Ladies, We Need To Talk
- Folgen
- 262
- Erscheint
- wöchentlich
- Letzte Folge
- 9. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
Ladies, We Need to Talk goes deep on the women's health and relationship issues that are setting your group chat on fire. Come hang with the fabulous Yumi Stynes as she takes a candid, non-judgemental and often hilarious look at the deeply personal stuff that's hard to bring up, even with your closest mates. You'll meet incredible experts to help you improve your wellness, manage the mental load; survive break-ups and prioritise your mental health. With sensitivity, personal stories from real women, and serious smarts, this show is for women who feel the squeeze between work, their private life, and their pelvic floor. Get in touch with episode ideas, feedback, or just say hi! [email protected]
Folgen 262
How much would you pay to have a baby?
For some women, the dream of having a child of their own is priceless. They invest their time, money, and energy in fertility treatments in the hope that by the end of it all, they'll have a baby.But what if …
Shownotes
For some women, the dream of having a child of their own is priceless. They invest their time, money, and energy in fertility treatments in the hope that by the end of it all, they'll have a baby.
But what if after endless rounds of IVF treatment and many thousands of dollars there's no little one to call your own? It can be almost impossible to let go of the hope of parenthood, so who decides how many cycles of treatment a woman should go through, and how do patients know when to draw the line?
Yumi Stynes is joined by two women to talk about the sacrifices they made to access IVF; skipping holidays, dipping into Superannuation and delaying career changes in order to continue treatment. And she sits down with Senior Research Fellow, Dr Sarah Lensen to unpack the booming business of IVF in Australia.
Further information:
Black Dog Institute is looking for people who are currently having IVF, have had IVF in the past, or are supporting someone through fertility treatment to share their experience.
They want to learn more about the emotional impact of IVF and how support can be improved.
If you take part, you'll be asked to complete a 30-minute online survey.
To learn more and see if you're eligible, visit the link https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/research-studies/help-us-improve-mental-health-support-during-ivf/
The closing date for the survey is 29th November 2026.
This episode will answer questions like:
- How expensive is IVF?
- What are the success rates of IVF?
- Are there risks doing IVF?
- Who can use IVF?
- Are IVF add-ons helpful?
- Should I try IUI before IVF?
- Can I use my Superannuation to do IVF?
What to listen to next:
- No more nice: Amy Remeikis wants you to stop people-pleasing — ABC listen
- Is egg freezing all it's cracked up to be? - ABC listen
What to read next:
Heroin chic is back. Here's how to talk to your kids about it — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to IVF, In Vitro Fertilisation, ICSI, superannuation, pregnancy, fertility, infertility and IVF add ons.
No more nice: Amy Remeikis wants you to stop people-pleasing
Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace? As girls we're told to "play nice" and not rock the boat.But author Amy Remeikis reckons being nice comes at a cost. When she was assaulted on a Brisbane street in her 20s …
Shownotes
Ever stayed quiet to keep the peace? As girls we're told to "play nice" and not rock the boat.
But author Amy Remeikis reckons being nice comes at a cost. When she was assaulted on a Brisbane street in her 20s, she was shocked by how many people passed by without helping. It made her question how a culture of civility makes us reluctant to intervene.
Amy has been "contrary" throughout her career covering politics. For her, telling it like it is trumps being liked. She wants others to follow her lead. To stop being "nice" and start being decent.
More information:
Screw Nice is published by Hachette Australia.
This episode will answer questions like:
- How are girls conditioned to be nice?
- Are there consequences for women who aren't nice?
- Are there advantages to refusing to be nice?
- Why is Amy Remeikis refusing to be nice?
- Is there a cost to being nice?
- Can you ever be too nice?
What to listen to next:
Ultra-thinness is back: how to talk about our bodies — ABC listenWhat to read next:
Heroin chic is back. Here's how to talk to your kids about it — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to assault, sexism, civility, bystander effect, niceness, politeness and journalism.
Ultra-thinness is back: how to talk about our bodies
Celebrities and everyday women are shrinking before our eyes. So how do we have conversations about our bodies when they're the source of renewed scrutiny?Yumi Stynes sits down with Olympic gold medallist Libby …
Shownotes
Celebrities and everyday women are shrinking before our eyes. So how do we have conversations about our bodies when they're the source of renewed scrutiny?
Yumi Stynes sits down with Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett, journalist Demi Lynch and psychologist Janet Lowndes to discuss why thinness is becoming the cultural norm again and how we can push back against this narrative.
They unpack the rise of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, the impact of social media and how to talk to your kids about body image when their role models keep getting thinner.
This episode will answer questions like:
- Should we talk about people's bodies?
- How can we talk about bodies without critiquing them?
- What is diet culture?
- How can I avoid looking at ultra-thin bodies?
- Are GLP-1 affecting diet culture?
- Is anti-fatness on the rise?
- What is FATernise?
- Why are celebrities getting thinner?
