The Merry Menopause Bookclub
Jo Fuller
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Top 10 The Merry Menopause Bookclub Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Merry Menopause Bookclub episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Merry Menopause Bookclub for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Merry Menopause Bookclub episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Dr Jenna Macciochi author of Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
06/29/22 • 41 min
My guest for this episode is Dr Jenna Macciochi an expert immunologist who has spent over 20 years as a scientist researching the impact that lifestyle has on the immune system in health and disease.
Her latest book “Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity”, is a guide to cultivating strong immune health from a voice of reason in a rising tide of pseudoscience and promises of quick fixes.
The book encourages us to audit our lifestyle and identify key areas that might not be serving our health well, and as Dr Jenna said when we spoke, ‘I wrote the book that I needed to read.”
Join us as we discuss:-
- The myth behind the term “Immune Boosting.”
- Why we need to ‘balance’ rather than ‘boost’ our immune system.
- How well were you before you got sick? How you go into an illness reflects how you will cope with it.
- The cyclical nature of our immune systems.
- Why our ‘immune age’ doesn’t necessarily match our chronological age
- Immunity, the sex hormones and our Menstrual cycle.
- How our blood sugar response is so individual
- The power of protein and fibre, the unsung hero of longterm health
- Why we shouldn’t necessarily avoid the foods that make us bloated but work to increase our tolerance of them.
- Immunity and Menopause the impact of declining oestrogen
- Man Flu - the science to support it!
- The long game - how do you want to feel in your 70s and 80s
- The importance of good liver function and how we support the process
- The myths surrounding benefits of detoxes and sweating
- Air pollution in our homes, household toxins and the stress of living in with clutter.
- The importance of spending time in nature and why we should limit the use of artificial fragrances.
Dr Jenna’s book choice - Oliver Burkeman Four Thousand Weeks
You can find out more about Dr Jenna and her work here
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
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Maryon Stewart - Manage Your Menopause Naturally
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
04/20/21 • 47 min
In this episode I talk to one of the pioneers of natural menopause management Maryon Stewart. A font of knowledge and true expert in the field of hormones, PMS and Menopause. Her latest book is six week self coaching programming and I guarantee you after listening to this episode you will be informed, inspired and ready to take control of you wellbeing.
Join us this episode we discuss
- the first science based recognition of natural menopause solutions and the start of Maryon’s career
- Menopause in the workplace, how it is still such a problem but for many organisations and their employees still without a solution
- Maryon’s collaboration with Virgin Health and Loughborough University to bring out an economic model to show much Menopause is costing businesses when they lose their female talent because they are not supporting them.
- Maryon’s six week Mid Life Re-Fuel that is helping so many women to turn their lives around
- How we can trick our brain into thinking we still have naturally occurring, circulating oestrogen and thus getting rid of many of the common symptoms of menopause
- The effect of being deficient in minerals that so many women are unaware of
- How easy it is to fill up our empty oestrogen receptors with naturally occurring oestrogen and can prevent fibroids, cysts, endometriosis and many Menopause symptoms.
- Supplementation, the do’s and don’ts
- Menopause symptoms and mental health
- How important it is to nurture ourselves at this midlife crossroads, make the small adjustments to our lifestyle choices and kick start ourselves for a healthily and happy life during and beyond Menopause
Find out how you can work with me, my coaching and education, and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themerrymenopause.com
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group
Susan Saunders author The Age Well Plan
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
11/30/21 • 32 min
My guest from S2 Jackie Lynch author of The Happy Menopause chose The Age Well Plan as her book choice, and so we have her to thank for this episode where I meet and talk to Susan Saunders Health Coach, Writer, TV producer and author and author of, The Age Well Plan.
Susan has spent the last decade researching how to live a longer, healthier life and she's passionate about giving people clarity on what to do to age well and how that fits into a busy life and to stay motivated.
The Age Well Plan draws on her extensive research into longevity and shows you simply and clearly how to make the changes, big and small, that support healthy ageing.
Join us as Susan shares her story of being an only child, working full time, raising her own family and at the same time, caring for her mother with dementia. The diagnosis of which led Susan to research and learn how she could reduce her risk of developing a chronic disease of ageing.
We discuss:
- Lifestyle choices,
- Cellular ageing,
- Genetic testing
- The hidden plastics and pollutants in our homes that can have a serious impact on our long-term health.
- And a topic close to my heart at the moment, foot pain and the importance of looking after our feet, the foundation of our mobility as we age.
Susan's book choice - Lifespan by David Sinclair
Find out how you can work with me, my coaching and education, and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themerrymenopause.com
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group
Sarah Chadwick author The Sweetness of Venus - A History of The Clitoris
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
08/04/21 • 40 min
My last guest of Season 2 is the wonderful Sarah Chadwick author of The Sweetness of Venus - A History of the Clitoris.
