Our Favourite Drug Professor David Nutt is a psychiatrist and the Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology in Imperial College London and Chief Research Officer of Awaknlifesciences. He is currently Founding Chair of the charity DrugScience.org.uk and has been president of the European Brain Council, the BAP, BNA, and ECNP. David has published 35 books and over 1000 research papers that define his many landmark contributions to psychopharmacology including GABA and noradrenaline receptor function in anxiety disorders, serotonin function in depression, endorphin and dopamine function in addiction and the neuroscience and clinical utility of psychedelics. Some of his research has been made into films e.g. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8661404 on Netflix and https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000w7bq on the BBC and a play https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43887749-all-you-need-is-lsd . He broadcasts widely to the general public on pharmacology and psychiatric matters, has over 60k followers on twitter and has his own very popular podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-drug-science-podcast/id1474603382 . Some of his key books are: Drugs Without the Hot Air: Minimising the Harms of Legal and Illegal Drugs Drink?: The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health Nutt Uncut Brain and Mind Made Simple Cannabis (Seeing through the Smoke): The New Science of Cannabis and Your Health Psychedelics: The Revolutionary Drugs That Could Change Your Life — A Guide from the Expert David Nutt’s landmark Lancet paper in 2010 compared 20 legal and illegal drugs across 16 types of harm and found that, overall, alcohol was the most harmful drug. Large studies show that among people aged 15–49, alcohol is one of the leading risk factors for death and disability worldwide, and in England it is the biggest risk factor for ill health, disability and death in this age group. Yet drinking is still normalised in today’s society. There is some good news: young people are, on average, drinking less than previous generations. At the same time, older adults are now the most likely to exceed the UK low-risk guidelines. From this podcast we hope people can make more informed choices about why they drink alcohol – and feel encouraged to reduce their drinking to safer levels. Credits: Date of episode recording: 2025-11-26 Duration: 01.22.13 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Professor David Nutt Producer: Joyce Harper Podcast owner: Joyce Harper
Pauliina Damdimopoulou is a Professor of Reproductive Biology at the Department of Women's and Children's Health at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. With over 15 years of experience in endocrinology, reproductive biology and toxicology, Pauliina’s team are investigating the effects of chemicals on female fertility. Her ambition is to generate evidence-based information on the risks of chemical exposures and pharmaceutical treatments to human ovaries and oocytes, and to thereby contribute to the development of a chemically safer society. She co-leads the Environmental Endocrinology Focus Area of the European Society of Endocrinology. Instagram: @damdimopoulou_lab https://ki.se/en/people/pauliina-damdimopoulou Do you know how many untested or minimally tested chemicals there are in our environment, how they are tested, and how they can affect our health, fertility and the health of our children? Pauliina knows the answers to these questions. And it’s really worrying to hear her talk about this. She said we should be upset, we should be angry, and we need to act. Plastics are a major issue, and they’re everywhere. But it doesn’t stop there — many of the products we use daily, including make-up, perfume, clothes wash, cleaning products and much more, contain chemicals like phthalates and parabens which can affect our hormones and health. These are all around us, yet we can take steps to reduce our exposure. I hope this podcast gives you the insight and confidence to cut down the chemicals in your life and support your long-term health. Credits: Date of episode recording: 2025-11-21 Duration: 01.08.01 Language of episode: English Presenter:Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Professor Pauliina Damdimopoulou Producer: Joyce Harper Names of the podcast owner: Joyce Harper
Nerys is a human nutrition scientist with a strong interest in clinical trial methodology and evidence-based medicine. Nerys has worked at the University of Manchester and the New York Obesity Research Center at Columbia University in New York City. She is currently Associate Professor in diet and obesity in the Health Behaviours Team at the University of Oxford. Her main interests are how dietary manipulations impact weight management and the regulation of energy intake. She leads a programme exploring the effect of dietary interventions and weight management before, during and after pregnancy can influence health of mothers and their children. Nerys explains why maintaining a healthy weight is so important. Obesity is a major global health concern, increasing the risk of many chronic diseases and reducing quality of life. Yet today, we are constantly bombarded by clever marketing of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods. Perhaps it’s time to focus on eating for quality rather than quantity. Nerys also explores how a healthy weight supports fertility, pregnancy, and the health of our children, as well as the challenges of weight gain as we age — for both men and women. We discuss the many approaches people take to lose weight — from diet plans and exercise to weight-loss medications — and emphasise the importance of finding a sustainable nutrition plan that truly works for you. Date of episode recording: 2025-11-03 Duration: 00.58.44 Language of episode: English Presenter:Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Dr Nerys Astbury Producer: Joyce Harper Podcast Owner: Joyce Harper
