Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here

Today’s conversation is a little different.

Dr Thea and Vera physiotherapist Paula Hindle take you inside the sauna at the end of a long clinic day – a place where their most honest reflections tend to unfold.

This episode opens a deeper look at what it really means to hold space for suffering in women’s health.

Not with a rush to fix, but from a grounded, embodied place where practitioners learn to regulate their own nervous systems while sitting alongside their patients’ pain.

Paula and Thea explore the subtle but profound shift that happens when clinicians start listening with curiosity.

This is a conversation about attunement, presence and the reality that true transformation rarely begins with a medical intervention – it begins with being witnessed.

If you’re a practitioner who feels called toward a more heart-centred, embodied, nervous-system-led approach to pelvic pain, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The art of sitting with discomfort – what happens in us as clinicians when we witness pain without immediately jumping to solutions.
• A powerful patient story and how healing unfolded when the focus shifted from pathology to nervous system understanding.
• Attunement in practice – how Paula recognised dysregulation the moment the patient walked in, and why she abandoned the “plan” to create space for grief, safety and connection.
• Letting the patient guide the process – the difference between algorithmic care and compassionate, responsive care in pelvic pain.
• Why clinicians must be regulated first – the capacity to hold another’s story is directly linked to the state of our own nervous systems.

The truth is, real healing often begins long before hands-on treatment.

It begins in the pause – the moment we sit with discomfort, listen deeply, and allow a patient’s story to unfold without rushing toward certainty or control.

When practitioners regulate themselves, the whole room changes.

Safety expands. Insight emerges.

And the patient’s own wisdom becomes a central part of the therapeutic process.

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For practitioners: Transformational Medicine – Alchemising Pain into Power

If today’s conversation resonates, you may be feeling the same shift we’re seeing across women’s health – a desire for more embodied, integrative, nervous-system-based care.

In April 2026, Dr Peta Wright, Dr Thea Bowler and Paula Hindle will be hosting a 4-day immersive retreat and practitioner program designed to help clinicians:

• Understand their own nervous system
• Experience regulation and embodiment tools firsthand
• Learn how to attune to complexity, trauma, and pain in the clinical room
• Develop a more grounded, compassionate and effective approach to pelvic pain

You can find all the details here: https://www.verawellness.com.au/practitioner-program-intensive.

Early bird pricing ends on 31 December 2025 and payment plans are available.

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For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

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DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here

After a long pause, Women of the Well is back.

In this conversation, Dr Peta, Dr Thea and Sam sit together in a very real season of life transition – talking about menopause, ageing, endings and the one thing most of us are trying to avoid thinking about: death.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Sam’s real-time experience of perimenopause – still cycling at 51, noticing stronger bleeds, night waking and hot flushes that arrive like a clear “message” from her body.
• Listening instead of resisting – how tuning into symptoms (rather than fighting them) has helped Sam adjust her training, eating and lifestyle in ways that feel right for her.
• Why menopause isn’t just decline – the cultural story that says menopause “takes everything away” versus the reality of greater freedom, time, clarity and physical strength many women experience in midlife.
• Anxiety, mood shifts and the luteal phase – Peta and Thea share candidly about premenstrual anxiety, irritability and “existential dread”, and how naming these patterns with family helps.
• Ageing, fear and the medicalisation of menopause – a critical look at the booming “menopause industry”, the framing of oestrogen deficiency as a disease, and the idea that all women should be on hormones forever.
• Death as the unspoken backdrop – how our fear of mortality shows up in the obsession with trying to keep bodies the same, and why accepting change can soften this fear.
• Suffering, growth and feeling it all – the difference between caring for our bodies and micromanaging them, and why discomfort can be a portal to meaning and maturation rather than something to eliminate at all costs.
• From attraction to resource – shifting from needing to be sexually “attractive” to being valued for presence, wisdom, skills and contribution as we age.
• Competing, comparing and complaining – how these patterns keep us stuck in misery about our changing bodies, and what opens up when we practise acceptance instead.
• Soul, spirit and the unchanging self – returning to the part of us that doesn’t age, even as our bodies inevitably do.

