Hannah Dower is a PhD student working with the Western Bulldogs AFLW club to investigate the impact of the menstrual cycle and contraceptive use on elite athlete performance. Hannah has a Bachelor in Sports Science, a Masters in Exercise Physiology and a 10-year career in strength and conditioning so she is EXTREMELY qualified to answer all our menstrual cycle and PMS questions!

You might remember an episode from a few months ago where we shared about our experiences of PMS. We received so many messages from you guys saying you felt exactly the same so we decided to bring in an expert to explain everything about the menstrual cycle and PMS.

We speak about what the menstrual cycle actually is, what is happening with our hormones at various stages of our cycle, the importance of tracking your cycle, the difference between PMS and PMDD, and if we should train differently at different stages of our cycles. 

WE MENTIONED

Hannah recommended the book ‘Blood: The science, medicine and mythology of menstruation by Dr Jennifer Gunter https://www.hachette.com.au/dr-jennifer-gunter/blood-the-science-medicine-and-mythology-of-menstruation 

The episode in which we talked about our own PMS symptoms is called ‘Steph's one and only one night stand’ from July 2024. You can listen here https://pod.fo/e/257ddf

The International Association For Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) has more information about PMDD https://iapmd.org/toolkit

FOLLOW US

Hannah Dower @hannahdower_ on Instagram
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve seen some TikTok trends we’re not sure about and we want to talk about them. The first is the “morning trend” - where people sleep in a range of convoluted and questionable products on their face and in their hair only to “shed” it all in the morning. The second is “okra water” and its dubious health claims.

Then we discuss a question we saw in Women’s Health Australia: “should I be offended if my partner doesn’t orgasm”? 

Plus we put a poll on our Instagram story asking about the orgasm gap in your relationships and 5% of you said you orgasmed more, 38% of you said your partner orgasms more, 30% orgasm equally with your partner, and 27% just wanted to suss the results 👀

WE MENTIONED

The okra water trend https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/nutrition/healthy-food/okra-water/news-story/efb6382a91571792f5d295b31b6dabcc 

The Women’s Health article https://womenshealth.com.au/my-partner-isnt-orgasming-should-i-be-offended/?

SPECIAL SHARES

• Steph: Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home by Jess Hastings https://www.dymocks.com.au/magnolia-parks-the-long-way-home-by-jessa-hastings-9781398717220 

• Laura: The Younify Hydrate powder https://younifyactive.com/products/hydrate-300g 

Kic UPDATE

Forget Black Friday! You’re 88% more likely to move on Monday. So, why does Friday get all the hype? Over the next 4 weeks, your favourite day to move just got better with:

• Our brand new Pilates trainer Greta (she’s ClassPass trainer of the year!)
• New workout drops every Monday
• We’re giving away cash prizes - just for moving!! Today we’re giving away $1000. To go in the draw, complete any Kic workout on a Monday, use the share feature in-app, share on Instagram and be sure to have your profile on public so we can see
• And if you’re new to Kic, you can get 50% off your first month with Kic!! 

FOLLOW US

KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week ago Laura ran debut marathon in New York City and in this episode Steph asks Laura (fresh off the plane!!) all the questions you guys have been asking.

Will you do another marathon? What got you through when it got hard? How did you handle going to the toilet on the course? How are your toenails? And what's next!?

We'll be back in your ears on Monday <3 

WE MENTIONED

This is the Spotify playlist we mentioned https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2CfWkeIJ4DybgdHUWkS52c?si=7kukfwqYSSuD-Kl8EXEe4A&pi=a-L9nGSi7wQvOW&nd=1&dlsi=81d6e63025174de7 

FOLLOW US

KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Golly is a paediatrician (he’s actually Harvey's paediatrician!) specialising in unsettled babies & poor sleep, and a father of three. His third children’s book ‘Our Baby, Our Baby What Did You Say?’ reveals what toddlers can pick up in babies better than parents....which is a very convenient topic at the moment as Steph & Josh navigate how they tell their three-year-old Harvey that he’s getting a sibling!

