For too long, perimenopause has been treated as a mystery—or worse, dismissed as "just part of getting older." But understanding what is happening to your body in this chaotic chapter changes everything.

In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman finally turn the spotlight on themselves and every woman navigating this hormonal rollercoaster. They start with the basics: what is the difference between perimenopause and menopause, and why does it matter?

Claudia explains that menopause is a single point in time—twelve months without a period—while perimenopause is the years leading up to it, when your ovaries start getting lazy and your hormones become wildly unpredictable. This phase can begin in your late thirties, last up to a decade, and leave women feeling like they are losing their minds. But here is the truth: you are not losing your mind. Your estrogen is fluctuating.

And estrogen, as it turns out, is not just about reproduction. Estrogen receptors are found in your muscles, your bones, your fat tissue, your liver, your pancreas, and crucially, your brain. So when estrogen drops, everything changes. The irritability, the brain fog, the joint pain, the thinning hair, the middle-aged spread, the sleeplessness, the night sweats that arrive late in the process—all of it makes sense once you understand the whole body picture.

But beyond the day-to-day symptoms, Claudia highlights the serious health risks that come with declining estrogen: increased cardiovascular risk, bone density loss, muscle mass reduction, unfavourable cholesterol changes, and higher risks of certain cancers. Perimenopause, she argues, is a whole body shift with real medical consequences—and women need to know this so they can act.

If you have been feeling unlike yourself, struggling to cope with what you used to handle easily, or wondering why everything feels harder than it should, this episode is your starting point. Knowledge is power. And this conversation is the first step toward taking back some control.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

Most parents dread the talk. But what if the real mistake is waiting too long?

In this episode, Dr. Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman tackle one of the most anxiety-inducing topics in parenting: talking to children about sex and reproduction. Christy shares the story behind founding The Chat, a movement born from a birthday party conversation where a room full of mothers admitted they had no idea what to say or when to say it.

They unpack the phrase "eight is too late" and why the window between seven and nine is often the sweet spot—before embarrassment sets in and after their brains are ready. But the real question isn't how late is too late. It's how early is too early. And the answer might surprise you.

Starting with toddlers means beginning simply: naming body parts correctly, removing shame, and teaching that some parts are private without making them secret.

They also explore the powerful link between early, open conversation and safeguarding against abuse. Children who know the proper names for their body parts are more confident protecting themselves and better equipped to give testimony if the unthinkable happens. And when we teach body autonomy from a young age—allowing children to say no to hugs and kisses—we are laying the foundation for the most important concept of all: consent.

If you've been putting off the conversation, unsure how to start or worried about getting it wrong, this episode will leave you feeling equipped, not terrified.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

South Africa has the highest screen time in the world. But while we're all scrolling, what are we actually losing?

In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman explore a concept that changes how we think about our devices: opportunity cost. For every hour spent on a screen, something else is being sacrificed—and the price our children are paying might be higher than we realise.

They revisit a conversation that sparked their friendship: a doctor's observation that children now walk into consultations with phones in hand, numbing every uncomfortable moment before it even arrives. What happens when we constantly rescue our children from boredom, anxiety, and frustration? Claudia and Christy argue that we're not just stealing their boredom—we're stealing their creativity, their resilience, and their ability to sit with real emotions.

From the sleep disruption caused by blue light to the family connections traded for endless scrolling, they unpack the true cost of our screen habits. Christy shares the sobering statistics—the average teenager spends six to nine hours a day on screens but only 45 minutes with family—while Claudia explains the neuroscience behind why screen time isn't rest, why melatonin matters, and how a lack of sleep can make a teenager behave like a child.

Together, they offer a way forward: rethinking our defaults, setting boundaries, and most importantly, leading by example. Because the screen culture we want for our children starts with the relationship we have with our own devices.

If you've ever felt uneasy about how much time your family spends on screens but aren't sure what to do about it, this episode will give you the clarity and permission to start small.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

When your child is miserable with a cough or fever, the medicine cabinet can feel like the only place to turn. But how many of those colourful syrups and familiar bottles are actually helping—and how many are quietly doing harm?

