Welcome to P.S. Blossom, powered by Rhia Ventures!

“I wish I had known how to ease into menopause because, growing into womanhood, most women may experience childbirth, and some may or may not. However, I wish I had known more about what my body would go through, and how my hormones would naturally change with my body. I wish someone had actually explained that to me.” — Reshonda Robinson

In The Change, we speak with Reshonda Robinson (She/Her) - a Strategic Empathetic Leader and Human-Centered Analyst. Reshonda carefully and compassionately articulates her own personal journey with menopause, from first learning about it and then going through it, to the legacy she hopes to leave behind for her daughters and other young women.

Join us for this vulnerable and personal story about the experience of going through menopause!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to today’s speaker: Reshonda Robinson.
• How she came to learn more about menopause.
• She details different avenues she explored for herself while dealing with the symptoms of menopause.
• How she learned about menopause initially.
• Finding an ethnic gynecologist and having that support.
• She talks about how she found the new her and it was worth celebrating!
• Reshonda shares some of the challenges she faced during menopause.
• Why she takes pride in sharing her menopause story.
• The support of her family through menopause.
• Resources that would have helped Reshonda get through menopause.
• She chronicles the support she received from her healthcare giver.
• Her experience with pre-menopause.
• Reshonda shares her symptoms and experience with true menopause.
• Her holistic approach through menopause and helping with her hormones.
• How menopause influenced her mental and emotional health.
• The importance of her diet change on her journey.
• Reshonda’s goals and aspirations for the future.
• Her advice to other women, mothers, and daughters.
• Three words to describe her journey.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Follow Reshonda Robinson: LinkedIn

IG: @ps_blossom

Twitter: @PS_Blossom

Click here to learn more about P.S. Blossom!

P.S. Blossom Team

• Executive Producer, Co-Host: ⁠Victoria M. Griffin⁠

• Co-Host: ⁠Crystal Pirtle Tyler, PhD⁠

• Creative Director: ⁠Lillian Zhao⁠

• Production Assistant: Elena Morales

Reproductive Justice and Venture Capital may seem like unrelated areas of interest, but in reality, they are interconnected in many ways!

Policy expert, writer, educator, and producer, Heidi Williamson, hosts a conversation with Marcela Howell and Ulili Onovakpuri to explore these intersections and imagine an empowered future for all. Kicking off our conversation, we are introduced to Marcela’s work as President, CEO and Founder of In Our Own Voices with the National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and Ulili’s role as partner at Kapor Capital.

Sparked by 2020’s protests against police brutality, there has been a movement towards racial justice and equity within and beyond criminal justice. This conversation centers health, reproductive justice, and freedom for all. Join us as we differentiate between sectors, explore both tensions and possibilities, and consider the role that investors can play in ensuring reproductive justice. Thanks for tuning in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Background on host Heidi Williamson, policy expert, writer, educator, producer, and voice for change.
• Welcoming Marcela Howell, president, CEO, and Founder of In Our Own Voices: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda.
• An introduction to Ulili Onovakpuri, partner at Kapor Capital, an early-stage, social-impact venture capital firm.
• Context for the conversation with 2020’s protests against police brutality in mind.
• Understanding that criminal justice is not the only area where racial justice and equity is necessary.
• What to bear in mind if you are new to understanding reproductive justice.
• Ulili’s relationship with impact investment and what it means to her and the team at Kapor Capital.
• Defining reproductive justice and why it is important to this conversation.
• Ulili’s perspective on venture capital.
• The work of educating investors on access issues faced by poor communities.
• How the COVID-19 pandemic revealed inequalities in our world.
• Why investment in Black communities benefits everyone.
• The importance of reaching out to Black communities to communicate how innovations can help.
• Why it is necessary to enter communities to see opportunity.
• Why reproductive healthcare is about economics, culture, and more.
• The reason behind the inherent lack of trust between Black people and venture capitalists.
• Being intentional about having people from the community you are serving on your team.
• Why fighting racism is a long-term investment that requires building trust over time.
• Potential and possibility demonstrated by a diverse show of support for Black Lives Matter.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Marcela Howell on LinkedIn

National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

Heidi Williamson on LinkedIn

Hummingbird Black Creative

Ulili Onovakpuri on LinkedIn

Kapor Capital

Rhia Ventures

P.S. Blossom on Instagram

Welcome to P.S. Blossom, powered by Rhia Ventures!

