Vulva Speaks Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sarah Tacoma & Nikki Zavitz
Voices from the vulva regarding menstrual cycle awareness, herbal medicine stories and all things female centred.
In this episode we dive into some strategies for managing and supporting symptoms of PERIMENOPAUSE.
Nikki & Sarah touch on how this phase of life impacts the 4 Bodies including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, and how we can support each area as it comes up.
From body literacy to sleep, from vices to intuition, it's covered.
Listed to this one with a pen and paper handy as your self care toolboxes will get some gold today and you will have more supports available as you navigate this time.
Download a copy of Nikki's PERIMENOPAUSE TOOL KIT* here.
BOOKS
New Menopausal Years by Susun Weed
The Menopause Manifesto by Dr Jen Gunter
What Fresh Hell is This by Heather Corinna
The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver
The Menopause Brain by Lisa Mosconi
Nikki Zavitz is a FAMM Certified Practitioner, Menstrual Cycle and Fertility Awareness Educator and Body Literacy Advocate. She is a wife and mother to three daughters, working and living in Nottawa, Ontario.
Check out more of Nikki's work with Pretty River Red Tent including cycle awareness workshops, Moon Mother Mood Daughter events, Fertility Awareness Consultations and more at www.prettyriverredtent.com
Sarah Tacoma is a Registered NLP Practitioner, Herbalist and German New Medicine advocate. She is a wife and mother to three children, living, gardening and working Kimberley, Ontario.
Check out Sarah's hand-crafted, small batch Bloem Botanicals products including fresh plant tinctures, infused botanical serums and salve salves, workshops and 1:1 Consultations at www.bloembotanicals.ca
Thank you! Enjoy the show.
Perimenopause aka “The Sweaty Elephant in the Room”: PART 1
In this episode Nikki and Sarah dive into the hot topic of Perimenopause through an emotional and physiological lens. We discuss the importance of this Inner Autumn phase of life, how important our grandmothers and mothers experiences are and we share our own experience. We discuss the importance of Menstrual Cycle Awareness and Cycle Tracking as an ally for Perimenopause, and chat about common symptoms. We highlight the importance of informed consent and body literacy for women in their 40’s and beyond, and the connection between puberty and Perimenopause. We also explore the risk of womens Perimenopause struggles becoming co-opted by media and corporations, and the importance of knowing where your information is coming from.
Additional Resources to check out:
Waitlist for Perimenopause Red Tent (Full Day Workshop)
Link to 1:1 Cycle Clarity Program with Nikki Zavitz
Sarah's Self Suficiency Bundle (March 15-24, 2024)
Books mentioned in this podcast:
Flash Count Diary, Darcey Steinke
Wise Power, Alexandra Pope, Sjanie Hugo-Wurlitzer
Unlock your Menopause Type, Dr. Heather Hirsch
Check out more of Nikki's work with Pretty River Red Tent and Fertility Awareness Consultations at www.prettyriverredtent.com
and Sarah's Bloem Botanicals products and Metaphysical Herbalism Consultations at www.bloembotanicals.ca
Thank you! Enjoy the show.
Today on the podcast, we are having a sit down tea with our friend Amie Young. She is a reiki master/teacher, reflexologist, yoga instructor, holistic nutritionist, and peri-steam hydrotherapy facilitator. She is also an incredible leader in our community, also offering the Reiki Collective gatherings open to all to attend. Amie shares with us her experience with holding space for individuals to connect to the wisdom of their mind, body, and spirit through the many modalities that have found her. We dig into what specifically Reiki and Reflexology are and her powerful experience in receiving it, offering it, and how it weaves into the important theme of feeling safe in our bodies. If you want to learn more about Amie and her offerings, head to her website, and be sure to check out her 12 Morning Massages Guide.
Links:
https://www.amieyoung.ca
https://www.bythemoon.ca/home
Check out more of Nikki's work with Pretty River Red Tent and Fertility Awareness Consultations at www.prettyriverredtent.com
and Sarah's Bloem Botanicals products and Metaphysical Herbalism Consultations at www.bloembotanicals.ca
Thank you! Enjoy the show.
In this juicy episode, Sarah and Nikki have a recorded tea party with Marlene Pinkerton, who is a Woman, Momma, wife, herbalist, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Practitioner, and Doula, who is hilarious, passionate, wise, and an old soul at heart. We talk about her experience leaving home at a young age, her connection to nature, her intuition, and her Menstruality journey. We also chat about her experience as a Mother of a cycling Teen, and their experience in the Moon Mother, Moon Daughter BLOODS Program with Nikki in the Pretty River Red Tent.
You can find Marlene's website here.
Check out more of Nikki's work with Pretty River Red Tent and Fertility Awareness Consultations at www.prettyriverredtent.com
and Sarah's Bloem Botanicals products and Metaphysical Herbalism Consultations at www.bloembotanicals.ca
Thank you! Enjoy the show.
