Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?

Eleanor is the former Editorial Director of The Sunday Times and one of Britain’s most high profile commentators. In March of 2021 she launched an online community platform for women called Noon. She began her journalistic life on the Guardian and Observer and at only 26, she was the Daily Telegraph’s youngest ever Features Editor. During her long Fleet Street career, Eleanor was the Sunday Times’s main interviewer. In 2014 she became Chair of Women in Journalism, the industry’s cross media network for female hacks, and launched a series of high profile events on media sexism and empowering women. Eleanor won the 2012 International Alliance of women’s World of Difference Award for her “contribution to women’s economic empowerment” and was one of only four journalists in Europe to be shortlisted for Journalist of the Year at the European Diversity Awards 2012. She appears regularly on television – you can catch her most weeks on ITV and on Sky News reviewing the newspapers and commentating on politics and society. She has written two books, Cupcakes and Kalashnikovs: An Anthology of the best Journalism by Women and Much More to Come and is currently working on a new book Birds and the Bees: 2.0, Talking Sex with Generation XXX. In this episode, Eleanor shares her extensive knowledge on empowering women. We discuss positive aging, her coining of the term "Queenager," and how her community at Noon has enabled her to support women. While many find life over 50 to be the best time of their lives, this isn't the case for everyone. So, what can we do to help those who are struggling? Eleanor believes we need to invest time and resources into ourselves—finding our tribe, managing our finances, and especially focusing on our pensions. As mothers of university students, we talk about coping with an empty nest and offer insights on how women can navigate this transition more easily. We also share a mutual passion for cold-water swimming, with Eleanor explaining why she loves it. Eleanor reminds us that there’s still so much more to come.  Date of episode recording: 2024-11-01T00:00:00Z Duration: 00.52.44 Language of episode: English Presenter:Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Eleanor Mills Producer: Joyce Harper

Bukky is the Principal Consultant at Vibrant Midlife Wellness Practice. She helps motivate women in midlife to overcome the disruption of hormone chaos that can accompany the menopause transition and develop their personalised menopause care plan so they are happier, fitter, healthier, more confident, and fabulous. Aside from being a Certified Health and Wellness Coach to midlife women, her wellness coaching is underpinned by over 35 years of experience as a Pharmacist working at various Blue-Chip pharmaceutical companies. Bukky is currently sharing her expertise with NHS England helping to improve women's health and lead a workstream on the National Menopause programme. She has been responsible for the launch of 2 Key products to help support the NHS workforce going through the menopause transition: National Menopause Guidance for staff and line managers, and a core Menopause Awareness e-learning module for all staff. She also helps organisations support and retain highly skilled female talent through menopause training, coaching, and consultancy. She has recently published an amazing self-care tool for midlife women: The “Vibrant Midlife Wellness and Affirmation Journal” https://vibrantmidlife.com/ Bukky views aging as a privilege, though she acknowledges that not all women feel vibrant during this stage of life. In our discussion, we explored the importance of key pillars of well-being that support healthy aging: nutrition, movement, sleep, mental health, and friendships. Bukky offers a free eBook titled 5 Keys to Help Lose Midlife Weight & Keep it Off! and regularly writes blogs on topics such as gratitude, affirmations, meditation, and journaling. She also runs workshops to support women in these areas. Additionally, Bukky and I conducted a study on Black women’s attitudes toward menopause to ensure their voices were represented. She also explains her ongoing work with the NHS to improve menopause education.  Date of episode recording: 2024-09-24T00:00:00Z Duration: 00.54.09 Language of episode: English Presenter:Prof Joyce Harper Guests: Bukky Ayoade Producer: Joyce Harper

