Afleveringen
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This podcast is part of the series on Motherhood and is coming out just before World Childless Week. https://worldchildlessweek.net/
Jody Day is the founder of Gateway Women, the global advocacy network for childless women, founded in 2011. She’s the author of what many professionals consider to be the 'go-to' book on the topic, ‘Living the Life Unexpected: How to Find Hope, Meaning and a Fulfilling Future Without Children’. Chosen as one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2013 and as a UK Digital Woman of the Year in 2021, she’s a global thought leader on female involuntary childlessness, a psychotherapist, a 2017 and 2022 TEDx speaker, a founding and former board member at UK Charity Ageing Well Without Children and a former Fellow in Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School. Often referred to as the founder of the ‘childless movement’ she’s been an Ambassador for World Childless Week since its inception in 2017. Since 2018 she has lived in rural Ireland, where she’s working on two new books and nurturing her emerging Gateway Elderwomen project, which includes developing local, non-kin, intergenerational support networks for those ageing without children. https://gateway-women.com/
Jody on Instagram: @GatewayWomen
What is the difference between childfree and childless? In several countries, about 20% of women do not have children. Joyce and Jody discuss why women might be childless, such as not being able to find the right partner, not being able to get pregnant or failure of fertility treatments. All of these situations can result in women experiencing trauma, which needs to be resolved. And this is where Jody can help. In 2011 Jody shared her story and since then she has been working with women to encourage them to share their stories through Gateway Women. Her book has helped so many, as well as her women’s circles, therapists and Gateway Women Reignite Weekend workshops. She wants women to find their meaningful life without motherhood. With menopause, comes the realisation that getting pregnant is no longer an option and in 2014, Jody wrote a blog called ‘The Childless Menopause’. This is a powerful podcast.
Date of episode recording: 2024-08-21T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.15.07
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Professor Joyce Harper
Guests: Jody Day
Producer: Joyce Harper
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Dr Zeynep Gurtin is a Lecturer in Women’s Health at the Institute for Women’s Health at UCL and an Authority Member at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
Zeynep is a sociologist of reproduction and family life, and for the past two decades her work has focused on women’s experiences of infertility, fertility treatments, and family building. She completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge and worked there with Professors Sarah Franklin and Susan Golombok. She also spent 2 years working at a fertility clinic, focusing on researching the social and emotional aspects of egg freezing and single women's fertility options and experiences. Zeynep is an experienced public communicator; she has spoken about fertility, assisted reproduction and gender relations at schools, City firms, arts festivals and women's groups, both nationally and internationally. Her work has been extensively covered in the media, including BBC News, Women's Hour, the Guardian, the Independent, Sky News, Stylist Magazine, Glamour, and Grazia.
In this emotional episode, which is part of the podcast series on Motherhood, Zeynep and Joyce recount their difficult fertility journeys that led both to have children over age 40. This was not plan A for either of them, so reliving it brought tears. Globally we have seen the age that women have their first child increase, and it is now over age 30 in many countries. And the total fertility rate, the number of children a woman has, is decreasing globally, hovering just above 1 in several EU countries. But many people wish for a family size of 2-3 children. Why are women having children, later, how does egg freezing affect their choices, and what challenges affect women trying to conceive over 40? How does society view the older mother? And what issues could arise for women going through the perimenopause with small children?
Date of episode recording: 2024-08-16T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.05.15
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Prof Joyce Harper
Guests: Dr Zeynep Gurtin
Producer: Prof Joyce Harper
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Lucy van de Wiel was a Research Associate in the Reproductive Sociology Research Group (ReproSoc) at the Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge. She is currently a Lecturer and Postgraduate Research Director in Global Health and Social Medicine at King’s College London. She has founded and is chair of the Reproduction Research Group at King’s. Her research focuses on the introduction of new reproductive technologies such as egg freezing, time-lapse embryo imaging and Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A).
