Shows
MOTHER-podcast with Karina VazirovaJoyce Harper, PhD - The New Science of Creating LifeHow far can we push our biology? Meet Joyce Harper, an internationally renowned, award-winning scientist and Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London, Institute for Women’s Health. Joyce has worked in the fields of fertility, genetics, reproductive health and women’s health for over 30 years, and regularly appears in the press, on radio and TV. She is the mother of three sons born through IVF, a keen open water swimmer, and an ambassador for This Girl Can.In this episode, we discuss emerging reproductive technologies, shifts in cultural attitudes towards family plan...2025-07-1053 min
Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E14: Dr Sophie Messager – 'The beat of your own drum': drumming for women’s healthSophie 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...2025-07-091h 22Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E13: Julia Hollander – Why We SingJulia 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...2025-06-251h 02
FertiliTEA with Dr. DMenopause and Motherhood (Part 2): With Professor Joyce HarperIn Part 2 of this episode, Dr. D continues speaking with Professor Joyce Harper about all things menopause. She is a Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London. She has an extensive background as an embryologist, a research scientist, and is especially known for her groundbreaking work in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). With over three decades in the field, Joyce has not only shaped academic programs but also spearheaded global efforts in reproductive health education. She is the co-founder of InTune: the UK Menopause Education and Support Programme. She is the host of the podcast, Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me...2025-06-2436 min
WomenKind CollectiveThe Power Years with Professor Joyce HarperWelcome to our podcast, Spill The Tea with Womenkind Collective!We’re diving deep into the conversations that matter, exploring the often overlooked topics affecting our health and well-being.Each week, we sit down with inspiring people who are breaking barriers and championing positive change, and today’s guest is no exception, the fabulous Professor Joyce Harper, an all-round powerhouse in women’s health and a passionate educator. We first met Joyce at an awards ceremony and we immediately bonded over women's health and comfy shoes!Joyce is Professor of Reproductive Science at UCL’s Institu...2025-06-211h 00
FertiliTEA with Dr. DMenopause and Motherhood (Part 1): With Professor Joyce HarperThis week, we have the honor of talking to Professor Joyce Harper about all things menopause. She is a Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London. She has an extensive background as an embryologist, a research scientist, and is especially known for her groundbreaking work in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). With over three decades in the field, Joyce has not only shaped academic programs but also spearheaded global efforts in reproductive health education. She is the co-founder of InTune: the UK Menopause Education and Support Programme. She is the host of the podcast, Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This...2025-06-1739 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E12: Di Westaway - Wild women on top: trekking for your healthDi 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 nati...2025-06-111h 02
Healthcare UnprofessionalsWhat Women Deserve to Know — Fertility, Hormones, Menopause & Prof Joyce Harper’s TakeProf Joyce Harper on Fertility Facts, AMH Testing & the Menopause MuddleChloe is joined by Professor Joyce Harper — UCL Professor of Reproductive Science, women’s health advocate, and author of Your Fertile Years — for a no-nonsense conversation on fertility, hormones, and everything in between.They dig into:Why fertility education still fails womenWhat AMH testing can (and can’t) tell youThe truth about egg freezing and reproductive timelinesPerimenopause vs menopause — and why knowing the difference mattersHow to cut through the fear-mongering in women’s2025-06-021h 03Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E11: Deborah Ives – Solo traveller and adventure makerDeborah 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 wome...2025-05-2853 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E10: Lucy Ward - What Catherine the Great did with her bodyLucy 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...2025-05-141h 16Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E9 Dr Lucy Havard – Elizabeth Garrett Anderson: the First Female DoctorLucy 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...2025-04-3047 min
The Scaling Podcast With Aaron HarperDigging Out, Scaling Up: Courtney Joyce on Leaving the Mines & Building A FutureIn this episode of The Scaling Podcast, Courtney Joyce shares his journey from 13 years in toxic coal mines to building and selling a 7-figure cleaning business — and how he's now scaling multiple ventures with virtual assistants and smart systems. We dive into entrepreneurship, leadership, time freedom, and what it really takes to escape the golden handcuffs of a steady paycheck. If you're looking to scale your business, build systems, or get inspired by a true operator’s story — this episode is for you. 👇 Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: From Coal Mines to Entrepreneurship 02:12 - Why Courtney...2025-04-2358 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3, #E8: Clare Mulley: The Stories of Wartime HeroinesClare 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 Wom...2025-04-1654 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E7 Glenn Stout: Trudy Ederle: Young women and the seaGlenn 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 gr...2025-04-021h 02Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E6: Professor Helen O’Connell: The clitoris: The great unknownProfessor 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. 