What does menopause actually feel like when you're living through it — rather than reading about it?

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I’m joined by my long-time friend Sam for an open and honest conversation about her experience of the menopause transition.

Sam and I have been friends for around 13 years, and we’ve shared plenty of conversations about health and wellbeing over that time. She also spent many years working as a nurse, so I was particularly interested to hear what she had learned both personally and professionally about menopause, ageing and looking after our health as we get older.

Sam shares what she first noticed during her menopause transition — including night sweats, disrupted sleep, exhaustion, restless legs and migraines — and how long it took her to realise these symptoms could be connected to menopause.

We talk openly about seeking medical help, finding a doctor she felt comfortable talking to, and her decision to use menopausal hormone therapy (MHT/HRT) after initially feeling quite fearful about hormone treatment.

But this conversation goes well beyond symptoms and treatment.

We also talk about changing bodies, menopause and self-esteem, the pressure women can feel to look a certain way, and Sam’s deeply personal experience of disordered eating and how menopause has been a trigger for some of those thoughts and behaviours.

There’s also a bigger conversation about ageing well — why strength and mobility matter, how quickly we can lose muscle when we’re inactive or unwell, and why maintaining physical function may be far more important than focusing on how our bodies look.

And perhaps most importantly, we talk about friendship, asking for help, self-compassion and why women shouldn't have to navigate menopause alone.

This is a lived experience conversation rather than medical advice, and Sam’s experience is her own. We hope by talking openly about things that can sometimes feel difficult, uncomfortable or even taboo, that if you recognize yourself in some of what we talk about, you might feel a little bit less alone and feel more comfortable reaching out for support.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of disordered eating, body image and eating disorder behaviours.

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Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

How do happy, healthy relationships stay strong through the many seasons of life?

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I’m joined by registered counsellor and psychotherapist Margie Mitchell for a thoughtful conversation about maintaining connection in long-term relationships.

Midlife can bring career pressures, raising children, caring for ageing parents, menopause, shifting identities and the empty nest. With so much happening, it's easy for relationships to become more functional than emotionally connected.

Margie shares practical, compassionate advice on how couples can nurture emotional intimacy, communicate with kindness, and reconnect through life's inevitable transitions. We also explore how childhood experiences shape the way we communicate, why small daily moments of connection matter, and how partners can better support one another through perimenopause and menopause.

In this episode we discuss:

• What healthy communication really looks like
• Why couples drift apart without realising it
• Rebuilding emotional intimacy
• Staying connected during busy family life
• Practical rituals that strengthen relationships
• Menopause and its impact on relationships
• Empty nest and other midlife transitions
• Supporting your partner with empathy and understanding
• Why kindness, curiosity and appreciation matter

Whether your relationship feels strong or you're simply wanting to invest in it before problems arise, this conversation offers practical insights to help couples stay connected over time.

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Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

What can a year of conversations with psychologists, neuroscientists, doctors, exercise physiologists, nutrition experts and researchers teach us about living well?

In this special anniversary episode of Mind Your Being, I reflect on the biggest lessons I've learned after a year of conversations with health experts—and how those conversations have completely changed the way I think about health and wellbeing.

When I started the podcast, I believed our health was interconnected. But after speaking with experts across mental health, brain health, bone health, nutrition, relationships and healthy ageing, I've come to appreciate just how deeply connected our bodies, minds and lives really are.

In this episode, I share:

• Why strength has become one of the foundations of healthy ageing

• What surprised me about the connection between brain health, heart health and metabolic health

• The lessons I've learned about vulnerability, shame and self-acceptance

• Why curiosity has become more important than having all the answers

• And the one question I keep coming back to:

How can we live well?

Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or you've only just discovered Mind Your Being, thank you for being here.

I hope this conversation helps you feel a little more informed, a little more curious... and reminds you that you're not alone.

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Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

Have you ever been told that bladder leaks, recurrent UTIs, painful sex, or pelvic heaviness are just a normal part of getting older?

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I sit down with Urogynecologist Dr Mugdha Kulkarni to explore one of the most overlooked areas of women's health: pelvic health during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

We discuss Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), why it happens, the symptoms women often experience, and the treatment options that can make a significant difference to quality of life. Dr Kulkarni explains the important role of vaginal estrogen, why recurrent UTIs become more common after menopause, and addresses common concerns about safety and hormone absorption.

We also discuss pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, painful sex, pelvic floor exercises, and why women shouldn't suffer in silence.

This conversation is a reminder that while these issues may be common, they are not something you simply have to put up with.

In this episode we discuss:

• What a urogynecologist does
• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) explained
• Vaginal dryness, irritation and painful sex
• Recurrent UTIs and menopause
• The role and safety of vaginal estrogen
• Vaginal estrogen alongside MHT/HRT
• Pelvic floor physiotherapy and pelvic floor health
• Overactive bladder and urinary urgency
• Stress urinary incontinence and bladder leaks
• Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms and treatment options
• Pelvic health in perimenopause, menopause and later life
• How to advocate for yourself and seek support

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a friend, sister, mother, colleague or anyone who may benefit from knowing that help is available.

Bio:

Dr Mugdha Kulkarni is a Consultant Urogynaecologist at Monash Health and Cabrini Hospital in Melbourne, specialising in pelvic floor disorders including prolapse, incontinence, and mesh-related complications.

She completed subspecialty training in urogynaecology following her O&G training at Monash Health and is involved in clinical research and junior doctor education.

Links:

https://www.mugdhakulkarni.com.au/

Olive & Bee Natural Lubricant (as mentioned by Dr Kulkarni)

https://www.oliveandbee.com.au

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Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

Have you ever found yourself stuck between two choices, endlessly weighing up the pros and cons, searching for certainty that never seems to come?

