Issue #35: reflection. tidings. celebration.
year in review + favorite recipes + movement snacks + honoring the versions of you
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“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet.” ~ Anne Frank
TIDINGS + WELL wishes
As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves looking back on the moments that shaped us, the lessons we’ve gathered, and this community that continues to uplift and inspire. Whether this season brings celebration, quiet reflection, or something in between, may you find warmth, rest, and connection in the spaces that nourish you most. From our hearts to yours, we send wishes for peace, joy, and hope in the coming year.
Reflecting on this past year at INTERWOVXN, we’re filled with gratitude for the rich conversations, inspiring features, and meaningful events. Looking ahead to 2025, our commitment to supporting and celebrating women’s health remains at the heart of what we do. We are eager to continue amplifying voices and stories through our monthly podcast feature, creating resources for your health and well-being, and offering connection in our weekly newsletter.
And while doing this, we recognize the importance of finding our own rhythm—balancing the work we love with the needs of our families and the ebb and flow of life and our other work. There are only the two of us and some weeks may call for more rest or focus elsewhere, and we are embracing the practice of giving what we can, when we can. This coming year, we are holding space not only for the well-being of the women we serve but also for our own, trusting that by caring for ourselves, we can sustain the work that fuels us all.
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May the new year bring you tidings of joy and some of your best days!
TASTE: Some of our FAVORITE recipes of 2024. We thought we would share a few of the recipes that were on repeat in our kitchens this past year. Theresa: These Baked Chicken Meatballs are great for meals, solo with veggies or tossed in soup or pastas, a nice option for a quick breakfast protein, and kid-friendly! Everyone in our house loves this Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon. I love easy, snack-like meals I can eat with crackers or tortilla chips– these Marinated White Beans are also great to throw onto a salad. And for a sweet treat. These Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins disappear in days. Also good for breakfast 😉 Rebecca: One of our favs this year has been this Egg Roll in a Bowl with Creamy Chili Sauce! You can make it paleo and Whole 30 friendly or you can add rice or potstickers to the side! If you are looking for an appetizer, this Sesame Chicken Dip was a hit at every gathering we took it to. I did modify it a bit…added a little extra tamari/soy and sesame oil to what was called for in the marinade based on comments. For the base-two packages of regular cream cheese with one bottle of thai sweet chili sauce (instead of sweet + sour) and added a few dashes of tamari/soy and a little sriracha mixed with immersion blender. Then topped with a packaged cabbage slaw that I added a little rice wine vinegar and sesame oil to so it wasn't dry (instead of spinach).
SEE: Dola Posh + Postnatal Depression. Postpartum depression affects 15% of women, disproportionately impacting Black mothers, yet it remains taboo. After giving birth, Dola Posh felt isolated and ashamed. She shared, “I buried my head in shame, I just felt so much shame because it’s like I’m not even a good mother. I don’t have the strength to be a mother.” Dola was persuaded to see a therapist, who encouraged her to use her camera. Dola turned her camera on herself, creating a breathtakingly raw series of self-portraits that capture her journey. She said, “I want a world where Black mothers don’t have to carry so much burden and feel like they have to go through that journey alone and I want them to look in the media and see a reflection of themselves trying to make things work.” ❤️
SMELL: Non-Toxic Scents: 25 Perfume Brands Redefining Clean Fragrance. Scents are transformative, magical, even. But the perfume industry is filled with toxic chemicals labeled as “trade secrets” that can put our health at risk, not to mention the health of the planet. A growing number of brands are working to address this with clean fragrances void of harmful chemicals, and sustainable practices re-shaping the industry.
HEAR: Suffragette Records 2024 Staff Favorites: We featured this women-focused Australian record store this past year and were excited to see their end of year picks! Laura Marling - Patterns in Repeat, Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood, Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard And Soft, Beabadoobee - This Is How Tomorrow Moves, Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future, Towa Bird - American Hero, Laufey - Bewitched (Goddess Edition), Clairo - Charm, Jessica Pratt - Here In The Pitch, Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown.