In this episode Steph, Josh & Dr Golly discuss the best way for parents to tell toddlers that they are having another baby, what kind of behaviour parents can expect of their toddlers during this time, dividing responsibilities between a newborn and a toddler, and the importance of toddlers retaining their sense of autonomy.

DISCOUNT CODE

Use the code KICBUMP20 to get $20 off the Dr Golly Sleep Program and Toddler Toolkit https://drgolly.com/toddler-sleep-program/pre-toddler-8-12-months/?  

THINGS WE MENTIONED

Dr Golly’s new book is Our Baby, Our Baby What Did You Say? https://www.qbd.com.au/our-baby-our-baby-what-did-you-say/daniel-golshevsky-cora-muccitelli/9781761212918/

Dr Golly was on KICBUMP in December 2022. Search for the episode ‘Toddler tantrums and toilet training - KICBUMP with Dr Golly’ https://pod.fo/e/224090 

Steph and Josh were on Dr Golly’s podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-secret-life-of-stay-at-home-dads-with-steph/id1683241181?i=1000614209681 

FOLLOW US

Dr Golly @drgolly on Instagram
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram, @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Join our virtual mothers' group in the the KICBUMP Facebook group. Search 'KICBUMP Community'
Kic @kic.app on Instagram, @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steph is pregnant!!! If you follow Steph online you would’ve seen yesterday that she, her husband Josh, and their son Harvey are welcoming a second baby into their family and today Steph shares all about it! Steph talks about telling Harvey, which foods are giving her the ick, how this pregnancy is different to her first with Harvey, finding out the gender and more!

But we want your questions! We’ll put a question box on our Instagram Story for you to send your questions to Steph to answer in an upcoming episode. 

SPECIAL SHARES

• Steph: Woman Of The Hour https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81728818?source=35 

• Steph: Anna Kendrick on Call Her Daddy https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/anna-kendrick-pitch-perfect-twilight-relationships/id1418960261?i=1000674059615  

• Laura: The Whole Truth by Jackie O (an Almost Special Share!) https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-whole-truth-9781761348655 

• Laura: Woman Of The Hour (a But Not If You’re Anxious Special Share)

FOLLOW US

KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a long-term listener of KICPOD you’ll remember Producer Mandy! You might also remember that Mandy was producing the podcast when Laura opened up about her fear of not coping with kids, and Mandy said she felt exactly the same. Fast forward just over one year later and Mandy is now the proud mum of her first daughter, Lyla.

In this episode we asked Mandy back in the studio to sit on the other side of the desk and share about how she went from being terrified of having kids to being so stoked to be a mum. We also touch on Mandy’s decision to have a planned cesarean and the judgment she anticipated and copped from the decision, her journey to becoming a mum, and her advice to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by the decision.

WE MENTIONED

Mandy speaks in this episode about going to therapy to unpack her fears. It’s called ‘Laura expresses her fear of not coping’ and you can listen here https://pod.fo/e/224085 

FOLLOW US

Mandy @amanda.catalano on Instagram
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram, @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Join our virtual mothers' group in the the KICBUMP Facebook group. Search 'KICBUMP Community'
Kic @kic.app on Instagram, @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Steph brings a very detailed story of laughing hysterically during sex thanks to a new vibrator. If you work with, are related to, or know Steph in real life…please skip forward this one!

PLUS Laura smashed the NYC Marathon overnight and she's sent in a quick voice note from the start line and the finish line about how it went 👏

And Steph wants to say thank you to everyone who sent her messages about her ADHD diagnosis <3 

SPECIAL SHARES

• Steph: I Am Sam https://www.netflix.com/au/title/60021799?source=35 
• Laura: The Perfect Couple https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81474158?source=35 

Kic UPDATE

The Kic Marathon program is here! If running a marathon is on your bucket list, our brand new KICRUN 21-42.2km program will help you conquer your goal with confidence. Developed by physios, Laura will guide you through 3 runs per week, with an optional 4th, as you run towards your very first marathon in 16 weeks. Filled with motivational cues and training tips, the program will help you enhance your performance and power you through each run. Get ready to challenge your body, feel empowered and prove to yourself just how capable you are!

