The Rag: Period Podcast

"The Talk"- Is having a super uncomfortable, sweaty-palmed, one-and-done conversation with your kid about sexual health enough? We chat with Leslie, the founder of Birds and Bees Connection about removing the fear and shame around sex and puberty and explore the benefits of parents having an ongoing, open conversation about healthy relationships and respect for oneself and others at every age and stage. Krystal and Jenny also share their own wild experiences while going through puberty. https://www.birdsnbeesconnection.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bnbconnection/?hl=en Thank you for your ongoing support! love you, beauties!

Very early on Olivia felt drawn to the field of sexuality and sex work. After studying gender and sexuality at UVIC she got involved with Peers Victoria Resources Society, which provides outreach, harm reduction, and education services for people in the sex industry. In this episode, Olivia takes us through her journey from burlesque, stripping, sugaring, to escorting. We chat about the current state of the sex industry and the importance of intimacy as a form of self-care. She does a fantastic job of shining a bright light on an industry that is so often misunderstood. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Olivia❤ Petition link to decriminalize sex work in our bio.

This episode is all about spreading awareness about infertility and assisted reproduction. Rachel Woodhurst is a science communicator with incredible drive and a "Gorgeous Uterus". She shares her experience with infertility and the mental, physical and financial reality of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). We also chat about getting married in a pandemic, buying a house on a third date and Krystal gives a power-ranking of the best near-beers. Thank you Rachel for being so raw and open about your IVF journey and for translating all of your beautifully scientific explanations into words we understand

Linda and Jayesh are the co-founders of Joni, a local pad company that produces organic & biodegradable period products for everybody. We chat about reducing barriers that contribute to period poverty, the current period care climate, and what we hope the future looks like for people who bleed. To learn more about Joni, check out their IG page @get_joni ✨

Krystal and Jenny chat with Airial, the co-founder of Intamo Pleasure Boutique about how sex toys can be a useful tool in exploring your sexuality, must have products, ethical porn and sex education, how to get a better understanding of your sex-drive, and advocating for your own sexual health. She shares her incredible story of how Intamo blossomed from the idea of wanting to provide free sex education to the community and how it grew into a non-judgmental and inclusive sex shop and hub for creators with a focus on BIPOC, women, and queer owned businesses. Use the promo code "therag" to get 15% off at intamopleasureboutique.com @Intamopleasureboutique @IntamoPleasurables intamopleasurables.com"

We are joined by Lena Dolter, a clarity coach who focuses on helping menstruators understand how to cope with the changes in energy that we often face during different times in our monthly cycle. We highly recommend checking out Lena's pages to learn more about getting to know your body more and how to stop working against yourself. You can find Lena on instagram at @lenadolter and take her FREE Woman in Flow Quiz, www.lenadolter.com/quiz, It's a quick quiz to help you know which phase of your cycle to connect with to bring in more of what you want!

Molly joins us to talk about sexuality. We chat about being bisexual in a hetero relationship and navigating queer identity, experiences with consent, and focus on ones own pleasure during sex. Molly has shared a land acknowledgement “I am a grateful guest on Traditional Lekwungen territory, which is the ancestral territory of the Kosapsum (Esquimalt) and Songhees Nations. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Métis and Inuit people across the province and on Vancouver Island." Also, Molly mentions her thesis at one point and she would like to extend gratitude and sincere acknowledgement to the Carcross/Tagish First Nation - "I wouldn't be where I am if it were not for their work"

In this episode we chat with Jade who is a mother of toddler Selkirk! We discuss unplanned pregnancies, abortion, working as a new mom and herpes stigma. Jade shares with us her pregnancy and birth journey which includes a large headed baby and a lot of morning sickness.

Alice Butler, endo-sister and host of the podcast "What the F is Hypnobirthing", shares her experience with being diagnosed with endometriosis and how it changed her plans for motherhood. Alice talks about dealing with a new reality and the wonders of hypnobirthing. Check out her page @what_the_f_is_endometriosis to learn more about Alice and her new course on hypnobirthing!

Krystal and Jenny talk with Holly who has recently entered the mom world! We ask questions and listen about her journey with motherhood from conception to birth to managing a new born during these times. We go into the unrealistic societal expectations that are placed on people who give birth.

Victoria radio host and gossip queen, Heather Backman shares her experience being single pre-COVID, but discovering a new connection while on dating apps in quarantine. We discuss how to move from apps to meeting in person during a pandemic and the commitment around taking those steps.

Krystal and Jenny talk with Ethan about his experience with sex and dating during quarantine ✨ Ethan talks candidly about navigating online relationships and saucy times while comparing and sharing about his experience in the dating scene pre-covid. In this episode, Ethan shares his take on hetero-normative perspectives and STI stigmatization all while making us laugh with his witty sense of humour.