Challenging today’s definition of female sexuality, The Sweetness of Venus is a provocative, straight-talking and rigorously researched history exposing the denial, misunderstanding and brutality endured by this taboo body part.
Sarah has a teaching background is currently a guest researcher at Chicago’s LOYOLA University, splitting her life between the US and UK. She has been described as “an articulate and compassionate spokeswoman for a new generation of women”
In her own words Sarah “Wanted her book to be pleasurable like good sex. For it to be friendly, funny, compassionate, inclusive of men and a bridge between academic research and knowledge. A book that people would pick up and have pleasure reading.” - I think she achieved it all.
Join us as we discuss:-
- The historic shame around women’s sexual pleasure
- The complicated and conflicting history of the clitoris
- The Victorians - the fear and threat around women having sexual agency
- 1844 - A breakthrough in Clitoral recognition!
- The tip of the Clitoral iceberg - do you really know what it looks like and just how big it is?
- Think you know the meaning of the world ‘frigid’, think again
- Freud and his part in defining that there is a difference between a vaginal and Clitoral orgasm.
- Historically Dr’s putting forward the idea that proper sexual function was through penetrative sex only and any other way was a treatable physiological disorder
- Why we need to broaden the definition of what quantifies as sex to become more inclusive and healthier for everybody
- Today’s teenagers having more oral and anal sex than ever before in the name of ‘not having sex’
- The difference in sex education in the UK and the US and why we are still not teaching it right.
- The narrative that women are wired for reproduction and men are wired for sex
- Shere Hite’s groundbreaking survey in the 70s about women's sexual pleasure and desire.
- Sarah’s own frustrating experience with three gynaecologists trying to get her orgasm back post menopause
- The effect that the dominant narrative that women’s sexual function is purely for reproduction has on Menopausal women stepping into their sexual power
- How the taboo around reproduction vs pleasure has been so incredibly damaging to women in their 50s and beyond
- Viagra - *eye roll * men haven't had to fight for their continued sexual function.
- Bicycle design, train travel, sewing machines and their connection to the female orgasm and masturbation!
Sarah’s book choices
Invisible Women - Caroline Crado Perez
The World’s Wife - Carol Ann Duffy
You can find more of Sarah on Instagram @its.Personalgirls
Find out how you can work with me, my coaching and education, and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themer
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group
Mel Schilling author of The C* Word (Confidence)
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
04/12/23 • 37 min
I am joined for this episode by the fabulous Mel Schilling. Human behaviour and performance specialist and Married at First Sight relationship expert Mel Schilling talks to me about her new book The C* Word.
Mel draws on her 20-year background in psychology, with this empowering and practical guide to making friends with our fear, tackling imposter syndrome and building the skills of confidence to enhance every aspect of our lives.
Join us as we delve into:-
- How can we rebuild our confidence in midlife.
- Brain fog and hot flushes - two of the biggest reasons that so many of us lose our confidence. Mel openly shares her experience of both of these whilst filming live TV.
- How humour can be a great asset in re-building confidence
- Mel opens up about her own journey with brain fog and her decision to start hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage it.
- We discuss coaching techniques that can help overcome brain fog, anxiety, and hot flushes, particularly when dealing with presentations or public speaking.
- We explore self-worth in midlife and the feeling of invisibility that many of us experience during this phase of life.
- Addressing negative self-talk and techniques to re-wire our brains and be kinder to ourselves.
- Mel reveals how our body has an identical response to "I am scared" to "I am excited" and how to recognise these feelings and make them work to our advantage.
- Midlife dating advice from the expert! Mel gives me her expert advice on navigating midlife dating - which apps to use, getting clear on dating goals, recognising 'red flags', and the difference between 'deal breakers' for a relationship vs personal preferences.
- Are you dating un-cooked men too?!
- Mel shares her own experience of online dating, where she met her husband.
Mel’s Book recommendation - Great Sex Starts at 50 by Tracey Cox.
Follow Mel on Instagram
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group
Lara Briden author of Hormone Repair Manual
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
10/05/22 • 46 min
To kick off Season 6 of The Merry Menopause Bookclub Podcast my wonderful guest today is Naturopathic Doctor Lara Briden.
A graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Lara practices in Christchurch, New Zealand, treating women with symptoms of PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, Perimenopause, and many other hormone- and period-related health problems.
Lara joins me to talk about the second of her two brilliant books Hormone Repair Manual which is about navigating and relieving the symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause, but I urge you to also check out her first book Period Repair Manual.