What to listen to next:
"No one really talked about it:" Myf Warhurst on menopause and her ADHD diagnosis — ABC listenWhat to read next:
The secret to happy long-term relationships — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to thinness, weight, diet culture, GLP-1, eating disorders, social media and fatness.
"No one really talked about it:" Myf Warhurst on menopause and her ADHD diagnosis
Getting an ADHD diagnosis while going through perimenopause helped explain the quiet bubbling rage and feelings of inadequacy that Myf Warhust had been dealing with her whole life.Discovering she had ADHD …
Shownotes
Getting an ADHD diagnosis while going through perimenopause helped explain the quiet bubbling rage and feelings of inadequacy that Myf Warhust had been dealing with her whole life.
Discovering she had ADHD mid-life has been life changing for Myf but like so many women, she questions why it took so long to be diagnosed in the first place.
She's channelled those feelings into her new book, Middle Rage where she explores the bullsh*t women have been experiencing for a millennia.
Yumi Stynes sits down with the Spicks and Specks team captain for a candid conversation about this new era of her life, one that's free of dating apps, managers and men who send her dick pics.
More information:
Middle Rage is published by Hachette Australia.
This episode will answer questions like:
- How does menopause affect women?
- Can menopause affect ADHD?
- Why didn’t people talk about menopause?
- Why are women getting diagnosed with ADHD later in life?
- Why did Myf Warhurst write Middle Rage?
- Is Myf Warhust still on Spicks and Specks?
- What is Myf Warhurst doing now?
- Is Myf Warhurst a feminist?
What to listen to next:
The secrets to a happy relationship (they're not what you think) — ABC listenWhat to read next:
The secret to happy long-term relationships — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to Myf Warhurst, rage, misogyny, menopause, perimenopause, ADHD and Eurovision.
The secrets to a happy relationship (they're not what you think)
What's the key to a long-lasting, happy relationship?Grand gestures and date nights might cause a momentary flare, but successful couples know there's more to it than that.How do they fight, divide the load …
Shownotes
What's the key to a long-lasting, happy relationship?
Grand gestures and date nights might cause a momentary flare, but successful couples know there's more to it than that.
How do they fight, divide the load, and keep their intimacy hot when life gets busy and deeply unsexy?
Yumi Stynes speaks to women about how they found love that's stable, healthy and fun. And clinical psychologist Ms Gemma Cribb talks through the foundations that all happy couples build their relationships on. You'll be surprised!
This episode will answer questions like:
- Can you be happy in a long-term relationship?
- What makes a relationship last?
- How can you support your partner?
- How do I know if my partner's happy?
What to listen to next:
Our bodies, our choice. But are abortion rights under threat? — ABC listenWhat to read next:
The women 'quietly quitting' their marriages — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to relationships, partners, marriage, intimacy, children and mental load.
How the law silences women— Jennifer Robinson
What does free speech mean if women can't afford to defend it? And what happens when the law meant to protect reputations is used to silence women speaking out about alleged sexual violence?Jennifer Robinson is …
Shownotes
What does free speech mean if women can't afford to defend it? And what happens when the law meant to protect reputations is used to silence women speaking out about alleged sexual violence?
Jennifer Robinson is one of the world's most recognisable human rights lawyers. She's represented actress Amber Heard, whose trial became the stuff of fierce public debate and trial by media.
Now Jennifer's fighting to change that, by challenging a legal system that can be weaponised to silence survivors of gendered violence.
More information:
How many more women? Is published by Allen and Unwin
This episode will answer questions like:
- Who is Jennifer Robinson?
- Why did Amber Heard testify in the UK defamation trial?
- What are the allegations against Johnny Depp?
- What happened to Brittany Higgins?
- What is the Stop the SLAPP Alliance?
What to listen to next:
Our bodies, our choice. But are abortion rights under threat? — ABC listenWhat to read next:
The women 'quietly quitting' their marriages — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to defamation, Brittany Higgins, Lisa Wilkinson, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp.
Why this Sydney mum swapped monogamy for sex parties
Sex parties without creepy dudes? Forget keys in a bowl and seedy nightclubs: women are flipping the stereotype and creating sexy playgrounds on their own terms.Fifteen years into her marriage, Fliss, a Sydney …
Shownotes
Sex parties without creepy dudes? Forget keys in a bowl and seedy nightclubs: women are flipping the stereotype and creating sexy playgrounds on their own terms.
Fifteen years into her marriage, Fliss, a Sydney mum of two, stepped into the sex party scene, and now she hosts her own women-focused events with vetting calls and references.
Therapist and volunteer 'consent angel' Lotus who monitors partygoers safety explains what's changed in recent years, and PhD researcher Amelia looks at what play means at queer sex parties.
On Ladies We Need to Talk, Yumi Stynes steps inside the scene, where consent is non-negotiable, to find out why more women feel safe exploring desire, body image and juggling it all with kids.
This episode will answer questions like:
- What is a sex party?