In this episode we have a special guest, a friend, and a wise soul, Juliette Annesley, who shares about her soul work, being a channel for our Akashic Records, and working with people to uncover the essence of their souls to come home to themselves. She offers readings and coaching, and you can learn more about her work on her website: https://www.julietteannesley.com
Her new program with Erica ~ Rewilding in Song
Juliette's Massage ~ Thai Yoga Massage
Soul-lead Life Coaching
Some of Juliette’s Training
https://heartspeak.com
https://www.transformationalarts.ca
https://www.unityliving.life
https://home.thejourney.com
https://ifs-institute.com
https://academyforsoulbasedcoaching.com
Check out more of Nikki's work with Pretty River Red Tent and Fertility Awareness Consultations at www.prettyriverredtent.com
and Sarah's Bloem Botanicals products and Metaphysical Herbalism Consultations at www.bloembotanicals.ca
Thank you! Enjoy the show.
In this episode, we dive into Sarah’s recent clinical focus on what she has coined as Metaphysical Herbalism. She breaks down what Metaphysical Herbalism is, how she works closely with clients to dig into the layers of their health, and the role of Flower Essences through her 3 part support process.
~ What is Metaphysical Herbalism - BLOG POST
~ Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Tara Kanerva - Offering NLP and certification training.
~ German New Medicine - https://learninggnm.com/i_i.html
~ Gabor Mate - https://drgabormate.com
~ Louise Hay and her book Heal the Body - https://www.louisehay.com
~ Book a session or program with Sarah on her Clinic Page or scroll to the bottom to book a free discovery call.
Use code BLOEMING20 for 20% of all sessions
If you can't afford a session, reach out for other options.
Check out more of Nikki's work with Pretty River Red Tent and Fertility Awareness Consultations at www.prettyriverredtent.com
and Sarah's Bloem Botanicals products and Metaphysical Herbalism Consultations at www.bloembotanicals.ca
Thank you! Enjoy the show.
In this episode Nikki and Sarah discuss Fertility Awareness, how Nikki came to committing to 2 Fertility Awareness intensive certifications in one year, why Fertility Awareness is important, and how one could get started in learning Fertility Awareness.
*Disclaimer: We are not doctors and this episode is meant for education and entertainment purposes, and not to be used as medical advice.
Things mentioned in this episode:
Menstrual Cycle Awareness Menstruality Training https://www.redschool.net
Fertility Education and Medical Management - https://femmhealth.org
Fertility Awareness Method - https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/fertility-awareness-based-methods-of-family-planning#
Fertility Awareness Mastery Mentorship - https://fertilityfriday.com
Read your body App - https://readyourbody.com
Nikki’s website - www.prettyriverredtent.com
Waitlist for 1:1 Slot with Nikki for Fertility Awareness Education - coming soon
Introduction to Pretty River Red Tent Fertility Awareness Video Series - coming soon
Check out more of Nikki's work with Pretty River Red Tent and Fertility Awareness Consultations at www.prettyriverredtent.com
and Sarah's Bloem Botanicals products and Metaphysical Herbalism Consultations at www.bloembotanicals.ca
Thank you! Enjoy the show.
EPISODE # 5 BUSINESS OF BIRTH CONTROL
In this episode we talk about the documentary Business of Birth Control by Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake, and our experience of screening it in January 2023. We share why bringing this documentary to our community is important to us, and that we will be screening it again to celebrate International Women’s week.
Business of Birth Control Movie Screening March 10th, Simcoe Street Theatre, https://www.prettyriverredtent.com/product-page/business-of-birth-control-movie-screening
Movie Synaposis: Sixty years after the pill revolutionized women's emancipation, The Business of Birth Control examines the complex relationship between hormonal birth control and women’s health and liberation.
The documentary traces the feminist movement to investigate and expose the pill's risks alongside the racist legacy of hormonal contraception and its ongoing weaponization against communities of color.
Weaving together the stories of bereaved parents, body literacy activists and femtech innovators, the film reveals a new generation seeking holistic and ecological alternatives to the pill
Business of Birth Control Website - https://www.thebusinessof.life
Business of Birth Control trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEYsbZqnEl8
Effectiveness of Fertility Awarerness Based Methods - https://www.factsaboutfertility.org/effectiveness-of-fertility-awareness-based-methods-what-are-the-facts/
Check out more of Nikki's work with Pretty River Red Tent and Fertility Awareness Consultations at www.prettyriverredtent.com
and Sarah's Bloem Botanicals products and Metaphysical Herbalism Consultations at www.bloembotanicals.ca
Thank you! Enjoy the show.
Sarah and Nikki interview their good friend, Jessica White, who is a certified sleep consultant.
* Despite our amateur audio (it's gets better with every episode, especially #5), it's still worth the listen.*SHOW NOTES
coming soon
We explore themes of herbalism through Sarah's passionate journey of coming into relationship with plant allies and her role as Mother, Entrepreneur, and Herbalist.
