Magnificent Midlife

We’re bringing back another great episode for our special Menopause Matters Season – this time with the brilliant Angela Counsel. Angela is a naturopath, kinesiologist, and mindset coach working with women in midlife. Like me, she’s on a mission to spread the word that menopause doesn’t have to be a struggle. It can be a time of stepping into your wisdom and falling in love with yourself and your life. This conversation was recorded at a time when Covid-19 was very much part of our everyday lives, so we talk a lot about how to support both our hormonal balance and our immune systems in that context. Angela shares deep knowledge and practical tips, all grounded in her belief that midlife is a time of empowerment, not decline. This conversation is very much grounded in Lifestyle Medicine. Here’s what we cover: -How our jobs can impact our health -How a miscarriage led Angela to study naturopathy -The impact of stress on women’s bodies and how it can cause early menopause -The importance of hormonal balance at a

We’re bringing back another episode for our special Menopause Matters Season — this time with the wonderful Clarissa Kristjansson. She’s a Mindfulness and Menopause expert, author of The Mindful Menopause, and host of the Thriving Thru Menopause podcast. Clarissa is passionate about changing the way women think about menopause and aging. She brings such warmth and wisdom to this conversation, showing how mindfulness and a truly holistic approach can transform our experience of midlife. Her work continues to challenge unhelpful narratives and empower women to take charge of their own journey. Here’s what we cover: Why Clarissa became so passionate about menopause The power of mindfulness and a truly holistic approach Busting myths and unhelpful menopause narratives How women can take charge of their own experience Menopause, ageism, and the challenges of the workplace The potential impact of toxins in our lives Clarissa’s best tips for thriving through midlife and beyond And more! If you enjoyed this episode

We’re revisiting another brilliant conversation for our special Menopause Matters Season — this time with the inspiring Breeda Bermingham. She’s a social entrepreneur, founder of the Midlife Women Rock Project, and author of Midlife Women Rock: A Menopause Story for a New Generation. A former midwife and nurse, Breeda went back to full-time education at 49, completing both a psychology degree and a master’s in sociology. Impressive doesn’t even begin to cover it! This was such a moving conversation — Breeda’s wisdom and passion continue to have a profound impact on me. With more and more fear around menopause conversations, Breeda’s call to action on menopause is just as timely as ever. Here’s what we cover: -Why she wrote her book and the urgency of changing menopause narratives -Breaking taboos and giving women’s voices space to be heard -The legacy of Feminine Forever and the medicalization of menopause -Her Menopause Cafés in Ireland and the power of shared stories -What it was like returning to full-time

This is a re-release episode with the brilliant Jackie Lynch, Registered Nutritional Therapist and author of The Happy Menopause. I just love that title! Jackie’s work is all about how nutrition can help us flourish in midlife and beyond. ✨ Book news! Jackie’s latest book The Happy Menopause Guide to Energy: Nutrition to Rejuvenate Your Brain & Body is now out. While her original book The Happy Menopause: Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish is a symptom-by-symptom guide you can dip in and out of, this new sister copy takes a different approach. It’s essentially a journey through one of her clinical programmes in book form. So many of the women Jackie sees in her clinic struggle with physical and/or mental energy in midlife, so she decided to take a deep dive into the subject. In this new book, she guides readers through a step-by-step process to regain mental clarity, physical stamina, and overall vitality. It helps you pinpoint what’s draining your energy and create a tailored action plan to rejuvenate

Maryon Stewart is known as the pioneer of the natural menopause movement. She created a non-drug but scientifically based program to overcome issues associated with menopause and has helped thousands of women. She’s written 28 books and is also a campaigner for education around drugs. She’s made it her mission to ensure women have all the information they need to manage menopause effectively without the need for medication in most instances. We talk about: -What it means to manage your menopause naturally -Why HRT isn’t the magic solution to hormonal issues -The need for a midlife refuel -The biggest nutritional deficiencies seen in midlife women -The most common issues women present with who come to consult with Maryon -The most embarrassing issues women are coping with -Maryon’s advice for low libido and vaginal dryness -How we can improve our diet and what it helps -Bloating in midlife and how to fix it -Why we can get more urinary tract infections and what to do about that And more!   If you enjoyed this