Lucy explores how these technologies give insight into broader developments within the sector, including the datafication of reproduction and the financialisation of fertility. She also researches telemedical abortion in the post-Roe landscape. She has published an Open Access booked on egg freezing with New York University Press titled Freezing Fertility: Oocyte Cryopreservation and the Gender Politics of Aging. Freezing Fertility has inspired a feature documentary, also called Freezing Fertility.
In this episode, Lucy explains all aspects of egg freezing. She discusses what happens when a woman undergoes the procedure, how successful it is, and how much it costs. It is not a simple procedure to go through, it is not that successful with no guarantee of a baby and it is expensive, with multiple rounds usually being recommended. So why would any woman want to freeze her eggs? Joyce and Lucy answer this question and discuss the interesting fact that few women have come back to use their frozen eggs. And what does the future hold – is this a procedure that will become common place or are other technologies being developed that will replace egg freezing?
Date of episode recording: 2024-07-29T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.18.05
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Dr Lucy van de Wiel
Producer: Joyce Harper -
Mel is a solo mother and has used her experience to help others on this journey. She can be found on social media @the_stork_and_i and is The Solo Parenthood Coach ™
Mel is an experienced Life Coach, with a coaching qualification from CoachMatch and over 15 years of personal development and leadership coaching, with the last 6 years focusing solely on Solo Parenting. She uses the blended approach of coaching, research based information and resources, and personal insights from her own journey to provide support to explore options and to help support those who are deciding to go down the same path. She has grown a like minded community full of amazing women who are all here to help and support each other, and through the content she shares, 1:2:1 coaching, group coaching programmes and through her membership, she supports women from around the world to feel empowered and in control of their route to parenthood.
Mel talks about why she decided to become a solo mother, what her friends and family thought about it, and the biggest challenges she has faced. For solo mothers – there are various ways to obtain donor sperm such as through a fertility clinic, with a friend, or through meeting someone on line. The latter option can be problematic as highlighted in the Netflix series – The Man with 1000 kids. Most solo mothers are honest with their children from the start and tell them that they were conceived using donor sperm. The donor conception network produces excellent books called Our Story which help different types of families explain how they conceived to their children. Mel explained that it can lead to problems if families are not open.
Further information can be found at https://www.dcnetwork.org/ and https://www.eshre.eu/irhec
Date of episode recording: 2024-07-04T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00.45.55
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Professor Joyce Harper
Guests: Mel Johnson
Producer: Joyce Harper
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Tim is Associate Professor of Reproductive Medicine in the Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health at the University of Oxford. Tim studied medicine at the Universities of Cambridge and London, followed by postgraduate training in Oxford and a 2 year Fellowship at McGill University in Montreal where he worked on oocyte In Vitro Maturation, a drug-free version of IVF. He then returned to Oxford and in 2007 led the team behind the first UK babies born using the technique – twins. He got his research MD from the University of London, with a thesis titled 'Clinical and ultrasound prediction of outcome in unstimulated oocyte in-vitro maturation cycles. Tim is on the Board of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and Chairs the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC). Tim was a member of the 2013 NICE Fertility Guidelines Group. He is co-author of the UK’s highest selling Obs and Gynae textbook and has published over 100 research papers and chapters. Tim is a firm believer in Evidence Based Medicine and has undertaken many trials assessing assisted conception interventions. Tim runs regular patient-focussed Instagram Lives on his channel @drtimchild
Tim explains how to get pregnant naturally and how to get pregnant using fertility treatments. We discuss when the fertile window is, how fertility declines with age, how to prepare for pregnancy, what Tim thinks about nutrition, supplements and lifestyle, and what to do if there are problems. Tim explains how long couples should try naturally before they seek medical help. the most common causes of infertility, the different types of fertility treatments and the success rates. We discuss the role of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and how they have regulated IVF add-ons – additional treatments that usually claim to increase your chances of getting pregnant. We finish the podcast talking about some of the new technologies being developed such as using adult cells to make eggs and sperm which would totally revolutionise how we have children in the future.
