Owning Your Menopause – Details, episodes & analysis

How does a cancer diagnosis at 39, with triplets in tow and medically induced menopause, redefine resilience? I sit down with Emma Campbell, speaker, author, podcast host and long-term cancer survivor, for her raw, unfiltered story. From necrotising fasciitis after her first child to recurrent miscarriages, then breast cancer just six months after triplets, she’snavigated a 15-year journey of survival, recurrence, and hope.

Emma reveals how she faces the fear and mental toll of being a ‘patient for life,’ the unspoken struggles of menopause after treatment, like intimacy challenges and a body she barely knows, and how running marathons became her lifeline.

Emma Campbell is a speaker, author, podcast host, and content creator with a passion for inspiring others to rise above life’s toughest challenges. As a long-term cancer survivor, she illuminates what’s possible—even in the face of adversity—offering hope and guidance to those navigating their own difficult journeys, whatever form they may take.

With honesty, vulnerability, and an unshakable belief in the limitless potential within us all, Emma encourages people to rise, thrive, and live bold, beautiful, and joyful lives—no matter the challenges that come their way.

Follow Emma on Instagram, and listen to her podcast.

Contribute to Emma’s Just Giving marathon efforts in aid of the BowelBabe Fund.

Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Why is menopause still so misunderstood? In this episode of Owning Your Menopause, I sit down with Dr. Aziza Sesay, a GP with over 10 years of experience and a passionate advocate for women’s health. She’s a doctor, storyteller, and educator who’s worked from Sierra Leone to her own practice, breaking taboos with every chat. 

We dig into the messy truth of menopause-why it blindsides so many, how cultural stigmas hush women up and what we can do about it. Dr. Sesay shares real talk, from teaching her daughter to say ‘vulva’ loud and proud to tackling the gender health gap that leaves us in the dark. With raw honesty and practical tips, she fuels a push for better education. More than just symptoms, this is a call to embrace menopause with grit and clarity.

Dr. Aziza Sesay is a multi-award winning GP, Educator, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer and medical broadcaster celebrated for her contributions to health education, awareness, and advocacy. As the founder of "Talks with Dr. Sesay," she empowers audiences with evidence-based health information, focusing on women’s health, cancer awareness, mental health, and health inequity. Dr. Sesay serves as Vice Chair and Creative Director of Black Female Doctors UK and is an Ambassador for leading health charities, including The Eve Appeal and Wellbeing of Women. Featured in major media outlets, she is a regular GP on BBC Breakfast. She has also collaborated with numerous organisations including NHS England, the Department of Health, YouTube Health, and WHO, contributing to national and global public health campaigns. Recognised with the prestigious Point of Light Award and others, Dr. Sesay is a trusted voice in healthcare, committed to improving outcomes and addressing health inequities.

Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.

How can self-care be a catalyst for growth during menopause rather than a source of guilt or shame? In this episode of the Owning Your Menopause podcast, I sit down with Suzy Reading, a chartered psychologist, yoga teacher, and author, to explore the vital role of self-care during this significant life transition. With her wealth of professional knowledge and personal experiences, Suzy provides invaluable insight into how women can embrace this stage of life with resilience and mindfulness.

We discuss how reframing menopause as a time for growth and reinvention can empower women to navigate the challenges with grace. Suzy shares her unique blend of relaxation techniques, mindful movement, and psychological strategies, offering listeners practical tools to enhance their emotional and physical well-being. We also explore the guilt many women feel around self-care and how societal pressures can make rest seem indulgent, when in fact, it’s essential healthcare.

From developing a daily rhythm to embracing gentle movement and adapting to winter’s introspective qualities, Suzy offers actionable advice to help women honour their bodies and minds. Her latest book, Self-Care for Winter, provides further guidance on nurturing our environment and embracing the need for rest during the colder months.

Our conversation is a refreshing reminder that menopause is not just a challenging phase but also an opportunity for reinvention, self-exploration, and deeper connection to oneself.

