The Lunar Body

For my listeners who have been in their menstrual years for quite some time... this one's for you. Perimenopause is a-comin', and it may not be as far off as you think. In fact, symptoms can start as early as your late 30s (though it's more likely to happen in your mid-40s), which is why I want to share what to expect when you're expecting menopause. We weren't educated about our periods before we got them, so I want to make sure you're armed with the right knowledge and tools before this next phase of your reproductive life.We talk about:The wide-ranging symptoms of perimenopause, like hot flashes, mood swings, and decreased libido.The hormonal impact on your anatomy, including changes to the vulva, cervix, uterus, and ovaries.Why it's so important to manage stress in perimenopause (beyond the usual reasons).Body composition changes like bone density and muscle loss.Viewing menopause as an opportunity, instead of a sentence.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until April 5, 2023!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Perimenopause Power by Maisie HillThe Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen GunterSee Ya Later, Ovulator! by Esther BlumGuide to Quitting the PillSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

My favorite part about cycle syncing is that you can find so many areas of your life and interests to apply it to. Tarot is a tool for self-reflection and self-awareness, and in this episode, we explore how you can align with your cycle by embodying different archetypes found in the cards. I provide specific examples of archetypes from the major and minor arcana that mirror the energy of each cycle phase, to give context to what's going on mentally and physically in the body and help you organize your self-care around your cycle.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Support the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

Capitalism requires us to work like machines, producing the same level of output day after day. Humans just can't work like that, especially those of us with menstrual cycles whose energy, focus, creativity, and more shift from one phase to the next. This week's episode explores how this patriarchal structure of working and living can have an impact on your period and your cycle health.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Work Flow: Using the Magic of the Menstrual Cycle for BusinessWhite Supremacy Culture CharacteristicsMeal Planning for Your Menstrual CycleGuided Wim Hof breathing method10-minute yoga nidraSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

After sobbing in her boss’s office 15 years ago, Julie Duffy Dillon, registered dietitian and PCOS expert, taught her last diet. Once she learned about weight stigma and diet harm, she couldn't unsee it. Now Julie helps people with PCOS confidently tackle health concerns moving forward without shame and blame. She teaches them how to burn their PCOS diet books while bringing clarity into their relationship with food and body. She has spoken at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and was featured dietitian for the reality show My Big Fat Fabulous Life. You can hear her on her podcast, Find Your Food Voice. Learn about her services including her PCOS Power Course + Community at JulieDuffyDillon.comListener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.We discuss:Who intuitive eating is for and whyEating intuitively with chronic illness, even when conventional treatment includes a restrictive dietWhether or not you can cause PCOS to occur (+ her thoughts on post-pill PCOS)Why keto and low-calorie diets are particularly damaging to people with PCOSHow to navigate weight stigma in medical settings, including what to say to your doctor or nurseReferenced in this episode:PCOS Power online course (use code PODCAST for 20% off)Diet-Free Doctor’s Visit HandoutPerimenopause Power by Maisie HillFearing the Black Body by Sabrina StringsThe Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee TaylorAnti-Diet by Christy HarrisonDecolonizing Wellness by Dalia KinseySupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

The "fertility cliff," or the idea that your fertility takes a complete nosedive on your 35th birthday, is a longstanding myth. In fact, it's based on some really old research (like, shockingly old) and the decline and risks associated with being of "advanced maternal age" are not as dire as we're told. In this episode, I explore the research on this topic and what the numbers actually say, and offer some nutrition and lifestyle recommendations for preconception planning if you are preparing for pregnancy.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Thirty, Flirty, and Surviving interviewHow Long Can You Wait to Have a Baby? | The AtlanticThe Panic Years by Nell FrizzellAdam Ruins Everything: You Can Still Have Babies After 35Miscarriage | Mayo ClinicPreterm Birth | March of DimesSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

It's an "It's Just a Phase" episode flashback with my friend Janine Mulone and our amazing guest, Sarah Potter! Sarah is a professional witch, color magic practitioner, tarot reader, and true beam of light.We talk about:Sarah’s journey to becoming a witch in suburban NJCommunicating with animalsWhat is Color Magic?How to use Color Magic for self-empowerment (and how you might be already!)Color rituals for creativityWhich colors align with seasons and moon phasesSarah’s Color Magic Year Ahead readingsListener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Follow Sarah on IG: @iamsarahpotterEmail Sarah to book a reading + be added to her newsletter: tarotwithsarahpotter@gmail.com“I Asked A Witch About Manifesting & It Made Me Realize I’ve Been Doing It All Along”Support the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

