Best Iris Josephina Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 66 – From Boy to Man: Why Men Aren’t Stepping Up & How to Build Safe, Balanced Relationships with Alessandro Frosali 49:35

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2d ago49:35

49:35

🐚Topics covered Alessandro's personal journey to becoming a men's coach Why men aren't stepping up - pendulum swing from toxic to passive masculinity The difference between "spine" versus "heart" in men Cultural role models shifting from the Marlboro Man to Homer Simpson Creating safe spaces for men to share vulnerably Speaking truth without negati…

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209. The Future of Leadership is Menstrual: A Revolution in Power (Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:00:50

1d ago1:00:50

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In a world where fast-paced technology and artificial intelligence are on the rise, where each day brings fresh news of global injustice and conflict and where radical shifts are needed to create a sustainable future on earth, it’s no wonder that we can find ourselves overwhelmed and numb. But, the daily practice of menstrual cycle awareness can se…

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Episode 65 - How to Unlearn Shame Around Our Menstrual Cycle 26:16

9d ago26:16

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🐚Topics covered The difference between guilt and shame - guilt says "I did something wrong" while shame says "I am something wrong" How shame disconnects us from our true identity and wraps itself around who we are Understanding healthy shame vs toxic shame and recognizing the difference in your own life Shame is a learned behavior that only exists…

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The Messy Middle of Menopause (Ruby May) 55:49

15d ago55:49

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As we’ve explored a lot on the podcast with the women and folks who have shared their own menopause stories, it can be a disorientating, deeply challenging, and very messy process. And today we’re hearing from a woman who is generously sharing right from the messy middle of her menopause journey. Ruby May is a coach, facilitator and community weave…

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Episode 64 - Decolonizing Our Closets & Reconnecting to Earth with Jeanne de Kroon 52:00

22d ago52:00

52:00

🐚Topics covered Jeanne's journey from mainstream modeling to discovering authentic craftsmanship in Nepal The founding and growth of Zazi Vintage, working with 1200+ women globally Decolonizing fashion and reconnecting to the stories behind our clothing The energetic difference between natural fibers and synthetic clothing Working with indigenous c…

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207. How Cycle Awareness Can Help You to Navigate PCOS and Irregular Cycles (Shalize Giane) 1:04:34

30d ago1:04:34

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What do you do when your experience of the cycle doesn’t match the archetypal description of the inner seasons? Many women and folks with cycles experience sporadic, irregular cycles which are very challenging to track, particularly if they’re dealing with health challenges like PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Our guest today is Menstruality Lea…

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Episode 63 - PMS After Miscarriage: A Raw & Real Share About My Last 5 Months 24:32

1M ago24:32

24:32

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING ⚠️ This episode contains detailed discussion of pregnancy loss, miscarriage, intense grief, and emotional trauma. Please listen with care if you're currently experiencing loss, trying to conceive, or are sensitive to these topics. Iris mentions this is raw and unedited, recorded during a difficult time. 🐚Topics covered Iris's per…

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Episode 62 - The Wheel of the Year & Seasonal Living with Eimear Burke 36:57

1M ago36:57

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🐚Topics covered Eimear's journey from a strict Roman Catholic upbringing to discovering Druidry What Druidry is as a nature-based spiritual path and non-dogmatic practice The Wheel of the Year and celebrating seasonal festivals every six weeks The three strands of druidry: Bards (creativity), Ovates (healing), and Druids (wisdom) Understanding the …

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206: Listening to Your Body, Reclaiming Your Power and Knowing Your Worth (Meggan Watterson) 1:01:14

1M ago1:01:14

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Today’s conversation is an exploration of what happens when women’s stories and voices are suppressed, and how we reclaim our power in a world which has historically denied our worth. It’s the story beneath the story of menstruality, the foundation for all we’re reclaiming with menstrual cycle awareness and conscious menopause. Our guide in Harvard…

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Episode 61 - The Connection Between Chakras, Menstrual Cycles & Emotional Health with Julia Rugosa 47:48

1M ago47:48

47:48

🐚Topics covered How Iris and Julia met on a magical retreat in France and became instant friends What the chakra system is and how it connects to our physical and emotional wellbeing Understanding the seven chakras from root to crown and their individual qualities How to identify when chakras are blocked or imbalanced through internal and external …