A reflective invitation as you listen to this episode:

• Where are you feeling pain, discomfort or resistance right now?
• If you treated those sensations as messages rather than problems to fix, what might they be asking of you?
• How could you allow what is happening – rather than trying to control or outrun it – and see what unfolds next?

Resources mentioned:

• “The Thunder, Perfect Mind” – an ancient poem from the Nag Hammadi / Dead Sea Scrolls collection, often read as a voice of the divine feminine.

Stay connected – the conversation doesn’t end here.

If this episode brought up reflections, questions or stories of your own menopause experience, the Women of the Well team would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts or topic requests for future episodes via email to marketing@verawellness.com.au and let us know:

What are you noticing in your own season of change – and what might your body be trying to tell you?

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DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here

We didn’t plan for this to happen… but when we sat down to talk, something shifted.

This week's episode is not a conversation about a particular health topic or a deep dive into hormones or cycles…

It’s an honest reflection on where we’re at, and an invitation to pause.

After more than 30 episodes, we’ve arrived at a natural winter – a moment to slow down, reassess, and honour the cycle of this podcast project.

We didn’t plan this in advance.

But when we sat down to record and felt our energy shift, we realised it was time to listen to our bodies and our inner knowing, just as we always invite you to do.

This may not be a forever goodbye… but it is a “pause for now.”

🎙️ In this final episode for now, we reflect on:

🌿 Why it’s okay to rest, and how we can honour the natural seasons and cycles of life

🌿 The truth behind why we started this podcast (and what we never wanted it to become)

🌿 How constantly striving to optimise our health can become another form of self-judgement

🌿 Why letting go, embracing stillness, and trusting our own inner knowing is the most powerful healing we can do

Whether this is a short pause or a more permanent ending, we’re so grateful you’ve been with us.

The full library of episodes will remain available, so you can return to them whenever you need support, insight, or a gentle reminder to come back to yourself.

💬 If this podcast has impacted you, we’d honestly love to hear from you. Send us a message on Instagram @verawellness.com.au or email marketing@verawellness.com.au.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for listening.

And thank you for honouring your own rhythms, too.

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Additional resources to support you:

🧘‍♀️ Heal Your Pelvic Pain – Our live online program delivered by leading women's health experts to help you alchemise your pain, reconnect with your body, and reclaim your life.

🌕 Unlocking the Power of Your Cycle – a self-paced course to help you understand and work with the phases of your cycle for more vitality and clarity.

📖 Healing Pelvic Pain by Dr Peta Wright – A comprehensive guide on managing pelvic pain.

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DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here

This week, we’re continuing the powerful conversation we started in Episode 32 about victim consciousness – and how it shows up in our lives in ways we might not expect.

But this time, we go even deeper.

Dr Peta and Sam explore the unconscious patterns that keep us stuck – from our beliefs about who we are to the stories we tell ourselves (and others) about our pain.

Together, they unpack:

🌿 Why victim, rescuer and perpetrator roles always co-exist – and how we can move beyond this triangle

🌿 The subtle ways women are taught to bond over suffering (and what to do instead)

🌿 How shame, superiority and saviour-complex behaviour keep us disempowered

🌿 Why our language matters (and how to stop casting spells like “I have to…”)

🌿 How our beliefs about our body, our past, and our identity shape our suffering

This episode isn’t about blame or denial – it’s an invitation to start recognising your own patterns and beliefs, and gently shifting them so you can experience more joy, peace, and presence.

🎧 Listen now to part 2 of this raw, transformative series – and let us know how it lands for you.

Resources mentioned:

• The Wheel of Consent by Betty Martin
• The Four Cs Practice (Don’t complain, compete, compare or criticise – from yogic tradition)
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• Teachings from Caroline Myss and Byron Katie

Questions and topics:

Do you have a question about this episode or a topic you want us to explore on the podcast? Send us a text (link above episode description), a message on Instagram or email us at marketing@verawellness.com.au.

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For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

​​To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

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DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here

Do you ever feel powerless, stuck, or like life is just happening to you?

In this episode of Women of the Well, Dr Thea and Dr Peta explore a topic that might feel a little uncomfortable but has the potential to spark real change.

They’re talking about victim consciousness.