Stella Duffy has written seventeen novels. Her last novel, Lullaby Beach was published by Virago in February 2021.She has also written and devised fourteen plays and written over seventy short stories, including several for BBC Radio 4. Her collected stories are published by Salt in Everything is Moving, Everything is Joined. She has won many awards. She wrote and presented the BBC4 documentary How to Write a Mills and Boon. In addition to her writing work, she worked in theatre for over thirty five years. Stella is a regular speaker and campaigner around LGBTQ+, women’s and arts equality and inclusion issues. She was awarded the OBE for Services to the Arts in 2016. She is a qualified yoga teacher, running workshops in yoga for writing, and this year was awarded a doctorate in existential psychotherapy. Her research was in the embodied experience of postmenopause. Instagram: @stellduffy and @stelladuffytherapy Twitter: @stellduffy Stella has experienced a lot. She has been a comedian, actor, writer, speaker, campaigner, yoga teacher and is now a therapist. Also framing her life has been numerous health problems, many more than most of us will ever go through. She went through cancer in her 30s, which lead her into early menopause, is childless by circumstance, had another round of cancer when she was 50, had a mastectomy, a ruptured brain aneurysm, brain haemorrhage, two lots of brain surgery, a hip replacement, and a knee replacement. She had a seriously shit perimenopause. But she is a woman who is truly embracing age, so much so that she has just finished her PhD in existential psychotherapy – which we talk about in the podcast. She wants to change the negative narrative around life post menopause. Menopause is not the end, and Stella is excited how we can live post menopause as the best years of our lives. It is our time to make life choices. And she loves cold water swimming and Saturday night pizza!  Date of episode recording: 2024-10-04T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.13.10 Language of episode: English Presenter:Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Dr Stella Duffy, OBE Producer: Joyce Harper

Rachel is a silver haired curve model, body confidence activist, midlife influencer, and the woman behind Liberte Free to Be. She began a new career as a model at the age of 46, something that she does not feel she would have had the confidence to do earlier in life. She is doing amazing work representing older women in the fashion industry and has worked with some amazing people and brands including JDWilliams, F&F Clothing with Davina McCall and alongside my body confidence icon Ashley Graham for Swimsuits for All. Her favourite shoots are always swimwear and lingerie and now in her 50s, she finally feels at ease with my body which is liberating. And if you have been following Rachel you would have seen her giving lectures in her underwear which I think is so empowering. Rachel has built a dynamic community to revitalise, inspire, motivate, and support women to get the best out of life. Liberté Free to Be was created to spread some positivity around midlife and share inspiration to others who may be feeling a bit lost as they hit their forties and beyond. Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things in life can lead to all sorts of opportunities and bring a new lease of life to this next chapter. She runs a Liberté Lifestyle Hub, and for many years ran the Liberté Free to Be podcast, and a weekly newsletter and blog. https://liberteltd.com/ Instagram: @rachelperu1 Rachel has an incredibly positive outlook on aging and feels that this is the best time of her life. She stands out as a powerful role model, embracing her body and not feeling invisible despite working in an industry that has often been criticised for its lack of body positivity and its inherent ageism. Rachel has experienced frustrations, such as being part of photoshoots where her images were never used, but she acknowledges that things are gradually improving. A fan of social media, Rachel believes the conversation around aging is slowly becoming more positive. She offers advice to women struggling with body confidence, encouraging them to focus on body acceptance. She suggests looking in the mirror daily and learning to love your body for what it is - it tells the story of your life. We also talked about the importance of taking care of your health as you age, and the value of women’s circles and friendships. This episode will leave listeners feeling uplifted and empowered.  Date of episode recording: 2024-09-24T00:00:00Z Duration: 00.46.28 Language of episode: English Presenter:Prof Joyce Harper Guests: Rachel Peru Producer: Joyce Harper

