The Period Press

Ever wondered why your fitness routine feels completely different depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle? If you've ever yeeted your trainers into the bin mid-routine, this one's for you.In this episode...Why moving cyclically works better than a fixed fitness routineHow to exercise with your menstrual cycle across all four phasesWhat "no pain, no gain" does to a spicy brain (spoiler: nothing good)How neurodivergence changes the way each phase feels in your bodyWhy ovulation isn't always the green light it's made out to beThe one question worth asking yourself every morning instead of following a planMentioned in the episode - A Year of Cyclical Running - What I LearnedHelpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Ever wondered why perimenopause hits so much harder when you have a spicy brain? In this episode, I'm sharing my own HRT journey, including what two years of cycle mapping data revealed, how ADHD and oestrogen are more connected than most people realise, and how I walked into a GP appointment armed with evidence and got exactly what I asked for. If you've ever felt fobbed off, dismissed, or like you're asking for too much, this one's for you.In this episode: perimenopause and ADHD, oestrogen and dopamine, cycle mapping for self-advocacy, body-identical HRT, neurodivergent traits and hormonal shifts, NICE guidelines, gender pain gapHelpful Links...📖 Read the transcript ⁠here⁠. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your ⁠SpicyTrait Mapper⁠ and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the ⁠Cycle Harmony Mapper⁠ instead.💌 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Katie Murray is a former HR professional turned specialist HR copywriter. She helps HR people find the right words for the change they're trying to make.She also wrote a guest blog for me about flooding and clotting from her own experience.(Yes, that Katie. The HR copywriting lady. Writing about periods. Because of course she did.)So I knew I had to have her on.Because so often the barrier to better menstrual health at work isn't knowledge, it's language.You can learn stuff from the internet. But how do you actually start talking about it openly?How do you say it out loud, to the right person, without it feeling impossible?So we're going to talk about...🩸 Why finding the right words is half the battle🩸 What stops people from saying what they actually mea🩸 And why half the problem is not talking to the right person in the first placeOh, and we will absolutely be touching on her flooding story. Because it wouldn't be The Bloody Truth if we didn't talk about periods.Helpful Links...🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Ever wondered what the pill is actually doing to your hormones? Because it's probably not what you were told.In this episode...Why the pill creates a synthetic cycle and what that actually means for your hormonesThe difference between a withdrawal bleed and a real periodWhy the pill doesn't balance your hormones, and what it does insteadThe myth-busting history of how the pill was first prescribedHow hormonal contraception can mask early perimenopause symptomsWhy cycle mapping still matters on hormonal birth control, especially if you're neurodivergent or managing a chronic conditionHelpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

This week, I’m joined by the awesome Claire Lowrey Hubbell from Impactful People.Claire works with organisations where leadership feels heavier than it should. Where too much responsibility sits with too few people. Where everyone is working hard… but not always together.Her focus isn’t on star players or heroic individuals.It’s on building collective leadership performance.Creating leaderful environments where responsibility is shared, challenge is healthy, and people move in the same direction without losing their individuality.And that’s where this connects to my world.On The Bloody Truth, we’ve had a lot of conversations about what happens when people carry more than they should.Silently managing symptoms.Overriding their bodies.Holding emotional labour.When responsibility isn’t shared, people cope.They mask.They override.They manage in silence.So we’re going to talk about:🩸 What shared leadership actually looks like in real life🩸 Why leadership gets heavy when you’re carrying it alone🩸 And what shifts when trust is strong enough that people don’t have to hide what’s going on for themBecause when trust is real, and leadership is shared… people don’t have to bleed quietly.