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Episode 60 - How the Position of Your Womb Impacts Menstrual Health 31:41

2M ago31:41

31:41

🐚Topics covered Understanding basic uterine anatomy and how the uterus is held in place by ligaments and fascia Different uterine positions: anteverted, retroverted, retroflexed, laterally displaced, hyperflexed, and prolapsed How uterine position can affect period pain, fertility, digestion, libido, and posture Iris's personal story of a biking ac…

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205. How to Work With PMS and PMDD Using Menstrual Cycle Awareness (Alexandra & Sjanie) 59:10

2M ago59:10

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Today we’re sharing part two of our conversation about PMS - premenstrual syndrome - and PMDD - Premenstrual dysphoria disorder. We began this exploration in episode 202, How Menstrual Cycle Awareness Can Transform PMS and PMDD, where we discussed the premenstrual phase of the cycle as a gateway to our power, and premenstrual symptoms as a truth-te…

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Episode 59 - Why Your Gut Health Matters Before, During, and After Pregnancy with Dr. Kelsey Stang 35:42

2M ago35:42

35:42

🐚Topics covered Dr. Kelsey's journey from studying the history of motherhood to becoming a naturopathic doctor Her personal experience with SIBO, hormone imbalances, and how addressing gut health transformed her cycles What the microbiome is and why we need bacteria to survive and thrive The role of the microbiome in preconception, pregnancy, birth…

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204. How Cycle Awareness Helps to Create a Rest-Centred Life (Lou Perham) 1:01:02

2M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

I don’t know about you, but rest can be an elusive thing for me. I know I need it, I know I want it, but how do I actually get it? Enter Lou Perham who is rest-obsessed and has devoted her recent years as a Cyclical Living Mentor to helping people, and especially women get more rest. Today we start by exploring Lou’s powerful personal story of the …

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Episode 58 - Menstrual Traditions in India with Mehvish Khan 40:23

3M ago40:23

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🐚Topics covered Mehvish's personal journey into menstrual health and her cultural background in Gujarat, India Ancient Indian practices around menstruation, including celebrations of first menstruation in South India The concept of menstrual seclusion and its original purpose of providing rest and healing Sacred materials like Darbha grass mats use…

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203. How to Claim and Express Yourself in Inner Summer - REPLAY (Alexandra & Sjanie) 58:43

3M ago58:43

58:43

What if there is a direct connection between your pleasure and your power? And what if harnessing the magic of inner summer of the menstrual cycle - the ovulation phase - is the key to unleashing a deeply pleasurable, full expression of who you are in the world? We believe that both of these statements are true, but - as we explore in this podcast …

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Episode 57 - The Science of Safe Charting: Fertility Awareness Education with Nat Daudet 33:05

3M ago33:05

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🐚Topics covered The difference between in-depth fertility charting and basic cycle tracking Why the rhythm method is unreliable and how it differs from evidence-based charting The importance of basal body temperature as a progesterone sign in confirming ovulation Why cervical mucus is equally important as temperature and serves as an "insurance pol…

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202. How Menstrual Cycle Awareness Can Transform PMS and PMDD (Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:03:18

3M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Did you know that 3-8% of women and people with cycles experience PMDD, which stands for premenstrual dysphoric disorder? If you are one of these people, or you are close to or work with someone with PMDD, this episode is especially for you. It’s also for you, if you - like me - have experienced intense, debilitating, dark and challenging emotional…

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201. Healing Grief, Fear and Loneliness after Pregnancy Loss (Iris Josephina Verstappen) 1:01:28

3M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

A few months ago, our guest today, the founder of Cycle Seeds Iris Josephina Verstappen, was hosting a retreat in a goddess temple in Malta when she began to miscarry. Having accompanied many women through pregnancy loss, both as a doula and a holistic hormone and cycle coach, she’s witnessed the storm of emotions that can arise with miscarriage, a…

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Episode 56 - New Non-Hormonal Birth Control Methods: Innovation or Interruption? 31:13

3M ago31:13

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🐚Topics covered Critical analysis of Mifepristone as a "hormone-free" weekly birth control pill Examination of a new microscopic valve system for fallopian tubes The difference between "hormone-free" and truly non-invasive contraception Why blocking progesterone isn't as neutral as it sounds The materials and potential risks of implantable valve de…

