Literary Disparities

The True Confessions of Sexual Health wth Deesha Philyaw

Episode Summary

Host Cameron Dezen Hammon talks to author Deesha Philyaw about her upcoming novel, "The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman". The two cover sexual health, sexual stigma and the church, and Deesha's debut novel.

Episode Notes

Hello Listeners!

Thank you for being here, and welcome to episode 2 of Literary Disparities. Back when we recorded this episode in January, I thought it would only be a matter of days before we shared it with listeners, but life had other plans. In February my teenage daughter was rushed to the hospital and later underwent three emergency brain surgeries. She spent a month in the hospital and made a full recovery. As relieved and grateful as I am, I’m also happy to be back to the pod now, a few weeks before my guest, Deesha Philyaw’s debut novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman, is released. Deesha and I talked about sex and the church, STI's, writing and art. We talked about how lack of conversation around common reproductive health issues like HPV can turn deadly when shame and stigma prevail. I’ve added some links to resources below, but please be warned: if you google women’s health services in Texas (or likely anywhere in the south) you will most likely be offered links to CPC’s- crisis pregnancy centers- anti-choice religious organizations who disguise themselves as women’s clinics to mislead and misinform patients. Check out the CPC map to spot them, and please share it.

Check out my last podcast, The Ish, for more conversations with writers on writing.

This episode was co-produced and edited by Rice University student Muna Nnamani, with support from the Scholarly and Creative Works Subvention Fund.

Here are links to some of the things we talked about.

Connect with Deesha Philyaw:

See Deesha on tour for The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman!

Houston Book Launch Event with Kiese Laymon at Kindred Stories, Nov 16, 2026

Deesha’s Books:

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

Women’s Health Resources

Planned Parenthood

The Center for Reproductive Rights