The Heavy Flow Podcast

Today I’m talking to Samantha Zipporah, a holistic sexual health educator, activist, & advocate. We talk about holistic abortion care, the value of the uterus beyond childbearing, saying no to say yes and the healing power of orgasm. CW: abortion, miscarriage This episode was supported by Know Your Endo. What we discussed: How Samantha’s work inspired the Heavy Flow Podcast! Reframing all pregnancy outcomes as “pregnancy release” Supporting physical, spiritual and emotional healing after an abortion and why the approach should be the same regardless of how the pregnancy was released How the technocratic method of medical care differs from holistic care Harnessing the vital life force of our uterus and acknowledging the sacred yes Why body literacy and education are keys to a positive termination experience for patients and care providers The healing power of orgasm Connect with Samantha: Website Instagram Facebook Support Samantha on Patreon Resources mentioned in this episode: Female Erasure Episode 16

If you're suffering from endometriosis, are there ways that you can naturally manage your symptoms? Jessica Murnane, founder of Know Your Endo, joins me to talk about the tools that help her manage her endometriosis.  Get full shownotes for this episode here.  -- Follow Heavy Flow on Instagram: @amandalaird Follow Heavy Flow on Facebook: facebook.com/amandalairdrhn

This week on the podcast I’m talking to Bianca Sprague, birth doula, lactation educator and CEO of bebo mia inc. After a decade of excruciating period pain, Bianca elected to have a hysterectomy to manage her adenomyosis and endometriosis. We discuss how she made peace with her decision, self-advocacy and queer-positive medical spaces. Show notes: http://amandalaird.ca/biancasprague

We have more options for managing menstruation then ever before, but what's the best? I run down all the modern menstrual management options available today.  

This week I’m talking to Clare Kenty, Integrative Health Coach, Reiki Master, and Educator. We are going deep talking about womb healing and wellness on both a personal and collective level, using our periods as a teacher and guide, self-care and so much more. CW: miscarriage, abortion, sexual assault

When you're menstruating should you avoid yoga or certain yoga poses? Yoga and meditation teacher Morgan Cowie from Mosaic Yoga Toronto joins me to answer this week's question. What we discussed:  Yoga as a process of discernment  Why Morgan turns questions like these back on her students  Tuning in to your own body and yoga practice, at any point in your cycle  How to discuss modifications with your yoga teacher Connect with Morgan: Mosaic Yoga Toronto Instagram Facebook Resources mentioned in this episode:  Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Butterfly Pose) Child's Pose Subscribe & leave a review:  If you're into Heavy Flow, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review - that's the best way to support the show and help others find this podcast! Music Credit: Julia and Bradley of Home Studios Graphic Design: Rachel Laird

This week I’m talking to Kiran Gandhi, an activist and electronic music artist who performs as Madame Gandhi, about menstruation, feminism and activism. We discuss Kiran’s infamous freebleeding at the London Marathon, how the conversation has changed since 2015 was declared the Year of the Period, menstruation as a feminist issue and how we can reclaim our period power for ourselves and others. Connect with Kiran: Website Instagram Resources mentioned in this episode: Woman runs London Marathon without tampon  Feminist hero tells why she ran the London Marathon while menstruating freely  Instagram deletes woman’s period photos, but her response is amazing  Why 2015 was the Year of the Period  Dear Kates VV Skivvys  Thinx Cosmo period stuff  Chella Quint  Heavy Flow Episode 4: Cycle Syncing with Gabrielle Lichterman Hormonology 

What are the best apps for tracking your period, menstrual cycle and hormonal symptoms? Find out on today's episode of Question Period.   Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Email | RSS Resources mentioned in this episode: How Period Apps Are Profiting Off Your Private Data & Selling Your Sex Life Taking Charge of Your Fertility Kindara Wink Clue I receive an affiliate commission from some of the links above. 

This week I'm talking to Aditi Gupta, co-founder of Menstrupedia. We talk about Aditi’s experience with menstruation as a young girl in India, why she created the Menstrupedia comic and how it’s changing cultural taboos, the importance of including boys and men in menstrual education, menstrual leave and the period myths and lies women are led to believe. Season 1 is coming to a close! Let me know in the comments or email me with topic and guest suggestions for season 2, airing in the new year!  And don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to get first dibs on nutrition consulting spots, launching in January.    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Email | RSS Connect with Aditi: Menstrupedia Website Facebook Twitter TED Talk Resources mentioned in this episode:  Menstrupedia Comic: The Friendly Guide to Periods for Girls Heavy Flow Episode 13: The Period Paradox with Elizabeth Yuko

When will my period come back after I've had a baby is the question I am asked most often and today I'm breaking it down for you. 

