The Henpicked Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Autism, ADHD and menopause are being talked about more than ever — but this is still a developing and often misunderstood area of women's health.

In this expert-led Henpicked Lunch & Learn, Deborah Garlick is joined by menopause specialist Dr Clare Spencer to explore how neurodiversity and menopause intersect — and why symptoms can feel suddenly overwhelming during this transition.

From late diagnoses to hormonal changes in the brain, this episode unpacks the emerging science, lived experiences, and practical ways to seek support.

You'll hear:

• What we mean by neurodiversity, including ADHD and autism
• Why many women are underdiagnosed — particularly later in life
• How hormonal changes during perimenopause affect the brain and neurochemicals
• Why symptoms like anxiety, brain fog and overwhelm can feel intensified
• The difference between lifelong neurodiverse traits and menopause symptoms
• Why perimenopause (not just menopause) is often when challenges begin
• The concept of "masking" — and why it can break down during menopause
• How to advocate for yourself with healthcare professionals
• Why finding the right support may take time and persistence
• What workplaces can do to better support neurodivergent employees

This is a thoughtful, evidence-informed conversation that highlights just how individual the menopause experience can be — especially when combined with neurodiversity.

As discussed in the session, this is an evolving area with growing research, but one thing is clear: awareness, understanding and support are essential.

This episode features Dr Clare Spencer, GP and menopause specialist at My Menopause Centre.

Dr Spencer has extensive experience supporting women through perimenopause and menopause and is part of the clinical team at:

🌐 My Menopause Centre
https://www.mymenopausecentre.com/our-team/dr-clare-spencer/

📱 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mymenopausecentre/

My Menopause Centre is CQC-rated Outstanding and provides specialist, evidence-based menopause care.

Henpicked has been supporting women and working with organisations to create more inclusive, informed workplaces for over 13 years.

Through expert-led Lunch & Learn sessions, accreditation programmes and trusted resources, Henpicked continues to drive menopause and women's health awareness in workplaces and beyond.

To join future free Lunch & Learn sessions, visit:
https://henpicked.net

In this episode of the Henpicked Lunch & Learn podcast, host Sally Leech is joined by menstrual health educator and speaker Talycia Nayee to explore why periods are still surrounded by silence in many workplaces.

Despite periods being a normal and natural part of life for millions of people, conversations about menstrual health often remain uncomfortable or avoided altogether in professional environments. This silence can make it harder for employees to seek support and for organisations to create inclusive workplace cultures.

In this discussion, Talycia shares insights into why the stigma around periods still exists, the barriers that prevent open conversations at work, and why greater awareness and education around menstrual health matters for both employees and employers.

The conversation also explores how workplaces can play an important role in supporting women's health by helping to normalise conversations around periods and ensuring employees feel able to speak openly about their health and wellbeing.

This episode is part of the Henpicked Lunch & Learn series, helping organisations build knowledge and confidence around women's health in the workplace.

(These work well on Spotify, YouTube, Libsyn and Apple Podcasts)

00:00 Introduction to the episode
01:00 Why periods are still surrounded by silence
02:40 The stigma and discomfort around talking about periods
04:10 How menstrual symptoms can affect daily life and work
06:10 Why workplaces should understand menstrual health
07:20 The wider conversation around women's health at work
09:30 The role education plays in breaking the silence
12:00 Creating more open and supportive workplace cultures
14:30 Key takeaways for organisations

Did you know that what you eat can significantly impact your menstrual cycle? Did you know your nutritional needs change throughout your cycle and during the menopause transition? 

We're joined by Jackie Lynch, founder of the WellWellWell Nutrition Clinic where she specialises in women's health and the menopause. Jackie is a regular contributor of nutrition features in the media and her clinical work has inspired her to publish the following books:

• The Happy Menopause – Smart Nutrition to Help You Flourish (2020)
• Va Va Voom: The 10-Day Energy Diet (Headline, 2017)
• The Right Bite: Smart Food Choices for Eating on the Go (Nourish 2016)

This podcast brings you up-to-date, expert information and top tips to help empower you to make informed decisions that are right for you: how you experience menstruation and menopause, manage symptoms and long-term health. It's time for change.

Support this Podcast by subscribing/following its FREE and really helps us produce more content just like this episode. If you enjoy this Podcast why not leave a 5 star review or rating.

https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub

What's really in the period products you use? How do they impact your health and the planet? And what are the best options available today?

For years, mainstream period care has been keeping everyone in the dark, selling period care filled with hidden irritants and plastic. Mooncup believe in period care made only with ingredients that do your vagina and vulva some good. Get right up to date on vagina-friendly and eco-friendly options, ingredient transparency, and new insights.

This podcast brings you up-to-date, expert information and top tips to help empower you to make informed decisions that are right for you: how you experience menstruation and menopause, manage symptoms and long-term health. It's time for change.

Support this Podcast by subscribing/following its FREE and really helps us produce more content just like this episode. If you enjoy this Podcast why not leave a 5 star review or rating.

https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub

Antonia de Gier is a registered nutritional therapist, who has trained at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION) to understand the latest research in hormone health. She has a Diploma at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION); Bachelor of Science honours degree at the Centre for Nutritional Excellence and Lifestyle Management (CNELM) affiliated with Middlesex University; Helped to set up and worked at the Food Doctor and is a tutor at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION).

