Ladies, We Need To Talk

In the exercise race, women are falling behind. Two out of five women aren’t moving enough and it’s bad for our health. Between being time squeezed, feeling crappy about our bodies and guilt about taking a break from caring duties, women have less room for exercise than blokes. But ladies, it’s time to put on our sports bras and get sweaty! In this episode, you’ll hear how to get your fitness mojo back and prioritise your wellness. You’ll meet exercise-hater-turned-evangelical-runner, Amanda Hooten. Plus, clinical psychologist Professor Lyndall Strazdins from the ANU shares tips on how to get physical. This episode will answer questions like: What to listen to next: Love ya guts! What to eat to feel your best How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it Paying for sex at 70 You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to exercise, weight, eating disorders, body image, sport, running, pilates, mental load, gender, parenting, adolescence, women’s safety.

What if, instead of being the best time of your life, new motherhood was miserable? Perinatal depression and anxiety affects one in five women in Australia. But the shame of it is carried in silence. Yumi Stynes speaks to women about their darkest days as new mums; sleep deprived, fearful and feeling alone. She hears how these women came through their suffering and got the help they needed. Featured in this episode: If you need help: Lifeline AustraliaPANDA National HelplineGidget FoundationThis episode will answer questions like: What to listen to next: I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticals How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off Turia Pitt is a selfish woman Paying for sex at 70 You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to suicide, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, birth, birth trauma, mothering, parenting, mental health care plan, psychology, hospital, family, breastfeeding, colic, crying, sleeplessness, sleep deprivation.

What happens when your husband suddenly becomes someone you don’t recognise? One cold day in 2020, Belle Burden’s partner of 20 years told her he was leaving her. There were was no warning, no chance to talk. Before her relationship collapsed, Belle’s life looked enviable. Heiress to a wealthy New York family empire, she had the kids, the job, the holiday house and a committed marriage. But overnight, everything Belle thought she knew about her husband changed, and he became a stranger to her. Despite the pain of separation, Belle came to know herself again and rebuilt her life stronger than before. This episode will answer questions like: What to listen to next: I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticals How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off Turia Pitt is a selfish woman Paying for sex at 70 You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to divorce, separation, affair, cheating, heartbreak, money, settlement, parenting, re-invention, self-discovery, gender, mothering, independent, finance.

What’s it like to parent when you can’t see your kid? Nas Campanella, the ABC’s National Disability Affairs reporter, knows there’s many ways to be a great mum. As a blind woman, she’s navigated internalised ableism, and copped BS from strangers. Through it all, she’s given the middle finger to expectations and come out the other side stronger. She talks to Yumi Stynes about the quiet strength that comes from trusting her own instincts and the deep bond she’s formed with her son. This episode will answer questions like: What to listen to next: I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticals Life without boobs: Meet the women staying flat after breast cancer Body image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie Walker Where's my village? Esther Perel on how to build community You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to disability, vision impaired, blind, mother, parent, National Disability Affairs reporter, ABC, work-life-balance, working mum, child, baby, parenting, teaching, attachment.

Marriage sabbaticals aren't a divorce, or an excuse for guilt-free frotting but a chance to reset priorities. But do they work? It can be hard to figure out how to fix a relationship in need of repair when you're in the grind of the day-to-day. Living separately for a while or even taking a solo holiday can be a chance for a jump-start, but it comes with risks. Yumi Stynes meets women who've hit pause on their partnerships in the hopes of coming back together stronger than before. This episode will answer questions like: What to listen to next: Women who cheat Is everyone having better sex than me? The new way to date How pop culture f*cked us up, with Sophie Gilbert You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: How pop culture messed us up, with Sophie Gilbert How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off Paying for sex at 70 Life without boobs: Meet the women staying flat after breast cancer This episode contains references to sex, marriage, family, parenting, mental load, emotional labour, domestic labour, inequality, chores, perimenopause, break-ups, relationship, love, psychology, attachment.