Partha is the National Specialty Advisor on Diabetes with NHS England and co-author of the national Diabetes GIRFT report. He has been a Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust since 2008- and pioneer of the Super Six Diabetes Model which is recognised as one of the good examples of integrated care. He has helped to expand use of technology in Type 1 Diabetes- namely use of Flash Glucose and continuous glucose monitoring in pregnancy and online digital self-management platforms- while recently leading on real world data collection on Closed Loops for subsequent NICE review. He has many other projects including recently helping to create an overview of Diabetes care in Primary Care Networks, Co-creator of TAD (Talking About Diabetes) – TED talks from those with T1Diabetes and Co- creator of Type 1 Diabetes comic (Volume 1 to 3). He received an OBE in the New Years Honours List in 2021 for “services to diabetes care” He is one of the leading users of social media in diabetes care- and writes a monthly blog for the BMJ, has a personal blog (“Sugar and Spice: Wish all things were nice”) and along with a podcast (“Sweet Talking”) Beyond diabetes, he also recently taken a role in tackling issues of racial disparity in the medical workforce as the Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard lead for NHS England. He has also been named as one of the most influential BAME individuals in healthcare in 2020,2021 and 2022. Over four million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with Type 2 being the most common form. In this podcast, we’ll explore the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes — including their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments — and discuss gestational diabetes. We’ll look at why diabetes is more common in certain populations and what can be done to reduce the risks. There have been major advances in diabetes care, from insulin pumps to continuous glucose monitors. Partha will also share insights into the vital role of lifestyle in managing Type 2 diabetes and how new treatments, including weight-loss injections, are transforming diabetic care. Date of episode recording: 2025-10-20Duration: 00.41.57Language of episode: EnglishPresenter: Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Professor Partha KarProducer and Podcast Owner: Joyce Harper
Navigating the Wild West of Menopause Amanda Thebe is a Fitness and Women’s Health Expert. She is the author of the Amazon best-selling book, Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too! With nearly 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, Amanda is a highly-regarded expert on women’s fitness and health. She is the co-founder and Chief Wellness and Branding Officer at Nyah Health, a complete healthcare solution for menopausal women in Canada. She is Canada’s first menopause workplace educator. She is a popular guest on podcasts, radio, TV and online summits, and she brings a refreshing humour and no-nonsense approach to subjects usually shrouded in shame. Her exercise workouts, health and fitness tips have been featured in Oprah, Shape, Prevention, Health Line, CBC Radio, Global News Canada, The Doctors and many more. https://amandathebe.com/ Instagram: @amanda.thebe Are you ready for this? Amanda and Joyce leave no stone unturned. They begin with an honest, evidence-based discussion of hormone therapy, aligning with the guidance from menopause societies. Together, they explore why some influencers and even doctors go rogue, creating two very different camps. One promotes hormone therapy as a preventative medicine, which would suggest that all women should take it. The other, supported by the menopause societies, recognises its proven benefits: hormone therapy can be effective for hot flushes, night sweats, some vaginal and vulval issues, and possibly certain psychological symptoms—but it is not a preventative medicine. It has an important role, but it is not for everyone. Amanda shares how she struggled with hormone therapy, and how her doctor astonishingly suggested a hysterectomy so she could take oestrogen-only therapy. Joyce and Amanda explain why that advice was, frankly, insane. They also stress that menopause is not a hormone deficiency disorder. The conversation moves on to the clever marketing aimed at women of a certain age. From supplements to face creams, shampoos to chocolate, Amanda and Joyce discuss how the placebo effect can be powerful—many women truly believe these products make them feel better. This year’s theme for World Menopause Day is lifestyle medicine. Amanda highlights how vital lifestyle is for health but also points out the misleading claims women are bombarded with—from weighted vests to warnings that postmenopausal women should avoid cardio and only lift heavy weights. The message here is clear: let’s make lifestyle sexy by embracing nourishing food and regular exercise. In the wild west of menopause, women are often criticised for calling out misinformation. But this is not about women failing to support each other—it is about challenging medical inaccuracies. Their message is simple: beware of anyone trying to sell you something, whether it’s a prescription, a supplement, or even “menopause chocolate.” Trust the advice from the menopause societies. And, as Joyce jokes, hopefully they won’t get sued for saying so! Date of episode recording: 2025-09-11 Duration: 01.22.57 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Amanda Thebe Producer: Joyce Harper Podcast owner: Joyce Harper
