Shows
Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About MetabolismHow are metabolism, cognition, mood, and overall health connected - and do these interactions differ between women and men across the lifespan?In this episode, Franziska talks to Prof. Manfred Hallschmid from the University of Tübingen, where he researches the links between brain function, metabolic processes, and sleep. Manfred explains how our brain and body communicate when it comes to food intake and mental well-being - and how these processes shift during major hormonal transition phases such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. What role do sex hormones play in these changes?I...2025-07-1751 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About the (Stalled) Gender RevolutionWelcome Prof. Dr. Pia Schober, who brings us a sociological perspective on our field of research! Pia is a professor at the University of Tübingen, where she leads the Chair of Microsociology in the Department of Sociology and is also part of our IRTG 2804. As an expert on gender-specific and social inequalities focusing on the impact of childcare and education policies, Pia talks about historic and current trends of the gender revolution in this podcast. Why does the gender revolution seem to be stalling? Is there a "paradox in women's well-being" - and how could we e...2025-06-1950 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk With Young Researchers: Zoé BürgerLet's Talk WITH Young Researchers: our podcast sideline in which we give the word to young researchers in the field of women's mental health!In this episode, meet Zoé Bürger, PhD researcher in the Women's Mental Health and Brain Function lab in Tübingen, where she has been working with Prof. Birgit Derntl.We talk about Zoé's research on hormonal contraception, specifically the hormonal IUD, and stress. Besides, Zoé shares her PhD journey over the past years, how she faced challenges, and found her "village". In the end of the podcast, Zoé an...2025-04-1753 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About EndometriosisMarch is Endometriosis Awareness Month - so Let's Talk About Endometriosis!In this conversation, Elle Murata, PhD researcher in the Cognitive Neuroendocrinology Lab at the University of California, is sharing insights into neuroscience research on endometriosis.What is endometriosis? Why is it important to consider endometriosis in neuroscience research? How are Elle and her research group exploring the topic? Elle is here to answer all these questions! In addition, she talks about the challenges of this research, her experiences as a young researcher and what she envisions for the future field. 2025-03-2043 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Cognition During Hormonal FluctuationsHow do hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle or when using oral contraceptives ("the pill") affect cognitive functions? In this episode, Franziska speaks with Prof. DDr. MMMag. Belinda Pletzer (Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg), a leading expert in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, especially when it comes to hormone-brain interactions. With a diverse background spanning biology, psychology, philosophy, and mathematics, Belinda's research focuses particularly on the effects of sex hormones and gender-related aspects of neuroscience, such as the effects of hormonal contraceptives on the female brain.Together we explore if and how cognitive performance and br...2025-02-2052 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) approximately affects 2-5% of women around the world. In this episode we have Dr. Liza Kaltsouni, postdoc at Uppsala University, Department of Women's and Children's Health, as an expert in our podcast. During her PhD, Liza Kaltsouni conducted research on PMDD and collected various data, including brain data in the MRI scanner. This has influenced her holistic perspective on PMDD and the multimodal network approach needed to understand this multimodal disorder. In addition to pursuing such a multimodal approach for future research on PMDD, Liza emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary work and the inclusion of...2025-01-1659 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk With Young Researchers: Hanna WierengaLet's Talk WITH Young Researchers: our podcast sideline in which we give the word to young researchers in the field of women's mental health!In this episode, meet Hanna Wierenga, PhD Candidate in the IRTG2804, who is working with Prof. Pia Schober (Tübingen) and Prof. Alkistis Skalkidou (Uppsala) on gender identity and ideologies and mental health, specifically during and after pregnancy.We talk about Hanna's PhD projects and journey so far, how she deals with setbacks and that a PhD is like detective work. In the end of the podcast, Hanna answers ou...2024-12-1947 