- Who goes to sex parties?
- What is a consent angel?
- Who runs sex parties?
- What do people do at sex parties?
- How do you keep sex parties safe?
- Is it cheating to attend a sex party?
What to listen to next:
Why tradwife content is so seductive — ABC listenWhat to read next:
The women 'quietly quitting' their marriages — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to sex, relationships, intimacy, sex parties and consent.
Why tradwife content is so seductive
From making bubble gum by hand to tranquil depictions of motherhood, why is the tradwife fantasy so appealing and why can't we look away?During the pandemic, tradwives like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman from …
Shownotes
From making bubble gum by hand to tranquil depictions of motherhood, why is the tradwife fantasy so appealing and why can't we look away?
During the pandemic, tradwives like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman from Ballerina Farm dominated our algorithms. They baked perfectly scored sourdough loaves in spotless kitchens and made cereal for their toddlers from scratch.
These women depict an enviable, calm lifestyle that very few women can attain.
While some influencers reject the label of tradwife, their content taps into a powerful fantasy that has drawn millions of women to watch, even if we have no plans or desire to ever live that way.
Yumi Stynes is joined by Professor Heejung Chung to unpack the tradwife phenomenon and the real-world impacts that come with the promotion of "traditional" gendered ideals.
This episode will answer questions like:
- What is a tradwife?
- Where did the tradwife movement come from?
- How do tradwives afford the lifestyle?
- Do tradwives have their own money?
- Are men looking for a tradwife?
- Do tradwives have to be submissive?
- Is Nara Smith a tradwife?
What to listen to next:
"I'm actually gay": My husband's best kept secret — ABC listenWhat to read next:
The women 'quietly quitting' their marriages — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to tradwives, traditional lifestyles, Ballerina Farm, Nara Smith, Yesteryear and Hannah Neeleman.
"I'm actually gay": My husband's best kept secret
An "I do" between husband and wife comes with many promises, not least of which is to be truthful. So what do you do when your husband comes out as gay? For some women, it's a revelation that up-ends decades of …
Shownotes
An "I do" between husband and wife comes with many promises, not least of which is to be truthful.
So what do you do when your husband comes out as gay? For some women, it's a revelation that up-ends decades of marriage, family and identity.
Can these relationships survive? And if they don't, how do you move beyond the hurt and build a new life?
Yumi Stynes speaks to women who learned their husbands were gay after years of marriage and shared lives.
This episode will answer questions like:
- How can I talk to my husband about his sexuality?
- How can I tell if my husband is gay?
- Can I ask my husband if he is gay?
- If my husband watches gay porn, is he gay?
- Where can I find support?
More information:
Women Partners | Free Counselling & Support for Women in NSW is a NSW based service but offers free resources nationwide
What to listen to next:
Quiet Quitting Marriage: Why Women Are Emotionally Checking Out — ABC listenWhat to read next:
The women 'quietly quitting' their marriages — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to divorce, coming out, sexuality, gender identity, same-sex attraction and homosexuality.
Our bodies, our choice. But are abortion rights under threat?
Abortion is legal across Australia, but safe, affordable access is still not guaranteed for everyone.While three quarters of Australians support abortion access, finding a GP who will help is a postcode …
Shownotes
Abortion is legal across Australia, but safe, affordable access is still not guaranteed for everyone.
While three quarters of Australians support abortion access, finding a GP who will help is a postcode lottery.
And the fallout from the 2022 reversal of Roe v Wade is being felt in Australia, with US-inspired protests and political tactics entering the fray.
Yumi sits down with GP Dr Keersten Fitzgerald to learn about the roadblocks to getting an abortion, and talks to historian Dr Prudence Flowers about the recent push to limit abortion in Australia.
Other resources:
If you're in Victoria, My options runs a free sexual and reproductive health service help line.
In NSW, Search Plus is a new tool operated by Family planning to help with reproductive or sexual health services.
Pink Elephant is a national service available on 1300 726 306 run by PANDA.
This episode will answer questions like:
- When can I have an abortion in Australia?
- When can I have an abortion?
- What is a medical abortion?
- How do you get an abortion?
- Is abortion legal in Australia?
- Why do people get an abortion?
What to listen to next:
Quiet Quitting Marriage: Why Women Are Emotionally Checking Out — ABC listenWhat you don't know about the mental load with Leah Ruppanner — ABC listenWhat to read next:
The women 'quietly quitting' their marriages — ABC NewsThis episode contains references to healthcare, abortion, reproductive rights, surgical abortion, medical abortion and termination.
Quiet Quitting Marriage: Why Women Are Emotionally Checking Out
Instead of dealing with the upheaval of divorce, some women are quietly quitting their role as wife.Physically, they're there, going through the motions, but emotionally they've checked out. There's no huge …
Shownotes
Instead of dealing with the upheaval of divorce, some women are quietly quitting their role as wife.
Physically, they're there, going through the motions, but emotionally they've checked out. There's no huge conflict, but there's also no urge to try to make things work.