TOUCH: Movement Snacks + NPR’s Body Electric Challenge. Do you sit at a desk all day? Suffering from Zoom fatigue? The NPR Body Electric challenge, inspired by a groundbreaking study involving 20,000 participants, highlights the transformative power of small, consistent movement throughout the day. The study found that engaging in just five minutes of physical activity every 30 minutes led to significant improvements in key health parameters, including reduced blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels, and enhanced mood and energy. This simple yet effective practice combats the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting, emphasizing that even brief, frequent breaks can have a profound impact on overall well-being. By integrating these micro-movements into daily routines, it is possible foster healthier habits and reduce the risk of chronic conditions, making movement more accessible and sustainable.
NEW Year. NEW Mood. NEW Foods.
A Complimentary Well-Being Workshop for Seasonal Serenity on January 16th.
Speaking of movement and food, Britta (Season 5 podcast guest) and Kristen are offering a virtual interactive workshop designed to help you and your team (if you have one) navigate the post holiday season with ease, joy and accessibility. This virtual program combines 20 minutes of work-friendly Mindful Movement + 30 minute Cooking Workshop using easy to find, healthy ingredients. You’ll leave this workshop feeling empowered, equipped with new skills and recipes to nourish your body and soul.
the INTERWOVXN year in REVIEW
From menstrual equity to exploring the evolving landscape of perimenopause, each moment has been a testament to the power of connection and shared experience. With each conversation, newsletter, and event, our goal is to weave the threads of menstrual health, fertility, motherhood, perimenopause, breast health, and sexual health into a tapestry that reflects the beauty and depth of women’s lived experiences.
MENSTRUAL.CYCLE
CYCLE SYNCHING workshop at WEW
Rebecca and Sara Beaumont of Reverence Fertility led Optimizing Productivity Through Menstrual Cycle Syncing at the beautiful H. Berg Ceramics and Tasha Rae Jewelry studio for Women’s Entrepreneurship Week in May. This intimate workshop offered empowering insights into the physiology of each menstrual phase, guiding attendees on how to align their personal and professional goals with their natural rhythms. By highlighting cycle syncing as a tool for balance and well-being, the session provided a transformative approach to productivity and self-care.
PERIODICAL film screening
In August, we hosted a screening of the film Periodical, directed by Lina Plioplyte, at Next Act Theatre. The event brought our community together to challenge menstrual stigma and raise awareness about period poverty and the tampon tax. Proceeds from the evening supported the Milwaukee Diaper Mission’s Period Program. After the screening, we had a wonderful panel discussion with Rep. Robyn Vining, Dr. Emily Lombard, and Nicole Dachs of Milwaukee Period Parties and MDM volunteer on menstrual health and equity. This unforgettable night highlighted the importance of collective action and education in reshaping the conversation around menstruation and menopause. Haven’t seen the film yet? Find it on Peacock, Hulu, or Youtube TV.
ICYMI on the PODCAST
Genyne Edwards and her good friend Dr. Mia Cowan discuss the incidence of larger fibroids in African American women and knowing your family history.
Dr. Emily Lombard, DO, OB-GYN, talked with Dr. Lauryn Beecher, PT, DPT, PRPC, pelvic health therapist about what happens during pelvic therapy and the two discussed endometriosis and hormone changes.
Menstrual.Cycle WOVXN Wellness Guide
Our menstrual cycle is more than just a period. Common myths and misconceptions can cloud our understanding and make us feel disconnected from our body. Learn more by downloading our FREE Menstrual.Cycle WOVXN Wellness Guide!
Stay tuned in 2025 for our Cycle Synching Guide!!
FERTILE.HEALTH
ICYMI on the PODCAST
Rebecca chatted with therapist Caitlin Walsh and sex therapist Cherie Katt about the journey through infertility. They talk about the hidden emotions people experience including the stress, anxiety, and strain it can put on a partnership, intimacy, and sex. They share the importance of knowing the isolation and burden that women carry in this process and the illusion around the ease of fertility.
