The Flow Down

It's been a minute—and we've got news. We share a look into our lives during these wild times and why we decided to end our show. To go out on a high note, we interview Dr. Melisa Holmes, the founder of Girlology, who's teaching young people about periods. And period activists Ariana Rodriguez and Julie Sanchez tell us how they fought to get free period products on one Texas A&M campus. Even though times are tough, the future looks bright for periods. Thank you so much for being part of The Flow Down!

As we wrap up Season 2 and The Flow Down turns one, we sit down to reflect on what a year it's been.

Having a physical disability can make menstruation a lot more difficult. On today's show, three disabled menstruators share their stories and solutions. Writer, podcaster and disability advocate Kerry Kijewski tells us about having irregular periods while blind; journalist and podcaster Win Charles, who has cerebral palsy, shares how she finally got her “heavy ass” periods under control; and entrepreneur Jane Hartman Adamé describes how she designed a period product for all types of bodies.

We know that exercise has infinite benefits (and can feel damn good), but we admit we're still figuring it all out. From frequency to intensity, it can be hard to know how to best exercise for our bodies. In this episode, strength coaches Chrissy King and Carolyn Banner discuss how and why they stay committed to fitness, provide insight into exercising in harmony with the menstrual cycle, highlight the fitness industry's diversity problem and more.

Dismissed, misdiagnosed, ignored—in the current healthcare system, women and marginalized people often suffer most. Today we say: no more. We collaborated with badass woman, patient educator and CEO of CVH Consulting Christie VanHorne to bring you tips for owning your power in the doctor's office. From how to find the right provider to how to activate your voice once in their office, we hope you come away with the practical tools you need to get the care you deserve. | Sign up for our newsletter at flowdownpod.com

We tend to think of menstruation as a “women's issue.” But from movies to books to the media, men play a big role in inventing the meaning of menstruation, too. Communications scholar David Linton joins us to discuss his new book exploring the way men have helped shape the meaning of menstruation throughout history - from the Bible to the New York Times crossword puzzle. And he even delights us with some menstrual poems! | Follow us on Instagram @flowdownpod

We're dedicating this episode to one of our favorite period products: menstrual cups! To be sure you have all the best cup info out there, we asked the experts to help us create a little audio guide. Kim and Amanda are self-proclaimed “Vagangelists” who run the popular resource and community Put A Cup In It. In this episode, they cover cup basics and benefits, plus best practices for how to use and care for a menstrual cup. Whether you're thinking of trying a cup or have been using one for years, you'll come away with new tools and insights.

Hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) is one of the most common causes of missing periods, which occurs when the major control center in your brain, the hypothalamus, stops releasing the hormones needed for ovulation and menstruation. In this episode, Dr. Nicola Rinaldi, author of “No Period. Now What?,” talks to us about the common triggers of HA — dieting, overexercise and stress — and how to heal.

Last time we established how much we appreciate our cyclical nature. But it's not always easy to ebb and flow with it, given the demands of life. In this short episode, listeners Juliana, Ana Maria and Cinthia share their tips and insights on how to thrive during the second half of the cycle. And there's just a week left to sign up for Stef's Know Your Cycle Masterclass. Join us: stefaniekleinburd.com/knowyourcycle-flowdownpod.

The menstrual cycle is a lot more than just a period. Just like the moon, the cycle can be broken down into phases, or seasons, that affect how we feel. And each one has its own special rhythm. Learn how you can adjust your food, exercise, to-dos, dating, work, self-care and more to align with your cycle. And, we share a special invitation to dive deeper in Stef's Know Your Cycle Masterclass at stefaniekleinburd.com/knowyourcycle-flowdownpod.

For an estimated 1 in 20 menstruators, the premenstrual phase can be debilitating. PMDD is a mental disorder that severely affects sufferers' ability to function. In honor of PMDD Awareness Month, we talk to Amanda LeFleur, the co-founder of the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders, who shares insights from her journey with PMDD and how IAPMD is a resource for those affected. And author Chloe Caldwell reads an excerpt from her essay “The Red Zone, A Love Story.”

We're so happy to be back! We kick off Season 2 with an essential conversation about the unjust conditions many menstruators face in jail. Miami-based activist and organizer Valencia Gunder tells us why she decided to push for legislation in Florida to ensure incarcerated women have the menstrual hygiene supplies they need. The ‘Dignity for Incarcerated Women' Act is currently making its way through the state legislature.

