YOUR EYES DO NOT DECEIVE YOU! WE ARE FINALLY BACK WITH A NEW EPISODE! Arriving fashionably late to remote podcasting just eight months after everyone else, here we are. We promise it's been worth the wait for this one. Episode 16 sees Ella joined by the brilliant, hilarious and ACTUAL AWARD WINNING SCIENTIST Dr Bahijja Raimi-Abraham. Bahijja is a pharmacist, Lecturer in Pharmaceutics at King’s College London, Founder and Academic Lead of King’s College London Fight the Fakes. She also hosts the Monday Science podcast, and is an expert in drug delivery and global health. Aka, the perfect person to talk to right now. We discuss first periods (of course), how you even do a PHD, being creative with science, Tim Westwood, giving professional vagina advice and being in James Bond. Yep, Bahijja was in James Bond. We also talk about coronavirus and periods - how it’s affected some people’s cycles, and the research into COVID-19 and wider women's health currently taking place. You can find Bahijja on Twitter @DrBahijjaRaimiA, and her podcast Monday Science on Twitter @MondayScience_ and Instagram @MondayScience. The studies we talk about include: - 'The Impacts of Coronavirus on Women', Fawcett Society, https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/the-impacts-of-coronavirus-on-women - 'Sex differences in COVID-19 immune responses affect patient outcomes', Yale News, https://news.yale.edu/2020/08/26/sex-differences-covid-19-immune-responses-affect-patient-outcomes - 'Estrogen and COVID-19 symptoms: associations in women from the COVID Symptom Study', medRxiv, https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.30.20164921v3 First Blood is a podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. Thanks to Charlie Woods for the music.

First Blood: a podcast about periods

Episode 16: Dr Bahijja Raimi-Abraham, COVID-19 (ish) special

OH HELLO! WE’RE BACK! It’s been a while, but brand new First Blood is finally here! Sorry for the delay. We all know stress can delay your periods. Also, it turns out, your period podcast. Whoops. BUT, what a corker to return with! We are joined by star of Mock the Week, Radio 4 and Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer nominee Olga Koch! She’s a Russian comedian via the UK and USA, a writer, a computer expert and one of our absolute favourite people. We chat about PCOS and Henry VIII, the nuva ring aka the fairground ride of contraceptives, a rude mug, faking periods, and butter. Why not. You can catch Olga on tour with her show IF/THEN across the country in Spring 2020, follow @rockandrolga to find out more. First Blood is a podcast about periods, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. Thanks to Charles Woods for the music.

Episode 15: Olga Koch, Mock The Week and Radio 4

It's August! It's raining! And I'm back at the world's biggest arts festival for another year - so it's time for an Edinburgh Fringe special! This episode I'm joined by three founding members of comedy collective The LOL Word - a group of queer women and non-binary comedians who are absolutely dominating the Edinburgh Fringe and beyond. We talk getting your first period during a school prank, the waves of anxiety that can come with menstruation, and a lot about period sex. A LOT. You'll be able to tell from the first second that I forgot to bring my audio equipment to Edinburgh. I'm so, so sorry, and I've done everything I can to make it a passable listen. The content is worth it, I absolutely promise. And I'm indebted to the wonderful Matt Hutchinson who made anything vaguely possible. First Blood is a podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. Follow @LOLwordcomedy, @_ChloeGreen_, @ChloePetts and @JodieMitchell_ to find out where to catch The LOL Word near you. And, if you're around, Chloe Green and I would love to see you at our show 'VENN' - 11pm at the Gilded Balloon until 13th August.

Episode 14: The LOL Word, Edinburgh Fringe special with Chloe Green, Chloe Petts and Jodie Mitchell

Summer is here! And in a First Blood first, it's an al fresco podcast! I'm joined by doula, womb workshop runner and all around wonderful gal Zachi Brewster. We talk about wombs – obviously, have some big realisations about how long we’ve been bleeding for, the pros and cons of a cup you can have sex in, chat about period pants, big clots, and - and as a trigger warning – we talk quite graphically about miscarriages, a bit about abortion, pregnancy and a lot about blood, even for this podcast. It's a brilliant listen, but might not be for everyone. Hopefully though, you'll give it a go. I learned a lot, and had a wonderful time. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. Visit Zachi's website www.zachibrewster.me, and find her on Instagram @zaz.brw.

