Have you ever noticed that your period seems to sync up with your friends, roommates, sisters, or coworkers? Maybe you’ve even joked that you’ve been spending so much time together that your cycles decided to join forces.

But is period syncing actually a thing—or is it just one of those ideas we’ve all accepted without really questioning it?

In this episode of Wondering About..., we’re going down the rabbit hole of period syncing. Where did the idea come from? What does the research actually say? And why do so many people feel like they’ve experienced it?

We’re looking at the science behind menstrual cycles, the study that helped popularize the idea of menstrual synchrony, and what researchers have discovered since. Along the way, we’ll wonder about biology, coincidence, perception, and why our brains are so good at noticing patterns.

Is your period really syncing with your friends…or are we just really good at finding connections?

Come wonder with us.

Citations:

McClintock, Martha K. “Menstrual Synchrony and Suppression.” Nature, vol. 229, 1971, pp. 244–245. DOI: 10.1038/229244a0.

Wilson, H. Clyde, Sarah Hildebrandt Kiefhaber, and Virginia Gravel. “Two Studies of Menstrual Synchrony: Negative Results.” Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 16, no. 4, 1991, pp. 353–359. DOI: 10.1016/0306-4530(91)90021-

K.Yang, Zhengwei, and Jeffrey C. Schank. “Women Do Not Synchronize Their Menstrual Cycles.” Human Nature, vol. 17, no. 4, 2006, pp. 433–447. DOI: 10.1007/s12110-006-1005-z.

Kathleen Stern & Martha K. McClintock
“Regulation of ovulation by human pheromones”
Nature, 1998How a 1971 Paper Ignited the Search for Human Pheromones - DongA Science https://share.google/mEGRoQcrdaDnrRryg

Wilson, H. Clyde. “A Critical Review of Menstrual Synchrony Research.” Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 17, no. 6, 1992, pp. 565–591. DOI: 10.1016/0306-4530(92)90016-Z.Strassmann, Beverly I. “Menstrual Synchrony Pheromones: Cause for Doubt.” Human Reproduction, vol. 14, no. 3, 1999, pp. 579–580. DOI: 10.1093/humrep/14.3.579.

Schank, Jeffrey C. “Do Human Menstrual-Cycle Pheromones Exist?” Human Nature, vol. 17, no. 4, 2006, pp. 448–470. DOI: 10.1007/s12110-006-1006-y.

What makes a great youth sports coach? Is it about teaching the game, building confidence, winning, or simply helping kids learn to love the sport?

In this episode of Wondering About..., we’re sitting down with our friend Erika Kelly to talk about youth sports coaching and what it really means to coach kids today.

Erika shares her coaching philosophy and what has shaped the way she approaches working with young athletes. We talk about what it means to coach the whole person—not just the athlete. What happens when coaches look beyond performance and pay attention to a child’s confidence, character, relationships, emotions, and development? How can coaches challenge kids while still creating an environment where they feel supported and valued?

We dive into the world of club vs. high school sports, talking about the differences between the two, what each can offer young athletes, and how families navigate the choices and expectations that come with competitive sports.

And, of course, we’re wondering about parents. How involved should parents be? Where is the line between being supportive and putting too much pressure on a young athlete? And how can coaches and parents work together to create a healthier experience for kids?

It’s a conversation about competition, confidence, development, participation, and the adults who have the opportunity to shape a young athlete’s experience.

Because youth sports are about so much more than the scoreboard.

Come wonder with us.

Have you ever wondered how easily you are influenced?

In this episode of Wondering About…, we’re diving into the fascinating science of influence. We start with a seemingly innocent Tiktok that led us down the rabbit hole of pharmaceutical reps and gifts to the psychology of reciprocity, familiarity, authority, and social proof. We explore the subtle ways other people can shape what we think, what we choose, and what we do.

And here’s the twist: research suggests we’re pretty good at recognizing bias and influence in other people, while being much less likely to recognize it in ourselves.

So are we really as independent-minded as we think we are?

We’re wondering about drug reps, free lunches, advertising, friendships, social media, and all the invisible nudges happening around us every day.

Because maybe the most interesting question isn't “Am I being influenced?”

It’s “Who—or what—is influencing me?”

Aikin, K. J., O’Donoghue, A. C., Miles, S., DelGreco, M., & Burke, P. (2024). Physician interpretation of information about prescription drugs in scientific publications vs. promotional pieces. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 20(4), 419–431. doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.01.003

Brax, H., Fadlallah, R., Al-Khaled, L., Kahale, L. A., Nas, H., El-Jardali, F., & Akl, E. A. (2017). Association between physicians’ interaction with pharmaceutical companies and their clinical practices: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 12(4), e0175493. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175493

Dana, J., Cain, D. M., & Dawes, R. (2006). What you don't know won't hurt me: Costly (but quiet) exit in dictator games. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 100(2), 193–201. doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.10.001

Fickweiler, F., Fickweiler, W., & Urbach, E. (2017). Interactions between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry generally and sales representatives specifically and their association with physicians’ attitudes and prescribing habits: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 7(9), e016408. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016408

Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral study of obedience. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371–378. doi:10.1037/h0040525

Mintzes, B., Lexchin, J., Sutherland, J. M., Beaulieu, M.-D., Wilkes, M. S., Durrieu, G., & Reynolds, E. (2013). Pharmaceutical sales representatives and patient safety: A comparative prospective study of information quality in Canada, France and the United States. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 28(10), 1368–1375. doi:10.1007/s11606-013-2411-7

Pronin, E., Lin, D. Y., & Ross, L. (2002). The bias blind spot: Perceptions of bias in self versus others. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(3), 369–381. doi:10.1177/0146167202286008

Regan, D. T. (1971). Effects of a favor and liking on compliance. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 7(6), 627–639. doi:10.1016/0022-1031(71)90025-4

Spurling, G. K., Mansfield, P. R., Montgomery, B. D., Lexchin, J., Doust, J., Othman, N., & Vitry, A. I. (2010). Information from pharmaceutical companies and the quality, quantity, and cost of physicians’ prescribing: A systematic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(10), e1000352. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000352

Steinman, M. A., Shlipak, M. G., & McPhee, S. J. (2001). Of principles and pens: Attitudes and practices of medicine housestaff toward pharmaceutical industry promotions. The American Journal of Medicine, 110(7), 551–557. doi:10.1016/S0002-9343(01)00660-X

Zajonc, R. B. (1968). Attitudinal effects of mere exposure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 9(2, Pt. 2), 1–27. doi:10.1037/h0025848