This week, Natalie and Rachael chat about when, and how, Earth Day was created. What were the political conditions that allowed for the environmental movement of the late 20th century, and importantly: did it succeed? Get in touch! Email us at

56. Courage Campaign: Pay Inequity and Women's "Likability"

Apr 15th, 2024 47m 58s

In part two of our ongoing series with Women in Science Portland's Courage Campaign, we chat with Astrid and Lilli about the gendered language surrounding women's pay. We recount personal experiences being told to be more likable in the workpla

55. Mini 1: The Lack of Communal Third Spaces

Apr 1st, 2024 18m 8s

We're bringing you a mini-episode, where we chat about a mini topic! This week, Natalie and Rachael discuss the lack of accessible third spaces where people can hang out and meet--without the need to spend money. Get in touch! You can email u

54. Pack It Up: Why STEM Jobs Demand Us to Move

Mar 19th, 2024 41m 36s

This week, Rachael and Natalie discuss the frustrating and difficult reality that many STEM careers to expect hires to pick up and move on a whim. From positions straight out of college, to residency and fellowships for those working in medicin

53. Interview with Nora Ali, Engineer

Mar 4th, 2024 39m 15s

This week, we chat with one of Rachael's childhood best friends, Nora Ali! Listen as we chat about the problem-solving nature of her job, self-doubt and perfectionism, and her experience growing up as an Arab-American in a predominantly-white t

52. Conversation with Closing the Gap from The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub

Feb 21st, 2024 46m 9s

This week, we have an exciting collaboration with Closing the Gap, a podcast by the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub. Listen as we chat about the art of listening, art and science, and more! Thanks to Kacey Montgomery from the Closing the Gap podcast

51. Interview with Genevieve Torricelli, Behavioral Therapist

Feb 5th, 2024 42m 37s

Sure, we say everyone needs a therapist... but what does that really mean? This week, we chat with Genevieve Torricelli about her job as a behavioral therapist in schools, the role of her family in influencing her decision to work with kids, an

Bonus

50. WIS Minis: STEM Content Makers

Jan 23rd, 2024 22m 2s

This week, Rachael and Natalie chat about their favorite STEM content makers and what makes these forms of science media so compelling! Referenced:https://www.youtube.com/@SciShowhttps://www.youtube.com/@kurzgesagthttps://radiolab.org/

49. CRISPR Tech and What's Missing from the Narrative

Jan 3rd, 2024 37m 33s

This week, Rachael and Natalie chat about the recent FDA approval of a new CRISPR gene editing technology for sickle cell disease. Tune in to hear a discussion of the patient narratives that are often overlooked in the biotech discourse, and th

48. Math Problems: The Good, The Bad, the Ugly

Dec 16th, 2023 21m 31s

Why is it that math is such a contentious subject in early school? Why do memories of math class seem to stand out for so many? This week, Natalie and Rachael talk about the ways that math can be inherently emotional, and maybe even beautiful.

47. Courage Campaign: Systemic Injustice and Underpaid Labor

Nov 27th, 2023 35m 19s

This week, we chat with Astrid Kurniawan and Natasha Fowler, WIS volunteers who are spearheading our Courage Campaign. In the first part of a multi-episode series, we talk through the ways that the gender pay gap and sexual violence are intimat

46. Emotional Labor: More than a 9-5

Nov 14th, 2023 29m 25s

This week, Rachael and Natalie discuss the gendered dynamics of emotional labor: where it happens (spoiler alert: everywhere), how it develops, and the ways it creeps into our lives in unexpected ways. Email us at [email protected]

45. Co-Host Chat with Natalie Wang

Nov 6th, 2023 18m 4s

This week, we chat about gender and sexuality studies in combination with STEM, institutional change to bring about diversity, and the role of advocacy in the sciences. Email us at [email protected] and follow us @women_in_science_

