All Episodes

Have you tried to transform the way you think about food and nutrition? Join Sonya Lovell and Roma van der Walt as we dissect the language we use when we talk about food and examine the emotional attachments we form with what we eat. Sonya kicks things off by challenging us to set aside those damaging 'good' and 'bad' food labels and understand how they contribute to a seemingly unbreakable cycle of guilt and shame. We'll also scrutinize the impact of energy sources like sugar, caffeine, and ...

Have you ever wondered how your lifestyle choices impact your biological versus chronological age or thought about the implications of being able to delay menopause? Join Sonya Lovell and Roma van der Walt in the Dear Menopause sub-series, Atomic Health, as we dive deep into these intriguing topics. Through our lively discussion, we'll peel back the layers on the hot issues of women's health, longevity and the unique factors that influence these areas. Let's challenge traditional perspectives ...

Are you ready for a sprinkle of change? After 70 incredible episodes and some delightful bonuses, I've decided it's time for an intentional pause. But don't worry. This is not a permanent goodbye. Just as everyone needs a little break, so does Dear Menopause. I'm taking a hiatus, gathering fresh ideas, and will return with a new spark. Is there something more? Yes, indeed! As I step back, a little surprise is in the works. I've been quietly collaborating on a sub-series of Dear Menopause. Yo...

What if there was a way to navigate your menopause transition while still thriving in your career? In this podcast, I sit down with Grace Molloy, the CEO and founder of Menopause Friendly Australia, as she sheds light on the often-overlooked journey of menopause and its impacts on women in the workplace. Grace shares valuable insights from her personal and professional experiences, stressing the importance of awareness, support, and open conversations for women to flourish in this significant ...

What happens when a woman in her 40s, living a typical domestic life, suddenly decides to transform herself into an athlete? This is the story of Jo Pybus, a late-onset writer, feminist, and podcaster, who took on triathlons and endurance events while navigating the complexities of perimenopause. Her transformative journey and experiences dealing with not-so-informative GP visits and heavier periods shed light on the challenges many midlife women face. Jo is also an advocate. As a voice for m...

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni is a pioneering force in women's mental health. In this episode, Professor Kulkarni shares her knowledge of the urgent need for a revolutionary approach towards women's mental health treatments as the founder and director of one of Australia's most prominent psychiatric research groups. We also gain a deep insight into her groundbreaking 'HER Mental Health Campaign', a push towards elevating the conversation about mental health among politicians, bureaucrats, and th...

What if the silent impact of menopause on a woman's career costs up to $15 billion in lost income and superannuation? Prepare for an eye-opening conversation as I sit down with Mel Birks from the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees to dive into this under-discussed issue. From the startling statistic that the average Australian woman retires at 52.1 years to the role of the gender pay gap and time taken out of the workforce to care for others, this episode is a deep dive into how t...

When life throws unexpected challenges our way, how do we rise above them and find gratitude amidst adversity? Join me as I sit down with the inspiring Kathryn Elliott, a breast cancer thriver and mother of three teenage boys, who shares her powerful journey through the battlefields of cancer and induced menopause. Together, we peel back the layers of our remarkably similar experiences and discuss how these challenges have shaped our lives and relationships with our bodies. Navigating the com...

Are you tired of sifting through the world of supplements, unsure of what's best for your midlife, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal needs? Join me for an enlightening conversation with the amazing Angelique Clark, an advanced accredited sports dietitian and exercise physiologist, as we uncover the truth about supplementation for women in midlife and beyond. We promise you'll walk away with valuable knowledge to take charge of your health and confidently navigate the multi-billion-dollar supple...

Can you imagine the power of nature transforming your mental health and well-being, especially during menopause? Join us for a captivating conversation with Jeff Johnson, host of the Nature Junkie Radio podcast, as we explore the incredible benefits of getting outdoors for menopausal women and the benefits it has on stress, sleep, and mental health. Learn from Jeff's inspiring journey of discovering nature's healing power and the science behind it. Discover the importance of: breaking down m...

Join Justine Thompson and me for a transformative experience at our upcoming Menopause Your Way Retreat in September 2023, set amidst the stunning New South Wales countryside. In this bonus episode, we share our passion for helping women navigate this life-changing transition, discover how our unique backgrounds and interests meld together in a balanced, holistic approach that creates a powerful, supportive space for growth and connection. Throughout this four-day retreat, you'll find relaxati...

Today we draw back the curtain on the research that goes into providing clinicians and GPs with the best evidence-based information to support their patients. Join me as I chat with Dr Fiona Li, an obstetrics and gynecology trainee in Sydney and PhD candidate with the Grace Team at UNSW. With a refreshing and hopeful outlook, Fiona shares her passion for menopause and her dedication to understanding and managing postmenopausal vaginal symptoms. And Fiona shares information on her recent study...

