen hormone care platform helping women get to the root cause of their symptoms with its personalized programs, supplements, and a top-ranked hormone care app. Today, she is focused on shifting the cultural conversation around hormone care and gender inequality in research and biohacking—leading the way to a better future for women’s health.(00:00) Intro(01:29) The Infadian Rythm and why all women need to know about it(08:34) How hormones influence overall health(10:30) Long-term effect of PMS on health and longevity(19:02) Why our menstrual cycle is the 5th vital sign of health(23:00) Biomarkers of menstrual health and how to measure them(26:10) Why menstrual blood is not a waste product(31:31) Female lens on the current biohacking trends(42:33) Continuous Glucose Monitoring ("CGM") and the importance of blood sugar levels(44:46) How to perform an endocrine disruptor sweep(45:57) Alisa's take on in potential of Artificial Intelligence in women's health(50:43) What's next for Flo Living(51:40) The bigger picture: What the Female Cycle can teach humanity beyond our healthLinks:Flo Living - https://floliving.com/Woman Code (book) - https://shorturl.at/amJW9In The Flo (book) - https://shorturl.at/aqMS6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MOTHER is a movement of bold ideas about the female body.In Season 1, we will be diving into fascinating science and new technology pushing the boundaries of the female experience as we know it. You’ll hear from scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, sex workers, astronauts, and innovators unpacking questions like:Could psychedelics be a game changer for women?Can we live healthier and longer if we slow down how fast our ovaries age?What did Darwin get wrong about the female animal?What if we rebrand the menstrual cycle as the vital sign of our longevity?Can humans reproduce in space?How does our sexuality link to creativity and expression?And much, much more!The show is hosted by Karina Vazirova, CEO and co-founder of FemTech Lab, a global ecosystem supporting startups in women’s health, and producer of the DECODING THE FUTURE OF WOMEN conference in London.About the title:The name for the podcast "MOTHER" is inspired by the creative force inside us all - the force that creates ideas, businesses, spaces, communities, and life itself. The first episodes go live on February 21st. Subscribe to the MOTHER podcast on your favourite podcast platform. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.