How does it feel to be betrayed by the person you love most? Women open up to Yumi Stynes about being cheated on and picking up the pieces of their shattered hearts. There's the fishy feeling you try to shake off, finding texts, unearthing emails, wondering if you're paranoid. And then, the moment of truth and painful aftermath. From Beyonce to Lily Allen, queens everywhere have wondered, "How did I get caught up in your double life??" For some women, infidelity destroys the foundation of trust forever. For others it leads to bloodletting and rebuilding the relationship. Featured in this episode: This episode will answer questions like: What to listen to next: Women who cheat Is everyone having better sex than me? The new way to date How pop culture f*cked us up, with Sophie Gilbert You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode contains references to sex, marriage, cheating, West End Girl, Lily Allen, Madeline, Beyonce, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Becky with the good hair, Shakira, Lemonade, infidelity, women, family, emotional cheating.

Millennial pop culture has a lot to answer for. From Britney Spears' sexy schoolgirl outfit to an underage Kate Moss on the cover of Vogue and Paris Hilton in pube-skimming velvet tracksuits, the message was clear — being hot, sexy and desirable meant #girlpower. So how did we all buy into the lie that self-objectification is empowerment? Pulitzer Prize–nominated journalist Sophie Gilbert says the Spice Girls, Demi Moore, Britney Spears and the Kardashians all had a role to play in how we feel about ourselves as women. Sophie chats to Yumi Stynes about how pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves and what we can do about it. What to listen to next: Emotional labour with Rose Hackman Clare and Jessie Stephens on twinning, pregnancy and envy Has Ozempic killed body inclusivity? Are our boys ok? Fighting online misogyny with Kate Scott You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode will answer questions like: This episode contains references to sexuality, pop culture, music, performance, girl, woman, gender, gender roles, Britney Spears, Kate Moss, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, the Spice Girls, Pamela Anderson, body image, thinness, beauty, capitalism, entertainment industry.

What’s it like to switch teams mid-season? Nicola was married to a man for 25 years before she fell in love with a woman. Jennifer and Marija were in their 40s when everything they knew about their sexuality changed. Yumi Stynes chats to later-in-life lesbians to hear what they’ve learned from swapping sides. She also gets the low-down on sexuality research across the life span, and why so many women are coming out in their second act. What to listen to next: How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off Where's my village? Esther Perel on how to build community Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis? Hacking online dating with Prof. Jennie Young You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode will answer questions like: This episode contains references to sexuality, family, mother, parenting relationships, lesbian, gay, straight, sex, orgasm, religion.

MasterChef’s Julie Goodwin has a bubbly exterior but underneath are demons she’s fought for decades. The celebrity cook opens up to Yumi Stynes about the anxiety and depression she’s kept hidden for so long, and how it almost undid her. Julie’s path to recovery wasn’t straight, but she learnt how to manage what she calls the ‘monster under the bed’ and change her life for the better. If you need someone to talk to, call: Lifeline on 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 What to listen to next: Mental health: Overcoming depression Love ya guts! What to eat to feel your best Body image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie Walker You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode will answer questions like: This episode contains references to anxiety, depression, alcohol, addiction, exercise, health, mental health, psychology, MasterChef Australia.

If you've ever been with a guy who thinks jackhammering is a virtue or who can't tell your clitoris from your clavicle, this episode is for you! (Pssst share it with a bloke you know). Yumi Stynes chats to comedian and expert dater Nikki Britton about what makes for good sex. Plus, sex therapist Aleks Trkulja, from The Pleasure Centre, gives tips on how to take on feedback in the bedroom. This episode will answer questions like: What to listen to next: Is everyone having better sex than me? The new way to date Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis? Shedding the shame of herpes You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode contains references to sex, gender, men, women, clitoris, mental load, marriage, sex life, therapy, masturbation.

Dr Corrine Low says heterosexual relationships are costing women financially. And she’s got the life experience and the data to back it up. When Corrine was married to a man and a new mum, she was the main breadwinner, shouldering the domestic load...and she was FED UP. Corrine’s research has found that even though we’re doing more paid work than ever, women still do most of the unpaid labour at home and it’s hurting our back pocket (and our feelings). Dr Low talks to Yumi Stynes about practical ways for women to have more equal relationships, share the mental load and connect our romantic and financial decisions. This episode will answer questions like: What to listen to next: Emotional labour with Rose Hackman Turia Pitt is a selfish woman Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it Has Ozempic killed body inclusivity? You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode contains references to gender roles, family, relationship, men, mental load, domestic labour, utility, having it all, children, parenting, child care, work life balance, mental health.