Fertile.Health WOVXN Wellness Guide
The journey to motherhood is not always straightforward. Many of us spent our young adult lives with the idea that getting pregnant was easy–that as soon as we tried it would happen. But for 1 in 8 couples (or more over the age of 35), that is not the case. But where to start? Download our Fertile.Health WOVXN Wellness Guide, co-written by Rebecca and Dr. Ellen Hayes of Kindbody MKE.
Looking for FERTILITY support in 2025?
Learn more about working with Rebecca.
Dr Ellen Hayes and her dedicated team are on a mission to transform fertility and family-building care, making it more accessible, intuitive, and empowering – for all. With over 15 years of experience and countless success stories, Dr Ellen Hayes and the Kindbody Milwaukee team are dedicated to assisting patients facing fertility challenges and are thrilled to offer the latest technology and techniques within their new state-of-the-art IVF lab in the heart of downtown Milwaukee!
MOTHER.HOOD
MOTHERHOOD & Entrepreneurship: Nurturing Balance at WEW
Theresa and Caitlin of Caitlin Walsh Counseling led an empowering and supportive gathering designed for women navigating the intricate balance between the demands of motherhood and running a business. Nurturing Balance: A Workshop for Women Balancing the Invisible Load of Motherhood and Entrepreneurship offered tips, tools, and a place to share. Participants left feeling seen, supported, and better equipped to manage the overlapping responsibilities in their personal and professional lives.
ICYMI on the PODCAST
Theresa talked with Jessica Speer, an author who specializes in helping families and kids thrive, about navigating the the tween years, differing social skills and mean behavior, helping kids stand up for themselves, and introducing difficult conversations and keeping the lines of communication open.
Theresa spoke with Coral Slavin and Erica Karek. Coral was a birth professional for almost 30 years and is now a family life educator for new parents, helping everyone adjust after bringing home baby. Erica is a mom of three, a family nurse practitioner and certified life coach who especially enjoys grounding parents in who they are and what is important in the midst of all that is parenting. We talk through how to keep our relationships strong by developing our language skills around personal health and getting back to the basics to establish intimacy.
Mother.Hood WOVXN Wellness Guide
The transition to motherhood and the journey through it are full of all the emotions and feelings. With this guide, Caitlin Walsh joins Theresa to offer techniques to nurture and develop your voice/strength as a mother and a woman. Caretaker, take care of thyself! Download our Mother.Hood WOVXN Wellness Guide.
Stay tuned in 2025 for our Motherhood INTERWOVXN Ebook!
Looking to support your MOTHERHOOD journey?
Learn more about postpartum + matrescence with THERESA.
PERI.MENOPAUSE
ICYMI on the PODCAST
Rebecca and Theresa kicked off Season 6 with a chat about aging and intimacy…what intimacy means as we age, vulnerability, and more.
Besties Gina, founder of The Fondle Project, and Lauren get intimate about their friendship, dating and relationships, and their relationship to their bodies in middle life.
Upcoming FILM SCREENING
We are excited to be hosting our second film screening along with Kelly’s Greens on Sunday, January 12th! The M Factor is a first-of-it's-kind documentary that challenges the silence surrounding menopause and advocates for a revolution in women's healthcare. This film sheds light on real-life experiences of women and the urgent need for change in how we address this critical life phase. Tickets to the event are sold out, but stay tuned for more ways to watch as they become available.
Peri.Menopause WOVXN Wellness Guide
Did you know that the shift from regular period to menopause can last up to 10 years? Let’s prepare for what’s to come! Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas, Peri/Menopause expert, teamed up to with us to create this guide to support the manifestations while claiming one’s potential in this chapter. Download our Peri.Menopause WOVXN Wellness Guide.
Stay tuned in 2025 for more information PERI.MENOPAUSE roundtables!
