Period Story

My guest on today’s episode is Tamara Driessen. Tamara is a tarot reader, intuitive guide, author of Luna and The Crystal Code and host of the podcast Another Phase. 

In this episode, Tamara shares: 

• What it meant to be diagnosed with PCOS and anovulatory infertility 
• Her experience coming off the pill and reconnecting with her menstrual cycle 
• Some of the habits she incorporated to kickstart ovulation and regular menstrual cycles 
• How to reconnect with your intuition 
• Why it’s important to slow down to be able to speed up
• The real deal on manifestation and why it’s so important to find peace in your here and now 
• And of course, the story of her first period 

Tamara says that comparison is such a trickster because it really disconnects us from ourselves. But when we accept ourselves exactly as we are or accept what we need in the moment, there's just so much power in that. Then the next breadcrumb appears, the next dot connects rather than us trying to chase something else that actually isn't meant for us in this moment.

Thank you, Tamara!

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Tamara: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaradriessen_/ 

Website: https://www.tamaradriessen.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode is Rebecca Moore, a breathwork and yoga teacher, spiritual guide and author of the new book Radical Self-Care: Rituals for Inner Resilience. 

In this episode, Rebecca shares: 

• Healthy ways to get your daily D.O.S.E (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins)
• The importance of rituals 
• The sacred morning ritual that she always starts her day with 
• Why self-soothing isn’t just for children
• How to do one of the self-soothing rituals, bhramari breath 
• Why we all need radical self-care
• The importance of knowing your limits and setting clear boundaries 
• And of course, the story of her first period 

Rebecca says that it’s so important that create space for ourselves, where we can just give ourselves permission to be as we are, without feeling the need to better ourselves or fix ourselves in some way. 

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Rebecca: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__rebecca__moore/

Website: https://www.rebecca-moore.com

Her book: Radical Self-Care: Rituals for Inner Resilience

Thank you, Rebecca!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode is Latoya Busumbru, a fibroids and women’s health campaigner and advocate. 

In this episode, Latoya shares: 

• How fainting and vomiting during her period led her to realise that her menstrual experience was very different to that of her friends 
• Why it took her over 4 years to receive a fibroid diagnosis 
• The symptoms that led her doctor to take her concerns seriously 
• Her negative experience of the copper coil
• The changes she made to reduce the painful periods and manage the growth of the remaining fibroids 
• What inspired her to start Womb Bae
• The campaigning work she’s doing in Ghana to help reduce period poverty
• And of course, the story of her first period 

Latoya says you shouldn’t shy away from advocating for yourself. She says it’s so important to do your research so that you get the support you need.

Thank you, Latoya!

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Latoya:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wombbae/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wombbae

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoya-busumbru-1a0912249/

Flow Wellness Ghana: https://www.instagram.com/flowwellnessgh/?locale=GB

Sponsor a girl in Ghana: https://paystack.com/pay/theflowproject

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode is Ceri Jones, a food educator, chef and author of the new book It Starts With Veg: 100 Seasonal Suppers and Sides. 

In this episode, Ceri shares: 

• Why she feels so open and free about talking about her period 
• The career transition she made from managing orchestras to becoming a chef and food writer 
• The joy she finds in cooking and helping others learn to cook
• How an in person class can help anyone feel less intimidated by cooking 
• How her new book can help you get to grips with seasonal eating
• A few tips and tricks for choosing the best quality veg when you’re out grocery shopping 
• The process of writing a cookbook (including the costs!)
• And of course, the story of her first period 

Ceri says that food doesn’t need to be complicated to taste good and starting with simple things is a great way to feel less intimidated in the kitchen. She says that a lot can be done with garlic and salt and one or two spices, the squeeze of lemon juice at the end, and adding lots of fresh herbs into your cooking. 

Thank you, Ceri!

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Ceri: 

Her book: It Starts With Veg: 100 Seasonal Suppers and Sides

Website: http://cerijoneschef.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cerijoneschef/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cerijoneschef

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode is Dearbhail Ormond, the founder and CEO of frendo, a digital health solution to support endometriosis sufferers and those awaiting diagnosis. 

In this episode, Dearbhail shares: 

• The traumatic event that happened at the beginning of her menstruating years 
• How having very heavy and excruciating periods affected her school and university years
• What it took for her to finally receive a stage 4 endometriosis diagnosis
• The joyful validation that getting a diagnosis provided her with
• The inspiration for starting frendo
• How you can improve your experience at work if you have endometriosis 
• What happened after she had her miracle baby and the drastic step she need to take to manage her symptoms 

Dearbhail says that you need to be the owner and CEO of your own health and that the more you empower yourself with your own knowledge about your own health and your own body and the stronger it makes your position to advocate for yourself. 

Thank you, Dearbhail!

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Dearbhail:

Frendo

Frendo Instagram

Dearbhail’s Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode is Hayley McFadyen, an actor and writer, who is currently working on her first film, Bled Through, about her personal experience of menstruation. 

