Ladies, We Need To Talk

Comedian Felicity Ward started having the best sex of her life after the worst time in her life.  After years of fertility struggles, Felicity finally fell pregnant at 38. But being a mum to a newborn wasn't the Instagram highlight reel she'd imagined. Felicity wrestled with perinatal depression, zero sleep and a loss of identity…and then she became a single mum. At 40, Felicity was dating again but her expectations were low. She reluctantly joined the apps and started swiping…and what was on the other side amazed her. Felicity found a babysitter for her toddler and sexual liberation for herself. Yumi Stynes sits down with the professional funny woman, dancing with the stars contestant and star of The Office for a deeply personal chat about starting over, rediscovering confidence and how the best sex of your life may yet be ahead of you. If you need help: Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 Gidget Foundation 1300 851 758 This episode will answer questions like: What does it feel like to have perinatal depression and anxiety? Is it ok to be tired after having a baby? Can I ask for help after having a baby? How to have good sex in your 40s What should I ask new mums? What are the treatments for perinatal depression? What to listen to next:  Great sex: What we wish men knew — ABC listen Queers are meant to have kids — ABC listen Body image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie Walker Where's my village? Esther Perel on how to build community You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next:  Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to peri natal depression, divorce, pregnancy, child birth, sex, dating apps, newborns, motherhood

Life as a perennially single woman can be lonely. Coupled-up friends often too busy to catch up, family constantly asking "So, have you met anyone yet?" What's a gal to do? The truth is, we live in a world that celebrates coupledom. And while there are women who love the single life, for others being called to the front to catch the bouquet at every friend's wedding is painful. Yumi Stynes meets three women who have never been in a serious relationship. They've tried it all, psychic readings, blind dates, even auditioning for MAFs, but their true love has never materialised. In this episode, you'll hear from women who keep their relationship hopes alive but prioritise their peace, ditching the dating apps for a life of independent travel and a table with a view and no one to steal your fries. This episode will answer questions like: Do I need a partner? Should I travel alone? Do I need a partner to freeze my eggs? Is therapy helpful? What to listen to next: Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off The power of one: the single ladies owning it — ABC listen Why are we exercising less than men? What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel This episode contains references to sex, dating, relationships, egg freezing, Married at First Sight, reality TV

Narelda Jacobs and Karina Natt announced their pregnancy online. Then came the trolls. The pair were over the moon about starting their rainbow family but were pulled back down to earth by the haters who said that they had "no right" to have children as a gay couple. Their response was to write and release a satirical book for adults called 'If Queers weren't meant to have kids.' The book is a celebration of the queer community and raising a child with your chosen family.  The couple sat down with Yumi Stynes for a joyful conversation about the mechanics of conceiving using the turkey baster method and raising a child with three loving parents.  Narelda Jacobs is a Whadjuk Noongar journalist and presenter on Network 10 and Karina Natt is a former lawyer and journalist who works in media and communications.   This episode will answer questions like: Who are Narelda Jacobs and Karina Natt?  How do you ask someone to have a baby with you?  How do you get pregnant in a same sex relationship?  What is the turkey baster method? Can you choose your family? What to listen to next: Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off Why are we exercising less than men? What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel This episode contains references to sex, conception, pregnancy, trolling, online bullying, homophobia, chosen family, village

We all want to sex to be hot, intimate and above all else, enjoyable. But sometimes when we're getting it on, things can go south and disaster ensues. These naked encounters are excruciating in the moment but hilarious when shared with friends. Comedian Lizzy Hoo and Yumi Stynes join forces to walk through the sexual hall of shame and come out the other side laughing. Expect rogue fluids, a limp erotic massage, and one unfortunate hospital visit. This episode will answer questions like: Do I need to see a doctor if I have a sex injury? Why is sex awkward? Should I try different lubes? Should I try new things with my partner? What are common turn offs in sex? Can I get pregnant when I use protection? What to listen to next: Women who cheat Is everyone having better sex than me? Paying for sex at 70 You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next:  Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to sex, safe sex, sexual positions, torn vulvas, male escorts, orgasm, pregnancy, contraception, dating

In the exercise race, women are falling behind. Two out of five women aren’t moving enough and it’s bad for our health.  Between being time squeezed, feeling crappy about our bodies and guilt about taking a break from caring duties, women have less room for exercise than blokes. But ladies, it’s time to put on our sports bras and get sweaty!  In this episode, you’ll hear how to get your fitness mojo back and prioritise your wellness. You’ll meet exercise-hater-turned-evangelical-runner, Amanda Hooten. Plus, clinical psychologist Professor Lyndall Strazdins from the ANU shares tips on how to get physical.  This episode will answer questions like:  Why do women exercise less than men?  What is the gender exercise gap?  How are women and men’s relationship with exercise different?  What can women do to exercise more?  Why do we need to exercise more?  How can I start exercising if I have a bad relationship with it?  What to listen to next: Love ya guts! What to eat to feel your best  How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off   Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it  Paying for sex at 70  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went  Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel  Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  This episode contains references to exercise, weight, eating disorders, body image, sport, running, pilates, mental load, gender, parenting, adolescence, women’s safety.

What if, instead of being the best time of your life, new motherhood was miserable? Perinatal depression and anxiety affects one in five women in Australia. But the shame of it is carried in silence. Yumi Stynes speaks to women about their darkest days as new mums; sleep deprived, fearful and feeling alone. She hears how these women came through their suffering and got the help they needed. Featured in this episode:   Dr Erin Seeto, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Clinical Services at the Gidget Foundation  If you need help: Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 Gidget Foundation 1300 851 758 This episode will answer questions like:  What does it feel like to have perinatal depression and anxiety?  What is perinatal depression and anxiety?  What are the risk factors of perinatal depression and anxiety?  How is perinatal depression and anxiety treated?  How do you recover from perinatal depression and anxiety?  Can your relationship impact perinatal depression and anxiety? What to listen to next:   I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticals  How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off   Turia Pitt is a selfish woman  Paying for sex at 70  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went  Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel  Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  This episode contains references to suicide, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, birth, birth trauma, mothering, parenting, mental health care plan, psychology, hospital, family, breastfeeding, colic, crying, sleeplessness, sleep deprivation.

What happens when your husband suddenly becomes someone you don’t recognise? One cold day in 2020, Belle Burden’s partner of 20 years told her he was leaving her. There were was no warning, no chance to talk.  Before her relationship collapsed, Belle’s life looked enviable. Heiress to a wealthy New York family empire, she had the kids, the job, the holiday house and a committed marriage. But overnight, everything Belle thought she knew about her husband changed, and he became a stranger to her. Despite the pain of separation, Belle came to know herself again and rebuilt her life stronger than before.  This episode will answer questions like:  What does it feel like to be cheated on?  Can you tell if your husband is having an affair?  Do people suddenly fall out of love?  Who is Belle Burden?  Is Gwneth Paltrow Playing Belle Burden in the movie adaptation for Netflix?  How can women protect themselves financially in a marriage?  What lessons are there to be learnt after going through divorce?  What to listen to next: I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticals  How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off   Turia Pitt is a selfish woman  Paying for sex at 70  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went  Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel  Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  This episode contains references to divorce, separation, affair, cheating, heartbreak, money, settlement, parenting, re-invention, self-discovery, gender, mothering, independent, finance.

What’s it like to parent when you can’t see your kid? Nas Campanella, the ABC’s National Disability Affairs reporter, knows there’s many ways to be a great mum. As a blind woman, she’s navigated internalised ableism, and copped BS from strangers. Through it all, she’s given the middle finger to expectations and come out the other side stronger. She talks to Yumi Stynes about the quiet strength that comes from trusting her own instincts and the deep bond she’s formed with her son.   This episode will answer questions like:  What’s it like to be a mother while vision impaired?  How do blind parents use sound, touch and voice to care for their babies? What are the biggest challenges of parenting with a disability?  How do you keep children safe without relying on sight?  How do people use sound, touch and instinct to read their baby’s needs?  What public scrutiny do disabled parents receive?  How do you raise an empathetic child?  What to listen to next:   I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticals  Life without boobs: Meet the women staying flat after breast cancer   Body image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie Walker  Where's my village? Esther Perel on how to build community  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to disability, vision impaired, blind, mother, parent, National Disability Affairs reporter, ABC, work-life-balance, working mum, child, baby, parenting, teaching, attachment.

Marriage sabbaticals aren't a divorce, or an excuse for guilt-free frotting but a chance to reset priorities. But do they work? It can be hard to figure out how to fix a relationship in need of repair when you're in the grind of the day-to-day. Living separately for a while or even taking a solo holiday can be a chance for a jump-start, but it comes with risks. Yumi Stynes meets women who've hit pause on their partnerships in the hopes of coming back together stronger than before. This episode will answer questions like:  What is a marriage sabbatical?  Why do women feel like they need a break from their marriage?  Why do some women feel like they care for their husbands like children?  How can you ask for a break from your relationship?  How do you know you’re happy in a relationship?  What does an equal partnership look like?  How do relationship preferences change over time?  Can having a break save your marriage?  What to listen to next:   Women who cheat  Is everyone having better sex than me?  The new way to date  How pop culture f*cked us up, with Sophie Gilbert  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    How pop culture messed us up, with Sophie Gilbert   How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off  Paying for sex at 70  Life without boobs: Meet the women staying flat after breast cancer  This episode contains references to sex, marriage, family, parenting, mental load, emotional labour, domestic labour, inequality, chores, perimenopause, break-ups, relationship, love, psychology, attachment.

