The Little Things

Menopause expert Niki Bezzant has some bad news for us: we can't blame our midlife weight gain on menopause. Niki joins Francesca and Louise to discuss what's really behind that sneaky middle age spread and what role menopause plays if it doesn't directly cause it. They also discuss hormone therapy, breast density, and how to manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo joins Francesca and Lou for a discussion about navigating relationships when the kids leave the nest. Together they tackle the challenges of transitioning from a child-centric life to a more adult-oriented one, and the pressure this can put on relationships. Karen shares her expertise on how to prioritise your partner during this time, and offers practical advice on how to rebuild intimacy, communication and connection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The danger of ultra-processed food has been dominating the headlines, but do these foods deserve all the negative press they're getting?  This week Professor Sarah Berry from King’s College London and chief scientist at ZOE helps us cut through the noise as we unpack what “ultra-processed” actually means, why not all processed foods are created equal, and how some foods are designed to override our natural fullness signals. Sarah explains the science behind hyper palatable foods, eating speed and why texture matters more than you might think. Plus, we tackle the seed oil debate and the truth about emulsifiers and additives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When our kids worry, we worry. Especially when we don't know what they're worried about! This week, Dr Justin Coulson is back to talk about what really bothers kids and young adults most, and how parents can help. He shares some of his top tips for helping parents support their children through these challenges by fostering connection, understanding perfectionism, and encouraging open conversations about tough topicsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a loved one experiences dementia, grief does not wait for a tidy ending. Francesca and Louise  sit down with resilience researcher and grief expert Dr Lucy Hone to talk about living loss and how to cope when someone you love is in ongoing cognitive decline. Later in the episode Helen Frank from Alzheimer’s Taranaki shares clear guidance on early signs, getting a diagnosis,and the support available for carers.    'How Will I Ever Get Through This?' - pre-sales for the new book from Dr Lucy Hone are available from 6th October 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do top athletes know about pressure that the rest of us don’t? Dr Kylie Wilson is a mental skills and performance coach who has worked with Olympians, rugby stars and world champions. She joins Francesca and Louise to share some of the mental skills sports stars use that can also help us regular folks in our everyday life. Prepare to take notes on learning from failure, reframing negative stories, and building focus through routines and visualisation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many women have a complex relationship with alcohol and how it impacts our health and wellbeing as we age.  Master health coach, Ree George, joins Louise and Francesca to talk about the role alcohol plays in women's lives, how it impacts us physiologically and psychologically, and why many of us find ourselves drinking more as we deal with the stresses of middle age. Ree shares practical, compassionate advice about reflecting on your relationship with alcohol, whether it's time for a "reset", and how to cut back or stop drinking in a sustainable way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world of supplements can be overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you! Naturopath Erin O'Hara joins Francesca and Louise to to help determine if you need supplements, how to select quality products, and make sense of trends and labelling. Discover when supplements can be helpful or even essential, versus when you're just wasting money (and potentially risking your health) on an unproven fad. From vitamin D to probiotics, magnesium to collagen, Erin shares her insider tips on choosing the right forms, optimal dosing and what to avoid. Timestamps:- Do you need supplements? The mixed evidence [4:21] - Should you take a daily multivitamin? [6:34]- The problem with New Zealand's lax labelling laws [8:56] - Popular supplements decoded: Vitamin D, probiotics, magnesium [12:17]- Supplements for joint health and arthritis [21:34]- Anti-aging supplements like collagen explained [27:11]- Whether electrolytes and vitamin C live up to the hype [32:21]See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you constantly feel tired and exhausted no matter how much you sleep or rest? Have you been blaming it on stress or a busy life? The answer may be simpler than you think. This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by nutritional biochemist and author of Fix Iron First, Dr. Libby, to discuss the vital role iron plays in our energy levels and overall health, and why more women need to tackle this earlier. Listen as they cover everything from the stages of deficiency and causes, to testing, treatment, and how to get the ideal levels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the last episode of the season, Francesca and Louise are joined by author, podcaster and editor with Mamamia, Holly Wainwright. The host of MID and co-host of Mamamia Out Loud, Wainwright has been telling women's stories for most of her career - but she wasn't sure what to expect when she approached middle age herself.  She talks to Francesca and Louise about how times are changing for women, why mid-life is about more than just hormones, becoming invisible from the male gaze, and the best parts of mid-life.  Holly's new book, He Would Never, is out now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self-help books and advice gurus often promise big changes to revolutionise how you live your life, or push you to strive for perfection. But what if we accept the fact that we are mortal humans with a finite time on this Earth, with only so much ability to get things done - and if we place ourselves within that reality, is that when we can truly thrive? This week, Francesca and Louise are talking about this philosophy with Oliver Burkeman, author of Meditations for Mortals, which explores why we are never going to sort our lives out, so it's time to work out how to succeed within our limitations. A new version of Meditations for Mortals releases July 1st. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Therapy can be a useful tool for many of us for a variety of reasons, but often times finding the right person for the right price can be the first barrier in seeking help. So who should you see? How can you access what you need? What does it cost? And how do we get the best out of it? To help you sort through it, this week Francesca and Louise are joined by clinical psychologist, writer and speaker Jacqui Maguire about the different types of therapy, how to be in the right mindset to seek help, and if new technology can help with the process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.