In this solo episode, host Rachel Lankester introduces a brand-new special season of the Magnificent Midlife Podcast: Menopause Matters. With World Menopause Day around the corner, Rachel is shining a spotlight on some of the inspiring menopause conversations from the Magnificent Midlife archives. She shares her own early menopause diagnosis story, why lifestyle (as) medicine (the theme of this year's World Menopause Day) is so powerful, and what listeners can expect from this empowering rerun series. She talks about: -Why she has created a dedicated menopause season -Her own early menopause diagnosis at 41 -The theme of lifestyle as medicine for World Menopause Day -Nutrition, fitness, culture, stress, and relationships etc. during menopause -Revisiting expert voices including Maryon Stewart, Karen Newby, Jackie Lynch, Karen Arthur, and Breeda Bermingham and more! -How these timeless conversations support hormonal health through perimenopause and beyond -Why menopause isn’t an end point, but an ongoing journ

Want to add something fabulous to your life? Meet Melissa Talago, a serial entrepreneur and portfolio careerist with a single minded passion: to live a life less ordinary. She runs Hoomin, providing content marketing and communications leadership to tech companies. She's also the founder of Glamoraks, a global community for women who hike. She wrote a book on how to divorce amicably and in her spare time, works for adventure travel company Water by Nature, taking guests on sailing trips. This is Melissa's second appearance on the podcast, as I wanted to catch up on all the exciting things she does to make her life less ordinary. We talk about: - Melissa’s inspiring journey and career transformation - Balancing her career and personal life - Her insights from Glamoraks - Her backpacking adventures - How to live a life less ordinary - Overcoming challenges and embracing change - The power of travel and human connections - Encouraging all of us to take action - Living a life with purpose And much m

Dr. Sarah McKay is a neuroscientist, author, and science communicator passionate about making brain science accessible and practical. With a PhD in neuroscience, she specializes in exploring the female brain and its transformations across life stages. Her books, The Women's Brain Book and Baby Brain, delve into the neuroscience of health, hormones, and motherhood. She’s also the director of The Neuroscience Academy, bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and everyday life. We talk about: - Dr McKay's passion for science communication - Her inspiration for writing her books - Understanding the brain and menopause - Advancements in menopause research - Challenges in menopause research and communication - The impact of menopause on cognition and mood - Menopause in the workplace - The need for reliable data and room for nuance - Lifestyle and menopause management - The need for humor in menopause - Future directions in menopause research  And lots more! If you want to understand what happ

Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and women's health advocate with over 25 years of clinical experience. Lara has written Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual. Her latest book, Metabolism Repair For Women,  a compassionate, science based guide to balancing insulin, losing weight and improving health, empowers women to understand and heal their metabolism for lasting health. Lara is also one of my co-founders at MenoClarity. We talk about: - The inspiration for and differences in Lara's books - The importance of understanding metabolic dysfunction - The role of hormones like insulin, estrogen, and testosterone in metabolic health and how they interact during different life stages - The impact of our modern lifestyle - Challenges in balancing blood sugar - Defining metabolic dysfunction and its manifestations - The impact of insulin resistance on women's health - Strategies to restore metabolic balance - The role of circadian rhythm - Practical tips for improving metabolic health  A

Tracey Yarad is an Australian singer-songwriter and pianist who transformed personal heartbreak into powerful storytelling. After a devastating betrayal in midlife, she channelled her pain into her one-woman musical show All The Pretty Things, now touring in Australia and the UK. Through raw honesty, humour, and music, she’s helping others heal while reclaiming her own voice. So powerful and inspiring! We talk about: - Tracey's journey and the birth of her show - The betrayal and its impact - The aftermath and healing process - The evolution of her show and its emotional depth - The role of meditation and celibacy - Her move to New York and new beginnings - The creation of her book and its impact - The power of forgiveness and letting go - Broader lessons and connections And lots more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening. Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Mid

