Cynthia and Josie's Unmentionables

If you’ve noticed more urine leaks and accidents since you hit (peri)menopause, you are definitely not alone.Declining levels of hormones, especially estrogen, can affect your continence. The impact can range from an inconvenience to a devastating effect on quality of life. But it doesn’t have to! In honour of World Menopause Month we are answering all your questions all about incontinence during menopause with Dr Sheila Wijayasinghe.    Please Note:- All opinions and recommendations are Dr. Sheila’s- TENA is not offering medical advice- The content we shared is for informational purposes only, you must always consult your physician for recommendations and treatments adapted to your specific needs To learn more, visit www.tena.ca

Well we made it!! Thanks for sticking with us and sharing all of your wonderful thoughts during this season. We need a bit of a break but we hope you will enjoy this last episode of the season where we answer all of YOUR burning questions.  Topics range from parenting challenges to relationship challenges to everything in between. **IMPORTANT NOTE: If you heard the episode "If It Can Happen To Her, If Can Happen To You" then you know Shannon's story.   We recently learned that Shannon's son had a severe bike accident. It has been a complete emotional collapse for her family and a catastrophic life change for her son.   Please open the link below and support or share if you can. https://gofund.me/9a075c59.   Our hearts are with her and her family.   xoxo This is the last episode of Season 2.  We will be back.  Thank you for listening and being part of our lives every single week.   We are taking a much needed break but we can't wait to talk again soon. In the meantime stay tuned to our social media pages. With Love, Cynthia and Josie  P.S. A tiny treat for people in Toronto or in the surrounding areas: Cynthia's favourite place, Othership is offering our community, 11% off the 2 week intro offer as well as the 3 pack, single drop-in as well as class packs.  It can be used one time per person and is for the Toronto locations only. Cynthia highly recommends the 2 week all you can use offer (CODE IS: PLEASURE:)

Do you fear sneezing and having a little pee come out? Have you found yourself worried if you laugh too hard at a movie that you might leave a wet spot behind? Incontinence is a very common experience that is unfortunately still a HUGE unmentionable.  🎙On this week’s episode, we talk with urogynecologist Dr. Dana Soroka about the different kinds of incontinence and what can be done to help those experience it, live life without compromise. We also answer YOUR questions about it.  This episode is in partnership with @tena.canada, a global leader in incontinence solutions. Please Note:- All opinions and recommendations are Dr. Soroka’s- TENA is not offering medical advice.- The content we shared is for informational purposes only, you always must consult your physician for recommendations and treatments adapted to your specific needs. To learn more, visit www.tena.ca  #Incontinence #Unmentionables #CynthiaAndJosie’sUnmentionables #Podcasts #Partner #TENACanada #Urology #BladderLeakage

Are you feeling extra crusty/crispy lately? Ruminating over things when you should be sleeping?  On the brink of tears at any given moment? Josie recently has been feeling this way and she thinks it’s something called “busy depression”. Cynthia thinks it’s closer to burnout. So if you’re wondering if what you’re feeling is hormones, stress, “busy depression”, burnout or some combination- this is the mini group therapy session for you. Cynthia also goes through her 3-step beginning of burnout formula that might help if you ever find yourself on fire.    NOTES: In case you missed them, here are the links to our previous episodes on burnout: (add links here)   Also, if you’re in the Toronto area and want to check out one of Cynthia’s favourite places for calm, you can get 11% off credit packages at Othership. Code: PLEASURE. (This can only be used on credit packages & one time per person.) https://www.othership.us

How can you get over heartbreak? Should you have breakup sex? Can you truly be friends with an ex? You asked and we answered (Josie even cracks open her high school diary). It’s an entire episode on everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask when it comes to former lovers and flames.

What if your deepest secret was an addiction?To the outside world, Shannon McKinnon seemed like the epitome of success: a loving husband, a thriving career in television, and two beautiful children. But behind closed doors, she was waging a silent war with heroin addiction. In this episode, Shannon shares her journey from battling chronic pain to slipping into addiction, losing her home, job, and marriage, and nearly her life. Listen as she reveals how she found the strength to rebuild and emerge more grateful than ever.