Kate Codrington is a pioneering, pro-ageing activist, author, menstrual health menopause mentor, speaker, workshop facilitator, artist, yoga Nidra guide, podcaster and has been a therapist for nearly 30 years. She is author of two books: Second Spring: the self-care guide to menopause and just out - The Perimenopause Journal. Kate’s mission is to change the way we regard menopause and show how we can relax into our own, inner authority through our cyclical nature and menopause process. She refuses to take herself too seriously and try to never take on anything that is not pleasurable and delicious. She is also an artist currently weaving textiles, words, story and stitch. She’s in her second spring, which means post-menopause, and has deep gratitude for the education that the menopause process has gifted her. It was ouchy for sure, but it did what years of therapy did not; took her head out of her arse. Kate has a hugely positive view of life post menopause – she says it is the best time of her life. Kate also feels that we can gain a lot from our perimenopause transition – she has deep gratitude for the education that the menopause process has gifted her. Kate does not feel that the menopause is a disorder or that everyone needs to take HRT. We discussed why there is such a negative narrative around menopause in the UK. Kate’s work is centred on the cycles of the seasons, and she explains how this works through a woman’s life, and how we enter our second spring. Kate also explains the three processes in Second Spring: separation, surrender and emergence. We are both very happy people, and Kate explains how happiness is U-shaped. Kate feels that it is important for women to chart and track their feelings, which women can explore more in the Perimenopause Journal. We also discussed the importance of relaxing, meditation such as with yoga Nidra, movement and being in nature. Kate and I are both huge fans of women’s circles. It is so powerful to be with other women, sharing stories and giving support.Presenter:  Professor Joyce HarperGuests:      Kate CodringtonProducer:  Professor Joyce HarperFree resource library including Yoga Nidras: https://mailchi.mp/a8a0fa08678a/resource-library 30% off a year of live Yoga Nidras: https://bit.ly/yoga-nidra-year Website: https://www.katecodrington.co.uk/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/kate_codrington/

This podcast is part of the series on Motherhood and is coming out just before World Childless Week. https://worldchildlessweek.net/ Jody Day is the founder of Gateway Women, the global advocacy network for childless women, founded in 2011. She’s the author of what many professionals consider to be the 'go-to' book on the topic, ‘Living the Life Unexpected: How to Find Hope, Meaning and a Fulfilling Future Without Children’. Chosen as one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2013 and as a UK Digital Woman of the Year in 2021, she’s a global thought leader on female involuntary childlessness, a psychotherapist, a 2017 and 2022 TEDx speaker, a founding and former board member at UK Charity Ageing Well Without Children and a former Fellow in Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School. Often referred to as the founder of the ‘childless movement’ she’s been an Ambassador for World Childless Week since its inception in 2017. Since 2018 she has lived in rural Ireland, where she’s working on two new books and nurturing her emerging Gateway Elderwomen project, which includes developing local, non-kin, intergenerational support networks for those ageing without children. https://gateway-women.com/ Jody on Instagram: @GatewayWomen What is the difference between childfree and childless? In several countries, about 20% of women do not have children. Joyce and Jody discuss why women might be childless, such as not being able to find the right partner, not being able to get pregnant or failure of fertility treatments. All of these situations can result in women experiencing trauma, which needs to be resolved. And this is where Jody can help. In 2011 Jody shared her story and since then she has been working with women to encourage them to share their stories through Gateway Women. Her book has helped so many, as well as her women’s circles, therapists and Gateway Women Reignite Weekend workshops. She wants women to find their meaningful life without motherhood. With menopause, comes the realisation that getting pregnant is no longer an option and in 2014, Jody wrote a blog called ‘The Childless Menopause’. This is a powerful podcast.  Date of episode recording: 2024-08-21T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.15.07 Language of episode: English Presenter:Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Jody Day Producer: Joyce Harper

Dr Zeynep Gurtin is a Lecturer in Women’s Health at the Institute for Women’s Health at UCL and an Authority Member at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Zeynep is a sociologist of reproduction and family life, and for the past two decades her work has focused on women’s experiences of infertility, fertility treatments, and family building. She completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge and worked there with Professors Sarah Franklin and Susan Golombok. She also spent 2 years working at a fertility clinic, focusing on researching the social and emotional aspects of egg freezing and single women's fertility options and experiences. Zeynep is an experienced public communicator; she has spoken about fertility, assisted reproduction and gender relations at schools, City firms, arts festivals and women's groups, both nationally and internationally. Her work has been extensively covered in the media, including BBC News, Women's Hour, the Guardian, the Independent, Sky News, Stylist Magazine, Glamour, and Grazia. In this emotional episode, which is part of the podcast series on Motherhood, Zeynep and Joyce recount their difficult fertility journeys that led both to have children over age 40. This was not plan A for either of them, so reliving it brought tears. Globally we have seen the age that women have their first child increase, and it is now over age 30 in many countries. And the total fertility rate, the number of children a woman has, is decreasing globally, hovering just above 1 in several EU countries. But many people wish for a family size of 2-3 children. Why are women having children, later, how does egg freezing affect their choices, and what challenges affect women trying to conceive over 40? How does society view the older mother? And what issues could arise for women going through the perimenopause with small children?  Date of episode recording: 2024-08-16T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.05.15 Language of episode: English Presenter:Prof Joyce Harper Guests: Dr Zeynep Gurtin Producer: Prof Joyce Harper