Further information about some of the topics we discussed can be found at https://www.eshre.eu/irhecTranscription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts
Date of episode recording: 2024-07-04T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.01.37
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper
Guests: Professor Tim Child
Producer: Joyce Harper -
Athena Lamnisos is CEO of the leading women’s health charity, The Eve Appeal which is focused education about the five gynaecological cancers and their prevention.
Athena is experienced at forging partnerships between private, public and not for profit sectors. She has a track record of directing successful change programmes in the arena of public health and oncology and is passionate about making the publics voices heard. Her career spans working for Friends of the Earth where she led the communications and fundraising directorate through to leading public sector campaigns as a founding Board director of Forster. She has held numerous trustee roles including at food waste charity FareShare and as a founding trustee of restorative justice charity The Forgiveness Project.In this podcast we discussed the importance of raising awareness about the 5 gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. Athena shared her experience as CEO of the Eve Appeal, highlighting the charity's focus on prevention and early diagnosis through partnerships with private, public, and non-profit sectors and some of the amazing research they have supported. We also discussed the importance of educating children and adults about female anatomy, using proper terminology, and avoiding shame or embarrassment to prevent cancer. Athena stressed the importance of early detection and prevention of gynaecological cancers and the need for more awareness and education and the HPV vaccination. She gives some important tips to help women identify when something might be wrong.
Transcription link:
www.joyceharper.com/podcasts
Duration: 48:53
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Athena Lamnisos
Producer: Joyce Harper -
Susan Saunders is a health coach helping women over 50 reduce dementia risk and optimise brain health with science-backed habits. She's the author of three books about healthy ageing and longevity. She co-wrote the bestseller The Age-Well Project (and the blog of the same name) and authored The Age-Well Plan. Her most recent publication is The Power Decade: how to thrive after menopause - and it's out now. She has a high-level qualification as a dementia prevention coach with neuroscientist Dr Dale Bredesen (author of The End of Alzheimer's) and was one of the first coaches in the UK to qualify as a coach on his programme. She's coached hundreds of people globally to build habits scientifically-shown to reduce dementia risk. SOCIALS: Instagram @susansaundershealth Website https://susansaundershealth.com
How can we age well? Susan says it is in our hands. If we look after our lifestyle – we can age well and reduce the risk of dementia. Susan has dedicated her life to examining aging well since her mother got dementia. In The Power Decade she talks about the '3 Ms' - mindset, meals and movement', and in her coaching practice she talks about six pillars of better brain health - nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, cognitive engagement and environment (social and built). We discuss these topics, from the myths around nutrition, to the myths around which exercise post menopausal women should do. Susan feels that managing stress is an essential life skill, and exercise is no longer an option. It is time to rediscover our creativity and find our tribe. This podcast is filled with brilliant advice on how to age well.
Transcription link:www.joyceharper.com/podcasts
Date of episode recording: 2024-05-15T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.14.22
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Susan Saunders
Producer: Joyce Harper
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Mel Berry is co-founder of Her Spirit with her friend Holly Woodford. Mel is an experienced triathlon and swimming coach and leads the swimming coaching groups and the development of the overall Her Spirit coaching programme. Mel has worked with some of the best athletes, coaches and business owners in the world. Supporting these experiences has been her chance to help so many people transform their lives. She believes that anyone can achieve anything they want to. But to enable this to happen, you need good people around you to realise this. This is one of many reasons she set up Her Spirit. Mel loves to swim and currently training to swim the length of Coniston twice in one weekend and Lake Windermere one way for charity.
Exercise is so important for our physical and mental health and reduces the risk of many major diseases such as cancer, dementia, and more. But women around the world do not do enough exercise and movement. Her Spirit is here to help. Through the Her Spirit app and web site, Mel and the team are trying to make communities of women who can enjoy exercise together. Her Spirit also lead a number of campaigns including the 4-week virtual swim challenge to help raise funds for Breast Cancer Now. And in July, they are launching the Her Spirit Women’s Sports Fund to increase the accessibility to sports.