Professor Neil Gittoes is Consultant Endocrinologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham and Honorary Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Birmingham with honours in medicine and anatomical studies and has a PhD in molecular endocrinology. Neil is recognised nationally and internationally for his work in metabolic bone diseases including osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency and disorders of calcium homeostasis. He has co-authored recent international guidance on management of parathyroid diseases and UK guidance on osteoporosis. Neil was awarded the Goulstonian Lectureship at the Royal College of Physicians, London and has had many key roles, including being the current chair of the Royal Osteoporosis Society. https://theros.org.uk/Did you know you can check your risk of osteoporosis with a quick online tool from the Royal Osteoporosis Society? Just pop onto their website and try the risk checker. If it shows you’re at high risk, it’s worth speaking to your doctor, who may suggest a bone density scan. The good thing is that osteoporosis is largely preventable. Neil talked us through how our bones change as we get older. Half of all women over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, and so will one in five men. Genetics play a big part—about 70 to 80% of our risk comes from our genes—so it’s important to know your family history. But lifestyle matters just as much. Doing regular weight-bearing exercise, cutting down on alcohol, not smoking, keeping vitamin D levels up, and eating enough protein and calcium can all help protect your bones. The tricky thing about osteoporosis is that it’s a silent disease—you don’t feel it happening. But the good news is that there are effective treatments. Some are one-off or short courses, and you don’t need to be on lifelong medication. We also touched on whether women should take HRT to prevent osteoporosis, and Neil had some interesting views. He also explained why getting a diagnosis of osteopenia isn’t something to panic about. Another key point Neil made is how important lifestyle is before the age of 25—that’s when we reach our peak bone mass. So if there’s one message for younger people, it’s that the choices you make in your teens and twenties, especially around exercise, can shape your bone health and your risk of chronic conditions later in life. Date of episode recording: 2025-09-26 Duration: 01.04.57 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Professor Neil Gittoes Producer: Joyce Harper
Dr Sarah McKay is a neuroscientist and science communicator and runs The Neuroscience Academy – which provides online training in brain health and applied neuroscience for health. Sarah was born in New Zealand. She obtained her MSc and PhD from Oxford University then moved to Australia, where she conducted five years of postdoctoral research on spinal cord injury. Sarah shares brain science with a clear, science-first voice ... no fluff, no headlines ... just solid research, translated into useful, real-world insights. She has written three books: Baby Brain, The women’s brain book, and brain health for dummies. Her 2015 TEDx talk espoused the virtues of afternoon naps. She lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where she writes, teaches, swims in the ocean year-round, and turns complex neuroscience into practical tools and accessible stories. https://drsarahmckay.com/ Instagram: @drsarahmckay Most of us know someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. In this podcast, we separate fact from myth: what are the symptoms, can we reduce our risk, are women more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s, and much more. One of the most striking findings is that around 45% of dementia cases are considered preventable. The choices we make around lifestyle—nutrition, exercise, limiting alcohol, staying mentally and socially engaged, and looking after our hearing and eyesight—can all play a role, according to major dementia and Alzheimer’s organisations. We also address some of the claims circulating on social media about menopause and dementia/Alzheimer’s —for example, the idea that hormone therapy can prevent dementia. Sarah sets the record straight: unfortunately, this isn’t true. She has faced criticism online for challenging this myth, but calling out misinformation is not about women undermining women; it’s about ensuring we share facts rather than perpetuate inaccuracies. That said, research does suggest that frequent hot flushes may be linked to an increased risk. There’s still much more to learn, but what we do know is already powerful. By understanding the evidence on dementia and Alzheimer’s today, we can start taking steps to lower our risk. Date of episode recording: 2025-09-10 Duration: 01.20.12 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Dr Sarah McKay Producer: Joyce Harper
Nerina is a physiologist, Sleep Expert, Author & keynote speaker, who is dedicated to helping people and organisations to thrive, sleep more deeply and live more joyfully. Nerina spent a decade conducting sleep and wellness programmes at Nightingale Hospital in London, coaches on burnout prevention at Ashridge Business School and is the original founder of BUPA’s Corporate Wellbeing Solutions. Nerina works with individuals as well as numerous corporate clients from various industries including sport (Chelsea Football Club). She is particularly interested in how, post-pandemic, organisations and individuals can thrive rather than merely survive. Her recently published 4th book Finding Inner Safety (Capstone, 2022) suggests that an important way forward in these volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) times is to tap into our deepest sources of resilience and inner safety. Many of her keynotes and presentations are focused on showing organisations and individuals how to do this. Nerina is the author of three other books: Tired But Wired (Souvenir Press, 2010), Fast Asleep, Wide Awake (Thorsons, 2016), and The Little Book of Sleep: The Art of Natural Sleep (Gaia, 2018). Her work is often featured in the media including TV and Radio. www.drnerina.com @drnerina Joyce and Nerina have known each other for over 40 years, since they first met while doing their PhDs — which makes this episode particularly special. Both are deeply passionate about the idea of reclaiming joy. In this conversation, Nerina explores what joy really is. It’s not always easy to define. ChatGPT describes it as a deep feeling of happiness, delight, or contentment that often arises spontaneously — not always triggered by something external. Nerina expands on this, explaining why joy is so essential for both our physical and mental wellbeing. Of course, joy looks different for everyone. We each have to discover what brings us joy in our own way. Nerina argues that joy should be recognised as a priority not just in our personal lives, but also in schools and workplaces — right alongside sleep. This is the final episode in the mini-series on reclaiming joy for 2025. I hope it’s sparked some ideas and inspiration for how you might reconnect with your own sense of joy. I’ll be back with another mini-series on joy and happiness next year — so stay tuned.Date of episode recording: 2025-07-30T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.14.09Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Dr Nerina RamlakhanProducer: Joyce Harper
