Standing by watching a loved one's addiction can be heartbreaking and confusing. One in ten Australian's struggle with a substance disorder and one in five experience gambling harm. For every person struggling with an addiction, there are people close to them. The wives, mothers, sisters and children watching their addictions play havoc with their lives. Yumi Stynes sits down with women who've been on the sidelines of someone else's addiction, and who've found a path through a challenging situation. In this episode you'll hear how to look after your own mental health as a carer and how to have those difficult conversations. Featured in this episode:  Caroline Thain, Manager of Clinical Advice and Governance at Headspace  Special thanks to Dr Steph Kershaw from the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use for her help with this episode.  Helpful resources:  National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015   SHARC's Family Drug and Gambling Helpline 1300 660 068  Lifeline on 13 11 14  Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36  Headspace on 1800 650 890  Matilda Centre resources for mental health and substance use What to listen to next:  Mental health: Anxiety and how to beat it  Mental health: Overcoming depression  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This episode will answer questions like:  How can I look after myself if my loved one has an addiction?  What does gambling harms and addiction look like?  What is it like to live with someone with alcohol dependence?  How can alcohol dependence affect families?  What is the financial impact of a gambling addiction?  How can I help someone addicted to poker machines?  How can I help someone with an addiction?  This episode contains references to mental health, gambling, poker machines, addiction, alcohol dependence, Al Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, support group, psychologist, alcohol and other drugs, counselling, boundaries. 

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition facing women. One in three will be diagnosed in her lifetime. From overwhelming worry to spiralling thoughts, panic attacks to avoidance, anxiety can have a huge impact. But the good news is that we know how to treat it. In part two of this three-part mental health series, Yumi Stynes chats to Julie Goodwin, of MasterChef fame, to understand how she got on top of her crippling anxiety. She also sits down with neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Professor Bronwyn Graham to talk anxiety-busting strategies. The episode explores how hormones, sleep, lifestyle, and medication can impact anxiety and help you emerge stronger than ever. Featured in this episode: Professor Bronwyn Graham, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Julie Goodwin, cook and author If you need someone to talk to, call:  Lifeline on 13 11 14  Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467  Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36  Headspace on 1800 650 890  QLife on 1800 184 527  What to listen to next:  Mental health: Overcoming depression  The price of perfectionism  How to give zero f*cks    Perimenopause: lifting the brain fog  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This mini-series will answer questions like:  How do women experience anxiety differently to men?  What does anxiety feel like?  What are the physical manifestations of anxiety?  What is the role of hormones in women’s anxiety?  How does sleep impact anxiety?  What can exercise and diet do for anxiety?  What are effective treatments for anxiety?  This episode contains references to mental health, anxiety, panic disorder, panic attacks, generalised anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, perfectionism, psychiatric facility, medication, suicide, family, parenting, work-life balance. 

Hey ladies, we are working on an episode about women who’ve taken a break from their long-term relationship, to follow their own path for a little while. If you’ve hit pause on your relationship in the hopes of getting back together stronger than before, we want to hear from you (whether it worked out in the end or not!) If this is you, or a woman you know, drop us a line at ladies@abc.net.au

One in six women will get depression in their lifetime, compared with one in ten men. So, is it hormones or circumstances or a combination of both that's makes us more susceptible? And importantly, how can we confront the black dog if it's at our door? In part one of this three-part series, Yumi Stynes sits down with women who've been in the grips of depression to understand how they overcame it. She also lays out the essential ingredients for good mental health. Featured in this episode: Professor Bronwyn Graham, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist If you need someone to talk to, call:  Lifeline on 13 11 14  Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800  Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467  Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36  Headspace on 1800 650 890  QLife on 1800 184 527  Come and see a live recording of the podcast in Sydney on October 16. Yumi’s in conversation with Sophie Gilbert, author of Girl on Girl: How pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves. Tickets here!   What to listen to next:  Loneliness — you're not alone  The price of perfectionism  How to give zero f*cks    Perimenopause: lifting the brain fog  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This mini-series will answer questions like:  How do women experience mental health conditions differently to men?  What does depression feel like?  Is depression the same as feeling sad?  What is the role of hormones in women’s depression?  How does sleep impact depression?  What can exercise and diet do for depression?  What are effective treatments for depression?  What is Electroconvulsive Therapy?  This episode contains references to mental health, depression, melancholic depression, suicide, antidepressants, SSRIs, medication, hospital, parenting, motherhood, relationships, family, wellness, health, exercise, hormones, stress, sleep, CBT, psychiatric facility, electroconvulsive therapy, ECT. 

