The Little Things

In a world where well-being influencers are driven by endorsements, wellness trends generally come at a cost, and busy lives disrupt our best intentions, all many women want are simple, science-based facts to help us live a productive, happy balanced life. 

Enter The Little Things. Broadcaster Francesca Rudkin and health researcher Louise Ayrey have been friends for over a decade and have been through it all, and along the way have learned the benefits of practical information over costly fads. Join them for new episodes on Saturdays where they talk to experts on health, wellbeing, parenting and relationships to give you the information you need to thrive!

Last refreshed: June 12th, 2026 at 7:58 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

What to wear when your wardrobe stops working

Francesca and Louise are joined by personal stylist and style coach Caitlin Taylor for a practical conversation about finding your personal style in midlife. They discuss why wardrobes can become overwhelming as our bodies, lifestyles and confidence change, and how to work out what actually suits the person you are now. Caitlin shares advice on understanding colour, identifying your “best bits”, clearing out clothes that no longer serve you, building a more useful wardrobe, avoiding impulse buys...

Jun 05, 2026•59 min

When ADHD and perimenopause collide

Broadcaster and No Such Thing As Normal host Sonia Gray joins Francesca and Lou to unpack what happens when ADHD and perimenopause collide, and why so many women are only being diagnosed later in life. From burnout and masking to hormones, anxiety and losing your ability to cope, Sonia shares her own late diagnosis journey and explains why understanding your brain can be life changing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 22, 2026•51 min

Jimmy Wales on why the internet is such an angry place

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales joins Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey for a chat about trust, outrage and what the internet is doing to the way we see each other. From doomscrolling and toxic algorithms to political division, online arguments and the collapse of nuance, Wales explains why social media can make humanity seem far worse than it really is, and why he believes algorithms are “feeding the trolls”. He also shares why he deleted social media from his phone, what it really means to be in...

May 08, 2026•52 min

Why midlife criticism hits so hard - and how to handle it

This week Francesca and Louise dive into the tricky topic of dealing with criticism and negative thoughts. They're joined by psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald, who shares his expertise on how to navigate negative feedback and the feelings that come with them. Kyle offers practical advice on how to build resilience and maintain a positive outlook while Francesca and Louise give context to why criticism seems to hit harder in midlife. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 24, 2026•48 min

Why you can't blame menopause for weight gain

Menopause expert Niki Bezzant has some bad news for us: we can't blame our midlife weight gain on menopause. Niki joins Francesca and Louise to discuss what's really behind that sneaky middle age spread and what role menopause plays if it doesn't directly cause it. They also discuss hormone therapy, breast density, and how to manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 10, 2026•47 min

Cosmetic treatments - the good, the bad and the downright dangerous

Microneedling, LED masks, Botox in a bottle - these are just a few of the many cosmetic trends we're bombarded with on a daily basis. But what works, what doesn't and what could actually do more harm than good? Francesca and Louise sit down with cosmetic medicine expert Dr Sarah Hart to separate hype from reality. They also dig into skincare essentials, and the truth about trending ingredients like peptides and exosomes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 27, 2026•50 min

Keeping the love alive after the kids have left home

Clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo joins Francesca and Lou for a discussion about navigating relationships when the kids leave the nest. Together they tackle the challenges of transitioning from a child-centric life to a more adult-oriented one, and the pressure this can put on relationships. Karen shares her expertise on how to prioritise your partner during this time, and offers practical advice on how to rebuild intimacy, communication and connection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Mar 13, 2026•48 min

What happens when you're widowed too soon with Jana McPherson

Jana McPherson is a food blogger and business owner navigating life as a young widow after losing her husband Hamish in 2023. Joining Francesca and Louise to share her story of love, loss, and resilience, Jana discusses the challenges of widowhood, including financial stress, grief, and the emotional burden of caring for her children. She also opens up about the importance of self-care, finding support, and learning to move forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 27, 2026•59 min

Is ultra-processed food really that bad for us?

The danger of ultra-processed food has been dominating the headlines, but do these foods deserve all the negative press they're getting? This week Professor Sarah Berry from King’s College London and chief scientist at ZOE helps us cut through the noise as we unpack what “ultra-processed” actually means, why not all processed foods are created equal, and how some foods are designed to override our natural fullness signals. Sarah explains the science behind hyper palatable foods, eating speed and...

Feb 13, 2026•55 min

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