Issue #54: unexpected.
when postpartum meets perimenopause, period poverty awareness week, talking to kids about sex, qigong, and a recap of the dance party!
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“That’s the thing. Life takes you in unexpected directions. There’s good, and there’s bad to that. Sometimes on a detour, you find what you need in the least likely of places. And then you wonder if that was the direction you were always meant to go.”
~ Penelope Ward
We’re still buzzing from the UNEXPECTED magic of last week’s dance party — an evening that started as a spark of an idea and grew into something far more powerful than we imagined. We were excited to create the space, but we couldn’t have anticipated the beauty, energy, and heart that filled the room. It reminded us that when people feel safe to show up fully—to move, to rest, to be—something transformational happens.
The theme of the unexpected keeps popping up lately — in those in-between moments where life doesn’t follow a straight line. Like when postpartum blends into perimenopause and you realize your body is navigating two major transitions at once. Or when you start a simple conversation with your kid about sex, and suddenly you’re unpacking things you hadn’t thought about in years.
And then there are the unexpected truths we stumble into — like just how real period poverty is. Most of us grow up assuming pads and tampons will always be there when we need them. But for so many people, that’s not the case. Not having access to period products can mean missing school, skipping work, or having to make impossible choices. It’s one of those things you don’t always see — until you do — and then you can’t stop thinking about it. That’s why Period Poverty Awareness Week is so important — it calls attention to this often invisible issue and invites all of us to be part of the solution.
The truth is, life has a way of surprising us — with challenges we never saw coming, and with moments of joy and connection we didn’t know we needed. This month, we’re holding space for both.
ICYMI…(don’t worry, we are planning the next;)
What a night! Our first-ever dance party was a beautiful blur of music, movement, and community. What made it truly special wasn’t just the dancing (though that was amazing), but the way so many of you showed up ready to connect, release, and just be. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it happen: Denizen MKE for hosting us in their stunning space, DJ DRIPsweat for keeping the energy high all night long, Tots on the Street for feeding us well, and Jobea Bakes and BethanyMayhem for the sweet treats that kept us going. We had so many of you ask us for more— so stay tuned as we’re already dreaming up the next dance party!
NEXT WEEK on…
In next week’s episode we talk with Alie Kriofske Mainella, a counselor of sexual health education and psychology who conducts education sessions for schools, and a circle of moms we love (Element, Krista, and Meagan) about how we’re talking to our kids about their bodies and sexual health. This is a sensitive topic that we explore with curiosity and respect for one another. Alie gives us insight into how she talks with kids about their bodies, safety, and respect. We discuss tips for talking to kids at different ages, why using correct terminology for body parts matters, common parental fears, and how to prepare and feel less awkward when talking to our kids about sexual health. This conversation is for adults only.
We are GRATEFUL to share support this season with
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GET TO KNOW ALIE! This week’s Five Senses Friday is from next week’s podcast guest—Alie is a certified rehabilitation counselor, a PhD prepared Counselor Educator and a community sexual health educator. She is also a mom of two young adults and an advocate for accessible and positive sexual health education. She recently published a book called the Sex and Sexuality Handbook for the Helping Professional.
TASTE: Sweet Potato and Broccoli Donburi with with Fried Egg, Scallion Rice & Sriracha Mayo. My sister uses one of those meal delivery services but I prefer to make my own recipes. She's always generously sharing them with me either to take home and make or eat with her and there was one recipe in particular that was my favorite and now its become a dinner go-to for me!
BONUS TASTE: Stone Creek Coffee. There is nothing I look forward to more than waking up in the morning and having my first cup of coffee; Stone Creek is my favorite coffee in all of Milwaukee and has a goal of care, commitment and learning, among other wonderful things.
SEE: 7 Bridges Trail. You can see Lake Michigan in a lot of different points in Milwaukee, which is one of the best things about the city. One of my favorite places to gaze at our gigantic lake is at 7 Bridges trail in Milwaukee County's Grant Park. The walk is lovely, with lots of trees and wildlife and the view of the lake is gorgeous. (Here is another article with more history too).
HEAR: The Three of Us by Ben Harper . This song is my go-to for brief minutes of deep thought and contemplation. It is instrumental only and for me, the perfect amount of time for a meditative moment.
SMELL: Nourish Natural Products. I get a headache from perfumes, but essential oils make me so happy. Whether I'm rubbing a roller balm on my wrist or spraying the room before bed or even filling my diffuser in my office, Nourish has my favorite in essential oils and is family and locally owned.
TOUCH: 8 pieces of Brocade BaDuanJin Qigong. I do this brief 10 minute exercise of Qigong every single morning to center myself and ground myself in the day. The video is short, lovely to look at and feels good in my body.
WHAT IS QIGONG? Qigong is a mind-body practice rooted in Chinese medicine that combines gentle movement, breath regulation, and focused intention to cultivate and balance the body’s vital energy, or qi. In traditional Chinese medicine, qigong is used to promote health, prevent illness, and support the smooth flow of qi through the meridians, enhancing overall well-being. Read more about the history and possible benefits here.
What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!
this SUNDAY… MKE’s 4th Annual Period Party!
LET IT FLOW SOME MO (MORE)!! 🎉
Did you know that 1 in 3 low income people have reported missing work, school, or a similar event due to lack of access to period supplies?
This Sunday, May 18 our friends from Milwaukee Period Parties are throwing their annual Period Party! They are raising funds + pads for Milwaukee Diaper Mission, celebrating menstruation, and breaking stigmas—together.
Come pack kits, drink coffee, enter raffles, eat tacos + support small businesses all while showing up for menstruators in MKE.
and a few other MKE events to check out…
Saturday, May 24th from 1:00-2:30pm at The Moving Galaxy | 2408 N Farwell Ave
Looking for another way to support Milwaukee Diaper Mission? Check out this yoga workshop designed to support your menstrual cycle through mindful movement, breathwork, and self-care practices while collecting donations of period products for MDM’s Period Program. This class is open to all levels and is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of menstrual health through yoga. Whether you experience cramps, fatigue, irregular cycles, or simply want to move in a way that honors your body, this workshop will provide tools for a more harmonious flow.
And we leave you WITH…
when POSTPARTUM meets PERIMENOPAUSE
A recent article from The Cut highlights an increasingly common yet under-discussed reality: the confusing and often overwhelming overlap of postpartum recovery and perimenopause. Many of the symptoms of postpartum—such as mood swings, anxiety, sleep disruptions, and brain fog—mirror those of perimenopause, making it difficult to distinguish between the two, especially for those who’ve had children in their late 30s to mid-40s. As Dr. Lucky Sekhon explains in the piece, it’s not uncommon for women to be navigating both experiences at once. This can lead to a profound sense of disorientation, where you’re unsure if you’re still recovering from having a baby, entering a new hormonal phase, or both. The validation that these transitions often overlap—and that confusion is normal—is a powerful reminder that we need better language and support systems for this liminal phase of womanhood.
This conversation is one we've had again and again—within our community, on our podcast, and among friends—because so many of us have lived it. We've heard countless stories from women who feel like they're unraveling years after giving birth, only to be told it's "just" motherhood or "just" hormones. The reality is that the height of postpartum depletion can hit years after the six-week checkup, especially when your childbearing years coincide with the onset of perimenopause. You start to wonder: Is this still postpartum? Is this something new? Is this just who I am now?
Have a great weekend!
