Vicious Cycle

Dying to hear the thrilling conclusion to Kathleen's interview? Are you ready to meet Rita? It's all happening in this week's episode. We cover staining your shorts (and the beauty of fast-drying fabric), expelling giant clots in your 50's (we nearly fainted), and learn that no two people menopause the same way. Pop in those earbuds and ride out your hot flash with us!

We are so honored to bring our moms (Deb, Kathleen and Rita) into your earholes. We asked about their first periods, menstruating in the 1960s... and menopause. Yeah, not only did we go there, they REALLY go there. In part one, you'll hear from Deb (Meg T's mom), and the first half of Kathleen's interview (Kate's mom). Grab your sanitary garter belt and your mom's hand and join us on this menstrual journey.

Maybe you've already heard (because we've been shouting it from the rooftops), but we wrote a musical about menstruation! We sat down with our cast - Gabby Momah, Alissa Sanchez and our very own Meg Hayes - to talk about their menstrual journeys...which includes cadavers somehow? And, of course, we give you a taste of a few songs.

Did ya hear a movie about periods WON AN OSCAR?! Yeah, we were pretty excited, too. So excited, we got Sophie Ascheim, a producer of the award winning film "Period. End of Sentence." to chat with us! We talked about making the film, as well as the Pad Project, bleeding at karate, and period lockers (aka, why Meg Hayes cried this week).

This week Meg T opens up about her recent ectopic pregnancy. Spoiler alert: she wouldn't recommend one. She takes you on the entire journey - from finding out, to treatment, and the inevitable miscarriage. Is this episode a little sad? Yes it is. But are there also lots of laughs and an enormous amount of love sent directly into your ear holes? BIG TIME. Find an overnight pad to hug for support and play on.

Since we started this podcast, we've been gathering questions about animals and menses, like: do female dogs wear diapers because of menstruation?; are chicken eggs periods?; and what does a spiny mouse say when she's bleeding? Good news - we've got answers to these important questions... and a song, of course. Snuggle up with a furry friend and hit play!

Standup comedian and journalist Francesca Fiorentini, from web series Newsbroke and podcast Bitchuation Room, joins your hosts in the studio (aka, Kate's living room) to cover all aspects of menstruation, including: DivaCups, periods in comedy, and the wonders of bloody pad art... which leads to your hosts showing off their own "masterpieces."

Whether you care about the planet, what you put in your body, or you're sick of throwing money away on disposable menstrual products, this week's episode is for you. We tried period underwear, reusable pads, and organic tampons, and we even rated them (by a blood drop rating, naturally). Pop out those tampons and pop in your earbuds. It's time for Vicious Cycle.

We had a Very Important Bleeder (VIB) in the studio with us! Liz Plank appears frequently on MSNBC, is Executive Producer and host of the Vox show Consider It, and created the Big Uterus Energy movement. We cover all things menstruation with Liz, like, for example, the unwritten law that if you are traveling, you WILL get your period. Oh, and stick around for a classic (read: V dumb) song at the end.

Vicious Cycle welcomes back Molly Sanchez - delightful and hilarious comedian and fellow podcast host. Molly’s back to kick off our book club, Bleeding Rainbow, and to dig into our first book: The Red Tent. There’s a lot to unpack - mainly, which mother from the book are you (Meg Hayes is SUCH a Zilpah). Pull up your pile of hay and free bleed with us! Oh, and give our friends at FMKLit a listen, too. We give you a taste of their pod in this episode.

We’re back, bleeders! And we’re jumping right into it with a menstrual cup disaster and a colposcopy! We also bring back the segment “Where Ya Bled” and FINALLY solve the mystery of Meg H’s “inverted pubic bone.” So grab some popcorn and your fave gyno and press play.

We're baaaaaaack! (almost back) We're so excited to announce that season two is dropping March 6th! And we wanted to give you a taste of the amazing bleeders we've been interviewing, including OUR MOMS. (scream emoji) Stock up on menstrual supplies because we're coming in hot! Music: Night Surfing by David Szetsay (c) copyright 2016. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://freemusicarchive.org/music/David_Szesztay/20170730112627067/

In the last episode of season one, we have multiple guests in the studio! First up, we have a chat with Natalie Kringoudis, doctor of Chinese Medicine and fellow podcast host, about hormones, misconceptions, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Then we have friend-of-the-pod Molly Sanchez with a little reading assignment to get us through the meno-PAUSE. Make sure to keep some tampons on ya, because WE'LL BE BACK.

Did you know that only 2-3% of US bleeders use reusable menstrual products? And that an average menstruator will dispose of 9,600 pads and tampons in their lifetime? Your hosts did all the research on menstrual cups, blisteners. You just pop in those earbuds, your preferred brand of cup, and press play.

The blisteners have commanded it, and Vicious Cycle delivered. The next two episodes are dedicated to menstrual cups. This week, we have callers who swear by them (a few even said it “changed their life”), and callers who were humbled by them (two of your hosts, actually…). Whether you’ve been thinking about trying menstrual cups, or you've been using one for years, you’ll want to listen to these episodes. So bear down, don’t clench, and tune in. (And call our hotline: 910-6-UTERUS!)

You’ve all (probably) had it, but you (probably) haven’t talked about it. WHAT IS IT? Period Sex. And your hosts break it down for you. We’ve got phone calls, pro-tips, and even our very own personal stories all around getting freaky when you’re bleeding. We also feature a new, fun game to play when society is bringing you down, and a SURPRISE SONG. So, lay out an old towel and get down with us.

Though your hosts have explained many “foolish and ill considered actions” as PMS, they wanted to know what premenstrual syndrome really is, and whether or not it’s real. And they found that men have pleeeeenty to say on the matter. Put on some sweats, eat some chocolate, and blow up at someone for no reason - you know what to blame it on.

If you’ve ever had your period and had to catch a flight, you know it’s a very special kind of hell. Now, imagine you’re muslim, in an era of threatened travel bans and celebrated racism… and you’re on the rag. Zainab Merchant’s story will have you yelling WTF to the skies… and your local lawmakers. Tuck those tampons in your carry-on and buckle up - it’s going to be an infuriating flight.

The period hotline has been ringing off the hook! This week, we listen to your messages, which touch on everything from weird boob pain to "period pants" to a very creative use of a sock. Plus, find out why your hosts have been non-stop sobbing all week. So, grab some tissues (or a maxi-pad because who ever has tissues?) and dab away your tears with us.

And now! The thrilling conclusion to last week’s interview with Nic Sommerfeld! It will shock. It will awe. It will make you say “whaaaaaaaaaaa?” Learn the term “uteri” along with your hosts and enjoy our newest segment: Throwback Why I Cried This Week. Slap on a liner and join us!