Rebekah Rotstein is the creator of the medically endorsed Buff Bones® system, providing bone health, education and exercise to manage and prevent bone and joint issues for people of all ages. She’s an industry leader in Pilates, bone health and movement education. Rebekah was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of 28 and has been helping people improve their bone health ever since.  She talks about: Her osteoporosis diagnosis The impact of exercise and diet on bone health Midlife prevention and bone health awareness Understanding osteoporosis and misconceptions Primary and secondary osteoporosis Bone health beyond density The Buff Bones® program and movement education The importance of strength training and impact exercises Cultural differences in bone health awareness And lots more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’re listening. Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Trans

A solo midlife update from Rachel, with a difference, sharing her recent solo trip to Albania, and what’s been going on in life. She talks about: - Initial nervousness and changing travel plans - Conquering driving fears while navigating Albania’s challenging roads - Initial hotel challenges - Exploring Gjirokastër and its extraordinary architecture - Finding local heroes to help when she got rather stuck - Exploring the haunting history of communist Albania through bunkers and surveillance centres - Albanian blood feuds and the impact they continue to have - The archeological wonder of Butrint - The Albanian coast including Ksamil and Himare - Staying in the stunning ancient multi-layered town of Berat - Navigating Tirana and reflections on history - Personal life changes and future plans And more! Book mentioned in the podcast: Broken April by Ismail Kadare

Samhita Mukhopadhyay is the former editor of Teen Vogue and Feministing and the editorial director at The Meteor. She’s the author of The Myth of Making It: A Workplace Reckoning, which explores the contradictions and inequities of success in the modern workplace, particularly for women and marginalized groups. She’s also written Outdated: Why Dating is Ruining Your Love Life and was the co-editor of the anthology Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump’s America. She wrote her master’s thesis on The Politics of the Feminist Blogosphere and is passionate about examining power, gender, and cultural narratives through a feminist lens. We talk about: Why Samhita wrote her book The systemic challenges in the workplace for women The impact of gendered expectations The American ethos of work and success What it means for Samhita to be a feminist at work Redefining success and prioritizing self-care What it means for Samhita to be in the realm of being an older woman Burnout as a systemic problem

Lesley Jane Seymour is a media entrepreneur and the former editor of More magazine. She founded Covey Club, an online community for women over 40, which grew out of a survey that More magazine readers took after the iconic magazine closed. She's been a leading light in the media industry for many years, and she was the editor of Marie Claire magazine before taking over More. She's passionate about helping women 40+ create fabulous change in their lives. We talk about: - The closure of More magazine - The creation and mission of Covey Club - The power of midlife women - Older women saving the world - The fight for gender equality - Networking and support for entrepreneurs - Lesley's transition to entrepreneurship - The power of women supporting women - Lesley's work with Michelle Obama - Lesley’s decision to leave publishing - Embracing lifelong learning and new experiences And lots more! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it and leave us a 5* review on iTunes or wherever you’

I always love chatting to this returning guest! Kate Codrington is the author of The New York Times recommended book, Second Spring: The Self-Care Guide To Menopause, and her second book is The Perimenopause Journal: Unlock Your Power, Own Your Wellbeing, Find Your Path. This is a beautiful journal full of love and wisdom to help women process the momentous changes that perimenopause brings. This is a super fun conversation with lots of wisdom and inspiration to help you thrive through the perimenopause transition. If you haven’t already, make sure to listen to Kate’s first interview on the podcast too! We talk about: - Kate’s new book and its purpose - The role of positivity in perimenopause - Spiritual and emotional aspects of perimenopause - Leadership and the role of postmenopausal women - The importance of authentic leadership, whether it involves standing on a stage or being a compassionate presence in small moments - The seasons of perimenopause - The importance of space and self-care - The gifts of pe