In this episode, Hayley shares: 

• What it was like to start her period at 14 years old, well after all of her friends
• How being given a tampon to use was a confronting experience 
• How TikTok helped her realise that her shoulder pain was linked to her period 
• How experiencing stitches during her period led her to a self-diagnosis of diaphragmatic endometriosis 
• What she did to eventually receive a clinical diagnosis 
• How she was able to advocate for herself, even when doctors didn’t believe she had endometriosis 
• The inspiration for her film Bled Through (go to this link to support the crowdfunder to make this film!)
• And of course, the story of her first period

Hayley says that it’s so important to trust yourself and not to allow anyone to tell you that you aren’t feeling something. She says that if you know there’s something wrong with your body, just push for that and ignore everyone else’s thoughts.

Thank you, Hayley!

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Hayley:

Instagram

Crowdfunder to raise money to produce the film 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode of Period Story is Vicky Shilling, a Self-Belief business coach and author of the book Just Start Now. Vicky helps wellness professionals overcome self-doubt and take action to make an income from their passion for health.

In this episode, Vicky shares: 

• Her experience of re-learning about her menstrual cycle, period, moods and libido after coming off the pill after 20 years 
• How understanding cycles, seasons and life stages can help you better run your business 
• How she shifted from a 10 year career in music management to the work she does now 
• How she identified the gap in the market for a need to help wellness professionals better market themselves
• How compassionate self-belief can help people can get out of their own way in business and in life
• Her upcoming Business Backed By Belief summit
• And of course, the story of her first period

Vicky says that if there's something that you want to do in any realm of your life, be it business or personal, one thing to do is take one step to do something small to just start now, because the power is amazing in reinforcing and creating evidence for yourself of what is possible for you. So move out of that paralysis or thinking about it or dreaming about it or leaving it in your head, take one tangible small step towards what it is you want to do and just sit and feel what that brings for you.

Thank you, Vicky!

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Vicky:

Business Backed By Belief Summit

Website

Instagram

Her book - Just Start Now

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode of Period Story is Maya Oppenheim, the Women’s Correspondent at the Independent, which is the only role like this at a UK news outlet. 

In this episode, Maya shares: 

• How she pitched and landed her role as the first Women’s Correspondent at a UK news outlet, where she writes stories from a women’s and gender angle 
• The range of topics she covers in this role, including domestic abuse, abortion rights, childcare, poverty, periods, the criminal justice system 
• The story she’s most proud of - ‘The Murky Online World of Andrew T*te and Pick Up Artists’ and the troubling, misogynistic content she uncovered in her investigation 
• The trolling she receives online and the topics that tend to result in the most angry responses
• The inspiration for her first book, The Pocket Guide To The Patriarchy 
• And of course, the story of her first period

Maya says that the way that each person chooses to shine a light on injustice will be different, but it’s important, whatever it is that you want to do, to do something to try to make the world a better place.

Thank you, Maya! 

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Maya:

Instagram

Twitter

Her book - The Pocket Guide To The Patriarchy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode of Period Story is Ellamae Fullalove, the poet, founder of the shame shaking community, storytelling and events platform, Va Va Womb and MRKH advocate. 

In this episode, Ellamae shares: 

• How not getting her first period led to a diagnosis of MRKH, a condition that affects 1 in 5,000, in which the uterus and cervix is underdeveloped or absent and the vagina is shortened
• How she was diagnosed by the specialist team at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in London 
• The emotional side of the diagnosis and how she went from hiding it to helping others with MRKH advocate for themselves 
• How to get an MRKH diagnosis 
• How she’ll tackle the fertility side of MRKH, including the surrogacy campaigning work she does 
• How she and a friend set up Vagina Fest 
• How poetry and being creative is cathartic for her

Ellamae says that it’s so important to find your people and support network so there’s someone you can confide in. Telling your story is important and empowering. 

Thank you, Ellamae! 

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Ellamae:

Instagram

Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest on today’s episode of Period Story is Jess Bolton, the opposable thumbs behind Worried Whippet, a social media platform that is a celebration of everyday bravery through the eyes of a small dog.

In this episode, Jess shares: 

• The symptoms and experience that led to her seeking out an ADHD diagnosis 
• What the ADHD tax is and how it has affected her 
• How she’s been able to use her diagnosis to positively benefit her business and the way she works 
• Why she made an Instagram account for her dog and the amazing opportunities that have come from this 
• How talking about her dog’s anxiety has led others to have conversations about their own mental health
• Why she focused on bravery in her first book Worried Whippet: Inspiration to be Brave
• Her new podcast Brave Little Podcast 
• And of course, the story of her first period

Jess says whatever's weighing on you, whatever feelings you're contending with, they're probably a completely appropriate response to whatever's happening around you. And the best thing you can do is find somebody you trust or somebody with authority and talk to them about it.

Thank you, Jess! 

A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.com

Get in touch:

Tweet and IG @periodstorypod

Email 

[email protected]

Get in touch with Jess:

Book - Worried Whippet: Inspiration To Be Brave

Human Jess - Instagram 

Worried Whippet - Instagram

Brave Little Podcast 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.