Yumi Stynes talks to women who have taken a step back from their marriages but aren't ready to officially split. They're staying for the sake of the kids, to save money or are biding their time, waiting for the right moment to leave.
And clinical psychologist Dr Cassandra Shields unpacks the reasons some women quietly quit their marriages, and the toll it takes to live separately under the one roof.
This episode will answer questions like:
- What does quiet quitting a relationship look like?
- Is quiet quitting a marriage like a divorce?
- Is my marriage headed for a divorce?
- If someone's quiet quitting, is the relationship over?
What to listen to next:
"Traded a husband for a bestie" Why these mums moved in togetherWhat to read next:
Empty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by childrenThis episode contains references to separation, quiet quitting, divorce, burnt out pursuer and mental load.
What you don't know about the mental load with Leah Ruppanner
We've been talking about the mental load for decades, so why are so many women still carrying it?It's the unseen mental and emotional work we do to keep our lives running — the planning, problem-solving, and …
Shownotes
We've been talking about the mental load for decades, so why are so many women still carrying it?
It's the unseen mental and emotional work we do to keep our lives running — the planning, problem-solving, and remembering that often goes unnoticed.
The term isn't new, but our understanding of it is changing. Yumi is joined by sociologist Leah Ruppanner, who interviewed thousands of women as part of a research project to develop tools to help manage and lighten your mental load.
As part of this research, Leah's developed a simple online quiz that breaks the mental load into eight categories, helping you see where your energy is going and how you might redistribute it.
Further information
Drained: Reduce Your Mental Load to Do Less and Be More is published by Penguin Random House
Free Mental Load Assessment | Lighten Lab | Professor Leah Ruppanner)This episode will answer questions like:
- What is the mental load?
- How can I reduce the mental load?
- How does carrying the load impact women?
- How can I share the mental load?
- What are the eight categories of the mental load
What to listen to next:
"Traded a husband for a bestie" Why these mums moved in togetherWorst ever dates, with Alita BrydonWhat to read next:
Empty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by childrenWomen on being in a sexless marriage and tips for reconnectingThis episode contains references to the mental load, housework, invisible labour, emotional labour, parenting, emotional responsibility.
"I wish I'd never had them": the pain of regretting kids
Having children is one of the most rewarding and meaningful things we can do. But what if you wish you'd never become a parent?For mothers especially, the taboo of admitting they regret their children can be …
Shownotes
Having children is one of the most rewarding and meaningful things we can do. But what if you wish you'd never become a parent?
For mothers especially, the taboo of admitting they regret their children can be incredibly lonely. Many carry their grief, loss of identity and exhaustion in silence.
Yumi Stynes gets a rare window into the lives of people who love their children but admit that if they could go back in time, they'd make a different choice.
Featured in this episode:
- Ella Reed, sociologist at Monash University researching maternal regret
This episode will answer questions like:
- What does it feel like to regret having kids?
- Why do some parents regret having children?
- Where do you get help if you’re struggling as a parent?
- How does regretting children impact a romantic relationship?
- Why is maternal regret so taboo?
What to listen to next:
"Traded a husband for a bestie" Why these mums moved in together
Worst ever dates, with Alita Brydon
What to read next:
Empty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by childrenWomen on being in a sexless marriage and tips for reconnectingThese grieving mothers want you to say their babies' namesThis episode contains references to motherhood, parenting, mothering, regret, anxiety, depression, suffering, family, mental load, support, relationships, romance.
‘I'm always going to be the mistress’: Dating a married man
There’s a special kind of fury reserved for the 'other woman.' She’s often depicted as a home wrecker and immoral, but is she misunderstood? Unlucky to fall for someone who’s already taken? Yumi Stynes speaks …
Shownotes
There’s a special kind of fury reserved for the 'other woman.' She’s often depicted as a home wrecker and immoral, but is she misunderstood? Unlucky to fall for someone who’s already taken?
Yumi Stynes speaks with women whose hearts belong to married men and discovers that beneath the stereotypes are complicated love stories built on hope and promises in the face of deception.
Psychologist Liz Neal also explains what forbidden love does to the brain and why it can be so enticing. (R).
This episode will answer questions like:
- What’s it like to be the other woman?
- How do people hide affairs from their partners?
- Why do people have affairs?
- Where does the ‘seductive mistress’ trope come from?
What to listen to next:
"Traded a husband for a bestie" Why these mums moved in together
Worst ever dates, with Alita Brydon
What to read next:
These grieving mothers want you to say their babies' names
Empty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by children
This episode contains references to cheating, infidelity, sex, relationships, marriage, women, the other woman.
"Traded a husband for a bestie." Why these mums moved in together
Have you ever fantasised about raising kids with your bestie? Well, some women are doing it for real. And these mum communes or ‘mummunes’ don’t look like your average share house. These women are sharing a …
Shownotes
Have you ever fantasised about raising kids with your bestie? Well, some women are doing it for real. And these mum communes or ‘mummunes’ don’t look like your average share house.