One in three women in Australia will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime and one in six will experience depression. This Mental Health Month, it's time to find solutions. In this three-part series, Yumi Stynes chats to leading experts about hacking your brain, hormones, nutrition (and yes, mental load) to feel better. Yumi speaks to women with depression and anxiety about the treatments and lifestyle changes that have helped them feel better. We also look at how to look after your mental health when you love someone with an addiction. Featured in this series: neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Professor Bronwyn Graham, Headspace's Caroline Thain and beloved cook Julie Goodwin. What to listen to next:  Loneliness — you're not alone  The price of perfectionism  How to give zero f*cks    Perimenopause: lifting the brain fog  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next: How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This mini-series will answer questions like:  How do women experience mental health conditions differently to men?  What is the role of hormones in women’s mental health?  What is the role of exercise and diet in mental health?  How do antidepressants work?  What’s it like to stay in a psychiatric hospital?  How do I feel better day to day?  This episode contains references to mental health, anxiety, depression, addiction, SSRIs, medication, hospital, parenting, motherhood, relationships, family, wellness, health. 

Twins Clare and Jessie Stephens have been by each other's side for all of life's firsts. The first day of school, first job, first love, first pregnancy and birth plus that time Clare dyed her hair brown (spoiler alert: disaster). The sisters, both writers and podcasters, live in tandem. They're also competitive high achievers. So what's it like when your best friend is also your harshest critic, most fierce rival and biggest cheerleader? How do you figure out who you are when your identity and DNA are so closely linked with another? Yumi Stynes sits down with the twins for a raucous conversation about the love and war of sisterhood. Clare Stephens is the author of The Worst Thing I've Ever Done and host of The Pile On podcast. Jessie Stephens is the author of Something Bad Is Going to Happen and host of the Mamamia Out Loud podcast. What to listen to next:  Sashi Perera on reinvention  Rosie Waterland and Jamila Rizvi's broken brains  Jessie Tu, on miscarriage and doing motherhood her way  The price of perfectionism  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This episode contains references to pregnancy, miscarriage, jealousy, envy, twin, sisterhood, family, depression, anxiety, relationships, Jessie Stephens pregnancy, identical twins. 

Married mum Deepa Paul didn’t have ‘sleeping with strangers’ on her bingo card. She grew up in the Catholic and conservative Philippines and married her college sweetheart. But underneath, Deepa yearned for more.    Deepa wanted to open up her marriage, but convincing her husband took time and tears. Eventually, they settled on boundaries and set up their dating profiles.  Having sex with new people meant that Deepa could explore her desires without shame. It also sparked a renewal in her marriage.   In her book Ask me how it works: love in an open marriage Deepa answers the questions we all want to know about polyamory.   What to listen to next:  The new way to date  How to have better sex, with Emily Nagoski  Esther Perel will change how you think about intimacy  Oh my kink! Pulling back the covers on BDSM  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:   How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  The dark side of being a perfectionist  Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about  What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?  This episode will answer questions like:  How does polyamory work?  Do people get jealous in open relationships?  What is couples therapy like?  How do you navigate the stigma of an open relationship?  How do you talk to your partner about sex?  How do you talk to your kids about your sex life?  This episode contains references to polyamory, open marriage, wedding, sex, sexuality, marriage, parenting, children, kids, communication, couples therapy, couples counselling, infidelity, cheating, online dating. 