“That awareness was a relief, but it was also a mourning period. It was an interesting time to be in that space of knowing that having a child was never going to happen for me. Then, [with] the country going into lockdown and me being far away from my family and trying to process all of this at the same time, it was a very interesting time.” — Keisha Leverette [0:07:04]

In Living with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, we speak with Keisha Leverette (she/her) Vice President of Development and Communications at Rhia Ventures. She generously shares her story of being diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency, processing the implications of her condition, and her hopes for awareness building on this topic to help other young women.
Join us for this open-hearted conversation on what it means to live with primary ovarian insufficiency, the importance of awareness, and the power of resilience!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The pressure Keisha felt not to fall pregnant as a teen and young woman.
• Keisha’s feelings about becoming a parent and why she was never set on having a child.
• How she was diagnosed with primary ovarian insufficiency.
• The difference between early menopause and primary ovarian insufficiency.
• What it was like to process the fact that she wouldn’t be able to have a child during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• An overview of the treatment Keisha is receiving and the high financial costs involved.
• Risk factors associated with primary ovarian insufficiency.
• Why Keisha is grateful to have a doctor that she trusts.
• The factors that have helped her remain resilient through her diagnosis and treatment.
• Her hope that more awareness can be built around this issue, especially for young people.
• Why she’d love to see more innovative products to help with night sweats.
• Keisha’s advice to other women: you shouldn’t feel pressured to be like everyone else!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Rhia Ventures

Follow Keisha Leverette on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-leverette-97b33314/

Follow Keisha Leverette on X: https://twitter.com/Aida_44

IG: @ps_blossom

Twitter: @PS_Blossom

Click here to learn more about P.S. Blossom!

Welcome to P.S. Blossom, powered by Rhia Ventures!

“Women in midlife are incredible! We’re at the peak of our careers, the peak of our power, and when you have menopause symptoms that are interfering with your ability to be your best work self, your best home self, or your best self for you, how do we support women?” — Ann Garnier [0:13:07]

In Support for Every Stage of the Menopause Journey, we speak with Ann Garnier (she/her) at Lisa Health and Midday Health. She joins us to explore the topic of menopause and its impact on women’s health as we age.

Join us for this enlightening look at leveraging technological development to support healthy aging today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Ann’s introduction to working in women’s healthcare with a focus on menopause.

• How Lisa Health leverages deep tech to revolutionize the menopause experience.

• The app, Midday Health, that Lisa Health has recently launched with Mayo Clinic.

• Possible reasons why investment has lagged.

• Definitions for pre-menopause, menopause, peri-menopause, and post-menopause.

• Common misconceptions about menopause.

• Reducing risk during and leading up to the menopause period.

• Symptoms that most women will experience during menopause.

• What hormone therapy can and cannot address (and why not everyone is eligible).

• Research results and use cases comparing holistic treatment and hormone therapy.

• Exciting developments in researching hot flushes.

• The impact of menopause on chronic disease and healthy aging for women.

• The opportunity peri-menopause provides to lower risk and act preemptively.

• Lifestyle changes and the huge difference they make, no matter how small.

• Mental health and its relationship to physical health.

• The growing demand for holistic strategies.

• How the political climate is impacting work in women’s health.

• Policy changes in the workplace.

• Three go-to solutions for anyone entering this life phase

• The incredible value of small steps and how Ann is making the world a better place.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Midday Health

Midday Health on Instagram

Midday Health on X

Midday Health on Facebook

Lisa HealthMayo ClinicSRI International

Follow Ann Garnier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anngarnier/

IG: @ps_blossom

X: @PS_Blossom
Click here to learn more about P.S. Blossom!

Welcome to P.S. Blossom, powered by Rhia Ventures!