Transcription link:
www.joyceharper.com/podcasts
Date of episode recording: 2024-05-17T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.00.23
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Mel Berry
Producer: Joyce Harper
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Laura Spoelstra has been involved in the fertility sector as an expert in donation issues for almost 15 years. During that time, she was involved in various national policy working parties including the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the Nuffield Council on BioEthics and the Joint Committee on the Human Tissue and Embryos Bill. More recently she has been focusing on wellbeing of young people and mental health. And she’s been a listening volunteer for Samaritans, a national organisation providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.
Laura is a Samaritans Branch Deputy Director, a Regional Officer and a qualified Mental Health First Aider. Mental health is, in a sense, the same as physical health. It’s intrinsic to who we are, and it’s our ability to cope with life. A third of illnesses are caused by poor mental health as this can impact our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. And as we go through life, we face different challenges that affect our mental health. Covid caused a big spike in mental health issues. Young people are facing huge challenges for their mental health, with pressures from social media and hectic lifestyles. Suicide has increased over recent years and the data shows that men are more likely to commit suicide than women, at all ages. But there are ways to improve your mental health, including talking to people if we have issues, but also lifestyle changes such as being outside, exercise, nutrition good sleep and friendships. There are also several medications that can be used. The Samaritans are there ‘’Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year." https://www.samaritans.org/
Transcription link:
www.joyceharper.com/podcasts
Date of episode recording: 2024-05-09T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00.49.03
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Laura Spoelstra
Producer: Joyce Harper
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Tessa is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the University of Sydney School of Public Health. Her research focuses on the psychosocial impacts of disease labels, overdiagnosis and evidence-based reproductive healthcare for women. Her PhD research examined the benefits and harms of a polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis, and this research has been published in high impact journals in the field. In this episode Tessa explains what women’s health tech and Femtech are, and ideally how they should be developed, with a basis on evidence-based medicine. Health tech companies probably have two aims – to improve health and to make money but maybe along the way, they get hijacked by making money. There is a saying that health tech fakes it until they can make it. Which is what happened with Elizabeth Holmes, founder of Theranos, who is now in prison for fraud. Tessa explains that regulation of tech is inadequate, and it may confirm that a test is testing what it says it is, but it does not mean that the test is of any use to the public. With social media and celebrities endorsing health tech, it makes it difficult for people to know what will be valid. But does it matter – surely health tech does no harm, except on the wallet? Tessa explains that it can do harm, using the example of Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) testing. Tessa discusses her recent paper titled Marketing empowerment: how corporations co-opt feminist narratives to promote non-evidence based health interventions. We also discuss period tracker apps, IVF add-ons and menopause. Will anyone take any notice of research such as Tessa’s, or will marketing take over allowing unproven health tech to thrive?
Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts
Date of episode recording: 2024-04-11T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00.56.49
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Dr Tessa Copp
Producer: Joyce Harper
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Dame Lesley Regan is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College, St Mary’s Hospital, London. Having graduated from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London in 1980, Professor Regan pursued her career at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where she first became enthused by clinical & laboratory research, completing an MD on miscarriage, the commonest complication of pregnancy. She went on to set up the world’s largest recurrent miscarriage clinic at St Mary’s. Professor Regan was the 30th President (2016-2019) of the RCOG, during which time she co-chaired the national Women’s Health Task Force and published the RCOG Better for Women report which highlighted the need for an NHS led women’s health strategy. Lesley was awarded a DBE for her services to women’s health in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List. She was appointed chair of the WoW charity in October 2020 and became the first ever Women’s Health Ambassador for England in July 2022, to help implementation of the Government’s recently launched Women's Health Strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of girls and women nationally.
In this episode we discuss some of the key topics in women’s health as Lesley’s interests span from the cradle to the grave. As well as her pioneering work on miscarriage, Lesley has been helping women with menstrual issues, fertility and infertility and menopause. She has been trying to deal with the many obstacles and myths around women’s health. In 2009 she presented a TV series called Professor Regan Investigates looking into how some companies use science to sell. This issue is even more important now, as women’s health tech has become a booming industry. Through her work, education has been key for Lesley to ensure all women lead their best and healthiest lives.
