About the V Word
The V Word is a podcast by two bad-ass Ob-Gyn physicians tackling all the crazy, sexy, embarrassing, and amazing topics of women's health with hard science, personal stories, and a good dose of humor. We cover everything from abortion to infertility to feminist porn.
Vagina, vagina, vagina!
Our Story
The V Word started when Dr. Erica was trying to find a podcast or news source that covered women's health topics in a medically-accurate and also entertaining way - and found that most of "women's health" online consisted of weight loss techniques and topics of uncertain scientific quality such as "vaginal steaming" (this is a real, non-proven, non-medical thing that we don't advise, by the way). Soon after, she and Dr. Jenn were having coffee and discussing reproductive health news coverage - as they do, and realized they were everything they were looking for:
Women's health experts - check.
Women with lots of opinions - check.
Women with many topic ideas based on questions from patients, friends, and random people we sit next to on planes who find out that they're sitting next to an actual gynecologist and start sharing surprising details about their sex life - check, check, check.
And so, the V Word was born.
Dr. Jenn Conti, Co-Host
Dr. Jenn is a medical journalist and Ob/Gyn physician at Stanford University. She is passionate about reproductive health advocacy, both clinically and on the national level. She received her M.D. from the University of California San Francisco and holds Master's degrees in both Journalism from Columbia University and Epidemiology from Stanford University. You can find her work on Slate.com, The Guardian, and ABCnews.com; and she speaks regularly in a variety of other online, radio, and television news outlets, setting the record straight about women's health. When she's not doctoring, she loves writing, crafting, memorizing British royal history facts, and responsibly Twitter-trolling Republican congresspersons.
Dr. Erica Cahill, Co-Host
Dr. Erica is an Ob/Gyn physician who is committed to supporting and creating medically accurate, woman-centered policy nationally and globally. She received her M.D. from the University of Vermont and is working towards a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from Stanford University. She comes from a family of lawyers, community organizers, and teachers who all think medicine is just fine, but have always emphasized the importance of a systemic approach to the problems of the world. She enjoys teaching residents and medical students as part of her generalist practice. Half of her work time is spent on research to improve contraceptive options, sexual education, global maternal health care, and medical training.
Bethney Bonilla, Executive Producer
Bethney is a journalist and passionate storyteller. A Latina from California's Central Valley, Bethney is committed to telling the stories of women and underserved communities. She received her B.A. from Loyola Marymount University and her M.A. in Journalism from Stanford University. She is currently working with Stanford's Big Local News Initiative, focusing on data-driven investigative journalism. Her work has been featured on: NBC Bay Area, Reveal News, SF Gate, Peninsula Press, The Fresno Bee, The Argonaut and more. Bethney acted as literary editor for millennial empowerment book “Passionistas, Tips, Tales & Tweetables From Women Pursuing Their Dreams” and contributed to the documentary film "Freedom for the Wolf." For photos of cute dogs and lots of pizza:
Aysha Choudhary, Assistant Producer
Aysha Choudhary, Producer Aysha is a journalist who seeks stories at the intersections of healthcare, politics, inequality, civil rights, and human rights. Raised in New York by hardworking Pakistani immigrants, and alongside 5 outspoken sisters, Aysha is motivated by the kind of storytelling that speaks truth to power. She received her B.A. in political science from NYU and her M.A. in journalism from Columbia University. Prior to a career in media, Aysha worked in communications at Doctors Without Borders. When she’s not busy running around with a mic in her hand, she’s probably lifting weights. Perpetually low-key at:
Emma Romanowsky, Intern
Emma Romanowsky is a high school journalist and an aspiring doctor. She is always looking to learn more and is passionate about youth involement in womxns’ health. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief for her high school newsmagazine, Highlander Newsmagazine, and you can find her work on Scotscoop.com. In her free time, she loves traveling, playing Scrabble, eating strange foods, and finding the next binge-worthy TV show.