“It's really important when we are doing storytelling that we invite people to understand what storytelling is, that we invite people to find their own narrative and we give them tools to find their own narrative.” — Omisade Burney-Scott

In Surviving and Thriving Through Menopause (Part 2), we’ve got Omisade Burney-Scott (she/her), the creator and curator of the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause, back in the hot seat. In this episode, Omisade talks about the value of community and the power of storytelling on the journey through menopause, and why you are never too old to prioritize your sexual health.

Join us for a candid conversation that shines a light on the taboo topics of aging and sex!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Invaluable resources to help you deal with menopause.

• The intention behind the creation of the Say More deck of conversation cards.

• What story circles are and the integral role they play in the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause.

• The challenge that aging presents to women in the workplace.

• How employers can improve their employees' experience of menopause.

• The importance of having legislation that protects people going through menopause.

• Debunking myths around sex as a menopausal person.

• Results from a sex study conducted by the University of Kentucky.

• Omisade’s recommended resources for everything relating to sex and aging.

• The impact Omisade wants to leave on the world.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause

Follow Omisade Burney-Scott on Instagram: @blackgirlsguidetomenopause

Follow Omisade Burney-Scott on LinkedIn: @omisadeburney

Follow Omisade Burney-Scott on Twitter: @Osunsweetnsour

North American Menopause Society

Menopause Whilst Black

Queer Menopause

Fly, Hip & Ageless

Women’s Body Wisdom (Gabriella Espinosa)

The State of Menopause

The Honey Pot

Black Women’s Health Imperative

Pleasure Activism

Goody Howard

Sex Down South

IG: @ps_blossom

Twitter: @PS_Blossom

Click here to learn more about P.S. Blossom!

Welcome to P.S. Blossom, powered by Rhia Ventures!

“Menopause is certainly a physiological experience. I also posit that menopause is a cultural and a sociopolitical experience as well.” — Omisade Burney-Scott

In Surviving and Thriving Through Menopause (Part 1), we speak with Omisade Burney-Scott (she/her), the creator and curator of the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause. This multimedia platform focuses on shifting the narrative around menopause in marginalized communities. In this episode, Omisade talks about the experiences and realizations that motivated her to found the Black Girl’s Guide and why it is such a vital resource.

Join us for this enlightening conversation about what menopause really is and how you can enhance your own experience of it!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Omisade shares her origin story and the focal points of her life.

• The mission that drives the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause.

• Experiences that are common in the perimenopausal stage.

• When you are officially characterized as being menopausal.

• Why Omisade sees menopause as a cultural and sociopolitical experience as well as a physical one.

• The value of story when it comes to social justice work.

• Who the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause is aimed at.

• The language that Omisade was exposed to from a young age relating to menopause.

• How society stereotypically views menopausal women.

• What Omisade wishes she could tell her 12-year-old self.

• Omisade’s two very different birthing experiences.

• When she first learned about perimenopause.

• Challenges of fundraising for black-led and women-led organizations.

• The realizations that motivated Omisade to create the Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause

Follow Omisade Burney-Scott on Instagram: @blackgirlsguidetomenopause

Follow Omisade Burney-Scott on LinkedIn: @omisadeburney

Follow Omisade Burney-Scott on Twitter: @Osunsweetnsour

North American Menopause Society

Menopause Whilst Black

IG: @ps_blossom

Twitter: @PS_Blossom
Click here to learn more about P.S. Blossom!

Welcome to P.S. Blossom, powered by Rhia Ventures!

“Even if you’re not going to give birth, I wish for everyone to have a really great reproductive and maternal health and life and postpartum and perimenopausal and postmenopausal, the whole, from puberty to post-menopausal life should be full and whole and supported.” — Lizamarie Mohammed

In Lizamarie Mohammed's Journey through Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Maternal Healthcare System, we speak with Lizamarie Mohammed (she/her), a senior program associate at Rhia Ventures. Lizamarie shares her vastly different experiences with giving birth three times, how the Maternal Healthcare System has shifted and changed along the way, and where it is still ultimately failing us.