Debbie is a spiritual coach, certified grief recovery specialist, teacher of multiple Yoga lineages, menopause coach and much more. She is a certified in many types of yoga and is accredited by the Yoga Alliance, with over 25 years' yoga experience. Debbie is also trained in Mental Health, and Occupational Safety and Health. Debbie was born into an environment marked by dysfunction and has navigated a world without safety or guidance. From this experience she brings together the transformative power of movement, mindfulness, spirituality, and healing into a cohesive experience that truly supports people in their journey. She has created something that is both essential and expansive, a sanctuary for those seeking not just physical wellness but a deeper connection to themselves. She runs 1:1 sessions, workshops and retreats and offers eco-conscious yoga accessories and a range of sustainable clothing, embodying her commitment to the environment. Website www.theyogajunkie.co.uk/ Instagram: @theyogajunkie After meeting Debbie at the Big Retreat Festival and experiencing her incredible 90-minute sound bath, I knew I had to invite her onto the podcast. Many people still don’t know what a sound bath is or why they might want to attend one — so in this episode, Debbie walks us through the whole experience. She explains what a sound bath actually is, the instruments she uses, and how these sounds can affect both the body and the mind. She also describes what to expect from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. For many, it can be a deeply calming and even transformative experience — I personally feel completely relaxed and reset after one. I especially love floating sound baths, which we also talk about. In Debbie’s studio in Wales, participants are suspended in hammocks for a truly unique experience. We also explore what yoga means to Debbie, and how she supports people navigating menopause and grief through her practice. If you’ve never tried a sound bath before, I hope this episode inspires you to give it a go. I’d love to hear what you think.Date of episode recording: 2025-07-31T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.07.09Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Debbie Robinson - the Yoga JunkieProducer: Joyce Harper
What can I say about this woman? Lu in Luland, AKA Lou Featherstone is a 50-something mom on a mission to help women of all ages unlock their potential and become as confident as they can be. Hence, the Self Love Revolution Tour! She is a founding member of the Zero F*s Club, a sex-positive movement that helps others grow old disgracefully!To do that, Lou is touring the WORLD in her beloved vintage Bluebird bus, busting myths about midlife and menopause along the way. After emigrating from the UK to Portland, Oregon, she found herself extremely unhappy, she’d lost touch with her sexy self. Through small groups of AMAZING women in Portland, and her incredible Instagram community, she began to speak out more, and soon rediscovered her own voice. That process led to two huge discoveries: first, she mastered solo sex, which changed her relationship with her body and was a huge part of re-finding her confidence. Second, it led her to feel less connected to her husband, and she made the incredibly difficult, but incredibly bold, decision to separate.At this time, she was a track-and-field tutor at a local high school, but they did not approve of her social media presence – so, naturally, she walked away and didn’t look back. Sustainable fashion is another HUGE passion of Lou’s, check out her Instagram to see her wild style. She has an array of fantastic clothes on her bus which she gives women permission to play with, involving a lot of fun and liberation. Every day she wakes up more in love with who she is. “I love myself more today than I did yesterday, and tomorrow I’ll love myself more than I do today.” And she’s a TEDX speaker – helping women find their roadmap to self-love. Rip up the rule book! Lou has reclaimed her joy.https://luinluland.com/ @luinlulandWarning – we swear a lot!This podcast is full of laugher, fun and outrageousness. This woman is so inspiring. Lou grew up in a vicarage and has worn many hats over the years – including heading up the PTA (yes, picture her with a clipboard, shaking things up). A major turning point came when she moved from the UK to the USA with her husband. It was there that she realised something was missing – and that it was time to make a radical change. That awakening was sparked when Lou realised the power of her vagina, vulva, orgasms, and menopause.For many women, menopause becomes a superpower – the moment they truly let go of societal limitations. Lou embraced this shift. She left her husband, bought a vintage bus, started a YouTube channel, launched an Instagram account, and hit the road across America, inspiring women everywhere to reclaim their joy. Today, she’s performing a one-woman show and running her own festival in August 2025 in the UK. If you get the chance, go and see her. She’s unforgettable. She has some brilliant quotes, besides the one in her bio. Here is another – “Give up on the destination. Embrace the journey.” What more can I say?
