170 Unpicking menopause narratives with Dr Sarah White
Magnificent Midlife
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...
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169 Getting creative about dementia with Shelle Luscombe
Magnificent Midlife
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...
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168 DNA surprises, identity, healing and growth with Maria Leonard Olsen
Magnificent Midlife
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...
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167 Menopause in Africa with Sue Mbaya
Magnificent Midlife
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...
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166 Writing about Jewish culture with Lynne Golodner
Magnificent Midlife
Lynne Golodner is a novelist writing about strong Jewish women and Jewish culture. She shares her background and journey as a writer, her focus on writing about Orthodox Jewish life, and the challenges and research involved. Lynne recently set up her own independent publishing house for women over 40 with strong voices that need to be heard. Her first novel, Woman of Valor, joins two poetry collections and six nonfiction books, including Hide and Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering and The Flavors of Faith: Holy Breads. This is a fascinating dive into an often hidden culture. We talk...
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165 Midlife update, solo with Rachel
Magnificent Midlife
A midlife update from Rachel on what’s been happening lately and what’s coming up for her as we move towards summer. She talks about: - Cherishing loved ones and coping with grief - Recent podcast episodes Being a veteran Black menopause and staying curious Staying strong and healing Embodied experience of postmenopause Discovering the joy of volunteering Finding what works in midlife The power of herbs - Questioning big claims about hormone therapy and future health - The Mind Body Spirit Festival (London) and Everywoman Festival (Cardiff) - Poverty in later life being a...
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164 The power of herbs for menopause with Hannah Charman
Magnificent Midlife
Hannah Charman has been a medical herbalist since 1999, having first become interested in alternative medicine when she used it to recover from chronic fatigue syndrome in her early teens. She specialises now in helping women who prefer or need a natural route through menopause, combining herbal medicine with health coaching. We talk about: - What a medical herbalist is - Hannah’s journey to becoming a medical herbalist - Holistic approaches to menopause and health in general - The gifts of menopause - The role of trauma in menopause - How herbal medicines work and especially for...
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163 Finding what works at midlife with Dr Maria Luque
Magnificent Midlife
Dr. Maria Luque is a menopause fitness expert, a health science professor, and an Air Force veteran. She’s passionate about helping menopausal women become healthier, stronger, and happier. Her PhD dissertation was all about enhancing quality of life in menopause. We talk about: - What quality of life in menopause means to Maria - Maria’s research on menopause - Misinformation and fear surrounding menopause - Embracing menopause and aging - Challenging menopause narratives - The influence of marketing and misinformation - Overcoming analysis paralysis - Trusting your own knowledge and...
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162 Discovering the joy of volunteering with Ann Marie Jackson
Magnificent Midlife
Ann Marie Jackson is the co-founder of microlending organization Mano Amiga and works with Casita Linda, which builds homes for families living in poverty in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She’s lived as an expat in Mexico for a decade, is a columnist for Mexico Daily News and recently wrote a novel inspired by her life called the Broken Hummingbird. We talk about: - Why Ann Marie moved her family to Mexico - The joys of living in San Miguel de Allende - Ann Marie’s passion for volunteering - Her experience working on human rights in China - The dangers of white saviourism and how to...
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161 The embodied experience of postmenopause with Stella Duffy
Magnificent Midlife
Stella Duffy is an award-winning writer of 17 novels, over 70 short stories and 15 plays who’s also worked in theatre for 35 years as an actor, director and facilitator. She’s a psychotherapist and a yoga teacher. She recently completed her doctorate in existential psychotherapy and her research was in the embodied experience of post-menopause. She’s been post-menopausal since chemotherapy for breast cancer in her mid-30s. Stella has been active in equalities and diversity work in the arts and LGBTQ+ communities for many decades. We talk about: - Stella’s experience of menopause...
info_outlineJosephine Pembroke is a performer and founder of Radio Gorgeous. She trained at Drama Studio and has been in many bands, cabaret and theatre productions. She decided to get back on stage in her 60s and is currently starring in her own show, The Working Girls of Soho, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival. Josephine is a hoot! Prepare to giggle and be inspired that anything is possible!
We talk about:
- Why Josephine is back on the stage after all these years
- What the show, The Working Girls of Soho, is all about
- The history and culture of Soho
- Life in London in the 80s and 90s
- Josephine’s experience in the London’s club scene
- What’s it like for Josephine to actually be doing cabaret on the stage
- The all-girl band, Pussies Galore and their performances in London and abroad
- Josephine’s struggle with needing attention
- The importance of discipline and creativity in Josephine’s life
- What Josephine has learned about herself by going back on the stage
- How baby steps are all we need to make big change
And more!
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Order the ebook or audiobook (narrated by Rachel) versions of Rachel’s book, Magnificent Midlife: Transform Your Middle Years, Menopause And Beyond at magnificentmidlife.com/book
The paperback can be purchased on Amazon or other online retailers:
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
US & Canada: https://www.amazon.com/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Magnificent-Midlife-Transform-Middle-Menopause/dp/173981150X/
You can listen to all the other episodes and get the show notes at magnificentmidlife.com/podcast.
Recommended by the Sunday Times.
Feedspot #3 in best midlife podcasts and #14 in best women over 50 podcasts worldwide.
You'll find lots of strategies, support, and resources to help make your midlife magnificent at magnificentmidlife.com.
Check out Rachel's online Revitalize Experience, a 6-week intensive small group mentoring experience or 1-1 Midlife Mentoring.