How does it feel to be betrayed by the person you love most? Women open up to Yumi Stynes about being cheated on and picking up the pieces of their shattered hearts. There's the fishy feeling you try to shake off, finding texts, unearthing emails, wondering if you're paranoid. And then, the moment of truth and painful aftermath. From Beyonce to Lily Allen, queens everywhere have wondered, "How did I get caught up in your double life??" For some women, infidelity destroys the foundation of trust forever. For others it leads to bloodletting and rebuilding the relationship. Featured in this episode:   Christina Spaccavento, sex and relationships counsellor  This episode will answer questions like:  What does it feel like to be cheated on?  How do some women find out their partner has been cheating on them?  Why do people cheat?  Can you stay in a relationship after infidelity?   How do you rebuild trust after cheating?  What to listen to next: Women who cheat  Is everyone having better sex than me?  The new way to date  How pop culture f*cked us up, with Sophie Gilbert  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   This episode contains references to sex, marriage, cheating, West End Girl, Lily Allen, Madeline, Beyonce, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Becky with the good hair, Shakira, Lemonade, infidelity, women, family, emotional cheating.

Millennial pop culture has a lot to answer for. From Britney Spears' sexy schoolgirl outfit to an underage Kate Moss on the cover of Vogue and Paris Hilton in pube-skimming velvet tracksuits, the message was clear — being hot, sexy and desirable meant #girlpower. So how did we all buy into the lie that self-objectification is empowerment? Pulitzer Prize–nominated journalist Sophie Gilbert says the Spice Girls, Demi Moore, Britney Spears and the Kardashians all had a role to play in how we feel about ourselves as women. Sophie chats to Yumi Stynes about how pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves and what we can do about it. What to listen to next:  Emotional labour with Rose Hackman  Clare and Jessie Stephens on twinning, pregnancy and envy  Has Ozempic killed body inclusivity?  Are our boys ok? Fighting online misogyny with Kate Scott  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   This episode will answer questions like:  What were the messages being sent about womanhood in the 1990s and 2000s?  How did the Spice Girls rise to popularity?  What did the term ‘girl power’ mean?  How did pop culture impact body image and fashion?  What did pop culture teach us about women’s sexuality?  What is pop culture today teaching us about womanhood?  This episode contains references to sexuality, pop culture, music, performance, girl, woman, gender, gender roles, Britney Spears, Kate Moss, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, the Spice Girls, Pamela Anderson, body image, thinness, beauty, capitalism, entertainment industry.

What’s it like to switch teams mid-season? Nicola was married to a man for 25 years before she fell in love with a woman. Jennifer and Marija were in their 40s when everything they knew about their sexuality changed.   Yumi Stynes chats to later-in-life lesbians to hear what they’ve learned from swapping sides. She also gets the low-down on sexuality research across the life span, and why so many women are coming out in their second act.  What to listen to next:  How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off  Where's my village? Esther Perel on how to build community  Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis?  Hacking online dating with Prof. Jennie Young  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   This episode will answer questions like:  What’s it like to fall in love with a woman in middle age?  Are some women straight and then turn gay?  How common is bisexuality?  How fluid is sexuality?  What does it feel like to have sex with a woman for the first time?  This episode contains references to sexuality, family, mother, parenting relationships, lesbian, gay, straight, sex, orgasm, religion.

MasterChef’s Julie Goodwin has a bubbly exterior but underneath are demons she’s fought for decades.   The celebrity cook opens up to Yumi Stynes about the anxiety and depression she’s kept hidden for so long, and how it almost undid her.  Julie’s path to recovery wasn’t straight, but she learnt how to manage what she calls the ‘monster under the bed’ and change her life for the better.   If you need someone to talk to, call:  Lifeline on 13 11 14   Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467   Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36   Headspace on 1800 650 890   What to listen to next:  Mental health: Overcoming depression  Love ya guts! What to eat to feel your best  Body image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie Walker  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   This episode will answer questions like:  What does anxiety feel like?  What does depression feel like?  How can childhood experiences impact mental health?  How did Julie Goodwin recover from a mental breakdown?  What can I do to improve my mental health?  What is it like to stay in a psychiatric hospital?  How can I cultivate joy?  How can mental health impact relationships?  This episode contains references to anxiety, depression, alcohol, addiction, exercise, health, mental health, psychology, MasterChef Australia.

If you've ever been with a guy who thinks jackhammering is a virtue or who can't tell your clitoris from your clavicle, this episode is for you! (Pssst share it with a bloke you know). Yumi Stynes chats to comedian and expert dater Nikki Britton about what makes for good sex. Plus, sex therapist Aleks Trkulja, from The Pleasure Centre, gives tips on how to take on feedback in the bedroom. This episode will answer questions like:  What do women want in sex?  How are women and men’s sexual desires different?  What can I do to increase arousal?  What are common turn offs?  What are the fundamental elements of good sex?  What to listen to next: Is everyone having better sex than me?  The new way to date  Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis?  Shedding the shame of herpes  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   This episode contains references to sex, gender, men, women, clitoris, mental load, marriage, sex life, therapy, masturbation.

Dr Corrine Low says heterosexual relationships are costing women financially. And she’s got the life experience and the data to back it up.   When Corrine was married to a man and a new mum, she was the main breadwinner, shouldering the domestic load...and she was FED UP.   Corrine’s research has found that even though we’re doing more paid work than ever, women still do most of the unpaid labour at home and it’s hurting our back pocket (and our feelings).   Dr Low talks to Yumi Stynes about practical ways for women to have more equal relationships, share the mental load and connect our romantic and financial decisions.  This episode will answer questions like:  What is domestic labour?  Do women do more work at home than men?  How can we create more equal families?  How does work gender inequality impact relationships?  What is mum burn out?  What can you do to distribute the mental load fairly?  What to listen to next:   Emotional labour with Rose Hackman  Turia Pitt is a selfish woman  Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it  Has Ozempic killed body inclusivity?  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   This episode contains references to gender roles, family, relationship, men, mental load, domestic labour, utility, having it all, children, parenting, child care, work life balance, mental health.

Esther Perel is on a mission to make us feel less alone. The world renowned psychotherapist says we've lost touch with the village but she's here to help us reconnect.  Esther chats to Yumi Stynes about how to foster a community and stop putting pressure on romantic partners to fulfil our needs. She shares her own story of seeing her parents build a village as refugees, and how she learnt to lean on her chosen people when her family needed it most.      If you’re feeling isolated or just want to bolster your community, this episode offers practical way to find and maintain your village.    This episode will answer questions like:  What is a village? How can I build a village? How does having a strong community impact romantic relationships? How did Esther Perel build a strong community? What's at stake when we don't have a village? How can we all combat loneliness? How do we ask for help? What to listen to next:   Deepa Paul on opening her marriage   Emotional labour with Rose Hackman  Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   This episode contains references to Esther Perel, village, community, friends, romantic relationship, marriage, resentment, therapy, couples therapy, Mating in Captivity, Where Should We Begin, personality styles, extroversion, introversion, love language.

We’re told boobs are sexy! Bouncy! Nutritious food banks even! But what happens when they betray you?  Every year in Australia, around 20,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Forty per cent of those will need a mastectomy, surgery to have the breast tissue removed. Some of those women will choose not reconstruct, to stay "flat." Yumi Stynes speaks to "flatties" about their relationship with their new bodies. You'll hear from women who've had one or both breasts removed about how their decision has reshaped their sex lives and body image and how they've found hope in new forms. If you've got boobs, or know someone who does, this episode will make you question how you think about them.  Featured in this episode:  Dr Charlotte Tottman, psycho-oncologist   Useful links:  Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman  Breast Cancer Network Australia  So Brave Breast Cancer Charity  Mastectomy: Breast Surgery and Recovery    What to listen to next:   Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis?  Embracing imperfection was the key to Astrid’s success  Getting to the bottom of IBS  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.     What to read next:    How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  This episode contains references to breast cancer, going flat, staying flat, flatties, reconstruction, surgery, chemotherapy, body image, femininity, boobs, psychology, mental health, gender.

When she was 16, Pub Choir's Astrid Jorgensen wanted to be a nun. So how did she end up in pubs, night after night, teaching people to sing? For years, Astrid felt like she didn't belong to the world of music. But she found her way in, on her terms. Astrid was never going to be an elite Opera singer, but in rediscovering the joy of singing for the sake of it, she invited the world to sing along too. Astrid has fused her unique talents together to create Pub Choir — the largest choir in the world. She teaches everyday punters to sing a three-part harmony, where the audience becomes the performers. Yumi Stynes sits down with Astrid for a candid conversation about the messiness of life, how she found her voice and began singing to her own tune. What to listen to next:   Turia Pitt is a selfish woman  Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it  Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis?  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  This episode contains references to Pub Choir, Bulimia, Backstreet Boys, Cher, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Africa, Cranberries, Zombie, Dolores O’Riordan, Toto, Average at Best, music teacher, spiritual quest, religion, abusive teacher, music, audiation, sensory, senses, conducting, choir, crowd, stage.

Up to one in five people have irritable bowel syndrome and women are three times as likely to be affected. From bloating, cramping, constipation and diarrhea, the symptoms can be debilitating, let alone make it hard to do up a pair of jeans!  Even though IBS is so common, there’s no cure. But there’s increasing research about the best ways to manage symptoms - from the low FODMAP diet to managing anxiety to live a better and less gassy life.   Featured in this episode:  Associate Professor Jess Biesiekierski from the University of Melbourne IBS participant study https://www.gutresearchstudy.com. What to listen to next:   Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter  Sandwich generation — the women looking after everyone  Mental health: Overcoming depression  Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life   This episode will answer questions like:  What is IBS?  What does IBS feel like?  How do you know you have IBS?  How can you manage IBS?  Can you cure IBS?  How is the mind and gut connected?  What does stress have to do with IBS?  This episode contains references to IBS, irritable bowl syndrome, HotGirlsHaveIBS , leaky gut, pain, gut pain, faecal transplants, anxiety, mental health, therapy, microbiome, FODMAP, diet, mind gut connection.