In this deeply personal solo episode, I share the story of one of the most difficult decisions I've faced: questioning whether to stay in or leave a long-term relationship.

But this episode isn't really about relationships.

It's about uncertainty, self-trust, perfectionism, and the exhausting search for the "right" answer when there isn't one.

Drawing on my own experience, I explore why our brains crave certainty, how fear of making the wrong decision can keep us stuck, the role perfectionism played in my thinking, and what I learned about trusting myself when certainty never arrived.

Whether you're navigating a relationship crossroads, a career change, a health decision, or any major life transition, this conversation is an invitation to get curious about the stories you're telling yourself, the feelings you've been dismissing, and what courage can look like when the path ahead isn't clear.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why uncertainty can feel so uncomfortable
• The hidden relationship between perfectionism and decision-making
• OCD, overthinking and the search for certainty
• Why some decisions are uncertainty problems, not information problems
• Self-trust and navigating major life transitions
• Learning to tolerate uncertainty
• Why feelings matter, even when they don't make logical sense

If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.

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Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I’m joined by relationship counsellor and couples therapist Nicole Mathieson for an honest and compassionate conversation about relationships, communication, conflict, intimacy and repair.

We explore why relationships can become more challenging in midlife, how resentment quietly builds over time, and why many couples find themselves stuck having the same arguments over and over again.

Nicole shares practical and deeply insightful tools for navigating conflict more effectively — including the importance of repair, emotional safety, healthy communication, curiosity, vulnerability, attachment styles and understanding the stories we tell ourselves in relationships.

We also discuss:
• Why conflict itself isn’t necessarily the problem
• How childhood wounds and attachment patterns show up in adult relationships
• The difference between intention and impact
• Why emotional connection and intimacy can become more difficult in midlife
• The importance of repair after conflict
• How couples can reconnect and strengthen their relationship over time
• Why healthy relationships are so important for our overall wellbeing and health

This is a warm, insightful and hopeful conversation for anyone wanting to better understand themselves, their relationship patterns, and how to create deeper connection in long-term relationships.

Bio:

Nicole Mathieson is a Brisbane-based counsellor and couples therapist, podcast host, and author of The Beauty Load: How to Feel Enough in a World Obsessed with Beauty. Having been married for nearly 30 years and with two nearly adult children, Nicole brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work.

She supports men, women, and couples to become more self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and connected in their relationships. Her approach focuses on helping people build confidence, develop practical relationship skills, and create the kind of partnership they truly want.

Nicole believes that meaningful change is always possible—when we understand ourselves more deeply, learn how to create safety and connection, and know how to repair after conflict.

Check out her abundance of relationship resources including podcasts, free resources and online courses, all designed to help you get more relationship-smart

Links:

Website: https://nicolemathieson.com/'

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/relationship_smart_with_nicole/

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https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

What if healthy aging isn’t about becoming smaller… but becoming stronger?

In this solo episode of Mind Your Being, Cass reflects on turning 52, navigating the changes that can come with menopause and aging, and shifting the focus away from appearance and toward strength, function, capability, and quality of life.

Drawing on conversations from previous podcast episodes with Professor Belinda Beck, Dr Tracey Clissold, Dr Justin Keogh, and Dr Anne Hester, this episode explores why muscle and bone health matter so much as we age — not just for mobility and falls prevention, but for confidence, independence, resilience, and living fully.

Cass discusses:
• Why strength matters more than appearance as we age
• Bone health, osteoporosis prevention, and muscle loss in midlife
• Resistance training and healthy aging
• The importance of mobility, balance, and independence
• Why it’s never too late to build strength
• Moving beyond “skinny culture” toward functional health
• Appreciating our bodies for what they allow us to experience in life

The episode finishes with a gentle guided meditation focused on acceptance, appreciation, self-compassion, and building strength for the future.

If you’ve ever struggled with body image, aging, menopause changes, or wondered how to support your future self physically and emotionally, this conversation is for you.

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Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

What if the small things you do every day have more power over your long-term health than you realise?

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I’m joined by Dr Ann Hester — a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine with more than 30 years of clinical experience.

After decades of treating chronic disease once it had already taken hold, Dr Hester shifted her focus toward prevention, root causes, and evidence-based lifestyle medicine to help people improve their healthspan — not just their lifespan.

Together, we explore:
• The difference between lifespan and healthspan
• Why chronic disease rates continue to rise despite advances in modern medicine
• The six pillars of lifestyle medicine
• How movement, sleep, nutrition, stress and social connection impact physical and mental health
• Why midlife is a powerful opportunity to reset your health trajectory
• The role of lifestyle medicine in preventing and managing chronic disease
• Practical, realistic habits that support long-term wellbeing

Dr Hester also shares her insights on stress, emotional health, the gut-brain connection, movement as medicine, and why it’s never too late to make meaningful changes to your health.

This is a practical, empowering and hopeful conversation for anyone wanting to thrive in midlife and beyond.

Bio:

Dr. Ann Hester is a double board-certified physician in Internal
Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine with more than 30 years of clinical
experience. After decades of treating chronic disease once it had
already taken hold, she shifted her focus to addressing root
causes—using evidence-based Lifestyle Medicine to help prevent,
optimize, and in many cases reverse common chronic conditions.

Featured on CNN and host of the Vitality by Design podcast, Dr. Hester
is the founder of the PTR Reset™ and creator of transformative health
education programs.

Her mission is simple but bold: empower people to take control of their
health, extend their healthspan, and build lives designed with
intention—not dictated by disease.

Links:

Vitality By Design Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/3UogfOm4eRKpCui6Ijd7Ir

PTR Reset

https://PTRReset.com

Book mentioned: https://www.saltfatacidheat.com/

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Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.