For Harrison Ward, otherwise known as the Fell Foodie, the mountains are his solace, his gym and his kitchen. Harrison began suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts during puberty and discovered alcohol, whilst working in multiple roles in the hospitality trade, as a coping mechanism, drinking up to 20 pints a day and taking up smoking full time as he battled his mental illness. In 2016, when his relationship broke down, he vowed to get sober, remove alcohol from his life, stop smoking and really try and turn things around. He filled the void left by alcohol with the combination of hiking and cooking, gradually tackling more and more of the Lake District fells. He has always loved cooking from a very young age and used to cook with his grandmother. From the age of 10 he studied cookbooks and cooking shows quite religiously. Harrison began sharing his culinary adventures via social media in 2017 and soon captured people’s imaginations, using a stove and simple ingredients to create hearty but delicious meals. After being sober for two years in 2018, Harrison shared the full background to his story with his followers, including how he had lived with mental health issues and struggled with alcohol.Harrison’s profile on social media has continued to grow as he also gained coverage in the news and on TV. He now has thousands of followers and continues to share his experience of mental health and open-air cooking online and via the media, as well as to corporate clients and schools. www.fellfoodie.co.uk Instagram @fellfoodie Many people struggle with life’s challenges and their mental health — some sadly lose that battle, while others find a way to turn things around. I’m not someone who cries easily, but listening to Harrison’s story moved me to tears, twice. Harrison has lifted himself out of depression and alcohol addiction and now lives with a remarkable sense of joy and purpose. He’s discovered his passions — being in nature, cooking, adventure, taking on new challenges, and building community — and his zest for life is truly infectious. After hearing this conversation, I hope it inspires everyone to take small, positive steps to reclaim their own joy. Spending time in nature is a gift we all have access to, and creativity lives within us all. What better way to express that than cooking and sharing a meal outdoors, surrounded by fresh air and good company? Harrison’s story is a reminder that even when life feels dark, there is always a path back to light, connection, and hope.Date of episode recording: 2025-06-24T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.11.16Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Harrison Ward, The Fell FoodieProducer: Joyce Harper
Sophie Messager did a PhD in Biology on the physiology of Reproduction in France. Then in the 90s, she moved to the UK, fell in love, started a family, and discovered her true calling through birth experiences supported by a doula. Trading science for birth work in 2010, she became a perinatal educator and doula and published her first book "Why Postnatal Recovery Matters". Witnessing the power of birth opened her mind to spiritual dimensions, leading her to become a Reiki and Reiki Drum practitioner and teacher and drum circle facilitator. Today, Sophie supports women through life's transitions. She offers closing the bones ceremonies, and various other healing rituals, reclaiming lost traditions and blending science with spiritual practices. When not facilitating ceremonies or training professionals, she will be wild swimming, drumming in nature, or dancing the 5 rhythms – staying connected to her body, spirit, and the natural world. Her new book is about drumming as a tool to empower women and is published in Sept but you can pre order it now. The beat of your own drum explores the history, science, and contemporary use of drumming, particularly as a path for women's wisdom, health, and transformation. And Sophie has a podcast called the wisdom messenger. https://sophiemessager.com/ Instagram: @sophie_messager Drumming has been an important ritual and healing practice throughout history and across cultures worldwide, connecting people to community, rhythm, and a sense of belonging. You might think that drumming for our health sounds a bit “woo-woo,” but in this unique podcast, two women with PhDs explore how shamanic drumming can boost our mental and physical wellbeing. Sophie is Joyce’s drumming teacher. Sophie uses drumming to support women throughout every stage of life — a topic she delves into in her latest book, The Beat of Your Own Drum. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Sophie chose to harness the power of the drum instead of medication, developing a technique she calls “drum microdosing.” She runs monthly drumming sessions, along with many other events, including drumming in nature with female friends and the Wheel of the Year festivals like Beltane. Can drumming be used to reclaim joy? Joyce and Sophie believe it can.Date of episode recording: 2025-06-26T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.22.56Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Dr Sophie MessagerProducer: Joyce Harper