Dr Anisha Patel is a GP specializing in women's health whose world was turned upside down with a diagnosis of stage three bowel cancer. She's the author of the brilliant book Everything You'd Hoped You'd Never Need To Know About Bowel Cancer. I found this such a powerful book, with lessons for all of us whether or not we have cancer. This is a very inspiring conversation about women's health and how we can all take better care if ourselves. We talk about: - Anisha's cancer journey - How she found the strength to write her book - Vulnerability and the emotional aspects of cancer - Openness about one's health with children and family - The long-term effects and life after cancer - Surviving the survival - Psychosocial impacts and support - Anisha’s work with charities to set up a life after cancer clinic to provide specialized support - Histamine intolerance and menopause - Balancing hormone therapy and histamine intolerance - Empowering women with knowledge And lots more! If you enjoyed this ep

Dr. Sarah White is the CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving women’s health across Australia through every life stage. She is part of the National Women’s Health Advisory Council and the Women’s Health Products Working Group at Australia’s Medicines Regulator. She’s an honorary research fellow at Melbourne University and still an active researcher. We had an impassioned conversation about how menopause narratives are being manipulated, the likely reasons for that, and how women can get the reliable information they need. We talk about: - Sarah’s career journey  - The importance of accurate and accessible health information - Who Dr Jean Hailes was - The first rigorous survey on how menopause affects Australian women - How menopause data is being manipulated and why - The impact of industry influence on women’s health - Reframing menopause from a strengths-based approach - Combating gendered ageism - The influence of marketing and misinformation -

Shelle Luscombe is an entertainer, a singer, a presenter, a voiceover artist. She turned 50 in 2021 and she set out to have 50 memorable experiences. She also wanted to raise money for a cause very close to her heart, having two copies of the Alzheimer's risk gene and having lost both parents to dementia. Three years on, she's raised over £12,000 pounds.  She's been on daytime TV and came close to winning a national award for her creative fundraising efforts. She's determined to live life to the full and continue campaigning for a cure for dementia. We talk about: - The inspiration behind the 50 challenges - Shelle’s TV appearance and the power of PR - Wacky challenges: unicycles, stand-up comedy, hair cutting and more - The tragedy of dementia and personal risk - Shelle’s musical journey and album release - Living life to the fullest and Shelle’s determination - The challenges of dementia care - Seeking a new future and navigating midlife challenges - Good days and bad days - Supporting others through s

This is such a fascinating podcast! Maria Leonard Olsen is a lawyer, an author, a TEDx speaker, and a mentor to women in recovery. She wrote 50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life and is host of the Becoming Your Best Version podcast. She’s had a very full and fascinating life – so far. She has so many enthralling stories to share. We talk about: - Maria’s background and passion for travel - Exploring other cultures and overcoming historical prejudices - The power of continuous growth and trying new things - Racial prejudice and mixed heritage identity - Unveiling family secrets: Maria’s DNA test surprise - Navigating the legal and emotional implications of misattributed parentage - Connecting with a previously unknown biological parent - Grappling with changed heritage and identity - Maria’s difficult journey to sobriety - Breaking the silence on sexual assault - The importance of self-care in midlife - What somatic healing means to Maria - Lifelong learning And more!   If you enjoyed this epis

Sue Mbaya is the founder and director of Menopause Solutions Africa and host of the Pause for Menopause podcast. She’s leading menopause awareness in Africa and seeking to normalize the change while empowering women. She has over 20 years of policy advocacy, advisory and development experience at national, regional and global levels with a focus on African States and the African Union. Sue’s work and influence in the area of menopause have been recognized globally and I was delighted to be able to entice her onto the podcast! We talk about: - How Sue became so involved and passionate about menopause - The impact of stress and other life events on menopause symptoms - The psychological impact of menopause and the decision to use HRT - The challenges of getting access to healthcare in Africa - How menopause is not prioritized in Africa - The differences in terms of appreciation, knowledge, sentiment towards menopause as well as women getting older in general - Gendered ageism - The disparity in access to help a