Radio Inspired by and for Women
Discover Independent Voices at KXRW 99.9 fm Radio!
Listen to this description of The Women’s Mosaic in less than one minute.
Listen to our Podcasts anytime!
KXRW.fm Vancouver and our sister station, XRAY.fm Portland, broadcast our radio show. Once an episode has aired, listeners are able to stream the episode anytime from anywhere. You can find links to previously broadcast episodes below or archived on our KXRW.fm Show Page here: https://kxrw.fm/the-womens-mosaic/ or our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Meet Our Guests & Stream Aired Episodes Here!
Episodes 21 & 23 (Part 1 airs April 23, 2024 and Part 2 airs May 28, 2024) ~ Guest Myra Rich is a retired Associate Professor of History at the University of Colorado, Denver. She joins us to talk about the American women who relentlessly pursued women’s suffrage inspired by a desire to raise women’s status, safety, power and legal freedoms through legal equality, a struggle which continues today. Professor Rich sets the stage with the Seneca Falls Convention – the event that launched the movement – and reveals much of the seminal history of the movement and the incredible courage and sacrifices made by the women who participated. She helps us understand how white, African American and other ethnic and religious women became engaged in suffrage as well as other social movements of the time. She brings us on a journey through time that culminates with a probing examination of the challenging issues and concerns contemporary women face today and where to look for hope.
Dr. Myra Rich on a recent hike in the Colorados.
Episodes 19 & 20 Part 1 and Part 2 ~ Guest Kitty Norton, the writer, director and producer of the 2023 award-winning documentary, Wine, Women and Dementia, was the primary caretaker for the last six years of her mother’s 11 year decline with dementia. Her documentary of her experience continues to wow audiences on the international film festival circuit and at private and public showings throughout North America. Through the lens of 11 caregivers of family members living with dementia, the film shares a universal story of the trials families endure, the challenges of those who undertake this journey as well as recognition of some of the sweet memories and moments that still endure. Kitty expands our understanding of the personal side of dementia offering hope and support to all. This episode honors the courageous caregivers so beautifully highlighted in her documentary and it offers ways we can help those making this journey. Be prepared to laugh, but keep that handkerchief handy.
Kitty Norton in front of her RV.
Episode 18 – Guest Rebecca Clarren is an award-winning journalist and author who has been writing about the American West for over 20 years. Rebecca’s work has also appeared in publications such as Mother Jones, Indian Country Today, and The Nation and in late 2023 Penguin Random House released her intriguing new book.
In The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota and an American Inheritance, Rebecca recounts the entangled histories of her immigrant ancestors and the Lakota of South Dakota. In the process she produces a revealing testament on the true cost of the settlement of the American West. Her book is much more than a compelling history lesson. Through her research and intentional examination of facts, actions, privilege, power and consequences, she invites each of us to measure our own distance from the actions and inactions of our ancestors. Rebecca answers three questions for herself and for us. What are the stories we tell, what are the ones we don’t, and why?
Episode 16 – Part 1 and Episode 17 – Part 2 ~ Guest Dr. Carol Marquez is the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology of the Cancer Center in the South Bay at Stanford. She specializes in treating breast cancer patients and also serves as a Dean at Stanford. She has board certification in therapeutic radiology and completed fellowship training in the use of radioimmunotherapy and radiosensitizers. Prior to her move to Stanford, Dr. Marquez was affiliated with the Oregon Health Sciences University for 23 years and treated patients on both sides of the river.
In this hopeful two-part episode focused on treatment approaches and improved survival, Radiation Oncologist Dr. Carol Marquez quickly dispels any confusion about screening techniques, treatment options and genetics. Topics include advances in radiation, chemo, anti-nausea meds, immunotherapies and promising research currently underway. With a Professor’s grace, she brilliantly converts complex information into accessible and meaningful health education. Dr. Marquez informs, inspires, offers patients hope and, perhaps most importantly, allays our fears.
