MAR 6

What Barriers Do Disabled People Face During Menstruation?

How accessible is menstrual health? Periods for All discusses disability, stigma, inclusive education, and how better design can support everyone. In this episode of The M Talk, Annabelle sits down with Holly Johnston and Carly Pistorca from Periods for All to explore why menstrual health must be accessible and inclusive for everyone. The conversation unveils the stigma that society does not want to address: the unique challenges people with disabilities face during menstruation, including barriers in education, communication, and accessible facilities. Together, they unpack how the widespread taboo surrounding menstruation is amplified for disabled communities, and why preparing young people for their first period through inclusive education is essential. Holly and Carly also explain the curb cut effect, demonstrating how designing menstrual products, resources, and spaces with accessibility in mind benefits everyone. Annabelle, Carly and Holly bring you deep into finding how inclusive menstrual health can empower individuals and transform the future of period education. Periods for all IG @periods_for_all Instagram Carly's IG @handicapped_hipster Hello Period Equity Hello Period Equity - American Sign Language videos Follow us Instagram: @the_m_scale Tiktok: themscaleapp We want to hear from you! DMs us your period stories by or send them to admin@themscale.com Your support is key! Download The M Scale app, you can also buy us a coffee on our Patreon! Podcast Created and Hosted by: Annabelle Roberston Produced by: Laura Siegler Designed by: WaiYan Yau Developed by: Katie Chapman Music by: Francesco.Invadhertz Distributed by Rss.com

46 min

FEB 13

Hormone Therapy Explained: Trans Care, Menopause, and Menstrual Health

What is the emotional and physical impact of hormone therapy for trans, non-binary, and menopausal individuals? Join Mary Burke from the Gender Hormone Clinic as we unpack hormones, from menstrual cycles and menopause to gender-affirming care. Hormones impact every part of who we are, our moods, our energy, even how we see ourselves. So how does one navigate the transformative journey of horomone therapy? In this episode of The M Talk, we are joined by Mary Burke from the Gender Hormone Clinic, to unpack the world of hormones, from menstruation and menopause to gender-affirming care. Mary shares her expertise on synthetic and body identical hormones, the role of the contraceptive pill, and how hormone therapy can transform both physical and emotional health. With our host Annabelle, they explore what it means to navigate hormone therapy as a trans, non-binary, or menopausal individual, the challenges of suppression, and the importance of individualised care. Follow us Instagram: @the_m_scale Tiktok: themscaleapp We want to hear from you! DMs us your period stories by or send them to admin@themscale.com Your support is key! Download The M Scale app, you can also buy us a coffee on our Patreon! Podcast Created and Hosted by: Annabelle Roberston Produced by: Laura Siegler Designed by: WaiYan Yau Developed by: Katie Chapman Music by: Francesco.Invadhertz Distributed by Rss.com

38 min

JAN 30

What is Hormone Health and How Does it Affect Us?

Dr. Sohere Roked discusses hormone health, the menstrual cycle, trauma, lifestyle factors, and how to navigate supplements with clarity and confidence. In this episode of The M Talk, we sit down with Dr. Sohere Roked to explore hormone health through a menstrual-cycle-informed lens. Have you ever wondered how trauma can influence your hormonal cycle or why stress can show up so strongly in your period? Drawing on her clinical experience, Dr. Roked breaks down how lifestyle factors, emotional wellbeing, and lived experiences can shape hormonal balance across the menstrual cycle. Together, we unpack why understanding your own body matters, especially during key life stages like puberty, perimenopause, and menopause. We address the power of self-advocacy in healthcare spaces, the role of community in supporting menstrual and hormone health, and how to approach supplements with clarity rather than confusion in today’s overwhelming wellness landscape. This episode offers practical, compassionate insights for anyone who menstruates or has menstruated and wants to make more informed, empowered decisions about their hormone health. Whether you’re just starting to tune into your cycle or relearning how to listen to your body, this conversation meets you where you are. Dr Sohere's Podcast Hormonal cycle Diagram Hello Period Equity - American Sign Language videos Follow us Instagram: @the_m_scale Tiktok: themscaleapp We want to hear from you! DMs us your period stories by or send them to admin@themscale.com Your support is key! Download The M Scale app, you can also buy us a coffee on our Patreon! Podcast Created and Hosted by: Annabelle Roberston Produced by: Laura Siegler Designed by: WaiYan Yau Developed by: Katie Chapman Music by: Francesco.Invadhertz Distributed by Rss.com