With "wellness" advice from influencers flooding our feeds, it's hard to sort fact from absolute nonsense and know what to eat to feel good. Enter Laureate Professor in nutrition and dietetics, Clare Collins. Yumi sits down with Clare to get the low down on the good stuff we should be eating on and the nasty stuff we should avoid. How much protein is enough? Is fibre a big deal? Are probiotics bulls*#t? This episode will help you turn down the noise on nonsense diet trends and listen to what your guts are telling you. What to listen to next:   Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter  Stepmums: Why do they get such a hard time? Endometriosis: Pain, periods, medical gaslighting Clare and Jessie Stephens on twinning, pregnancy and envy You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life   This episode will answer questions like:   What is your gut?  How does your gut affect your mood?  Is your gut connected to your mental health?  What is your microbiome?   How do you keep your microbiome healthy?  How much fibre do women need?  How much protein do women need?  What are emulsifiers?   What foods are bad for the gut?  How does the mind-gut connection work?  What is the connection between the gut and dementia?  What is the Mediterranean diet?  What is the MIND diet?  This episode contains references to microbiome, diet, diet culture, emulsifiers, fibre, protein, women's health, influencers, menopause, depression, anxiety, bacteria, Mediterranean diet, vegetables, processed food, FODMAP.

Turia Pitt was doing it all — working, mothering, wifeing — and she was exhausted. Being everything to everyone came at a huge cost to her mental health — she was close to burnout, and so she decided to flip the script on being a 'good woman'. Over a decade after sustaining life threatening burns to most of her body in a grassfire, Turia's become a famous author, speaker and athlete. She also had two kids. When Turia's family moved away from their support network for her husband's career, Turia took on a lot and did it with a smile on her face. But inside, she was suffocating. Turia realised that being selfless wasn't getting her where she wanted in life, so it was time to be selfish! She sits down with Yumi Stynes in a refreshingly honest conversation about mum-guilt, saying no, vices, disability and leaving the husbands at home to go hiking with your besties. Turia Pitt is the author of Selfish: How to unlearn the rules that are breaking you. What to listen to next:   Body image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie Walker  Sandwich generation — the women looking after everyone  Mental health: Overcoming depression  Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like  The dark side of being a perfectionist   Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life   This episode will answer questions like:   Why do I feel so tired as a working mum?  What does burnout feel like?  What can I do to feel more present with my kids?  How can you tell if you’re leaning on alcohol too much?  How do get mental health support?  What does it feel like to move away from family and friends with young kids?  How can I put myself first as a working mum?  How do I start saying no?  This episode contains references to motherhood, mental load, depression, burnout, stress, disability, running, hiking, exercise, marriage, family, gender roles, parenting, boundaries, people pleasing, alcohol, mental health care plan, trauma, ironman.

She's one of the great cultural villains; the evil stepmother. Stepmums are up against it. Besides fighting bad press generated by endless pop-culture references, they're chucked in the deep end of parenting without a life boat. Yumi Stynes meets stepmothers who've experienced the joy of loving their partner's child as well as the difficulty of slotting into a 'mum' role when the kids already have one. Plus, researcher Dr Bailey Oliver Blackburn explains the challenges of stepmothering, from responsibility without authority to constant comparison and feeling excluded. This episode is a celebration of the unique role that stepmums play and offers some tools to navigate a complex family dynamic. What to listen to next:  Toxic mums Breaking the motherhood contract Mental health: Overcoming depression  Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it Mental health: Loving someone with an addiction You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This mini-series will answer questions like:  What is it like to be a stepmother?  How do you blend families?  How many families are blended in Australia?  How should you approach parenting as a step mother?  What is 'nacho parenting'? What are the benefits to being a stepmother? This episode contains references to stepmothers, stepmom, stepmum, wicked stepmother, stepfamily, family, parenting, blended families, anxiety, stress, pregnancy, Cinderella, Parent Trap, Rapunzel.

Standing by watching a loved one's addiction can be heartbreaking and confusing. One in ten Australian's struggle with a substance disorder and one in five experience gambling harm. For every person struggling with an addiction, there are people close to them. The wives, mothers, sisters and children watching their addictions play havoc with their lives. Yumi Stynes sits down with women who've been on the sidelines of someone else's addiction, and who've found a path through a challenging situation. In this episode you'll hear how to look after your own mental health as a carer and how to have those difficult conversations. Featured in this episode:  Caroline Thain, Manager of Clinical Advice and Governance at Headspace  Special thanks to Dr Steph Kershaw from the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use for her help with this episode.  Helpful resources:  National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015   SHARC's Family Drug and Gambling Helpline 1300 660 068  Lifeline on 13 11 14  Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36  Headspace on 1800 650 890  Matilda Centre resources for mental health and substance use Al Anon Family Groups Australia What to listen to next:  Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it  Mental health: Overcoming depression  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This episode will answer questions like:  How can I look after myself if my loved one has an addiction?  What does gambling harms and addiction look like?  What is it like to live with someone with alcohol dependence?  How can alcohol dependence affect families?  What is the financial impact of a gambling addiction?  How can I help someone addicted to poker machines?  How can I help someone with an addiction?  This episode contains references to mental health, gambling, poker machines, addiction, alcohol dependence, Al Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, support group, psychologist, alcohol and other drugs, counselling, boundaries.

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition facing women. One in three will be diagnosed in her lifetime. From overwhelming worry to spiralling thoughts, panic attacks to avoidance, anxiety can have a huge impact. But the good news is that we know how to treat it. In part two of this three-part mental health series, Yumi Stynes chats to Julie Goodwin, of MasterChef fame, to understand how she got on top of her crippling anxiety. She also sits down with neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Professor Bronwyn Graham to talk anxiety-busting strategies. The episode explores how hormones, sleep, lifestyle, and medication can impact anxiety and help you emerge stronger than ever. Featured in this episode: Professor Bronwyn Graham, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Julie Goodwin, cook and author If you need someone to talk to, call:  Lifeline on 13 11 14  Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467  Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36  Headspace on 1800 650 890  QLife on 1800 184 527  What to listen to next:  Mental health: Overcoming depression  The price of perfectionism  How to give zero f*cks    Perimenopause: lifting the brain fog  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This mini-series will answer questions like:  How do women experience anxiety differently to men?  What does anxiety feel like?  What are the physical manifestations of anxiety?  What is the role of hormones in women’s anxiety?  How does sleep impact anxiety?  What can exercise and diet do for anxiety?  What are effective treatments for anxiety?  This episode contains references to mental health, anxiety, panic disorder, panic attacks, generalised anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, perfectionism, psychiatric facility, medication, suicide, family, parenting, work-life balance.

One in six women will get depression in their lifetime, compared with one in ten men. So, is it hormones or circumstances or a combination of both that's makes us more susceptible? And importantly, how can we confront the black dog if it's at our door? In part one of this three-part series, Yumi Stynes sits down with women who've been in the grips of depression to understand how they overcame it. She also lays out the essential ingredients for good mental health. Featured in this episode: Professor Bronwyn Graham, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist If you need someone to talk to, call:  Lifeline on 13 11 14  Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800  Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467  Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36  Headspace on 1800 650 890  QLife on 1800 184 527  What to listen to next:  Loneliness — you're not alone  The price of perfectionism  How to give zero f*cks    Perimenopause: lifting the brain fog  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This mini-series will answer questions like:  How do women experience mental health conditions differently to men?  What does depression feel like?  Is depression the same as feeling sad?  What is the role of hormones in women’s depression?  How does sleep impact depression?  What can exercise and diet do for depression?  What are effective treatments for depression?  What is Electroconvulsive Therapy?  This episode contains references to mental health, depression, melancholic depression, suicide, antidepressants, SSRIs, medication, hospital, parenting, motherhood, relationships, family, wellness, health, exercise, hormones, stress, sleep, CBT, psychiatric facility, electroconvulsive therapy, ECT.

One in three women in Australia will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime and one in six will experience depression. This Mental Health Month, it's time to find solutions. In this three-part series, Yumi Stynes chats to leading experts about hacking your brain, hormones, nutrition (and yes, mental load) to feel better. Yumi speaks to women with depression and anxiety about the treatments and lifestyle changes that have helped them feel better. We also look at how to look after your mental health when you love someone with an addiction. Featured in this series: neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Professor Bronwyn Graham, Headspace's Caroline Thain and beloved cook Julie Goodwin. What to listen to next:  Loneliness — you're not alone  The price of perfectionism  How to give zero f*cks    Perimenopause: lifting the brain fog  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This mini-series will answer questions like:  How do women experience mental health conditions differently to men?  What is the role of hormones in women’s mental health?  What is the role of exercise and diet in mental health?  How do antidepressants work?  What’s it like to stay in a psychiatric hospital?  How do I feel better day to day?  This episode contains references to mental health, anxiety, depression, addiction, SSRIs, medication, hospital, parenting, motherhood, relationships, family, wellness, health.

Twins Clare and Jessie Stephens have been by each other's side for all of life's firsts. The first day of school, first job, first love, first pregnancy and birth plus that time Clare dyed her hair brown (spoiler alert: disaster). The sisters, both writers and podcasters, live in tandem. They're also competitive high achievers. So what's it like when your best friend is also your harshest critic, most fierce rival and biggest cheerleader? How do you figure out who you are when your identity and DNA are so closely linked with another? Yumi Stynes sits down with the twins for a raucous conversation about the love and war of sisterhood. Clare Stephens is the author of The Worst Thing I've Ever Done and host of The Pile On podcast. Jessie Stephens is the author of Something Bad Is Going to Happen and host of the Mamamia Out Loud podcast. What to listen to next:  Sashi Perera on reinvention  Rosie Waterland and Jamila Rizvi's broken brains  Jessie Tu, on miscarriage and doing motherhood her way  The price of perfectionism  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This episode contains references to pregnancy, miscarriage, jealousy, envy, twin, sisterhood, family, depression, anxiety, relationships, Jessie Stephens pregnancy, identical twins.

