TURNED ON: Wild, free & sexy in your midlife

Penny van der Sluys
  • 3.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Are you ready to turn on the light switch of your soul and live an authentic, radiant, unapologetically pleasure-filled life? I’m Penny van der Sluys, I empower women in their midlife who are struggling to love their body and prioritise pleasure, play and passion, and help them discover their powerful, untapped sensual, sexual and feminine energy so they can feel wild, free, sexy in their body and life. Journey with me as we explore the aspects of our lives that are taboo and surrounded in shame, and reveal the keys to access to pleasure and joy in your midlife and beyond!

  1. 107 | Capturing the Light: Exposure as Self-Celebration with Wren Morrow, Outdoor Boudoir & Erotic Adventure Photographer

    MAR 2

    107 | Capturing the Light: Exposure as Self-Celebration with Wren Morrow, Outdoor Boudoir & Erotic Adventure Photographer

    What if exposure through a lens wasn’t about performance… but about self-celebration?  Not about looking perfect… but about remembering who you are? In this expansive and beautifully honest conversation, I chat with outdoor boudoir photographer, Wren Morrow, about exposure, embodiment, and what happens when women stop performing and start remembering. We explore: – The difference between performance and presence – Why social conditioning keeps women critiquing their bodies – How nature helps us drop the persona and return to our ancient self – Photography as a portal — not to perfection, but to remembrance – Simple ways to reconnect with your body and send light where shame once lived When we recorded this episode, Wren and I were dreaming out loud. I was about to turn 50 and host a Women’s Camping Festival - a weekend of wildness, sisterhood and celebration - and I knew I didn’t just want it documented. I wanted it witnessed. So I invited her to come to Australia. To be part of the festival. To work with women in my network. And she said yes. As this episode is released, Wren is here in Australia, collaborating with women who are ready to step beyond social constructs and let nature guide them back to themselves. She’s also able to assist with all kinds of photography If that’s you - reach out. Wren will be in Australia until late April, with some time in Bali during March. If you’re curious about working with her while she’s here, send me a message or contact her directly via her website/instagram DMs below. This episode is where the magic began -before we stepped through the portal. Connect with Wren Website: wrenmorrow.com Instagram: @_wrenmorrow Step Into Your Own Self-Celebration My next Pleasure You’ve Been Missing Pilgrimage begins March 9. It’s an 8-week journey into embodiment, pleasure, confidence and reconnection - without apology and without performing. If you’d like details, or want to explore whether it’s right for you, email me directly: 📩 penny@pennyvandersluys.com And if you miss this intake, reach out and I’ll add you to the waitlist for the next take-off.

    1h 8m
  2. 106 | What Women Want: Reclaiming Desire, Intimacy & Choice in Midlife with Anna Grosman, Founder, Her Confidant, Australia’s Only Female-led Male Escort Agency for Women

    FEB 16

    106 | What Women Want: Reclaiming Desire, Intimacy & Choice in Midlife with Anna Grosman, Founder, Her Confidant, Australia’s Only Female-led Male Escort Agency for Women

    What do women really want in midlife? Not crumbs.Not confusion.Not low-effort dating. In this bold and expansive episode, I'm joined by Anna Grosman, founder of Her Confidant – Australia’s only female-led, women-focused male escort agency designed specifically for women. Together we explore what women crave in from men and in midlife, how intimacy can be reframed as wellbeing, and why midlife is not a decline – but an awakening. This conversation moves beyond taboo and into choice, agency, safety, emotional intelligence, and the radical act of choosing yourself. Whether you’re single, partnered, curious, or simply questioning what’s possible, this episode opens the door to a new way of thinking about desire and connection. We discuss: • What women really want in midlife• The exhaustion of modern dating apps• Why safety and emotional intelligence matter in intimacy• Moving from performance to presence• Reclaiming desire after years of disconnection• Trauma-aware approaches to intimacy• Couples exploring safely and consensually• Why pleasure is a wellness tool, not an indulgence• The power of choosing yourself Connect with Anna: https://herconfidant.com.au/https://www.instagram.com/herconfidant.au/linkedin.com/in/annagrosman-herconfidanthttps://www.tiktok.com/@her.confidant.companionshttps://www.facebook.com/p/Her-Confidant-61555999673521/ If this episode sparked something in you, join me for an 8-week immersive journey, The Pleasure You’ve Been Missing Pilgrimage, starting soon, from 9th March 2026. Email: penny@pennyvandersluys.comInstagram: @pennyvandersluysWebsite: www.pennyvandersluys.com