Julia Hollander is a singing therapist, teacher and performer. Julia’s first career in theatre took her all over the world. She founded the contemporary music theatre company, Operate in the late 80s. In 1991, at the age of 25, she was the first female opera director at the English National Opera, and she has staged operas all over the world. Julia writes nonfiction that originates in the lived experience, interweaving personal narratives with cutting-edge research. Her first book, Indian Folk Theatres, derived from over a decade working in India as a stage director and performer. She went on to write two memoirs about family life, When the Bough Breaks and Chicken Coops for the Soul. More recently, she returned to her performing arts roots with her latest book, Why We Sing, an exploration of the way in which singing benefits everyday wellbeing. Her plays for BBC radio include a dramatization of When the Bough Breaks and a drama about climate activism, The Kingsnorth Six, as well as an autobiographical documentary, The Letter. She has held writing and research fellowships with the Winston Churchill, Judith E. Wilson and Rajiv Gandhi Foundations, and has been writer in residence at Campsfield Immigration Detention Centre. Julia is currently the Royal Literary Fund Writer in Residence for the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Literature at Oxford University. Have you discovered the many physical and psychological benefits of singing? As Julia puts it, “We’re not singing because we’re happy — we’re happy because we’re singing.” It’s almost impossible not to smile when you sing. Since COVID, there’s been a surge in singing groups and choirs, and for good reason — singing with others strengthens social bonds and helps combat loneliness. From lullabies to school assemblies, singing has always been a part of our lives, woven through cultures and communities across the world. And now, research is revealing its potential to improve health and even support conditions like dementia. So perhaps it’s time to reclaim your joy — through singing.Date of episode recording: 2025-06-11T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.02.40Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Julia HollanderProducer: Joyce Harper
Di Westaway turned her midlife crisis into a fantastic story of adventures and helping other women. Di is the Founder and Chief Adventure Chick at Wild Women On Top. She is a global leader and award-winning woman of influence who has inspired her team to create life changing adventures that get women walking in nature for good. The event that changed her life was in 2000, when Di decided to climb Mt Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere. She failed but in 2001 a movement was born. Di skilled up and started ‘Trek Training’ for women in her local national park. She trained coaches and clients, and together they travelled the world hiking iconic trails such as Mt Kilimanjaro and Machu Picchu. In 2009 Di set up the charity Coastrek which is now Australia’s premier hiking challenge charity for women. You can choose to trek 50km, 30km or 20km along Australia’s most spectacular coastlines to get fit with friends and raise funds for charity. Together, the community of 70,000 trekkers has raised more than $48 million for charity. And in 2018 Coastrek established a partnership with the Australian mental health charity Beyond Blue. In 2020 Di was awarded the OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) for services in women’s health, fitness and charity services. https://www.wildwomenontop.com/ https://www.coastrek.com.au/ Instagram: @wildwomenontop This podcast will inspire you to get outside and have an adventure. For Di, that means trekking, climbing, cycling, and exploring mountains and coastlines. These adventures have transformed her life to technicolour. More and more research backs up what Di already knows: that exercise, nature, and friendship are powerful medicine for both body and mind. As she puts it, “How can I get a quick top-up when I’m feeling a bit shit? Go for a walk.” What’s the difference between walking and hiking? Di says hiking is a bit more of a mission — more adventurous and usually on a trail. The women who join Di are of all ages. Di is 65, and she and Joyce both need knee replacements — but as Di says, “Our health conditions might be obstacles, but they’re not barriers.” There’s always something we can do. Some women say they don’t have time. But Di believes self-care should be non-negotiable. When women come together for her adventures, they find more than movement. They find: Views. Giggles. Friendship. Chocolate. Champagne. Sounds perfect.Transcription link:www.joyceharper.com/podcastsDate of episode recording: 2025-04-29T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.02.31Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Di WestawayProducer: Joyce Harper
Deborah has always loved to travel, which for 20 years she did with her husband. When she found herself unexpectedly divorced 15 years ago, she decided that if she wanted to have the kinds of holidays she enjoyed she would have to take a leap of faith and travel solo. She didn’t want to backpack or share a room and she didn’t want to be herded around in a group following a strict, inflexible itinerary, but she did want to be safe and have some fun. So she set up Solo In Style with the idea of connecting like-minded women to encourage and support one another with their solo travels. Alongside a successful 30-year career in marketing, fine wine and culinary arts, Deb, now aged 65, continues to expand Solo in Style globally to support and encourage as many women as possible to fulfil their solo travel ambitions. Deb has a huge following on social media – follow her if you want to explore solo travel. Facebook – Solo in Style Instagram @soloinstyle Welcome to the first podcast in the mini-series on Reclaiming Joy. Have you been dreaming of travelling more, exploring new places, or going on an adventure? Maybe you're craving some quality time alone. You're not the only one—and that’s where Solo in Style can help. Founded by Deb, who followed her own passion for travel, it now supports thousands of women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s in finding their perfect getaway. If you’ve never travelled