Lucy van de Wiel was a Research Associate in the Reproductive Sociology Research Group (ReproSoc) at the Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge. She is currently a Lecturer and Postgraduate Research Director in Global Health and Social Medicine at King’s College London. She has founded and is chair of the Reproduction Research Group at King’s. Her research focuses on the introduction of new reproductive technologies such as egg freezing, time-lapse embryo imaging and Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). Lucy explores how these technologies give insight into broader developments within the sector, including the datafication of reproduction and the financialisation of fertility. She also researches telemedical abortion in the post-Roe landscape. She has published an Open Access booked on egg freezing with New York University Press titled Freezing Fertility: Oocyte Cryopreservation and the Gender Politics of Aging. Freezing Fertility has inspired a feature documentary, also called Freezing Fertility. In this episode, Lucy explains all aspects of egg freezing. She discusses what happens when a woman undergoes the procedure, how successful it is, and how much it costs. It is not a simple procedure to go through, it is not that successful with no guarantee of a baby and it is expensive, with multiple rounds usually being recommended. So why would any woman want to freeze her eggs? Joyce and Lucy answer this question and discuss the interesting fact that few women have come back to use their frozen eggs. And what does the future hold – is this a procedure that will become common place or are other technologies being developed that will replace egg freezing?  Date of episode recording: 2024-07-29T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.18.05 Language of episode: English Presenter: Joyce Harper  Guests: Dr Lucy van de Wiel Producer: Joyce Harper

Mel is a solo mother and has used her experience to help others on this journey. She can be found on social media @the_stork_and_i and is The Solo Parenthood Coach ™ Mel is an experienced Life Coach, with a coaching qualification from CoachMatch and over 15 years of personal development and leadership coaching, with the last 6 years focusing solely on Solo Parenting. She uses the blended approach of coaching, research based information and resources, and personal insights from her own journey to provide support to explore options and to help support those who are deciding to go down the same path. She has grown a like minded community full of amazing women who are all here to help and support each other, and through the content she shares, 1:2:1 coaching, group coaching programmes and through her membership, she supports women from around the world to feel empowered and in control of their route to parenthood. Mel talks about why she decided to become a solo mother, what her friends and family thought about it, and the biggest challenges she has faced.  For solo mothers – there are various ways to obtain donor sperm such as through a fertility clinic, with a friend, or through meeting someone on line. The latter option can be problematic as highlighted in the Netflix series – The Man with 1000 kids. Most solo mothers are honest with their children from the start and tell them that they were conceived using donor sperm.  The donor conception network produces excellent books called Our Story which help different types of families explain how they conceived to their children. Mel explained that it can lead to problems if families are not open.   Further information can be found at https://www.dcnetwork.org/ and https://www.eshre.eu/irhec Date of episode recording: 2024-07-04T00:00:00Z Duration: 00.45.55 Language of episode: English Presenter:Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Mel Johnson Producer: Joyce Harper

Tim is Associate Professor of Reproductive Medicine in the Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health at the University of Oxford. Tim studied medicine at the Universities of Cambridge and London, followed by postgraduate training in Oxford and a 2 year Fellowship at McGill University in Montreal where he worked on oocyte In Vitro Maturation, a drug-free version of IVF. He then returned to Oxford and in 2007 led the team behind the first UK babies born using the technique – twins. He got his research MD from the University of London, with a thesis titled 'Clinical and ultrasound prediction of outcome in unstimulated oocyte in-vitro maturation cycles. Tim is on the Board of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and Chairs the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC). Tim was a member of the 2013 NICE Fertility Guidelines Group. He is co-author of the UK’s highest selling Obs and Gynae textbook and has published over 100 research papers and chapters. Tim is a firm believer in Evidence Based Medicine and has undertaken many trials assessing assisted conception interventions. Tim runs regular patient-focussed Instagram Lives on his channel @drtimchild  Tim explains how to get pregnant naturally and how to get pregnant using fertility treatments. We discuss when the fertile window is, how fertility declines with age, how to prepare for pregnancy, what Tim thinks about nutrition, supplements and lifestyle, and what to do if there are problems. Tim explains how long couples should try naturally before they seek medical help. the most common causes of infertility, the different types of fertility treatments and the success rates. We discuss the role of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and how they have regulated IVF add-ons – additional treatments that usually claim to increase your chances of getting pregnant. We finish the podcast talking about some of the new technologies being developed such as using adult cells to make eggs and sperm which would totally revolutionise how we have children in the future.  Further information about some of the topics we discussed can be found at https://www.eshre.eu/irhecTranscription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts Date of episode recording: 2024-07-04T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.01.37 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Professor Tim Child Producer: Joyce Harper

