Interviewed by Meaghan Sullivan, Google Workspace Marketing Customer Programs Lead
We sat down with Jarrod Harden, a belonging consultant who helps organizations create workplaces where employees feel seen, supported, and empowered to show up as themselves. Jarrod has worked across industries, including tech, healthcare, media, and manufacturing, with organizations like Google and NBCUniversal. Outside of his consulting work, Jarrod also runs @getmuseumish, a social media channel dedicated to making museums more approachable and accessible.
We chatted about stigma, allyship, workplace culture, and what it really means to support menstruators at work.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about the work you do?
I’m Jarrod Harden, and I work in the belonging space as a belonging consultant. Essentially, I help organizations figure out how to make sure employees know they belong there.
For me, belonging is about being able to show up as the best version of yourself. We spend so much of our lives at work, and people should feel like they can thrive there.
I’ve worked across a wide range of industries and organizations — from tech to healthcare to media — including companies like Google and NBCUniversal.
What were some of your earliest experiences learning about periods or menstruation?
I grew up in a household full of women. My mom was a single mom, and for a time, we lived with my aunts.
I remember hearing stories from my older brothers about how embarrassing they thought it was to buy pads for my mom. That was definitely part of the culture growing up.
And then I vividly remember being in school when all the girls got pulled out of class for “the talk.” All the boys were left behind, wondering what was happening. Eventually, some of the girls told us what they learned, and we all acted like, “Oh, we didn’t want to know anyway,” even though we were obviously curious.
What are some misconceptions you remember having about periods?
One misconception I had was around PMS — I just thought it was this blanket experience that happened to everyone the same way.
Another was honestly thinking tampons were the solution. Like: period = tampon. That was the whole equation in my head.
Over time, especially through conversations with friends and coworkers, I realized how different everyone’s experiences are and how much nuance there is around products, symptoms, and comfort levels.
You’ve proudly embraced the term “Flow Bro.” What does that mean to you?
At first, it honestly just made me laugh. It rhymed, it was catchy, and it felt like unfamiliar territory for me.
But over time, especially after talking about it more publicly and seeing the response online, I realized it represented something bigger. It became about empathy and allyship.
Just because something doesn’t directly impact me doesn’t make it any less real or important. We all want support and understanding for the things we experience, even if others don’t experience them themselves.
To me, being a Flow Bro means intentionally thinking about people beyond yourself.
Do you think conversations about menstruation should be encouraged in workplaces, schools, and communities?
Absolutely — with support systems in place.
I think these conversations are important because they help reduce stigma and create understanding. But I also think organizations need to be thoughtful about how they introduce them.
Change doesn’t happen in a straight line. Whenever you introduce conversations around something people aren’t used to discussing openly, there can be discomfort, jokes, or misunderstandings along the way.
That’s why support matters. You need people who can guide the conversation, answer questions, and make sure menstruators don’t feel isolated or spotlighted while those conversations evolve.
How can workplaces foster more supportive environments around menstruation?
One of the biggest things is relationships and “boots on the ground” conversations.
Policies and announcements are important, but culture really shifts through day-to-day interactions. Sometimes it’s as simple as someone casually mentioning they’re a “Flow Bro” or bringing up the topic naturally in conversation.
When people hear conversations about periods from someone they don’t expect, it can actually make them stop and think differently. It helps normalize the topic.
The goal isn’t forcing everyone into one big conversation about periods. It’s creating enough openness that people feel comfortable asking questions, learning, and showing empathy.
What workplace policies can better support menstruators?
One thing I’ve appreciated at some organizations is the move away from strictly calling time off a “sick day” and instead framing it as personal or wellness time.
That approach gives people flexibility without forcing them to justify or disclose personal information.
Some people are very comfortable talking about periods. Others are more private. A flexible policy allows employees to take care of themselves however they need to — whether that’s because of cramps, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or mental health.
It removes guilt and puts trust in employees to make decisions about their own well-being
Have you seen examples of workplaces supporting menstruators in meaningful ways?
One example that really stuck with me was seeing period products in men’s restrooms at Google.
At first, I remember thinking, “Why are tampons in here?” Then, eventually, it clicked for me: not only women menstruate.
That small detail became a learning moment for me. It normalized the idea that menstruation isn’t exclusively tied to one gender identity.
I also think quiet signals can be incredibly powerful — seeing Aunt Flow products in public spaces, hotels, or workplaces sends the message that these conversations are happening and that support exists.
What happens when we normalize conversations about periods?
The biggest benefit is reducing stigma.
People shouldn’t feel ashamed talking about something that’s natural and experienced by so many people. We openly celebrate pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and parental leave — but those experiences are connected to menstruation in the first place.
I also think about moments like someone getting their period unexpectedly at school. If someone gets a bloody nose, nobody whispers about it or feels embarrassed for them. But periods have historically carried shame in a way other bodily experiences don’t.
Normalizing the conversation helps remove that shame.
How does this connect back to belonging in the workplace?
There’s actually research around belonging that looks at whether people feel seen, connected, supported, and proud.
When people feel like they have to hide parts of themselves — whether that’s menstruation, mental health, or any lived experience — it impacts their sense of belonging.
When employees feel supported and accepted, their overall workplace experience improves dramatically. People feel safer, more engaged, and more comfortable showing up authentically.
That matters.
What advice would you give leaders who want to start conversations about menstruation at work?
Start small and manage expectations.
It’s not about hitting a home run immediately. It’s about beginning the conversation and allowing people to opt in at their own pace.
You can’t force people to change how they feel overnight. But you can create opportunities for learning, empathy, and dialogue.
Relationships matter. One-on-one conversations matter. Patience matters.
A lot of change happens gradually — through trust, openness, and people being willing to learn.
Final Thoughts
At the end of our conversation, Jarrod reflected on how these discussions impacted him personally.
“When Meaghan first approached me about talking about periods at work, I honestly thought there were hidden cameras somewhere,” he laughed. “But that experience really grew me. It challenged me to learn, listen, and think differently.”
That willingness to learn is exactly what this series is all about.
The more we normalize conversations around menstruation, the more we create workplaces and communities where everyone can feel supported, included, and empowered to show up as themselves.
