The Vulva Lab

Nicole Wilson
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  • Society & Culture
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Welcome to The Vulva Lab - a podcast exploring the health and wellbeing of women and gender-diverse people. Through lived experiences, expert insights and conversations about the issues that matter, we challenge the status quo, explore what needs to change and imagine what a healthier, more equitable future could look like. Join us to question, learn and discover how we can all be part of creating change. The conversations start here. The future is ours to shape.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Talking About Death Won't Kill You with End of Life Doula Nicole Grundy

    Nicole Grundy is a Melbourne-based end of life doula, independent funeral director and celebrant on a mission to get us talking more openly about death and dying. As she puts it, talking about death won't kill you, and it won't bring it on any sooner. In this episode, Nicole explains what an end of life doula actually does, from supporting people after a diagnosis to caring for families after a death. She shares how a brochure at a baby expo led her into this work, why knowing what you don't want is a great place to start planning, and how she looks after herself in such an emotional role. We also explore how funerals are changing, from natural burials and shrouded cremations to living wakes, and Nicole shares the deeply personal ways she farewelled her own parents. Plus, she answers a listener in her 40s, recently diagnosed with cervical cancer, who's facing her own mortality for the first time. 01:44 What is an end of life doula?03:21 Why talking about death won't bring it on sooner04:50 Start with what you don't want06:00 Supporting the person who's dying07:46 Supporting families and carers10:38 How people find their way to a doula14:47 Facing the fear of dying16:48 From PR and marketing to end of life work21:16 Finding your doula "love match"23:39 How Nicole looks after herself26:36 Cooling plates and staying at home after death29:33 How funerals are changing30:26 Natural burials and eco-friendly coffins31:22 Shrouded cremations and farewelling her parents34:52 Living wakes36:48 How Covid changed funerals39:52 Listener question: facing your mortality after a cancer diagnosis43:17 "Just a warm pair of ears" Follow The Vulva Lab on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevulvalab/ Dying with Dignity Victoria end of life doula directory: https://www.dwdv.org.au/end_of_life_doulas Griefline VAD support groups (with Dying with Dignity Victoria): https://griefline.org.au/get-help/vad-support-groups/ Natural Death Advocacy Network: https://ndan.com.au Natural Grace Holistic Funerals: https://naturalgrace.com.au Books mentioned Being Mortal by Atul Gawande The Invisible String by Patrice Karst Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley Final Gifts by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley If this episode has brought up grief for you, Griefline offers free support on 1300 845 745.

  2. Oct 26

    Rachel Payne MP on Cannabis Reform, Politics & Hanging Up Her Heels

    Rachel Payne isn't your standard politician. She left home at 16, worked as a burlesque performer under the name Freckles Blue, earned a Master of Public Policy, and helped found the Legalise Cannabis Party in Victoria, where she's now MP for the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region. In this episode, Rachel talks about what it really takes to register a political party, why crossbenchers can get more done than you'd expect, and how to get the most out of your vote by looking beyond the major parties. She shares the story behind her push to decriminalise begging in Victoria, her abortion access report with Georgie Purcell, and where cannabis law currently stands, from medicinal access and drug-driving rules to the "gateway drug" argument. We also take a detour into her burlesque days, including a memorable night in a Paris dungeon, and introduce our first ever Mental Load Jar, capturing the everyday thoughts women carry. Timestamps 00:00 Acknowledgement of Country and introduction 01:30 Founding the Legalise Cannabis Party, from Nimbin to registration 04:01 Why Rachel went into politics 06:10 Making sense of the political system and your vote 10:08 How the crossbench works 11:04 Decriminalising begging and the link to coercive control 12:48 The abortion access report with Georgie Purcell 14:30 Compassion, human rights and evidence-based policy 16:56 Introducing the Mental Load Jar 18:16 Rachel's burlesque days 21:33 The Paris dungeon story 22:41 What's legal and what isn't with cannabis in Victoria 24:26 Medicinal cannabis and drug-driving laws 29:41 Access, cost and the imported product problem 34:17 What dispensaries look like overseas 36:30 Listener question: is cannabis a gateway drug? 38:15 Cannabis, opioids and Victoria's overdose rate 41:06 Putting public health above politics 42:13 Emptying the Mental Load Jar 44:03 Join Rachel for beach swims and Cranbourne walks Links - Follow The Vulva Lab on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevulvalab/ - Follow Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelpayne_mp/ - Rachel Payne MP: https://rachelpayne.com.au - Rachel's Parliament of Victoria profile: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/1802 - Access In Action: Abortion Care in Victoria (report with Georgie Purcell): https://www.georgiepurcell.com.au/reports - Coroners Court overdose figures: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9364415/drug-overdose-crisis-as-deaths-double-road-fatalities/

  • 2 Episodes

About

Welcome to The Vulva Lab - a podcast exploring the health and wellbeing of women and gender-diverse people. Through lived experiences, expert insights and conversations about the issues that matter, we challenge the status quo, explore what needs to change and imagine what a healthier, more equitable future could look like. Join us to question, learn and discover how we can all be part of creating change. The conversations start here. The future is ours to shape.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicole Wilson
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    2