QCP #011 | River Pember, Early Childhood Teacher | Finding Balance Through Embracing Feminine Energy

River has a passion for holistic teaching. Beginning with her experience with the Wilderness Youth Project, and now with her work teaching at a Waldorf Elementary School where I met her as a new addition to the after-care program.

While teaching early childhood students at the school, she also trains to officially become a Waldorf Education teacher. As a graduate from UC Santa Barbara, she earned a Bachelors's Degree in Feminist studies. Some of the many experiences that she graciously shares on this episode include traveling abroad to Thailand where she studied Buddhist Social Theory, and was welcomed to spend time around an all-women sect of Buddhist monks.

When she's not teaching she can be found sailing in the San Francisco Bay or spinning a fire hula hoop.

 

RESOURCES FOR TRANS/ LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES IN SAN FRANCISCO/ BAY AREA

 

NOTES | MENTIONS | RESOURCES

 

• Fluid Dynamics
• 2008 Fashion
• The Virgin Suicides
• Felt Flower Crowns
• Feminist Studies
• Rachel Rabbit White
• Tavi Gevandson
• High School Feminist Club
• Genetic Counselor
• Social Dynamics
• Artistry vs Science, Gender Politics
• Thai Buddhist Art
• Thai Buddhist Social Theory
• Terra Vada Buddhist Sect (women monks)
• Wilderness Youth Project
• How to address curious and inquisitive children
• Mugwort
• Poison Oak
• Elderberry
• Montessori Education
• Cardboard Loom
• Waldorf Education
• Co-Parenting
• The Ohlone way
• Terence McKenna
• Dominator Culture
• Somatic therapy
• Kink
• Psychedelic assisted therapy
• Effects of MDMA on the brain
• Trans vs Cis -gender
• Generational Suffering
• Existential Suffering
• Fire Hula hooping
• Holistic Hooping
• Burning Man
• Rave Culture
• Poi Balls Fire
• Thailand Fire performances
• Rope Dart
• Flow Toys
• Fire Staff Performance
• Dragon Staff
• Sailing
• Save the Mermaids
• Kittyhawk movement arts
• bell hooks
• Polyamory

 

RIVER'S PERSONAL NOTES | MENTIONS | RESOURCES

 

River graciously requested and corrected some of her own comments on this episode out of respect for the communities and people mentioned in this episode. I have pasted them below and have edited them only for grammar and punctuation.

 

• Talking about violence against gender non conforming AMAB/AMFAB (assigned female/male at birth) people/violence against trans folks— provide educational resource as well as a support resource for folks in the Bay Area who are experiencing violence for their gender expression (21-23 mins in or so). Anti trans violence and the murder of trans folks is STILL A BIG ISSUE. Even in the Bay Area trans kids are kicked out of their homes and estranged from their families. I wish I mentioned this but I did not! 
• GNC (gender non conforming)/transgender representation in media…I’ve noticed a lot more trans femme representation than trans masc representation (trans masculine ppl have mentioned this to me too). Also a lot less common for a non “passing” trans feminine person to be represented in media, which excludes a lot of folks who cannot access expensive gender affirming surgeries. 
• Forest is from MISSOURI, not Ohio or Minnesota!! Also link to Forest’s content. :) (https://www.thehumanconditioncoaching.com)
• Reference for Thai studies: “Thai Buddhist Social Theory” by Tavivat Puntatigvivat
• Tomboys of Thailand: https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/tomboys-of-thailand-29497
• Also: I wrongly called ladyboys men who are embodying a feminine persona! After a quick Google search I’ve actually found that Kathoeys or Ladyboys in Thailand are transgender (amab femme). I think this may be different than tomboys, who seem to still identify as women, despite presenting as more masculine. (Marie Claire article). Both of these identities could still possibly be evolving and changing, though! Perhaps a topic for more in-depth research.