Episode 15 ~ Guest Alison R. Huang, PhD, MPH, is a Senior Research Associate in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology. She joins us to talk about her work in public health regarding hearing loss and cognitive function. Huang holds a PhD in Mental Health and a Master’s in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Anyone experiencing hearing loss will want to listen to this episode!
Dr. Huang is trained in the epidemiology of aging and studies the impact of sensory loss on cognitive and mental health in older adults. In her role as a Core Faculty Member at the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health, Huang oversees scientific analyses and development of manuscripts utilizing data from the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) randomized trial as well as the associated Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS).
Episode 13 ~ Guest Michelle Bart, Anti-Violence Advocate (Part 1), and Episode 14 (Part 2) ~ Michelle Bart, the founder of the National Women’s Coalition Against Violence & Exploitation (NW CAVE), joins us to talk about her mission as an anti-violence activist in this two part interview, . If the continual violence against women, children and other vulnerable members of our community breaks your heart and makes you feel helpless? This empowering conversation will give you the guidance you need to take the next steps in your own anti-violence activism.
Michelle Bart dreams of a world without violence and has dedicated her life to pursuing that dream. She believes our society has the power – if we are willing to use it – to bring domestic violence, human trafficking, bullying, abuse of children, hate crimes and other forms of exploitation and violence to an end. Bad things can happen to anyone, but Michelle cautions us not to allow ourselves to normalize violence. Safe communities are created by the people who live in and want them. Listen in if you are tired of being a bystander and want to be part of the solution.
Episode 12 ~ Guests Kelsey Wallace and Julie Greco ~ Mistakes happen, but according to AMCP.org, medication errors are among the most common in medicine and harm at least 1.5 million people every year. Pharmacists Wallace and Greco join us to talk about how to improve patient safety in the doctor’s office and at the pharmacy counter.
Both Greco and Wallace offer thoughtful perspectives and valuable guidance on best practices for anyone taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Their mission? To help patients better understand the process and what is within their control to ensure effective meds management and better health outcomes.
Episode 11 ~ Guests Mila Jenkins, Naomia O’Callahan and Serenity Quiggle ~ Learn how Midwifery in the United States is Saving Lives.
THE VANCOUVER MIDWIVES ~ Midwives are traditionally in attendance during labor and delivery in Asia, Africa and Europe, but in the United States there are many misconceptions about their role. Our guests, Mila Jenkins, Naomi O’Callahan and Serenity Quiggle (L to R), practice midwifery at Vancouver Community Midwives. They help us demystify their work and understand the data that confirm the attendance of Midwives and Doulas significantly reduces both maternal and infant deaths, particularly for women of color.
Episode 10 ~ Guest Dr. Loretta Shields, the Relationship Coach ~ What are we doing that makes it so difficult as women to be in healthy and fulfilling relationships?
We women love hard. It’s what keeps us going, but it can make us heart, soul and body sick too. It can be the right partner and still feel wrong, so how do we make it right? If you have questions like these, we promise our guest, Dr. Loretta Shields, has some answers. With a Doctor of Philosophy degree in public health, she is an expert in how “relationship health” affects physical and mental health. She also has a Doctor of Ministry degree in pastoral counseling. Her approach provides tools and techniques to help people become their best selves in their relationships. She doesn’t just “get” us. She knows how to help.
Episode 9 ~ Guest Susan Stearns of Pink Lemonade Project ~ Recommendations for breast cancer screening have changed driving better diagnostics and customized treatments.
October is breast cancer awareness month. Susan Stearns, Chief Executive Officer of Pink Lemonade Project, joins us to talk about breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and the support that is available in our community for survivors and their families. Stearn encourages us to “know what’s normal” and talks about new data regarding “patient age” at occurrence, the disparities that exist in care for women of color, genetic risk and much, much more. This show is for the women and men who will develop breast cancer and the people who love them.
Episode 7 ~ Go Red for Women, Part 1 with Guests Lilian Tsi Stielstra and Tia B. Coachman ~ Although heart attacks are the leading cause of death in women and strokes come in third, women just aren’t listening. Episode 8 ~ Our conversation continues in Part 2 with Guests Lilian Tsi Stielstra and Tia B. Coachman.
