Do You Have a Health Plan for Midlife and Beyond? You have a business plan. You have a financial plan. But what about a health plan ? In this episode of the Menopause Conversations podcast, Angela poses one of the most important — and overlooked — questions midlife women need to ask themselves: Do I have a plan for my health as I age? With honesty and insight, Angela dives into the concept of health span vs. lifespan , and there’s a difference you probably haven't considered. Most women begin to...
Jul 24, 2025•13 min•Season 5Ep. 188
Welcome to Series 5 of Menopause Conversations with your host Angela Counsel! After a short break, we're back—and this season, we're diving deep into a topic that is not talked about enough: the impact of menopause on women running businesses, leading teams, and holding corporate roles. In this powerful opening episode, Angela shares personal stories and expert insights on how hormonal shifts affect your brain, energy, confidence, and ability to show up in your work. She explains why symptoms li...
Jul 16, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 187
This year has marked a significant shift in how menopause is perceived and discussed, both globally and in our region. We've witnessed a great move towards openness and support. In Australia we have seen a Senate inquiry into perimenopause and menopause, resulting in 25 recommendations aimed at better supporting women. In New Zealand, we’ve seen organisations like Gender at Work being instrumental in promoting menopause awareness and celebrating World Menopause Day on October 18, 2024, with reso...
Dec 09, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 186
Were you aware of Australia's Senate inquiry into Menopause over the past few months? If not, you're not alone. In today’s episode of Menopause Conversations , I’m joined by Sonya Lovell , an advocate for challenging societal stigmas and taboos, and for promoting better education and resources for all people as they transition through menopause. Sonya’s journey began at 47 when she experienced induced menopause due to breast cancer treatment. Feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, and under-educated ...
Dec 02, 2024•55 min•Season 4Ep. 185
Have you found yourself wondering why your body feels off-kilter during the menopause transition? It might be time to look deeper into your gut health. Imagine your body as a symphony orchestra. Each hormone plays an essential role, but the one conducting the gig is your gut. There is more to your gut than just digestion, it's central to hormone balance. In this episode of Menopause Conversations we explore how different hormones are influenced by your gut such as: Serotonin - Your Feel Good Mae...
Nov 25, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 184
Menopause changes more than your hormones—it transforms your skin, also. In this episode of Menopause Conversations , we highlight the surprising ways menopause impacts your skin and how you can take charge of your skin’s health with natural, effective strategies. Many women will experience dryness, wrinkles, dullness, or sensitivity during perimenopause and beyond, but it’s not just because you're “getting older.” Hormonal shifts, particularly declining oestrogen levels, play a big role in hydr...
Nov 18, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 183
If you are noticing thinning hair or unexpected facial hair growth during menopause this episode is for you. Today in the Menopause Conversations Podcast , we dive into the causes of hair loss during menopause, from hormonal imbalances to thyroid issues, stress, and nutrient deficiencies. I'll walk you through practical steps to manage hair loss and support regrowth, including tips on managing stress, checking androgen levels, and supplementing with essential nutrients like zinc. Plus, I explain...
Nov 11, 2024•13 min•Season 4Ep. 182
Have you noticed strange, new allergy symptoms creeping in during perimenopause? Whether it’s recurring headaches, itchy skin, sinus congestion, brain fog, heightened anxiety or even eczema, these symptoms could be a result of fluctuating hormones that spike your body’s histamine levels. In this episode of Menopause Conversations , we dive into the surprising reason behind why allergies often worsen in menopause and, more importantly, how you can find natural relief. I uncover how estrogen and h...
Nov 04, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 181
If migraines are showing up in your life for the first time, seem to be increasing or have become debilitating, put the Panadol aside and take a listen to this episode of Menopause Conversations . We explore why migraines become more severe during perimenopause, the cause and what you can do to help alleviate them. As you may have suspected, HORMONES are the key contributors as we ride the rollercoaster of fluctuating hormones during the menopause transition, and I will walk you through what exa...
Oct 28, 2024•14 min•Season 4Ep. 180
Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and my conversation with Angela Raspass. Angela is a coach and mentor who specialises in helping women create "next chapter" businesses. Whether it’s the second, third, or even fourth chapter of life, Angela guides women as they explore new ventures. Together, we discuss the importance of face-to-face connections and the longing many women feel for something different, especially as their children become more independent. Angela highlights the power of ...