In this episode, Dr. Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman take a hard look at the medications parents reach for most. From the sedating antihistamines Claudia calls "dirty drugs" to the cough syrups containing opioids, they unpack why some of these remedies are not just ineffective but potentially dangerous for children.

They explore the decongestants that can spike heart rates and blood pressure, the oral steroids that are far too easily prescribed, and the antibiotics we demand even when they won't touch a virus. Claudia explains why that red syrup from your own childhood might need to stay in the past, and why a wait-and-see approach is often the wisest medicine of all.

But this isn't about fear-mongering. It's about clarity—knowing when medication is genuinely needed, when natural doesn't automatically mean safe, and why sometimes the most powerful thing you can give a sick child is time, rest, and a little honey.

If you've ever stood in a pharmacy aisle overwhelmed by choices, this episode will help you make decisions with confidence, not guilt.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

Walk into any pharmacy or listen to any school gate conversation, and you'll hear about the latest supplement promising stronger immunity, fewer sick days, and healthier children. But how much of this is backed by science, and how much is clever marketing?

In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman tackle the million-rand question every parent faces: Do our children really need immune-boosting supplements, or is a healthy diet and lifestyle enough?

Christy opens up about the debate in her own home—raised on the belief that food provides everything a child needs, while her husband comes from a family that swears by supplements. Together, they dig into the latest research, including recent health warnings about vitamin D overdose and zinc supplements for children.

Claudia explains why toddlers are naturally prone to frequent infections (hint: they're building immunity, not lacking it) and why the basics—sleep, nutrition, outdoor play, and stress management—are the true foundation of a healthy immune system. Claudia also offers practical guidance on which supplements can be genuinely helpful, at what doses, and for which children. She shares a sobering story about the dangers of incorrect dosing and why more is definitely not better when it comes to vitamins and minerals.

Tune in for a conversation that will leave you informed, empowered, and ready to navigate the supplement maze with confidence.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

In our very first episode, we're tackling a question every modern parent grapples with: Is that smartphone in your hand a helpful parenting tool, or is it a trap that fuels anxiety and self-doubt?

Join Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman as they explore the five ways our digital devices are quietly reshaping parenthood. From the overwhelm of information overload to the danger of the comparison trap, they unpack how Dr Google and perfectly curated social media feeds can actually leave us feeling more lost and alone.

Together, they introduce their four S's for spotting sensationalism and discuss what happens when we let our phones become what they call an "intuition obliterator." Most importantly, they remind us why swapping ChatGPT for the authentic GPT—grandparents, parents, and teachers—might just be the connection we're truly craving.

Tune in for a sincere conversation about keeping your village close and your parenting intuition closer in a digital world.

Dr Claudia Gray:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/

Dr Claudia Gray’s Real Parenting and Paediatrics, Quivertree Publications 2025

https://www.takealot.com/dr-gray-s-real-parenting-paediatrics/PLID98849917

Christy Herselman:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thechatdurban/

Books:

https://thechat.co.za/product-category/books/

Expert-led chats on child, teen & parental health and wellbeing brought to you by paediatrician Dr Claudia Gray and journalist Christy Herselman.

Hosted by trusted voices in health and parenting, this evidence-based podcast blends paediatrics, women's health and modern parenting into practical, relatable discussions. From childhood illnesses, development & teens to hormones, peri-menopause and mental load, we connect the dots between caring for your child and caring for yourself.

Dr Claudia Gray is an experienced expert paediatrician, allergist and lifestyle medicine specialist who juggles a busy career with an equally busy family- including 4 teens! Claudia loves teaching and writes prolifically, both for scientific journals and popular press; her most recent book encapsulates 20 years of being a paediatrician and mother, entitled "Dr Gray's REAL Parenting & Paediatrics." Claudia is a trusted, popular voice on radio and television and is passionate about taking complex information and simplifying it into relatable, practical information.

Christy Herselman is an experienced journalist and teacher who is the founder of a movement called "The Chat," the heart of which is to empower parents to confidently tackle big topics with their kids in a natural, open manner. She has written 3 books and divides her time between researching, writing, speaking and being a wife and mom to 3 teens! Her passion is to help cultivate deep family connections and help raise a generation who are secure in who they are and where they are going.