    50 min
  3. 105 | Hormone Replacement Therapy Without the Hype - When HRT Helps & What Else Matters with Joanna Macmeikan, Women's Hormone Health Coach

    FEB 2

    105 | Hormone Replacement Therapy Without the Hype - When HRT Helps & What Else Matters with Joanna Macmeikan, Women's Hormone Health Coach

    HRT is having a moment - and for many women, it’s been supportive and even life-changing. But the conversation has also become polarised, confusing, and at times overwhelming. In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Joanna McMeekin, a women’s hormone health coach, for a grounded, nuanced conversation about HRT. There is a lot of hype about it at the moment, so this is a discussion about what’s actually happening hormonally through perimenopause and menopause, why HRT doesn’t work for everyone, and what else matters when it comes to supporting your body, brain, bones and wellbeing through midlife. This episode is for women who are already taking HRT, considering it, trying it, or questioning whether they need it - and who want to make informed, embodied choices rather than reacting from fear or pressure. In this episode, we explore Why HRT has shifted from hesitation to a groundswell of encouragementWhen it’s too late to take HRTWhy the HRT conversation has become so polarised - and how to step out of “either/or” thinkingWhen HRT can be helpful, and why it doesn’t work for everyoneHow we know Perimenopause and menopause are transitions and not disease or deficiency What’s often missing from the HRT conversationWhy bloodwork, baseline health and individual patterns matterSupporting brain, bone and heart health with or without HRTTrusting your body, your lived experience, and your capacity to choose what’s right for you Books mentioned The Menopause BrainThis Is Your Brain on Birth Control – Sarah E. Hill Connect with Joanna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joanna.macmeikanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanna_macmeikan/Website: www.joannamac.comFree guide: https://www.joannamac.com/free-downloads Connect with Penny Website: https://pennyvandersluys.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/penelope.sluys

    1h 21m
  4. 104 | Finding Space In Your Busy Life To Feel & Be Curious Again with Amanda Ewin, Curiosity Coach

    12/01/2025

    104 | Finding Space In Your Busy Life To Feel & Be Curious Again with Amanda Ewin, Curiosity Coach

    If you’re a woman who does a lot, holds a lot, and is brilliant at being busy… this episode will feel like a deep exhale. In this conversation, I chat with Certified Curiosity Coach, Amanda Ewin. We explore how curiosity - simple, gentle, body-led curiosity - can become a powerful tool for creating space, truth, and turn-on in the middle of a full life. This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about softening busy, interrupting old patterns, and discovering small moments that reconnect you to yourself. Listen to hear us talk about: Why busy becomes such a familiar pattern for women in midlifeHow micro-moments (even 30 seconds in the car!) can shift everythingCuriosity as a gentle doorway back to spaciousness, presence, and self-connectionHow to recognise when you’re making choices from old patterns instead of current desiresUsing the body to guide decisions, clarity, and truthCuriosity as a playful way to interrupt people-pleasing and perfectionismHow curiosity can softly support more turn-on, aliveness, and alignment - without forcing anything You can connect with Amanda: Instagram @amandaewin. website: Amandaewin.com Instagram: @pennyvandersluysFacebook: Penny van der SluysWebsite + pleasure-focused emails: pennyvandersluys.com If this episode resonated, please share it with a friend - or leave a comment, review or rating. It all helps this podcast reach more women who deserve to feel wild, free, sexy, and deeply connected to themselves.

