Flow States

Happy Pride! In this episode, we look at the shame and discrimination that women and people who menstruate encounter for just existing.   Reproductive Healthcare Leave: A Workplace Issue. Period. by Kate Everest Menstruation affects half the population, yet the pain, stigma, barriers to healthcare, and workplace discrimination remain largely invisible.  Featuring the voices of those living with reproductive health conditions and those advocating for change, this story explores the barriers, stigma, and workplace challenges they face, alongside the growing push for recognition, support, and reproductive healthcare leave in Australia. If the sight of blood gushing from any part of the body is enough to alarm us and a muscle injury is enough to leave one immobilised and requiring days for recovery, why do we expect one who is bleeding, enduring excruciating body pain, wrestling with hormonal chaos and mood swings — all at once — to carry on as if nothing is wrong? Produced by Kate Everest Supervising Producer: Craig Garrett.  Featuring: Emma Hardy, Writer; Carolyn Dunbar, Women’s Team at the Victorian Trades Hall Council; and Tom Hvala, PhD candidate at Melbourne Law School. Emma Hardy’s memoir Periodic Bitch : A memoir of menstruation, madness and monsters is out now.   Cycling Analogy by Felicity Weaver Through the metaphor of a cyclist navigating hostile roads, this story examines the exhaustion and fear of moving through a world that was never designed with women in mind.  “But you know it can be better. You've heard of places where this exists, where you are just a vehicle.” Produced by Felicity Weaver   More than a pad by Wing Kuang For many people, a disposable sanitary pad is an everyday convenience.  But in rural India, where menstruation remains heavily stigmatized and access to menstrual products can be limited, a simple pad can mean confidence, opportunity, and dignity. “ When girls are empowered, they can change the world”. Produced by: Wing Kuang   All The Best Credits Host: Gabriella Accaria Kwame Slusher is our Production Manager Catarina Fraga Matos is our Community & Programming Manager The All The Best Executive Producer is Mel Bakewell Imogen Brosnan is our Digital Media Trainee Mixed & Compiled by Emma Higgins  And a special shout-out to all our amazing volunteers  Shining Bird composed our theme music Annie Hamilton designed the artwork  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.