Rage Against the Vagine is a six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano about perimenopause, patriarchy, and the midlife medical gaslighting we’re done putting up with.
This isn’t your decline…it’s your reckoning.
Combining lived experience with insights from top menopause-informed doctors, researchers, and psychologists, this series gets honest about what's happening to our bodies and brains during perimenopause, and why so few of us were warned.
Each episode dives into one of six big questions - from “Why the fuck didn’t anyone tell us?” to “How the fuck do I get help?”
Expect documentary-style storytelling, fierce honesty, and the kind of clarity you wish you'd had years ago. You’ll laugh, cry, maybe scream into a pillow...but importantly, we hope you walk away with language, validation, and strategies to take into your own life (and GP appointment).
This podcast isn’t medical advice. It’s about sharing stories and expert perspectives to help you feel seen. Science is still catching up to lived experience, and not every doctor is trained in menopause care. If something here resonates, take it to a trusted healthcare professional. Your story deserves to be heard and validated.
New episodes every Monday through August and September.
Episode Schedule:
18/08/2025 - You Are Not (F*cking) Alone
25/08/2025 - What (the F*ck) is Perimenopause?
01/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Didn’t Anyone Tell Us?
08/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Don’t I Feel Like Me Anymore
15/09/2025 - How (the F*ck) Do I Get Help?
22/09/2025 - How Do We Fix the (F*cking) Systems?
About Em:
Em Rusciano is one of Australia’s most vibrant and fearless multi-talented performers; writer, singer, comedian, producer, disability advocate, and podcaster whose heartfelt, unfiltered storytelling has made her a powerful voice on neurodivergence, gender equity, and the lived experience of the hormonal hellscape that is perimenopause.
Best known for her hit podcast Emsolation, where she and her best friend of 30 years, award-winning screenwriter Michael Lucas (Offspring, Party Tricks, Rosehaven, The Newsreader) deliver an unpredictable mix of deeply personal anecdotes, obsessive pop culture dissections, and truly unhinged movie and TV reviews.
On Anomalous, she turned her spotlight toward ADHD and Autism in a project that doubles as “a love letter to the neurodivergent community and a roadmap for neurotypical people.”
Now, in Rage Against the Vagine, Em is bringing the same fearless honesty and sharp humour to smashing the stigma around perimenopause, un-gaslighting the lived experience, and arming listeners with solidarity, knowledge, and solutions.
Amid all of that, she’s preparing to release a laugh-out-loud yet profound memoir titled Blood, Sweat and Glitter, scheduled for publication in October 2025- a searing, joyful account of neurodivergence, perimenopause, burnout, and reinvention.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
PS If you’re looking for “Rage Against the Menopause” by Patrina Jones, it's another handy resource and you’ll find it over on LiSTNR, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Rage Against the Vagine is a six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano about perimenopause, patriarchy, and the midlife medical gaslighting we’re done putting up with.
This isn’t your decline…it’s your reckoning.
Combining lived experience with insights from top menopause-informed doctors, researchers, and psychologists, this series gets honest about what's happening to our bodies and brains during perimenopause, and why so few of us were warned.
Each episode dives into one of six big questions - from “Why the fuck didn’t anyone tell us?” to “How the fuck do I get help?”
Expect documentary-style storytelling, fierce honesty, and the kind of clarity you wish you'd had years ago. You’ll laugh, cry, maybe scream into a pillow...but importantly, we hope you walk away with language, validation, and strategies to take into your own life (and GP appointment).
This podcast isn’t medical advice. It’s about sharing stories and expert perspectives to help you feel seen. Science is still catching up to lived experience, and not every doctor is trained in menopause care. If something here resonates, take it to a trusted healthcare professional. Your story deserves to be heard and validated.
New episodes every Monday through August and September.
Episode Schedule:
18/08/2025 - You Are Not (F*cking) Alone
25/08/2025 - What (the F*ck) is Perimenopause?
01/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Didn’t Anyone Tell Us?
08/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Don’t I Feel Like Me Anymore
15/09/2025 - How (the F*ck) Do I Get Help?
22/09/2025 - How Do We Fix the (F*cking) Systems?
About Em:
Em Rusciano is one of Australia’s most vibrant and fearless multi-talented performers; writer, singer, comedian, producer, disability advocate, and podcaster whose heartfelt, unfiltered storytelling has made her a powerful voice on neurodivergence, gender equity, and the lived experience of the hormonal hellscape that is perimenopause.
Best known for her hit podcast Emsolation, where she and her best friend of 30 years, award-winning screenwriter Michael Lucas (Offspring, Party Tricks, Rosehaven, The Newsreader) deliver an unpredictable mix of deeply personal anecdotes, obsessive pop culture dissections, and truly unhinged movie and TV reviews.
On Anomalous, she turned her spotlight toward ADHD and Autism in a project that doubles as “a love letter to the neurodivergent community and a roadmap for neurotypical people.”