RSD isn't just a sensitive inner critic. For a lot of neurodivergent people it's visceral, physical, and utterly exhausting... and it gets significantly louder when your nervous system is already running on empty.In this episode... What rejection sensitive dysphoria actually is, why your feelings aren't always reliable intel when RSD is running the show, How the premenstrual phase and perimenopause turn the whole thing up several notches, And the most useful shift for separating your nervous system response from the story your brain is building on top of it.Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your Spicy Trait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

How do we stay human in an era of constant change?I am so excited to have Zoë Walters join me on The Bloody Truth!Zoë has spent over two decades in global HR leadership, and now works with organisations and leaders trying to make sense of the AI muddle we’re in... changing workforces, tech overwhelm, and the not-so-small matter of being a human in the messy middle of it all.She is also a leadership psychologist, AI researcher, and someone who understands the nervous system as much as she does the boardroom. So I knew I had to get her on for a Bloody Truth conversation.We’ll be talking about...🩸 What workplace wellbeing needs to look like now🩸 How we navigate change without losing ourselves to AI🩸 And what cycles, systems, and self-awareness have to do with sustainable leadership.It’s going to be a good one. A bit nerdy, real and very bloody relevant.

Cold water swimming benefits for women go a lot deeper than just waking you up. Especially if you're navigating fluctuating hormones, perimenopause, or a neurodivergent nervous system.In this episode... why cold water triggers dopamine, serotonin and endorphins (exactly what a perimenopausal or ADHD brain is gasping for), how it supports circulation, Raynaud's, and muscle recovery, what the vagus nerve has to do with that calm uplifted feeling afterwards, how long you actually need to stay in, and why you probably shouldn't do it every day.Safer Seas and Rivers app.Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

I am incredibly honoured to welcome Cynthia Fortlage as my next guest on The Bloody Truth.Cynthia is an award-winning consultant, speaker, and strategist whose work centres on inclusive leadership, gender impact, and psychological safety. With over 25 years in senior leadership and a deep commitment to human rights, Cynthia brings sharp insight and lived experience to every conversation she has.In this episode, we’ll be opening up a conversation that often gets left out, about gender, identity, and what it means to support every body in a world that often assumes there’s only one kind of “normal.”Cynthia is a global voice for inclusion, and I’m so grateful she’s joining me to explore how conversations around cycles, care, and belonging can be expanded to include more of us.We'll be talking about...🩸 How the language of cycles impacts those outside the “typical” menstrual narrative💬 What it means to hold space for difference without needing to “understand” it🤝 Why inclusive leadership starts with listening, not labelsThis will be a nuanced, honest, and important conversation, especially for those of us who want to create workplaces (and communities) where everyone feels safe, seen, and supported.

Does the product you use shape the relationship you have with your own body? The more a menstrual product is designed to make your period invisible, the less reason you ever have to notice what it's actually doing.In this episode: tampons, pads, and menstrual cups... what they actually do to your awareness of your cycle, how 25 years of wanting it over as quickly as possible affects your body literacy, and why the product you choose might be quietly shaping how you feel about menstruation itself.Find out more about BioGrad Menstrual Blood & Health - How to Read Your PeriodHelpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

This episode is a bit of a mash-up… and I can’t wait.Because The Bloody Truth is meeting Neuro Nibbles, and we’re diving into what it really means to navigate the world in a body that bleeds and a brain that works differently.My guest is the one and only Tree Hall, speaker, trainer, CEO, podcast host, and fierce advocate for neurodivergent inclusion.Tree discovered she was AuDHD (autistic + ADHD) at 48, a moment that flipped the script on how she understood herself, her work, and her world. Since then, she’s been unmasking, rethinking everything, and helping organisations create workplaces that actually work for all kinds of brains.She also happens to be funny, wise, and a complete joy to talk to.We’ll be exploring the messy, honest overlaps between...🩸 Periods, hormones, and how they impact neurodivergent brains🧠 Accommodations that actually help (not just tick a box)💬 What gets missed when we only focus on “performance” instead of well-beingIf you’ve ever wondered how to support yourself (or others) through the hormonal havoc and the brain stuff, this one’s for you.