Married mum Deepa Paul didn’t have ‘sleeping with strangers’ on her bingo card. She grew up in the Catholic and conservative Philippines and married her college sweetheart. But underneath, Deepa yearned for more.    Deepa wanted to open up her marriage, but convincing her husband took time and tears. Eventually, they settled on boundaries and set up their dating profiles.  Having sex with new people meant that Deepa could explore her desires without shame. It also sparked a renewal in her marriage.   In her book Ask me how it works: love in an open marriage Deepa answers the questions we all want to know about polyamory.   What to listen to next:  The new way to date  How to have better sex, with Emily Nagoski  Esther Perel will change how you think about intimacy  Oh my kink! Pulling back the covers on BDSM  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This episode will answer questions like:  How does polyamory work?  Do people get jealous in open relationships?  What is couples therapy like?  How do you navigate the stigma of an open relationship?  How do you talk to your partner about sex?  How do you talk to your kids about your sex life?  This episode contains references to polyamory, open marriage, wedding, sex, sexuality, marriage, parenting, children, kids, communication, couples therapy, couples counselling, infidelity, cheating, online dating.

This is a guided meditation to help with chronic pain.   Endometriosis hurts. It can be a gnarling, twisting, stabbing, relentless source of pain. Finding a way through that pain can be overwhelming at times. Meditation can help.   Gynaecological surgeon and endometriosis specialist Dr Pav Nanayakkara guides you through a series of breathing exercises to shift your relationship with pain.   This isn’t a standard Ladies, We Need to Talk episode, it’s a tool for your mindfulness toolbox. One you can come back to any time you need.   These meditations aren't designed to replace medical pain relief or the advice of a good doctor, rather to compliment them. What to listen to next:  Endometriosis: Pain, periods, medical gaslighting The rage in my pelvis When sex hurts Perimenopause: WTF is happening to our bodies Free to bleed: escaping menstrual shame You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about What happens to your sex life during perimenopause? How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood This episode contains references to endometriosis, gynaecology, period pain, chronic pain, pain management, meditation, attention, acceptance, mindfulness, breathing, breath work.

Around one million Australian women live with endometriosis. That's around one in seven, so chances are you know someone dealing with debilitating pain, medical misogyny and fertility issues because of the disease. Awareness about endometriosis has expanded in the last few years, but there's still a long way to go. Yumi Stynes meets women who've spent a lot of time and money seeking a diagnosis and fighting to be heard. She also sits down with Professor Caroline Ford from the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute at UNSW who offers hope for a future with tailored treatments and less BS. Helpful links: Endometriosis Foundation  (these folks run support groups) National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific trials registry Endometriosis Australia Pelvic Pain foundation Endo Zone What to listen to next: The rage in my pelvis When sex hurts Perimenopause: WTF is happening to our bodies Free to bleed: escaping menstrual shame Shedding the shame of herpes The new way to date You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about What happens to your sex life during perimenopause? How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood This episode will answer questions like: What is endometriosis? How can you tell if you have endometriosis? Is it normal to have painful periods? What are the treatment options for endometriosis? Does endometriosis affect your fertility? Does endometriosis affect your sex life? This episode contains references to endometriosis, gynaecology, period pain, chronic pain, painful sex, medical, gaslighting, medical misogyny, cancer, fertility, infertility, IVF, uterus, lesions, laparoscopy, endo, endometrial tissue, chronic pelvic pain, adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea, chocolate cysts, blood, National Action Plan for Endometriosis.

Artificial Intelligence is supercharging a new era of misogyny. There are more weapons than ever for men to use against women to silence and shame us, chief among them deepfakes (AI generated images and videos). And tech companies and regulators are not doing enough to fight this abuse, which is affecting everyone from schoolgirls to prime ministers. After her book Men Who Hate Women dropped, academic Laura Bates was sent an AI-generated nightmare. It was her face, used in a sexually violent doctored image. Her new book, The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny dives into this wild collision of technology and hate, from deepfake pornography to cyber brothels, chatbots and robot girlfriends. Laura calls out a future where women are easy targets and the rules don't apply. The tech might be new, but the misogyny is old and crusty —and Laura says it's time to fight back and protect women now. Come to our next live show: How pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves What to listen to next: Are our boys ok? Fighting online misogyny with Kate Scott Falling for a narcissist Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter Sashi Perera on reinvention You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about What happens to your sex life during perimenopause? How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode will address questions like, what does AI mean for women and women's rights? How is technology being used in gender-based violence? What is a deepfake? What is the psychological impact of online abuse? What can I do if there's a deepfake using my image? This episode contains references to pornography, metaverse, online, deepfake, discrimination, inequality, harassment, reddit, social media, sexual assault, abuse, AI, Artificial Intelligence.

Trying to find a life partner on a dating app who's not a gun toting, fish wielding weirdo can be like trying to find a needle in the haystack. But according to Professor Jennie Young, there's a much more empowering way of sorting through all that hay. She's come up with a technique to hack the apps called 'The Burnt Haystack Method' to help women wade through the online swamp. Jennie never thought she would use her academic background to become a dating influencer. She was 50 when she first started online dating and was struck by the onslaught of stilted, mundane, and rude conversations. She kept getting the same advice — make yourself as appealing as possible and give men the benefit of the doubt. But Jennie, along with her army of followers, is turning that advice on its head. She's giving women permission to be as judgemental as possible and be totally yourself along the way. Jennie chats with Yumi Stynes about how to hack the apps and win at dating. Think of this episode as a tool in your arsenal if you're dating, or a trusty guide if you're close to someone who is. What to listen to next: Ditching dating apps Paying for sex at 70 How to have better sex, with Emily Nagoski Rosie Waterland and Jamila Rizvi's broken brains You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: The women staying single by choice in a world of relentless dating pressure Sugar babies give rich, older men the 'full girlfriend experience' at a price This episode will address questions like, why are conversations so weird on dating apps? How can I have a better time on dating apps? Who should I avoid on the dating apps? This episode contains references to burned haystack dating method, BHDM, B2B, block to burn, block2burn, Jennie Young, dating apps, couples, partner, love, relationships, dating events, Match Group, Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid, divorce.

Dating apps are a drag. And women are ditching them in droves. Beyond the swiping, more of us are daring to date in real life. Yumi Stynes chats to women moving away from the apps and towards in-person singles events. From post-divorce blind dates to queer speed dating, dinners with strangers and exercise classes, all in the name of finding love. Or at least a little lust. Plus, friend of the pod and Lifestyle Editor at Guardian Australia, Alyx Gorman helps us understand why more women are dating IRL. What to listen to next:   Loneliness — you're not alone  Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink  'All Women Want' — how to have great sex, with Alyx Gorman  Digital dating despair  What to read next:  The women staying single by choice in a world of relentless dating pressure  Sugar babies give rich, older men the 'full girlfriend experience' at a price  Global study shows online dating does not always lead to happy relationships  This episode will address questions like, why are people logging off the dating apps? Where did dating apps go wrong? Why are single in-person events on the rise? You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode contains references to dating apps, single events, couples, partner, love, relationships, dating events, in-person, running clubs, pickle ball, paddle, boxing, Match Group, Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid, divorce.

As part of Women's Health Week we're bringing back our episode on Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and the difficulty of getting a diagnosis.  Weight gain, bristly hairs, no period. Welcome to Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome.   PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility worldwide and it can cause debilitating physical and psychological symptoms.  1 in 8 women have PCOS, so that’s at least a couple of friends in your group chat. So why do we still know so little about it?   Yumi Stynes catches up with ladies who’ve been battling PCOS for years and finds out how they get on top of it.  Featured in this episode:  Professor Helena Teede, female endocrine specialist from Monash University This episode will answer questions such as:  What is PCOS?  Why does PCOS cause weight pain? What is the link between PCOS and infertility?  How is PCOS diagnosed?    What to listen to next:  Has Ozempic killed body positivity?  Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter Perimenopause: but aren't I too young?  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  This episode contains references to PCOS, weight gain, excess hair, medical misogyny and infertility.

Stand-up star Sashi Perera called off her wedding at the last minute. There were tears and tantrums but that wasn't the final time the lawyer-turned-comedian blew up her life. Moving to a country in the middle of civil unrest? Tick. Dating a series of duds? Tick. Quitting a well-paid job for stand-up comedy? Tick. Sashi's redefined what success means to her through career changes, relationship breakdowns and IVF struggles. Yumi Stynes sits down with Sashi to find out how she's learned to run her own race. What to listen to next:  How to give zero f*cks with Gina Chick, Jessie Tu and Anna Broinowski  Jessie Tu, on miscarriage and doing motherhood her way  Emotional labour with Rose Hackman  The price of perfectionism  What to read next:   The price of perfectionism for women  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  Sandy seemingly has a perfect marriage, but she’d never been lonelier  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  This episode contains references to marriage, wedding, runaway bride, comedy, stand-up, dating, Tinder, online dating, shame, depression, mental health, immigrant, immigration, family, IVF, pregnancy, miscarriage, relationships.