Now, in Rage Against the Vagine, Em is bringing the same fearless honesty and sharp humour to smashing the stigma around perimenopause, un-gaslighting the lived experience, and arming listeners with solidarity, knowledge, and solutions.
Amid all of that, she’s preparing to release a laugh-out-loud yet profound memoir titled Blood, Sweat and Glitter, scheduled for publication in October 2025- a searing, joyful account of neurodivergence, perimenopause, burnout, and reinvention.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
PS If you’re looking for “Rage Against the Menopause” by Patrina Jones, it's another handy resource and you’ll find it over on LiSTNR, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Think perimenopause is just hot flushes?
THINK. AGAIN.
In this episode, Em and a powerhouse lineup of doctors and experts unpack what’s really going on in your body… because, get this, there are hormone receptors every-f*cking-where! We’re talking body-wide chemical chaos, brain rewiring, and the weird, blindsiding symptoms that make you second-guess your own sanity.
It’s science-meets-storytelling with clarity, validation, and the occasional swear word to get you through - plus the truth about why this hormonal storm is not “just aging.”
The Voices You’ll Hear
A/Prof Nellie Torkamani | Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, Endocrinologist at Austin Health, @nilou_far123
Dr Kelly Teagle | GP, Founder and Principal Clinician of WellFemme, @wellfemme
Dr Nicole Higgins | Practice Principal (Health on Central, Mackay), GP and former President of RACGP
Dr Alecia Macrow | GP, Founder Thrive Family Practice & Endo Untangled Podcast, @dr_alecia_macrow @thrive_family_practice @endo_untangled
Dr Fatima Kahn | Woman's Health Doctor & Hormone Expert, @drfatimakhan_
A/Prof Caroline Gurvich | Clinical Neuropsychologist, Associate Professor (Research), HER Centre Australia and Head of Cognition and Hormones Group, Monash University, @hercentreaustralia
Dr Hannah Chapman | PMDD & Perimenopause expert @dr_hannah_chapman
Professor Odette Best | Pro Vice-Chancellor (First Nations Strategy), University of Southern Queensland
Dr Kerryn Drysdale | Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW
Karni Liddell | Disability Advocate, Inclusive Employment Leader, Social Worker & Paralympian, @karniliddell
Rage Committee | ~1000 total legends in the thick of it
Resources, References & Rabbit Holes
Lifeline | 13 11 14 | Text 0477 13 11 14 (24/7) | lifeline.org.au
13 YARN | 13 92 76 | 13yarn.org.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service available 24/7
Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue | 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au/forums
StandBy Support After Suicide | 1300 727 247
QLife | 1800 184 527 | qlife.org.au | LGBTIQ+ service available 3pm – midnight
A/Prof Carolion Gurvich Article | How hormones and the menstrual cycle can affect women with ADHD: Five common questions
Her Centre | Menopause Depression | Cognition and Hormones
WellFemme | Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Webinar | ADHD In the Menopausal Transition | Menopausal Treatments after Early Menopause or Cancer
Endo Untangled | Podcast
Jean Hailes | Medically Induced Menopause
Reminder
This episode of Rage Against the Vagine touches on themes of mental health and suicide. If it brings anything up for you, know you're not alone and support is always available. You can reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 any time.
This isn’t medical advice. It’s information, validation, and the conversations we wish we’d heard sooner. Everyone’s experience of perimenopause is different, so take what’s useful, leave the rest, and check in with your doctor or care team before making any changes.
NEXT: Ep 3 - Why (the F*ck) Didn’t Anyone Tell Us - drops Monday 1 September
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
To help you take ‘me time’, Wotif is offering listeners a 10% discount off select hotels. Enter promo code Listen10 at checkout when you book at wotif.com or on the Wotif app. See wotif.com/listen for t&cs.
Welcome to the first full episode of Rage Against the Vagine. We originally planned to start with the symptoms and the science, but after connecting with our Rage Committee (instead of hearing from so many of you), we realised we had to start by breaking the silence. The most important thing you told us you needed: connection and to feel seen. This episode is dedicated to that, featuring Em's friends, Myf Warhurst, Ella Hooper, Melissa Leong and Lizzy Hoo, plus our brilliant experts and the amazing Rage Committee who set us on this path, to ensure you know that whilst no one's perimenopause journey is the same, you are most certainly 100% NOT f*cking alone.
