The Menarche Zine: A Story From Kenya

In this episode, we continue our journey with The Menarche Zine, a heartfelt collection of stories about women’s first periods. This time, we travel to Kenya to uncover a powerful tale that highlights the shared yet deeply personal experience of menarche and its cultural significance. Join us as we explore how storytelling transforms this universal milestone into a celebration of connection, identity, and empowerment.

In this episode, we explore The Menarche Zine, a heartfelt collection of stories about women’s first periods. Join us as we dive into a unique tale from Newfoundland, shedding light on the shared, yet deeply personal, experience of menarche and its cultural significance. Discover how storytelling can turn a universal milestone into a celebration of connection and empowerment.

Dive into the world of menstrual cycle awareness, cultural exploration, and creative expression with our latest episode featuring Maja Juzwiak. As a nomadic photographer turned advocate for menstrual health, Maja brings a fresh perspective to the conversation. Join us as we learn all about Maja's journey from a life of travel to founding the association "Unboxing Cycles" in Zürich, Switzerland. Discover how her passion for art, philosophy, and psychology intertwines with her mission to destigmatize discussions around menstrual health. In this enlightening episode, Maja shares stories of her encounters with different cultures and their unique approaches to cycle tracking. Explore the intersection of art, storytelling, and menstrual advocacy as we uncover the creative ways communities around the world are embracing cycle awareness. Learn more about Maja and the work she's doing by visiting: unboxingcycles.com or following her on Instagram: @majajuzwiak Stay connected with us on social media for updates and more thought-provoking content: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/28ish/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/28_ish/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28ish/

For the last episode of 2023, we sat down with Dr. Laura DeCesaris to discuss the process of optimizing one's cycle. Dr. Laura DeCesaris is a functional medicine-trained health strategist and consultant for high-achieving women. Her background in health and nutrition, chiropractic medicine, and functional medicine informs her private practice, Heartroot Health as she combines this with her passion for the improvement of women’s health through simple, sustainable lifestyle changes. In this episode, Dr. DeCesaris and Carrie discuss women’s biohacking and the menstrual cycle, balancing life before, during, and after the cycle, holistic self care, and optimizing your cycle. You can learn more about Dr. DeCesaris by visiting her website at www.drlauradecesaris.com and check out her Instagram page at dr.lauradecesaris. Stay Tuned and Connected with Us at: FB/Linkedin: 28ish IG: 28_ish For all of our listeners, thank you for a wonderful year and we will see you in 2024!

Carolina M. Sueldo, M.D. is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology (ObGyn), as well as Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI).  Her educational background spans across two continents as she attended Universidad del Salvador in Argentina and completed her OBGYN residency at UCSF Fresno.  While completing her Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility fellowship at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Dr. Sueldo also completed a Master of Science Program in Clinical and Translational Research. As a global citizen, she advocates and practices integrative medicine, the use of non-western medical ideologies, in her daily work. In this episode, Dr. Sueldo discusses the benefits of integrative medicine in her field, period stigmas in Argentina versus the United States, her relationship with her cycle, and her opinions about hormonal and reproductive health. Her passion for honest and inclusive dialogue around reproductive health is a refreshing take within the scope of women’s health. You can follow Dr. Sueldo at drcarolinasueldo on Instagram and Youtube and check out her website, www.drcarolinasueldo.com.

Martha Lewis is a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner (FDN/P) from Jackson Hole, WY. Martha works closely with patients in her community as well as across the nation on understanding the causes of insomnia and how to manage it properly. In her time as a FDN/P, she has discovered that imbalances in gut health, hormones, and minerals can contribute to poor sleeping habits. With her background in nutrition and experience in helping newborns sleep through the night, Martha transitioned into helping adults sleep through the night by incorporating hormone testing, supplements, and 1-on-1 sessions around managing stress and making better lifestyle choices. In this episode, Martha and Carrie discuss natural insomnia treatments, dreams, and the importance of managing stress. You can learn more about getting better sleep on Martha’s podcast the Insomnia Fix and book a session with her at www.thebettersleepsolution.com Check out Tully starring Charlize Theron on Netflix [Synopsis: Marlo is a New York suburbanite who's about to give birth to her third child. Her husband, Ron, is loving and works hard, but remains clueless about the demands that motherhood puts on his wife. When the baby is born, Marlo's wealthy brother hires a nighttime nanny named Tully to help his sister handle the workload. Hesitant at first, Marlo soon learns to appreciate all that Tully does -- forming a special bond with her new, lifesaving friend.] Follow 28ish on: Instagram: 28_ish Facebook: 28ish LinkedIn: 28ish

Colleen Hallett is a Wombyn's Coach, an Epona Wisdom facilitator, a Temple Priestess, a Cosmic Earth Oracle, and a Shakti Yogini. Colleen uses her herd of horses to guide women and girls back to their divine feminine energy and embrace their feminine power. Colleen shares her journey to healing and self-discovery as a partnership with her purpose as an Epona Wisdom facilitator. She describes her horses as the ultimate shamans and attributes her personal growth to the connection made between herself and the horses. You can follow Colleen on Instagram @andgaiarose and learn more about her work on her website colleenhallett.com.  Follow 28ish on: Instagram: 28_ish Facebook: 28ish LinkedIn: 28ish

Laura Patricia Martin is an IBS, anxiety, and trauma specialist. She focuses on reconnecting people to mindfulness, gut regulation, and nervous system regulation. Laura describes her expansive community and network as a reconnective form of education for her patients. Laura teaches her patients S.H.E. which stands for Self-knowledge, Healing, and Embodiment. Laura and Carrie also explore the connection between gut health, menstrual health, and mindfulness and how the alignment of all three can lead to a better experience overall. You can find Laura on Instagram at itslaurapatriciamartin and her website at healingtohappy.com. Follow us on Instagram: 28_ish Facebook: 28ish LinkedIn: 28ish

Lisa Higgins is a teacher of cycle awareness and womb wisdom. She is also the founder of the Red Rebel Collective. After receiving her training at the Red School in 2020, Higgins as owner of the RRC to provide 1 on 1 classes and group sessions on menstrual cycle awareness and knowledge. Lisa and Carrie discuss Lisa’s journey with PMDD or premenstrual dysmorphic disorder, menstrual cycle awareness, her educational and spiritual journey with her cycle, the importance of having support and community, and how our menstrual cycle history can shape the intricacies of our cycle. You can keep up with Lisa Higgins on the Red Rebel Collective Website at https://www.theredrebelcollective.com/ Follow Lisa at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/yourperiodyourpower http://www.instagram.com/theredrebelcollective http://www.linkedin.com/in/lisarebel Keep up with podcast on wherever you stream podcasts and check us out on our social media pages. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Facebook:@28ish LinkedIn: @28ish Instagram: @28_ish

“Community is huge. Having a community, having someone that not only can supports you but someone who will be like ‘hey you’re doing too much’ or ‘hey, do you need some help with something’ but also for us superwomen that like to wear the cape and carry the cross not only for ourselves but for our children, our partners, girlfriends, boyfriends, whoever–to also know that it’s okay to be like ‘I need help.’ Dr. LJ Johnson is a doctor specializing in women’s hormone health in Scottsdale, AZ. Originally from Denver, Dr. Johnson focuses on endometriosis, PCOS, and fibrosis and uses her own healing journey as motivation to promote happy and healthy habits for women who suffer from these diseases. She shifted from talking about the aesthetic ideology of women’s health and fitness to explaining to her patients the importance of hormone health and listening to your body. She advocates for raw honesty and community within the women’s fitness space and guides her patients to be in the driver seat for their health.