SHOW NOTES:
~ Bloem Botanicals Website - https://www.bloembotanicals.ca
~ Pretty River Red Tent Website - https://www.prettyriverredtent.com
Books referenced:
~ The Weaving by Abrah Arneson - https://www.abraherbs.com/books/
~ Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer https://milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrass
~ If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie - https://sharonblackie.net/if-women-rose-rooted/
Educational Outlets mentioned:~ Rosemary Gladstar - https://scienceandartofherbalism.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwrfCRBhAXEiwAnkmKmSdSN5xRB66q0k1ONsU56Ofjhgol5dbpbaxFpodxLUgDama9tYtQaBoCbCcQAvD_BwE
~ Wild Rose Herbal College - https://wildrosecollege.com
~ Herbal Academy - https://theherbalacademy.com
~ Living Center - https://www.thelivingcentre.com
~ Matthew Wood - https://www.matthewwoodinstituteofherbalism.com
~ Susan Weed - http://www.susunweed.com
Other Resources mentioned:~ Body Oiling Blog - https://www.bloembotanicals.ca/blogs/news/body-oiling?_pos=1&_sid=518a1713f&_ss=r~ Nourishing Herbal Infusion - http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm
~ Comfrey Poultice Video with sweet elderly man - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCmlvkRGyMo
We dive deep on the menstrual cycle, the history of the red tent and much more with Nikki Zavitz, our resident cycle awareness facilitator.
Topics Covered:
- Nikki’s Menstruality Journey from disconnection, having no awareness of cycling and being on the pill to discovering Menstrual Cycle Awareness (MCA) and falling in love with her cycle.
- She walks us through the basics of Menstrual Cycle Awareness and the 4 inner seasons of the Menstrual Cycle. We talk about PMDD, the stigma and shame of PMS, the importance of anger, and how powerful cyclical living can be.
- We discuss, raising families with this new language, sharing it with our partners, syncing our cycle with life responsibilities, business and our calendars. We highlight the need for compassion and acceptance in this journey and how much wisdom lies in our PMS.
- We discuss the importance of our experience of Menarch (our first bleed) and how we can support our daughters for theirs and spread seeds for the next generations with this ancient language.
- There are some unbleeped swear words
LINKS
Red Tent Book - Nikki's first introduction to the Red Tent
Books to start with around MCA -
Wild Power, by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer,
Claire Bakers Book :50 things you need to know about your Period,
Her Blood is Gold, by Lara Owen
Contraceptive choices - Is the Pill Right for You
Womens Moods - by Deborah Sichel, and Jeanne Watson Driscoll
Women's Moods, Women's Minds: What Every Woman Must Know About Hormones, the Brain, and Emotional Health: Sichel, Deborah, Driscoll, Jeanne W: 9780380728527: Books - Amazon.ca
Red School Website - https://www.redschool.net
Menstruality - https://www.yunaia.com/menstruality.html
Susan Weed - book - https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/new-menopausal-years-the-wise-woman-way-alternative-approaches-for-women-30-90-wise-woman-herbal-series-book-5-wise-woman-ways_susun-s-weed/249993/item/4128349/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImNjy9fif9AIV7nxvBB0OdAE3EAQYByABEgIxJfD_BwE#idiq=4128349&edition=2988276
Nikki's Cycle altar cards -
https://www.prettyriverredtent.com/product-page/cycle-altar-cards
My website - https://www.prettyriverredtent.com
Moon Mother Moon Daughter, (Pre-Bloods) -
Welcome to Vulva Speaks, a podcast hosted by Sarah Tacoma from @bloembotanicals and Nikki Zavitz from @prettyriverredtent.
In this introduction episode, Sarah and Nikki introduce themselves, and reminisce about where they met and how their fast friendship began. They discuss their roots, their passions, their businesses and their families.
Sarah dives into her life on her homestead in Kimberly Ontario, homeschooling her kiddos, transitioning from one business (Sarah Tacoma Photography) to another and being a herbalist and her ventures in business with Bloem Botanicals.
Nikki dives into her life on the Pretty River homestead just outside of Collingwood, unschooling her kiddos, being a hobby collector and her new passion project turned business, Pretty River Red Tent.
They also introduce some segments they will be including in their future episodes, like Cycle Check-Ins, What is exciting them in their lives at the moment, and a Cycle Power Card Pull to close off the show.
Nikki and Sarah are lovers of deep, real unpolished conversations and bond over many nuggets of life. This short and sweet episode will give you a little taste of what's to come through with their authenticity, love of learning and genuine connection.
You can find us on instagram under our business accounts as well as @vulvaspeaks
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or would like to be a guest on our show, please send us an email at : vulvaspeakspodcast@gmail.com
Things mentioned in this episode:
- Sarah’s business Bloem Botanicals: https://www.bloembotanicals.ca
- Sarah’s Product collection: www.bloembotanicals.ca
- Nikki’s Business Pretty River Red Tent: https://www.prettyriverredtent.com
- Cycle Altar Cards used at the end of the episode can be purchased at: https://www.prettyriverredtent.com/product-page/cycle-altar-cards