This week I’m talking to Dr. Elizabeth Yuko, a bioethicist and writer. We discuss the ‘Period Paradox,’ the lack of medical research focusing on menstrual pain and disorders, how menstrual shame and stigma are instruments of the patriarchy, and we have a fun discussion about how periods are represented in pop culture.   Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Email | RSS Connect with Elizabeth: Website Twitter Instagram Helloflo She Knows Resources mentioned in this episode: How the ‘Period Paradox’ keeps women down Period pain can be “almost as bad as a heart attack.” Why aren’t we researching how to treat it?  Jessica Murnane on the Heavy Flow Podcast  These Women Entrepreneurs Created A Fake Male Cofounder To Dodge Startup Sexism  Dr. Laura Payne Period: Twelve Voices Tell the Bloody Truth  Craving chocolate on your period has nothing to do with your hormones, according to experts HelloFlo: The Guide, Period.: The Everything Puberty Book for the Modern Girl  I receive an affiliate commission from some of t

This week I’m talking to Brittany-Lyne Carriere, a full-spectrum doula. We discuss supporting all pregnancy outcomes including abortion and miscarriage, Brittany-Lyne’s personal experience terminating a pregnancy, the far-reaching lack of support within the medical system for women and femme-presenting people, and how holistic practices seem to be filling in some of the gaps. We also talk about chocolate covered potato chips. CW: abortion and pregnancy loss Connect with Brittany-Lyne:  Facebook Twitter Instagram Resources: Holistic Healing After Abortion Holistic Healing After Miscarriage

Today on Question Period we're talking about how long a normal menstrual cycle should be. 

This week I'm chatting with Holly Grigg-Spall, author of Sweetening the Pill: Or How We Got Hooked On Hormonal Birth Control. In this episode Holly gives us a 101 about how hormonal birth control really works and some of the common misconceptions we're often told about the pill; the importance of fertility awareness education in making truly informed birth control choices; how hormonal birth control affects sexuality and we ask, does being critical of the pill make you anti-feminist? CW: sexual assault  Connect with Holly:  Website Facebook Sweetening The Pill: How We Got Hooked On Hormonal Birth Control Resources mentioned in this episode:  How does the pill work? Woman now empowered by everything a woman does I receive an affiliate commission from some of the links above. 

Can you get pregnant while you're on your period? Kelsey Knight from The Fifth Vital Sign joins me to set the record straight. 

This week I’m talking to Emma Rohmann, founder of Green At Home, all about how the environment affects our hormones. In this episode, we discuss what “toxins” and “chemicals” really are, what an endocrine disruptor is and where they can be found in our homes, the link between our liver and hormones, and how you can limit your exposure without going crazy.   Connect with Emma: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Resources mentioned in this episode: I Love Lucy Candy Factory Clip Jennifer Chua / Hip Mommies Instagram and Website Warning: Fake baby products are everywhere Think Dirty Skin Deep  Environmental Working Group EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning David Suzuki Foundation Dirty Dozen What You Should Know Before Using Essential Oils Living Libations Your Healthy Home Program (save $15 if you mention Heavy Flow when you sign up!)

Soy's status as a health food hero or villain is constantly being debating, particularly when it comes to hormonal health. Here are a few reasons why it's vilified and the questions you should consider when adding soy into your diet. 

This week I'm talking to Cass Clemmer, a trans and nonbinary artist, activist, and sex educator. We discuss their experience menstruating while trans, raising period positive kids in a world of shame and taboo, gender-neutral period language, and, of course, Toni the Tampon.   Connect with Cass: Website Cass's Instagram Toni the Tampon's Instagram Twitter Facebook Resources mentioned in this episode: #bleedingwhiletrans Instagram post Testosterone and your cycle The Adventures of Toni the Tampon: A Period Colour Book Menstrual cups are a feminist issue I receive an affiliate commission from some of the links above. 

This week I'm talking all about the one period-thing I'm asked about most often: menstrual cups. I share how they work, a few reasons to make the switch, and how to find the cup for you. Resources mentioned in this episode: Menstrual cups are a feminist issue Put A Cup In It

This week I’m talking to Olivia Scobie, a social work therapist who specializes in perinatal mood, birth trauma, and maternal mental health. We get deep into my personal birth trauma story and then Olivia describes the four types of birth trauma, how birth trauma is different from postpartum depression, and how to get help if you’ve experienced trauma in childbirth. CW: birth trauma, sexual violence.   Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Email | RSS Connect with Olivia: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Unwanted Parenting Advice YouTube Channel Shame Free Parenting with Olivia Scobie Facebook Group Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 07: Finding the Middle Ground in Childbirth with Care Sinclair My Birth Story The Business of Being Born Ina May Gaskin Homebirth Cesarean Healing from a Homebirth Cesarean Workbook When Survivor’s Give Birth Postpartum Support Toronto I receive an affiliate commission from some of the links above.