2025-03-191h 06Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3, #E5: Dr Pippa Sangster: Understanding the penis and testiclesPippa is a consultant urologist at University College London Hospital (UCLH) and is the lead for the male infertility service. A urologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the urinary tract and reproductive system for men, women, and children. Pippa qualified from Guy’s and St Thomas’s Medical School, London in 2001. She has further degrees in Psychology (BSc) and was awarded the gold medal in the Urology MSc. She holds an Honorary Associate Professor post within reproductive health. Her main area of expertise is Andrology. An andrologist is someone who focuses on male sexual health and the male...2025-03-051h 10Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E4: Dr Anita Mitra, the Gynae Geek: Understanding the womb, fallopian tubes and ovariesDr Anita Mitra is a renowned Dr in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and is also known as The Gynae Geek on social media. With over 160k followers on Instagram, she is a trusted source of information, in a time rife with many self-proclaimed experts and internet gurus. Her medical journey began at the University of Leicester, where she first earned a BSc in Medical Biochemistry and then a degree in Medicine. Anita is presently a Clinical Research Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London, alongside practising as a Subspecialty Fellow in Gynaecological Oncology at the Imperial College Healthcare...2025-02-191h 19Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E3: Dr Tasha Gandamihardja: Understanding breastsDr Tasha is a highly-respected consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at The Holly Private Hospital and also practices for the NHS in Chelmsford. Her specialisms include breast cancer surgery, breast lumps and breast pain, alongside breast reconstruction, nipple discharge and breast surgery. Dr Tasha has an MBBS from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, an MEd in Surgical Education from Imperial College London and a BSc and PhD from University College London. She also has a FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Dr Tasha shares her expert knowledge via her 'My Breast, My Health' blog and...2025-02-0553 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?Season 3 #E2: Dr Aziza Sesay: Understanding the vagina, vulva and cervixDr. Aziza Sesay is a GP, GP educator, Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Host, Speaker and a well-regarded health content creator. Aziza is particularly noted for her work in health education, awareness, advocacy, and empowerment through her platform, "Talks with Dr. Sesay." This platform shares evidence-based health information, with a focus on women's health, cancer awareness, mental health, and health inequity. Aziza has been a GP for the last 10 years. She is the Vice Chair and Creative Director of Black Female Doctors UK and serves as an Ambassador for multiple health charities, including The Eve Appeal, Wellbeing of Women, FSRH...2025-01-221h 17Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S3 #E1 Professor Joyce Harper: Nurturing your good health and happinessIn this episode, Joyce shares that her podcast is now listened to in over 90 countries. She reflects on the highlights from 2024, including the launch of a mini-series featuring episodes on Motherhood, Embracing life post menopause, and Beyond the Bleed: Exploring Menstrual Health. She has some incredible guests lined up for 2025. And thanks to Dave Krysko for creating the new podcast music. On the very first episode of Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This?, Joyce revealed that her advice to her younger self would have been to beat her sugar addiction and spend more time being still. Fa...2025-01-0851 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E27: Sheree Hargreaves: Life of POI – Primary ovarian insufficiencySheree Hargreaves is a campaigner to improve awareness of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). At just 15 years old, Sheree was diagnosed with POI, which is a condition that drastically altered the course of her life. Now, at 24, Sheree is using her story to raise awareness about this often-misunderstood condition and to support others who may feel isolated by their diagnosis. Sheree holds a Master's degree in Gender, Society and Representation from University College London, where she explored societal, political, and cultural structures. She is an Early Menopause Educator, Research and Engagement Lead and Menopause Ambassador. Sheree often appears in the...2024-12-3055 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E26: Professor Helena Teede: Understanding polycystic ovary syndromePCOS Professor Teede is the Director of Monash Centre for Health Research Implementation, Monash University and an Endocrinologist at Monash Health. She holds an Order of Australia for services to Women’s Health. Through decades of research, Helena is considered one of the world leaders in women’s health including PCOS, healthy pregnancy and menopause. She is a strong advocate for advancing women in leadership in healthcare and research and leads the International “Advancing Women in Healthcare and Health and Medical Science” initiative with 22 partners. She is dedicated to impact and equity, based on genuine partnership with the community, patients...2024-12-201h 06Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E25 Professor Ertan Saridogan: Understanding endometriosisErtan is a Professor at University College London and a consultant in reproductive medicine and minimal access surgery at University College London Hospitals. He is a past president of the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy and current President of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy. His clinical interests include laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery for benign gynaecological conditions, reproductive surgery, endometriosis, fibroids and outpatient hysteroscopy. His research interests include non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis, clinical outcomes following endometriosis surgery, outpatient hysteroscopy, and the place of screening and risk-reducing surgery in women with a history of familial cancer. Ertan has been working...2024-12-111h 15Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E24 Dr Jackie Maybin: Understanding your menstrual cycle and periodDr Jackie Maybin is a Reader and Consultant Gynaecologist at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian. She runs a specialist menstrual disorders service offering medical and surgical treatments. Her research team aims to develop better preventative and therapeutic strategies for problematic menstrual bleeding, a common and debilitating symptom. She holds a Wellcome Clinical Career Development Fellowship to investigate the role of hypoxia in menstrual physiology and pathology. She is also examining the potential link between COVID and menstrual disturbance. Jackie is also president of the RCOG Blair Bell Society, a member of...2024-11-2758 min
