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podcast

April 22, 2023

The Business of Birth Control

with podcast guest

Abby Epstein & Ricki Lake

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Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake’s award-winning, critically acclaimed documentary The Business of Being Born debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007. With over 5 million views, an online community of over 100,000, and more than 10 million press imprints, it is often hailed as the “must-see” film among mothers-to-be.

Looking at the complex relationship of hormonal contraception to women’s health and liberation, their latest documentary, The Business of Birth Control, features the stories of activists, doctors, and scientists who are blowing the whistle on how hormonal birth control affects the mind and body. It is shocking, empowering, and heartbreaking all at the same time.

About 13 years ago I watched The Business of Being Born and I was blown away. I remember thinking, “I have to figure out a way to work with these women.” At the time I had no idea how I was going to make that happen. A year later, I moved to New York City, got my health coach certification, and met others in the women’s health space, including Holly Grigg Spall, the author of Sweetening the Pill, who was trying to get Ricki and Abby to turn her book into a movie. She introduced me to Abby and we’ve been friends ever since. I pitched in as much as I could over the years to get this film made and it’s finally here! You can catch me at the beginning of the film, talking about the pill and ovulation.

In this episode, we talk about our experiences with hormonal birth control, the far-reaching impact our hormones have on our health, why it was difficult to make this movie, how birth control has been used against women of color, the ongoing fight for reproductive justice, and so much more!

This episode is brought to you by Nutrisense, a provider of continuous glucose monitors. Visit Nutrisense.io and use my code NICOLE25 for $25 off your first month.

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Highlights

  • The response since the release of The Business of Birth Control
  • How Ricki’s birth experiences catalyzed the creation of The Business of Being Born
  • Ricki and Abby’s experiences with side effects of hormonal birth control
  • Why we end up taking the pill for so long
  • Unexpected transformations after coming off the pill
  • The biggest obstacles Abby and Ricki had to overcome to make The Business of Birth Control
  • Appreciating the advancements that birth control provided while seeking improvements
  • The bigger fight for reproductive justice
  • How birth control has been used against women of color
  • The pivotal role of black women in the reproductive justice movement
  • The impact and changes that Ricki and Abby hope will come from The Business of Birth Control

Resources

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Bonuses Include: The Fix Your Period Workbook to Use Alongside the Book
The Fix Your Period Toolkit includes a series of handouts on vaginal steaming, how to use CBD for your menstrual cycle problems, seed cycling, how to use castor oil packs to support your period and fertility, and how to live in harmony with your cycle!

Medical Disclaimer
Information in this post and on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. The information is a result of practice experience and research by the author. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information on this web site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always speak with your physician or another healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate disclosure.