Join us as we discuss:-
- How our Periods play an integral part of our Perimenopause.
- Want to know if you are in Perimenopause?
- Perimenopuase and The Pill
- The 9 common symptoms of Perimenopause.
- Perimenopause and driving
- Lara defines Menopause
- Menopause is part of our evolution, it’s not an accident of living too long!
- It’s important that we change the narrative and understand that we are meant to go through this!
- Early human groups wouldn’t have survived without the survival tactics of it’s Menopausal members.
- Why Perimenopause is a tipping point for our long term health.
- Insulin intolerance and sensitivity
- Metabolic health
- The importance of ovulation
- Using your period as a barometer as to what is happening to your body
- Why your 65 year old self will seriously thank you for the positive changes you make in your 40s.
- I ask Lara about the period I had after 450 days of being period free!
- Annovulatory Menstrual Cycles - why we all need to know about them .
- Why Lara calls Perimenopause Secondary Puberty
- And the 9th symptom is..... Onset of night sweats, in particular premenstrually
Lara’s book choice is the wonderful Circe by Madeline Miller
Find out more about Lara here
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
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Lorraine Candy author "Mum What's Wrong With You?"
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
02/22/22 • 46 min
I kick off Season 4 with journalist, editor, co-host of "Postcards from Midlife" podcast and mum of four Lorraine Candy. Formerly the editor in chief of the Sunday Times Style magazine, Elle and Cosmopolitan, Lorraine has been writing about parenting in national newspapers and magazines for more than a decade.
In this episode, we talk about her family memoir “Mum What’s wrong with you” 101 things only mothers of girls know. In the pages of her book Lorraine is lighting the way for other mums facing life with teenage girls, just as they going through their own midlife unravelling.
Join as we talk about:-
The many parallels between the Teenage years and the Menopause and the negative narrative that surrounds both.
The Perfect storm of parenting teens in your mid-40s.
The reasons why Teenagers behave as they do, and the reasons we behave as we do.
The importance of role modelling so our Teenagers can see us caring for ourselves and also dealing and coping with a range of emotions.
How our issues and childhood experiences can affect our parenting
The pressure of parenting perfectionism
How to recognise and recover from those dreadful moments in parenting life and the importance of being able to say sorry and move forward.
The immense brain changes that occur during the Teenage years.
The loneliness and shame that can come with parenting Teens. You are not the only person getting it wrong.
How to deal with messy bedrooms!
The rise of adolescent mental health
Reforming our identity in Midlife
The importance of eye contact and putting down our phones.
Why you mustn’t be your child’s best friend.
Teenagers and phones - the power of The Digital Sunset
Mental health policies, sex education and female financial power in our schools
How and why we experiencing “Living loss”
“Meanagers” and “Moron Mum”
Lorraine’s book Choice
Terra Incognita, Travels in Antarctica by Sara Wheeler
also mentioned in the epsisode
The Orchid and the Dandelion by W. Thomas Boyce
Shout85258 - free, confidential, 24/7 text-messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Find out more about my Coaching and Education, how you can work with me and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themerrymenopause.com
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group
Dr Ginni Mansberg author The M Word
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
12/14/21 • 36 min
For the final episode of Season 4, I am joined by Dr Ginni Mansberg, a sought-after speaker and regular host and medical expert on Australian TV. A forerunner of the Menopause conversation in Australia, she is the author of today’s book choice, The M Word: How to Thrive in the Menopause which offers sound advice for women going through Menopause, as well as a way to excel in this new stage of life.
Ginni has been a GP for over 30 years and she is passionate about the importance of giving women what they need to help take agency of their Menopause, especially when it comes to vagina’s, bladders and their sex lives.
Join us for a straight-talking conversation about the importance of recognising and seeking help for any symptoms related to Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) which affects the function of the bladder, vagina, rectum and uterus and the knock-on effects to sexual pleasure and desire.
- The importance of not delaying treatment If you notice any changes to your vagina and vulva that are you causing you pain, discomfort or distress, it will only get worse, not better.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) and Menopause - If you have just 3 UTI’S in a calendar year, that is classed as re-current and you need to look at preventative treatment.
- Sex and incontinence - Do you wee when you have an orgasm or at the point of penetration? You are very much not alone, do not let it become a block to having a healthy sex life, it can be easily treated.
- Constipation - do not ignore it.
- The need to insist on a Dr who will listen to you and examine you so you can get your health needs met.
- There is no magic supplement or medication. We know that Lifestyle advice is the best advice, we know it works, why don’t we advocate it more?
