Taq, ਤਕਦੀਰ ਕੌਰ Taqdir Kaur Bhandal, is the CEO of @imwithperiods. She runs her small business & think tank and spends her days doing research and teaching at the University of BC. She also gets to nerd out with fellow scholars as a member of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. When she’s not engaging in period research & writing of some kind, she spends her days trying to follow the rays of the sun with her dog. She’s trained as a human developmental biologist, health policy analyst, and herbalist. She is now physically based in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Mi’kmaw Territories after spending many years living in Vancouver. She is passionate about nachos & nach (dance)! In today’s episode, we talk all about self care, and why it’s essential to maintaining healthy menstrual cycles! Today’s episode is sponsored by the Fertility Awareness Mastery Mentorship Program!  We start the first week of March! For details and to apply now Click here to register now! Topics discussed in today's episode: Taq’s background and what prompted her to write Self Care Down There Inspired her to focus on this area of female self-care What is the overarching message of the book? How did FAM effect Taq’s understanding of self-care and how it changed Taq’s way of taking care of herself? How being aware of emotional and energetic changes in your body can help cope with the shifts that happen in your cycle What are things we can do and useful information in the book that we may not know Taq’s thoughts on how to overcome challenges that come from outside influences How pop culture has affected how sex is portrayed and how we relate to each other sexually Taq and Lisa’s thoughts on sexual abuse and consent Connect with Taqdir Kaur Bhandal : You can connect Taq on her Facebook, Instagram, Email and website. Resources mentioned: Self Care Down There Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility (Book) | Lisa Hendrickson-Jack Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting Workbook Fertility Awareness Mastery Online Self-Study Program Related podcasts & blog posts: FFP 317 | Vaginal Steaming | Fourth Trimester Vaginal Steam Study | Keli Garza & Kimberly Ann Johnson FFP 296 | All About Menstrual Cups | Your Questions Answered | INTIMINATM | Lisa | Fertility Friday FFP 226 | Xenoestrogens in Black Hair Products | Tola Okogwu FFP 217 | All About Menstrual Cups! | Lisa | Fertility Friday FFP 202 | Vaginal Steaming for Period Problems | Steamy Chick | Keli Garza FFP 156 | Menstrual Cups & Your Period | An Interview With The Founder of Lunette | Heli Kurjanen FFP 078 | Lunapads & The Diva Cup | Sustainable, Eco-friendly & Healthy Menstrual Products | Madeleine Shaw & Suzanne Siemens FFP 026 |  Myths and Facts About Sexual Assault | The Impact of Sexual Abuse on Fertility and Infertility Part 1 | Erin Martin FFP 027 | The Impact of Sexual Abuse on Fertility and Infertility | Part 2 | Dr Erica Berman Join the community! Find us in the Fertility Friday Facebook Group. Subscribe to the Fertility Friday Podcast in Apple Podcasts! Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Produced by J-Gantic A Special Thank You to Our Show Sponsors: Fertility Friday | Fertility Awareness Programs This episode is sponsored by my Fertility Awareness Programs! Master Fertility Awareness and take a deep dive into your cycles and how they relate to your overall health! Click here to apply now! The Fertility Awareness Charting Workbook This episode is sponsored by my new book the Fertility Awareness Mastery Charting. Click here to buy now.