Athena Lamnisos is CEO of the leading women’s health charity, The Eve Appeal which is focused education about the five gynaecological cancers and their prevention.Athena is experienced at forging partnerships between private, public and not for profit sectors. She has a track record of directing successful change programmes in the arena of public health and oncology and is passionate about making the publics voices heard. Her career spans working for Friends of the Earth where she led the communications and fundraising directorate through to leading public sector campaigns as a founding Board director of Forster. She has held numerous trustee roles including at food waste charity FareShare and as a founding trustee of restorative justice charity The Forgiveness Project. In this podcast we discussed the importance of raising awareness about the 5 gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. Athena shared her experience as CEO of the Eve Appeal, highlighting the charity's focus on prevention and early diagnosis through partnerships with private, public, and non-profit sectors and some of the amazing research they have supported. We also discussed the importance of educating children and adults about female anatomy, using proper terminology, and avoiding shame or embarrassment to prevent cancer.  Athena stressed the importance of early detection and prevention of gynaecological cancers and the need for more awareness and education and the HPV vaccination. She gives some important tips to help women identify when something might be wrong.Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts Duration: 48:53 Language of episode: English Presenter:Joyce Harper Guests: Athena Lamnisos Producer: Joyce Harper

Susan Saunders is a health coach helping women over 50 reduce dementia risk and optimise brain health with science-backed habits. She's the author of three books about healthy ageing and longevity. She co-wrote the bestseller The Age-Well Project (and the blog of the same name) and authored The Age-Well Plan. Her most recent publication is The Power Decade: how to thrive after menopause - and it's out now. She has a high-level qualification as a dementia prevention coach with neuroscientist Dr Dale Bredesen (author of The End of Alzheimer's) and was one of the first coaches in the UK to qualify as a coach on his programme. She's coached hundreds of people globally to build habits scientifically-shown to reduce dementia risk. SOCIALS: Instagram @susansaundershealth Website https://susansaundershealth.com How can we age well? Susan says it is in our hands. If we look after our lifestyle – we can age well and reduce the risk of dementia. Susan has dedicated her life to examining aging well since her mother got dementia. In The Power Decade she talks about the '3 Ms' - mindset, meals and movement', and in her coaching practice she talks about six pillars of better brain health - nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, cognitive engagement and environment (social and built). We discuss these topics, from the myths around nutrition, to the myths around which exercise post menopausal women should do. Susan feels that managing stress is an essential life skill, and exercise is no longer an option. It is time to rediscover our creativity and find our tribe. This podcast is filled with brilliant advice on how to age well. Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts Date of episode recording: 2024-05-15T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.14.22 Language of episode: English Presenter:Joyce Harper Guests: Susan Saunders Producer: Joyce Harper

Mel Berry is co-founder of Her Spirit with her friend Holly Woodford. Mel is an experienced triathlon and swimming coach and leads the swimming coaching groups and the development of the overall Her Spirit coaching programme. Mel has worked with some of the best athletes, coaches and business owners in the world. Supporting these experiences has been her chance to help so many people transform their lives. She believes that anyone can achieve anything they want to. But to enable this to happen, you need good people around you to realise this. This is one of many reasons she set up Her Spirit. Mel loves to swim and currently training to swim the length of Coniston twice in one weekend and Lake Windermere one way for charity. Exercise is so important for our physical and mental health and reduces the risk of many major diseases such as cancer, dementia, and more. But women around the world do not do enough exercise and movement. Her Spirit is here to help. Through the Her Spirit app and web site, Mel and the team are trying to make communities of women who can enjoy exercise together. Her Spirit also lead a number of campaigns including the 4-week virtual swim challenge to help raise funds for Breast Cancer Now. And in July, they are launching the Her Spirit Women’s Sports Fund to increase the accessibility to sports. Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts Date of episode recording: 2024-05-17T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.00.23 Language of episode: English Presenter:Joyce Harper Guests: Mel Berry Producer: Joyce Harper

