Regarding Me

Luan Lawrenson-Woods
  • 5.0 (6)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Take control of your health and wellbeing with Regarding Me, the podcast that empowers women to advocate for themselves with confidence – because your voice and your choices matter.   Join Luan, an award-winning women’s health advocate with a personal experience of breast cancer, as she shares the skills, strategies and stories behind effective self-advocacy. Whether you’re facing a health challenge like cancer or a chronic illness, or taking steps to future-proof your health, this podcast is for you.   Hear from women who’ve successfully advocated for themselves and experts who offer insights to help you advocate for ‘me-centred’ healthcare. You’ll discover how to become your strongest self-advocate in any health situation and make informed decisions that are right for you.   Subscribe now and join a growing community of women transforming their health through self-advocacy. Together we’ll make sure your voice is heard and your care reflects what matters to you most. Looking for the FREE resources Luan mentioned, want to join the self-health advocacy movement, or have a question? Head over to luanlawriewoods.com.au! Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1 DAY AGO ·  BONUS

    Why Paying for Healthcare Isn’t Like Buying a Tin of Beans

    Nobody should be yelled at, bullied or gaslit for asking questions about healthcare costs. In the previous episode, we talked about how patients can be protected by consumer law, but paying for healthcare is not really like buying a tin of beans. In this bonus episode of Regarding Me, Dr Margaret Faux shares two powerful examples, including her own experience, that show why medical billing is never just about money. It’s also about how vulnerable patients can be when they rely on professionals to do the right thing both clinically and financially. In the next part of my conversation with Margaret, we go deeper into what to do when something doesn’t look right. Subscribe so you don't miss it! You can find Margaret’s book 'How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off!' and links to you connect with her in the episode blog on my website. Connect with Luan: Sign up for Luan's personal newsletterEmail LuanFollow Luan on InstagramConnect with Luan on LinkedInVisit Luan's website Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients. Please read more in this Disclaimer CREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    Your Medicare, Your Money: What You Need to Know About Medical Bills

    Most Australians think they understand Medicare. Many of us don’t. Dr Margaret Faux helps unpack the medical billing terms and systems that shape what you pay for healthcare in Australia, including bulk billing, private health, rebates, out-of-pocket costs and the Medicare safety net. This conversation helps explain why so many of us feel confused by medical billing, and why that confusion can have real consequences when money is already tight. Margaret is a nurse turned lawyer and one of Australia’s leading experts in Medicare and medical billing law. We break down how the system is meant to work and why understanding a few key terms can help you ask better questions and protect your rights as a patient that save you money. This is a practical conversation about money, rights and understanding the system you’re already paying into. In Part 2 we look at red flags, real billing examples and what to do when something doesn’t look right. You can find Margaret’s book 'How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off!' and links to you connect with her in the episode blog on my website. Connect with Luan: Sign up for Luan's personal newsletterEmail LuanFollow Luan on InstagramConnect with Luan on LinkedInVisit Luan's website Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients. Please read more in this Disclaimer CREDITS:Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  3. 31 MAR

    Just a Little Bit | Endometriosis, Pain & Being Believed | Mac

    Mackala had lived with pain for years before she was diagnosed with endometriosis. But the diagnosis didn’t bring the relief she'd hoped for. What followed was a different kind of struggle: trying to function while managing pain, inconsistent care, and the feeling that she still had to explain and prove what was happening in her body. Her story raises bigger questions about what happens when women are finally diagnosed but still left without clear support, proper follow-up, or care that makes sense of their pain. There is also a turning point in this conversation, when Mac describes the difference it made to be met by someone who listened, explained things clearly, and helped her feel held. Listener note: This episode discusses chronic pain, medical dismissal, emergency care experiences, and the emotional impact of ongoing pain. Please take care while listening. Support is available through Beyond Blue's free online resources, or by calling 1300 224 636. Connect with Luan: Sign up for Luan's personal newsletterEmail LuanFollow Luan on InstagramConnect with Luan on LinkedInVisit Luan's website Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients. Please read more in this Disclaimer CREDITS:Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 9min

  4. 23 MAR

    Are Women Being Failed in Healthcare?