A herpes diagnosis can come with a whole lot of stigma, but it shouldn't. Around 15% of us carry the antibodies to genital herpes, making it one of the most common STIs in Australia. Yumi Stynes finds out what it's like hearing you have herpes for the first time and how to best manage. From itching to tell partners to soothing your symptoms and how to keep sex humming.  Plus, STI expert Dr Ellie Freedman explains the science behind the virus and how it changes over time. What to listen to next:  The secret lives of vaginas Esther Perel — how to have a hard conversation Body image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie Walker You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode will answer questions like:  What is genital herpes? What does it feel like to get genital herpes? What's the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2? How is herpes spread? Why is there stigma around herpes? How do people manage genital herpes? How are relationships and sex impacted by herpes? This episode contains references to genital herpes, herpes simplex virus type one, herpes simplex virus type two, antibodies, sexual health, womens health, shame, stigma, mental health, vagina, vulva.

Approaching her 70th birthday, Gail Rice booked herself an appointment with a sex worker. She'd never done anything like it in her life. As a younger woman, Gail had enjoyed a string of sexual and romantic partners. As the years passed, her sexual currency dwindled and she was hungry for intimacy. But exchanging money for sex taught Gail much more about herself than she was expecting. This is a story about erotic power, ageing and finding the courage to ask for what you want.  What to listen to next:  Loneliness – you're not alone  Sugar babies – dating men for money  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.   What to read next:    Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode contains references to sex work, ageing, women, sexuality, escort, paying for sex, erotic power, getting older, orgasm. Correction: this episode describes Gail Rice approaching Mitch's escort agency for a refund. However, Gail contacted Mitch directly and got him to agree to a refund.

Ozempic has entered the group chat. Since GLP-1 agonist drugs burst onto the scene, they've been hailed as a weight-loss game changer, but they've also raised uncomfortable questions about what bodies are acceptable, or not. For years, the body inclusivity movement pushed back against the idea that only thin bodies can be 'healthy' but Ozempic & co are drowning out this message. So, what do these drugs mean for fat liberation? And how can we shift our collective thinking around weight and morality? Yumi Stynes chats to a panel of amazing women about the impact of this new generation of weight-loss drugs and how we can all find ways to be kinder to our bodies. Featured in this conversation: Dr Emma Beckett, nutritionist Evie Gardiner, size inclusivity advocate Nat Atkinson, mum taking Wegovy What to listen to next: The Ozempic era I'm fat, don't hate me—Aubrey Gordon Fat talk You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood The women staying single by choice in a world of relentless dating pressure Sugar babies give rich, older men the 'full girlfriend experience' at a price This episode will address questions like, what does it feel like to be a fat woman today? Is there increasing pressure to go on weight loss drug Ozempic? How has the rise in Ozempic impacted fat women? What is it like to loose a lot of weight? How does society treat you differently after weight loss?

Having blah sex? You've CUM to the right place. Dr Emily Nagoski has the tools for you. The renowned sex educator and author of Come as You Are, Burnout and Come Together brings the wisdom of psychology and sex research to the fore. She chats with Yumi Stynes about the science behind our sex drives and how we can bring back the chutzpah in the bedroom. (R) You might also like: Is everyone having better sex than me? https://bit.ly/4okf9LO Perimenopause: how to have better sex https://ab.co/47bAC3s This episode contains references to sex, long-term relationships, marriage, libido, sex drive, heterosexual relationships, queer, gender, mental load.

Unrelenting standards, high expectations and a fierce, reprimanding inner critic. Perfectionism is often celebrated, but striving for flawlessness comes at a cost. There’s lots of ways we, as women feel pressure to be perfect: be the perfect partner, the perfect mother, have the perfect body. But, of course, perfectionism is always out of reach. So, how can we learn to be kinder to ourselves and let go, even just a little?   Yumi Stynes meets women whose perfectionism has consumed their lives. She learns what happens when a perfectionist f*cks up, and how to recover. Plus, clinical psychologist Eileen Seah shares tips on how we can all accept our imperfect selves.   You might also like:   Anxious? We got you   Penny Moodie’s OCD  This episode contains references to perfectionism, procrastination, anxiety, depression, relationships, parenting, striving, IVF, fertility, career, eating disorders, self-criticism, psychology, therapy.

Hannah Diviney never saw herself reflected in pop culture. And she definitely didn't see herself as the object of desire. Growing up with cerebral palsy, Hannah watched on as rom-coms and teen dramas depicted able-bodied bombshells fall in love, snog their guts out and have sex. All these experiences, it seemed, were out of reach for her. It meant that Hannah had the demanding job of being her own role model. She had to be the change she wanted to see. You might also like:  Sex and the D word  Your sex and disability stories  This episode contains references to: dating, relationships, disability, sex, sex scenes, television, entertainment industry, fear, anxiety, body image, Beyonce, Lizzo, Latecomers.

Have you ever experienced 'the ick'? It's that sudden, visceral feeling of being put off by someone you're dating. Maybe it's their flat cap, the way they chew, or how they laugh. Stories of the ick are prolific online, but it leaves us with a question — what causes it? To separate red flags from disgust, we get into the psychology of the ick — why you might feel icky, if it should be a deal breaker, and what it says about your own attachment style. This episode comes from our science friends at All in the Mind. You might also like: Quitting men: Hope Woodard's 'boysober' movement Hannah Ferguson's case against hookup sex This episode contains references to: dating, relationships, evolutionary psychology, disgust, break up, situationship, love, conflict, couples.

'Bounce back' culture can find someone else to pick on, we're celebrating bodies who've given birth. And this episode isn't just for the mums. It's for everyone who's ever felt the bod they were given this earth to roam in isn't good enough. Yumi Stynes meets women who've fought the insidious pressures on mums' bodies and found a new appreciation for themselves. Featuring: burns survivor and author Turia Pitt, founder of the Australian Birth Stories podcast Sophie Walker, body image researcher Dr Zali Yager and mum of two Tegan Russell. You might also like:  Body Image  Birth trauma  Love your boobs  This episode contains references to: body image, eating disorders, birth, baby, motherhood, parenting, stretch marks, weight gain, weight loss, bounce back, diet, diet culture, children, self love, prolapse, child birth, Australian Birth Stories podcast.

Emotional labour is the overlooked cousin of the mental load. It's managing the feelings of people around us, from being a shoulder to cry on to cheering on your colleagues. Taking the time to check in on relatives and making sure the fridge is stocked with everyone's favourite foods. Emotional labour is invisible yet vital work that falls more heavily on women. Journalist Rose Hackman reckons it's time women are recognised, and even compensated for this emotional output. Rose chats to Yumi Stynes about how this form of labour underpins our homes, relationships and workplaces, and how we can be more selective about where we put our efforts. You might also like: Solving the mental load Beating burnout This episode contains references to: gender roles, parenting, motherhood, orgasm gap, sex, mental load, caring, fatigue, burnout.

Welcome to the world of swingers, where the libidos are high but so are the stakes. Join Yumi Stynes as she heads to a swinger's club and learns what it takes to open up a relationship without breaking trust. Meet the women in the swinging scene and find out what they get out of it (besides the orgasms). This episode will change the way you think about swinging, and maybe even re-frame your approach to intimacy. (R) You might also like: What we need men to know about sex How to have great sex This episode contains references to: sex, swinging, intimacy, couples, marriage, open relationships, LGBT, threesome, unicorns communication.

When Jamila Rizvi was dealing with the emotional sucker punch of a brain tumour diagnosis, she needed a friend who understood what she was going through. Enter, writer and comedian Rosie Waterland. Rosie knows what it's like to live with a broken brain. A childhood marked by abuse and trauma has left her struggling with complex PTSD throughout her adulthood. Rosie and Jamila have very different illnesses but lots in common. They chat with Yumi Stynes about how the world views physical and mental illness differently, the lasagne sympathy scale and keeping on keeping on when there's no cure in sight. Please note, this episode contains discussion of suicide. Listen back: Jamila Rizvi—when life doesn’t go to plan Rosie Waterland's mum died. She’s kind of relieved Helpful links: Lifeline 13 11 14 Brain Tumour Alliance Australia SANE Australia This episode contains references to: chronic illness, brain tumour, depression, PTSD, trauma, relationships, grief, loss, carer, caring, mental health and suicide.

Does your partner feel more like a housemate than a lover? Have you lost your spark in the overflowing laundry basket? Resentment got you snarking at each other? Get yourself to the relationship ER! If things are flatlining and you want your partnership to survive, there are treatment options. Yumi Stynes meets women who have brought their relationships back from the dead. Plus, sex and relationships therapist, Toya Ricci shares advice on how to build healthier, long-lasting connections. This episode contains references to: sex therapy, relationship therapy, marriage difficulty, marriage sabbatical, relationship sabbatical, intermission, infidelity, couples counselling, parenting, mental load, mental health.

A morning phone call from her doctor confirmed Jessie Tu's worst fears. She'd lost the baby she was carrying. Jessie and her partner had tried for months to get pregnant, and the news sparked a specific kind of grief she hadn't encountered before. The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Jessie was raised with the idea that discipline and hard work gets you results. But this was a test she couldn't ace. Jessie's path to pregnancy and loss made her confront questions about what it means to be a family and the sacrifices that mothers are expected to bear. She shares her complicated relationship with fertility in this tender conversation with Yumi Stynes. Jessie Tu is the author of The Honeyeater and A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing. Helpful links: Miscarriage Australia  The Pink Elephants Support network Gidget Foundation  Red Nose Grief and Loss  Lifeline This episode contains references to: pregnancy loss, miscarriage, fertility, parenting, relationships, babies, grief, family, motherhood, womanhood, feminism, mental health.