Oct 21, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 179
In this inspiring episode of Menopause Conversations I sat down with Carren Smith, a recognised Australian number 1 International Speaker, who's talks often focus on overcoming adversity, personal transformation and finding purpose. As a survivor of the Bali bombings, Carren faced immense tragedy, losing her two best friends in the attack and endured years of depression. She draws on her own experience of trauma and recovery to inspire audiences worldwide making her a prominent figure in resilie...
Oct 14, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 178
Is Fear keeping you small, creating self-doubt and affecting your ability to make decisions in your life and live the life you want? In this week's Menopause Conversations episode I revisit a conversation I had with Tegan Marshall, author of several books, including Facing Fears and Courage to be Brave. Tegan’s passion is to make a difference in someone else’ life, making their journey a little easier by providing inspirational role models she never had and help to ignite courage in others so th...
Oct 08, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 177
In this week's episode of Menopause Conversations , I sit down with Lynda Dyer, an accomplished coach, speaker, and author of 11 best-selling books, as well as an NLP Master Trainer, to explore the mindset around aging. We live in a society that often glorifies youth, leaving many older women feeling invisible or unworthy. But is it solely society’s influence, or do our personal and family beliefs about aging play a role too? Lynda, the author of Age is an Attitude , shares insights on how we ca...
Oct 02, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 176
In this episode of the Menopause Conversations Podcast , I chat with Tantra Intimacy Coach Taryn Harvey about important and often shied away from topics surrounding intimacy, especially post children. Taryn shares her unique journey from pharmaceutical rep to being a Tantra Coach who teaches men and women how to re-connect to their sensuality. We covered a range of topics including: The difference between sex and intimacy. The role of self-love in relationships. Reclaiming your sexuality and sen...
Sep 23, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 175
This week's podcast topic is such an important one as we focus on Menopause in the Workplace. For many years the topic of menopause was not discussed in public and certainly was not spoken about in the workplace. In fact, a study showed that when asked, women felt a sense of secrecy, isolation, being too scared to speak up because of the stigma around the topic and being discriminated against. One in four women consider leaving their job when in menopause, yet, more and more menopausal women are...
Sep 17, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 174
On this week's episode of Menopause Conversations we revisit a previous episode (previously the Wise Women Conversations Podcast), and look at what happens to relationships as you move through your menopause years. For some women it is a time of new beginnings, for others it is a time of endings, and some may find relationships challenging so in this episode I chat with Couples Counsellor Iman Iskander to talk through all of this. Iman shares the different stages a relationship goes through and ...
Sep 09, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 173
In this episode we delve into an essential conversation for women navigating the peri-menopause and menopause transition and joining us for this conversation is Denise McKenzie. Denise is an ex-nurse and highly experienced Personalised Health Coach, Personal Trainer, Nutrition, Mindset, and Trauma-Informed Coach with over 25 years of expertise in the health and fitness industry. She is passionate about helping women connect authentically with their bodies as they move through this transformative...
Sep 03, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 172
When we see any kind of health professional, we want to receive a personalised approach to our health rather than a standard, general response to concerns. Our health during the menopause transition is no different. In this podcast episode I’ll walk you through Personalised Health , a truly groundbreaking approach to your health, particularly important during this transition. Personalised Health isn’t just another trend; it’s a tailored approach that considers your genes, environment, and lifest...
Aug 26, 2024•17 min•Season 4Ep. 171
On this weeks special episode of the Menopause Conversations Podcast, I am joined by guest Vanamala Mayr-Reisch, a recent recipient of a Women Changing the World Award. With an extensive knowledge of the body, mind and spirit acquired over 35 years of working with people, Vanamala's focus is empowering women and instilling a positive body image for mental and physical wellbeing. Especially as women age and start to see themselves differently. In 2019, she set the goal to reach as many women as p...
Aug 19, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 170
Understanding your body's needs can make all the difference as you transition through Menopause and this week’s episode covers two vital nutrients - Antioxidants and Essential Fatty Acids. Discover: What antioxidants and essential fatty acids are, and why they’re crucial for your health. Why women in menopause need more of these nutrients. The best foods to include in your diet and if supplements are necessary. Learn how these powerful nutrients can help you manage menopause symptoms, support ho...
