Childhood epilepsy, Pre-loved fashion, Mary Magdalene music

This episode of Woman's Hour explores three powerful themes: the profound impact of childhood epilepsy on a family, the growing cultural and economic shift toward pre-loved fashion, and the reimagining of Mary Magdalene as a spiritual and feminist icon. Emma Matthews and her son Louis Petit share their deeply moving story of battling severe, drug-resistant epilepsy from age 12 to 18, culminating in life-changing treatment with medical cannabis in the Netherlands. Their film, released by the BFI, highlights the urgent need for more epilepsy research and challenges the current limitations of NHS access to medical cannabis. In a parallel narrative, consumer expert Kate Hardcastle discusses the booming secondhand fashion market, driven by economic pressures, technological innovation, and shifting social stigma, with AI and digital provenance set to revolutionize the industry. Meanwhile, composer Tansy Davis presents her new work, 'The Passion of Mary Magdalene,' a haunting, spiritually rich piece that reframes the crucifixion through the eyes of Jesus’s most devoted female follower, celebrating her as a symbol of inner wisdom and feminine spirituality. Finally, journalist Megha Mohan reflects on the enduring legacy of women-only communities, from ancient Indigenous circles to modern co-housing, emphasizing their role as vital spaces for emotional, intellectual, and ecological resilience. The episode closes with a warm reminder of the power of female connection and collective care. Key takeaways include: 1) Medical cannabis can be life-changing for treatment-resistant epilepsy, but access remains unequal and research funding is critically low; 2) The secondhand fashion boom is not just sustainable but socially transformative, driven by tech, generational shifts, and environmental awareness; 3) Reclaiming female narratives—like Mary Magdalene’s—offers a powerful counterbalance to patriarchal history; 4) Women-only spaces, whether physical or virtual, are essential for emotional safety, mutual support, and community-building; 5) Personal stories—like Louis’s artistic resilience or Emma’s advocacy—can spark systemic change; 6) Small actions, like selling or donating clothes, contribute meaningfully to sustainability; 7) Technology like AI and digital passports will soon make secondhand fashion faster, fairer, and more transparent; 8) Healing from trauma often involves reclaiming one’s voice and story, as Louis did through art and film.