The Voices You’ll Hear
Dr Alecia Macrow | GP, Founder Thrive Family Practice & Endo Untangled Podcast, @dr_alecia_macrow @thrive_family_practice @endo_untangled
Wil Stracke | Assistant Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Council, @wilstracke
A/Prof Caroline | Clinical Neuropsychologist, Associate Professor (Research), HER Centre Australia and Head of Cognition and Hormones Group, Monash University, @hercentreaustralia
Professor Odette Best | Pro Vice-Chancellor (First Nations Strategy), University of Southern Queensland
Dr Hannah Chapman | Women's Health GP / PMDD & Perimenopause Expert, @dr_hannah_chapman
Dr Yvonne McCartney | GP and Co-Founder Menopause Health Geelong, @menopause_health_geelong
Lizzy Hoo | Comendian, @lizzyhoo
Ella Hooper | Singer/Songwriter, @ella_hooper
Melissa Leong | Journalist, Presenter, Writer, @fooderati
Myf Warhurst | Broadcaster, Journalist, Writer, @myfwarhurst
Rage Committee | ~1000 total legends in the thick of it
Resources, References & Rabbit Holes
Myf Warhurst's ABC series - The Truth About Menopause 🔗https://iview.abc.net.au/show/truth-about-menopause-with-myf-warhurst
Ella Hooper's solo track "Oh My Goddess" 🔗 https://open.spotify.com/track/7wR75YBqLAkwC5V4XA2iof
Melissa Leong’s new book - Guts 🔗 https://www.booktopia.com.au/guts-melissa-leong/book/9781922616760.html?srsltid=AfmBOop3uuC2_btQ8KrW4-XHda2ySMLi2xo3dfIeFgaHiUx3LUwbeyS1
Reminder
This is not medical advice. It’s validation, solidarity, and hopefully a shove towards finding the support you deserve. Everyone’s experience is different. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and talk to your doctor or care team about what’s right for you.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
NEXT: Ep 2 - What (the F*ck) is Perimenopause - drops Monday 25 August
Before we dive headfirst into the chaos of perimenopause, patriarchy and medical gaslighting, this prologue is your 101 guide to Rage Against the Vagine - the six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano that’s here to help you feel less alone and a lot more informed.
Think of this episode as your pre-game warm-up: what the podcast’s about, why we made it, and how it might just give you the language, clarity and validation you’ve been missing.
This isn’t medical advice, but it is a fierce, funny, and honest look at what so many of us are going through.
Episode 1, You Are Not (F*cking) Alone, drops on August 18 with new episodes every Monday through August and September.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
Official trailer for Rage Against the Vagine. Em Rusciano, alongside top experts and her Rage Committee, unpacks perimenopause, patriarchy, and the medical gaslighting we’re done putting up with. Prologue drops Monday 11 August. Episode 1 follows the week after. Six episodes. One massive midlife wake-up call.
Rage Against the Vagine is a six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano about perimenopause, patriarchy, and the midlife medical gaslighting we’re done putting up with.
This isn’t your decline…it’s your reckoning.
Combining lived experience with insights from top menopause-informed doctors, researchers, and psychologists, this series gets honest about what's happening to our bodies and brains during perimenopause, and why so few of us were warned.
Each episode dives into one of six big questions - from “Why the fuck didn’t anyone tell us?” to “How the fuck do I get help?”
Expect documentary-style storytelling, fierce honesty, and the kind of clarity you wish you'd had years ago. You’ll laugh, cry, maybe scream into a pillow...but importantly, we hope you walk away with language, validation, and strategies to take into your own life (and GP appointment).
This podcast isn’t medical advice. It’s about sharing stories and expert perspectives to help you feel seen. Science is still catching up to lived experience, and not every doctor is trained in menopause care. If something here resonates, take it to a trusted healthcare professional. Your story deserves to be heard and validated.
New episodes every Monday through August and September.
Episode Schedule:
18/08/2025 - You Are Not (F*cking) Alone
25/08/2025 - What (the F*ck) is Perimenopause?
01/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Didn’t Anyone Tell Us?
08/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Don’t I Feel Like Me Anymore
15/09/2025 - How (the F*ck) Do I Get Help?
22/09/2025 - How Do We Fix the (F*cking) Systems?
About Em:
Em Rusciano is one of Australia’s most vibrant and fearless multi-talented performers; writer, singer, comedian, producer, disability advocate, and podcaster whose heartfelt, unfiltered storytelling has made her a powerful voice on neurodivergence, gender equity, and the lived experience of the hormonal hellscape that is perimenopause.
Best known for her hit podcast Emsolation, where she and her best friend of 30 years, award-winning screenwriter Michael Lucas (Offspring, Party Tricks, Rosehaven, The Newsreader) deliver an unpredictable mix of deeply personal anecdotes, obsessive pop culture dissections, and truly unhinged movie and TV reviews.
On Anomalous, she turned her spotlight toward ADHD and Autism in a project that doubles as “a love letter to the neurodivergent community and a roadmap for neurotypical people.”
Now, in Rage Against the Vagine, Em is bringing the same fearless honesty and sharp humour to smashing the stigma around perimenopause, un-gaslighting the lived experience, and arming listeners with solidarity, knowledge, and solutions.
Amid all of that, she’s preparing to release a laugh-out-loud yet profound memoir titled Blood, Sweat and Glitter, scheduled for publication in October 2025- a searing, joyful account of neurodivergence, perimenopause, burnout, and reinvention.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
PS If you’re looking for “Rage Against the Menopause” by Patrina Jones, it's another handy resource and you’ll find it over on LiSTNR, or wherever you get your podcasts.