Esther Perel is on a mission to make us feel less alone. The world renowned psychotherapist says we've lost touch with the village but she's here to help us reconnect. Esther chats to Yumi Stynes about how to foster a community and stop putting pressure on romantic partners to fulfil our needs. She shares her own story of seeing her parents build a village as refugees, and how she learnt to lean on her chosen people when her family needed it most. If you’re feeling isolated or just want to bolster your community, this episode offers practical way to find and maintain your village. What to listen to next: Deepa Paul on opening her marriage Emotional labour with Rose Hackman Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode contains references to Esther Perel, village, community, friends, romantic relationship, marriage, resentment, therapy, couples therapy, Mating in Captivity, Where Should We Begin, personality styles, extroversion, introversion, love language.

We’re told boobs are sexy! Bouncy! Nutritious food banks even! But what happens when they betray you? Every year in Australia, around 20,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Forty per cent of those will need a mastectomy, surgery to have the breast tissue removed. Some of those women will choose not reconstruct, to stay "flat." Yumi Stynes speaks to "flatties" about their relationship with their new bodies. You'll hear from women who've had one or both breasts removed about how their decision has reshaped their sex lives and body image and how they've found hope in new forms. If you've got boobs, or know someone who does, this episode will make you question how you think about them. Featured in this episode: Useful links: Upfront About Breast Cancer – What You Don't Know Until You Do, with Dr Charlotte Tottman Breast Cancer Network Australia So Brave Breast Cancer Charity Mastectomy: Breast Surgery and Recovery What to listen to next: Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis? Embracing imperfection was the key to Astrid’s success Getting to the bottom of IBS You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to breast cancer, going flat, staying flat, flatties, reconstruction, surgery, chemotherapy, body image, femininity, boobs, psychology, mental health, gender.

When she was 16, Pub Choir's Astrid Jorgensen wanted to be a nun. So how did she end up in pubs, night after night, teaching people to sing? For years, Astrid felt like she didn't belong to the world of music. But she found her way in, on her terms. Astrid was never going to be an elite Opera singer, but in rediscovering the joy of singing for the sake of it, she invited the world to sing along too. Astrid has fused her unique talents together to create Pub Choir — the largest choir in the world. She teaches everyday punters to sing a three-part harmony, where the audience becomes the performers. Yumi Stynes sits down with Astrid for a candid conversation about the messiness of life, how she found her voice and began singing to her own tune. What to listen to next: Turia Pitt is a selfish woman Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis? You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode contains references to Pub Choir, Bulimia, Backstreet Boys, Cher, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Africa, Cranberries, Zombie, Dolores O’Riordan, Toto, Average at Best, music teacher, spiritual quest, religion, abusive teacher, music, audiation, sensory, senses, conducting, choir, crowd, stage.

Up to one in five people have irritable bowel syndrome and women are three times as likely to be affected. From bloating, cramping, constipation and diarrhea, the symptoms can be debilitating, let alone make it hard to do up a pair of jeans! Even though IBS is so common, there’s no cure. But there’s increasing research about the best ways to manage symptoms - from the low FOMAP diet to managing anxiety to live a better and less gassy life. Featured in this episode: What to listen to next: Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter Sandwich generation — the women looking after everyone Mental health: Overcoming depression Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode will answer questions like: This episode contains references to IBS, irritable bowl syndrome, HotGirlsHaveIBS , leaky gut, pain, gut pain, faecal transplants, anxiety, mental health, therapy, microbiome, FODMAP, diet, mind gut connection.