Episode 13: Zachi Brewster, The Travelling Doula

Happy Menstrual Health Day! What better way to celebrate than hearing from two pals who made their anger at the period industry into a bloody brilliant business?! This episode I'm joined by Nikki and Leah from OHNE, who create and deliver 100% organic, biodegradable tampons and more. Lovely stuff. We talk trolls (the toy not the internet kind), working with your best friend, why it's okay to stick to your guns with what works best for you, and I eat a lot of jaffa cakes. Delicious. And sorry it's been a bit irregular. Stress does that to me. Hopefully we'll be back to our usual monthly cycle soon. To get a free trial of OHNE products, head to ohne.co and enter code "firstblood" at the checkout. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter.

Episode 12: Nikki and Leah, OHNE

Spring is in the air, blossom is in the trees, and I've got a cold. Classic. Nevertheless, this one is a joy. I'm joined by the brilliant Charlie Dinkin - director of the Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated show 'Fight', short film 'Coalition Fangirls', and comedy writer for shows including BBC Radio 4's The Now Show. She's also the owner of previous guest dog Louis, who joined us for a second time. Though you wouldn't know it. We talk big pants, bloating, practising having a shave, and - very importantly - PMDD. I learned a lot. Always do. What a gal. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. You can follow Charlie on Twitter @CharlieDinkin. Find out more about PMDD at https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-pmdd/

Episode 11: Charlie Dinkin, 'Fight' and BBC Radio 4

We're back! It's the first show of 2019! And we're in double figures! Result! After spending the first two months of the year having wisdom teeth out (mmm) we're returning with absolute dream guest Dr Radha! When she's not dishing out expert advice on BBC Radio 1's Life Hacks and CBeebies' Feeling Better (to name just two of her many credits), she's an actual working doctor. Incredible. We chatted about accidentally interrupting other people's first periods, any unusual things to look out for, how much GPs talk about periods (spoiler alert - a LOT!), why cycle tracking is great but not always reliable for some things (wink wink), and how to think about your periods in a more positive way. What a babe. My friend's dog Louie also joined us. You will 100% be able to tell. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. You can follow @Dr_Radha on Instagram, and visit her website www.DrRadha.co.uk.

Episode 10: Dr Radha, BBC Radio 1 & CBeebies

Ho ho ho! It's the most wonderful time of the year! Not just because Christmas is around the corner, but because we've got another bloody brilliant episode for you! To see off 2018 with a bang I'm joined by the absolutely incredible Kenny Jones - trans male activist, model, and all around excellent human. Kenny's been in Vogue, on Channel 4, starred in national modelling campaigns...and now, my office on a Friday night with a glass of orange squash. I know how to treat my guests well. We chat everything from first periods (obviously), menstruation now, what brands can do to be more inclusive, bubbly Santas, and Christmas presents. It's a stocking full of fun. Enjoy! First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter.

Episode 9: Kenny Jones, Christmas(ish) special!

Hello again! A slightly more serious toned episode this time around, and I promise just as interesting. I’m joined for Episode 8 by the brilliant Manjit Gill, CEO and Founder of Binti Period – an organisation working to ensure that everyone has menstrual dignity. Period. I can get on board with that. We discuss how she started the organisation, the trickiest places she’s had to talk about periods, getting her mum on board, and why it’s worth fighting the good fight. Naturally. I got a bit overwhelmed and keep saying “wow”. Sorry about that. We do have a giggle too. Don’t you worry. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. Find out more about Binti Period at https://binti.co.uk/

Episode 8: Manjit K. Gill, CEO and Founder of Binti Period

We're back! And I promise it's been worth the wait! I'm joined for episode 7 by the bloody brilliant Natalie Byrne - Latina London based illustrator and author of brand new book 'Period'! Surrounded by a first-day-of-period-shop of buttons, brownies and banana bread, we discussed accidentally sticking your head above the sand, Medieval menstrual facts, a frankly awful first period, and coronas. Not the beer. You'll see. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. Follow Natalie Byrne on Instagram at @nataliebyrne, and visit nat-b.com. To pre-order 'Period', visit https://www.breakthehabitpress.com/books/. To order a ticket to the 'Period' book launch on Thurs 1st November, visithttps://www.waterstones.com/events/launch-of-period-with-natalie-byrne-tcr/london-tottenham-court-road.