Causes or CuresDive into Relief: Cold Water Swimming for PMS & Menopause, with Prof. Joyce HarperSend us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Professor Joyce Harper to discuss her fascinating study on the effects of cold water swimming on premenstrual and perimenopausal symptoms. Prof. Harper kicks off by sharing her background and what inspired her to dive into this unique research. They explore what qualifies as cold water swimming and how the study was conducted, revealing interesting findings—like the differences in benefits between wearing bathing suits versus wetsuits and the optimal time women spent in cold water. The conversation delves into the potential ph...2024-11-1558 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E23: Eleanor Mills: Much more to comeEleanor is the former Editorial Director of The Sunday Times and one of Britain’s most high profile commentators. In March of 2021 she launched an online community platform for women called Noon. She began her journalistic life on the Guardian and Observer and at only 26, she was the Daily Telegraph’s youngest ever Features Editor. During her long Fleet Street career, Eleanor was the Sunday Times’s main interviewer. In 2014 she became Chair of Women in Journalism, the industry’s cross media network for female hacks, and launched a series of high profile events on media sexism and empowering women. E...2024-11-1352 min
Belly Button Portal: The Only Way Out-y, is In-yFood Energetics Counselor Virginia Harper is Back with Helpful Hints About Seasonal Eating & CookingWe are thrilled to welcome back You Can Heal You Founder and Director, and Macrobiotic Food Energetics Counselor, Virginia Harper!In this episode Virgina outlines how she provides you with a customized health reboot protocol to get you on track, then follows up with a personalized coaching program to keep you living your new habits! Each protocol supports you on your healthy lifestyle journey - at a level you choose.Also, find out how seasonal eating and seasonal cooking styles can change your health today! Feeling sluggish? Eating seasonally may help!...2024-11-031h 00Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E22 Bukky Ayoade: Your Vibrant MidlifeBukky is the Principal Consultant at Vibrant Midlife Wellness Practice. She helps motivate women in midlife to overcome the disruption of hormone chaos that can accompany the menopause transition and develop their personalised menopause care plan so they are happier, fitter, healthier, more confident, and fabulous. Aside from being a Certified Health and Wellness Coach to midlife women, her wellness coaching is underpinned by over 35 years of experience as a Pharmacist working at various Blue-Chip pharmaceutical companies. Bukky is currently sharing her expertise with NHS England helping to improve women's health and lead a workstream on the...2024-10-3054 min
Shot of Digital Health TherapyDr. Ross Harper, CEO of Limbic on AI, Mental Health, & the Future of Empathy in CareOn Episode #150 Jim Joyce and I sat down 🎙 with Ross Harper, Founder of Limbic. Ross is our first guest on the show that neither one of us had met before! Ross shared his journey from neuroscience to founding Limbic and diving deep into AI’s potential to transform mental health care: 🧠 The intersection of #neuroscience and #AI in mental health🤝 How AI can enhance the clinician-patient relationship🤖 The role of empathy in AI & patient engagement🇺🇸 A UK startup entering the US marketFun mentions as always...2024-10-2346 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E21 Dr Stella Duffy, OBE: What is it like to be postmenopausal?Stella Duffy has written seventeen novels. Her last novel, Lullaby Beach was published by Virago in February 2021.She has also written and devised fourteen plays and written over seventy short stories, including several for BBC Radio 4. Her collected stories are published by Salt in Everything is Moving, Everything is Joined. She has won many awards. She wrote and presented the BBC4 documentary How to Write a Mills and Boon. In addition to her writing work, she worked in theatre for over thirty five years. Stella is a regular speaker and campaigner around LGBTQ+, women’s and arts equality and in...2024-10-161h 13Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E20 Rachel Peru: Liberté - Free to BeRachel is a silver haired curve model, body confidence activist, midlife influencer, and the woman behind Liberte Free to Be. She began a new career as a model at the age of 46, something that she does not feel she would have had the confidence to do earlier in life. She is doing amazing work representing older women in the fashion industry and has worked with some amazing people and brands including JDWilliams, F&F Clothing with Davina McCall and alongside my body confidence icon Ashley Graham for Swimsuits for All. Her favourite shoots are always swimwear and lingerie and...2024-10-0246 minWhy Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?S2 #E19 Kate Codrington: Second SpringKate Codrington is a pioneering, pro-ageing activist, author, menstrual health menopause mentor, speaker, workshop facilitator, artist, yoga Nidra guide, podcaster and has been a therapist for nearly 30 years. She is author of two books: Second Spring: the self-care guide to menopause and just out - The Perimenopause Journal. Kate’s mission is to change the way we regard menopause and show how we can relax into our own, inner authority through our cyclical nature and menopause process. She refuses to take herself too seriously and try to never take on anything that is not pleasurable and delicious. Sh...2024-09-1856 min