"Severe PMS" doesn't cover it. Not even close.In this episode: what PMDD actually is, why it hits harder when you have ADHD, where to start if you've just been diagnosed or are starting to suspect it... and the statistics that should make everyone sit up a little straighter.Mentioned in the episode...If you want to know more or find peer support, The PMDD Project is a good place to start.🌶️ ND friends, grab your ⁠SpicyTrait Mapper⁠ and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the ⁠Cycle Harmony Mapper⁠ instead.Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

This episode is not to be missed, especially if, like me, your ADHD brain and your premenstrual mood have ever tag-teamed your bank account.We’re talking about the PMS tax and emotional spending (particularly when it’s fuelled by the spicy).That urge to buy something, anything to make the inner meep feel better, a little “treat yourself” moment that somehow turned into £84 on random crap from Amazon (I do really love my new keyboard and mouse, tho).And who better to talk about it all than Abby Birch, financial wellbeing coach, money expert, and absolute bloody pro when it comes to helping people feel more confident and in control of their finances.And she's a bloody delight.Abby brings 25+ years of experience, but what I love most is how she makes money simple, in real-life terms that make sense.We’ll be chatting about...💸 Why emotional spending ramps up in the premenstrual phase💸 How impulsivity and neurodivergence shape our money habits💸 And what we can actually do to feel more in control (without the shame spiral).Whether your PMS go-to is a planner, a takeaway, or an 8-hour Vinted binge (just me?), you are not alone.

You know that very specific sweet spot where inexplicable motivation takes over... and three days later you come up for air, sleep-deprived and slightly dishevelled? Yeah. That's hyperfocus.In this episode: what ADHD hyperfocus actually is, what it looks like in practice, the pros and the less-than-ideal pitfalls of falling headfirst into it, and five practical ways to make space for both the magic and the meltdown.Mentioned in the episode...🔗 Quit ChatGPT: right now! Your subscription is bankrolling authoritarianism🔗 Import Your ChatGPT Data to Claude for FreeHelpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

It’s the end of Menopause Awareness Month, and we are going out on a high, with a spoonful of insight from the brilliant Ali Spooner.Because when it comes to breaking free from the over-40s fog and rediscovering who the hell you are beyond the job title, the to-do list, and juggling life, career and being a mum, Ali gets it. She's been there, done that, questioned it all, and rebuilt a life that actually feels like hers.Now she helps professional women over 40 stop doubting themselves, trust their own brilliance, and lead lives they’re excited to wake up to (without giving up what matters most!).We’ll be talking about...💥 Why so many women over 40 feel stuck (and what’s really going on)💥 How to say no without guilt, and yes without fear💥 How to find the courage to be more YOU (and use it to level up your life)Ali’s the coach you call when you’re done feeling trapped by your career and are ready to feel alive again - clear, confident, and back in charge - not lying awake at 2 am planning how you might accidentally, but not too seriously, maim yourself so you can have the day off (just me?).

Is naming your neurodivergence just making excuses? A lot of us have been told... or have told ourselves... that it is.In this episode: why neurodivergence is a question of capacity, not ability, what internalised ableism actually looks like from the inside, the real energy cost of functioning in a system built for neurotypical brains, and why productivity is the wrong metric when the playing field was never level to begin with.Mentioned in the show...📖 Read the transcript HERE. 👉 Get your Spikey Profile Mapper HEREOther helpful links...🟦 Connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your Spicy Trait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

The incredible Michelle Minnikin, Chartered Psychologist, Coach, and the brilliantly rebellious author of Good Girl Deprogramming.I first saw Michelle speak at The HR Big Meet, and I nodded so hard I gave myself a headache.She's straight-talking, science-backed, and completely unf*ckwithable, so obviously I knew we needed to have a conversation.We’ll be talking about...🩸 And what it really takes to break free from patriarchal people-pleasing (especially in the workplace)🩸 The link between Good Girl conditioning and why we don’t talk about things like periods at work🩸 How being ‘nice’ is often just another word for being silentMichelle helps women ditch the performance, question the rules, and finally take up space, unapologetically and loudly.Her work is all about dismantling the systems that keep us small and creating a world where women can live, lead, and bleed on their own terms.This one’s going to ruffle feathers, in all the right ways.