Episode 7: Natalie Byrne, Period

Hoots mon! It's the Edinburgh Fringe! I took the chance to catch up with the wonderful Fran Bushe and her excellent sound designer Annie May Fletcher about all things periods and puberty while we're here performing our little hearts out - Fran and Annie with the incredible 'Ad Libido' (The Guardian: Best of Edinburgh Fringe 2018), and me with the litle engine that could, 'Ella Woods: Wing Defence' (British Comedy Guide: Recommended Show 2018). We cover Revels, smear tests, covert shopping, and come up with at least one money making scheme. Let us know if you want in. DISCLAIMER: I left some equipment at home, and thus there are a few little sound nightmares in this one. I'm so sorry! The bulk, I promise, is horrible noise free. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. Ad Libido is at Pleasance Courtyard, 15:30 until 26th August. Ella Woods: Wing Defence is at Just The Tonic: The Caves, 14:10 until 26th August. Please come.

Episode 6: Edinburgh Special! With Fran Bushe and Annie May Fletcher, Ad Libido

What a time to be alive! It's sunny! The World Cup is on! And it might, MIGHT be coming home! It's all too much. To channel some of my football fever into something useful/stop me spending all my time searching 'Jordan Pickford', here's a brand new INTERNATIONAL special episode, featuring my brilliant pal Frederica Lewis Richardson of Italia (no one mention they didn't qualify...it's fine?)! Fred is an award winning coffee expert and all around food queen, and also master of some pretty horrendous periods. We chat non-medical survival tips, Italian education, and her grandmother's two fingers up to the tampon tax. Bueno. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. To find out more about Bloody Good Period, visit bloodygoodperiod.com

Episode 5: World Cup aka International special with Frederica Lewis Richardson

After a quick diversion talking all things periods with the lovely gang over at Radio 1's Life Hacks, we're back with episode 4! I'm joined by human ray of sunshine and podcaster extraordinaire Sophie Moran, one half of dream duo #PodcastGoals (as featured in The Guardian and Stylist, proper!). Expect a lot of pad chat, a trip down first bra memory (mammary?) lane, and a complicated analogy about Luther. Stick with me. I think it works. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. To find out more about Bloody Good Period, visit bloodygoodperiod.com

Episode 4: Sophie Moran, #PodcastGoals

Oh my word. It actually happened. This episode I'm joined by dream guest and all around mega babe Gabby Edlin, founder of Bloody Good Period! We chatted (for longer than usual) about double whammy puberty, period provision in the aid sector, neither of us putting condoms on cucumbers, and discharge. A whole lot about discharge. Lovely stuff. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter. To find out more about Bloody Good Period, visit bloodygoodperiod.com

Episode 3: Gabby Edlin, Bloody Good Period

After a bit of a delay, episode 2 is here! And it's a corker! I'm joined by two brilliant comedy gals - the amazing Amanda Litherland (also host of Radio 4 Extra's The Podcast Hour...no pressure), and incredible Madi Maxwell-Libby (also poet extraordinaire and winner of the Roundhouse Poetry Slam) for a pre-Christmas catch up about Mooncups, consent, toxic shock syndrome (we keep it light), and creativity. And weird things we heard at school. Of course. Lovely stuff. First Blood is a comedy podcast about periods and puberty, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter.

Episode 2: Amanda Litherland and Madi Maxwell-Libby

First Blood is a podcast about periods, hosted by Ella Woods. Get in touch at FirstBloodPodcastUK@gmail.com, and follow us on @FirstBloodPodcastUK on Instagram, @FirstBloodPodUK on Twitter.

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First Blood: a podcast about periods

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