This is without a doubt my most vulnerable episode of the Perfectly Broken Podcast yet—one that’s packed with wisdom, raw truth, and powerful normalization of the things women have been conditioned to feel shame around. I sit down with Autumn Paone, co-host of The Health Class She Deserves podcast and a passionate advocate for women’s health, to dive deep into the realities of chronic pain, invisible illness, cycle syncing, and the dismissive nature of Western medicine. Together, we unpack the cultural conditioning that shapes how women view their bodies and sexuality—everything from purity culture to porn-driven beauty standards—and explore how nervous system regulation, body awareness, and reconnecting with pleasure can transform not just health, but confidence and self-love. Whether you’re a woman seeking to reclaim your body and your voice or a man wanting to better understand and support the women in your life, this conversation is an eye-opening invitation to question old narratives and step into empowerment.

What you'll hear:

• The Reality of Invisible Illness: We talk about the stigma of “dynamic illnesses,” where pain isn’t visible or constant, yet deeply impacts daily life, and how this lack of visibility often leads to dismissal.

• Beyond the Pill: Autumn and I share our experiences of being prescribed birth control as a quick fix, and why masking symptoms doesn’t get to the root of women’s health struggles.

• Nervous System & Hormones: How chronic stress and dysregulation can throw off hormonal balance, leading to PMS, cycle irregularities, and other health issues.

• Cycle Syncing Simplified: Why syncing with your cycle doesn’t need to feel like another fad diet, and how to use it as a tool for awareness rather than rigid rules.

• Body Shame & Disconnection: The deep shame many women feel around their vagina, and how cultural conditioning and lack of language keep us disconnected from our sexuality.

• The Problem with Youth Obsession: Why many beauty and sexual norms are rooted in the sexualization of young girls, and how this deeply ingrained issue influences attraction, porn culture, and shame around natural bodies.

• Reclaiming Pleasure: Practical steps for exploring self-pleasure without vibrators or visual aids, turning it into a spiritual practice that helps you learn your body and guide a partner with confidence.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fill out the Contact Me to Work Together⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.danistedman.com

Connect with Autumn:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@autumnnmariee

@thehealthclassshedeserves

@girlinpain Substack

Let’s Connect

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