Heart attacks and strokes are the first and third causes of female deaths. A large number of these deaths could have been prevented, yet health officials say women are not listening. Our guests are Ambassadors for the AHA’s GoRed for Women heart health campaign. Each has a compelling story to tell. Each of these episodes provides critical information all women need to know. Our families love and depend on us. Why not learn a few simple steps we can take to manage our risk and better care for ourselves? If you can’t do it for you, do it as a role model for the young women coming up.
Episode 6 ~ Guest Phuong Tran, Specialty Coffee Consultant & Proprietor of the Lava Java Cafe, 9-12-2023 If you love coffee or have dreamed of owning your own cafe or business, this show is for you!
Hidden just off the I-5 freeway in the small town of Ridgefield, Washington, you will discover absolutely delicious coffee at the Lava Java Cafe and meet the charming and talented owner, Phuong Tran. The winner of the 2005 U.S. Barista Championship, she went on to place seventh in the World. A renowned specialty coffee consultant – although she confesses she enjoys tea as well – her overriding passion will always be coffee. Phuong shares her story of dreamer to entrepreneur with a rare openness and authenticity all will appreciate. Caution: This episode may cause side effects that include an intense desire to quit your job.
Episode 5 ~ Guest Laura Fleszar, is the lead author of an IMHE University of Washington study published by JAMA that disclosed that motherhood in the United States has become more dangerous than it was 20 years ago.
Laura Fleszar, a Researcher at the globally renowned Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation (IMHE) at the University of Washington, is the lead author of the comprehensive national Maternal Mortality Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in July 2023. Ms. Fleszar shares what her research disclosed nationally with some specifics for Washington and Oregon. This study revealed a crisis in maternal mortality rates in the United States, how poorly we compared to other high income countries and the shocking news that deaths in every single state in America are increasing. For more info on this study, go to IMHE’s website, https://www.healthdata.org/.
Episode 3 – Part 1 with Guest Filmmaker/Director Rebecca Rodriguez – This episode details the experiences of our guest in the film industry and examines the process of finding and claiming your passion. Episode 4 – Part 2 with Inventor, Animal Advocate & Activist Rebecca Rodriguez. This local dynamic filmmaker and director continues to surprise us as she shares her experience and views on women who dare to dream, invent, rescue animals and fight to overcome hate in our communities.
There is nothing “traditional” about the life and work of filmmaker and director Rebecca Rodriguez. In this first segment she talks about the opportunities and challenges independent filmmakers face working in Washington, and what it’s like to be a film director in Clark County. In addition to independent filmmaking, her passions include inventing, social activism and animal rescue advocacy, which are featured in Part 2! For more info, visit her website, rebroad.com.
Episode 1 – Part 1 with Guest Dr. Damilola Olupona, May 24th 2023 and Episode 2 – Part 2 with Dr. Damilola Olupona. A beloved family physician who practices at Kaiser Permanente shares important information regarding women, girls and their health.
In this two-part episode, Women’s Mosaic Co-hosts Karen Morrison and Elizabeth Madrigal have a candid conversation about the health and care of women and girls with their guest, Dr. Damilola Olupona. The doctor shares her expertise on patient self advocacy, vaccination, the special needs of adolescent girls, effective doctor/patient communications, maternal care and other important aspects of providing healthcare for women and girls.
Upcoming Episodes (2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:00pm PT)
Episode 22 ~ Airs May 14, 2024. Sarah Desjarlais joins us to talk about her own experience raising her fostered and bio children and the changes in the foster care state program. For those interested in looking into becoming a foster parent, this conversation is honest and real. If you are not ready to take that plunge, Sarah offers multiple ways for community members to participate in supporting children transitioning into and living in foster care. As the executive director of the non-profit Fosterful, she shares her passion for helping these resilient children and supporting their foster moms and dads along their journey. She talks about her organization’s programs and direct supports and how easy it is to become a volunteer in whatever timeframe someone is able to offer.
