Emma Goswell and her mates Helen and Beena (sadly without Terri) are back for a good old catch up. The gang tackle the media frenzy around menopause, share personal health scares, and explore alternative therapies like Reiki and gong baths. It’s all about the importance of prioritising one's health, the controversy surrounding HRT, and the power of sound healing—all with a healthy dose of humour and empathy.

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"When you can see the cycle of life, everything changes"

Hazel Showell is a business psychologist and coach, who has turned her personal struggles into a source of strength for others. She helps top executives learn to be happier. You might not be surprised to hear that she’s helped a fair few women at the height of their careers, to recognise that they might be going through #perimenopause and #menopause! 

In her own life, Hazel has experienced endometriosis; infertility, surgical menopause and a brain tumour.  Quite frankly - she wasn’t expected to still be here.  The fact that she is, is testament to her incredible resilience. 

Helen, Terri and Emma learn how integrating pain can help cope with the inevitable ups and downs of life, and how to accept life’s transitions in a way that makes you stronger.  This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking courage and clarity in the face of adversity.

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“Don’t accept it’s over, because it’s really not!” 

DJ Paulette has spun records and societal expectations into a legacy of empowerment and beats.  If you’ve ever been a clubber, you’ll know that the dance floor can be the background to personal, societal and cultural revolutions. DJ Paulette is testament to that, as a true pioneer of the Manchester music scene.  

She started her career in early 90s Manchester, against the backdrop of Section 28, the AIDS crisis, and the Poll Tax riots. One of the Hacienda’s first female DJs, she catapulted to global superstar status, living and performing in countries the world over. 

Her memoir, "Welcome to the Club," is not just about the beats behind the decks but the beats of a heart navigating the complexities of race, gender, and the menopause maze. 

You’ll hear how she’s navigated the trials and tribulations of peri and menopause for over 15 years whilst maintaining her status as queen of the dancefloor.  Plus join in with the Effin Hormones gang as they pledge to move from “raving” to “grey-ving”! 

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This episode was recorded at Reform Radio in Manchester. Reform Radio is a social enterprise that supports young people into work through the power of radio. If you'd like to show them some support do check out their Kofi! https://ko-fi.com/reformradio

Thanks to Jamie our lovely engineer.

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“We’d be sitting around the dining table having a sweat!”

Happy International Men’s Day! Effin Hormones is celebrating with a candid, poignant - and of course funny - conversation with the one and only Richard Goswell - Emma’s Dad!

Richard Goswell experienced symptoms that many menopausal women know about: severe hot flushes, night sweats and depression, due to having treatment for prostate cancer. What was that like for him, and has that experience given him more insight into what it’s like to experience menopause? Richard opens up for Emma and the gang. He also shares how attitudes towards menopause have changed throughout his lifetime.

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Dr Stacy Sims is an internationally renowned exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist, specialising in sex differences.

Her TED Talk, Women are not small men, explains why it’s so important for women to train around their cycle.

Stacy’s pioneering work is all about how hormones impact our bodies during the menstruating phase of life, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.

You’d be amazed - or maybe you won’t - at the lack of medical research that’s gone on down the years on women’s bodies. That’s had a big impact on our understanding of how women’s bodies work.

Drawing from extensive research, Stacy will provide you with tailored guidance on exercise, nutrition and HRT optimised for perimenopausal and menopausal hormonal fluctuations. Her science-backed insights will revolutionise your approach to strength, HIIT, gut health and more.

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Dr Liz O’Riordan is a breast cancer surgeon who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2015 aged 40. 

She started blogging about her experiences of being both doctor and patient, went on to give a TED talk and wrote the ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer’ – all with the aim of helping other patients.  

All of this led to her being ­nominated for a ‘Woman of the Year’ award in 2016. 

After her cancer returned in 2018 she famously dressed as Mrs Incredible for her final radiotherapy treatment! She really is an inspiration. 

This summer in 2023, her breast cancer returned a third time – just as her memoir 'Under The Knife' was being published.

She’s working with the brilliant charity Maggie's on their menopause and cancer campaign.  In this episode, you'll hear about the support that Maggie's are offering when it comes to the menopause symptoms that cancer treatment can bring.

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'light your candle with knowledge and light it on further'

Dr Nighat Arif is a powerhouse when it comes to raising awareness and busting taboos around women’s health.  She’s a GP, who specialises in women’s health and family planning and she’s a medical educator too.  

If you’re based in the UK you’ll have seen her on the TV. Dr Nighat is the resident doctor on BBC Breakfast TV and ITV’s ‘This Morning’.  She’s got her own radio show on BBC Three Counties radio. She does brilliant reels on instagram and tik tok, making women’s health really easy to understand.

Her book “The Knowledge” is EVERYTHING you need to know about women’s health from menstruation to menopause - prepare to be enlightened and inspired!

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"Sexuality is our life force energy"

Dr Claire Macaulay is an Oncology Doctor, who also helps peri and menopausal women have the sex lives they want.

Her dual career came about after one of her breast cancer patients told her that she didn't know which was worse - the fact that she was going to die of cancer one day or the fact that she couldn't have sex with her husband. Cancer patients can experience menopause as part of their treatment. Those menopausal symptoms can have a huge impact on people's ability to have sex.

Claire realised that her patients really needed support and The Pleasure Possibility was born. She works with women who are in the perimenopausal or menopausal phase of life, whether naturally occurring or due to medical treatment.

Hands up - the Effin Hormones gang were a bit nervous talking about this at the start... But Claire is massively down to earth, incredibly knowledgable and funny too. She really does break down some barriers and make this issue OK to talk about. You'll learn a LOT!

Claire mentions a meditation, which you can access here:

I want meditation

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Effin Hormones is sponsored by Better Help

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