[Image: Menstrual Designer Jen Lewis and Photographer Rob Lewis]

This week’s show is about periods - the monthly mess we both celebrate and shy away from. There is recurring taboo around monthly cycles in pop culture, but at the same time, a neverending supply of goofy jokes have worn thin. But new levels of comfort talking about periods is shifting from the comedy circuit to both the union floor and the boardrooms - menstruation leave is back on the agenda for trade unions and some multinationals.

Dr Lauren Rosewarne has spent a long time thinking about thinking and writing about all these topics, and joins us for a chat. She is the author of 'Periods in Pop Culture: Menstruation in Film and Television.' More of Lauren’s work can be found on www.laurenrosewarne.com

Be warned -this show is not for the squeamish.

Music: ‘Let it Flow’ by Kristine Gerolaga

Audio from ‘Menstruation Education 1958,’ ‘The IT Crowd’ and ‘Roseanne’