FOLLOW US

KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tarang Chawla became an activist against men’s violence after his sister Nikita Chawla was murdered by her partner in 2015.

We’ve been talking about violence against women a lot on the podcast this year (and every year) because unfortunately it’s an issue that’s not going away. In this episode we invite Tarang onto the podcast for the third time to talk about men’s violence, the impact of alcohol and gambling on violence, and what you can do as a bystander to safely stand up to street harassment. 

Plus Laura shares about her experience witnessing and standing up to a group of drunk and aggressive young men at the AFL Grand Final and what Tarang would’ve done in the same situation. 

WE MENTIONED

The ‘Stand Up Against Street Harassment’ training https://www.standup-international.com/au/en/training/landing 

The first time Tarang was on the podcast in ‘The Raw Reality of Domestic Abuse and Family Violence’ https://pod.fo/e/238cc6 

The second time Tarang was on the podcast ‘A topic too many people avoid’ from December 2022 https://pod.fo/e/224092 

FOLLOW US

Tarang @tarangchawla on Instagram
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a six year hiatus, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returned this year. The show was choreographed by an all-female team and featured greater cultural, age and body diversity than ever before, but the show still fell short in many ways. We have our say.

Plus Laura lost a diamond in her wedding ring which made us wonder if any of you guys had ring horror stories…and you did!

SPECIAL SHARES

• Steph: pod coffee machines
• Laura: Lonely Planet on Netflix (an ANTI Special Share!) https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81157573?source=35 

Kic UPDATE

Stretch Pilates is new in app today! 4 in 5 women don’t stretch enough. So we’ve introduced Christina’s brand new stretch Pilates classes, combining your favourite flows with a deep juicy stretch. Whether you’re recovering from a run or feeling it after leg day at the gym, stretch it out with 12 classes to choose from.

FOLLOW US

KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Kavita Krishnan is a Lactation Specialist, member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and a mum of three, so she’s had experience both first-hand and in practice teaching thousands of women how to breastfeed.

96% of women initiate breastfeeding but by 4 months fewer than 16% exclusively breastfeed and 83% of women stop breastfeeding earlier than they’d like. In this episode, Steph sits down with Kavita to discuss some of the reasons why women stop breastfeeding.

Steph shares about her own experience breastfeeding Harvey, including nipple pain, low supply, and the early stages of mastitis and Kavita demonstrates the best position for a baby to latch with the help of a glass of water and a straw.

FOLLOW US

Kavita @dr.kavita.t on Instagram and @thebreastfeedingdoctor on TikTok
KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram, @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Join our virtual mothers' group in the the KICBUMP Facebook group. Search 'KICBUMP Community'
Kic @kic.app on Instagram, @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a personal one this week as Steph shares what’s been going on behind the scenes for her over the past year and a bit. PLUS Laura's been spending so much time in activewear training for the New York City Marathon that she's feeling a little…uncomfortable down there.

SPECIAL SHARES

• Steph: The Year I Met My Brain - Matilda Boseley https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-year-i-met-my-brain-9780143779773 
• Laura: the By Katia body oil and body brush https://bykatia.com/product/by-katia-ritual-pack/ 

WE MENTIONED

Steph mentioned her KICBUMP episode with Em Rusciano. You can listen here https://pod.fo/e/2657ca 

Kic UPDATE

Our IRL KICRUN Clubs are back! Join the KICRUN Club every Saturday morning in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, London and our newest location, Perth! If it's your first time coming along, make sure you fill out the waiver here: https://kicapp.com/kicrun-club/and join our KICRUN Chat groups in our Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kicapp

FOLLOW US

KICPOD @kicpod on Instagram
Join our closed KICPOD Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/630561419185145/
Steph Claire Smith @stephclairesmith on Instagram & @steph_claire_smith on TikTok
Laura Henshaw @laura.henshaw on Instagram & @laura.henshaw on Tiktok
Kic @kic.app on Instagram & @kic on TikTok and kicapp.com or download the app from the App Store and Google Play Store

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.