Date of episode recording: 2024-03-15T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.14.35
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Professor Dame Lesley Regan
Producer: Joyce Harper
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Lavina Mehta, MBE, is an award winning personal trainer, wellness coach, mum of 3, was awarded an MBE in 2020 for her work in health and fitness over the pandemic and she is on a mission to help all ages feel good physically and mentally. Her slogan is Exercise for sanity not vanity. She has also done a great TED talk in a school to encourage young people to exercise. And is a patron of menopause mandate and an ambassador for diabetes UK, the Alzheimer’s society and Wellbeing of Women. The Feel Good Fix by Lavina Mehta is publishing on 30th May 2024 and is available for pre-order now (Penguin Life, £16.99) Follow Lavina on social media: @feelgoodwithlavina Lavina has not always been into exercising. She was the arty kid at school and had a very successful career in the corporate world. But over recent years she has been doing a huge amount of work to encourage everyone to exercise – exercise snacking whenever they can: whilst cleaning your teeth, cooking, on an aeroplane. Her work has also taken her into schools to talk about how exercising can help reduce mental health. Of course we talked about the importance of exercising during the perimenopause and beyond. And the importance of exercising outside, with friends. We can all do this – exercise snacking works and helps lead us to the Feel Good Fix.
Date of episode recording: 2024-02-20T00:00:00Z
Duration: 00:47:44
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Lavina Mehta. MBE
Producer: Joyce Harper
Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts -
Mike Tipton, MBE, PhD, MSc, FTPS is Professor of Human & Applied Physiology, In the Extreme Environments Laboratory, School of Sport Health & Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, UK. Mike has worked at the University of Surrey and University of Portsmouth. In addition, he was based at the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM) from 1983 to 2004 and was Consultant Head of the Environmental Medicine Division of the INM from 1996. He has published over 800 scientific papers, reports, chapters, abstracts and books in his research areas of drowning, thermoregulation, environmental and occupational physiology, and survival in the sea. He is an honorary life member of Surf Lifesaving GB and was a Trustee/Director for ten years, he is a member of the Council of the RNLI as well as a Consultant to the Medical Director of the RNLI. He has been a consultant in survival and thermal medicine to the Royal Air Force, UKSport and the English Institute of Sport (EIS). He chaired UKSport’s Research Advisory Group and sat on the EIS Scientific and Ethics Advisory Group. He sits on the QinetiQ ethics committee. Prof Tipton as edited several scientific journals including The Physiological Society’s “Experimental Physiology”. Mike is a visiting Professor at King’s College, London, and an Adjunct Professor at Waterford Institute of Technology. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and The Physiological Society. He was awarded his MBE for services to physiological research in extreme environments; the Ireland Medal for saving lives from drowning worldwide; and the H&L Swiftwater rescue lifetime achievement award from the USA.
Why do people swim in cold water – and what are the benefits and dangers? Mike explains what happens to our body when we immerse ourselves in cold water and if this is good for our health. It can make us ill and even cause death. He gives important tips for those who are thinking of starting. As always there are many myths. Cold water swimmers religiously drink a hot drink after swimming. Mike says it is a myth that it is warming us up. And eating cake is lovely, but we do not need it! And the best way to warm up after cold water swimming? A warm bath or sauna. We discuss our latest research on cold water swimming and menstrual and menopause symptoms. And what’s it like training for Ironman when you are in your mid 60s!