50 min

JAN 16

Reality Winner on Incarceration and Women’s Health

Reality Winner on The M Talk discusses incarceration, periods in prison, women’s healthcare, and the failures of the U.S. justice system. In this episode of The M Talk, Reality Winner shares an unfiltered look at what incarceration is really like for women, especially when it comes to menstruation, healthcare, and being treated as fully human. Reality reflects on her time in the U.S. prison system and how something as natural as having a period becomes a source of control and neglect behind bars. From limited access to menstrual products to dismissive medical care, she explains how incarcerated women are expected to endure pain and humiliation in silence. Drawing parallels to her experience in the military, Reality highlights how institutions built on punishment and hierarchy often fail women at every level. This conversation goes beyond individual experience and into the bigger picture: why prisons don’t rehabilitate, how the justice system disproportionately harms marginalised communities, and what it could look like if we centred care, dignity, and accountability instead of punishment. This episode invites listeners to question what justice really means and who the current system is designed to protect. Reality Winner's Book - I Am Not Your Ennemy Flow: The Exhibition on Menstruation Follow us Instagram: @the_m_scale Tiktok: themscaleapp We want to hear from you! DMs us your period stories by or send them to admin@themscale.com Your support is key! Download The M Scale app, you can also buy us a coffee on our Patreon! Podcast Created and Hosted by: Annabelle Roberston Produced by: Laura Siegler Designed by: WaiYan Yau Developed by: Katie Chapman Music by: Francesco.Invadhertz Distributed by Rss.com

55 min

JAN 2

How Do Women Manage Menstruation in Prison?

Join us for a powerful conversation with Miriam Vishniac on the hidden abuse, fear, and silence menstruators face in prisons and why real support systems are urgently needed. In this episode, we sit down with Miriam Vishniac from the Prison Flow Project to uncover what really happens to women and those who menstruate behind bars. We talk honestly about abuse, humiliation, and the crushing fear that comes with simply asking for help. Together, we explore why so many incarcerated menstruators suffer in silence and how community expectations, punishment culture, and emotional burdens shape their experiences. This conversation gets personal, raw, and real as we reflect on what it takes to create safer, more compassionate support systems for people who are already deeply vulnerable. Trigger warning : This episode content mentions SA and other violences made against women. Follow us Instagram: @the_m_scale Tiktok: themscaleapp We want to hear from you! DMs us your period stories by or send them to admin@themscale.com Your support is key! Download The M Scale app, you can also buy us a coffee on our Patreon! Podcast Created and Hosted by: Annabelle Roberston Produced by: Laura Siegler Designed by: WaiYan Yau Developed by: Katie Chapman Music by: Francesco.Invadhertz Distributed by Rss.com

54 min

12/05/2025

Why Does Global Menstrual Justice Matter?

Join us in a powerful conversation with Chrissy Cattle, CEO of iRise International, as we unpack menstrual justice, from dismantling stigma and systemic inequities to empowering grassroots movements around the world. Discover how the Scarlet Memorations report is reshaping global menstrual advocacy and why intersectionality and youth activism are key to achieving true menstrual equity. In this inspiring episode of The M Talk, Annabelle sits down with Chrissy Cattle, CEO of iRise International, to explore what menstrual justice truly means in today’s world. Together, they dive deep into the systemic barriers behind period poverty, the intersection of menstruation with gender, class, and climate, and how grassroots and youth-led movements are driving global change. From the findings of the Scarlet Memorations report to on the ground stories of advocacy, this episode sheds light on why menstrual health is a human right, not a privilege. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of the menstrual justice framework, the role of intersectionality, and the urgent call for governments to listen to the voices of menstruators. If you’ve ever wondered how activism, policy, and compassion intersect to create real-world change, this conversation is your invitation to learn, reflect, and take action. Irise International and The Scarlet Murmuration Report The puberty and menstruation app Ovecare Follow us Instagram: @the_m_scale Tiktok: themscaleapp We want to hear from you! DMs us your period stories by or send them to admin@themscale.com Your support is key! Download The M Scale app, you can also buy us a coffee on our Patreon! Podcast Created and Hosted by: Annabelle Roberston Produced by: Laura Siegler Designed by: WaiYan Yau Developed by: Katie Chapman Music by: Francesco.Invadhertz Distributed by Rss.com

41 min

11/21/2025

Are Period Apps Safe?