    50 min
  5. 103 | Breathing through the Pain: How Breathwork transformed my Endometriosis Journey

    11/18/2025

    103 | Breathing through the Pain: How Breathwork transformed my Endometriosis Journey

    What if the thing that could change everything - your stress, your energy, your relationship with your body - was something as simple and as profound as your breath? So many women spend years pushing through discomfort, silencing symptoms, or being told their pain is “normal,” “in their head,” or caused by something unrelated. Endometriosis, in particular, is one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions affecting women - and the impact can be devastating. In this episode, we open a conversation that has been silenced for far too long. I’m joined by Rachael McLean, a master breathwork facilitator who endured years of chronic pelvic pain, medical dismissal, and multiple surgeries before discovering a practice that helped her reconnect with her body, regulate her nervous system, and reclaim her quality of life. Her story is powerful, validating, and deeply hopeful - not just for women with endo, but for anyone who has ever been told to “just put up with” their pain. A gentle note before you listen This episode is based on Rachael’s lived experience with endometriosis and breathwork, and our shared reflections. It’s offered for information and inspiration, not as medical advice.Always trust your body, and work with your own practitioners and health support team when exploring treatments, changing medications, or trying new approaches. In this episode, we explore: What endometriosis actually is - and why so many women go undiagnosed for years How pain is often dismissed or mislabelled (IBS, anxiety, food intolerance, “normal period pain”) Why so many women learn to push through agony instead of receiving proper support How breathwork helped Rachael reduce pain, calm inflammation, and reconnect with her body The link between stress, cortisol, inflammation, and chronic pelvic conditions How breath regulates the nervous system and influences pain perception The emotional cost of not being believed - shame, confusion, isolation, and self-doubt The importance of advocating for your body when professionals don’t listen Rebuilding trust in your body after years of being dismissed Practical ways breathwork can support your cycle, pain, and emotional wellbeing Connect with Rachael: Website: https://therefinedbreath.comInstagram: @the_redefined_breath Connect with me: Instagram: @pennyvandersluysExplore my work at pennyvandersluys.com

    1h 3m
  6. 102 | Fit for Pleasure: Sport, Sex & the stuff we don’t talk about with Jordina Quain, The Sporty Sexologist, Inclusion Advocate & Sex Educator

    11/03/2025

    102 | Fit for Pleasure: Sport, Sex & the stuff we don’t talk about with Jordina Quain, The Sporty Sexologist, Inclusion Advocate & Sex Educator

    What if the way you move your body could transform how you experience pleasure, confidence, and desire? In this episode, my guest is the gorgeous sexologist, educator, and triathlete Jordina Quain who is passionate about sport personally and professionally! Her PhD is exploring the effect of endurance sport on female athlete sexuality and sense of self so she is very familiar with what it really means to be fit for pleasure - body, mind, and soul. Tune in to hear us talk about: How sport can both ignite and inhibit desire The hidden link between pelvic floor health and orgasmic pleasure Why leisure is political (and reclaiming it is an act of rebellion) How movement and community help us rewrite old stories of shame and belonging The unexpected ways exercise impacts confidence, relationships, and sensuality And Jordi’s powerful message to women in midlife Whether you’re an ocean swimmer, weekend walker, or just curious about reconnecting to your body in new ways, this conversation will inspire you to move your way to joy, sensuality, and self-acceptance. 🖤 Acknowledgement of CountryWe both wish to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land where I record TURNED ON, and the Whadjuk Noongar people where Jordina Quain joined from. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded, and honour the wisdom, culture, and stories that continue to flow through these lands and waters. You can connect with Jordi on Instagram @the_sporty_sexologist I'd love to connect with you too: pennyvandersluys.comOn Instagram @pennyvandersluys