alone before, it can feel a little daunting. Where do you even begin? With over 15 years of experience, Deb and her supportive community are here to guide you. Whether you're unsure where to go or how to plan your first solo trip, you’ll find plenty of advice, encouragement, and inspiration. For many, a short break within the UK is a great way to start and build confidence. For others, it’s about heading somewhere new and exciting—many of Deb’s followers have already explored destinations all over the world. Not all solo travellers are single. Some are in relationships but choose to travel alone because their partner prefers a different kind of holiday. You could compromise… or you could create the adventure you’ve always dreamed of. Solo travel brings a unique kind of joy—and more and more women are discovering it. Solo in Style is more than just a travel community; it's a welcoming space where you can connect with like-minded women who are also embracing the freedom of going solo. So if this has been on your mind, don’t wait. Join the Solo in Style community and let the adventures begin.Date of episode recording: 2025-04-24T00:00:00ZDuration: 00.52.59Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Deborah IvesProducer: Joyce Harper
Lucy Ward is a writer and journalist. Growing up near Manchester, she studied Early and Middle English at Oxford University, before becoming a journalist first working on education for The Independent then becoming a Lobby correspondent for The Guardian. She spent over five years at Westminster, campaigning for greater female representation, securing the first Lobby job-share and discovering that you could climb to the illuminated roof of the Palace and project your dancing shadow onto Big Ben. After a few years in Russia, she worked as a Communications Manager at the University of Cambridge, where she developed her interest in communicating complex research for lay audiences. Her first book is The Empress and the English Doctor which was shortlisted for the Pushkin House Book Prize 2022. Instagram and X: @lucymirandaward Web site: https://www.lucyward.uk/ Welcome to another podcast in the mini-series on Female Icons. During a chance meeting in the school playground, Lucy discovered a compelling story she felt driven to share — how Catherine the Great joined forces with a Quaker doctor from Essex to lead a ground-breaking public health campaign introducing smallpox inoculation in Russia. Catherine invited Dr. Thomas Dimsdale to St Petersburg on a secret mission that would ultimately change both their lives. It was an extraordinary act of bravery to undergo the inoculation herself before asking others to do the same. Lucy began writing this book just before the COVID-19 outbreak — timing that could have been disastrous but instead proved serendipitous. The contemporary debates around vaccination echoed those of Catherine’s time, where science, politics, and personal risk intersected in powerful ways. Despite the early death of her husband, Catherine defied expectations to become one of the greatest monarchs in history.Date of episode recording: 2025-04-11T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.16.11Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Lucy WardProducer: Joyce Harper
Lucy has always had a passion for medicine and history and through her career, she has spent time studying both. First Lucy studied medicine at University College London (UCL), graduating in 2013. And during her 3rd year of medicine, she took an intercalated year studying the History of Medicine at the Wellcome Library in London. After working full-time as a medical doctor for four years, she decided to pursue her interest in history further, undertaking a Masters in History and Philosophy of Science at UCL. Since then she has continued to juggle her career as a doctor with her passion for history and she completed an Early Modern History MPhil at the University of Cambridge in 2019. Lucy has almost completed her PhD which builds on her MPhil study to examine the early modern home as a space for knowledge-making. In 2021 Lucy was awarded an extraordinary Blue at the University of Cambridge for triathlon. A couple of weeks ago she led the Cambridge women’s rowing team to victory against Oxford in her role as President. X: @lucyjanehavard Welcome to another podcast in the mini-series on Female Icons. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was the first woman to qualify as a doctor in the UK, beginning her journey with her first medical lecture in 1860. She faced enormous resistance from men—first as a medical student, then as a practicing doctor—but she paved the way for generations of women to follow. When no one would employ her, she founded her own institution: the New Hospital for Women, where she provided care specifically for women and children. A true pioneer for women’s rights, her achievements extended far beyond medicine. In 1908, she became the first female mayor in the UK when she was elected Mayor of Aldeburgh. She married later in life and had her three children in her late 30s and early 40s. Lucy, too, is a modern-day role model—an inspiration for women pursuing their passions. With a deep love of both medicine and history, she has successfully built a career that combines these interests. She explains that her current research looks at manuscript recipe books from the 17th century which are collections of recipes, but also contained information about remedies, cleaning solutions, poems, stories and much more. Alongside her academic pursuits, she also excelled in sport, enjoying a brilliant athletic career while at Cambridge University. I hope the stories of these two remarkable women will inspire others to follow their own unique paths.Date of episode recording: 2025-04-23T00:00:00ZDuration: 00.47.40Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Dr Lucy HavardProducer: Joyce Harper