These women are sharing a roof, chores, bills and the mental load of raising their kids. For some, it’s the antidote to a nuclear family structure that left them drained and resentful. For others, it’s a handy, albeit overcrowded solution to the struggles of single motherhood.
Yumi Stynes speaks to women who are rewriting the rules of motherhood and finds out what there is to gain when you challenge the status quo.
This episode will answer questions like:
- Can you raise children with your best friend?
- Should you raise children with a romantic partner?
- Why do women feel burnt out as wives and mothers?
- Has the nuclear family become outdated for women?
- Do you need men to raise kids?
- What are the challenges of raising kids with your best friend?
- How do communal living arrangements deal with money?
- How does dating work in a mummune?
- Why do women initiate household and child care more than men?
What to listen to next:
Are you mum or grandma? Having a baby at 47The women who've never had sexOne true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationshipsWhat to read next:
These grieving mothers want you to say their babies' namesEmpty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by children
Why these women have never had a partnerThis episode contains references to child care, parenting, mothering, single mum, alternative family structures, romantic partner, heterosexuality, patriarchy, mommune, mummune, commune, shared living, alternative living, community, individualism, village.
Worst ever dates, with Alita Brydon
It’s truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in the modern world has endured at least one truly disastrous date. It is, regrettably, a rite of passage. Author Alita Bryson has been on hundreds of …
Shownotes
It’s truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in the modern world has endured at least one truly disastrous date. It is, regrettably, a rite of passage.
Author Alita Bryson has been on hundreds of them! One guy asked her if it was okay to marry your cousin, another trolled people online for fun while yet another literally drove off mid-date.
While her dating life was catastrophic, Alita realised it made great fodder for entertainment and so she started the Instagram page Bad Dates of Melbourne, publishing anonymous submissions of terrible dates so that women could take comfort in each other’s suffering (and laugh at each other’s misfortune).
Alita has some sage advice for anyone out there brave enough to date.
Further information: How to date like a dangerous woman is published by HarperCollins.
This episode will answer questions like:
- How can I meet someone new?
- Is it ok to ghost someone?
- Should I pay for dinner on a date?
- Can I leave a date if I don’t like the other person?
- How can I meet a potential date safely?
What to listen to next:
The new way to dateThe ugly side of the beauty industry with Jess DeFinoIs your attachment style messing with your love life?Jess Mauboy steps into her boss lady era
What to read next:
Empty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by children
Why these women have never had a partner
These grieving mothers want you to say their babies' names
This episode contains references to Bad Dates of Melbourne, dating, dating apps, Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, relationships, sex, orgies, orgasms and how to date like a dangerous woman.
The grief no parent expects
At some point in life, we all lose someone we love. But losing a baby is an unimaginable heartbreak. Our children are not meant to die before us.In the wake of that loss, families are left reeling. Navigating …
Shownotes
At some point in life, we all lose someone we love. But losing a baby is an unimaginable heartbreak. Our children are not meant to die before us.
In the wake of that loss, families are left reeling. Navigating shock, confusion, and overwhelming grief as they face a future without a much-loved child.
Yumi Stynes meets two women who have experienced infant loss. They share how they moved through their grief, how they celebrate their babies, and how people in their life stepped up- or stepped away.
And registered psychologist, Rachel Ficinus explains how grief can be ongoing and the strategies to help you and your loved ones navigate a life-changing loss.
If you need help:
- Red Nose Australia offers counselling and support for anyone affected by the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth, death of a baby or child. Their phone number is 1300 308 307
- Lifeline on 131 114
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
This episode will answer questions like:
- How do I deal with grief when a loved one dies?
- Who can I talk to when my child dies?
- What should I say to someone who's child has died?
- How can I help someone who's grieving?
- Where can I find support after I lose my child?
- Does grief have an end point?
What to listen to next:
How to deal with an empty nest — ABC listenJess Mauboy steps into her boss lady era — ABC listenWhat to read next:
These grieving mothers want you to say their babies' names - ABC NewsWhy these women have never had a partnerThis episode contains references to grief, child loss, infant death, bereavement and Red Nose Australia, organ donation, DonateLife.
The cost of birth trauma
One in three Australian women describe their births as traumatic.Long labours, health scares, emergency interventions, feeling ignored, and lasting physical and psychological injuries can turn what's meant to …
Shownotes
One in three Australian women describe their births as traumatic.
Long labours, health scares, emergency interventions, feeling ignored, and lasting physical and psychological injuries can turn what's meant to be one of life's biggest moments into something deeply distressing.
Yumi Stynes hears from women still coming to terms with their birth experiences, sometimes years later, and finds out what can be done to prevent traumatic births. (R).
Featured in this episode:
- Dr Jessica Caudwell-Hall, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Nepean Hospital.
- Sophie Carroll, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Enlighten Health Collective.