Your period experience is not the benchmark. And it's definitely not "just how it is."In this episode: endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, fibroids, and PMDD... what they actually are, why the gender pain gap means so many people go undiagnosed for years, and why knowing your own baseline changes everything. Both in how you advocate for yourself, and in how workplaces need to show up.Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript HERE🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your Spicy Trait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

I am VERY excited to share that the next guest on The Bloody Truth is…Kelly. Actual. Swingler.Yes, really. *claps hands excitedly.Coach, speaker, author, founder of The Burnout Academy, and all-round force of nature!Kelly is joining me to talk about her menstrual cycle story… and it’s not one you want to miss.Let’s just say it’s been a journey for Kelly.A raw, real, eye-opening one, full of silence, disruption, misdiagnosis, and ultimately… a whole lot of heartache.We’ll be talking about...🩸 What happens when burnout and hormones collide🩸 How cycles get dismissed, misread, or missed altogether🩸 And the cost of leaving your body out of the leadership equationKelly’s coached over 600 leaders through burnout, trained professionals in 13 countries, and now leads a movement that’s rewriting the rules of work, wellbeing, and what it means to actually support people.And Kelly doesn’t do tick-box wellbeing. She delivers change.She's bold, brilliant, unapologetically human and has a FANTASTIC wardrobe!So, if you’ve ever wondered how to stop pushing, start listening, and stop seeing your body as a bloody inconvenience, this one’s for you.

Blood keeps us alive. But the moment it comes out of a vagina, everyone loses their mind about it.In this episode: what menstrual fluid actually is, what it tells you about your health, and how to track it in real life. We cover period shame, heavy bleeding, clots, colour changes, stem cells (yes, really)... and why your period is officially considered a fifth vital sign.Find out more about BioGrad hereHelpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Beth Thomas to The Bloody Truth for a conversation that’s deeply needed.Beth is a certified ADHD Life Coach and founder of Neuroinclusive Link Ltd. She works 1:1 with neurodivergent adults, especially late-diagnosed and high-masking professionals, helping them reframe their strengths, reduce burnout, and live in alignment with their true selves. She also delivers impactful training to transform organisations into truly Neuroinclusive spaces for everyone to thrive in.A few key threads we’re diving into:🔍 Unmasking menstrual symptoms through a neurodivergent lens: how cycles impact attention, sensory processing, and emotional regulation🧠 Burnout and body-brain overwhelm, when periods and ADHD collide, and how systems that don’t honour both create chronic strain💡 Strength-based alignment, what resilience and neuroinclusive menstrual support could actually look like in working environments.Beth's coaching combines lived experience, technical skill, and fierce compassion: she’s all about dismantling perfectionism and internalised ableism, and creating practical, sustainable shifts

Your digestive system and your menstrual cycle are having a whole conversation without you.In this episode: what's actually going on hormonally during your period, why things can get looser (or slower depending on where you are in your cycle), and practical ways to support your digestion through each phase.Kimchi Recipe5 Food Hacks for Happier Hormones (and a Happier You)Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

I cannot wait to welcome Kirsty Baggs Morgan to The Bloody Truth for an episode that’s as bold, brilliant, and real as she is.Kirsty is one of those people who shows up with her whole self in every room and brings a refreshing honesty to everything she does. She challenges the status quo with energy, wit, and a big heart, and reminds you that professionalism doesn’t have to mean polished and performative.She’s the founder of Evolving HR™️, a rebel-led platform and community transforming how HR shows up in the world.And she’s the creator of the SPICE strategic mindset programme designed to get HR professionals thinking and acting like business leaders.AND hosts ADH(R)D, a bloody brilliant community for ADHD HR folks and my favourite spicy place on the internet (our body doubling sessions are the BEST!).In this episode, we’re talking about identity, culture, and what happens when bleeding bodies collide with professional spaces, all wrapped up in a love of metal, movies, and unapologetic self-expression.Expect laughter, vulnerability, and a conversation about what it really means to feel like you belong in your workplace, periods, quirks, and all.This one’s going to rock🤘

