Period Story

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 yearsWhat it took for her to finally receive a stage 4 endometriosis diagnosisThe joyful validation that getting a diagnosis provided her withThe inspiration for starting frendoHow 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.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Dearbhail:FrendoFrendo InstagramDearbhail’s Instagram

TRUST YOURSELF// 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 friendsHow 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 periodHayley 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.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Hayley:InstagramCrowdfunder to raise money to produce the film 

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 themselvesHow compassionate self-belief can help people can get out of their own way in business and in lifeHer upcoming Business Backed By Belief summitAnd of course, the story of her first periodVicky 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.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Vicky:Business Backed By Belief SummitWebsiteInstagramHer book - Just Start Now

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 responsesThe inspiration for her first book, The Pocket Guide To The Patriarchy And of course, the story of her first periodMaya 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.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Maya:InstagramTwitterHer book - The Pocket Guide To The Patriarchy

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 shortenedHow 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 herEllamae 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.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Ellamae:InstagramWebsite

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 healthWhy she focused on bravery in her first book Worried Whippet: Inspiration to be BraveHer new podcast Brave Little Podcast And of course, the story of her first periodJess 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.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Jess:Book - Worried Whippet: Inspiration To Be BraveHuman Jess - Instagram Worried Whippet - InstagramBrave Little Podcast 

My guest on today’s episode of Period Story is Kelly Newton. Kelly is the founder and CEO of NIXI Body, a reusable leakproof underwear company. In this episode, Kelly shares: The embarrassment she felt when she first got her periodHow playing sports helped her deal with having endometriosis Her menopause storyThe importance of a holistic approach to keeping your pelvic floor healthy How she was able to move from being embarrassed to talking about her period to talking so openly about pelvic floors and vaginal health on TVThe impact sport and exercise has on her mental health How she started a business in her 40s and how she supports other women who are setting up businesses And of course, the story of her first periodA transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Kelly:InstagramLinkedInFacebook WebsiteKelly says that if she can start a business, anyone can do it. Just ask questions, Google everything and go on courses!Thank you, Kelly! 

My guest on today’s episode of Period Story is Amaia Arranz. Amaia is the CEO of Ruby Cup, an award-winning social business that works to combat period poverty around the world. In this episode, Amaia shares: What it was like getting her period as a teenage girl in Spain in the 90s How getting her period was a combination of being a part of a VIP cool girl club with a big dose of shame attached Some of the myths she learned growing up around tampons, virginity and sexHow menstrual cups work and exactly how to use one The social mission at the heart of Ruby Cup, including their buy one, give one model How they work with their NGO partners to provide menstrual education and to ensure there are the right conditions, including clean water, to use a menstrual cup safelyAnd of course, the story of her first periodAmaia says that if you are swimming and a wave comes, you don't argue with the wave. You have to go with the wave. So if your period is coming, get angry, get pissed off, but it's coming, why not go with it and see, maybe it's not the worst thing to have a couple of quiet days once a month with your blanket and your movies and a huge bar of chocolate. Thank you, Amaia! A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Amaia:InstagramWebsiteFacebook

My guest on today’s episode of Period Story is Emilie Lavinia. Emilie is Cosmopolitan UK’s Sex and Relationships Editor, LGBQT+ sexologist and sex educator and a UK Delegate for UN Women. In this episode, Emilie shares: The endocrine condition that means that she doesn’t really have periods that oftenThe difference between good and bad sex educationWhat the orgasm gap is and how women can have better orgasms (and sex!) with their partners How to instigate a conversation with your partner about how to have better sex and more pleasure How social media censorship and ‘algo speak’ is impacting the way we speak and learn about gender and sexuality Her advocacy work with UN Women And of course, the story of her first periodEmilie says that why we need to teach people how to connect and how to speak to each other about sex so that we can have conversations with our partners about what we like, not fake orgasms, talk candidly about how we like to pleasure ourselves and then transfer that to a partnered experience.Thank you, Emilie! A transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.comGet in touch:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.comGet in touch with Emilie:InstagramWebsiteSubstack