This episode is all about the most highly-requested topic from my listeners—all about your birth control options. We are lucky to have numerous avenues for contraception these days. However, they're not all perfect, and not every option is suitable for every body. You'll learn about long-term, short-term, hormonal and non-hormonal methods of birth control, as well as barrier methods, fertility awareness, and emergency contraception as well. I share the percentage of efficacy with perfect use and typical use along with the pros and cons of each method to help you decide the best option for your needs.Check out my new Guide to Quitting the Pill here.Disclaimer: This information in this episode, and in all episodes of The Lunar Body podcast, is for educational purposes only; it is NOT medical advice and it is your responsibility to speak to a qualified healthcare provider about your unique needs. The final decision when considering any diet, lifestyle change, or medical procedure, whether it’s discussed on the internet, in a podcast, or prescribed by your doctor, is always your own.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:The Team That Invented the Birth-Control Pill | The AtlanticParsing the pill’s impact on women’s wages | U-MBirth control methods & options | Planned ParenthoodSafety, efficacy and patient acceptability of the contraceptive and non-contraceptive uses of the LNG-IUS | International Journal of Women's HealthResearch on effectiveness on fertility awareness methodsFAM educator Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: The Fifth Vital Sign | Fertility Friday PodcastSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

We are lucky to have a variety of different options for managing menstrual flow these days. In this episode, we explore what's available in the wonderful world of period products, including pads, tampons, underwear, discs, cups, and more. You'll learn how they're used, some pros and cons you may want to consider when choosing the best option for your body, my experiences with different brands, the range of gender-inclusive options, and more. Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Dr. Jen Gunter on titanium dioxide in tamponsInternational Agency for Research on Cancer: Titanium dioxideGlad RagsAisleCloth Connection Outreach Charity (& their TikTok)ThinxProofPFAs found in Thinx, Knix, ProofBetterGoods.org PFA evaluationSoftCup DisposableCoraHelloDiva DiscPeriod Nirvana menstrual cup/disc quizSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

Many people share with me that they feel like they're learning about their bodies and their intuition "too late" in life, and that they want to avoid the same happening with their children. In this episode, I share how to nurture and support your child in having a healthy relationship with food, with their body image and bodily functions, their menstrual cycle (or sibling's cycle), and spiritual practice. It all starts with you—they pay attention more than you know! The fun part is, you can learn a lot together and make it a special experience as they grow.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Support the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

Cyclical activism is a practice of being politically involved in a way that is ongoing and sustainable. In the same way that we use cycles to create supportive personal self-care practices, we can use cycles to ensure we are taking action towards collective change in a way we can keep up long-term. I am joined by Janine Mulone of Feel Good Retail for this episode, which is a re-airing of our 2020 podcast It's Just a Phase.If you have ever felt overwhelmed or unsure of how to get involved, this episode is a great place to start!Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Support the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

As a cycle-syncing nutritionist, I’m asked all the time about what you should eat to have a happier period. While no one food is going to cure all of your menstrual woes, supporting the processes that are happening in your body throughout your cycle can certainly help. In this episode, you'll learn the basics of regulating your period through diet and lifestyle, different levels of meal planning to fit into a realistic schedule, what's happening in each phase of your cycle and how to support it all through food.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:FREE DOWNLOAD: Syncing With the Moon for a Better FlowWorkshop: Sleeping Your Way to Less StressFunk It Wellness Seed Cycling Kits (use code KRISTEN15 to save 15%)Mocha Seed Cycling CookiesPumpkin Spice Baked OatmealVeggie "Sushi"Cherry-Chocolate SmoothieSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

In order to connect to your intuition (or your spirit guides, the universe, your version of god, etc), it helps to nourish your brain. In this quick episode, you’ll learn about the food and nutrients that I recommend to enrich your brain, support your natural energy, promote focus and concentration, and help calm your mind so your third-eye portal is clear and open.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:All the Greens! Blueberry-Coconut SaladBlueberry Chia JamIntuition Nutrition workshopCycle MagicWork with me 1:1Support the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

Dr. Cait Van Damm is a pelvic floor therapist specializing in treating pelvic pain across the gender spectrum. An experienced yoga teacher, Cait combines therapeutic movement and gentle manual therapy to calm the nervous system and increase self-efficacy for her patients. Her private practice, Ritual Pelvic Health, is based in Boston, where she lives with her partner and twin toddlers. You can also catch Cait's free newsletter, Adventures in Vaginas (and other parts), or work with Cait via her new online platform, Ritual Movement!Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der KolkSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