Food usually gets talked about through the lens of fixing, restricting, or reinventing ourselves. This episode is not that. I’m sharing five simple, sustainable food tweaks that support hormone health without diet culture, detoxes, or starting from scratch. Just gentle, realistic ways of tending to your inner ecosystem, whether you’re supporting your cycle, perimenopause, or just want your energy, mood, and blood sugar to feel a bit steadier.Link to the Yuka AppHelpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

I’m so excited to be joined by Aime Rushton for the next episode of The Bloody Truth, because if anyone knows how to unpack culture and team dynamics, it’s her!Aime is the founder of Magpie People, and she’s quietly (but fiercely) helping workplaces get braver, kinder, and more human.She helps individuals and teams glow up how they work through coaching, facilitation, and training.She specialises in management training, confidence and mindset coaching, and team building, all with the aim of creating healthy cultures where people can actually learn, thrive, and be themselves.This chat is going to dig into what happens when ‘professionalism’ clashes with real bodies and real needs, especially when it comes to periods.Because let’s be honest... no one should have to fake a cold just to take a day off when they’re dealing with cramps.People shouldn't have to pretend they’re fine just to be treated fairly by their manager or have access to the same opportunities.We’ll be talking...🩸Team honesty and trust🩸Culture and psychological safety🩸 And why menstrual health is a culture issue, not just a medical oneHelpful Links...🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

I don’t know about you, but the more full-on life gets, the less I want to be told to “optimise” anything... especially my hormones. So in this episode, I’m sharing five low-effort, actually doable ways to support your cycle (and your nervous system) without having to overhaul your whole life.Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

I'm thrilled to be joined by Michelle Hartley for the second episode of The Bloody Truth.Which, if you didn't catch my announcement earlier, is my new LinkedIn Live series - short, honest conversations about what it means to be in a body that bleeds (or support someone who does), and how that plays out in the workplace.Michelle is one of those rare humans who just exudes joy, light, and sparkle, and I’m lucky enough to call her a friend.She’s just as passionate, fiery, committed, and not-here-for-performative-nonsense as I am about creating truly inclusive spaces.We also share a passionate dislike for “banter” culture, which is basically the socially accepted art of insulting someone to their face and getting away with it.Her programme Banter Bingo calls it out beautifully, so in this live, we’re looking at how period shame is still getting a free pass in workplaces that should know better.Because let’s be honest...🩸 Periods still get joked about.🩸 People still get shamed (directly or subtly) for being ‘too emotional’, ‘moody’, or ‘dramatic’.🩸 And even in 2025, bleeding at work often means managing it quietly and professionally... (which is code for pretend it’s not happening).Michelle is the founder of People Sorted and Find Your Awesome - Business Partner Programme, where she helps organisations...➡️ Transform HR teams from beige to brilliant➡️ Challenge toxic behaviours with skill (not shame)➡️ And is the founder of The HR Geek Squad, where a great culture, dignity, boundaries and belonging are non-negotiable.This conversation is going to be punchy, honest, and probably a bit sweary(ish).