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About MenopauseDespite being one of the major hormonal transition phases in the female lifespan, menopause is still underrepresented in medicine and research. Fortunately, this is changing - among others due to our guest, Dr. Claudia Barth, senior researcher at Diakonhjemmet Hospital and the Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research in Oslo, who is an expert on female hormonal transitions and their effect on the brain and mental illness. In this episode Franziska sits down with Claudia to demystify menopause, asking about symptoms, mental health, and what we know about changes in the brain during the menopause transition. Also, they dive...2024-11-2157 min
I am ScientistTipps und Perspektiven zur Promotion (Best of)Es gibt uns schon zwei Jahre! Mit den 26 Gästen, die wir in diesem Podcast bisher interviewt haben, haben sich eingige Perspektiven sowie Tipps zur Promotion angesammelt. Zeit also, dieses wertvolle Material einmal kodensiert in eine Best of Folge zu packen. Vorher geben wir (Lisa, Daniel, Philipp) noch ein kurzes Update, wo wir gerade in der Promotion stehen. Viel Spaß!Timestamps:(00:00:00) Anmod(00:18:31) Elias Rau - in der Folge ab 55:34(00:21:59) Amelie Hirsch - in der Folge ab 52:00(00:22:53) Felix Stegmann - in der Folge ab 1:03:37(00:24:13) Lisa Schmors - in...2024-11-011h 07Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Adolescents & Social Media After our summer break we're back to talk about women! In this episode we dive into the period of adolescence with Dr. Jolien Trekels, who is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of North Carolina. Jolien unpacks how the adolescent brain and body develop during this critical period and explains the complex effects of social media on well-being, from the negative to the positive. Through a bio-psycho-social lens, Jolien and Franziska discuss state-of-the-art insights into mental health and gender differences on how today’s youths interact with social media. We end this episode as always with a look ah...2024-10-1748 min
I am ScientistLet’s Talk About Frauenforschung mit Franziska WeinmarWas haben Wechseljahre, Schwangerschaft und sexuelle Gesundheit gemeinsam? Genau – sie stehen oft nicht genug im Rampenlicht der Forschung. Zum Glück ändert sich das dank Franziska Weinmar, die am Universitätsklinikum Tübingen zu diesen Themen promoviert. Wir sprechen über ihren Weg zur Promotion, unerwartete Herausforderungen in der Forschung und natürlich Franzis Podcast "Let's talk about Women" - große Hörempfehlung!Timestamps:(00:00:00) Anmod(00:02:30) Leverkusen(00:03:49) Aufwachsen in Tokio(00:10:38) Studium und Weg zur Promotion(00:23:29) Was ist eine International Research Training Group?(00:25:56) Wichtigkeit der Betreuung(00:2...2024-10-011h 41Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk With Young Researchers: Gloria Matte BonLet's Talk WITH Young Researchers: our new podcast sideline in which we give the word to young researchers in the field of women's mental health! We kick-off with our very own Gloria Matte Bon, PhD Candidate in the IRTG2804, who is working with Prof. Tobias Kaufmann, applying computational models to investigate sex differences in brain structure, with particular focus on hormonal transition periods and women’s mental health.We end this podcast by introducing a new closing category and Gloria is the first one to answer our "3 Burning Questions":Who is your sc...2024-07-1842 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Computational Methods in Women’s HealthComputational methods and machine learning are currently THE hot-topics and they are also applied in neuroscience research, showing us where the field is heading in the future. If you have ever wondered how these methods work, what their advantages - but also limitations - are and how they are implemented in research on women's mental health: We got you!In this episode Franziska is hosting Tobias Kaufmann, professor of neurotechnology and computational psychiatry at the University of Tübingen, who is also part of the IRTG2804. Tobias explains the basics of computational methods and gives us c...2024-07-1148 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Brain SHAPERsCelebrate with us the first anniversary episode of Let's Talk About Women!! - This time as PhD Candidate Franziska is hosting Dr. Nicole Petersen, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, California. Directing the Translational Neuroimaging Lab, Nicole's research focuses on neuromodulation and neuroendocrinology. Amongst others, she has investigated the effects of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on brain and behavior.In this episode, Nicole explains what "SHAPERs" are and what we know about their effects on the brain - but also what gaps there are still today. As one of...2024-05-2342 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Hormonal SensitivityWelcome to this episode with Vibe Froekjaer, Professor in Neuropsychiatry at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University, Denmark. Join us as Vibe and Franziska delve into the question of why some women are more vulnerable to mental health problems during hormonal transitions, unraveling state of the art research on the hypothesis of “hormonal sensitivity”. From discussing the latest findings on genetic and neural mechanisms to the potential of psychoeducation, this episode promises an insightful conversation and valuable takeaways. Discover how understanding hormonal sensitivity can empower women to navigate their mental health journeys more effectively and hear Vibe...2024-04-181h 05Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Research on Hormonal ContraceptivesIn this episode, PhD candidate Franziska Weinmar interviews Dr. Adriene Beltz, visiting Tübingen from the University of Michigan. The topic of today’s episode are hormonal intrauterine devices, short IUD. From contraceptives beyond the “pill” and hormonal contraceptive trends worldwide, they discuss how the IUD works, why it is important to look at potential effects of IUDs separately from oral contraceptives and what research there is on the IUD and mental health as well as the brain. Further, they discuss how a specific method of research, “intense longitudinal data”, can help understand individual variability within people to do better scie...2024-03-2149 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Hormonal Fluctuations Across the Female LifespanWelcome to a special episode, coming to you live and on-site from the Lorentz Center in Leiden, the Netherlands!The Lorentz Center serves as a dynamic workshop hub, hosting international scientific meetings which bring together brilliant minds and foster an open and interactive atmosphere. In this episode, PhD Candidate Franziska Weinmar is taking you directly to the Lorentz workshop on "Hormonal fluctuations across the female lifespan". With 40 participants including researchers and clinicians from approximately 6 countries, this five-day intensive gathering in February 2024 promises lively exchanges, discussions, and reflections.Join Franziska as she takes y...2024-03-141h 14Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About the Parental BrainTune in to this episode for an enlightening conversation on the profound transformations of the brain in transition to mother- and parenthood: PhD candidate Franziska is interviewing Dr. Magdalena Martínez-García, researcher in the “Neuromaternal” group in Madrid. Using longitudinal neuroimaging studies, she and her team investigate structural and functional neuroplasticity across different stages of pregnancy and beyond. Don't miss out and join us when we dive into how (and why) both the maternal and paternal/parental brains are shaped by pregnancy, experience as well as time shared with the offspring.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction 01...2024-02-1557 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Stress & Stress RegulationWith our first episode in 2024, we are back and ready to talk about stress and stress regulation! In this episode PhD candidate Franziska Weinmar hosts Dr. Lydia Kogler, a clinical psychologist by training, expert on the neuroscience of stress and associate of the IRTG2804. Together they dive into the complex world of stress and stress regulation - especially if and how women and men differ in this regard. To this end, this episode leaves us with more insights, a suggestion on how to improve our resilience to stress, and curiosity for future talks on this topic!...2024-01-1858 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About the Power of Natural RhythmsIn this episode, we're hosting cognitive neuroscientist Prof. Sara Mednick who is visiting Tübingen all the way from the University of California, Irvine. Being an expert in biorhythms, she explains the importance of natural up- and downstates such as related to sleep, the menstrual cycle and the transition to menopause. What are biorythms and how can we use especially downstates to improve our wellbeing? How can we use the knowledge on hormonal changes to balance our mood and cognition? Sara is here to give us a new perspective on our natural rhythms!Timestamps: 01:30 W...2023-11-3049 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Psycho-Neuro-Immunology in PregnancyIn this episode we talk about one of the major transition periods many women will undergo throughout their life: pregnancy. How does the field of psych-neuro-immunology help us to understand pregnancy and related mental health problems? From Uppsala in Sweden, PhD Candidate Franziska Weinmar is interviewing Dr. Emma Fransson, a child psychologist and associate professor at Uppsala University and at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Emma’s research focuses on mental and reproductive health, specifically in identifying biomarkers for pregnancy-related complications. These include mental health problems such as postpartum depression, which is affecting up to one...2023-11-0241 min
Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Translational ResearchAfter our summer break, we're back - so: Let's Talk About Women!In this episode, we're hosting the one and only Dr. Liisa Galea (Center of Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada). PhD candidate Franziska Weinmar asks Liisa all about translational research from animal models to human health: What we have learned and achieved so far, and what is yet to be uncovered - especially regarding female-specific mechanisms? With the aim to improve (mental) health for all, we ask: Who gets a disorder and when?Timestamps:01:41 - What can research in animal...2023-10-0551 minLet's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Sleep Welcome back to Let’s Talk About Women! In this episode, PhD Student Franziska Weinmar is talking to Dr. Christian Benedict about something that we all love: sleep. But how do women sleep? Christian and Franziska are diving deeper into the jungle of sleep science - recognizing that even after an hour of a highly captivating discussion, they are only just scratching the surface...Timestamps:01:10: Why do we need sleep?11:05: How do women sleep?16:30: Is there a role of sex hormones in women's sleep?37:40: What happens to...2023-07-271h 08
Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About the Fe/Male Brain - Part 3Welcome to this Let’s Talk About Women special!Over three parts, PhD Student Franziska Weinmar is taking you on site to the Fe/Male Brain Symposium held Tübingen, April 2023. In interviews, three speakers of the symposium, all of which are pioneers in the field of sex and gender research in neuroscience, share their insights on the most recent developments in this field as well as future implication of their research for women and men.In this episode Franziska is talking to Prof. Daphna Joel from the Tel Aviv University in Israel. Amo...2023-07-1320 min
Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About the Fe/Male Brain - Part 2Welcome to this Let’s Talk About Women special!Over three parts, PhD Student Franziska Weinmar is taking you on site to the Fe/Male Brain Symposium held Tübingen, April 2023. In interviews, three speakers of the symposium, all of which are pioneers in the field of sex and gender research in neuroscience, share their insights on the most recent developments in this field as well as future implication of their research for women and men.In this episode Franziska is talking to Prof. Markus Hausmann from Durham University in the UK and his...2023-06-2914 min
Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About the Fe/Male Brain - Part 1Welcome to this Let’s Talk About Women special!Over three parts, PhD Student Franziska Weinmar is taking you on site to the Fe/Male Brain Symposium held Tübingen, April 2023. In interviews, three speakers of the symposium, all of which are pioneers in the field of sex and gender research in neuroscience, share their insights on the most recent developments in this field as well as future implication of their research for women and men.In this episode Franziska is talking to Dr. Claudia Barth, senior researcher at the Diakonhjemmet Hospital in Osl...2023-06-1515 min
Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Oral ContraceptivesWelcome back to Let’s Talk About Women! In this episode, PhD Student Franziska Weinmar is talking to Dr. Ann-Christin Kimmig about a hot topic: oral contraceptives. We cover the effects on hormone levels, the brain, mood, libido, and socio-emotional functions and what happens if you stop using the pill. Based on state-of-the-art research Ann-Christin and Franziska are trying to navigate and disentangle the importance of oral contraceptives, what has been disregarded in the past, what is known today – and what not. Also, we shed light on “the next big question” for research on oral contraceptives. Time...2023-06-0146 min
Let's Talk About WomenLet's Talk About Women - PilotWelcome to "Let's Talk About Women" - a science communication podcast of the International Research Training Group (IRTG) 2804 about "Women's Mental Health Across the Reproductive Lifespan".In this pilot episode PhD Student Franziska Weinmar is talking to Prof. Inger Sundström Poromaa (Uppsala University) and Prof. Birgit Derntl (University of Tübingen) who collaborated and initiated the IRTG 2804, which is dedicated to research on women's mental health across the reproductive years.Listen to our kick-off, in which Inger and Birgit highlight the need for research on women's hormonal transition phases and what can be...2023-05-1815 min