Content note: This episode contains words and discussions relating to genitals.

The words we use to describe parts of our bodies are often reflective of how we feel about these body parts. At the same time, these words we use can also affect how we feel and our relationship to these body parts, a case in point being perhaps the most intimate body parts, the genitals.

In German, the word Scham ('shame') is part of multiple words that are commonly used to describe genitals and the pubic area. Pubic hair is Schamhaare, 'shame hair'. The pubic area is the Schambereich, 'shame area'. And the labia are Schamlippen, 'shame lips'.

In this episode I talk to Gunda Windmüller and Mithu Sanyal about their campaign to introduce the term Vulvalippen as an alternative to the term Schamlippen, and in doing so, to reduce the stigma and feelings of shame that are connected with our bodies.

Gunda Windmüller is a journalist and author. Her podcast with Katja Berlin is called Fix und Vierzig.

Mithu Sanyal is a novelist, broadcaster, and cultural critic. Her book is called Vulva: Die Enthüllung des unsichtbaren Geschlechts.

Episode transcript: https://yellowoftheegg.com/transcripts/shame-transcript/
 
 Guests:
 Gunda Windmüller
 – Instagram: @gundawindmueller (https://www.instagram.com/gundawindmueller)
 – Podcast (with Katja Berlin): ”Fix und Vierzig” (https://podfollow.com/1605101565) 
 – Website: https://www.gundawindmueller.de/

 Mithu Sanyal
 – Instagram: @mithumelanie (https://www.instagram.com/mithumelanie)
 – Book: Vulva: Die Enthüllung des unsichtbaren Geschlechts
 

Yellow of the Egg is hosted and produced by Luke Green.
 
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 – Email: yellowoftheegg.podcast@gmail.com 
 
 – YOTE theme music by Vincent Tone (PremiumBeat.com)