logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2
37m 13s

Introducing CRAMPED: "Has Period Educati...

Slate Podcasts
About this episode

Hosted by Kate Helen Downey, CRAMPED is an investigative deep dive, exploring what the research actually says about menstrual pain and reproductive health, and the gap between what science knows and what options are given to patients. New episodes cover everything from pelvic floor PT to period poops, AI diagnoses to the history of women's health care. In this episode, Kate thinks about her own "abysmal menstrual health education" and wonders if it has gotten any better. Are there more resources and support out there for a young cramper? She speaks with Kat Samedova, who recently graduated from Kingston High School and is the former vice president of the Period Power! Club there.


Period pain has been undertreated, understudied, and underfunded for decades. CRAMPED is here to ask why. If you—or your child–have ever been told your excruciating cramps were "normal", this podcast is for you.

Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our FAQ at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via Apple Podcasts get automatic access—no setup required.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Jul 9
Introducing Cared For: "There's no perfect caregiver."
More than one in five Americans are family caregivers. And this work, even under the most supportive conditions, can be really intense. This week, Kelli's offering strategies for family caregiving, in community. Because wherever you're at—in a waiting room, on hold with the insur ... Show More
31m 25s
Jul 9
Encore! A Tooth Fairy Fail
On this episode: Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth joins Zak Rosen and Elizabeth Newcamp to debate wedding ceremony etiquette. A listener’s kid is the flower girl at a friend’s wedding. But now it turns out the flower girl is NOT invited to the wedding reception. Is this fair? Th ... Show More
32m 2s
Jul 2
Encore! Managing Screen Time Without Losing Your Mind
Elizabeth and Zak talk with Ash Brandin, author of Power On, about managing screen time without guilt or panic. They discuss realistic strategies and why screen time doesn’t define parenting quality. Then, a listener’s question about school tech mandates gets some thoughtful answ ... Show More
31m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2022
Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting show - The ‘Mind Your ‘P’s and ‘V’s’ Edition
On this episode: Jamilah, Zak, and Elizabeth tackle body boundaries. Our listener has two little kids who are pretty comfortable doing things like sharing a bath or getting changed in the same vicinity. But something happened the other morning that has her worried. How can she te ... Show More
23m 24s
Aug 2023
Barbietopia
The girlies review the movie that's taken over our zeitgeist and turned everything pink — BARBIE 💕👱🏻‍♀️With help from film critic and Barbie movie expert Zoë Rose Bryant, they explore whether or not a two-hour toy commercial can be feminist, whether or not we need it to be, an ... Show More
1h 15m
Apr 2022
Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting show - The “Changing The Children’s Music Game” Edition
On this episode: Elizabeth, Jamilah, and Zak expose the mini-monsters that parents accidentally create. They have some very fun—very scary—listener submissions. But honestly, who doesn’t need a snack for every car ride?Then Zak interviews comedian, dad, and podcaster Chris Garcia ... Show More
34m 16s
Jul 2023
Can We Blame Barbie For Our Body Image Issues?
We're not sure if you've noticed, but literally everyone is talking about Barbie rn. On this week's episode, Emily and Remy join the convo and get real about how Barbie affected their body image growing up. Listeners weigh in with their Barbie memories, and Emily and Remy discuss ... Show More
55m 15s
Jul 2023
Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting show - The Funny Bits Of Parenthood
On this episode: Jamilah Lemieux and Elizabeth Newcamp are joined by comedian Hari Kondabolu. They talk about Hari’s new standup special, Vacation Baby. They also answer a listener question about vacation. The letter writer’s mother requested a trip with her and her kids. No spou ... Show More
20m 51s
Jul 2023
Mom & Dad: Is My Child a Monster?
On this episode: Zak and Jamilah are joined by Leslie Cohen-Rubury — therapist and host of the podcast Is My Child a Monster? They start by talking about lessons from therapy and how Leslie’s show is helping to make therapy advice and resources more accessible. They also help a l ... Show More
23m 13s
Dec 2012
How Barbie Doll Works
<p>In this episode, Josh and Chuck explore the history, cultural impact and feminist ire raised by the Barbie doll. The boys are joined by Gordon Javna, the founder of the Bathroom Readers' Institute and publisher of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ... Show More
1h 1m
Nov 2023
Baby's First Simulacra
<p>The girlies return to the world of family vloggers to answer the important questions — how did the momfluencer come to be and why are we so obsessed with her? Can children ever meaningfully consent to being shared online? Did Jean Baudrillard predict our real life Truman Show ... Show More
1h 21m