Fillers, Botox, and injectables — they're everywhere! There was a time when getting needles in your face was a big deal. But these days, getting a 'tweakment' is as easy-peasy as getting a mani pedi. It's not just 69-year-old Kris Jenner who looks like a teenager now. Your hairdresser, barista, and the mums at the school gate are doing a Benjamin Button. In this episode, Yumi Stynes chats to women who have regular cosmetic jabs to find out their motivations. Plus, Dr Jasmine Fardouly from the University of Sydney explains how Instagram is pushing us towards the clinics. This episode contains references to: Botox, filler, tweakments, cosmetic procedures, facials, beauty industry, ageing, old, beauty standards, filter, Instagram, Tiktok, social media, body image.

In a sex saturated world, it's easy to think that everyone's having hotter, kinkier, more interesting sex than you are. But are they really? Yumi Stynes gathers together sex therapist, Georgia Grace, author Alyx Gorman and comedian Alex Lee for an urgent group chat unpacking what it means to have a satisfying sex life and why comparisons to others are a boner killer. This episode contains references to sex, marriage, orgasm gap, orgasm, lesbian, masturbation, queerness, relationships, sex positivity, sex toys, therapy, children, libido, divorce.

Your parents are elderly. Your kids need you. And it's up to you to tend to the needs of everyone. Welcome to the sandwich generation. The bad news is you'll be wading through a ton of logistical, financial and medical obstacles while watching your folks decline. The good news is you're not alone. Join Yumi Stynes in meeting two women doing their best in the middle of a sandwich, with some tips on getting your sh*t together before everything falls apart. Plus, clinical psychologist Nasalifya Namwinga has the goods on how to deal emotionally. Helpful links: Carers Australia The Violet Initiative We want to know what you want to hear more of, take our audience survey: https://forms.office.com/r/R5uACN6GWU

Coffee enemas? Healing jade yoni eggs? Raw milk? No, nope, nup. Dr Jen Gunter is calling bullsh*t on the internet's wellness industry. Dr Gunter is on a crusade against disinformation. As a gynaecologist and internationally renowned women's health expert, she calls out influencers promoting harmful treatments and nonsense supplements for profit. And she's not afraid to take on Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop and vaginal steaming products in the process.  Join Yumi Stynes as she gets a lesson in how to spot a fake, the danger of wellness charlatans, the link between wellness influencers and conspiracy theories, and what's really good for our bodies.     This episode contains references to Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow, misinformation, Alex Jones, women’s health, abortion, Donald Trump, wellness industry, social media, natural health, organic therapies, alternative therapies, peer reviewed research, disinformation, conspiracy theories.

Loneliness hurts. And we know it's bad for us, worse than smoking or obesity. Even though a third of us are lonely, we're embarrassed to say so. So, what would happen if we talked about our loneliness openly? And how can we build more meaningful connections? Yumi Stynes speaks to women who are lonely, one within a marriage and one hoping to find a partner, to understand the toll it can take. Plus, psychologist Dr Bella Ingram shares tips on how we can insulate ourselves from the chill of being lonely. Helpful links: Ending Loneliness Report Beyond Blue Lifeline 13 11 14 This episode contains references to marriage, friendship, relationships, loneliness, anxiety, depression, mental health, alcohol, substance use, community.

Do you need to pee at all hours of the day? Pelvic floor got you down? Are things a getting saggy down there like like a rogue bit of pizza dough or like Gary Oldman's face? There are some medical reasons why you might need to constantly rush to the loo, but the good news is in most cases your bladder is deconditioned, and you need to get your urinary tract back into ship-shape form. Tegan Taylor and Noman Swan, hosts of What's That Rash podcast are here to help!

When filmmaker Anna Broinowski turned 50, she stopped giving any f*cks about what other people thought of her. Stopped prettying herself, being concerned with niceness, and exhaled. Certified badass Gina Chick spent 67 days in the literal wilderness living off the land to win Alone Australia. Jessie Tu refuses to adhere to the male gaze. So, what happens to us women when we stop playing by the Good Girl guidebook and start living by our own rules? And what does it mean to live dangerously? Yumi Stynes sits down with Anna, Gina and Jessie at the Adelaide Festival to ask just that. Zero f*cks included. This episode contains references to Gina Chick, Alone Australia, Jessie Tu, sexism, misogyny, self-care, boundaries, strong women.

Are chick flicks and rom-coms your secret indulgence but you feel too embarrassed to admit it? Caroline O'Donoghue, host of the hit podcast, Sentimental Garbage, says it's time to stop apologising for the culture we love. Under the tongue-in-cheek banner 'Justice for Dumb Women', O'Donoghue celebrates the pop-culture we've long been told we should feel ashamed for loving, from Sex and the City to Taylor Swift (and Twilight). So, get out the friendship bracelets and drop the cynicism as Yumi Stynes and Caroline take the guilt out of guilty pleasures. This episode contains references to Sentimental Garbage, Caroline O’Donoghue, Dolly Alderton, women’s culture, women’s media, Netflix, streaming, pop culture, female friendships, para social relationships.

Our lady gardens aren't meant to smell like roses but if things are overly whiffy downstairs it might mean something more serious is going on. Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is a common vaginal infection that can cause a stinky, fishy discharge. BV is not only uncomfortable, it can be hella embarrassing and hard to get rid of. But in good news for vaginas everywhere, researchers have discovered that BV can be sexually transmitted and treating male partners can knock it on the head. In this episode Yumi Stynes talks to Lacey about living with BV and sexual health expert Professor Deborah Bateson shares how to look after your cooch. Oh, and comedian Sarah O'Neill dedicates a song to the vagina. (R) This episode contains references to bacterial vaginosis, odour, vagina, vulva, sexually transmitted infection, BV, sex, relationships, shame, womens health.

What does the manosphere and the rise of online misogyny mean for our relationships with boys and men? The Netflix drama Adolescence shows the violent consequences of being steeped in hateful messages about women. It follows 13-year-old Jamie, an incel, angry at the world because he's been sexually rejected by a girl. The show has started conversations about the real-world consequences of online misogyny. Some boys are drawn to the manosphere by the promise of bigger muscles, getting laid and tips on getting rich, but the darker corners of these online spaces encourage violence against women and call for a return to traditional gender roles. When Andrew Tate, the hugely influential manfluencer's catch cry is "choke the bitch out", how worried should we be? In this episode, Yumi Stynes sits down with Kate Scott from the University of Sydney to talk about the allure of the manosphere and what draws boys and men away from these communities once they've been sucked in. This episode contains references to misogyny, extremism, incels, violence against women, red pill, Adolescence, Andrew Tate, manosphere, social media, gender, online activity, Hustlers University, red pill, algorithm.

Charlotte's sugar daddy took her to the fanciest restaurant in Melbourne. Soraya's gave her a trust fund. Meet the attractive young women dating rich older men as Yumi Stynes peeks into the lives of sugar babies. Find out how the online sugar dating world (the sugar bowl) facilitates the kind of romance you pay for, and what can go wrong when sex mixes with money, wealth and power. Yes, there's a holiday in Thailand that goes terribly awry (think White Lotus, with less guns). Plus, researcher Srushti Upadhyay from The University at Buffalo explains how the economy of intimacy works, and what it means for all of us when we put a price on relational labour. This episode contains references to sex, sugar baby, sugar daddy, sugar dating, beauty, wealth, White Lotus, Chloe and Greg, Chelsea and Rick, Seeking Arrangement, sex work, cost of living crisis, business, transactions.

Great sex isn't inevitable. If you're a straight woman, chances are you've enjoyed far fewer orgasms than your sexual partner(s). And yes, we know, it's not just about the big O, but isn't it time the ladies got on equal frotting footing and closed the pleasure gap? Enter: Alyx Gorman. In her book All Women Want, Alyx investigates what makes for the best sex, how to get there, and how to communicate what you want. She interviews women of different ages and life stages, dives in the science behind good sex and even takes herself to a "musky and primal" sex party. Alyx sits down with Yumi Stynes to reveal the secrets of what women want: the patterns and home truths about why we aren't satisfied in the bedroom, and how to reach the shiny pinnacle on the other side. Warning: your productivity may decline significantly after listening as you find yourself bedridden in a hedonistic pleasure dreamland, filled with 100 euphoric orgasms. This episode contains references to sex, orgasm, orgasm gap, All Women Want, sex parties, orgies, female pleasure, heterosexual, sex, partners, relationships, marriage, masturbation, pleasure.

Perimenopause: it's a huge physical, mental and sexual upheaval in a woman's life and yet, there's so much confusion as to how to make it through. Perimenopause is the months and years leading up to the last period, where a woman's hormones get feisty on their way down to retirement. This hormone fluctuation can lead to a range of symptoms, from hot flashes and night sweats to painful sex, mood swings and RAGE! In this four-part series, Yumi Stynes speaks to women in the thick of perimenopause as well as world-leading experts in the field to find out how to best manage during this phase without going postal. This episode contains references to perimenopause, hot flashes, night sweats, HRT, Hormone Replacement Therapy, MHT, Menopausal Hormone Therapy, estrogen, vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, brain fog, depression, anxiety, rage, anger, irritation, primary ovarian insufficiency, genito-urinary syndrome of menopause.

If you think perimenopause is reserved for mid-life, think again. When other 20 and 30-somethings are out partying or decorating the nursery, how do you cope with night sweats, hot flashes, brain fog and a tired libido? What's it like to have the body of a young woman, filled with the hormones of someone decades older? Yumi Stynes meets women going through perimenopause far earlier than they expected to learn how they manage their symptoms and cope with the prospect of infertility. She also sits down with women's health expert and GP, Dr Natasha Vavrek who explains the science behind premature menopause and POI (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency). This episode contains references to perimenopause, primary ovarian insufficiency, poi, premature menopause, sex, libido, hot flashes, bleeding, relationships, cancer, chemotherapy, youth, ageing, fertility.

