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A Vague Knowledge of Everything

A Vague Knowledge of Everything

by Rosemary Cusson-O'Brien and Hope Collins

Self-Improvement Government History

Induction Part 2: Birth Story

In this episode, Rosy breaks down the story of the birth of her daughter. This is for all the people out there who want to hear more about the process of birth than "It's a miracle" and "It's all worth it in the end!" We talk about how her induction worked, some gory details about childbirth, the part Rosy hated most (surprise, it came after the baby arrived), and how, yes, it was all worth it in the end. If you are expecting, or expecting to be expecting at some point, this may be a worthwhile listen.

Labor Induction: Natural and Medical Methods

Rosy just had her baby, and she wants to talk about induction! In this episode, we discuss many methods that induce labor, or claim to. From pineapple and red raspberry leaf tea to Cervidil and Pitocin, we cover the way that labor is induced in the hospital, as well as the many ways people try to induce labor at home.

What's it Like to Get an IUD? Hope Explains it All!

In this episode, Hope tells us the stories of getting each of her IUDs. What it's supposed to be like, what it was like for her, and why it's still her preferred method of birth control!

Pregnancy Part 3: Free Stuff for Pregnant People! Plus a Small Rant

Surprise! You can get free stuff for being pregnant! In this episode, we mostly talk about free welcome boxes connected to registries, how to get a free pump, should you need or want one, and where to look for new but reduced price baby gear. Please forgive us for the rant about parents judging other parents for how they feed their babies, but Rosy's getting damn sick and tired of hearing people get told off for doing what's best for them and their families.

Pregnancy Part 2: What to Expect in a Prenatal Appointment, Plus Weird Pregnancy Side Effects

In this episode, we discuss the basics of a prenatal appointment: Why are they always doing urine and blood tests? What do they test for, and why? What can you expect from a midwife or OB? Rosy didn't know any of this before pregnancy, and no one really explained it, so here's a crash course! We conclude by talking about some weird side effects of pregnancy. Spoiler alert: The carpal tunnel is on the mend.

Pregnancy Part 1: Inclusive Language and Weight Stigma in Pregnancy Care

This is part one of our pregnancy series. It was going to be one episode, but it turns out Rosy has a lot to say. In this episode, we talk about the reasons to use inclusive language when talking about pregnancy, what that really sounds like, and why it's not taking anything away from us as cisgender women. Then, we go on to talk about Rosy's experience with a little bit of weight stigma in pregnancy care, zooming out to discuss the prevalency of weight bias in pregnancy care, and how that is harmful to larger people.

The Origins of Christmas with Dr. Sandra Collins!

Hope's mom joins us once again to talk about the origins of Christmas! Dr. Collins is a professor of Sacred Scriptures at Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, PA. Happy Holidays from A Vague Knowledge of Everything!

A Christmas Carol: History, Context, and our Dream Casting Choices

This episode is a discussion of the story A Christmas Carol, the history and context in which it was written, and the contradictory values of its writer, Charles Dickens. We also thought it would be fun to share our dream casting choices!

The Racist Roots of Tipping in the US (But Why it's Very Necessary... for Now)

Tipping, like many customs in the US, has roots in racism. Strange, but true. And today, tips do not function as extra money for a job well done, as many people believe. Rather, they are factored into the equation as part of a tipped worker's overall pay. It's a messed up system all the way, and needs changing. Until then though, please tip your servers.

Paris Hilton and the Utah Troubled Teen Industry

Paris Hilton is one of the many people who are coming forward with claims of abuse they experienced as children and teens at residential "schools" and "treatment programs" in Utah. These allegations of abuse are widespread and very upsetting, but they may be leading to reform in some areas. We can only hope that the information coming to light will result in the introduction of laws that support a kind and humane approach to helping minors who may need it. This episode is a discussion of Paris Hilton's personal story, as well as those of others who have come out in support of major reforms to these institutions. We also go over the possible reasons that Utah has created a vast "Troubled Teen Industry" that brings in millions of dollars every year. To learn more, please watch "This is Paris," on YouTube.

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