Suzy is a mother of two, an author, Chartered Psychologist and yoga teacher. She specialises in self-care, helping people manage their stress, emotions, and energetic bank balance. It was her life experience of motherhood colliding with the terminal illness of her father that sparked her passion for self-care which she now teaches to her clients, young and old, to cope during periods of stress, loss and change and to boost their resilience in the face of future challenges. 

Her first book ‘The Self-Care Revolution’ published by Aster came out in 2017 and she’s had the opportunity to write extensively on how to nourish yourself, with titles including 'Stand Tall Like a Mountain: Mindfulness & Self-Care for Children and Parents', 'The Little Book of Self-Care’, ‘Self-Care for Tough Times’, her first children’s book ‘

Have you ever wondered about the hidden connections between gut health, hormones, and the rollercoaster of perimenopause? In this episode, I’m joined by Cat Sims—content creator, author, and podcast host—as we dive into the profound impact of hormonal shifts on our minds and bodies.

Together, we uncover how perimenopause can disrupt gut health, triggering symptoms from anxiety to insomnia, and we share practical lifestyle tips to help ease the journey. Cat opens up about her own struggles, from navigating sobriety and sugar addiction to balancing the demands of motherhood with ADHD, breaking down the societal pressures women face in midlife.

We also tackle the importance of mental health, sharing candid stories and insights on how support, self-care, and lifestyle adjustments can make all the difference.

Follow Cat on Instagram , TikTok and Substack.

With Thanks to the sponsors of the episode, The Better Menopause.

Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Have you ever wondered how the right nutrition can transform your menopause experience?In this episode of the Owning Your Menopause, Rhiannon Lambert, an illustrious nutritionist and champion for women's health joins me.

Rhiannon shares the critical nutrients that every menopausal woman needs and busts the myths surrounding weight loss and dieting. We also explore the importance of unsaturated fats, plant-based proteins, and redefining our relationship with food, amidst societal messages and modern dietary fads.

Learn how to take charge of your menopause adventure with wisdom, compassion, and a plate full of vibrant, nutrient-rich foods, redefining what it means to truly thrive.

You can join the Owning Your Menopause online community, which will help you navigate your way positively and confidently through menopause to thrive in midlife.

If you’re inspired by Rhi and her words, you’ll find plenty more of them in her most recent book, The Science of Plant Based Nutrition.

The Owning Your Menopause podcast is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Have you ever wondered how you can take charge of your health during the tumultuous journey of perimenopause? In this episode, we’re joined by Pauline Cox, a functional nutritionist and a dedicated advocate for women's health. Together, we explore the transformative phase of perimenopause, shedding light on the intricate relationship between hormonal balance and nutrition.

Pauline shares her personal journey through hormonal fluctuations, revealing the fears many women face and how education can empower them to reclaim control over their health. With her wealth of knowledge, she offers practical strategies that women can easily implement to navigate this critical stage.

Curious about supplements? Pauline provides insights into essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin D, explaining how they can support hormonal health.

Pauline Cox is a highly respected nutritionist, author, and speaker dedicated to empowering people through functional medicine and optimal health practices. With a deep focus on hormonal health, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine, Pauline’s work emphasizes evidence-based strategies for vibrant health and longevity.

She co-founded Sow & Arrow, a health-focused company that provides nourishing, whole-food products, and educational resources. Pauline is also the author of Primal Living in a Modern World, where she explores ancestral health practices and their role in achieving optimal well-being. Her engaging, science-backed approach to nutrition and wellness has made her a sought-after speaker and educator across various platforms.

You can learn more about Pauline’s work and health philosophies on her website or connect with her on Instagram for tips on nutrition, lifestyle, and wellness.

With Thanks to the sponsors of the episode, The Better Menopause.