This is a guided meditation to help with chronic pain.   Endometriosis hurts. It can be a gnarling, twisting, stabbing, relentless source of pain. Finding a way through that pain can be overwhelming at times. Meditation can help.   Gynaecological surgeon and endometriosis specialist Dr Pav Nanayakkara guides you through a series of breathing exercises to shift your relationship with pain.   This isn’t a standard Ladies, We Need to Talk episode, it’s a tool for your mindfulness toolbox. One you can come back to any time you need.   These meditations aren't designed to replace medical pain relief or the advice of a good doctor, rather to compliment them. What to listen to next:  Endometriosis: Pain, periods, medical gaslighting The rage in my pelvis When sex hurts Perimenopause: WTF is happening to our bodies Free to bleed: escaping menstrual shame You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about What happens to your sex life during perimenopause? How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood This episode contains references to endometriosis, gynaecology, period pain, chronic pain, pain management, meditation, attention, acceptance, mindfulness, breathing, breath work. 

Around one million Australian women live with endometriosis. That's around one in seven, so chances are you know someone dealing with debilitating pain, medical misogyny and fertility issues because of the disease. Awareness about endometriosis has expanded in the last few years, but there's still a long way to go. Yumi Stynes meets women who've spent a lot of time and money seeking a diagnosis and fighting to be heard. She also sits down with Professor Caroline Ford from the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute at UNSW who offers hope for a future with tailored treatments and less BS. Helpful links: Endometriosis Foundation  (these folks run support groups) National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific trials registry Endometriosis Australia Pelvic Pain foundation Endo Zone What to listen to next: The rage in my pelvis When sex hurts Perimenopause: WTF is happening to our bodies Free to bleed: escaping menstrual shame Shedding the shame of herpes The new way to date You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about What happens to your sex life during perimenopause? How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood This episode will answer questions like: What is endometriosis? How can you tell if you have endometriosis? Is it normal to have painful periods? What are the treatment options for endometriosis? Does endometriosis affect your fertility? Does endometriosis affect your sex life? This episode contains references to endometriosis, gynaecology, period pain, chronic pain, painful sex, medical, gaslighting, medical misogyny, cancer, fertility, infertility, IVF, uterus, lesions, laparoscopy, endo, endometrial tissue, chronic pelvic pain, adenomyosis, dysmenorrhea, chocolate cysts, blood, National Action Plan for Endometriosis.

Artificial Intelligence is supercharging a new era of misogyny. There are more weapons than ever for men to use against women to silence and shame us, chief among them deepfakes (AI generated images and videos). And tech companies and regulators are not doing enough to fight this abuse, which is affecting everyone from schoolgirls to prime ministers. After her book Men Who Hate Women dropped, academic Laura Bates was sent an AI-generated nightmare. It was her face, used in a sexually violent doctored image. Her new book, The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny dives into this wild collision of technology and hate, from deepfake pornography to cyber brothels, chatbots and robot girlfriends. Laura calls out a future where women are easy targets and the rules don't apply. The tech might be new, but the misogyny is old and crusty —and Laura says it's time to fight back and protect women now. Come to our next live show: How pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves What to listen to next: Are our boys ok? Fighting online misogyny with Kate Scott Falling for a narcissist Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter Sashi Perera on reinvention You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: Shame and disgust: Why we find this STI so hard to talk about What happens to your sex life during perimenopause? How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood The dark side of being a perfectionist This episode will address questions like, what does AI mean for women and women's rights? How is technology being used in gender-based violence? What is a deepfake? What is the psychological impact of online abuse? What can I do if there's a deepfake using my image? This episode contains references to pornography, metaverse, online, deepfake, discrimination, inequality, harassment, reddit, social media, sexual assault, abuse, AI, Artificial Intelligence.