Not as a label or an accusation, but as a nervous system state that many of us (consciously or unconsciously) fall into – especially when we’ve experienced chronic pain, health issues, or any form of trauma or dismissal.

They discuss:

🌿 What victim consciousness really means – and how it’s linked to a dysregulated nervous system

🌿 Why identifying with your diagnosis (endo, PMDD, menopause, etc) can actually keep you stuck

🌿 The Victim Triangle – and how it plays out in chronic health conditions

🌿 Why society benefits from keeping women disempowered (and why reclaiming your power matters)

🌿 How to shift your beliefs, reclaim agency, and access more joy, pleasure, and possibility in your life

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your pain, powerless in your body, or trapped by a diagnosis, this is a must-listen conversation that aims to help you see things differently and move forward with more compassion for yourself.

Quick request: We’re planning future episodes right now, and we’d really love your input. If there’s a topic or question you want us to explore, please email or send us a DM on Instagram — your suggestions truly shape the show.

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For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

​​To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here

Feeling more tired, irritable, or overwhelmed than usual – but not sure why?

In this raw and relatable conversation, Sam Lindsay-German is joined again by Vera Wellness naturopath, Elysia Humphries, to unpack the real (and often hidden) symptoms of perimenopause and menopause – from brain fog and burnout to joint pain, weight gain, and loss of identity.

Together, they explore:

🌿 What perimenopause really looks like – and why it’s not just about hot flushes

🌿 The hidden symptoms that show up before your period disappears – from frozen shoulder to burnout

🌿 Why your hormones are impacting your joints, brain, energy, and even your tolerance for noise

🌿 How to support your cognitive health, mood, and resilience (even if you’ve got small kids and zero time to yourself)

🌿 The real story behind midlife weight gain – and why that “menopause belly” might actually be helping you

🌿 Natural medicine vs HRT – and why you don’t need to choose sides

Whether you’re in your 40s and feeling off, deep in the transition, or supporting someone else, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and better equipped for what’s ahead.

Recommended resources from this episode:

• 📖 Wise Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer

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For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

​​To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women – but is it really what you think it is?

In this episode of Women of the Well, Dr Peta, Dr Thea, and Sam break down what PCOS actually means, why it’s often misunderstood (even by medical professionals), and what you really need to know if you’ve been given this diagnosis.

They discuss:

🌿 The real meaning behind “polycystic ovaries” – why the name is misleading and how it can result in overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis.

🌿 Why PCOS isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition – understanding the different causes behind ovulation issues and how factors like insulin resistance, inflammation, and stress play a role.

🌿 The impact of birth control on PCOS diagnosis – why going on the pill young can mask underlying issues and what happens when you stop taking it.

🌿 How lifestyle, stress, and nutrition affect ovulation – the key factors that can restore your cycle naturally and what to focus on instead of weight loss.

🌿 Why your period is a monthly “report card” for your health – and what irregular, heavy, or absent cycles are telling you about your body.

If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS (or suspect you might have it), this episode will help you understand what’s really happening in your body – and how to support yourself with the right approach.

Additional Resources:

💡 Unlocking the Power of Your Cycle – A self-paced course to help you understand and work with your cycle for better health, energy, and hormonal balance.

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For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

​​To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here

Going through IVF can feel like an emotional rollercoaster – from navigating all the medical procedures to handling the stress and uncertainty of the process.

But what if there were natural ways to support your body and mind during this journey?

In this episode, Sam sits down with Vera Wellness naturopath Elysia Humphries to explore a holistic approach to IVF.

Together, they chat about:

🍃 What really impacts IVF success – and why egg and sperm health matter more than you think.

🍃 The most effective supplements and herbs for fertility support (and the ones that might not be worth your money).

🍃 How stress affects IVF outcomes and simple ways to keep your nervous system regulated.

🍃 The importance of feeling supported – how finding the right doctor, team, and care plan can make all the difference.

If you or someone you love is on an IVF journey, this episode is packed with insights to help you feel more empowered, informed, and supported every step of the way.

Additional resources:

🎙️ Episode 25: Preparing your body for pregnancy with naturopath Elysia Humphries

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For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.

We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au

​​To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.

______________________

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.