Owning Your Menopause is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Could childhood experiences shape our emotions during menopause? In this episode of Owning Your Menopause, I sit down with psychodynamic coach Lavinia Brown to explore the deep connection between unresolved childhood traumas and the emotional rollercoaster that many women face during perimenopause.

Lavinia opens up about her own journey, from battling eating disorders to finding healing through inner child work. We explore the idea of "small t trauma"—the subtle yet significant emotional wounds we carry from childhood—and how these unresolved issues can resurface during menopause, leading to feelings of anger, anxiety, or confusion.

Lavinia shares insights on tracking your cycle, recognising emotional patterns, and understanding how our children can mirror unresolved emotions. We also discuss how modern parenting dynamics have evolved, with children today being more vocal and emotionally aware than previous generations.

Connect with Lavinia

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Explore Lavinia's programmes

Signature Holistic Healing

Cycle awareness/tracking

You can join the Owning Your Menopause online community, which will help you navigate your way positively and confidently through menopause to thrive in midlife.

The Owning Your Menopause podcast is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of Owning Your Menopause, I sit down with the remarkable Tamzin Outhwaite—an acclaimed actress and the founder of the charity We Free Women. Tamsin takes us on an incredible journey, sharing her experiences from her early days in amateur dramatics to her remarkable success on stage, TV, and film.

We explore how her career has evolved and how the landscape of women’s roles in acting is changing, particularly as they age and navigate the transformative phase of menopause. 

Tamzin opens up about the pressures female actors face around appearance and age, and how the industry is slowly but surely changing. She shares her own experiences with perimenopause, how the pandemic sparked a journey of self-discovery, and why community and support are essential during this phase.

Tamzin's perspective is a powerful reminder that self-care, shedding societal expectations and finding strength in solidarity allows us to uplift one another and transform menopause into a time of rediscovery and renewed purpose.

You can join the Owning Your Menopause online community, which will help you navigate your way positively and confidently through menopause to thrive in midlife.

This episode is sponsored by liveliminal.com, use code OYM15 to get 15% off.

The Owning Your Menopause podcast is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

What if menopause could be a time of empowerment rather than a daunting transition? In this episode of Owning Your Menopause, I sit down with the incredible Jools Oliver—a multifaceted entrepreneur, mother of five, and soon-to-be midwife—to explore how she's navigating the complexities of midlife with grace, humor, and resilience.

Jools shares her personal journey through motherhood, mental health challenges, and the often-overlooked experience of perimenopause. We talk about her 24-year marriage celebration that took her from the Maldives to an Elvis-themed vow renewal in Las Vegas, and how the evolving needs of her children add new layers to her role as a mother.

We dive deep into mental health, discussing the heightened anxiety many women face during menopause and how Jools has managed her own fears, especially after battling long COVID. Jools shares her mother’s inspiring commitment to fitness at 83, proving the lifelong benefits of staying active.

You can join the Owning Your Menopause online community, which will help you navigate your way positively and confidently through menopause to thrive in midlife.

This episode is sponsored by liveliminal.com, use code OYM15 to get 15% off.

The Owning Your Menopause podcast is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Alice Smellie, an influential health and beauty journalist and co-author of Cracking the Menopause, joins me for a conversation on her transformative journey from journalism to menopause advocacy.

We explore the multifaceted realities of menopause, breaking down societal stigmas and misconceptions, especially when it comes to dating and ageing. Alice shares personal anecdotes about the mental health impacts and misdiagnoses often associated with perimenopause.

Alice opens up about navigating the complex decisions surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer. Sharing her own and others' experiences with HRT, chemotherapy, and the emotional hurdles faced, she emphasises the importance of understanding the minimal risk of HRT for breast cancer.

You can join the Owning Your Menopause online community, which will help you navigate your way positively and confidently through menopause to thrive in midlife.

This episode is sponsored by liveliminal.com, use code OYM15 to get 15% off.

The Owning Your Menopause podcast is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.