Creating Space for Radical Sharing
And why it's key to health innovation
Hello and welcome to the first edition of Hysterical Health!
Radical Sharing is the reason Hysterical Health exists. So, it only felt right to begin by delving into this topic and why I believe it’s key to the future of health innovation.
What is Radical Sharing?
An act is considered radical when it advocates for social or political change. These could be changes in attitudes, habits, conditions or institutions - and are often perceived as ‘extreme’ in comparison to the status quo.
When it comes to discussing their health experiences, women have historically been silenced by shame and stigma. Decades of this silence have led to the global gender health gap we see today.
This system of health inequity we live in relies on our continued silence. So, speaking up and telling personal health stories is, in my opinion, a powerful form of radical sharing.
The simple act of talking openly about our experiences can feel extreme when we’ve been conditioned to keep them quiet. But even the smallest of conversations puts a crack in the armour and calls for open discussion to be normalised.
Radical Sharing & Health Innovation
Women’s health is often discussed in a generalised sense. But the reality is, this isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ category.
By championing open, honest and deeply personal narratives, radical sharing allows us to promote a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of health. Showcasing the diversity and richness of these experiences helps challenge taboos, build solidarity and inspire critical thinking.
With this (I hope) will come a stronger recognition of the need for change. And when that change does finally come, new solutions will be built based on people’s real lived experiences - not assumptions made by others.
Hysterical Health: A Space for Radical Sharing
Hysterical Health is a safe space to share the longer, more detailed stories of health: candid and unfiltered.
No longer confined to a 10-minute doctor's appointment or a brief social media comment - this is the corner of the internet to dive in deep. I want to share the intimate details, the complex emotions and the moments of realisation in all their glory.
I get it, it’s terrifying.
Our whole lives, we’ve been socially conditioned to keep certain things to ourselves: the private, the embarrassing, the inappropriate. But the reality is, our health shouldn’t be any of these things. It’s quite literally the most natural thing in the world.
You may not think you have anything interesting to share - but every woman has a story. Whether it’s the fear and confusion of getting your first period, the frustration of navigating contraceptive methods, or the overwhelming rage at being dismissed by doctors: your experiences matter. You never know who could read and resonate with your story.
The aim of Hysterical Health is to speak up about the stories we’re told to keep to ourselves. I hope those who’ve faced similar experiences can connect, share advice and offer support through this community.
What’s next?
Dying to share your thoughts on radical sharing? Paid subscribers have exclusive access to commenting and discussion features.
Know someone who might enjoy Hysterical Health? Spread the word.
Think you may have a story to share with Hysterical Health? No matter how big or small, I’d love to hear it! Simply reply to this email.
That’s it for now!
Until next week,
Eleanor