Aug 12, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 169
In this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked mineral, zinc, and its significant role in supporting women through menopause. Zinc is essential for numerous bodily functions, but its impact on hormone regulation, bone health, and mood stabilisation makes it particularly crucial during menopause. We explore how zinc helps balance estrogen and progesterone levels, supports bone density to prevent osteoporosis, and aids in maintaining mental clarity and emotional well-being. You'll also learn a...
Aug 05, 2024•16 min•Season 4Ep. 168
From childhood we hear about the importance of calcium to support growth & development and as adults that it’s vital for maintaining health & preventing age-related conditions, but why is it particularly important for women as they move through the menopause transition? Most of us know that it's essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth , but it does much more than that. On a cellular level, calcium is involved in various activities that keep our bodies running smooth...
Jul 29, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 167
Is Magnesium the 'Hidden Hero' that could transform your health? In this episode, we dive into the vital role of magnesium in women's health. Discover why this often-overlooked mineral is essential for hundreds of bodily functions and how a deficiency can impact your well-being. We discuss symptoms of deficiency, such as irritability, headaches, muscle cramps, and insomnia, and explore the many benefits of magnesium, including mood stabilisation, hormone balance, improved sleep, and increased en...
Jul 22, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 166
In this episode, we step into the vital role of iron in our bodies, particularly as we go through the menopause transition. We'll explore why iron is essential, focusing on its functions for oxygen transport and energy production, supporting the immune system, and aiding cognitive function. Learn: The best way to determine if you have an iron deficiency. How to recognise common symptoms of iron deficiency. Understand the various causes and the potential health concerns related to iron deficiency...
Jul 10, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 165
If you have heard & wondered about the myth that 'women never used to experience menopause because they didn't live long enough', take a listen to this episode as we bust that myth. Imagine living through a time when Menopause was considered a 'disease' and treated as such. Many other conditions were blamed on Menopause as very little research had been done on women's health & the medical field simply didn't know any better. Fascinating research is now showing the role that the brain pla...
Jul 08, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 164
Anxiety can affect our mental & physical health and in some cases, our overall quality of life. It may be something you have never experienced before now. Maybe your experience with it has previously been mild or only at certain times in your life and brought on by certain events. It could be something you have consistently struggled with. So why is it that in Menopause we are more likely to experience it? In this episode of Menopause Conversations I take a deeper look at: The key characteri...
Jul 01, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 163
Whether you are still having a relatively normal menstrual cycle, experiencing irregular cycles or no cycle at all, this episode of Menopause Conversations is for you. Learn how to Balance your Hormones through a powerful ancient practice of Seed Cycling. Also supported by a lot of science and research , this practice has been shown to help PCOS, hormonal acne, PMS, thyroid, fatigue, mood swings, food craving, sore breasts, insulin resistance and many other symptoms experienced during women's cy...
Jun 24, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 162
We all experience inflammation at various times in our lives. It's a natural and essential part of the body's immune response to injury, infection or harmful stimuli so why is it that for women this increases during the menopause transition? In this episode I talk about what inflammation is and: The difference between acute and chronic inflammation. Identifying the signs of chronic inflammation and what happens when we experience it over a prolonged period. The connection between mental health, ...
Jun 17, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 161
Sleep is our most important daily habit and for many reasons it's not always easy to come by. For women going through the peri-menopause, menopause transition, it's more important than ever to be getting enough sleep & good quality sleep but how? In this episode of Menopause Conversations we share: The impact on your body & it's functions when you're not getting enough sleep. Why sleep it so important for the body, brain, cell repair, immune system, cardiovascular health and so much more...
Jun 10, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 160
No, you’re not going crazy! You are likely experiencing typical symptoms of the menopause transition. In this episode of Menopause Conversations, we talk through the impact of Menopause on your Brain and address the increased concern many women have about developing Alzheimer’s or Dementia. If you have a parent or grandparent with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, this does not have to be your story also. Two thirds of people suffering from Alzheimer’s are women, it is the second leading cause of death i...
Jun 03, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 159