Trying to find a life partner on a dating app who's not a gun toting, fish wielding weirdo can be like trying to find a needle in the haystack. But according to Professor Jennie Young, there's a much more empowering way of sorting through all that hay. She's come up with a technique to hack the apps called 'The Burnt Haystack Method' to help women wade through the online swamp. Jennie never thought she would use her academic background to become a dating influencer. She was 50 when she first started online dating and was struck by the onslaught of stilted, mundane, and rude conversations. She kept getting the same advice — make yourself as appealing as possible and give men the benefit of the doubt. But Jennie, along with her army of followers, is turning that advice on its head. She's giving women permission to be as judgemental as possible and be totally yourself along the way. Jennie chats with Yumi Stynes about how to hack the apps and win at dating. Think of this episode as a tool in your arsenal if you're dating, or a trusty guide if you're close to someone who is. What to listen to next: Ditching dating apps Paying for sex at 70 How to have better sex, with Emily Nagoski Rosie Waterland and Jamila Rizvi's broken brains You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. What to read next: The women staying single by choice in a world of relentless dating pressure Sugar babies give rich, older men the 'full girlfriend experience' at a price This episode will address questions like, why are conversations so weird on dating apps? How can I have a better time on dating apps? Who should I avoid on the dating apps? This episode contains references to burned haystack dating method, BHDM, B2B, block to burn, block2burn, Jennie Young, dating apps, couples, partner, love, relationships, dating events, Match Group, Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid, divorce.

Dating apps are a drag. And women are ditching them in droves. Beyond the swiping, more of us are daring to date in real life. Yumi Stynes chats to women moving away from the apps and towards in-person singles events. From post-divorce blind dates to queer speed dating, dinners with strangers and exercise classes, all in the name of finding love. Or at least a little lust. Plus, friend of the pod and Lifestyle Editor at Guardian Australia, Alyx Gorman helps us understand why more women are dating IRL. What to listen to next:   Loneliness — you're not alone  Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink  'All Women Want' — how to have great sex, with Alyx Gorman  Digital dating despair  What to read next:  The women staying single by choice in a world of relentless dating pressure  Sugar babies give rich, older men the 'full girlfriend experience' at a price  Global study shows online dating does not always lead to happy relationships  This episode will address questions like, why are people logging off the dating apps? Where did dating apps go wrong? Why are single in-person events on the rise? You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode contains references to dating apps, single events, couples, partner, love, relationships, dating events, in-person, running clubs, pickle ball, paddle, boxing, Match Group, Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, OkCupid, divorce.

As part of Women's Health Week we're bringing back our episode on Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and the difficulty of getting a diagnosis.  Weight gain, bristly hairs, no period. Welcome to Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome.   PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility worldwide and it can cause debilitating physical and psychological symptoms.  1 in 8 women have PCOS, so that’s at least a couple of friends in your group chat. So why do we still know so little about it?   Yumi Stynes catches up with ladies who’ve been battling PCOS for years and finds out how they get on top of it.  Featured in this episode:  Professor Helena Teede, female endocrine specialist from Monash University This episode will answer questions such as:  What is PCOS?  Why does PCOS cause weight pain? What is the link between PCOS and infertility?  How is PCOS diagnosed?    What to listen to next:  Has Ozempic killed body positivity?  Calling out wellness bullsh*t with Dr Jen Gunter Perimenopause: but aren't I too young?  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  This episode contains references to PCOS, weight gain, excess hair, medical misogyny and infertility.   

Stand-up star Sashi Perera called off her wedding at the last minute. There were tears and tantrums but that wasn't the final time the lawyer-turned-comedian blew up her life. Moving to a country in the middle of civil unrest? Tick. Dating a series of duds? Tick. Quitting a well-paid job for stand-up comedy? Tick. Sashi's redefined what success means to her through career changes, relationship breakdowns and IVF struggles. Yumi Stynes sits down with Sashi to find out how she's learned to run her own race. What to listen to next:  How to give zero f*cks with Gina Chick, Jessie Tu and Anna Broinowski  Jessie Tu, on miscarriage and doing motherhood her way  Emotional labour with Rose Hackman  The price of perfectionism  What to read next:   The price of perfectionism for women  How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood  Sandy seemingly has a perfect marriage, but she’d never been lonelier  You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  This episode contains references to marriage, wedding, runaway bride, comedy, stand-up, dating, Tinder, online dating, shame, depression, mental health, immigrant, immigration, family, IVF, pregnancy, miscarriage, relationships. 