- With special thanks to Amy Dawes at Birth Trauma Australia.
If you need help:
- Perinatal Wellbeing Centre: (02) 6288 1936
- PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 187 263
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Birth Trauma Australia organisation
How to deal with an empty nest
For most mums, the day their kids leave feels like a victory.You might even be planning what you'll do with all that free time. No more mountains of laundry, arguments over dinner or acting as a free taxi …
Shownotes
For most mums, the day their kids leave feels like a victory.
You might even be planning what you'll do with all that free time. No more mountains of laundry, arguments over dinner or acting as a free taxi service.
But for many women, an empty nest isn't just freedom, it's loss. When motherhood has shaped so much of your daily life and identity, the silence can be unsettling as you move around a house that was once loud, busy and joyful.
Yumi Stynes chats with women who have navigated the grief of their changing relationships with their kids, finding a deeper connection with themselves, and a renewed sense of self.
Plus clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Miller unpacks why the empty nest can feel so lonely, and the steps you can take to fill the child free void.
This episode will answer questions like:
- How long does empty nest grief last?
- Is empty nest syndrome real?
- What happens to a marriage after the kids move out?
- How often should I contact my adult child?
- Why am I sad my kids moved out?
What to listen to next:
Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink — ABC listenAm I stuck in a sex rut? — ABC listenJess Mauboy steps into her boss lady era — ABC listenWhat to read next:
Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40sThis episode contains references to grief, loneliness, purpose, empty nesting, leaving home, children, marriage, retirement
Jess Mauboy steps into her boss lady era
Jessica Mauboy was just 16 when she burst onto our screens, barefoot in the red dirt of Alice Springs, belting out Whitney Houston at her Australian Idol audition.She may have finished runner-up, but it …
Shownotes
Jessica Mauboy was just 16 when she burst onto our screens, barefoot in the red dirt of Alice Springs, belting out Whitney Houston at her Australian Idol audition.
She may have finished runner-up, but it launched one of Australia's most enduring music careers including starring in The Sapphires and representing Australia at Eurovision in 2018.
Despite two decades in the spotlight, fame hasn't changed Jess, and she's never lost touch with her connection to Darwin, returning between tours to reconnect with her family and culture.
Yumi Stynes sits down with Jess to talk about her Indigenous roots, the strong women who shaped her and how their influence is guiding her as she raises her daughter, Mia and steps confidently into her boss lady era.
This episode will answer questions like:
- What year was Jessica Mauboy in Australian Idol?
- Where did Jessica Mauboy grow up?
- Who does Jessica Mauboy play in The Sapphires?
- How old is Jessica Mauboy's daughter?
- What is the name of Jessica Mauboy's record label?
What to listen to next:
Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink — ABC listenThe ugly side of the beauty industry with Jess DeFino — ABC listenEmbracing imperfection was the key to Astrid's success — ABC listenWhat to read next:
Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40sThis episode contains references to NAIDOC, Australian Idol, Jessica Mauboy, Jamally records, Bran nue dae, The Sapphires, Darwin
Am I stuck in a sex rut?
When we're dating someone new, the rush is electric. The pull towards sex can feel immediate, an almost magnetic urge to rip each other's clothes off.But as the years stretch on and the demands of life ramp up …
Shownotes
When we're dating someone new, the rush is electric. The pull towards sex can feel immediate, an almost magnetic urge to rip each other's clothes off.
But as the years stretch on and the demands of life ramp up, sex becomes just one more activity on a chaotic checklist; competing with the demands of chores, kids and sleep.
And when the urge does strike, it's intimacy vs. doom scrolling in bed, and somehow, the phone wins every time.
Yumi Stynes meets women who are trying to wriggle free from a sex rut and carve out time for more and better sex. Plus, sex therapist Georgia Grace shares advice on how to bring sexual intimacy back into the bedroom.
This episode will answer questions like:
- Why do people have less sex in a long-term relationship?
- Why is my partner distant?
- Can romantic relationships survive without sex?
- How can I reignite my sex life?
- Should I see a sex therapist?
- What is phubbing?
What to listen to next:
Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink — ABC listenIs your attachment style messing with your love life?One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationshipsWhat to read next:
Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40sThis episode contains references to sex, relationships, intimacy, pleasure, technoference, avoidance
The ugly side of the beauty industry with Jess DeFino
Botox, vampire facials, bone smashing and now cadaver fat fillers: the beauty industry is expert in selling extreme (and painful) treatments in our endless pursuit of perfection and eternal youth.For years …
Shownotes
Botox, vampire facials, bone smashing and now cadaver fat fillers: the beauty industry is expert in selling extreme (and painful) treatments in our endless pursuit of perfection and eternal youth.
For years, Jess DeFino worked at the heart of this machine as an assistant editor for the Kardashian family. She saw firsthand how the goalposts of beauty are constantly shifting, making it out of reach, no matter how much time, money and energy we pour in.