Worried that you've started drinking too much but know that you're still a long way from needing an intervention? Rachael Layton went through years of questioning her relationship with alcohol, knowing that she was drinking too much and worried that she was heading down a dangerous path. While she knew she wasn’t an alcoholic (although that didn’t stop her from occasionally Googling “Am I an alcoholic?”), she also wasn’t someone who was happy with just a glass or two every now and then. So, w...

Has the whole "to MHT or not" conversation left you completely confused and even a little wary? MHT. HRT. WTF?! First off, you're not alone. Secondly, this episode with Dr Ginni Mansberg is for you. The author of the bestseller, "The M Word, How to Thrive in Menopause" and founder of science-based Evidence Skincare (ESK), Dr Ginni is an Australian GP, TV presenter, podcaster, author and columnist. As a GP she specialises in all things menopause and all things skin. As a member of both the A...

Are your menopause symptoms really in your head? Or more precisely, in your brain? This week I chatted with my good friend, selfie buddy and fellow Kiwi, Dr Sarah McKay. Sarah is an Oxford University-educated neuroscientist, presenter of ABC Catalyst, director of The Neuroscience Academy, and author of The Women's Brain Book and her latest book, Baby Brain. Who loves nothing more than deep diving into the neuroscience of health, hormones and happiness. We explore menopause from a brain health...

Have you been told to just “power through” your midlife transitions, only to find yourself stuck and feeling hopeless? Meet Angela Raspass, a dedicated coach, mentor, and speaker with a passion for empowering women to embrace their potential. Her expertise lies in self-leadership and a strength-based approach honed through 25 years of experience and education in positive psychology and neuroscience. Angela is also an author and podcast host, sharing her insights with a wider audience. Her own ...

"You can't be what you can't see, and so representation matters." Sandy Lowres is a fierce advocate of women's rights and empowerment and is determined to bring the often-ignored voices of women over 40 to the forefront while challenging hypocrisy and taboos. Sandy is the innovative founder of Women Beyond 40 (WB40), a platform dedicated to uplifting and empowering women through community and storytelling. As the host of The Good Girl Confessional podcast, Sandy interviews inspiring women who ...

Are you tired of going through peri and menopausal symptoms without getting the support you need? Have you heard that increased awareness and advocacy of menopause support is the key to getting the help you need? My special guest in this episode is Zali Steggall MP. Zali is an influential figure in the Australian political landscape, serving as the independent member for Warringah in New South Wales. With a background in athletics and a strong focus on her own health, fitness, and wellness, Z...

Are you tired of the same old ineffective and unrelatable advice for improving your health and well-being in midlife? Roma van der Walt, an entrepreneurial women's health expert and exercise professional, seeks to establish a common-sense approach to healthy living for midlife women by challenging the extremes of highly qualified but unrelatable doctors and influential celebrities to find the balance between metabolic health and health span advice. The goal should really be to live those extra...

Get the most out of appointments with your doctor or GP by following these great tips from Dr Marita Long. In our chat, Marita was open to answering all of my questions and was honest about gender bias and education gaps that exist in the field of primary care. And then gives brilliant tips for every woman to consider when talking to her GP or doctor about perimenopause and menopause. Dr Marita Long is a GP based in Victoria, Australia, specialising in women's health and medical education. Mar...

How can we measure the true impact of perimenopause and menopause? By giving women a voice. Dr Linda Dear crafted and launched the most extensive online survey for women to share the impact of menopause on their lives with data being collected across both NZ and Australia. And the results of these surveys will be shared with the respective governments and health and employment sectors to craft much-needed change. In her own words, Dr Dear is a doctor, menopause specialist, perimenopausal wom...

How would you cope if your career and life's purpose rely on a strong, healthy functioning body and seemingly overnight menopause threatened to take all of that away from you? Allie Pepper is an Australian mountaineer with 23 years of climbing experience. Mountaineering is not only Allie's passion but also her business; Allie Pepper Adventures. In 2021, amongst the chaos of COVID and a relationship breakdown, Allie was 45 and had no idea that she was perimenopausal. Then seemingly overnight sh...

Where can you learn everything you need to know about changes to your vulva and vagina during menopause, in one place? Right here!! Sitting down to record an episode with Dr Ardelle Piper was an absolute blast. Ardelle is generous with her time and her knowledge as we touched on topics including vulva and vaginal care during perimenopause and into post-menopause. No area of this topic is left untouched including maintaining a healthy sex life, managing internal and external dryness and discom...

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni is one of Australia's leaders in the research and treatment of menopausal depression. I believe this episode, is the most important episode I have been able to bring to my Dear Menopause audience. Professor Kulkarni speaks about mental health and the part women's hormones play in this area, in a way that makes the topic easy to understand and relatable. We discuss why the fluctuation of hormones during the menopausal transition has such a significant impact on menta...