A herpes diagnosis can come with a whole lot of stigma, but it shouldn't. Around 15% of us carry the antibodies to genital herpes, making it one of the most common STIs in Australia. Yumi Stynes finds out what it's like hearing you have herpes for the first time and how to best manage. From itching to tell partners to soothing your symptoms and how to keep sex humming.  Plus, STI expert Dr Ellie Freedman explains the science behind the virus and how it changes over time. You might also like: The secret lives of vaginas Esther Perel — how to have a hard conversation This episode contains references to genital herpes, herpes simplex virus type one, herpes simplex virus type two, antibodies, sexual health, womens health, shame, stigma, mental health, vagina, vulva.

Approaching her 70th birthday, Gail Rice booked herself an appointment with a sex worker. She'd never done anything like it in her life. As a younger woman, Gail had enjoyed a string of sexual and romantic partners. As the years passed, her sexual currency dwindled and she was hungry for intimacy. But exchanging money for sex taught Gail much more about herself than she was expecting. This is a story about erotic power, ageing and finding the courage to ask for what you want.  You might also like:  Loneliness – you're not alone  Sugar babies – dating men for money  This episode contains references to sex work, escort, ageing, older Australians, older women, eroticism, sex, orgasm, erotic massage, people pleasing, gender, orgasm gap, relationships, monogamy, dating apps, online dating.  

Ozempic has entered the group chat. Since GLP-1 agonist drugs burst onto the scene, they've been hailed as a weight-loss game changer, but they've also raised uncomfortable questions about what bodies are acceptable, or not. For years, the body inclusivity movement pushed back against the idea that only thin bodies can be 'healthy' but Ozempic & co are drowning out this message. So, what do these drugs mean for fat liberation? And how can we shift our collective thinking around weight and morality? Yumi Stynes chats to a panel of amazing women about the impact of this new generation of weight-loss drugs and how we can all find ways to be kinder to our bodies. Featured in this conversation: Dr Emma Beckett, nutritionist Evie Gardiner, size inclusivity advocate Nat Atkinson, Mum, taking Wegovy You might also like: The Ozempic era I'm fat, don't hate me—Aubrey Gordon Fat talk This episode contains references to fat, fatphobia, weight stigma, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, GLP-1 agonists, semaglutide, obesity, diet, diet culture, women, body image, self-esteem, bullying, weight loss.

Having blah sex? You've CUM to the right place. Dr Emily Nagoski has the tools for you. The renowned sex educator and author of Come as You Are, Burnout and Come Together brings the wisdom of psychology and sex research to the fore. She chats with Yumi Stynes about the science behind our sex drives and how we can bring back the chutzpah in the bedroom. (R) You might also like: Is everyone having better sex than me? https://bit.ly/4okf9LO Perimenopause: how to have better sex https://ab.co/47bAC3s This episode contains references to sex, long-term relationships, marriage, libido, sex drive, heterosexual relationships, queer, gender, mental load. 

Unrelenting standards, high expectations and a fierce, reprimanding inner critic. Perfectionism is often celebrated, but striving for flawlessness comes at a cost. There’s lots of ways we, as women feel pressure to be perfect: be the perfect partner, the perfect mother, have the perfect body. But, of course, perfectionism is always out of reach. So, how can we learn to be kinder to ourselves and let go, even just a little?   Yumi Stynes meets women whose perfectionism has consumed their lives. She learns what happens when a perfectionist f*cks up, and how to recover. Plus, clinical psychologist Eileen Seah shares tips on how we can all accept our imperfect selves.   You might also like:   Anxious? We got you   Penny Moodie’s OCD  This episode contains references to perfectionism, procrastination, anxiety, depression, relationships, parenting, striving, IVF, fertility, career, eating disorders, self-criticism, psychology, therapy. 

Hannah Diviney never saw herself reflected in pop culture. And she definitely didn't see herself as the object of desire. Growing up with cerebral palsy, Hannah watched on as rom-coms and teen dramas depicted able-bodied bombshells fall in love, snog their guts out and have sex. All these experiences, it seemed, were out of reach for her. It meant that Hannah had the demanding job of being her own role model. She had to be the change she wanted to see. You might also like:  Sex and the D word  Your sex and disability stories  This episode contains references to: dating, relationships, disability, sex, sex scenes, television, entertainment industry, fear, anxiety, body image, Beyonce, Lizzo, Latecomers.