Date of episode recording: 2024-02-23T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01:08:20
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Professor Mike Tipton
Producer: Joyce Harper
Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts -
Philippa is a GP, author, journalist and mother. She is a Londoner and only moved away for three years while studying at Downing College Cambridge, before returning to Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ medical school for her clinical training. Once qualified she started having babies all in the midst of training in paediatrics, gynaecology, care of the elderly and acute medicine, psychiatry and then general practice. She now works as a GP in both privately and for the NHS, before running home to the chaos of a house with a husband and three children. She is the author of 8 books, including: Doctors Get Cancer Too is her memoir of being 39 years old, a busy doctor and mother when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and was an Amazon bestseller, and The M Word: Everything you need to know about the menopause which reached number 2 in the Amazon charts. Breasts: An Owner’s Guide was released in 2023. She is the medical expert for Woman, Woman & Home, That’s Life and My Weekly Special magazines and regularly contributes to the print and online press as well as having a role as the Ann Summers sexual health GP. She is regularly seen on the sofa on television on This Morning, Talk TV and various news programmes on both radio and television. Below is a link to Dr Philippa explaining what happens during cervical screening, a smear test. The clip has been viewed worldwide more than 15.4 million times!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-42774652/what-happens-during-a-smear-test
The M word - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Word-Everything-Need-About-Menopause-ebook/dp/B0BRQWQJLX/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=philippa+kaye&qid=1706691623&s=instant-video&sr=1-2
Breasts, an owners guide - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breasts-Owners-Guide-Philippa-Kaye-ebook/dp/B0B92JXBX7/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=philippa+kaye&qid=1706691772&s=instant-video&sr=1-1What a pleasure to release this podcast on International Women’s Day 2024 with the theme of inspire inclusion. Being a GP has allowed Philippa to work in all the areas of medicine she is interested in. Writing books, and being on social media and TV, has allowed her to reach a wider audience to share her immense knowledge. In this very powerful podcast, we discuss a better world for women. Education is key, so they can understand their health and know when to contact their GP. Women often wait too long to visit their GP putting up with painful periods, miscarriage, menopause symptoms and more. She says we should not feel we are disturbing our GPs – “The time for you to bother me is the time when it bothers you.” We discuss Philippa’s advice on infertility, menopause, breasts, cervical screening and cancer. And what it is like to juggle being a working mother.
Date of episode recording: 2024-02-09T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01:04:22
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Dr Philippa Kaye
Transcription link: www.joyceharper.com/podcasts -
Dr Neil Stanley started working on sleep when he was 16 – working at the neurosciences division of the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine in Farnborough. Since then he has been involved in numerous research studies, a notable one being a study in Pakistan where the team recorded sleep in 8 people for 6 nights at 18500 feet. In 1993 Neil took up a position in the human psychopharmacology research unit, university of Surrey, where he became the director of sleep research. There he created and ran a 24 bed trials sleep laboratory, primarily doing clinical trials into the effects of medications on sleep. He also set up and developed the sleep service at the London Clinic. If Neil is not talking about sleep, he is writing about sleep, if he is not writing about it, he is reading about it, and if not reading about it – he is probably asleep. He is author of the book – How to sleep well. The science of sleeping smarter, living better and being more productive which I highly recommend – as well as being full of evidence-based information about sleep – it is very funny. His latest book is coming out on 24th Feb 'Sleep Divorce: How to Sleep Apart, Not Fall Apart'. Everyone needs to sleep. Virtually every major disease has been linked to sleep. Sleep affects our work, school performance, relationships, emotional wellbeing and our health. But in today’s society we take in so much information - the need for good quality sleep is key to our wellbeing. In this podcast we discuss what happens when we sleep and how much sleep we should get - 8 hours a night is a myth. We are all individual and what works for us is what is important. What is your sleeping environment like and what do you do before you go to bed? How can coffee, alcohol and tech affect our sleep? Neil says that the issue with blue light is a myth. What about sleep during the life course? Should babies cry themselves to sleep? Are teenagers nocturnal? What about the perimenopause? And do we need less sleep as we age? There were so many questions to discuss, this is my longest podcast to date. Sleep well.
