Cycles and Seasons

Episode 42: Don't Be an Athena; Medical Gaslighting and Silent Endurance

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In this episode Jennifer talks with Kayla Branstetter about the Greek myth of Medusa and Athena as a lens for understanding medical gaslighting, reproductive trauma and the cultural expectation that women endure their pain in silence. 

Kayla is an English instructor at Crowder College, where she teaches literature, creative nonfiction, and composition. She is a published writer whose work has appeared in more than 40 journals worldwide, and the author of the creative nonfiction book Off With Her Head. A TEDx speaker and educator, her work centers on women’s health, narrative medicine, reproductive trauma, and the cultural expectations placed on women’s bodies and resilience. She is currently completing a Doctorate of Education in Healthcare, with research focused on narrative medicine and women’s healthcare. 

Her forthcoming book, Don’t Be an Athena, examines reproductive health, medical gaslighting and the myth of silent endurance through storytelling, research and at times, dark humor.

Key topics discussed: 

  • The Greek myth of Medusa and Athena, and how it shaped the title and framework of Kayla’s book, Don’t Be an Athena
  • How society tends to demonize women’s reproductive choices and experiences, from teen pregnancy and miscarriage to IVF, abortion and choosing not to become a mother
  • Kayla’s own experiences with infertility, miscarriage and medical gaslighting
  • The idea of “silent endurance” and where the centuries-old expectation that women must suffer quietly comes from
  • Missouri’s maternal and infant mortality rates, restrictive abortion laws and the challenges of accessing reproductive healthcare in rural areas
  • The need for comprehensive sex education and more supportive, paid parental leave policies
  • Kayla’s dissertation research on narrative medicine, the role of AI in healthcare and improving doctor-patient communication
  • The difference between treating “the chart” versus “the human,” and how storytelling builds trust between doctors and patients
  • What folk medicine traditions can teach modern medicine about accessibility and human connection
  • Endometriosis, the importance of self-advocacy, and how cultural expectations can make it harder for women to seek care

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Kayla Branstetter

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Disclaimer: The Cycles and Seasons podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional regarding any symptoms or medical problems you are experiencing.