It started with a Christmas tree. It ended in a meltdown. In this episode, I walk you through the lesser-known chaos of the pre-ovulatory phase, especially when you’re autistic, ADHD, sleep-deprived, and trying to hold it together in a garden centre.Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here (7mins). 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

I’m beyond excited to welcome Nicholè McGill-Higgins MCC ~ Queen of The Hive™️🐝 as my very first guest on... The Bloody Truth.🩸 The Bloody Truth is a snappy, honest LinkedIn Live series exploring what it means to be in a body that bleeds (or support someone who does).We’ll be talking real experiences, cultural taboos, and hidden barriers that affect confidence, inclusion, and well-being, through both personal and professional lenses.Nicholè is a powerhouse Master Coach, speaker, and founder of BEE-Longing, known for her bloody transformative work helping women step into their power and lead with confidence.Her signature program, The Courage to BEE®, has helped women amplify their voices and spark real change in their organisations.You can expect a bloody juicy conversation as we delve into Bodies, Bleeding, and Belonging... topics we both have a lot to say about.Nicholè brings...➡️ Deep expertise in Belonging and Inclusion➡️ A fierce belief in creating spaces where people feel seen➡️ And she’s a massive advocate for Authentic Leadership, encouraging vulnerability and honest conversations (like this one!).

Running, it’s usually something we do when we’re late or being chased… but can it actually be fun?In this week’s episode, I’m sharing the story of how I accidentally fell back in love with running after a decade-long break, and how bringing a cyclical approach to movement completely changed the game for me and how it can for you too. Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ ND friends, grab your SpicyTrait Mapper and start spotting your own patterns.🩸 Not-so-spicy? Download the Cycle Harmony Mapper instead.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

This week I’m talking about that all-too-familiar confusion pre-diagnosis when you’re not sure if it’s you, ADHD, hormones, or burnout running the show.From hyperfocus chaos and hormonal crashes to the real cost of masking and people-pleasing, I’m sharing how I finally started to see the patterns between my brain, body, and energy.If you’ve ever wondered why one week you’re flying and the next you’re flat on the floor, this one’s for you.Helpful Links...📖 Read the transcript here. 🟦 Connect with me on ⁠LinkedIn ⁠for daily insights🌶️ Download your ⁠Energy Mapping Tool⁠, start tracking your own patterns.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

This week I’m talking about what happens when ovulation isn’t the “good week” everyone says it is. Sometimes that mid-cycle energy feels more like overstimulation than motivation. I share a spicy little story about a moment in Prezzo (yep, tears and all) and how hormones and neurodivergence can collide to create a full sensory meltdown.🔗 Read the full blog on my website🌶️Get your FREE Neuro Spicy Trait Mapper HERE💌 ⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

So… what exactly is this “inner ecosystem” thing? A participant asked me that during a workshop the other week. In this episode, I’m talking about the endocrine system, what it is, how it connects to your cycle, and a few ways you can start supporting it.Link to the blog and diagramGet your FREE Neuro Spicy Trait Mapper HERE✨ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5am, ready for coffee in bed at 10.💌 ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠

What actually is a hormone, and why do they seem to run the show? In this episode, we’re breaking down 10 key hormones that impact your mood, energy, appetite, sleep, and cycle. You’ll learn what each one does, how they connect to your nervous system, and simple ways to support your inner ecosystem.Get your FREE Cycle Mapping tool here - https://samanthagarstin.com/chFor all my spicy friends, get your FREE Neuro Spicy Trait Mapper here - https://samanthagarstin.com/tt 💌 ⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Periods get all the lime light but... ovulation is THE main event! And most of us weren’t taught why it matters unless we were trying to get pregnant!But optimum ovulatory cycles matter for soooo many reasons. This week, I’m digging into...👉 How to actually tell if it’s happening👉 Why ovulation matters even if you’re not trying to get pregnant👉 The hormone it triggers that supports sleep, stress, bones, boobs, and your general will to liveTo get started mapping your cycle, get your FREE mapping tool and guide here. IMPORTANT: Please do not rely on apps as a form of birth control. Many apps just use an algo to predict fertile windows. You can train in FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) to accurately chart your cycle as a form of birth control. Or you can use a device like DAYSY to accurately chart biomarkers in your cycle.  This information is to help you identify ovulation in your cycle so you can chart and maintain optimum cycle health and quickly spot potential issues or irregularities.💌 ⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

This week, we’re talking perimenopause... the phase before menopause. I break down what’s happening with your hormones, how it can show up in your cycle, and a few simple ways to support yourself through the shifts.New written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10. Subscribe to the written edition of The Period Press ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ or check the archive to listen back.

