Podcast
From Skirts To Scrubs
Hosted by Charlotte Thill and Alesha Kotian · EN
Join OBGYN resident physicians, Charlotte Thill (she/her) and Alesha Kotian (she/her), as they navigate what it means to be a woman in the medical field and in their own lives. Each episode focuses on topics in medical history, current events, various health professions, female healthcare pioneers, and more! By analyzing different areas of healthcare and history through a feminist lens, From Skirts To Scrubs hopes to create a space to explore what it means to be a woman in medicine while having some fun along the way!
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 79 Mapped to Divide: History of Redlining in the U.S.
Apr 2800:39:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we’re diving into the history of redlining and how a policy from nearly a century ago still shapes women’s health today. You’ve probably heard the term, but this goes way beyond biased banks. It was a government-backed system that literally mapped out which neighborhoods would thrive and which would be cut off from wealth and opportunity. We walk through how redlining started, how it fueled segregation and the racial wealth gap, and how those same neighborhoods still face worse health outcomes today. From chronic disease to pregnancy complications, the impact is still very real. Tune in as we connect the dots between housing policy, structural racism, and maternal health, and why where you live still matters more than it should.Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history!Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 78 Dr. Nancy Caroline: EMS Pioneer
Apr 1400:31:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we dive into the life and legacy of Dr. Nancy Caroline, a trailblazer in the development of modern paramedic and EMS systems. From her early days as a determined medical student in the 1960s to her leadership in Pittsburgh’s groundbreaking Freedom House Ambulance Service, Dr. Caroline helped transform pre-hospital care while challenging racial and systemic inequities in medicine. This episode highlights not only her medical contributions, but her enduring commitment to equity, innovation, and service.Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history! Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsFacebook: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsTwitter: @FSTS_PodcastYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 77 There She Goes: Unpacking the Cool Girl Trope
Mar 3100:29:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we're diving back into our feminist theory era and analyzing the "cool girl." You know her (some of you love her, some hate her). She's effortlessly hot, low-maintenance, "one of the guys", and seems to never ask for anything. The term blew up after the movie Gone Girl was released in the 2000s, but the trope is still everywhere. Check out this episode to find out more about the origin of the trope, examples today, and why ultimately, being the "cool girl" is actually impossible to attain. She's the it girl so many people want to be and yet, should she be? Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history!Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 76 Road to Repro Rights: Buck v Bell
Mar 1700:33:57Tap to summarizeIn this next episode of our series, “Road to Repro Rights”, we examine Buck v. Bell, one of the most consequential and troubling rulings in the history of reproductive rights in the United States. The episode explores how the early 20th-century Eugenics Movement influenced public policy and medicine, leading to laws that allowed the forced sterilization of people labeled “unfit.” Through the story of Carrie Buck, the hosts discuss how the Supreme Court’s decision upheld these terrible practices and paved the way for widespread sterilization programs across the country. The conversation also reflects on the lasting legacy of this history and why understanding it remains essential for modern discussions about reproductive healthcare, informed consent, and patient autonomy.Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history! Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsFacebook: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsTwitter: @FSTS_PodcastYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 75 Falling Out: A History of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Mar 300:36:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we dive into the surprisingly dramatic and centuries-long history of pelvic organ prolapse, a condition where the pelvic organs descend into the pelvis due to pelvic floor weakness. From Hippocrates’ theory of the “wandering womb” and some truly questionable ancient treatments, to the rise of anesthesia, early vaginal hysterectomies, and the foundational surgical principles, we trace how medicine slowly moved from theoretical to actual functional change. As OB/GYN residents, we reflect on how this long, sometimes chaotic history shaped the way we counsel patients today by balancing anatomy, function, quality of life, and the very real legacy of how women’s bodies have been treated in medicine. It’s fascinating, a little unhinged at times, and made us deeply grateful for modern pelvic floor surgery!Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history!Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 74 Through His Eyes: Unpacking the Male Gaze
May 30, 202500:33:02Tap to summarizeIn this season finale, we explore the concept of The Male Gaze, which was originally a feminist theory that examined how media and culture depicted women through a heterosexual male lens. We discuss The Male Gaze's origins in film theory, its expansion into everyday life, and how it influences everything from fashion and advertising to behavior in public, professional, and intimate spaces. We also touch on internalized male gaze, early sexualization, and evolving perspectives like the female and queer gaze. Join us for our convo about how societal expectations shape the way women see themselves and move through the world!Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history!Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsFacebook: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsTwitter: @FSTS_PodcastYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 73 Road to Repro Rights: Griswold vs Connecticut
May 1, 202500:24:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Alesha and Charlotte launch a new mini-series on advocacy by exploring the historic Supreme Court case Griswold v. Connecticut (1965). They trace the roots of the restrictive Comstock laws, which criminalized birth control, and advocates of reproductive rights opening a birth control clinic in open defiance of state law, leading to a groundbreaking decision. The hosts also reflect on how this decision reshaped women’s access to education, careers, and bodily autonomy, and discuss the vital role physicians play as advocates in shaping public health policy.Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history! Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsFacebook: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsTwitter: @FSTS_PodcastYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 72 Preeclampsia Part 2: In the Public Eye
Apr 9, 202500:33:17Tap to summarizeIn part two of our preeclampsia series, we explore how this condition shows up in the public eye—from Tori Bowie’s heartbreaking story to the complicated pregnancies of Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé. We also look at how shows like Black-ish and Downton Abbey portray it—and what those storylines get right (and wrong). Plus, we bust some of the most common myths still floating around about preeclampsia. Be sure to check it out! Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history!Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsFacebook: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsTwitter: @FSTS_PodcastYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 71 Pre-Eclampsia Part 1: Seizures, Bloodletting, & Medical Breakthroughs
Mar 25, 202500:28:45Tap to summarizeThis week, we journey through history to explore pre-eclampsia, a common yet mysterious pregnancy complication. We dive into the root of this history from ancient Egypt, where early medical texts hinted at seizures during pregnancy, to ancient Greece, where the term "eclampsia" was coined. Then we discuss the misconceptions and treatments of pre-eclampsia throughout the centuries, including the use of bloodletting and the rise of the term "toxemia." We end with highlighting key discoveries in the 1800s that helped shape our understanding of the condition. Tune in for a deep dive into the history of pre-eclampsia and its ongoing impact on women’s health today!Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history! Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsFacebook: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsTwitter: @FSTS_PodcastYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
Transcribe →Ep. 70 Ina May Gaskin & The Home Birth Revolution
Mar 11, 202500:41:21Tap to summarizeIna May Gaskin, the "mother of modern midwifery," revolutionized childbirth with her advocacy for natural birth and low-intervention techniques. From a traumatic hospital birth to founding a midwifery center, her journey reshaped the home birth movement. We explore her impact, the Gaskin maneuver, and the complexities of her commune known as, "The Farm." Plus, we discuss the home birth movement today and how it fits into modern obstetrics. Tune in for a deep dive into her fascinating life and legacy!Join the From Skirts To Scrubs community and meet us at the intersection of feminism, medicine, and history!Follow us on socials:Instagram: @fromskirtstoscrubsFacebook: @fromskirtstoscrubsTikTok: @fromskirtstoscrubsTwitter: @FSTS_PodcastYoutube: @fromskirtstoscrubs
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