What happens to your sex life in perimenopause? When Salt-N-Pepa wrote Let's Talk About Sex, they didn't get to that bit. Well, Yumi Stynes is here to update the lyrics! In this no-holds-barred episode she meets women who have experienced changes to their libido and sexual function during this phase of life and finds out what help is at hand. Yumi chats to women about what got them back in the groove and sits down with sex and perimenopause specialist Dr Sheryl Kingsberg, Professor in Reproductive Biology, Urology and Psychiatry at Case Western University. This episode contains references to perimenopause, sex, painful sex, relationships, marriage, libido, vaginal dryness, irritation, genito-urinary syndrome of menopause and menopausal hormone therapy, or MHT.

Is perimenopause brain fog jamming up your workday? Are you constantly in a bad mood or irrationally angry at your kids who are only as annoying as usual? Is your memory failing you for the simplest words? Riding the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause has a huge impact on our brains — from mood to memory, sleep to stress. Come hang with Yumi Stynes as she meets women convinced that they're losing their minds or even going through dementia, but are, in fact, in the depths of perimenopause. Plus, Yumi chats to Dr Pauline Maki, a leading professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, to find out how can we shift our brains into gear during this phase of life. This episode contains references to perimenopause, depression, anxiety, rage, anger, irritation, mood swings, hot flashes, sleep disturbance, menopausal hormone therapy, women, parenting, mothering and relationships.

Hot flashes. Night sweats. Aching joints. Sore boobs. Welcome to your body in perimenopause! In episode one of this four-part series, Yumi Stynes speaks to women in the thick of perimenopause and battling physical symptoms. She also sits down with Dr Susan Davis, endocrinologist and world-leading expert on sex hormones and ageing to learn the best treatments for bothersome symptoms and how look after yourself in this stage of life. No sweat! Essential listening if you're going through perimenopause right now, or for those wanting to know what's over the hormonal horizon. This episode contains references to perimenopause, hot flashes, night sweats, HRT, Hormone Replacement Therapy, MHT, Menopausal Hormone Therapy, middle-age, women, hormones, vaginal dryness, ovarian retirement, estrogen, thermostat, sleep disruption, exercise, fitness, bone density.

What's it like to carry and give birth to a child for someone else? What compels a woman to take on something so profound? There's more to surrogacy than cooking a bun in an 'oven', it's complex as hell. In this episode Yumi Stynes meets women who have been surrogates and hears about the joy and the heartache the experience can bring. This episode contains references to surrogacy, family, baby, parenting, adoption, Surrogacy Act, transfer of parentage, counselling, depression, mental health, pregnancy, birth, suicidal ideation.

Babies. Some women know they want them, others know they absolutely don't, and then there are the women who find themselves trying to make the call one way or another before biology beats them to it. But how do you weigh up something so monumental? And can you ever be sure that you've made the "right" decision when it comes to starting a family? Yumi Stynes sits down with journalist and writer, Gina Rushton and comedian, Penny Greenhalgh to discuss this mother of all decisions. This episode contains references to fertility, age, biological clock, women, anxiety, parenting, mothering, mum, aunty, spare parent, The Parenthood Dilemma, The Most Important Job in the World.

Thanks to the pandemic, we now spend even MORE time doom scrolling through obnoxiously perfect Insta-people, and endlessly staring at our own faces via zoom than ever and (surprise, surprise) it's had a negative impact on our self-esteem. Yumi Stynes catches up with body image and eating disorder expert, Dr Gemma Sharpe, about "zoom dysmorphia" and what can we do to feel better about ourselves, one video call at a time.

Nearly one million Australian women live with persistent pain in their pelvis. Yumi Stynes finds out what the hell it is, what causes it and most importantly, how to get through the day with a raging pelvis. If you need help dealing with your pelvic pain, www.pelvicpain.org.au has loads of helpful advice. Featured in this episode: Dr Susan Evans, Gynaecologist and Pelvic Pain Physician; Gabrielle Jackson, Associate News Editor of Guardian Australia and author of Pain and Prejudice.

Our best friends are our ride-or-die, snort-laughing, crisis solving buttresses. But what happens when a friendship ends? In a romantic break-up, there's a cultural handbook instructing us all to sanctioned crying, bitching and ice-cream eating. Playlists, movies and a canon of literature are ready to validate the catastrophic pain of heartbreak. But with romantic break-ups, there aren't the same support systems in place to help us put back together the pieces. Yumi Stynes speaks to women who've been through the heartache of a friendship break-up to find out how they moved on, and what marks their former besties left behind. This episode contains references to break-ups, friendship, romantic break-ups, heart break, fighting, interpersonal tension, best friends, loss.

Swipe, date, sex, repeat. So went the life of Hope Woodard, constantly on the apps and looking for validation in the form of male attention. This perpetual cycle started from a young age and by the time she was in her mid-twenties, Hope was done. Done with terrible first dates. Done with being ghosted. Done with men. So, she set herself a challenge, to give up dating and sex for a year. Hope was going boysober. Hope chats with Yumi Stynes about the pleasure of finally getting to know herself, what she learnt from a year off the dating train, and why she hates the term 'celibate'. This episode contains references to dating, dating apps, boy sober, heterosexual cynicism, psychology, relationships, self development, self improvement, celibacy.

When Dr Rena Malik posted a video on her YouTube channel called 'Where's the G-Spot?', twelve million people tuned in to hear the answer. The urologist and sex educator has carved out a space as a reliable and trustworthy source of sex education. But Dr Rena hasn't always been so open. She grew up in an Indian family that didn't talk about sex, no sir. Then she went to medical school, where she learnt about the female body and its magical powers. She says the more you know about your anatomy and the origins of pleasure, the easier it is to have a great time in bed. So, get your notebooks, it's time to go back to school. This episode contains references to sex, vulva, penis, clitoris, sex education, g-spot, pleasure, marriage, sex schedules, relationships, marriage, long-term relationships, orgasm, female pleasure, communication.

Menstruating. An ordinary bodily function. Like breathing or sweating or digesting, it's as natural as the hairs on our heads, period (pun intended). And even though there has been some progress in our openness in talking about periods, we're still largely a bit…grossed out. Yumi Stynes investigates the lingering shame around women's bleeding and speaks to women who are shifting the tide on how we think about periods. (R) This episode contains references to menstruation, period, shame, women, blood, ovulation, hormones, women's health.

Saggy boobs, leathery skin, becoming invisible... is getting older as grim as it sounds? Ageing presents a unique challenge to us ladies, and while there's no stopping gravity, there are things to be excited about — from giving less f#*@% to not being afraid to ask for what you want in the bedroom. Yumi Stynes gets the low-down on what the hell happens to our bodies, brains and spirits as we age and how best to take care of ourselves. (R) This episode contains references to cosmetic surgery, ageing, filler, body image, death, mental health, social connection.

Mind-blowing. Intoxicating. Earth-shattering. Meet the women having the best sex of their lives after years on end of ho-hum humping. Yumi Stynes speaks to ladies who have levelled up their sex lives, learns how they made it to the promised land, and whether there's room for us all to join them. (R)  This episode contains references to sex, pleasure, vulva, intercourse, marriage, dating, divorce.

What if being single wasn’t a problem to be solved but a state of bliss? For some women, living without an “other half” is the key to being complete.   But even though more women than ever are single by choice, we live in a society that values couple-dom. Marriage and motherhood are still held up as the ultimate end goals. Single women are viewed with pity or worse, scorn. Living alone? Cue the lady jokes.   Yumi Stynes talks to women who are happy to be free from romantic relationships and whose lives are full to the brim. (R)  This episode contains references to single, dating, relationships, friendships, couples, sex.

Cheers! For a lot of us alcohol is a reward after a hard day, a way to unwind, a key part of our celebrations, but our love of a drink comes at a cost.   Some women are regularly drinking at dangerous rates while others find it difficult to go without.   Beyond the hangover fuzz, booze can take a toll on our health and relationships. So why are we so keen on a drink despite knowing the risks? And how can we learn to put the cap back on the bottle when we’ve had enough?   Yumi Stynes talks to someone confronting their problematic drinking habit and contemplates her own sobriety along the way. (R)     Resources: National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015  Alcoholics Anonymous:  https://aa.org.au/  1300 222 222  Hello Sunday Morning  https://hellosundaymorning.org/  Lifeline 13 11 14

Penny Moodie’s childhood was marked by catastrophic thoughts: that her parents would die in an accident, that she had contracted HIV, that she was pregnant, even though she’d never had sex.        These all-consuming anxieties wouldn't leave Penny, they occupied a huge part of her life, and she developed compulsions around them which she believed would keep her and the people she loved safe.

Ahh Christmas, the festival of eating, drinking and cranky mums. Because in order to have the beautifully set table, thoughtful presents and delicious glazed ham, someone's got to prepare and plan it all. And that someone, is usually a woman, who, by 5pm, has had enough. Is there a Christmas elf who can help out? Or maybe it's time for blokes to step up and take on their fair share of the mental load. Yumi Stynes and Monty Dimond share their tips on how to redistribute the labour on and before the 'most wonderful time of the year'.

Note: This episode contains explicit content. What is it like to be a professional dominatrix? To indulge in the power play between dominant and submissive for a living? In this special bonus episode, Yumi Stynes goes into a domme's dungeon to find out what really goes on beyond the whips and chains. She discovers a world that's full of power, sexual fantasy, pleasure and pain.

Note: This episode contains explicit content. Kink, or BDSM is often played out behind closed doors. Because it's hidden from view, there's an assumption that it's just a few people at the fringes who are into kink, while the majority of us have vanilla sex. But what if interest in kink was more common than you think? Yumi Stynes meets three women embracing their kinky side. From findom (financial domination) to humiliation and cuckolding, their tastes go well beyond missionary.