Neurodiversity, Inclusion, and Periods with Charlie HartIn this brilliant episode of The Period Press Live, I’m joined by Charlie Hart (aka Ausome Charlie), neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion speaker, HR pro, and all-round Ausome human.We talk about what it means to live (and work) authentically as a neurodivergent, gender-nonconforming person, the reality of masking, and how hormones, identity, and health intersect in messy, very human ways.From periods and menopause to public speaking, inclusion, and self-acceptance, this conversation is full of side quests (as only a spicy conversation can be), funny, deeply honest, and a must-listen for anyone trying to build spaces that actually make room for everyone.Follow Charlie on LinkedIn here.

Ever hit that weird, empty “what’s even the point?” feeling before your period? This episode dives into The Void, that limbo between premenstrual chaos and your bleed. I talk hormones, journaling prompts, and how to hold yourself gently through it.New written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10. Subscribe to the written edition of The Period Press ⁠HERE⁠ or check the archive to listen back.

Menstruation, Menopause and Movement ...with Louise PitmanWelcome to The Period Press Live Edition with Louise Pitman, yoga teacher and women’s health advocate.For Menopause Awareness Month, we explore how yoga and holistic practices can support women through every stage, from first period to menopause and beyond. Louise shares how connecting with your body, tuning into your cycles, and embracing movement can transform the way we experience our health, energy, and identity.We talk about...The role of yoga in easing menopause symptomsPersonal stories of discovering the benefits of holistic practicesHow early experiences of menstruation shape our approach to menopauseUnderstanding and tuning into your body’s natural cyclesWhy connecting with the womb and breath matters for long-term wellbeingLouise Pitman — Yoga Teacher & Women’s Health AdvocateInstagram: @louisepitman_wellbeingWebsite: Louise Pitman Yoga

In this episode, I share the difference between burnout and autistic burnout, and why it’s not “just being tired.” I talk meltdowns, shutdowns, and what real support looks like at home and at work.📎 Mentioned in this episode...Find out more about my 1:1 CoachingDownload the free Neuro Spicy Trait Mapper✨ Written editions drop every Sunday at 5am, ready for coffee in bed at 10.💌 ⁠⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠

In this episode, I talk about why “I don’t know” is sometimes the most honest answer, especially for neurodivergent folks experiencing alexithymia, burnout, or cycle shifts.📎 Mentioned in this episode...Download the free Neuro Spicy Trait TrackerFind out more about my 1:1 Neurodivergent Coaching💌 ⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Brains, Bleeds, and the Blank Page… with Vicky Quinn FraserIn this episode, I’m joined by writer and micro-book coach Vicky Quinn Fraser for a conversation that roams from creativity and writing to what to do when your brain goes blank. Vicky says... A book is MAGIC. A book can take someone from “who the fck are you” to “TAKE MY MONEY” in the space of a few hours. A book is one of the most powerful tools in the world, especially if you run a business.And you could write one. Yes, YOU. Don’t be shy!Even if you’re “not a writer” (sure you are) or “have nothing to say” (tosh) or “don’t have a unique idea” (but you have a unique perspective) or are neurodivergent or dyslexic or “don’t have time”…You can do this, and I can help you get started AND finish.We cover...Our first period storiesWhat Vicky does and why she loves helping people writeHow to get unstuck when you’ve got a blank mind and a blank pageFinding the best time in your cycle for creativity (and how your cycle affects it)The sensory experience of having a period when you’re autisticOur own neurodivergent traits and how they show up day-to-dayIt’s a spicy-fulled, magical chat about creativity, cycles, and living in a body that bleeds.

