A Catch-All Solution to a Menstrual Problem
When Jane Hartman Adamé started to have trouble with her menstrual cup, she didn’t want to go back to tampons and pads. So she recruited a friend and together, they designed a new cup, which is used by scores of menstruators today.
Celebrating the Moon Within
We speak with Aida Salazar, author of The Moon Within — a middle grade novel about a girl celebrating her first period with a moon ceremony.
One Giant Leap for Menstruators
Sally Ride was the first American woman to go into space. Before launch, NASA scientists asked if she needed 100 tampons for a one-week trip. Since then, other menstruators have ventured into the outer reaches of our atmosphere.
Cartooning Away Period Shame
Aditi grew up feeling that having a period was shameful. So she and her creative partner, Tuhin, created a comic book to make it easier to talk about it.
What’s a Cyst, Anyway?
Stephanie has been dealing with ovarian cysts since the early years of her period. She opens up about it and about how having a mom who advocates for you and your body changes everything. We also get a doctor’s insight on the common condition.
Playing Big-Time Sports on Their Period
For a long time, periods were used as excuses to keep menstruators from competing. But top athletes challenged that stigma — and broke world records while menstruating.
When Your Period Stops
When she was 19, Annie lost her period. She tells us what that was like — and we also talk to a doctor about why that sometimes happens. Note: this episode discusses eating disorders, so you might want to listen with an adult.
Attack of the Tampons!
When Andy and Sophie met at a coding camp, they decided to make a video game together. Their final project? Tampon Run — a video game where you shoot tampons at your enemies.
His Sympathy Cramps
As a trans man, PJ started taking hormones in college, and his period stopped. But once he met Zoë, the two started experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) together. We hear about their discomfort, acceptance, and love. We also talk to a doctor who unpacks PMS for us.
So You Don’t Get Periods. Why Should You Care About Them?
We talk to people who don’t menstruate but who understand why it matters to them. If you have anyone who menstruates in your life, this episode’s for you.
Creating the Period Emoji
Not surprisingly, the period emoji is easily our favorite. But how it came to be is complicated. We talked to the women who made it happen.
Surprise! Your Period’s Here!
Do you worry about getting your period all of a sudden and not being prepared? Well, older menstruators have been there. A few of them tell us about being ready for all sorts of period moments.
Playing for the Period Win
Daniela remembers her middle school teacher telling her to shout “Period!” to get over the stigma. Years later, Daniela wanted to share that same feeling of fun and freedom — so she created The Period Game.
What’s a Period REALLY Like?
In this episode, we tackle some of the biggest period-related questions out there — from how to put in a tampon to what vaginal discharge is all about.
Two Dads, Two Daughters, Two Periods
Two dads who have never experienced menstruation and their teen daughters, Ceci and Liv, talk about how their family dealt with first periods.
Cass Draws Outside the Lines
Cass Bliss was so open about being a transgender and non-binary menstruator that they were recognized as a world leader. Along the way, they also created Toni the Tampon to illustrate what it’s like to have a period. Note: this episode talks about cyberbullying, so you might want to listen with an adult.
Hey Parents — Let’s Talk Periods!
It’s not always easy for parents to talk about periods. We talk to Phyllis Fagel — a certified professional school counselor and author of Middle School Matters — about how to start that conversation, and what pitfalls to avoid.
How Four Teens Fought to Change Period Law
Julia, Jocelyn, Piper and Maia decided their school should provide free menstrual products. The four friends’ activism led to them helping to draft a bill to offer free supplies in schools across their state.
The 2020 Flowies!
Periods are everywhere! In movies, on TV, in podcasts! We decided to create special awards to honor creative ways to talk about periods in pop culture. Welcome to the first-ever Flowie Awards!!!
Periods During Quarantine
Maya, 10, got her period for the first time right before the COVID-19 pandemic and has been making the best of it. And Maggie Di Sanza, 17, an activist in Wisconsin, is raising funds to support menstruators in need.
Bonus Episode:
Me, Mom, and Our Friend
Kamilah and her mom, Sherene, remember the first few years of their periods — the good, the bad, and the ugly — and share lessons they’ve learned about menstruation. (And we record epic levels of mother-daughter sass.)
López Family Values
This family’s attitude toward their bodies and menstruation has changed over the years. Aszana, her mother, Vanessa, and her grandmother, Rosa, share their period stories with each other.
Just in Time for Lola
Lola Blackman talks to Kamilah about being a late bloomer, her feelings about the idea of “womanhood,” and wondering when she would finally get her period. Our producer, Mia, also looks into why some people are late bloomers — spoiler alert: there’s nothing wrong with it!