The Lunar Body is back for season 3! Given the state of reproductive rights in the U.S., I felt it was urgent to open this season with an episode on abortion. You'll learn about the different methods of abortion and what to expect with both an in-clinic (or surgical) procedure and medical abortion with pills, what you may want to know about after-care, what to do in states with restricted access, why it is strongly recommended to avoid herbal abortion, answers to common questions you may have, how to prepare for termination, how you can support others, and much more.Disclaimer: This information in this episode, and in all episodes of The Lunar Body podcast, is for educational purposes only; it is NOT medical advice and it is your responsibility to speak to a qualified healthcare provider about your unique needs. The final decision when considering any diet, lifestyle change, or medical procedure, whether it’s discussed on the internet, in a podcast, or prescribed by your doctor, is always your own.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — Available until season 3 ends!View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Women Help Women: Tips on keeping your abortion research private.Surveillance Self-Defense GuideFree Cycle Magic excerpt: Intuitive Cycle TrackingMisoprostol dosing information via Dr. Jen GunterPlanCPills.orgAidAccess.orgSafe2Choose.orgWomenOnWeb.orgWomenHelp.orgThe Archive of Healing@blackpnwlady on TikTokNational Abortion FederationAbortion funds by stateAbortionFunds.orgResist BotFertility for Everyone workshopTaking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni WeschlerThe 5th Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-JackPeriod Power by Maisie HillSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

The final episode of the season is a special Q+A episode about nutrition, menstrual health, intuitive eating, hormones, and more. I answer the following questions:Is protein-combining worth considering when it comes to your nutrition?Why am I so depressed before my period?How do you deal with burnout, particularly from work?Do you have any recommendations for working with or healing PCOS?If you don’t ovulate, which phase of your cycle are you technically in? How can I track my cycle if the temperature is off from thyroid issues and inconsistent sleep?When it comes to intuitive eating, I have a hard time with the “food police” principle. That voice is hard to get rid of. Do you have any suggestions on how to focus on that?How can one manage hormone changes that affect your food intuition especially during menstruation or as we age?This episode is supported by the Academy of Culinary Nutrition's 2022 Culinary Nutrition Expert Program. Read my review here, or head straight to the program page and sign up for an info session.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — EXPIRES MAY 11, 2022.View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Virtual workshopsMindfulness and Mental Health: Part 1Mindfulness and Mental Health: Part 2Pomodoro TimerLetsGetChecked lab testing: 30% off with code GOODWITCH30Period PowerPerimenopause PowerSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

Society is returning to nature after being bombarded for decades with so many pills for every ill and much of our culture causing us to be out of sync with the world around us. Developing an herbal practice for yourself can help you cultivate a deeper connection with your body and with Earth's natural cycles. In this episode, we talk about different ways you can develop a stronger relationship with plants and some tips and resources for creating your own herbal practice.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE — EXPIRES MAY 11, 2022. View all podcast listener perks here.This episode is supported by the Academy of Culinary Nutrition's 2022 Culinary Nutrition Expert Program. Read my review here, or head straight to the program page and sign up for an info session.Referenced in this episode:NowAge TravelAlexis Nikole Nelson on TikTokPlantSnapBoston herb shops: Cambridge Naturals + Artemisia BotanicalsEpisode 26: Plant Wisdom With Miranda AponteEpisode 27: What's In Your Underwear?BooksWild Urban Plants of the NortheastHealing Teas: A Practical Guide to the Medicinal Teas of the WorldThe Herbal Medicine Maker’s HandbookInvasive Plant Medicine Recipes From the Herbalist’s KitchenBody into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-CareThe Herb BookBrandsWooden Spoon Herbs: Anxiety Ally + Rose-Colored GlassesIMBY: Rose Cardamom Hot CacaoRasa (get 15% off with code KRISTEN06342)Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism Herbal Study TipsHerbal Community Care ToolkitHolistic Herbalism PodcastSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