Laura Spoelstra has been involved in the fertility sector as an expert in donation issues for almost 15 years. During that time, she was involved in various national policy working parties including the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the Nuffield Council on BioEthics and the Joint Committee on the Human Tissue and Embryos Bill. More recently she has been focusing on wellbeing of young people and mental health. And she’s been a listening volunteer for Samaritans, a national organisation providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide. Laura is a Samaritans Branch Deputy Director, a Regional Officer and a qualified Mental Health First Aider. Mental health is, in a sense, the same as physical health. It’s intrinsic to who we are, and it’s our ability to cope with life. A third of illnesses are caused by poor mental health as this can impact our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. And as we go through life, we face different challenges that affect our mental health. Covid caused a big spike in mental health issues. Young people are facing huge challenges for their mental health, with pressures from social media and hectic lifestyles. Suicide has increased over recent years and the data shows that men are more likely to commit suicide than women, at all ages. But there are ways to improve your mental health, including talking to people if we have issues, but also lifestyle changes such as being outside, exercise, nutrition good sleep and friendships. There are also several medications that can be used. The Samaritans are there ‘’Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year." https://www.samaritans.org/ Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts Date of episode recording: 2024-05-09T00:00:00Z Duration: 00.49.03 Language of episode: English Presenter: Joyce Harper Guests: Laura Spoelstra Producer: Joyce Harper

Tessa is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the University of Sydney School of Public Health. Her research focuses on the psychosocial impacts of disease labels, overdiagnosis and evidence-based reproductive healthcare for women. Her PhD research examined the benefits and harms of a polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis, and this research has been published in high impact journals in the field. In this episode Tessa explains what women’s health tech and Femtech are, and ideally how they should be developed, with a basis on evidence-based medicine. Health tech companies probably have two aims – to improve health and to make money but maybe along the way, they get hijacked by making money. There is a saying that health tech fakes it until they can make it. Which is what happened with Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, who is now in prison for fraud. Tessa explains that regulation of tech is inadequate, and it may confirm that a test is testing what it says it is, but it does not mean that the test is of any use to the public. With social media and celebrities endorsing health tech, it makes it difficult for people to know what will be valid. But does it matter – surely health tech does no harm, except on the wallet? Tessa explains that it can do harm, using the example of Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) testing. Tessa discusses her recent paper titled Marketing empowerment: how corporations co-opt feminist narratives to promote non-evidence based health interventions. We also discuss period tracker apps, IVF add-ons and menopause. Will anyone take any notice of research such as Tessa’s, or will marketing take over allowing unproven health tech to thrive? Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts Date of episode recording: 2024-04-11T00:00:00Z Duration: 00.56.49 Presenter: Joyce Harper Guests: Dr Tessa Copp Producer: Joyce Harper

Dame Lesley Regan is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College, St Mary’s Hospital, London. Having graduated from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London in 1980, Professor Regan pursued her career at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where she first became enthused by clinical & laboratory research, completing an MD on miscarriage, the commonest complication of pregnancy. She went on to set up the world’s largest recurrent miscarriage clinic at St Mary’s. Professor Regan was the 30th President (2016-2019) of the RCOG, during which time she co-chaired the national Women’s Health Task Force and published the RCOG Better for Women report which highlighted the need for an NHS led women’s health strategy. Lesley was awarded a DBE for her services to women’s health in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List. She was appointed chair of the WoW charity in October 2020 and became the first ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England in July 2022, to help implementation of the Government’s recently launched Women's Health Strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of girls and women nationally. In this episode we discuss some of the key topics in women’s health as Lesley’s interests span from the cradle to the grave. As well as her pioneering work on miscarriage, Lesley has been helping women with menstrual issues, fertility and infertility and menopause. She has been trying to deal with the many obstacles and myths around women’s health. In 2009 she presented a TV series called Professor Regan Investigates looking into how some companies use science to sell. This issue is even more important now, as women’s health tech has become a booming industry. Through her work, education has been key for Lesley to ensure all women lead their best and healthiest lives.  Date of episode recording: 2024-03-15T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.14.35 Language of episode: English Presenter: Joyce Harper Guests: Professor Dame Lesley Regan Producer: Joyce Harper