Learn more about our new HYSTERECTOMY doula offerings with THERESA.
BREAST.HEALTH
FEEL it on the FIRST
Join us on Instagram for a monthly reminder to give your breasts some attention. Getting to know our breasts can be one of the most important things we do for our health. By looking at them and feeling them regularly, we establish our baseline or "normal" allowing us to better detect changes as they come up–whether it be pain and fullness that accompany shifts during the menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause, or new masses that should be evaluated to rule out cancer. The more we know our body, the better we can care for ourselves.
Breast.Health WOVXN Wellness Guide
Let’s give the girls some love! We created this guide to bring together women who are passionate advocates of breast health (Dr. Monique Gary, Lisa + Tara of Complex Creatures, and Vibrant Body Company) to share current guidelines and red flags, as well as share ideas of how caring for our breasts can be a powerful tool to promote overall health and wellness.
SEXUAL.HEALTH
ICYMI on the PODCAST
Season 6 of the INTERWOVXN podcast centered on intimacy and sexual health. Reestablishing a connection with our bodies, embracing our sensuality and sexuality as we age, and engaging in conversations with our partners and children about relationships and sexual well-being are integral aspects of our journey towards personal wellness. We loved exploring the ways in which intimacy and sexual wellness can promote overall well-being and bring us closer to ourselves.
Rebecca and Theresa talked to Cherie Katt, a sex therapist and member of the American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. We dig into changing bodies and impact on sexuality, how to grow desire/pleasure, what is sexual health, and Cherie also addresses common questions women ask as it relates to sex and sexuality.
Rebecca and Theresa also talked with Ellen Barnard, owner of A Woman’s Touch, a sexual health resource center based in Wisconsin that offers education and health products for all ages, gender identities, orientations, and bodies. We talk about the importance of communication in sex, how knowing our own bodies will elevate our pleasure, and ways to connect deeper with your partner.
one other thing we are working on in 2025…
In 2025, INTERWOVXN is excited to continue driving the conversation around menstrual equity, recognizing it as a vital aspect of broader healthcare and economic justice. We remain committed to raising awareness and advocating for systemic changes that ensure menstrual products are accessible and affordable for all. As part of this effort, we look forward to collaborating with key players, from policymakers to community organizations, to explore opportunities for eliminating the tampon or "pink tax" in Wisconsin. This tax disproportionately affects women and people who menstruate, perpetuating financial inequities and making essential products less accessible.
Our neighboring state of Michigan has already taken important steps by repealing the tax on menstrual products, joining a growing list of states committed to addressing this issue. By building on this momentum, we hope to engage in meaningful dialogue with local leaders and grassroots advocates to push for similar legislation in Wisconsin. Together, we can work toward a future where menstrual health is prioritized, and essential products are recognized not as luxury items, but as necessities that should be exempt from unfair taxation. Want to get involved?
And we leave you with…
celebrating the achievements + making peace
Reflecting on the past year offers a chance to honor the growth, resilience, and transformation that have shaped who you are today. Emory Hall’s poem serves as a gentle reminder to acknowledge and celebrate all the versions of yourself that have carried you to this moment. Each challenge, triumph, and quiet moment of perseverance forms the bones of the temple you now inhabit. By laying flowers at their feet and offering honey and forgiveness, you show gratitude to the women you once were – those who weathered storms, embraced joy, and navigated uncertainty.
This practice of reflection isn’t just about celebrating wins, but about recognizing the wisdom that flows from within, guiding you forward. As Hall writes, the rivers of your past selves lead you toward the sea – toward new horizons filled with possibility. In honoring these past versions, you make peace with your journey and step confidently into the woman you are now. Take time to listen to her, accept her, and let her be. This is the essence of self-compassion and the key to embracing the fullness of your evolving story.
~ i have been a thousand different women, from Emory Hall’s poetry book ‘Made of Rivers’.
Have a great weekend and an even better year! (and PLEASE share us with friends)