Psychotherapist Esther Perel is one of the most influential thinkers on sex and relationships in the world. She helps us make sense of how we relate to the people around us and what it means to be intimate. Is intimacy just in the bedroom? Or can we have intimacy with our closest friends? How about with the guy at the coffee shop? And when we do disrobe and have sex with someone, how can we get what we desire out of the experience, whether it's a one-time thing or for the hundredth time. Esther entered the zeitgeist with her book Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence, which gave us language for the opposing promises of marriage — romantic passion and long-term security. She's since drawn millions of listeners to her podcast, Where Should We Begin, where she publishes live couples therapy sessions. (R)

It's no surprise your sex life takes a hit as a parent. You're thinly spread. There are so many things to manage in your head, from cutting up cucumbers to potty training and paying the plumber on time. Getting it on with a partner, or even by yourself drops down the priority list, below napping. Masturbation can seem like a laughable indulgence. Because when, oh when, does a sleep deprived mum with a job, a partner and a kid get time, and a dimly lit room to bring herself to O-town? Yumi Stynes and self-pleasure coach Chloe Adriana talk about how to bring mazzing back on the menu when you’ve lost your appetite.

Egg freezing is sold as a way for women to hack their fertility and buy some more time on the biological clock. Fertility companies are marketing the procedure as an insurance policy, but some experts argue it's better thought of as a lottery. Rates of egg freezing have almost doubled in recent years but the number of people coming back to use those eggs are staggeringly low and even then, there's no guarantee of a baby. Then there's the cost, between $5000-$10,000 per cycle. Alongside egg freezing, the AMH test, or egg timer test, is also being promoted as a way for women to take control of their fertility but the only way to know if you're fertile is to try and get pregnant. This episode sorts the science from the sell around egg freezing and fertility tests. Featured in this episode: Dr Tessa Copp, University of Sydney School of Public Health.

Samhita had it all. As the executive editor of Teen Vogue she was living the Devil Wears Prada life — fashion shows, fancy dinners and towering heels. She was a girlboss. But at the height of her success, cracks began to appear. She was anxious, burnt out and her body was falling apart. But Samhita was at New York Fashion Week in a fur coat and clutching a Gucci handbag, having just put Malala Yousafzai on the cover of her magazine, who was she to complain? After spending a lifetime trying to climb the corporate ladder, she started to wonder whether it was possible, as a woman, to have it all. And if so, was it worth the cost? Samhita sits down with Yumi Stynes to talk about redefining success and happiness.

There's an expectation that couples share a bed, but what if sleep isn't compatible with being in the same room as your other half? Maybe they snore, maybe they starfish, or maybe you just need a few hours without another human touching you. Is a sleep divorce, AKA, having separate bedrooms, the answer? There's a trend towards normalising sleeping separately from your partner. Cameron Diaz is doing it. So are the Beckhams. But does this arrangement spell the end of sex and intimacy? Or does it make for a better night's sleep and a better waking relationship?

Is Ozempic the drug of our lifetime? Since it burst onto the scene it's become synonymous with weight loss, with everyone from A-list celebrities to your next-door neighbour rapidly slimming down. The popularity of the drug and others like it such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, has led to demand outstripping supply, with the price of these medications falling out of reach for some.  And along with the cheekbones Ozempic face has unearthed, it's also forcing us to have some uncomfortable conversations around fatness, fatphobia and what it means to be 'healthy'. For some Australian women, it's changed their lives. Others are still grappling with how the world treats their new body. In this episode of Ladies, We Need to Talk, Yumi Stynes finds out what the Ozempic era means for all bodies.

There aren't many people on your Instagram feed who are as loved and as loathed as Abbie Chatfield. Ever since Abbie shot to fame as the slut-shamed villain on The Bachelor Australia in 2019, she's been a public and controversial figure who's hard to look away from. Five years and almost 500K followers later, Abbie's built an empire on sharing her trauma dumps, UTIs, political rants and sexcapades. Abbie's openness has earnt her lots of fans but it's also made her the target of sexist and violent online threats. So how does this former real-estate girly from Brissy manage living a life in the spotlight while staying sane in the real world?

What if your man has another, equally important woman in his life: his mum? For some sons, the aprons strings are tied so tight, it’s impossible to compete with mummy. She’s his number one fan, dotes on him and interferes in his life, including his relationships. It’s not sexy. So, can a mama’s boy ever reform and stand on their own two feet in a relationship? Or will you always come off second best? Yumi Stynes and Jess McGuire lay down the law when it comes to being with a mama’s boy. Hint: they must be able to do their own washing.

As we get older, wiser, more resilient, and better placed to back seat drive, the world does not reward us. Or our grey hair. If the advances of human progress can make a potato chip taste like a beef rendang curry, why are women still, after all this time and progress, so judged by the way we look? The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery estimates Australians spend around $1 billion a year on cosmetic procedures. We're talking facelifts, tummy tucks, brow lifts, neck lifts, rhinoplasties, breast implants. And the training bras of plastic surgery, Botox and fillers. So if we're spending so much money on looking young, are we complicit in society's obsession with youth? Women, young and old, tell us their stories of what drew them under the knife (or needle) while dermatologist Dr Ritu Gupta, marketing expert Karen Ferry, make-up artist Linda Jefferyes and beauty editor Cecily-Anna Bennett help to make sense of how we got here. This episode is one of the best from the grand cathedrals of the Ladies, We Need to Talk archives. Note: Karen Ferry is now an Advertising Executive Creative Director, no longer at Leo Burnett.

Aubrey Gordon is a fat woman. She's not on a diet or trying to get thinner and that pisses some people off, but she's done apologising. This self-acceptance has been hard fought. All her life, Aubrey has had to swallow comments about her size from strangers and family alike. Like all of us, she was force-fed the idea that there is only one ideal body: a thin one. Aubrey's resistance started with her blog, Your Fat Friend, where she wrote about what it's like to live in the world as a fat person and dared to suggest that fat people deserve the same rights as everyone else. The blog touched a nerve, giving a voice to people who had been silenced and launched Aubrey’s public career. Aubrey is the co-host of the Maintenance Phase podcast, which calls bullshit on the so-called wellness industry. Oh, and she has a laugh that fills up the room. Yumi and Aubrey talk about anti-fat bias, online hate and the myth of the perfect body.

You're on a date and there's a spark, the chat is great, the vibes are flowing. But come the time to disrobe, all that potential sexual brilliance comes crashing down. They're a dud root. So what on earth do you do if you've got a connection with someone, but they're not rocking your socks off? How do you have a conversation about what you like, without hurting their feelings? And can you ever turn a jackhammer into a magical orgasm wand? Yumi Stynes and sex therapist Aleks Trkulja get under the sheets and figure out how to communicate your way to the pleasure palace.

The Other Woman. The bit on the side. Side hoe. She's the biggest villain of them all. She's probably younger, hotter and she's left the girl-code far behind, because THAT woman is stealing your man, girl. So, who is 'the other woman' and what's driving her towards married men anyway? In this episode, Yumi sits down with women dating men who are teken and finds out how they navigate their own messy relationships and emotions.

Jill Stark spent most of her life defined by alcohol. Either as a hard-drinking party girl, spurred on by a culture of drinking as a journalist, or as the poster child for sobriety, trapped by a public identity that revolved around abstinence. Yumi and Jill talk about her journey to genuine sobriety on her own terms, and how she has learned who she is without booze.    Resources: National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015  Alcoholics Anonymous:  https://aa.org.au/  1300 222 222  Hello Sunday Morning  https://hellosundaymorning.org/  Lifeline 13 11 14

We’re all about labia love here at Ladies, but it seems that some women are less than enthusiastic about their lower lips.  So what’s the real deal on the labiaplasty? Will cosmetic surgery really help restore the labia love to those who just aren’t feeling it? Yumi is here to unpack the problems with our flaps and give us the low-down on the down-there surgery.

Tick, tock, tick, tock... can you hear that? It’s your biological clock and it’s about to blow!  For some, deciding whether to have a baby isn’t just about fertility, it’s also about weighing up whether becoming a parent is the path best taken.   Never fear, Yumi Stynes has perched herself behind the mic to hold your hand and navigate this tricky time-bomb.

At 31, Jamila Rizvi’s life changed forever. The discovery of a rare brain tumour knocked the ass-kicking, over-achieving media advisor and young mum sideways.   Jamila had two rounds of brain surgery, followed by radiation, and now lives with chronic health conditions. She’s had to re-map what life looks like and let go of the idea that she can control what lies ahead.  Despite the challenges, Jamila’s found strength in herself and by leaning on those closest to her. In this episode, Jamila and Yumi dig into the wisdom that comes from being dealt one of life’s curve balls.

We all have days when we look in the mirror and think “who is that hideous moll staring back at me??” But what if those days are constant and you feel like a loser in the attractiveness lottery?   Let’s face it, being hot is a social currency and the pressure to look a certain way as a woman is constant. So how can we let go of the ideal beauty standard (whatever that is on a given day) and learn to love the image looking back at us?   Yumi Stynes is here with her gal pals Myf Warhurst and Zan Rowe to cut through the bull crap and help you embody your smoking self.

Perimenopause can be bad for your health. It’s not just the physical symptoms like weight gain, insomnia, exhaustion and loss of sex drive that can knock women sideways, the mental health impacts can be immense as well.  Hormone fluctuations during this period can lead to mood swings, anxiety, brain fog and depression. To make matters worse, these symptoms are often misdiagnosed and mistreated.   Help is at hand though! Yumi Stynes becomes an honourary member of the club and gets the 411 on all things perimenopause and mental health.   Featured in this episode:   Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, director of Monash University’s Health Education Research Centre  Lifeline: 13 11 14    Menopause Friendly Australia  HER Centre Australia