Lavina Mehta, MBE, is an award winning personal trainer, wellness coach, mum of 3, was awarded an MBE in 2020 for her work in health and fitness over the pandemic and she is on a mission to help all ages feel good physically and mentally. Her slogan is Exercise for sanity not vanity. She has also done a great TED talk in a school to encourage young people to exercise. And is a patron of menopause mandate and an ambassador for diabetes UK, the Alzheimer’s society and Wellbeing of Women. The Feel Good Fix by Lavina Mehta is publishing on 30th May 2024 and is available for pre-order now (Penguin Life, £16.99) Follow Lavina on social media: @feelgoodwithlavina Lavina has not always been into exercising. She was the arty kid at school and had a very successful career in the corporate world. But over recent years she has been doing a huge amount of work to encourage everyone to exercise – exercise snacking whenever they can: whilst cleaning your teeth, cooking, on an aeroplane. Her work has also taken her into schools to talk about how exercising can help reduce mental health. Of course we talked about the importance of exercising during the perimenopause and beyond. And the importance of exercising outside, with friends. We can all do this – exercise snacking works and helps lead us to the Feel Good Fix.  Date of episode recording: 2024-02-20T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:47:44 Language of episode: English Presenter: Joyce Harper Guests: Lavina Mehta. MBE Producer: Joyce Harper Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts

Mike Tipton, MBE, PhD, MSc, FTPS is Professor of Human & Applied Physiology, In the Extreme Environments Laboratory, School of Sport Health & Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, UK. Mike has worked at the University of Surrey and University of Portsmouth. In addition, he was based at the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM) from 1983 to 2004 and was Consultant Head of the Environmental Medicine Division of the INM from 1996. He has published over 800 scientific papers, reports, chapters, abstracts and books in his research areas of drowning, thermoregulation, environmental and occupational physiology, and survival in the sea. He is an honorary life member of Surf Lifesaving GB and was a Trustee/Director for ten years, he is a member of the Council of the RNLI as well as a Consultant to the Medical Director of the RNLI. He has been a consultant in survival and thermal medicine to the Royal Air Force, UKSport and the English Institute of Sport (EIS). He chaired UKSport’s Research Advisory Group and sat on the EIS Scientific and Ethics Advisory Group. He sits on the QinetiQ ethics committee. Prof Tipton as edited several scientific journals including The Physiological Society’s “Experimental Physiology”. Mike is a visiting Professor at King’s College, London, and an Adjunct Professor at Waterford Institute of Technology. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and The Physiological Society. He was awarded his MBE for services to physiological research in extreme environments; the Ireland Medal for saving lives from drowning worldwide; and the H&L Swiftwater rescue lifetime achievement award from the USA. Why do people swim in cold water – and what are the benefits and dangers? Mike explains what happens to our body when we immerse ourselves in cold water and if this is good for our health. It can make us ill and even cause death. He gives important tips for those who are thinking of starting. As always there are many myths. Cold water swimmers religiously drink a hot drink after swimming. Mike says it is a myth that it is warming us up. And eating cake is lovely, but we do not need it! And the best way to warm up after cold water swimming? A warm bath or sauna. We discuss our latest research on cold water swimming and menstrual and menopause symptoms. And what’s it like training for Ironman when you are in your mid 60s!  Date of episode recording: 2024-02-23T00:00:00Z Duration: 01:08:20 Language of episode: English Presenter: Joyce Harper Guests: Professor Mike Tipton Producer: Joyce Harper Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts

Philippa is a GP, author, journalist and mother. She is a Londoner and only moved away for three years while studying at Downing College Cambridge, before returning to Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ medical school for her clinical training. Once qualified she started having babies all in the midst of training in paediatrics, gynaecology, care of the elderly and acute medicine, psychiatry and then general practice. She now works as a GP in both privately and for the NHS, before running home to the chaos of a house with a husband and three children. She is the author of 8 books, including: Doctors Get Cancer Too is her memoir of being 39 years old, a busy doctor and mother when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and was an Amazon bestseller, and The M Word: Everything you need to know about the menopause which reached number 2 in the Amazon charts. Breasts: An Owner’s Guide was released in 2023. She is the medical expert for Woman, Woman & Home, That’s Life and My Weekly Special magazines and regularly contributes to the print and online press as well as having a role as the Ann Summers sexual health GP. She is regularly seen on the sofa on television on This Morning, Talk TV and various news programmes on both radio and television. Below is a link to Dr Philippa explaining what happens during cervical screening, a smear test. The clip has been viewed worldwide more than 15.4 million times! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-42774652/what-happens-during-a-smear-test The M word - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Word-Everything-Need-About-Menopause-ebook/dp/B0BRQWQJLX/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=philippa+kaye&qid=1706691623&s=instant-video&sr=1-2 Breasts, an owners guide - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breasts-Owners-Guide-Philippa-Kaye-ebook/dp/B0B92JXBX7/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=philippa+kaye&qid=1706691772&s=instant-video&sr=1-1 What a pleasure to release this podcast on International Women’s Day 2024 with the theme of inspire inclusion. Being a GP has allowed Philippa to work in all the areas of medicine she is interested in. Writing books, and being on social media and TV, has allowed her to reach a wider audience to share her immense knowledge. In this very powerful podcast, we discuss a better world for women. Education is key, so they can understand their health and know when to contact their GP. Women often wait too long to visit their GP putting up with painful periods, miscarriage, menopause symptoms and more. She says we should not feel we are disturbing our GPs – “The time for you to bother me is the time when it bothers you.” We discuss Philippa’s advice on infertility, menopause, breasts, cervical screening and cancer. And what it is like to juggle being a working mother.  Date of episode recording: 2024-02-09T00:00:00Z Duration: 01:04:22 Language of episode: English Presenter: Joyce Harper Guests: Dr Philippa Kaye Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts

Dr Neil Stanley started working on sleep when he was 16 – working at the neurosciences division of the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine in Farnborough. Since then he has been involved in numerous research studies, a notable one being a study in Pakistan where the team recorded sleep in 8 people for 6 nights at 18500 feet. In 1993 Neil took up a position in the human psychopharmacology research unit, university of Surrey, where he became the director of sleep research. There he created and ran a 24 bed trials sleep laboratory, primarily doing clinical trials into the effects of medications on sleep. He also set up and developed the sleep service at the London Clinic. If Neil is not talking about sleep, he is writing about sleep, if he is not writing about it, he is reading about it, and if not reading about it – he is probably asleep. He is author of the book – How to sleep well. The science of sleeping smarter, living better and being more productive which I highly recommend – as well as being full of evidence-based information about sleep – it is very funny. His latest book is coming out on 24th Feb 'Sleep Divorce: How to Sleep Apart, Not Fall Apart'. Everyone needs to sleep. Virtually every major disease has been linked to sleep. Sleep affects our work, school performance, relationships, emotional wellbeing and our health. But in today’s society we take in so much information - the need for good quality sleep is key to our wellbeing. In this podcast we discuss what happens when we sleep and how much sleep we should get - 8 hours a night is a myth. We are all individual and what works for us is what is important. What is your sleeping environment like and what do you do before you go to bed? How can coffee, alcohol and tech affect our sleep? Neil says that the issue with blue light is a myth. What about sleep during the life course? Should babies cry themselves to sleep? Are teenagers nocturnal? What about the perimenopause? And do we need less sleep as we age? There were so many questions to discuss, this is my longest podcast to date. Sleep well.  Date of episode recording: 2024-02-22T00:00:00Z Duration: 01.23.46 Language of episode: English Presenter: Joyce Harper Guests: Dr Neil Stanley Producer: Joyce Harper Transcription link: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/