121 | Viva La Vulva: Behind the Scenes at a Celebration of Vulvas, Awareness & Advocacy by Vulva Sisters Australia

How do you turn the shit situation of vulvar cancer into a celebration of body awareness and reclamation?You bring people together to talk, laugh, create, learn, raise awareness, raise money... and say the word vulva a whole lot more.And you call it Viva La Vulva.In this special episode of TURNED ON, I take you behind the scenes at the first Viva La Vulva event, created by Vulva Sisters Australia, held on Saturday 12 September during Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month and supporting Rare Cancers Australia.This is my first foray into audio journalism. I roved and recorded the event as it unfolded, capturing the voices, conversations, performances, creativity, laughter and unexpected moments that made the day what it was.And I wasn’t only there as your roving reporter. I was also one of the speakers.So rather than tell you everything that happened, I’m inviting you into the room.You’ll meet some of the people behind Viva La Vulva, hear from those who came along, experience part of a spoken-word performance from Fleassy Malay, and discover what happens when we get a whole lot more comfortable saying the word vulva.Expect important conversations, unexpected revelations, feminist rage, vulva art, statement earrings, glitter, laughter and a whole lot of love.The audio isn’t always polished. There were around 100 people talking, laughing, creating and moving around the room, and sometimes you’ll hear all of that happening around us.Consider yourself in the room with me.I’ve created a Viva La Vulva Podcast Gifts & Resources page where you can discover more about the resources mentioned in the episode and keep exploring your own body literacy.I’ve also left two gifts waiting for you there:Come home to your body with Homeland, my free seven-day self-guided mini experience.And if you’re new to Wonder Women Club, come and experience the sisterhood for three months as my guest. Join our online community and gatherings, with opportunities to come together in person through extraordinary experiences in Melbourne and beyond.This special Wonder Women Club invitation is available to new members until 31 October 2026.Keep exploring + two gifts from me:pennyvandenrsluys.com/vivalavulva-podcastA huge thank you to Marlo Woods and Jane Hancox, co-founders of Vulva Sisters Australia, for inviting me to be part of Viva La Vulva, and to everyone who agreed to be recorded and share a little piece of their day with me, and now with you.