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200. How to Recover Your Health in Menopause with Herbal Medicine (Melinda McDougall) 59:17

3M ago59:17

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If you’re curious to explore natural approaches to support menopause health symptoms today’s episode is for you. Our guest, Melinda McDougall, is a registered Medical Herbalist specialising in women's health and menopause. She combines the latest scientific research into botanical medicines with the traditional knowledge women have used for centuri…

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199. How to Use Energy Work for Menstrual, Menopause and Womb Health (Prune Harris) 1:08:01

4M ago1:08:01

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Our guest today, energy expert Prune Harris sees the womb as the deepest house of wisdom that we have, and today we explore how to work energetically to cultivate womb health, as well as menstrual and menopause health. Since birth, Prune has been able to see energy - the energy of humans, animals, trees and the Earth, and she sees this energy as vi…

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Episode 55 - Your Truth Is Your Medicine: A Journey of Transformation with Janne Robinson 1:08:38

4M ago1:08:38

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🐚Topics covered Janne's transformative journey from feeling trapped in her life to creating a new path aligned with her truth The power of listening to feelings as information that guides us toward necessary life changes How making one major change can cascade into multiple areas of authentic transformation The importance of creating community whil…

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Episode 54 - The Connection Between Your Menstrual Cycle, Stress, Safety, and Cellular Repair 45:39

4M ago45:39

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🐚 Topics covered Understanding adrenal physiology and the HPA axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis) The stress response cascade: what happens in your body during stress How cortisol and adrenaline work and their different roles in stress response The connection between stress hormones and blood sugar regulation How modern lifestyle has created…

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198. The Connection between Your Menstrual Cycle and Your Mental & Emotional Health (Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:06:06

4M ago1:06:06

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As part of our ongoing series about the connection between menstrual cycle awareness and our health & wellbeing today we’re exploring how getting to know your cycle can be a vital foundation for mental and emotional health. Alexandra and Sjanie are both retired therapists, and today they share their learnings from their own personal cycle awareness…

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Episode 53 - A Depth Psychological Approach to Menstruation with Dr. Roxanne Partridge 58:34

4M ago58:34

58:34

🐚 Topics covered How depth psychology differs from mainstream psychological approaches The menstrual cycle as a path to self-knowing and wholeness Meeting our cyclical experiences with curiosity rather than judgment Breaking free from rigid expectations about how our cycles "should" be The relationship between menstruation, dreaming, and indigenous…

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197. How Your Menstrual Cycle is a Compass Leading you Towards Joy (Edveeje Fairchild) 1:02:12

4M ago1:02:12

1:02:12

Menstrual cycle awareness can guide us to create more rest in our lives, including a mini menstrual sabbatical each month to renew us and restore our connection to joy. Our guest today, author, poet and teacher Edveeje Fairchild has been a devotee to rest for her entire life, having been raised in a spiritual tradition that honoured the weekly sabb…

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196. How to Connect to the Cyclical Wisdom of Your Dreams (Toko-Pa Turner) 56:09

4M ago56:09

56:09

When Toko-pa Turner first started to experience signs of perimenopause, she was simultaneously diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called rheumatoid arthritis, and the combination led to severe insomnia. Sleep deprivation is challenging for all of us, but in Toko-pa’s case it was especially disorientating because for over twenty-five years she has…

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Episode 52 - Ancestral Postpartum Care with Pānquetzani 1:00:42

4M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

🐚Topics covered Exploring Mexican traditional medicine (Curanderismo) and its holistic approach to healing The sacred postpartum window (La Cuarentena) and its importance for maternal and infant wellbeing How colonialism has impacted ancestral healing traditions and ways to reclaim these practices The understanding of the womb as both a physical or…

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195. Part Two: How Cycle Awareness Helps you to Manage your Energy (Q+A w/ Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:08:21

5M ago1:08:21

1:08:21

Today we’re in conversation with the brilliant community gathered around this work and podcast in our part two episode about how to work with menstrual cycle awareness as our own in-built energy management system. This conversation is for you if you struggle to follow the impulses of your cycle around the modern-life juggle of responsibilities, or …