Clare Mulley is an award-winning public historian, author and broadcaster, primarily focused on female experience during the Second World War. Clare’s most recent book Agent Zo: The Untold Story of courageous Second World War resistance Fighter, Elżbieta Zawacka, is the critically-acclaimed biography of the only woman to parachute from Britain to Nazi German-occupied Poland. Previous titles include the award-winning The Woman Who Saved the Children, on Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children; The Spy Who Loved a biography of the first woman to serve Britain as a special agent in the Second World War and The Women Who Flew for Hitler, which tells the story of Nazi Germany’s only two female test pilots. Clare’s books are widely translated and have all been optioned for film or TV. Clare regularly appears in the press and on TV. Clare is a brilliant storyteller, bringing to life the remarkable stories of extraordinary women who made significant contributions during the world wars—women whose legacies deserve to be known. She shares the inspiration behind her first book about Eglantyne Jebb, the founder of Save the Children, and the journey that guided her in choosing her next subjects. Clare offers insight into her meticulous research and writing process, striving to create biographies that are both historically accurate and deeply engaging. Many of these women were often judged by their appearance rather than their achievements—a bias that remains relevant in today’s society. These women were true female icons.Transcription link:www.joyceharper.com/podcastsDate of episode recording: 2025-02-27T00:00:00ZDuration: 00.54.35Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Clare MulleyProducer: Joyce Harper
Glenn Stout is a freelance writer, author, and editorial consultant, served as series editor of The Best American Sports Writing since its inception, and was Founding Editor of The Year’s Best Sports Writing. He is the author of Young Woman and the Sea, Tiger Girl and the Candy Kid, Fenway 1912, and many others. Glenn began as a free-lance career in 1986 and has been a full-time author since 1993. He has written, ghostwritten or edited one hundred books representing sales of more than three million copies. Glenn has also served as a writing coach for private clients, given presentations to groups of editors, writers and students about writing books, the writing process and the editorial process he uses for longform journalism. He also serves as Director of the Archer City Writer’s Workshops at the Larry Mac Mur try Literary Center in Archer City, Texas Glenn grew up in Ohio, graduated from Bard College in New York, and lived in and around Boston for 20 years before moving to Vermont in 2002. He is a citizen of both the United States and Canada. Glenn has been a sportswriter for decades, and when he discovered that Gertrude (Trudy) Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel on August 6, 1926, he was compelled to tell her story. She is one of many remarkable female pioneers whose achievements remain largely unknown. Before trailblazers like Trudy, Annette Kellerman, and Charlotte Epstein, women’s participation in swimming was rare, partly due to societal restrictions on modesty and concerns about the sport’s safety for women. However, these women defied expectations, with Trudy proving beyond doubt that women could not only swim—but excel. In this podcast, we uncover some of the astonishing facts about swimming during this era.Date of episode recording: 2025-02-24T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.01.59Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Glenn StoutProducer: Joyce Harper
Professor Helen O'Connell is a leading researcher in the area of female pelvic anatomy and was the first woman to complete training as a urologist in Australia in 1994. She did her Fellowship training in the US in 1994-5 in the management, including surgery, of all problems affecting function of the lower urinary tract in men and women. In 2023 she became the President of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand. She uses state of the art medical imaging to treat a long list of conditions. Helen was the first person to accurately describe the structure of the clitoris. Instagram: @profhelenoconnell It is astonishing that before Helen’s work in the 1990s, the anatomy of the clitoris was not fully understood. Through her ground-breaking research, she published two key papers in 1998 and 2005 that revealed the intricate structure of the clitoris. Her findings showed that the visible glans, rich in thousands of nerve endings, is only a small part of a much larger organ. The crura (two internal arms) wrap around the vaginal canal, while the vestibular bulbs sit on either side of the vaginal opening. Apart from the glans, the clitoris is composed of erectile tissue, designed to facilitate female orgasm. It is there for a reason – for women to have an orgasm. If achieving orgasm is difficult, seeking medical advice can be beneficial. Helen also explores the diversity of female anatomy, the misleading portrayal of sex in pornography, and the risks of labial surgery for cosmetic reasons. We discuss how female genitals change throughout life, the impact of female genital mutilation (FGM), and the controversial question—does the G-spot really exist?Transcription link:www.joyceharper.com/podcastsDate of episode recording: 2025-03-13T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.06.28Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Professor Helen O'ConnellProducer: Joyce Harper