Date of episode recording: 2024-02-22T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.23.46
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Dr Neil Stanley
Producer: Joyce Harper
Transcription link: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/ -
Naomi Sutton graduated from Sheffield Medical School in 2003 and has been working as a Consultant Physician for the NHS at Rotherham Sexual Health Services since 2016. Throughout her career she has developed a passion for education and raising awareness of sexual health, both for other health professionals and the general public. Naomi starred in series 1 and 2 of the E4’s ‘The Sex Clinic’ which “helps young people get their sex lives back on track” and, as well as other media roles, she has talked frankly about vulvas, sex in old age, HIV and other sexual health subjects, on C4’s ‘Steph’s Packed Lunch’. In conjunction with the charity ‘You Before Two‘ Naomi has recently developed PHSE accredited Sex Education materials, strongly believing fun, clear and accurate education is key to combatting a lot of the struggles she sees people presenting with in her clinics. Naomi is proud to be a Trustee for the charity Saving Lives UK https://www.savinglivesuk.com/ which exists to raise awareness of HIV and STI testing and reduce associated stigma – and is an Ambassador for the Eve Appeal, a charity that raises awareness of the five gynaecological cancers and is now thrilled to also be an FPA Ambassador.
Naomi and Joyce talked a lot about sex. Do you know your vulva from your vagina? What words would you teach your child to use for their genitals? Are you having enough orgasms? They are really good for your health and you can have them on your own or with your partner, with or without sex toys. But how we orgasm often changes as we age and we may have to alter the way we have sex. We discussed the worrying increase in some STIs and how easy it is to get tested, even at home. Both Joyce and Naomi are passionate about ensuring everyone knows about sex and reproductive health and we discussed how this should be taught and normalised. Some useful web sites: https://www.outspokeneducation.com/ https://www.labialibrary.org.au/ https://youbeforetwo.co.uk/
Date of episode recording: 2024-01-26T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.01.58
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Dr Naomi Sutton
Producer: Joyce Harper -
Baz, together with Dr Bella Smith and Dr Emma Ross, has set up the Well HQ to ensure we have a future where no woman lacks knowledge and understanding of her body, across the life stages. They are on a mission to ensure that everything that makes us extraordinarily females shouldn’t be medicalised or considered niche, but be fully considered in making us fitter, healthier and happier humans. In this episode, Baz explains why all women need to look after their wellbeing including exercise, nutrition, sleep and their mental health. But women are all individual and need to do what is right for them and this will probably change at different stages of their lives. Are you looking after your body? Read the Female Body Bible written by the Well HQ team.
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Baz Moffat
Producer: Joyce HarperDate of episode recording: 2023-12-14
Duration: 00.53.51
Language of episode: English
Transcription link:www.joyceharper.com/podcasts
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Welcome to season 2 of Why didn’t anyone tell me this?
This podcast is about health education with an emphasis on reproductive health. We do not cover these topics enough in school or beyond. Professor Joyce Harper and her guests want to give you the tools to empower you to live a healthy, happy and fulfilled life. And on the way, we will debunk some of the myths around our health. This podcast will include a wide range of amazing guests, discussing topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health, happiness, cancer, periods, fertility, infertility, fertility treatment, preconception health, pregnancy, miscarriage, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause and much more. Joyce is a cold-water swimmer so expect some episodes about swimming! They will tell you about their work and life journey, what are the key messages they want you to know, their motivation, what makes them happy and their advice to their younger self. Joyce Harper is an award-winning author, educator, academic, and scientist with over 30 years’ experience in reproductive health. She is Professor of Reproductive Science at the Institute for Women’s Health at University College London where she heads the Reproductive Science and Society group. Her latest book, Your Fertile Years, is published by Sheldon Press, 2021. She is chair of the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration (www.eshre.eu/IRHEC) and co-chair of the UK Fertility Education Initiative. She is founder of Reproductive Health at Work. Further information at www.joyceharper.com.