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194: How Menstrual Cycle Awareness Helps you to Manage your Energy (Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:03:59

5M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

We’re experiencing an epidemic of chronic fatigue and burnout, especially for women, and people with marginalised identities. It’s part of our modern day polycrisis, and in many ways the exhaustion we’re experiencing in our individual bodies mirrors the environmental challenges that are ravaging our earth, our larger body. We’re driving both to the…

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Episode 51 - Supporting Autonomy: How Midwifery Approaches can Transform Women’s Health with Margot van Dijk 42:53

5M ago42:53

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🐚 Topics covered Exploring the profession of midwifery and what it means to Margot The importance of autonomy during pregnancy, birth, and beyond, and why it matters. Margot’s views on how midwifery approaches could broaden to encompass the entire spectrum of cyclical and women’s health. About Margot Margot has been a midwife for 10 years and becam…

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Episode 50 - My Miscarriage Experience 32:41

5M ago32:41

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🐚 Content Warning: This episode contains a detailed discussion of pregnancy loss and miscarriage, which may be triggering for some listeners. Topics covered My personal experience with pregnancy loss during a pilgrimage in Malta Why I feel pregnancy loss needs to be spoken about more openly in society The emotional aftermath, including identity cri…

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193. Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burnout in Perimenopause (Jolinda Johnson) 56:45

5M ago56:45

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When we enter the autumn of our menstruation years in our 40s and start to experience what many call perimenopause, we can easily think we should keep pushing through even though our bodies, minds and emotional landscape are transforming profoundly. (Alexandra and Sjanie, the co-founders or Red School call this phase the Quickening, or the autumn o…

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192. Part Two: Beginner’s Guide to Menstrual Cycle Awareness (Q&A with Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:01:10

5M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Today we’re continuing our exploration around the fundamentals of the practice of menstrual cycle awareness, through the lens of some of the frequently asked questions from our community, such as what to do if your menstrual cycle doesn’t look like the archetypal cycle, how to track your cycle if you have menstrual health challenges, and how to tal…

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Episode 49 - Neurodivergent Pregnancy and Birth: Approach to Compassionate Care with Victoria White 33:24

5M ago33:24

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🐚 Topics covered Victoria’s background and how they became interested in birth work. The journey to specializing in neurodivergent pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. Key differences between neurodivergent prenatal care and neurotypical care. Victoria’s vision for changes in birth care. Recommendations for neurodivergent individuals preparing fo…

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191. How to Retire Superwoman and Honour Your Needs in Perimenopause (Dr Joanna Martin) 57:04

5M ago57:04

57:04

In our forties, many of us hit a wall. It can be a time when our responsibilities are at an all time high, just when our bodies are telling us - sometimes very loudly - that it’s time to change the way we’ve been living and working so far. Our guest today, renowned visionary, coach and catalyst Dr Joanna Martin helps us understand how to navigate t…

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Episode 48 - Awakening Your True Essence Through Movement with Virgílio Beatriz 1:00:07

5M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

🐚 Topics covered Virgílio’s journey into music, DJing, and holding space for ecstatic dances, gatherings, and circles, is what fuels his passion for this field. A deep dive into what ecstatic dance is, including its history and the influence of Gabrielle Roth. The benefits of ecstatic dance and why Virgílio recommends people try it. How community, …

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190. A Beginner’s Guide to Menstrual Cycle Awareness (Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:05:13

6M ago1:05:13

1:05:13

When people hear about menstrual cycle awareness, they’re often surprised, confused and baffled by the idea that there could be a connection between the menstrual cycle and your creativity, power and wisdom. It’s no surprise given current cultural attitudes around the menstrual cycle and menopause, which are largely ignored or dismissed. So today’s…

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Episode 47 - ADHD and Hormones: How Your Menstrual Cycle Affects ADHD Symptoms with Adele Wimsett of Harmonise You 39:49

6M ago39:49

39:49

🐚 Topics covered Adele's journey to specializing in women's health and ADHD The significant connection between hormonal fluctuations and ADHD traits in women How different phases of the menstrual cycle can affect neurodivergent women differently The impact of major hormonal transitions like pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause on ADHD Why neuro…

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Episode 46 - Protecting & Regenerating Your Body from the Impact of Glyphosate and Everyday Toxins with Susana Puelles 42:08