Join our M Talk episode about FemTech Privacy Concerns, where Dr. Laura Shipp unpacks the booming industry, period tracking app risks, and why menstrual data security matters. From data misuse to the stigma that silences conversations, we explore how inclusivity, awareness, and user rights can shape a safer, more empowering future for menstrual health. In this conversation, Dr. Laura Shipp discusses the intersection of FemTech, the foundations of data privacy, and the implications of data misuse in period tracking apps. She highlights the rapid growth of the FemTech industry, the risks associated with data collection, and the stigma surrounding menstruation. The discussion also addresses the challenges faced by non-binary and trans users, the importance of inclusivity in app design, and the balance between health benefits and privacy risks. Dr. Shipp emphasises the need for user awareness regarding data rights and the potential future of FemTech in promoting user empowerment. Dr. Laura Shipp's research: How private is your period? Leaky bodies, leaking data Follow us Instagram: @the_m_scale Tiktok: themscaleapp We want to hear from you! DMs us your period stories or send them to admin@themscale.com Your support is key! Download The M Scale app, you can also buy us a coffee on our Patreon! Podcast Created and Hosted by: Annabelle Roberston Produced by: Laura Siegler Designed by: WaiYan Developed by: Katie Chapman Music by: Francesco.Invadhertz Distributed by Rss.com

44 min

11/07/2025

Can the Menstrual Movement End Period Poverty?

Join Annabelle and Emily Fox from Period Org. as they dive into the fight against period poverty. From social media’s role in shaping stigma to youth-led advocacy and racial disparities in menstrual health, this episode explores how education and open dialogue can create lasting menstrual equity for all. In this episode, Annabelle sits down with Emily Fox from Period Org., a youth-powered nonprofit dedicated to ending period poverty through advocacy and education. Together, they unpack the findings of the 2025 State of the Period Report, shedding light on the ongoing barriers to menstrual equity from limited product access to deep-rooted stigma. They explore how social media both empowers and complicates conversations around menstruation, why fathers and male figures must be included in these dialogues, and how youth activism is reshaping menstrual health policies. The discussion also highlights racial disparities and the urgent need for inclusive, comprehensive education that supports everyone who menstruates. Find Period.org's latest annual report here Where to buy Reality Winner's book "I Am Not Your Enemy" Follow us Instagram: @the_m_scale Tiktok: themscaleapp We want to hear from you! DMs us your period stories or send them to admin@themscale.com Your support is key! Download The M Scale app, you can also buy us a coffee on our Patreon! Created and Hosted by: Annabelle Roberston Produced by: Laura Siegler Designed by: WaiYan Yau Developed by: Katie Chapman Music by: Francesco.Invadhertz Distributed by Rss.com

53 min

SEASON 1 TRAILER

M Talk Trailer

M Talk is a much needed and timely period podcast where we interview the best and brightest working in multiple fields all with the same mission: to make the lives of those who menstruate that little bit easier. As we delve further into the world of periods, we discover just how much they impact our every day life and every single aspect. From hormones to prison treatment, data privacy to policy and global movements we are asking all the important questions to help you understand your body that little bit better. First episode: 7th November and fortnightly after that!

1 min

M Talk

Episodes

What Barriers Do Disabled People Face During Menstruation?

Hormone Therapy Explained: Trans Care, Menopause, and Menstrual Health

What is Hormone Health and How Does it Affect Us?

Reality Winner on Incarceration and Women’s Health

How Do Women Manage Menstruation in Prison?

Why Does Global Menstrual Justice Matter?

Are Period Apps Safe?

Can the Menstrual Movement End Period Poverty?

M Talk Trailer

Trailer

M Talk Trailer

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