Strong Tea

This weeks episode sees us chat to the lovely Agnese Effe all about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). 

Agnese’s journey highlights just how frequently PCOS goes undiagnosed or is poorly misunderstood and treated by general practitioners. 

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance in the body which can have a significant number of symptoms including weight gain, irregular periods, mental health issues, acne and fertility issues. 

PCOS affects 1 in every 10 women in the UK yet services and knowledge surrounding this syndrome are in short supply. 

Agnese and our own Katie talk about their experiences and diagnoses with PCOS and the benefits of holistic treatments and approaches towards it.

Veganism. The practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, mainly in diet but also throughout life. 

This episode sees Katie and Vikki discuss the background and history of veganism, the statistics behind it and also checking in with some opinions of people who follow a vegan diet and lifestyle.

The chat sees some preconceived ideas and misconceptions busted and results in meat lover Katie planning to go vegan for a week to see how much better she feels. We’ve got a feeling that this won’t be the last time we visit this topic!

Chanai Destinee Bradley Fofanah – also known as self love Nai is an actress, equality activist, a model, spoken word artist, mental health ambassador and body positivity role model. There is nothing this lady doesn’t do without beauty, heart and soul.

If you haven’t seen Chanai’s Instagram account it is an amazing reflection of how inspirational being true to your authentic self is. But obviously there has been a road to travel for her and in this episode she talks about how past trauma and her mental health have helped shape her outlook and successes, how body positivity is a state of mind, and how being a role model and visibility is key for inclusivity.

Check out her Instagram here: @selflovenai

Something a little different this week! 

Check out this episode that hears us chat briefly about our podcasting journey so far, what topics and guests are coming up and how YOU can get involved!

We are so lucky to have the amazing Katie Stevenson return to Strong Tea and to once again bring her truth, openness, and beauty to our podcast. Katie provided us with an incredible account of her breast cancer journey in episode 3. It was moving and informative but ultimately a tale of success. Tragedy struck in June this year when, following a seizure, Katie was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer which has spread to her brain. This is an unimaginable situation for anyone.

We are truly honored to have Katie return and talk to us about her experience, what her new prognosis means for her, and the legacy she now wants to create. This episode is sad, funny, hopeful, sobering and everything between. If you have ever had a question for someone living with this prognosis, but were scared to ask, this episode may help answer some of them and also provide a beautiful perspective on something so unimaginable.

Thanks again to the wonderful Katie Stevenson and in her own words....check your boobies everyone!

Periods. We get it. No-one want’s to take about it. But maybe that’s why we should?

In today’s episode we talk all things menstrual cycles including the shame and stigma attached of Aunt Flo coming to call. Things get pretty heated as we ask the questions about WHY there is such shame when it’s such a natural bodily function, how PMT has become the butt of many jokes and just how many women and girls in the UK are currently experiencing period poverty and cannot afford the necessary sanitary products.

As many as 9 working days are lost every year due to women’s monthly cycles and the stigma attached to them. In 2022 we really should be normalising the conversation for women and girls to feel comfortable with their bodies and the way they work.

The fantastic book, Period Power by Maisie Hill, that we talk about in the episode can be found and purchased here https://tinyurl.com/3nfjku29 and it’s well worth it!

If you want to read more, support the movement or help eradicate period poverty, take a look at these links:

https://period.org

https://periodpoverty.uk 

https://www.freedom4girls.co.uk

https://www.actionaid.org.uk/our-work/womens-rights/period-poverty 

This episode concludes our Death Series and takes a look at death around the World. Each country, culture, tribe, and religion has a different tradition when it comes to death, burial, and remembering their loved ones. In this episode, Katie & Vikki delve into life after death and the different customs surrounding the biggest taboo of our life.

This light hearted episode brings interesting statistics, cultural uniqueness, giggles and a few chickens for good measure. Whether you’re donating your body to science or having a sky burial, this episode is sure to open your eyes to the world of death and beyond!

Tigger Warning - This episode contains discussion about human remains, the body after death, true crime, and grief.

Please note - The opinions, thoughts, and beliefs expressed in this episode are our own. 

“Grief is just love with no place to go”. 

If you’ve grieved the loss of a love one close to you, you will know the absolute pain and anguish that journey comes with.

Grief is not linear and it is individual to each person suffering which makes it a difficult and lonely road to travel.

We chat with Jane Grayer, end of life doula and celebrant about grieving and loss, the impact that the loss of a loved one has on those around and why grief is so hard to talk about.