6M ago42:08

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🐚 Topics covered Introduction to Susana and her journey to becoming a Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist. Explanation of Glyphosate: What it is, where it can be found, and how we come into contact with it. Overview of everyday toxins and their common sources. Discussion on how people can recognize if they are being impacted by Glyphosa…

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189. The Wisdom of Indigenous Andean Moontime Practices & Woman Medicine (Dr Cynthia Ingar) 59:53

6M ago59:53

59:53

In many indigenous communities across the world, people have long honoured menstruation as a sacred time. Today we’re lucky to be exploring the beauty and wisdom of the ancestral moontime medicine of the Andean people, and our guest is Dr Cynthia Ingar, who is an anthropologist and Andean keeper of Woman Medicine wisdom living in the Sacred Valley …

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Episode 45 - Is the Holistic Hormone and Cycle Coaching Certification Right for You? 19:47

6M ago19:47

19:47

🐚 Topics covered Why I created the Holistic Hormone and Cycle Coaching Certification program What you'll learn inside my certification and what makes it different from other trainings The current gap in menstrual and hormone health education that my certification addresses Comprehensive breakdown of my program options including Self-Study and VIP u…

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188. The Womb as a Portal to Personal, Collective and Ancestral Trauma Healing (Dr Jeevan Singh) 57:21

6M ago57:21

57:21

Befriending our menstrual cycles and wombs and coming home to the root of our body, and to our pelvic bowls often means negotiating any trauma that we’ve experienced in that part of our bodies, or other traumas that we hold in this part of our bodies. As our guest today, the brilliant Dr Jeevan Singh shares, the pelvic bowl is an organ of relations…

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187. How Inner Spring Evolves our Leadership Skills - Replay (Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:03:03

6M ago1:03:03

1:03:03

Spring is just beginning here where Alexandra, Sjanie and I are in the UK, and due to popular demand, this time two years ago we rode off the springtime momentum to create a couple of podcast episodes all about the inner spring - the preovulatory phase of the cycle. Many of you have been sharing questions about this pre-ovulatory phase of the cycle…

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Episode 44 - Exploring Psychotherapy to Support Mental Health for Fertility & Gynecological Issues with Alejandra Lozada Andrade 33:40

6M ago33:40

33:40

🐚 Content Warning: This episode discusses fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and mental health topics including depression and suicidal thoughts. If you're currently on a fertility journey and struggling, please take care while listening and reach out for support if needed. Topics covered The impact of fertility on mental health. Why fertility h…

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186. Menopause as a Gateway to Magnificence: Wise Power Series (Prune Harris) 58:44

7M ago58:44

58:44

Today we’re exploring the immense capacities that open up to us as we move through menopause, and it’s a special episode as Alexandra, the co-founder of Red School is your host, and it’s our next Wise Power series conversation... The Wise Power series began with our Wise Power retreat when S+A’s book Wise Power was published and Alexandra is contin…

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Episode 43 - Filling the Gaps: Improving Birth Through Disability Education & Inclusive Care with Amy Rae 31:56

7M ago31:56

31:56

🐚Topics covered Amy’s personal journey and experiences. How Amy decided to become a birth worker/educator and the pivotal moments that shaped their path. Gaps within the birth system for 2SLGBTQAI+ and disabled individuals. How Amy addresses these gaps through her work. What working with Amy looks like in practice. Amy’s wisdom and advice for indiv…

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185. Perimenopause - What’s Actually Going On? Replay (Alexandra & Sjanie) 1:02:16

7M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

In our 40s, many of us begin to experience a variety of health symptoms and challenges, as well as emotional and psychological shifts. Some call this perimenopause. At Red School, Alexandra and Sjanie call it, The Quickening… So for today’s podcast episode - we’re re-sharing a conversation from a couple of years ago - one of the most listened to an…

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Episode 42 - The Fifth Vital Sign: Fertility Awareness Uncovered with Lisa Henderson-Jack 57:45

7M ago57:45

57:45

🐚 Topics covered Introduction to the guest and an overview of their work. Understanding fertility awareness and its benefits for users. Using the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) with irregular cycles and during postpartum. Exploring the diversity of cervical fluid patterns, how these may differ from standard examples in books. Discussion on whethe…