This podcast brings you up-to-date, expert information and top tips to help empower you to make informed decisions that are right for you: how you experience menstruation and menopause, manage symptoms and long-term health. It's time for change.

Support this Podcast by subscribing/following its FREE and really helps us produce more content just like this episode. If you enjoy this Podcast why not leave a 5 star review or rating.

https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub

Balancing work, home life and family pressures, alongside menopause symptoms you might experience, can feel overwhelming. But what can you do about it?

We'll be exploring this topic and what we can all do to feel good during our menopause journey. As part of our Lunch & Learn series of webinars, here, Deborah Garlick of Henpicked is joined by  Lavina Mehta MBE of Feel Good with Lavina, author of "The Feel Good Fix".

Lavina, a Personal Trainer, Wellness Coach, mum of 3, featured on TV & RadioAbout Me. mission is to help ALL ages to FEEL GOOD physically & mentally. Her slogan is to "Exercise for Sanity not Vanity." She was awarded an MBE for her services in Health & Fitness over the covid pandemic in the Oct 2020 Queen's honours list. She's very passionate about promoting the health benefits of exercise to treat, prevent & reduce risks of chronic diseases like Diabetes & Heart Disease, so prevalent in Asian communities. Pre-COVID she launched a National press campaign to "Get UK Asians Fit!"

This podcast brings you up-to-date, expert information and top tips to help empower you to make informed decisions that are right for you: how you experience menstruation and menopause, manage symptoms and long-term health. It's time for change.

Support this Podcast by subscribing/following its FREE and really helps us produce more content just like this episode. If you enjoy this Podcast why not leave a 5 star review or rating.

https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub

Dr. Surya brings years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and holds Diplomas from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health.

She is also a registered menopause specialist with the British Menopause Society. Dr. Surya's expertise is further enriched by her work in a Menopause Research Unit in London, where she addressed complex menopause cases and contributed to important research projects.

We're joined by Morna Ronnie of the People Portfolio as she explains more about how her returner programmes are supporting women after they're left their career due to menopausal symptoms to retrun to, and thrive at work.

People Portfolio are looking to work with companies committed to being menopause friendly, or who have achieved The Menopause Friendly Accreditation to run a pilot fo their returner programme for menopausal women: Revive and Thrive.

Please contact morna@thepeopleportfolio.co.uk if if you'd like to find out more, so that an initial exploratory discussion can be set up.

Morna Ronnie is the founder of the People Portfolio. Her 30-year career to date has included supporting people in a range of ways, from recruitment to outplacement and psychometrics to training and development. In the last 5 years she has used this knowledge to design and deliver a range of Women Returner programmes, some of which were funded by The Scottish Government and specifically supported women of menopausal age. 

Passionate about supporting somen to thrive at work, she is also a Menopause Workplace Trainer licensed by Henpicked, delivering their CPD accredited training.

Henpicked Menopause in the Workplace's Deborah Garlick was joined by Dr Clare Spencer of My Menopause Centre.

Dr Clare is a registered menopause specialist and an NHS GP. She qualified from Cambridge University and holds membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of General Practitioners. She initially trained in obstetrics and gynaecology where she gained a Doctor of Medicine for research in fetomaternal medicine.

As well as her role of Clinical Director at My Menopause Centre, she currently runs an NHS menopause service and is a GP partner in a practice in Leeds. She is also a British Menopause Society menopause trainer and is involved in educating GPs about the menopause transition through talks, lectures and seminars. She wrote the menopause training module for doctors.net and has written for the Primary Care Women's Health forum publication, Her Life Her Health, on a variety of menopause-related topics.

This podcast brings you up-to-date, expert information and top tips to help empower you to make informed decisions that are right for you: how you experience menstruation and menopause, manage symptoms and long-term health. It's time for change.

Support this Podcast by subscribing/following its FREE and really helps us produce more content just like this episode. If you enjoy this Podcast why not leave a 5 star review or rating.

https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub

We're joined by Menstruation Friendly Independent Panel Member Vickie Williams to shine a light on the topic.

Vickie, driven by her own experience with endometriosis, pursued a PhD in People and Organisations at The Open University UK, focusing on endometriosis in the workplace and the impact of menstrual policy.

She holds a first-class honours degree in Business Management from King's College London, where her interest in gender and organisational studies began, particularly regarding women's workplace experiences. Before her PhD, Vickie spent seven years as a Digital Account Director in film and creative agencies across London.

Concurrently, she trained in women's health and established her own business to support individuals with endometriosis and other gynaecological conditions. Vickie has shared her expertise on endometriosis at prominent venues, including Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, and the International Critical Management Studies conference.

Her personal and professional experiences provide her with unique insights into the challenges faced by women with invisible and often debilitating gynaecological conditions.

She is particularly interested in how workplace structures and practices can better accommodate these conditions, aiming to improve the work environment for affected individuals.