    55 min
  7. 101 | The Pleasure Gifting Revolution with Justine Vallata, Founder & Owner of That's the Spot, Australia's First & Only Pleasure Gifting Emporium

    10/20/2025

    101 | The Pleasure Gifting Revolution with Justine Vallata, Founder & Owner of That's the Spot, Australia's First & Only Pleasure Gifting Emporium

    Are you ever stuck for present ideas? Have you ever been gifted a vibrator - or thought about gifting one to yourself or a friend - but weren’t quite sure how to go about it? Today’s episode is for you. In this joyful, stigma-busting conversation, I chat with Justine Vallata, founder and owner of That’s The Spot - a small Australian business on a mission to make pleasure gifting fun, affordable, and shame-free. We talk about what makes a pleasure gift feel personal and empowering, and how affordability, sustainability, and creativity are helping more women feel confident exploring pleasure - for themselves and for others. Join us as we explore: + How self-gifting can become an act of self-respect and a way to reclaim your right to feel good.+ How to choose personalised pleasure hampers that feel elegant, inclusive, and empowering.+ Why affordability and sustainability matter in the world of pleasure products - and how small changes in packaging and pricing can make pleasure more accessible for everyone.+ How to start the conversation about sex toys with your partner - without ego, shame, or awkwardness.+ And how this small Australian business is helping change the narrative around pleasure and self-care. This episode is for every woman who’s ever wanted to give - or receive - a gift that keeps on giving and makes you feel amazing. You can connect with Justine:Website: thatsthespot.com.auInstagram: @thatsthespotau✨ Use code TURNEDON20 for 20% off all gift packs, Pleasure Power Vibes, and subscriptions. Connect with Penny:Instagram: @pennyvandersluysWebsite: pennyvandersluys.com

    50 min
  8. 100 | Vaginal Health in Midlife - Practical Care that Actually Helps

    10/06/2025

    100 | Vaginal Health in Midlife - Practical Care that Actually Helps

    Do you feel like your vaginal health and what's best for it is a mystery? In this episode, I chat with Joanna Macmeikan about practical vaginal care that actually helps. She demystifies what’s normal, what needs attention, and how to support a thriving, pleasure-friendly environment - without the shame and confusion. Tune in to hear us discuss: Vulva vs vagina - the self-cleaning truth and what to stop using today The “nightclub” microbiome - how pH, periods and semen crash the party The midlife pre-teen echo - why some patterns return…and how to respond GSM decoded - the quiet symptoms too many tolerate, plus simple first steps Moisturiser vs lube - the 3×-weekly habit most women wish they started earlier Pelvic floor myths - when “tight” is the problem and how to retrain with ease Pleasure as medicine - blood flow, nerves and building a “use it or lose it” practice Smart recovery after antibiotics - rebuild balance, don’t just bomb it Hormone tools - local oestrogen or testosterone as options Trauma-aware support - finding practitioners who can truly hold you Joanna blends clear science, TCM wisdom and lived empathy so you leave with language for your body, practical options to try, and the confidence to choose what feels right in your season of midlife. If you’ve ever wondered what’s “normal,” how to reduce discomfort, or how to make this part of your health more pleasure-friendly, this conversation is your gentle, grounded starting point. 100th-Episode Celebration – 7–17 October 2025 Join the party on my socials. Find the celebration post, share what you loved about this episode or the show, and go in the running for gorgeous prizes — including goodies from That’s The Spot and Bed Intentions. Connect with Joanna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joanna.macmeikan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanna_macmeikan/ Website: www.joannamac.com Receive her Free Perimenopause Essentials Checklist: https://www.joannamac.com/free-downloads

    1h 23m
See All (131)

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Are you ready to turn on the light switch of your soul and live an authentic, radiant, unapologetically pleasure-filled life? I’m Penny van der Sluys, I empower women in their midlife who are struggling to love their body and prioritise pleasure, play and passion, and help them discover their powerful, untapped sensual, sexual and feminine energy so they can feel wild, free, sexy in their body and life. