The Little Things

Епізоди

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  PMDD: When ‘just PMS’ is something much more serious 11.09.2026 35хв

  For some women, the days before their period bring much more than the usual symptoms of PMS. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, can cause severe changes in mood, anxiety, irritability, fatigue and concentration — disrupting work, relationships and everyday life. Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey are joined by clinical neuropsychologist Dr Caroline Gurvich to explain what PMDD is, why some women may be particularly sensitive to hormonal changes, its links with ADHD and perimenopause, and how it can be diagnosed and treated. Plus, why tracking your symptoms could be the first step towards recognising that something more than PMS is going on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How to speak with confidence (even when you’re nervous) 28.08.2026 45хв

  Public speaking can be terrifying – even for people who do it for a living. Broadcaster Toni Street joins Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey to share the lessons she’s learned from 20 years in radio and television, including how to manage nerves, connect with an audience, stop chasing perfection and become a more confident communicator. Plus, why preparation matters, how body language can change the way you feel, and why saying yes to intimidating opportunities can help build confidence over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What inflammation is really doing to your body 14.08.2026 36хв

  Inflammation has become one of the biggest buzzwords in health and wellness — but do we actually understand what it is? Award-winning immunologist Professor Roslyn Kemp joins Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey to explain what inflammation does, why it isn’t always bad, how it changes as we age, and whether so-called anti-inflammatory foods and products really live up to the hype. Plus, the everyday things that genuinely help keep your immune system working well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How to start investing when you feel behind 31.07.2026 47хв

  Do you manage the household bills but still feel unsure about investing, KiwiSaver or planning for retirement? Investment manager and The Curve co-founder Victoria Harris joins Francesca and Louise to cut through the jargon and explain how women can start building their financial confidence—no matter their age or how much money they have. From emergency funds and KiwiSaver to ETFs and investing your first dollar, this episode offers simple, practical steps to help you finally get started.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How to live longer without overhauling your life 17.07.2026 56хв

  What actually helps us live longer — and live well for longer? GP and women’s health expert Dr Ginny Mansberg joins Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey to cut through wellness trends, biohacking and information overload. They discuss the everyday habits that make the biggest difference, including food, movement, muscle, sleep and stress, as well as inflammation, GLP-1 medications and the health changes women should not ignore. Most importantly, Dr Ginny explains why ageing well does not require a complete life overhaul — just a few realistic changes that work for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How to stop stress turning into burnout 03.07.2026 49хв

  How do we build successful careers and work hard without burning out? Organisational psychologist Nick Petrie joins Francesca and Louise to talk about stress, rumination, burnout prevention and the habits that help people sustain high performance in an always-on world. Nick shares the personal story that led him into this work, explains the difference between pressure and stress, and offers practical advice on how to stop ruminating, manage energy, create better boundaries and switch off at the end of the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Taryn Brumfitt: 'We were not born hating our bodies' 19.06.2026 46хв

  As concerns grow about the return of extreme thinness, Australian body image advocate Taryn Brumfitt joins Louise and Francesca to explore why beauty standards continue to shape the way we see ourselves. From social media and weight loss drugs to ageing and self-acceptance, she explains why the goal isn't loving your body every day, but learning to stop being at war with it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What to wear when your wardrobe stops working 05.06.2026 59хв

  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, and making getting dressed feel simpler, more confident and more fun.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  When ADHD and perimenopause collide 22.05.2026 51хв

  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.
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  Jimmy Wales on why the internet is such an angry place 08.05.2026 51хв

  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 informed in 2026, and why assuming good faith might be one of the most important skills we’ve lost online. Plus: Why outrage spreads faster than kindness online  The danger of mistaking social media for real life  How politicians and algorithms exploit division • Why most people are more moderate than the internet suggests  The surprising role trust plays in healthy societies and relationships See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Why midlife criticism hits so hard - and how to handle it 24.04.2026 48хв

  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.
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  Why you can't blame menopause for weight gain 10.04.2026 46хв

  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.
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  Cosmetic treatments - the good, the bad and the downright dangerous 27.03.2026 50хв

  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.
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  Keeping the love alive after the kids have left home 13.03.2026 48хв

  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 information.
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  What happens when you're widowed too soon with Jana McPherson 27.02.2026 58хв

  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.
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  Is ultra-processed food really that bad for us? 13.02.2026 54хв

  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 why texture matters more than you might think. Plus, we tackle the seed oil debate and the truth about emulsifiers and additives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Bringing attention back into focus 17.10.2025 51хв

  In a world where our attention is constantly pulled in multiple directions, how do we regain control of our focus? Professor Gloria Mark from the University of California, has spent her career studying what's happening to our attention spans and she joins Francesca and Louise to share some surprising statistics. It's a wonder we get anything done at all! But don't panic, Gloria also shares plenty of great advice to help us reclaim our focus.  This is the last episode of The Little Things for 2025. We'll be back next year to dive into more of the little things!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Dr Justin Coulson on what's really worrying our kids 10.10.2025 51хв

  When our kids worry, we worry. Especially when we don't know what they're worried about! This week, Dr Justin Coulson is back to talk about what really bothers kids and young adults most, and how parents can help. He shares some of his top tips for helping parents support their children through these challenges by fostering connection, understanding perfectionism, and encouraging open conversations about tough topicsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Dr Michelle Dickinson on the power and peril of AI 03.10.2025 59хв

  Are you ready to face the AI revolution that's already transforming our daily lives? Join Francesca and Louise as they step into the world of artificial intelligence with nanotechnologist and science communicator Dr Michelle Dickinson. From the benefits of AI as a productivity tool to the concerning lack of regulation in New Zealand and the ways we might be unwittingly sharing our children’s data to train AI, Dr Dickinson brings clarity to complex concepts while also offering practical advice for navigating this new landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Dr Lucy Hone on the living loss of dementia 26.09.2025 55хв

  When a loved one experiences dementia, grief does not wait for a tidy ending. Francesca and Louise  sit down with resilience researcher and grief expert Dr Lucy Hone to talk about living loss and how to cope when someone you love is in ongoing cognitive decline. Later in the episode Helen Frank from Alzheimer’s Taranaki shares clear guidance on early signs, getting a diagnosis,and the support available for carers.    'How Will I Ever Get Through This?' - pre-sales for the new book from Dr Lucy Hone are available from 6th October 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.