Now Jess is calling bullsh*t on the beauty industrial complex and the ever more bonkers methods being employed.
This episode will answer questions like:
- What is looksmaxxing?
- How do beauty standards change over time?
- Do children need skincare?
- Is the beauty industry growing?
- What’s it like to work with the Kardashian-Jenner’s
- Why is skin care so expensive?
- Is the beauty industry designed to make you buy more?
- Can you trust skincare reviews?
- Is the beauty industry built on insecurity?
What to listen to next:
Botox and fillers – facing up to the new normal How pop culture messed us up, with Sophie GilbertIs your attachment style messing with your love life?
One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationshipsWhat to read next:
Why these women have never had a partner
The joys of having babies in your 40s
This episode contains references to beauty, looksmaxxing, beauty industry, Kardashian, Jenner, Clavicular.
The women who've never had sex
We live in a sexed-up world. From chiselled fictional teenagers in steamy high school dramas to Sabrina Carpenter’s innuendos, it feels like everyone’s doing it. But what happens when adulthood arrives and …
Shownotes
We live in a sexed-up world. From chiselled fictional teenagers in steamy high school dramas to Sabrina Carpenter’s innuendos, it feels like everyone’s doing it. But what happens when adulthood arrives and you're still a virgin?
Plenty of women haven’t had sex. Some are waiting for the right person, some are waiting for marriage, and some haven't had the opportunity.
Virginity has gone from being something women were expected to protect to something they feel they have to explain. So how do we ditch everyone else's expectations and figure out what we actually want? Yumi Stynes speaks with women navigating adulthood without sex.
Featured in this episode:
- Amanda McCracken, writer on love and limerence
This episode will answer questions like:
- How does it feel to be an adult virgin?
- What’s dating like as a virgin?
- Why do some people wait to have sex?
What to listen to next:
Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel
How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off
The power of one: the single ladies owning it
Why are we exercising less than men?
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
This episode contains references to sex, sexuality, dating, relationships, virgins, religion, shame, psychology.
This episode was originally broadcast in April 2024. (R).
I’m in love with a narcissist
Love bombing. Gaslighting. Coercive control. Narcissists can crash into your life on the charm offensive. They begin with intense affection, compliments and grand gestures. But behind that charm can be …
Shownotes
Love bombing. Gaslighting. Coercive control. Narcissists can crash into your life on the charm offensive. They begin with intense affection, compliments and grand gestures. But behind that charm can be manipulation and intense criticism. In the worst cases, they control every aspect of their partner's life.
It’s disorienting to be with a narcissist, and often people with narcissistic traits have very little insight into their behaviour. Yumi Stynes chats to women who’ve been in love with narcissists to understand what got them under their spell and why they're so difficult to leave. Plus, clinical Tamara Cavenett explores what you can do to protect your emotional state within a narcissistic relationship, and how to get out safely.
If you need help:
1800 Respect national helpline1800 737 732
Women's Crisis Line1800 811 811
Lifeline131 114
Relationships Australia1300 364 277
This episode will answer questions like:
- Am I in a relationship with a narcissist?
- How do narcissists behave in romantic relationships?
- How can you find out if your partner is a narcissist?
- What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
- How can you prepare to leave a coercive relationship?
What to listen to next:
Are you mum or grandma? Having a baby at 47
I love you but I hate your politics
Is your attachment style messing with your love life?
One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationships
What to read next:
Why these women have never had a partner
The joys of having babies in your 40s
Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went
This episode contains references to dating, marriage, sex, narcissist, control, coercive relationships, empathy, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, mental illness.
This episode was originally broadcast in October, 2023. (R).
Grace Tame: Chloe Hayden on better health for autistic women
For all her life, Chloe Hayden, star of Heartbreak High, has struggled to get doctors to take her health complaints seriously. And she’s not alone. Autistic women have poorer physical and mental health than …
Shownotes
For all her life, Chloe Hayden, star of Heartbreak High, has struggled to get doctors to take her health complaints seriously. And she’s not alone.
Autistic women have poorer physical and mental health than neurotypical people. From shorter life expectancy to higher rates of suicide, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. In this episode Grace speaks to autistic women about being misunderstood and misdiagnosed and the toll this has taken on her health. She also investigates the root causes behind these co-occurring conditions and how medical and social systems can better support autistic women and girls to be healthier and live their best lives.
Listen to more from the Autistic AF with Grace Tame series:
Either I'm autistic, or I'm a catGirls don't get autismThe relationship spectrumWatch the first episode on ABC Australia YouTube.
Grace Tame: Autistic women on friendship, love and burnout
"It can be difficult…when your approach to socialising and relationships doesn't look like what other people might expect."There's a long-held stereotype that autistic people are not empathetic and aren't …
Shownotes
"It can be difficult…when your approach to socialising and relationships doesn't look like what other people might expect."