Episode 24 ~ Airs June 11, 2024. Jahnea Lecouris is focused on second chances. Her own lived experience informs and empowers her ability to help others successfully and productively re-enter the community after a period of incarceration. She refers to this work as that of a “navigator.” Her mission is to act as a guide for her constituents, providing the tools, role modeling the mindset and offering resources for the support needed to transition into a life of restored freedom with a successful re-entry into society. She helps us understand both the barriers and the difficulties previously incarcerated people encounter upon release and how we, as a community, can impact their success.
What is The Women’s Mosaic About?
The Women’s Mosaic is a radio show focused on women’s issues and broadcast by KXRW FM 99.9, an independent radio station in Vancouver, Washington and a sister station, XRAY.fm in Portland, Oregon. Our show is broadly focused on advocating for and finding ways to improve the status, health and wellbeing of women and girls and empower them during all stages of life. Co-hosts Karen Morrison, Senior ED of Odyssey World International Education Services, and Elizabeth Madrigal, ED of The Grace Continuum, explore the real life experiences of women here in our Vancouver/Portland Metro region and other guests with a strong local connection or important information and viewpoints to share.
In a style both conversational and story rich, Morrison and Madrigal joyfully bring new voices and unique perspectives to the mic, keeping their guests the program highlight. Show topics address the status of women socially and economically and examine subjects like gender stereotyping, inter-generational poverty, relationships, power dynamics, domestic violence, climate change, social and racial justice, leadership, misogyny, volunteerism, child care, work/life balance, mental and physical health access, finance bias, volunteerism, entrepreneurism and business ownership.
Co-hosts and guests offer insights, education, resources, takeaways and inspiration. When some tree-shaking occurs, it will be as advocacy for the support and empowerment of the civic, professional and personal lives of our women and protection of our health, bodies, civil rights and lives.
Choose when and how you listen!
On Radio: Listen to new episodes from the radio broadcast KXRW.fm 99.9 in Vancouver and XRAY.FM | KXRY 107.1 & 91.1 FM in Portland.
Online: To listen to episodes through the Internet as they broadcast, simply go to https://kxrw.fm/ and click on “LISTEN” in the upper right hand corner at broadcast time.
Streaming Link: If you miss the live broadcast, you can listen online at your convenience using the episode’s streaming link.
Sharing Episodes: Once a week our Show Page is updated with new streaming links. Right after broadcast, we post them on our Instagram and Facebook pages (unless we forget).
Our show page shares info about The Women’s Mosaic’s mission and its hosts. You can also follow us on our social media pages.
Our Show Page, https://kxrw.fm/the-womens-mosaic/
Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/womensmosaic/
Instagram Page, https://www.instagram.com/womensmosaic/
Join our email list!
If you would like to be notified when new episodes broadcast, send an email to: wmosaic2023@gmail.com with the word “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject line or body and we’ll add you to our distribution list.
If you need to contact us, our show email is wmosaic2023@gmail.com. To contact our co-hosts directly, email to elizabeth.madrigal@kxrw.fm, and karen.morrison@kxrw.fm.
Ownership
The Women’s Mosaic is a partnership between Odyssey World International Education Services and The Grace Continuum. The Women’s Mosaic Radio Show and Podcast is co-hosted by Karen Morrison, executive director of Odyssey World, and Elizabeth Madrigal, executive director of the Grace Continuum. It is broadcast by our host station KXRW.fm Vancouver (WA) and by XRAY.fm Portland (OR).
Purpose
The broad purpose of the Women’s Mosaic is to expand public advocacy that improves the lives of women and girls. We seek to advance gender equity, female empowerment and support the full social, economic, educational, physical and political development of women. Our primary goal is to improve overall wellbeing and the mental and physical health of women to decrease stress, illness and disease and increase joy, autonomy and improved quality of life. Our programming is intended to advocate for women and girls in all areas where inequality and injustice exist, increase public awareness, protect women, offer information and provide resources to help achieve these goals.
The Women’s Mosaic Code of Conduct
Be Kind by any means necessary and Honor Your Power.