    Have you ever been dismissed by a doctor and wondered if it was just you? In this episode, award-winning journalist and Health Editor at the Sydney Morning Herald, Kate Aubusson, shares what their medical misogyny investigation uncovered. The series revealed clear, systemic patterns of dismissal, delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, including what Kate describes as “nightmare fuel” — cases where women were diagnosed with psychiatric conditions and involuntarily admitted to psychiatric wards while experiencing serious physical illness. The investigation has already led to changes in policy and practice, showing what can happen when these experiences are recognised at scale. This episode discusses experiences of dismissal, misdiagnosis and psychiatric misdiagnosis in healthcare.Please take care while listening and reach out for support if you need it. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636. Connect with Luan: Sign up for Luan's personal newsletterEmail LuanFollow Luan on InstagramConnect with Luan on LinkedInVisit Luan's website Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients. Please read more in this Disclaimer CREDITS:Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min

  5. 16 MAR

    What’s a Routine Day for Them Can Be the Worst Day for Us | Tammy (Part 2)

    After the events Tammy shared in Part 1, her treatment was delayed, with significant impacts on her wellbeing. This episode is Part 2 of Tammy’s story. Check out Part 1 — Doctor, Have I Done Something to Offend You? — before listening to get the full story. In Part 2, Tammy MacPherson shares what happened next. She describes another difficult moment before her DIEP breast reconstruction surgery, which meant that a decision she had carefully made the night before about her treatment did not go ahead. Tammy speaks about the grief and regret she has had to process since that moment, and how experiences like this can leave patients feeling that control over their own care has slipped away. This conversation explores what informed consent can mean in practice, particularly when patients are vulnerable and decisions carry lasting consequences. Tammy also shares the turning point in her care when she met a new plastic surgeon who approached her questions and concerns very differently and helped rebuild her trust. Some listeners may find parts of this conversation difficult to hear. Please take care while listening and reach out for support if you need it. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636. Connect with Luan: Sign up for Luan's personal newsletterEmail LuanFollow Luan on InstagramConnect with Luan on LinkedInVisit Luan's website Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients. Please read more in this Disclaimer CREDITS:Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  6. Doctor, Have I Done Something to Offend You? | Tammy (Part 1)

    9 MAR

    Doctor, Have I Done Something to Offend You? | Tammy (Part 1)

    Tammy was told she had the earliest possible stage of breast cancer. But the decisions that followed were still confronting. Not helped my her experiences in the healthcare system. In this episode, Tammy MacPherson shares what happened after a high-risk screening detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and what unfolded as she tried to understand the treatment decisions in front of her. She also reflects on a moment in the pre-operative room that left her feeling humiliated, ashamed and scared. Unfortunately this wasn't the only moment that affected her deeply. The conversation raises questions about diagnosis, decision-making and what can happen when women ask questions in healthcare. Some listeners may find parts of this conversation difficult to hear. Please take care while listening and reach out for support if you need it. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636. To understand how to give feedback or make a complaint about a surgeon in Australia, listen to this Rewritten Me episode explaining the RACS concerns, complaints and compliments process: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/breast-reconstruction-podcast/how-to-give-feedback-or-complain-about-your-surgeon-rhea-liang This is Part 1 of Tammy’s story. Part 2 is out next week. Connect with Luan: Sign up for Luan's personal newsletter https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/contact Email Luan luan@luanlawriewoods.com.au Follow Luan on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/luanlawriewoods Connect with Luan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/luanlawriewoods Visit the website https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/ Disclaimer Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients. CREDITS:Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health AdvocatePost-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min

  7. 02/10/2025

    Self-Health Advocacy Is Your Right with Rebecca White, Assistant Minister for Health