Why Menstrual Support at Work Isn’t ‘Extra’... It’s OverdueIn this episode, I dig into why menstrual support in the workplace isn’t an ‘extra’ perk, it’s long overdue.We cover:Why the gender pain gap means menstrual pain is often dismissed.How presenteeism shows up when people push through symptoms.What workplaces lose when menstrual health is ignored.📎 Mentioned in this episode:Menstrual Wellness Market Research SurveyGender Pain Gap research (The Fawcett Society)💌 ⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Are We Talking About Periods Too Much?This week’s episode was sparked by that viral Wimbledon clip of model Brooks Nader bleeding through her skirt — and an opinion piece in The Spectator by Katie Glass, titled "Period talk needs to stop. Period."I dig into why that article gave me pause (and not in the way the author intended), and why I think silencing these conversations now would be a huge step backwards.We talk about:Why visibility and choice still matter in 2025How menstrual health is about more than just bleedingThe power of energy mapping and working with your cycleWhy the rest of the month matters just as much as your period weekHow “professional” shouldn’t mean overriding your needsIf you want to see the original posts and clips we discussed:The TikTok clip of Brooks NaderMy Hotel Mishap post on LinkedIn📅 Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am — ready for coffee in bed at 10.📧 Subscribe here → The Period Press Newsletter

Understanding PMS, PMDD and ADHDThis week, we’re talking about PMDD, ADHD, and why the luteal phase can feel like a full-body betrayal. If you’ve ever felt like everything gets louder, harder, and more chaotic right before your period... this one’s for you.Get your FREE 🧠 Neuro Spicy Trait Tracker⁠💌 ⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Why You People-Please - The Fawn Response Ever caught yourself saying yes when you meant no? Felt the urge to please, smooth over, or shrink yourself to keep the peace?This mini episode dives into the fawn response, what it is, how it shows up (especially for neurodivergent folks), and why so many of us mistake survival for being "easy to get on with."💌 ⁠Subscribe to The Period Press⁠Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Are you honest when you take time off for your period, or do you still find yourself “faking a cold”? In this episode of The Period Press, we explore what really happens when you need time off for menstrual health… and whether (or how) to tell your boss.Whether you’re navigating this yourself or managing others through it, there’s something here for you.Mentioned in this episode...📦 Menstrual Wellness Workplace Starter Pack 📺 LinkedIn Live with Amy Rushden: “Culture & Cramps – Should You Have to Fake a Cold?” 💌 Sign up for The Period Press Written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

Do Hormones Impact Neurodivergent Traits?Short answer: yes. Longer answer? Grab a snack and press play.In this episode, I share my own story, from being diagnosed with Autism and ADHD as an adult, to discovering how cyclical living became a total game-changer in managing energy, burnout, and that fun little thing we call executive function.I talk autistic meltdowns, period pain, grief, masking, hormones, and how workplaces can actually support neurodivergent people who menstruate.If you’ve ever wondered why your moods plummet mid-cycle, or why being online during your period feels like crawling through lava, this one’s for you.Mentioned in this episode...🔄 Cycle Harmony Guide🧠 Neuro Spicy Trait Tracker✍️ Disclosure Letter Template for work accommodations💼 Access to Work support info💌 Subscribe to The Period PressWritten editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10!

The Period Press - audio edition. Real-life reader and listener stories from the Period Press archives, with honest chat about periods, neurodivergence, and how we’re changing the conversation about living in a body that bleeds.Expect practical tips, relatable stories, and a gentle nudge toward doing less when your body demands it (premenstrual phase, I'm looking atchu).New written editions drop every Sunday at 5 am, ready for coffee in bed at 10. Subscribe to the written edition of The Period Press HERE or check the archive to listen back.Helpful Resources ...– Cycle Harmony Guide– Neuro Spicy Trait Tracker– Disclosure Letter Template📖 Prefer to read? Full transcripts available on the blog HERE