https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/rxi764/omefinal_-_7_18_22_723_PM623g9.mp3
EPISODE SUMMARY:
Through her work in podcasting, philanthropy and social justice, Omisade Burney-Scott is using her platform to inform and educate the public on the importance of inclusive healthcare and the realities midlife Black people face in our society. In today’s episode, we sat down with Omisade to discuss why Omisade decided to start her podcast, The Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause, the lack of menopause information, how to become an advocate in your own community, and how the menopausal experience differences for Black people and people of color.
First, we asked Omisade about how she came up with the idea to start The Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause Podcast. She told us that inspiration struck after taking a creative sabbatical from social justice work, which she had been heavily involved in since 1995. During her time off, she decided she wanted to start having important conversations surrounding menopause and midlife with as many people as possible. It was important to her to hear the stories of all people of different cultures, genders, races, and backgrounds. Omisade wanted to record and document the conversations for herself, but after speaking to some friends, realized they could also help others in the form of a podcast. She then chose the name, The Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause, and has been giving a platform to midlife voices ever since. When asked about the work of her podcast and how it’s evolved, Omisade explained how from the very beginning, it was vital to her that she entered each conversation without judgment. Rather than making assumptions about her guests and their lived experiences, she wanted to instead let them tell her who they were and have the freedom to share their own stories without fear of being forced into silence. If those who are different are not given the proper spaces to speak, then they’re only pushed further into the background, unable to educate and share important information on their lives and what they’ve been through. With menopause, Omisade said it’s also best not to make assumptions on a person’s symptoms and experience. There’s still little information surrounding menopause available, and for a vast majority of her Omisade’s guest, they’ve told her that they knew nothing about menopause until they went through it themselves.
Becoming and advocate and starting change, especially when it comes to healthcare and bodily autonomy, begins at a local level, and Omisade explained to us how important it is to get involved in your own community. Whether it’s through volunteering, doing your own independent research, or becoming a worker in reproductive advocacy groups, joining the fight at a local level is the steppingstone for making a true impact. Advocacy should also be an inclusive, accepting movement, and through her podcast, Omisade ensures that all of her conversations remain expansive and don’t make assumptions on a person’s background, gender, or life when talking to them about midlife. Working on her podcast has also helped Omisade overcome her own mental health struggles. When asked about her experience, she shared how in 2016, she was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety after going through severe symptoms. Even her youngest son sensed something was off and would follow her around the house, which prompted Omisade to seek help. Through working with a therapist, her physician, and having the amazing support of her friends, she was able to realize her own value and that she’s a person worthy of love, support, and respect.
While many people go through menopause, the experience can be vastly different for everyone, especially people of color. In the Swan Society, the longest, broadest longitudinal study on women’s health, research showed that women of color go through menopause differently than their white counterparts. Women of color may start menopause earlier, have menopause longer, and experience more severe symptoms. However, the study does not go into why such differences occur, and a large part of this gap in research comes from oppression within the healthcare field. Women of color have different experiences than white women, and as a result, deserve individualized care and attention that caters to their specific needs. Not only women, but those who are transgender, nonbinary, and gender fluid also deserve proper care without being misgendered or treated differently. Omisade emphasized how for all people, it’s important to not only speak to your doctor about your symptoms but to let them get to know you. By sharing more, you’re allowing doctors to know you better and hopefully give you care that is specific to your needs.
Finally, we asked Omisade about Say More Deck. She told us that the idea began last year, when she was reached out to by a team to create merchandise. While she rejected the idea of making merch, she did want to work with them on creating a midlife product that isn’t available and is highly needed. When she first launched her podcast, she created a deck of discussion cards that could be used in small groups to discuss menopause where anyone, no matter their identity, could answer the questions. Expanding on that concept, she created the Say More Deck as a way for people to have discussions with people in their daily lives about menopause and midlife. The Say More Deck is separated into four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Each element has five subcategories, and those categories have questions that will hopefully start important conversations. The Say More Deck can be found on Our Kindra’s website, ourkindra.com, putting “Say More Deck” into the search bar.
Omisade Burney-Scott
Omisade Burney-Scott (she / her) is a Black southern 7th generation native North Carolinian feminist, mother and healer with decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and social justice. She is a founding tribe member of SpiritHouse and previously served as a board member of The Beautiful Project, Village of Wisdom, and Working Films.
Omisade is the creator of The Black Girl’s Guide to Surviving Menopause, a multimedia project seeking to curate and share the stories and realities of Black women and femmes over 50. She is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, the proud mother of two sons, and resides in Durham.
In this episode, we discuss…
- [0:01] Bossa Bars
- [0:48] Guest Introduction
- [5:35] Start of Interview
- [6:05] Why Omisade Decided to Start Her Platform
- [10:27] The Evolution of Omisade’s Podcast and the Lack of Menopausal Information
- [16:37] How to Become an Advocate in Your Own Community
- [21:26] What Helped Omisade Get Through Her Mental Health Struggles
- [29:20] Black People’s Experience with Menopause
- [40:49] Say More Deck
- [45:43] Closing Thoughts
- [46:47] Outro
Useful Resources:
Omisade’s Website I [https://blackgirlsguidetosurvivingmenopause.com/]
Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause Podcast’s Facebook I [https://www.facebook.com/BlackgirlsguidetoMenopause/
Omisade’s Instagram I [https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlsguidetomenopause/]
Omisade’s Podcast
Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause Podcast I [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-girls-guide-to-surviving-menopause/id1462589097]
Omisade’s Publications
Messages From the Menopausal Universe I [https://www.akpress.org/messages-from-the-menopausal-multiverse.html]
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