How far can we push our biology?

Meet Joyce Harper, an internationally renowned, award-winning scientist and Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London, Institute for Women’s Health. Joyce has worked in the fields of fertility, genetics, reproductive health and women’s health for over 30 years, and regularly appears in the press, on radio and TV. She is the mother of three sons born through IVF, a keen open water swimmer, and an ambassador for This Girl Can.

In this episode, we discuss emerging reproductive technologies, shifts in cultural attitudes towards family planning, independent motherhood, making embryos from skin cells ("IVG"), artificial wombs, government policy, and most importantly: how will all of it impact women?

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More from Prof. Joyce Harper:

https://joyceharper.com/

"Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?" podcast with Prof. Joyce Harper - https://joyceharper.com/podcasts/

(00:00) Intro

(02:15) Why are we struggling with fertility?

(05:41) Fertility timeline for women and men

(08:53) Egg freezing

(14:04) The rise of solo motherhood

(25:14) IVG – creating an embryo from skin cells

(30:34) Artificial Wombs

(39:27) Delaying menopause

(47:29) Government policies

(51:44) Lessons about life, nature, and the universe

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What makes you, you?

Meet Dr. Sarah McKay - a neuroscientist, TEDx speaker, science communicator and author of The Women's Brain Book, which explores the female lifespan through the lens of neurobiology, and Baby Brain, about how pregnancy and motherhood shape the brain. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, and on ABC’s Catalyst. Sarah is also a sought-after keynote speaker and a regular guest on radio and podcasts. The new revised edition of The Women's Brain Book came out this week and contains findings from neuroscientists and researchers working in the disciplines of neuroendocrinology, brain development, brain health, and ageing.

More from MOTHER:

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.themotherverse.substack.com

Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://www.forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8

Follow Dr. Sarah McKay:

https://drsarahmckay.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drsarahmckay/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmmckay

All Books - https://drsarahmckay.com/books/

The new edition of The Women's Brain Book (2025) - https://www.waterstones.com/book/demystifying-the-female-brain/sarah-mckay/9781409173182

(00:00) Intro

(03:00) Gender equality and brain differences

(07:46) What is neuroplasticity?

(10:05) Pregnancy and neuroplasticity

(12:15) Why stress response physiology changes during pregnancy

(14:35) Intrusive thoughts and postnatal anxiety

(16:57) Why women suffer from depression and anxiety more

(20:10) Mental health and puberty

(23:18) How puberty creates an emotional blueprint

(25:03) Menstrual cycle as a neuroscience experiment

(30:50) Tools for hormone-sensitive women

(33:08) Insights from writing "Baby Brain"

(44:44) Ageing and wisdom

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How do religion and culture shape our relationship with our body?

Meet Dr. Aziza Sesay, a GP, GP Educator, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Host, Speaker and Health Content Creator. She runs a health platform called ‘Talks with Dr. Sesay', sharing evidence-based health information on a variety of topics, specifically women’s health, cancer awareness, mental health and health inequity. Dr. Sesay is also Vice Chair and Creative Director of Black Female Doctors UK. She is an Ambassador for the charities Eve Appeal, Wellbeing of Women, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) Hatfield Vision, and the Everywoman Festival. She is a member of the World Health Organisation Fides group and is one of the select creators of the first YouTube Health Partner Programme. She is also on the YouTube IQ Creator Programme with a select few who create videos targeting underrepresented communities.

More from MOTHER:

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.themotherverse.substack.com

Want to create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://www.forms.gle/zfKWVCbw1ERKUgKB8

Follow Dr. Sesay:

Website - https://www.talkswithdrsesay.com/drsesay

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/talkswithdrsesay/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@talkswithdrsesay

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@talkswithdrsesay

Projects Dr. Sesay mentioned:

Keep it FAX - a charity established to support the education of children in Sierra Leone by providing scholarships and support. More info: https://www.keepitfax.com/

Black Women Rising - a charity offering vital help, information and practical advice for people of colour who have been diagnosed with cancer. More info: https://www.blackwomenrisinguk.org/

(00:00) Intro

(03:25) Why removing taboos and shame will save lives

(07:50) The role of culture and religion in how we relate to our bodies

(12:00) Educating young girls

(15:15) Culture v. Religion

(15:45) The Quran is one of the earliest books on embryology

(20:00) The double standard on women’s bodies

(22:30) Finding purpose and managing the emotional challenges that come with her line of work

(24:10) The disparities in health outcomes for Black women

(28:00) The importance of using the right language

(30:25) What equitable healthcare means

(33:40) Conscious and subconscious bias

(36:45) What everyone can learn from the strong women in African communities

(38:30) Pain and Pleasure

(42:00) Lessons about life, nature, and the universe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.