    Self-advocacy is encouraged but rarely explained or made explicit. And many women still don’t know they have the right to ask questions, get a second opinion, and offer feedback when it comes to their healthcare. You don’t need permission to advocate for healthcare that meets your needs. But if you wanted a reminder, this is it. In this timely episode of Regarding Me, I’m joined by Rebecca White, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health, and Women, to talk about self-health advocacy, not as a ‘bonus’ or nice-to-have, but as a right. We unpack the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, the importance of informed consent and shared decision-making, and what it takes to shift a healthcare system where women, especially younger women, are still dismissed or not taken seriously. Whether you’re in Australia or elsewhere, this conversation will help you understand what you’re entitled to and how to confidently speak up for the care that fits your life. You’ll hear: What your healthcare rights really mean and why they matterWhat the Australian Government is doing to support women's self-health advocacyHow to use the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights as a toolWhat informed consent is – across all healthcare interactionsWhy second opinions are a rightWhat to say when you feel dismissed or unsure what to askThe support services available to women from diverse communitiesHow we can shift systems and support each other to speak up “We are the only people we can depend on to be our own advocates when it comes to our healthcare.” — Rebecca White 🔗 Want to start now? Download my free Six Self-Advocacy Steps (SSAS) guide, a practical tool to help you ask better questions and get the care you need. For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page. Connect with Luan: Follow Luan on InstagramGet Luan's free SSASy guide to Self-AdvocacySign up for Luan's NewsletterCheck out Luan's website Disclaimer CREDITS: Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  8. 15/09/2025

    The Gift of Knowledge, the Cost of Action: Advocating to Reduce Cancer Risk

    Before she passed from metastatic breast cancer, Sarah’s mum gave her the greatest gift: knowledge that may help Sarah future-proof her health. In this powerful follow-up conversation, Sarah Wallace opens up about what it means to self-advocate when you live with inherited risk factors for breast cancer but no diagnosis. For her, it’s a complicated space: considered ‘elective’ in the system, but a risk too great for her to wait. And now she’s facing the prospect of accessing her superannuation again drawing from the little she’s managed to save since using every cent she had to fund IVF.  Together we talk about: The inherited cancer risk space, and why it can leave women feeling invisibleHow her mum’s knowledge shaped Sarah’s decisions around genetic testingWhy she feels risk-reduction surgery using her superannuation is her only optionWhat it looks like to advocate for yourself in the gaps, between risk and prevention, system and self Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that advocacy is not only about facing a diagnosis. It is also about the courage to act before one comes. ⚠️ This episode includes discussion of fertility challenges, pregnancy loss and related experiences. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you. It’s always okay to pause or step away if you need to. For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page. Connect with Luan: Follow Luan on Instagram Get Luan's free SSASy guide to Self-Advocacy Sign up for Luan's Newsletter Check out Luan's website Disclaimer CREDITS: Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
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Trailer

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About

Take control of your health and wellbeing with Regarding Me, the podcast that empowers women to advocate for themselves with confidence – because your voice and your choices matter.   Join Luan, an award-winning women’s health advocate with a personal experience of breast cancer, as she shares the skills, strategies and stories behind effective self-advocacy. Whether you’re facing a health challenge like cancer or a chronic illness, or taking steps to future-proof your health, this podcast is for you.   Hear from women who’ve successfully advocated for themselves and experts who offer insights to help you advocate for ‘me-centred’ healthcare. You’ll discover how to become your strongest self-advocate in any health situation and make informed decisions that are right for you.   Subscribe now and join a growing community of women transforming their health through self-advocacy. Together we’ll make sure your voice is heard and your care reflects what matters to you most. Looking for the FREE resources Luan mentioned, want to join the self-health advocacy movement, or have a question? Head over to luanlawriewoods.com.au! Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Luan Lawrenson-Woods
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Luan Lawrenson-Woods
  • Show Website
    Regarding Me

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