29. Talk About Your Period: Dismantling Menstrual Stigma with Karen Klein
In this episode, Emma sits down with Karen Klein, founder of Talk About Your Period, to unpack why period stigma still shapes everything from school hallways to workplace policies. Karen shares how activism + storytelling became her lane, how raising kids (especially sons) can shift the next generation, and why simply being louder about periods is a real form of change. We also get into the big vision: menstrual leave, and what “period dignity” should actually mean in everyday life.
What You’ll Hear About
Why period stigma thrives in silence — and how storytelling breaks it
Practical ways to raise period-literate kids without making it “a weird thing”
The “used pad wrapper test” (yes, in a public restroom) as confidence practice
Why period stigma connects to inequity, access, and medical dismissal
What menstrual leave could look like (and why leveling the playing field matters)
Simple advocacy: keeping products visible, asking out loud, and modeling normal
Resources & Links
Karen’s period advocacy page: Talk About Your Period and on Instagram: @talkaboutyourperiod
Karen personal social: @karenklein.writes
Emmamma Resources + Links:
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Website: https://emmamma.com
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The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Cyclical Doula Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Emma Goff or Emmamma LLC. This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.