The Power of Female Friendship with Authors and Artists Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann

In this episode, we break the cycle of women's health by speaking to creators of the graphic novel "Go With The Flow" and its sequel "Look On The Bright Side," authors Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann.

Lily and Karen get very candid as they share their stories about their own personal "flows" as well as their origin story involving Karen saving Lily's life during an earthquake! They also give their view on how they believe knowledge about one's own health empowers individuals and how educators and parents can create an environment where children feel comfortable discussing health-related issues openly.

Listen to Today's Episode to Learn About:

-using art as a way to connect

-the journey to being proud of your period

-healing yourself through writing

-hope

-if we were the mean girls

-the importance of being educated about your body

-book bans

-how as parents and educators do we set up safe spaces to talk and educate our children?

-the portrayal of female friendship and how that affects us

-the middle school years

-why write for kids?

-listener questions

WHO IS LILY?

Lily Williams is an author, illustrator, and storyteller who seeks to inspire change through education. Her work covers many topics, from the trophic cascade in the award-winning animated documentary short film FINconceivable and critically acclaimed award-winning If Animals Disappeared nonfiction picture book series, to menstrual equity in the LA Times Book Prize finalist and Eisner Nominated graphic novel, Go With The Flow, to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in her My O.C.D. Story and I’m So O.C.D. That… comics and upcoming graphic novel Exposures (First Second). Lily believes in the power of making information fun, educational, and accessible for all audiences. Lily grew up in Northern California where she graduated from California College of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Animation. She spent time working in feature film animation in Los Angeles before becoming a freelance illustrator. In addition to public speaking engagements, Lily teaches kids of all ages in a variety of settings through University classes, public school, and online. When she isn’t creating, Lily can be found dreaming about the smell of cold winter air, listening for the sound of airplanes on a rainy day, and perfecting her gluten-free waffle recipe. Lily lives in Colorado with her husband and fellow illustrator, C. Grey Hawkins, and their blind rescue rabbit.

WHO IS KAREN?

Karen is co-author (with Lily Williams) of two graphic novels: "Go With the Flow" and "Look On The Bright Side." In their books, they have put a lot of effort into de-stigmatizing menstruation and reproductive health issues such as endometriosis and fibroids in a way that is approachable and easy to understand. Karen lives in San Francisco with her husband, two kids and cat. She also works full-time as an engineer for an electric utility and has extensive experience as a woman working in STEM. *The struggle is real!*

SYNC UP WITH THE LADIES:

Lily's Instagram: @LWbean

Karen's Instagram: @whatthestuffs

Their OG webcomic page: @TheMeanMagenta

Cover Art created by Lily Williams!