Ladies, We Need To Talk

What's it like to carry and give birth to a child for someone else? What compels a woman to take on something so profound? There's more to surrogacy than cooking a bun in an 'oven', it's complex as hell.In this episode Yumi Stynes meets women who have been surrogates and hears about the joy and the heartache the experience can bring.This episode contains references to surrogacy, family, baby, parenting, adoption, Surrogacy Act, transfer of parentage, counselling, depression, mental health, pregnancy, birth, suicidal ideation.

Gina Rushton, a journalist and author who tackles the monumental choice of having children, joins Penny Greenhalgh, a comedian, exploring the emotional turmoil surrounding motherhood decisions. They dive into societal pressures and personal dilemmas faced by women in their late 30s, discussing the stigma of choosing childlessness. The conversation touches on fertility anxieties, the impact of 'heteropessimism' on women's relationships, and the idea of parallel lives. Their candid reflections offer a thoughtful look at the complexities of this life-altering choice.

Our best friends are our ride-or-die, snort-laughing, crisis solving buttresses. But what happens when a friendship ends?In a romantic break-up, there's a cultural handbook instructing us all to sanctioned crying, bitching and ice-cream eating. Playlists, movies and a canon of literature are ready to validate the catastrophic pain of heartbreak. But with romantic break-ups, there aren't the same support systems in place to help us put back together the pieces.Yumi Stynes speaks to women who've been through the heartache of a friendship break-up to find out how they moved on, and what marks their former besties left behind.This episode contains references to break-ups, friendship, romantic break-ups, heart break, fighting, interpersonal tension, best friends, loss.

Swipe, date, sex, repeat. So went the life of Hope Woodard, constantly on the apps and looking for validation in the form of male attention. This perpetual cycle started from a young age and by the time she was in her mid-twenties, Hope was done. Done with terrible first dates. Done with being ghosted. Done with men. So, she set herself a challenge, to give up dating and sex for a year. Hope was going boysober.Hope chats with Yumi Stynes about the pleasure of finally getting to know herself, what she learnt from a year off the dating train, and why she hates the term 'celibate'.This episode contains references to dating, dating apps, boy sober, heterosexual cynicism, psychology, relationships, self development, self improvement, celibacy.

Dr. Rena Malik, a urologist and renowned sex educator known for her impactful YouTube presence, shares her insights on female anatomy and sexual self-awareness. She delves into the significance of understanding the clitoris and the complexities of female orgasms. Dr. Malik also discusses navigating cultural taboos, particularly in the South Asian community, and emphasizes the importance of open communication in sexual relationships. With humor and relatable anecdotes, she encourages women to explore their bodies and embrace pleasure.

Menstruating. An ordinary bodily function. Like breathing or sweating or digesting, it's as natural as the hairs on our heads, period (pun intended). And even though there has been some progress in our openness in talking about periods, we're still largely a bit…grossed out.Yumi Stynes investigates the lingering shame around women's bleeding and speaks to women who are shifting the tide on how we think about periods. (R)This episode contains references to menstruation, period, shame, women, blood, ovulation, hormones, women's health.

Growing older might bring saggy skin and invisibility, but there's humor and empowerment in the journey. The discussion highlights women's experiences in their 70s, addressing physical changes and societal views. Strategies for cognitive health, social engagement, and vibrant sexuality are explored, emphasizing self-care and open communication. Insights on navigating health post-menopause reveal emotional connections and intimacy dynamics. Ultimately, aging can be celebrated with joy, confidence, and a shared sense of community.

Mind-blowing. Intoxicating. Earth-shattering. Meet the women having the best sex of their lives after years on end of ho-hum humping.Yumi Stynes speaks to ladies who have levelled up their sex lives, learns how they made it to the promised land, and whether there's room for us all to join them. (R) This episode contains references to sex, pleasure, vulva, intercourse, marriage, dating, divorce.

What if being single wasn’t a problem to be solved but a state of bliss? For some women, living without an “other half” is the key to being complete.  But even though more women than ever are single by choice, we live in a society that values couple-dom. Marriage and motherhood are still held up as the ultimate end goals. Single women are viewed with pity or worse, scorn. Living alone? Cue the lady jokes.  Yumi Stynes talks to women who are happy to be free from romantic relationships and whose lives are full to the brim. (R) This episode contains references to single, dating, relationships, friendships, couples, sex.

Cheers! For a lot of us alcohol is a reward after a hard day, a way to unwind, a key part of our celebrations, but our love of a drink comes at a cost.  Some women are regularly drinking at dangerous rates while others find it difficult to go without.  Beyond the hangover fuzz, booze can take a toll on our health and relationships. So why are we so keen on a drink despite knowing the risks? And how can we learn to put the cap back on the bottle when we’ve had enough?  Yumi Stynes talks to someone confronting their problematic drinking habit and contemplates her own sobriety along the way. (R)  Resources:National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline1800 250 015 Alcoholics Anonymous: https://aa.org.au/1300 222 222 Hello Sunday Morning https://hellosundaymorning.org/Lifeline13 11 14