Part 2 of The Rag's Relationships in Quarantine series. Krystal and Jenny chat with Salina and Scott, who share their experience getting married during a pandemic and the surprise their friend's pulled on them that made their wedding newsworthy. "People spend so much time planning their wedding, but you could never plan a moment like we had."- Salina Their story: https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/out-of-nowhere-guests-arrive-for-rocker-s-wedding-1.24112973 therag.periodpodcast@gmail.com.

Krystal and Jenny share their personal experience with navigating relationships while in isolation. Discussing new daily routines including grooming, exercise and stress/time management. This is part 1 of the Relationships in Quarantine series. Please reach out if there are topics or questions you want us to cover therag.periodpodcast@gmail.com.

Krystal, Jenny and Lindsay rag about having baby fever and baby fear, being single and happy, and various menstrual initiatives. United Way Period Promise: https://www.facebook.com/unitedwayvictoria/ A Journey With A Hope: shorturl.at/lnuEU Dear Period: shorturl.at/dvOWZ

Let's talk about sexual health for older adults! Leah Tidey is a Ph.D. Candidate in Applied Theatre at the University of Victoria. Her research focuses on the social stigma of sexuality across the life course and explores intergenerational, community-based theatre as a means to address it. Her work as Playwright/Facilitator with the Victoria Target Theatre Society and Victoria High School, federally funded in part by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program, culminated in a well-received intergenerational performance of You're Doing What?! At Your Age?! Leah currently works with the Island Sexual Health Society on a Community Wellness Grant to develop a sexual health program for older adults.

Jennifer Gibson, A.K.A The Sex Lady, joins the podcast this month to talk all things sexual health. Jenny, Krystal, and Lindsay have questions answered about pleasure, STIs, safe sex, contraceptive methods, the current state of our sexual health education, and more.

Krysta Wark, a pelvic physiotherapist and host of the Global Physio Podcast joins us this episode to chat about pelvic function, what to expect from an appointment, and symptoms that you probably had no idea were treatable.

Bryan Boitano joins The Rag to talk about his and his partner's experience with miscarriages in the midst of the news around abortion laws in the U.S.

Jenny gets an IUD, Krystal chats about her type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and Lindsay proposes a pilot project surrounding menstrual equity. PLUS, we get all riled up about some BIG news. **LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED**

Ali Louwe joins Jenny, Krystal, and Lindsay to share her experience living with endometriosis. This woman is a POWER HOUSE who manages to balance owning her own company, being a full time student, and maintaining a relationship all while dealing with chronic pain. **LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED**

Morgan(Kreeper) Sutherland joins Jenny, Krystal, and Lindsay to share her battle with cervical cancer that led her to a hysterectomy at 27 years old. When we say battle, we mean BATTLE. Blood. Invasion. Tears. Loss. Triumph. This woman is bad-ass and resilient as heck, her story deserves to be heard. Come to her "LAST PERIOD PARTY" at the Capital Ballroom Friday, Jan 4th. Live music, prizes to be won, and all by donation benefiting Island Sexual Health and Period Posse. A night of uterine liberation! **LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED**

Episode 4: Krystal, Jenny and Lindsay are reunited (and it feels so good!) This product review episode gives you their true unfiltered experiences using Thinx, Ruby Cup and Softdisc. They also play The More You Know, The More You Flow and introduce this month's Bleeding Beauty. The following content may not be suitable for all bleeders, personal menstrual choices are advised. Music: The Raccuntz & Peter Day

Episode 3: Hosts Krystal, Lindsay(away this week), and Jenny chat with guests Allie and her partner Abbey about dating a menstruater, moon cycles, period tracking apps, contraceptives, and more. We also play The More You Know, The More You Flow: Tampon Tax Edition! The following content may not be suitable for all bleeders, personal menstrual choices are advised. Music: The Raccuntz & Peter Day

Episode 2: Krystal, Lindsay, and Jenny chat with guest Lily Fawn, a herbalist, musician, and all-around bad-ass babe. We chit-chat about natural remedies for menstrual symptoms, introduce this month's bleeding beauty, and play The More You Know, The More You Flow. The following content may not be suitable for all bleeders, personal menstrual choices are advised. Lily Fawn contact: www.earthsherbal.com @Earthsherbalproducts

The Rag is a podcast that is all about digging into the taboos and making the mysterious a lil more friendly! About half the world experiences menstruation, but for some reason, we treat periods like a spooky secret. No more! Born from the Period Posse (look us up! @periodposse), The Rag is here to break the period stigma. We're here to talk about menstrual activism, health, and experiences. Join Jenny, Krystal and Lindsay once a month (or maybe less, maybe more - like periods, our podcast cycle can be a lil unpredictable) for a chit-chat about everything menstruation!