This week we talk to Rayka Zehtabchi, the director of the short documentary “Period. End of Sentence.” The film follows a group of women in rural India, and documents what happens when a menstrual ‘pad machine' arrives to their village. Rayka shares what it was like to witness the chipping away of centuries of period stigma that's held women back. The idea for the pad machine and the documentary came from The Pad Project (thepadproject.org), a non-profit created by a group of teenage girls at the Oakwood School in Los Angeles. “Period. End of Sentence.” is coming soon to Netflix.

From cramps to fibroids to endometriosis, many women suffer from pain around their periods. And the typical response? “Just push through it.” After years of pain and trips to the doctor's office, writer Britt Julious opens up about her journey to seek answers. And we speak to Dr. Eden Fromberg, a holistic gynecologist, who shares tips for at-home remedies to try now. The Flow Down is here to validate your pain and provide insight into ways we can better understand our bodies and find solutions.

We start the year in reverence to our beautiful bleeding bodies. According to healer and shaman Jacqueline Rolandelli, our periods are not a burden − they're the key to our wisdom and our power. In this episode, we acknowledge how the patriarchy has disconnected women from their truth, and explore how to reconnect to our cycles, our wombs and Mother Earth. We hear about Jacqueline's "Red Rites" and "First Blood" ceremonies and learn rituals to practice in our own lives. Learn more about Jacqueline and her offerings at jacquelinerolandelli.com. This episode features music by our friend Kaleema. Here's to making every day a ceremony in 2019!

For homeless people without access to menstrual hygiene products, getting a period is more than a monthly annoyance — it can be a desperate situation. Twenty-year-old Nadya Okamoto knows that firsthand. That's why she founded the non-profit PERIOD in 2014, when she was just 16. PERIOD has since grown into a global community, which has served some 400,000 periods. We speak to Nadya about her goals for the so-called ‘Menstrual Movement,' why Gen Z is at the forefront of the change and how to get involved. Follow @periodmovement on Instagram and purchase Nadya's book "Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement.”

Last week we explored why short doses of self-care matter for our menstrual health. Here's a tool to help you practice. Join us for this 5-minute meditation to help you relax and recharge.

We admit we've been feeling a wee bit stretched thin lately. That's why we're recommitting to self-care. We explore how simple acts of R&R can aid in our menstrual cycles and overall well-being. And we give you plenty of ideas and inspiration to up your self-care game now — just in time for the holidays. Plus, we invite you to join us. Tag us in your self-care posts on Instagram @flowdownpod.

Just 100 years ago, getting a period often meant shock, bewilderment and an old rag in your panties. From pads to tampons to the pill, we've come a long way. Historian Lara Freidenfelds joins us to discuss how industrialization changed periods, spurring the advent of menstrual pads and tampons and a new realm of menstrual education. And we explore a growing movement to embrace periods in a whole new way.

We asked for your first period stories, and you delivered! In the spirit of the upcoming season, we share one holiday-inspired story from a listener in New York. Thanks to all who sent us your special memories!

When a listener asks us for advice on how to handle a voracious appetite and sugar cravings before her period, we roll up our sleeves. Stef gives us the sex ed we never had and explains how our hormones change throughout the month. Then we talk about what to eat to help tame the cravings. And we share some of our favorite pre-period treats.

When musician Kiran Gandhi got her period on the starting line of the London Marathon, she made a radical decision. Instead of using a pad or a tampon, she chose to 'free bleed' the race. Her story went viral. She tells us how it felt to have the period stain seen 'round the world, what's changed about her relationship with her period since then, and how she learned to relax.

We re-live our awkward pre-teen days and talk about the things that saved us during such an exciting, nerve-wracking time in our lives. Then we share the stories of our first periods. Plus, why you may want to consider thinking back to your own first period experience.

We discuss why we think it's important to start a conversation about periods. Plus, we tell you about our own journeys away from perfectionism and anxiety — and admit we didn't always give our menstrual cycles the TLC they deserve. Also, what you can expect to hear on The Flow Down. We're so glad you're here.

Hi, we're Stef and Jess, the creators of The Flow Down, a podcast all about periods. We're breaking period silence to have fun, deep, insightful conversations about our cycles – plus interviews with special guests. The Flow Down makes its debut Oct. 24! Subscribe now. And learn more at flowdownpod.com.