Joyce is going to start each podcast season with a podcast by herself where she will update you on what she has been up to in the previous year. In 2023 she started the podcast and had 25 guests, plus herself, talking about many health topics, but mainly reproductive health. The podcast has been listened to in 72 countries. Joyce explains her main research projects. Her work as chair of the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration (IRHEC) has resulted in 6 videos of personal stories, the teachers educational resource, an update of the fertility education poster and the preparation of 12 public information leaflets (www.eshre.eu/IRHEC). In 2023 her research on menopause led her to set up the development of the UK menopause education and support programme with Shema, Polly, Nicky and Florrie. The project will be inclusive and co-designed with the public. Joyce also shares how difficult juggling our work:life balance can be. In 2024, she will be interviewing 50 women over 50 who feel they are (mostly) happy to discuss a range of topics which she will share in her next book.
Date of episode recording: 2024-01-10
Duration: 00.46.56
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper
Producer: Professor Joyce Harper
Transcription link:www.joyceharper.com/podcasts
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Clare is an holistic, lifestyle chartered physiotherapist, motivational health and fitness speaker, having qualified from Guys Hospital in 1984 with distinction. She has a diploma in Health Education. Clare runs a number of PhysioYogaLates (a name devised by her!) exercise classes in East Sussex, where she lives and offers one off classes for corporate companies. Clare has just recently sold her practice The Westminster Physiotherapy and Pilates Centre, after 29 years, where she specialised in pain management, women’s health and all musculoskeletal conditions. She is now concentrating on corporate lecturing, Lifestyle coaching and teaching her PhysioYogaLattes classes. She has recently established men only PhysioYogaLattes classes, which are proving incredibly popular and beneficial. Clare has always had a specific interest in prevention and aimed to resolve the cause of pain in all her patients and bring about lifestyle changes, through understanding the why’s and how’s of the 5 pillars of health. In this episode Clare talks about the 5 pillars of health; exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental fitness and purpose, community connectivity, family, friendships, spirituality. And how the earlier we look after these, the better our health will be. Our body needs nutrition, water and oxygen and the best way to feed our body is through movement. We cannot dissociate mind from body with any condition and we need to do a range of movements. Why not turn your day into a fun workout? Clare gave us many great ideas – she did the podcast standing up and explained why sitting down is bad for us. Are you sitting down most of the day? Clare talked about the importance of getting outside and how this is beneficial to our health. When you get up – spend 10 minutes outside. And break up your working day by going for a walk. Instead of meeting someone for a coffee and sitting in a coffee shop, why don't you go for a walk instead, and take your coffee with you? What about dancing around your kitchen? We also talked about women working with their bodies at different times of their lives – we need to be body intuitive. When women have a menstrual cycle, they may feel physically and emotionally different throughout the month and how they want to exercise may vary. And when they get to the perimenopause, how they want to exercise may change. Clare’s advice is when you have lots of energy – go with it. When you don’t, work with that. We are all individual and how we exercise is individual. But one thing for sure – it is good for our health.
For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/
Date of episode recording: 2023-11-29
Duration: 01.24.26
Language of episode: English
Presenter:Joyce Harper
Guests: Clare Fone
Producer: Joyce Harper -
Nicky studied medicine at the University of Cambridge. She was part of the international medical team that developed an anti-doping test for growth hormone. Nicky is an honorary clinical lecturer in the division of medicine, UCL. She lectures and researches in the areas of exercise endocrinology. She works mainly with exercisers, dancers and athletes and with women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. She is part of the UCL team developing a UK menopause education and support programme. Nicky is medical advisor to the Scottish Ballet. She is author of the book Hormones, health and human potential which we will talk about today. In this episode Nicky talks about her passion for dance and explains why she is fascinated by the amazing dance our hormones perform throughout our lives. Exercise is key for our mental and physical health. Nicky explains the importance of looking after our heart, bones, muscles, flexibility and balance. She talks about how exercise can help women with menstrual and menopause symptoms and why it is important to exercise when trying to get pregnant and throughout pregnancy. Nicky suggests different ways women can exercise, especially exercising in nature and with friends. Our social connections, our gut health and our sleep are also important for good health.
For more information and to access the transcript: https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/
Date of episode recording: 2023-11-20
Duration: 01.16.12
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Joyce Harper
Guests: Nicky Keay
Producer: Joyce Harper - Laat meer zien