There's a long-held stereotype that autistic people are not empathetic and aren't interested in relationships. The reality is that, like everyone, autistic women and girls want connection, they may just come to it in different ways. In this episode, Grace looks at how autism and relationships intersect, from friendships and partnerships to parenthood. She also explores what autistic women bring to relationships and what becomes possible when they stop pretending to be "normal"?
Listen to more from the Autistic AF with Grace Tame series:
Either I'm autistic, or I'm a catGirls don't get autismThe health gap no one talks aboutWatch the first episode on ABC Australia YouTube.
Grace Tame: why girls are missing out on an autism diagnosis
For decades autism was thought of as a "boy thing" and girls were overlooked by science. According to research, three boys are diagnosed with autism for every girl. While experts point to genetic differences …
Shownotes
For decades autism was thought of as a "boy thing" and girls were overlooked by science. According to research, three boys are diagnosed with autism for every girl. While experts point to genetic differences, there are other reasons why girls often go undiagnosed, including their ability to mask their autistic traits, leading to what's referred to as the "female autism invisibility cloak". In this episode, Grace meets women and gender diverse people who have been diagnosed with autism later in life or are still waiting. She also speaks to neuroscientist Dr Gina Rippon about what the latest research has to say.
Featuring The Assembly's Bethany Woodman.
Listen to more from the Autistic AF with Grace Tame series:
Either I'm autistic, or I'm a catThe relationship spectrumThe health gap no one talks aboutWatch the first episode on ABC Australia YouTube.
Grace Tame: Either I'm autistic, or I'm a cat
"It's only been in recent years that I've had a public platform and people have asked me specifically about being autistic."In the first episode of this special four-part series, Grace Tame speaks candidly with …
Shownotes
"It's only been in recent years that I've had a public platform and people have asked me specifically about being autistic."
In the first episode of this special four-part series, Grace Tame speaks candidly with Yumi Stynes about her experiences as an autistic woman, from feeling on the outer and being labelled "weird" to experiencing the world in "high definition".
In this exclusive interview, Grace opens up about the ways that she fought her own brain, using alcohol and masking to try and fit in. She also reveals how exploring relationships with women has been a "profound shift".
After sharing her own story, Grace takes over hosting duties for the rest of the series, speaking with experts and other autistic women to find out why so many women are misunderstood and diagnosed late.
Watch on ABC Australia YouTubeIntroducing — Autistic AF with Grace Tame
"I was bullied for being quirky… I would have these very intense special interests."Join Australian of the Year Grace Tame for a special four-part take over of Ladies, We Need to Talk as she meets leading …
Shownotes
"I was bullied for being quirky… I would have these very intense special interests."
Join Australian of the Year Grace Tame for a special four-part take over of Ladies, We Need to Talk as she meets leading experts in autism research and connects with other neurodivergent women to get a better understanding of what life is like as an autistic person, beyond the stereotypes.
Autism comes wrapped in a lot of stigma and misunderstandings. Grace knows this firsthand. She struggled socially as a kid before finally getting a diagnosis in her late teens. Grace's experience isn't unique, with girls far more likely to get a late diagnosis than boys. So, what's going on? Why did science leave girls behind for so long, and at what cost?
Orgasm coach Dr Lori Brotto
The female orgasm deserves better PR. Straight women are climaxing way less than the men they are banging (by about 35%). We know this but what can we do about it?Medical research has focused on male bodies and …
Shownotes
The female orgasm deserves better PR. Straight women are climaxing way less than the men they are banging (by about 35%). We know this but what can we do about it?
Medical research has focused on male bodies and male pleasure for too long and it's time we got a smart woman on the case. Enter renowned professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Lori Brotto, who is changing the game for women's sexual health. Dr Lori shares her deep understanding of female anatomy and psychology and cutting-edge research on how to climax.
This episode will answer questions like:
- Can women climax during penetrative sex?
- How do women orgasm?
- What happens physiologically during women’s orgasm?
- Why can’t I orgasm?
- Can women have a premature orgasm?
- Should sex be painful?
- Does menopause affect sex?
- Should I get a vibrator?
- How can I improve sexual pleasure?
What to listen to next: Great sex: What we wish men knew
Is your attachment style messing with your love life?Is everyone having better sex than me?One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationshipsWhat to read next:
Why these women have never had a partner
The joys of having babies in your 40s
Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went
This episode contains references to orgasms, sex, partners, relationships, dating, open relationships, menopause, sexual dysfunction, pornography, mindfulness, anorgasmia, vaginismus.
Hier stehen die neuesten 40 von 262 Folgen. Ältere Folgen findest du im Feed des Podcasts.
Ähnliche Podcasts
Mehr Gesellschaft und Kultur-Podcasts
Ist das dein Podcast?
Bestätige es mit einem Eintrag in deinem Feed: Du bekommst hier einen Code, trägst ihn als podcast:txt in den Kanal deines Feeds ein, und wir prüfen ihn. Danach steht dein Podcast als „verifiziert“ bei SoundNode.