So last episode on home vs hospital births inspired a lot of heated conversations! Many of you expressed how surprising it was to hear close friends completely disagree with each other. With that in mind, we decided to try to unpack some of the reasons why it often feels like everyone is fighting these days (even with those who share the same views!). We also discuss how fear and trauma impacts our ability to listen deeply and why we should all start assuming the best instead of the worst of each other.    More information about Daryl Davis: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/accidental-courtesy/   NYT ARTICLE: What if Instead of Calling People Out, We Called Them In? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/style/loretta-ross-smith-college-cancel-culture.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

We generally get along about most things. But once we had a discussion and realized that there is a topic we totally disagree on: where to give birth. We unpack our radically different birth stories and debate the pros and cons of home vs hospital births on this heated episode (proving you can still be friends with people you don’t always agree with!)   For more information on Hypnobirthing if you’re interested: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/hypnobirthing#methods   For more information about Elaine Welteroth and her charity, follow @birthfund   Here’s also an article written by her on Black maternal health: https://time.com/6249274/elaine-welteroth-midwifery-care-maternal-health/   And if you’re interested, check out episode 5 of For The Culture, called “The Standard Of Care”:  https://gem.cbc.ca/for-the-culture-with-amanda-parris Lancet Article : Home birth—proceed with caution Home Births Proceed With Caution

Psychologists are increasingly saying that focusing on yourself is more likely to lead to a happy life. So what if instead of trying to find your “other half” you instead decide to make yourself whole. In this episode we chat with Andrea Bain, author of Single Girl Problems: Why Being Single Isn’t A Problem To Be Solved about how to reframe and embrace solo living.    To get a copy of Andrea’s book, click this link: https://www.amazon.ca/Single-Girl-Problems-Problem-Solved/dp/1459739094   If you are interested in Othership, the fine folks there have offered our listeners 11% off credit packages by using the Code: PLEASURE.  **This can only be used on credit packages & one time per person.  Just download the booking app https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/othership-booking-app/id1604297378   And if you can share your favourite podcasts with your network or community- we would be forever in your debt. And if you send us a nice note we will show it on social media!

Aging is hard. It can feel sometimes like everything is falling apart: our faces, our bodies, our moods and our goals. But research shows that there are certain things we should all be focusing on in order to live the rest of our lives without any major regrets. From relationships to stress to speaking our unmentionables, this is your informal guide to aging well.    Have a great unmentionable story? Or are you an expert and want to be a guest on our show: email us at hello@cynthiaandjosie.com   If you have it in your heart to leave us a (positive) review on Apple, we would be so grateful. Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/cynthia-and-josies-unmentionables/id1668439555   (go to the bottom and write a review)   Also, do you have an event coming up this summer that you would love to have us join? You can dm or email us anytime!

Why do so many women turn into Bridezillas? How much is too much to spend on “the dress”? What is it about weddings that make everyone so horny except for the bride and groom? In this episode we share our marital memories and unpack a whole bunch of unmentionables with Wedding planner extraordinaire Trevor Frankfort.   For more info on Trevor and how to book him for your next event: https://trevents.caTrevents — Wedding & Event PlanningTrevents — Wedding & Event Planningtrevents.ca   To write us with your unmentionable ideas: hello@cynthiaandjosie.com

We asked you for your most unmentionable questions and boy, you did not disappoint. In this hilarious and heartfelt episode, we answer your queries and give advice on everything from what makes good lingerie to what can be done in a sexless marriages, from family planning regrets to adjusting to new jobs and everything in between.       As always, we love hearing from you. Send us your thoughts and ideas for future podcast to hello@cynthiaandjosie.com.   Link to: Mindful Sex by Dr. Lori Brotto https://www.amazon.ca/Better-Sex-through-Mindfulness-Cultivate/dp/1771642351

Many people argue that kids these days aren’t as strong because they all receive “participation” ribbons or trophies.  They say that if there isn’t a clear “winner”, kids will grow up weak and will be less inclined to work hard. In this episode we share some recent tough parenting moments that illuminate some of the problems with this argument.