- Hypo Sexual Desire Disorder - do you fulfil the criteria? Inability to orgasm? Lost interest in masturbation and sex? Hormonal Testosterone treatment could be the key.
- Australia may be behind us in the UK with the Menopause conversation and Menopause awareness, but they are way ahead with their compounded Testosterone therapy. Currently the only country in the world that has a compounded and licensed testosterone formulation specifically for women.
- The complexity of women's sexuality. Testosterone therapy isn’t a panacea, it won’t fix a broken relationship or make a poor relationship better. BUT for many women, it can be life-changing for their relationships and self-esteem.
- Why it's important that FIRST we fix any symptoms of Vaginal GSM and then we work on fixing our libido.
Ginni’s book choice
Freedom at Midnight by Larry Collins
Find out how you can work with me, my coaching and education, and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themerrymenopause.com
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group
Lucy Peach author My Greatest Period Ever
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
03/15/22 • 36 min
In this episode, I am joined by Period preacher and author of “My Greatest Period Ever” Lucy Peach.
Lucy has performed at TEDX and toured around the globe with multiple sell-out seasons of her hilarious and heartfelt show ‘My Greatest Period Ever.’ In her own words, Lucy is changing the world “One Period at a time.”
Join us as we discuss
- Why it’s never too late to learn about your cycle
- Dream, Do, Give and Take - the 4 phases of our cycle.
- Why other women are your allies
- How to support each other by playing to the strengths in our cycle
- Stop banging on about the blood! Let’s get into the real gifts of our cycle
- Educating young women and boys are in tune with
- Educating Men about menopause
- My experience of Perimenopause
- The Key to a Merry Menopause
- How my work is evolving as my Menopause is evolving
- How managing your cycle will help you understand your stress and stop you from burning out.
- Cyclical reading!
Lucys’ book choice - Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
Find out more about my Coaching and Education, how you can work with me and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themerrymenopause.com
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group
Petra Coveney author of Menopause Yoga
The Merry Menopause Bookclub
03/16/22 • 61 min
My guest today is Petra Coveney founder and creator of Menopause Yoga, the world’s first Menopause specific yoga practice and fully accredited teacher training course. Petra is a member of the British Menopause Society and a senior teacher and trainer for the British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance Professionals.
Petra joins me to talk about her book Menopause Yoga which supports her training course and is also designed to raise awareness and share knowledge of Yoga and how it can support women on their Menopause journey.
In this episode we discuss:
- Yoga and Perimenopause
- Yoga and HRT - how East meets West in the treatment and management of Menopause symptoms.
- Why we need to take a holistic approach to Menopause
- Seeing Menopause as a real opportunity to improve our health and wellbeing and to let go of habits and behaviours that don’t serve us.
- Petra’s Perimenopause journey, what she learnt and how she feels now Post Menopause
- Why Perimenopause can feel like a loss and time of grief.
- The research that shows that the highest rates of depression, suicide and divorce amongst women in the UK is between the ages of 45-55
- Questioning who we are and our role in life
- How Yoga and be such a powerful part of a holistic approach to Menopause
- Adapting our lifestyle to meet our mental and physical needs.
- The benefits of mediation and mindfulness - building the relationship with self and the wisdom deep inside that will you guide you through your menopause and tell you what you need.
- Every woman is completely different and needs different support
- Changing and adapting our yoga practice as we age
- Yoga and Auyreveda - the doshas
- How to use your Yoga practice to manage any symptoms.
- When Menopause was pathologised and made into a sickness.
- Tiredness and Menopause - our body is transforming on a cellular level as our oestrogen levels deplete, this takes up a lot of energy which is why we feel a deep need to rest.
- The benefits of lifting weights.
- Our Second Spring and the strong connection we have as women to mother nature.
Petra's Bookchoice
Kate Codrington - Second Spring
Find out more about my Coaching and Education, how you can work with me and get your free Menopause Symptom tracker at www.themerrymenopause.com
Learn more about me and my work at www.themerrymenopause.com
Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN
Join my private Facebook group
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Merry Menopause Bookclub have?
The Merry Menopause Bookclub currently has 39 episodes available.
What topics does The Merry Menopause Bookclub cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Inclusion, Midlife, Feminism, Mental Health, Women'S Health, Podcasts, Books, Education, Arts, Menopause and Diversity.
What is the most popular episode on The Merry Menopause Bookclub?
The episode title 'Dr Jenna Macciochi author of Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Merry Menopause Bookclub?
The average episode length on The Merry Menopause Bookclub is 41 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Merry Menopause Bookclub released?
Episodes of The Merry Menopause Bookclub are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Merry Menopause Bookclub?
The first episode of The Merry Menopause Bookclub was released on Mar 26, 2021.
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