44. Co-Host Chat with Rachael Cleveland

Oct 16th, 2023 23m 30s

After our hiatus, we're back for season 3 with a new co-host, Rachael Cleveland! Listen as we chat about forest fire prevention, ecosystem services, and the importance of ice cream and mentorship in STEM. Email us at podcast@womeninsciencepdx

43. "Difficult" Women in STEM

Dec 16th, 2022 38m 2s

Being called "difficult" in the STEM workplace is a common experience for many women and marginalized folks. This week, Natalie and Tiffany talk through their own experiences of being called or perceived as difficult, discuss the parallels in n

42. Breaking Down Major Climate Legislation in the Inflation Reduction Act

Nov 19th, 2022 41m 28s

This week, we break down the measures in the Inflation Reduction Act passed this summer to help move towards climate resilience, and what that can mean for us as individuals! You can email us at [email protected] and follow us @wom

41. Reproductive Justice In the Wake of the Supreme Court's Dobbs Decision, with Dr. Carolyn Kay

Nov 11th, 2022 44m 31s

It's been more than four months since the Supreme Court ruled that there is no constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. While the Dobbs decision has somewhat disappeared from the headlines, millions have

40. Interview with Susan Holveck: Social Justice in STEM, Standardized Exams, and the Nitty Gritty of Curriculum Design

Nov 4th, 2022 57m 17s

This week, Natalie and Tiffany chatted with Susan Holveck, Portland-area STEM educator extraordinaire, to learn more about the intricacies of curriculum design in STEM in Oregon. Dr. Susan Holveck began her science career with a BS in Genetics

39. WISterhood Updates, Spreadsheet Mania, and Traveling Abroad

Sep 16th, 2022 37m 3s

We wanted to take a quick pause in our regular content to bring you some updates! Listen as we chat life updates, coping with change, and traveling abroad. You can email us at [email protected] and follow us @women_in_science_pdx o

38. Interview with Rose Marie Haynes: How Theatre Can Lead To A Career In Cryo-EM Microscopy

Sep 9th, 2022 42m 45s

This week, Natalie and Tiffany chat with Rose Marie Haynes, microscopist at the Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM and Chair of Professional Development here at WISPDX! We talked about the gradual change we see in inclusivity in STEM, how phy

37. Interview with Alex Berry and Dyllan Elizabeth Cabiles: Storytelling As A Bridge To Empowerment in STEM

Aug 26th, 2022 42m 35s

This week on the pod, Natalie speaks with Alex Berry and Dyllan Elizabeth Cabiles. They work at CMD LLC, an organization that empowers underserved and untapped communities to tell powerful career narratives. Listen as we talk through the role o

36. Interview with Sarah Foster: What It Means To STEM Like A Girl

Jun 24th, 2022 50m 15s

This week, Natalie and Elizabeth chat with Sarah Foster, founder and president of local nonprofit STEM Like A Girl. We talk about the nitty gritty of nonprofit work, what it means to diversify STEM in Portland, and how to include parents and gu

35. Interview with Victor Villegas: Drones, Mariachi, and Songwriting in STEM Education

Jun 3rd, 2022 59m 56s

This week, Elizabeth and Tiffany interviewed Victor Villegas, who henceforth will be known on this podcast as our very own modern Leonardo da Vinci! Tune in as we discuss how to get kids engaged in STEAM as well as the barriers that prospective

34. Happy 5th Birthday to Women in Science Portland!

Apr 30th, 2022 10m 7s

WISPDX turns 5 years old: a veritable toddler! This week, we have a quick message from our co-hosts with our gratitude to you in this amazing community. With love, we look forward to a 6th year with you.

33. Advocating Sustainably: Avoiding Secondary Trauma and Saying No

Apr 15th, 2022 47m 51s

Many of us are advocates in a variety of contexts, whether it be in the context of education, climate, or healthcare. How can we do that crucial, sometimes-heartbreaking work while also attending to balance in our lives and our mental health? T