Recently, Josie found herself at the non-off leash park near her house. When she kindly asked a man to leash his dog because her son was terrified, he adamantly refused. In a fit of anger, he hurled the label "Karen" at Josie.   In this episode, we delve into the origins, evolution, and lessons behind the term "Karen." Have you ever pondered where this name and its meaning originated? Have you ever wondered if you've accidentally channeled your inner Karen? And hey, what's a person named Karen to do in all this?   Join us as we unpack these questions and more with Refinery 29’s Kathleen Newman-Bremang. Together, we explore the complexities surrounding this term and the insights it offers into societal attitudes and behaviors.

Have you ever found yourself getting turned on by something strange? Things like gym equipment or giant nostrils? How about gardening noises or the arm hair on a stranger?  In this episode we share some of the beautifully bizarre things that people have found unexpectedly erotic..and our other halves even share theirs!

Have you ever asked “the universe” for guidance? Cynthia did, and you’ll never guess what happened next. This episode is a journey filled with laughter, tears, and some revelations we've never dared to share including conversations with trees, ghostly encounters, and our thoughts on the mysteries of life after death.

In light of International Women’s Day, we  wanted to celebrate, not only each other, but women we admire. So we started by writing letters of love to one another because, let’s be honest, even though you might have all kinds of feels for your good girlfriends: how often do you tell them? We also sit down with activist and curve model model, Lauren Chan about how she deals with online haters, how her body image has changed since coming out, and she gives advice for all of us on how to love our bodies better.Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions around body, so just protect yourself if that’s a topic that sensitive for youFor more information on Lauren, check out her IG @lcchan. Follow us on Instagram @cynthiaandjosie We hope you will pass this episode along to any women you love today!! And if you want to send us a love letter, our email is hello@cynthiaandjosie.com

On the road of life we are faced with many different paths which will inevitably lead us to different destinations. Should we move to a new city or stay put? Should we date this person or that person? Should we have kids or remain childless? Should we stay or leave our job?    Wouldnt it be nice if we all knew the keys to making big life decisions without regret? In this episode we go through them all: from the value of making some decisions very quickly, to learning not to fear failure. From checking in with our deep inner voice, to consulting with our wisest friends - we also share some of our insights and experiences when it comes to making big life changes.    On the road of life we are faced with many different paths which will inevitably lead us to different destinations. Should we move to a new city or stay put? Should we date this person or that person? Should we have kids or remain childless? Should we stay or leave our job?    Wouldnt it be nice if we all knew the keys to making big life decisions without regret? In this episode we go through them all: from the value of making some decisions very quickly, to learning not to fear failure. From checking in with our deep inner voice, to consulting with our wisest friends - we also share some of our insights and experiences when it comes to making big life changes.

The very first book that Cynthia picked up when she went on stress leave was a NYT bestseller called “Burnout: The Secret To Unlocking The Stress Cycle”.    In this episode we are joined by one of the books authors, Amelia Nagoski to talk about the book and her burnout journey. She also gives tips on everything from the signs of burnout, why human “givers” are more likely to experience it, and what we can all do to start to heal from it.    The audio version of Burnout is now out and available HERE   Also, Amelia’s sister and co-author Emily wasn’t able to make it to our interview because she is out promoting a brand new book out about sex called: Come Together: the science (and art!) of creating lasting sexual connections. For more info:  https://www.emilynagoski.com   Our Website is www.cynthiaandjosie.com or email us at hello@cythiaandjosie.com

Do you low-key hate Valentine’s day? Do all of the garish red decorations and chocolate dipped hearts have you asking yourself if this “holiday” is more about selling shit than helping lovers truly connect? In the spirit of actually making your relationship better, we have a list of questions that research suggests you should ask yourself and/or your long term partner every year as part of your maintenance. Questions like: do you still hold hands? Is the sex fun or a chore? Are you afraid of having an empty nest, and so much more. We hope you will do this with your other half, and let us know how it goes!!   Links: For more info on The Marriage Audit: go  HERE For more info on KY Canada: KY To leave a glowing review for us (for which we would love you forever(!), visit us here and scroll down to the bottom: REVIEW And we always love hearing your ideas and feedback. Send it our way to: hello@cynthiaandjosie.com