Intuitive eating is a gentle approach to health and life that prioritizes feeling good in your body. It helps you cultivate a much more relaxed relationship with food, but the process isn't always easy. It takes time and patience, and a lot of work to unlearn and reframe diet culture messaging we've learned over the years.Weight-inclusive health coach Tomesha Campbell joins me to talk about how you can work through some common roadblocks that people typically come across when trying to adopt an intuitive eating lifestyle.Tomesha Campbell is an experienced health coach, speaker, and blogger. She is driven by the desire to support women to break up with the scale and develop a positive body image through a weight-inclusive approach to health. Tomesha's journey with weight and body image has been a long one, but it's taught her that health is about so much more than weight. Tomesha has been featured on Autoimmune Wellness, the SPI Blog, and Boston While Black. She currently resides in Watertown, MA with her dog, Penny Deena.Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE.View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse ReschThe Intuitive Eating Workbook by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse ReschRobin Mallery's chocolate mindfulness exercisePodcast: Eating and the Enneagram with Health Coach Tomesha CampbellThe Enneagram of Eating by Ann Gadd10 Principles of Intuitive EatingTomesha's websiteHow you can work with me:Apply to work with me 1:1Enroll in the Cycle Magic cycle-syncing courseCheck out my virtual workshopsKeep in touch!WebsiteInstagramSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

If you’re wondering whether or not you can be a kitchen witch, there’s no initiation, there’s no gatekeeper, no certification or exam. You are one if you decide to be one!I talk a lot about eating intentionally — thinking about how you want to feel and choosing foods that align with that goal. It’s about being present and empowered with your food choices.But there is another type of way that we can eat intentionally, and that’s with kitchen witchery. This is choosing food for its magical or energetic properties. Making magic out of your meals, and incorporating food into your rituals.We’ll talk about: how to read a recipeessential kitchen itemsdifferent ways you can infuse your energy and intentions into your mealsmy favorite books for going furtherrituals to try to get startedFREE GUIDE: Syncing With the Moon for a Better FlowView all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Eating as a Spiritual PracticeSharpening your knife with a mugPotions With Purpose workshopLizzie Arden on TikTokSalt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin NosratHow to Cook Everything + How to Cook Everything: The Basics by Mark BittmanThe Vegetarian Flavor Bible by Karen PageThe Green Witch by Arin Murphy-HiscockThe Book of Kitchen Witchery by Cerridwen GreenleafWicca in the Kitchen by Scott CunninghamThe Good Witch's Guide by Shawn Robbins & Charity BedellBlackthorn's Botanical Brews by Amy BlackthornSelf-Love Potion recipeKitchen Witch Rituals How you can work with me:Apply to work with me 1:1Enroll in the Cycle Magic cycle-syncing courseCheck out my virtual workshopsKeep in touch!WebsiteInstagramVirtual Tip JarSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

Are you the kind of person who gets nervous going to a place and not knowing the parking situation? Or you walk into a restaurant and *gasp* have to find the bathroom on your own? We love a roadmap in this house. Here's a handy guide to finding, vetting, and hiring an online nutritionist.Referenced in this episode:Be There in Five - Hun For The Money (MLM & Insta Coaching Deep Dive)Open Path Healing Arts Collective (for clients / for practitioners)Academy of Culinary NutritionHow you can work with me:Apply to work with me 1:1Enroll in the Cycle Magic cycle-syncing courseCheck out my virtual workshopsKeep in touch!WebsiteInstagramVirtual Tip JarSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar

When people were looking for ways to connect early in the pandemic, my friend Jenka came up with a brilliant way to bring a physical experience into the virtual realm. In this episode, we discuss her guided wellbeing experiences and her journey into hypnosis after using it to heal her chronic back pain.Jenka Gurfinkel is a Principal User Experience Designer at athenahealth, a network of more than 160,000 providers and 110 million patients. She is also the founder of SPA x HOME guided wellbeing experiences. SPA x HOME began as Jenka's quarantine birthday party and has since grown into a social self care ritual shared by people all over the world. Through the SPA x Jenka combines digital tools with ancient healing practices to design experiences that relax, inspire, and transform. Jenka writes and speaks about how technology design affects public health and is fascinated by the exploration of health as a medium for creativity. Listener perk: Get $100 off Cycle Magic, a cycle-syncing course for menstrual misfits, with the code LUNARLOVE.View all podcast listener perks here.Referenced in this episode:Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connectionby John E. Sarno, MDSuggestible You: The Curious Science of Your Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal by Erik VanceSPA x HOMEInstagram: @spaxhome How you can work with me:Apply to work with me 1:1Enroll in the Cycle Magic cycle-syncing courseCheck out my virtual workshopsKeep in touch!WebsiteInstagramSupport the showThanks for listening! Work with me 1:1 Cycle Magic cycle-syncing course Virtual workshops Instagram Tip Jar