Join us for this personal story about pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood and why it’s important to continue advocating for the right support!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to Lizamarie Mohammed.

• Lizamarie’s role at Rhia Ventures.

• She recounts her decision to be a surrogate for a family member.

• How her experience with pregnancy has changed over the years (and pregnancies).

• Not knowing what to expect postpartum.

• Realizing that the existing maternal health policies weren’t meeting the needs of people giving birth.

• Her experience with providers and feeling supported at the hospital.

• How her second birthing experience differed from the first.

• She recounts why her second postpartum experience felt like a hot mess.

• Her experience breastfeeding and essentially lacking information and support around lactation.

• What it meant to have her partner at home with her for the first few weeks.

• Her thoughts on the difference between the care and support you receive while pregnant versus that which you receive (or don’t) afterward.

• She shares her third birthing experience, this time with a doula and a midwife.

• How the maternal health crisis has influenced the type of care received.

• How her midwife and doula at her third birth let her down, in the end.

• How a shift change (during her third birth) led to a different midwife and a different experience overall.

• Her experience with unknowingly having had preeclampsia, with her first birth, and the fact that she was never notified.

• The dynamic to think about when you have a toddler and a newborn.

• Being allowed to be a person who contains multitudes (during the pregnancy experience).

• Her thoughts on the systems still not meeting all the needs, but there is still room for improvement.

• The importance of having a network of friends for support.

• Figuring out how to also prioritize herself amongst all that motherhood encompasses.

• LIzamarie’s personal goals.

• An often forgotten piece of the postpartum experience: miscarriages and abortions.

• Advice to herself and to others.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Follow Lizamarie Mohammed @LizMohammed

Follow Dina Daines on LinkedIn

IG: @ps_blossom

Twitter: @PS_Blossom

Click here to learn more about P.S. Blossom!

Welcome to P.S. Blossom, powered by Rhia Ventures!

“Health equity is everywhere. It's not confined to a clinical space, it’s not confined to the hospital or the office, or to healthcare, or big healthcare agencies. Everything that we do can affect our health.” — Mary Fleming

In Using Tech to Overcome Inequity in Maternal Healthcare (Part 2), we continue our discussion with Dr. Mary E. Fleming, the Co-Founder and Senior Vice President for Health Equity of Cayaba Care, the president of The Reede Scholars Inc, and a qualified OBGYN. We discuss the state of postpartum care in our country and the need to prioritize maternal health, not just infant care. We discuss the harmful narratives affecting the care of women of color, Cayaba Care's efforts to challenge them, and how we too can advocate for equity.

Join us for this insightful conversation on how organizations and individuals can invest in postpartum care and health equity!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Key factors in the lack of research and development on the part of the US health care industry in the area of postpartum.

• What it would look like to focus on maternal health as much as we do the care of the child.

• Policies that advocates and individuals can support to boost the quality of care and access to postpartum care.

• Some of the harmful and dominant narratives that affect the care and postpartum care of women of color.

• Insight into how Cayaba Care is actively working to debunk these harmful narratives.

• How Cayaba Care doesn’t just empower the people they serve but also the people they employ.

• The barriers that Cayaba Care faced in raising the $12 million in investment funding it secured in 2022 and how Mary envisions the next raise.

• How organizations and individuals can invest in postpartum care and health equity.

• Three go-to resources that Mary recommends.

• Insight into the work of The Reede Scholars Inc.

• How Mary is trying to show up as her best self every day to continue using her power to make a difference.

• The role of mentorship in Mary’s life and how she supports others.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Follow Mary Fleming:

LinkedIn: Dr. Mary E. Fleming

Cayaba Care

LinkedIn: Cayaba Care

Instagram: Cayaba Care

The Reede Scholars Inc.

Facebook: The Reede Scholars

Instagram: The Reede Scholars

The Commonwealth Fund

SisterSong

Student National Medical Association

IG: @ps_blossom

Twitter: @PS_Blossom
Click here to learn more about P.S. Blossom!