Wild and Wonderful Women

Alicia Matheny Beeson

Listen in for interviews with fantastic and fascinating West Virginia women. Seasons one and two highlight women who are doing work related to key social issues or important organizations in the state of West Virginia. Season three focuses on maternity and motherhood in the mountain mama state. Wild and Wonderful Women is hosted by Alicia Matheny Beeson, who combines her love of women’s history, lives, work, and activism by chatting with women who are from or live in her home state.

  1. 08/11/2023

    Birthing Babies in WV: An Interview with Erin Listermann

    In this episode, we discuss Erin's work as a midwife as well as her personal journeys through motherhood, including infertility and infant loss. Erin talks about the importance of educating pregnant people while providing agency for them to make decisions about pregnancy and birth. She articulates what we can do in WV to better support birthing people and families, including family leave and an emphasis on holistic health.

    33 min

  2. 06/30/2023

    Navigating Difficult Conversations with Kids: An Interview with Diane Tarantini

    In this episode, we discuss Diane Tarantini's experiences as a mother and survivor of childhood sexual abuse that prompted her to become a body safety educator and to write a book entitled The Brave Knight that teaches kids about grooming and abuse. Tarantini discusses the book's origins, story, accompanying resources, and her advice on establishing a communicative relationship with children to help them navigate the difficulties they may encounter.

    40 min

  3. 05/27/2023

    The Status of Paid Leave in WV: An Interview with Kelly Allen

    In this episode, we discuss paid leave in West Virginia, including the varied reasons why someone might need this option and the barriers to access that currently exist.  Kelly Allen, the executive director at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, shares her expertise on the topic and her vision for paid leave in our state to allow individuals to care for themselves and their loved ones.

    34 min

  4. 05/12/2023

    Mother's Day and The History of Anna Jarvis: An Interview with Dr. Katharine Antolini

    In this episode, we discuss Dr. Antolini's interest in motherhood which led her to the Mother's Day Shrine in Grafton. She studied Anna Jarvis' letters and shares her knowledge about the origins of the holiday and the ever-growing frustrations of Anna Jarvis as industries and individuals did not celebrate the day as she had imagined.

    38 min

  5. 04/07/2023

    Reproductive Rights in WV: An Interview with Emily Harden

    In this episode, I chat with Presbyterian minister and chaplain Emily Harden, a co-founder of West Virginia Faith Leaders for Choice, which organizes faith leaders from multiple traditions to advocate for reproductive rights in our state. She explores her interpretation of scripture on the topic of abortion and articulates her vision for the future of our state when it comes to reproductive rights.

    29 min

  6. 03/17/2023

    Childcare in WV: An Interview with Tiffany Gale

    In this episode, we discuss Tiffany's career in early childhood development that led her to advocate on a state level for childcare centers and employees as well as the children and families that they serve. Tiffany explains why childcare is vital in providing children with care during critically important stages of their young life, as well as key for our society to allow parents to remain in the workforce.

    38 min

  7. 03/03/2023

    Becoming A Mother: An Interview with Melanie Matheny

    In this episode, my mother and I discuss her own journey into motherhood, especially the joys of seeing children learn and grow and the challenges of navigating work and parenting. We also explore her transition into being a grandmother and her advice for new mothers.

    27 min

  8. 04/21/2022

    Higher Education in WV: An Interview with Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker

    In this episode, we discuss Dr. Armstrong Tucker's journey into her current role as the chancellor of West Virginia's Community and Technology College System and the Higher Education Policy Commission. Armstrong Tucker explains the initiatives to make higher education more accessible to West Virginians and her dreams for the future of postsecondary education in our state.

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Listen in for interviews with fantastic and fascinating West Virginia women. Seasons one and two highlight women who are doing work related to key social issues or important organizations in the state of West Virginia. Season three focuses on maternity and motherhood in the mountain mama state. Wild and Wonderful Women is hosted by Alicia Matheny Beeson, who combines her love of women’s history, lives, work, and activism by chatting with women who are from or live in her home state.

Information

  • Creator
    Alicia Matheny Beeson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2023
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alicia Matheny Beeson
  • Show Website
    Wild and Wonderful Women