With "wellness" advice from influencers flooding our feeds, it's hard to sort fact from absolute nonsense and know what to eat to feel good. Enter Laureate Professor in nutrition and dietetics, Clare Collins. Yumi sits down with Clare to get the low down on the good stuff we should be eating on and the nasty stuff we should avoid. How much protein is enough? Is fibre a big deal? Are probiotics bulls*#t? This episode will help you turn down the noise on nonsense diet trends and listen to what your guts are telling you. What to listen to next: Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter Stepmums: Why do they get such a hard time? Endometriosis: Pain, periods, medical gaslighting Clare and Jessie Stephens on twinning, pregnancy and envy You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode will answer questions like: This episode contains references to microbiome, diet, diet culture, emulsifiers, fibre, protein, women's health, influencers, menopause, depression, anxiety, bacteria, Mediterranean diet, vegetables, processed food, FODMAP.

Ladies, we want to hear your sex disasters stories for an upcoming episode! Have you queefed at the worst possible moment? Maybe you screamed out your ex's name in the throes of passion? Reached for the toothpaste instead of the lube? If you've got an awkward, embarrassing or hilarious sexual encounter that didn't go to plan, now is the time to share it with the group chat (us!). Drop us a voice note or message at ladies@abc.net.au.

Turia Pitt was doing it all — working, mothering, wifeing — and she was exhausted. Being everything to everyone came at a huge cost to her mental health — she was close to burnout, and so she decided to flip the script on being a 'good woman'. Over a decade after sustaining life threatening burns to most of her body in a grassfire, Turia's become a famous author, speaker and athlete. She also had two kids. When Turia's family moved away from their support network for her husband's career, Turia took on a lot and did it with a smile on her face. But inside, she was suffocating. Turia realised that being selfless wasn't getting her where she wanted in life, so it was time to be selfish! She sits down with Yumi Stynes in a refreshingly honest conversation about mum-guilt, saying no, vices, disability and leaving the husbands at home to go hiking with your besties. Turia Pitt is the author of Selfish: How to unlearn the rules that are breaking you. What to listen to next: Body image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie Walker Sandwich generation — the women looking after everyone Mental health: Overcoming depression Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like The dark side of being a perfectionist Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life This episode will answer questions like: This episode contains references to motherhood, mental load, depression, burnout, stress, disability, running, hiking, exercise, marriage, family, gender roles, parenting, boundaries, people pleasing, alcohol, mental health care plan, trauma, ironman.

She's one of the great cultural villains; the evil stepmother. Stepmums are up against it. Besides fighting bad press generated by endless pop-culture references, they're chucked in the deep end of parenting without a life boat. Yumi Stynes meets stepmothers who've experienced the joy of loving their partner's child as well as the difficulty of slotting into a 'mum' role when the kids already have one. Plus, researcher Dr Bailey Oliver Blackburn explains the challenges of stepmothering, from responsibility without authority to constant comparison and feeling excluded. This episode is a celebration of the unique role that stepmums play and offers some tools to navigate a complex family dynamic. What to listen to next: Toxic mums Breaking the motherhood contract Mental health: Overcoming depression Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it Mental health: Loving someone with an addiction You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood The dark side of being a perfectionist Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life What happens to your sex life during perimenopause? This mini-series will answer questions like: This episode contains references to stepmothers, stepmom, stepmum, wicked stepmother, stepfamily, family, parenting, blended families, anxiety, stress, pregnancy, Cinderella, Parent Trap, Rapunzel.

Standing by watching a loved one's addiction can be heartbreaking and confusing. One in ten Australian's struggle with a substance disorder and one in five experience gambling harm. For every person struggling with an addiction, there are people close to them. The wives, mothers, sisters and children watching their addictions play havoc with their lives. Yumi Stynes sits down with women who've been on the sidelines of someone else's addiction, and who've found a path through a challenging situation. In this episode you'll hear how to look after your own mental health as a carer and how to have those difficult conversations. Featured in this episode: Special thanks to Dr Steph Kershaw from the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use for her help with this episode. Helpful resources: National Alcohol & Other Drug HotlineSHARC's Family Drug and GamblingLifelineBeyond BlueHeadspaceMatilda Centre resourcesWhat to listen to next: Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it Mental health: Overcoming depression You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood The dark side of being a perfectionist Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life What happens to your sex life during perimenopause? This episode will answer questions like: This episode contains references to mental health, gambling, poker machines, addiction, alcohol dependence, Al Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, support group, psychologist, alcohol and other drugs, counselling, boundaries.