Kate Downey explains how living with menstrual “death cramps” for decades led her to pick up a mic and record her journey to a successful diagnosis, in the investigative podcast CRAMPED. As well as some of the new science she’s learned about the female reproductive systems, our problematic medical system, and sexist crash test dummies and countertops.

Purity culture teaches the same messaging most girls and women get – to disregard your own body and intuition while being a sexual gatekeeper for boys and men – but to the godzillionth degree. This week’s guest shares what it means to spends years shedding purity myths and shame, to rediscover her body, spirit, joy – and great sex too!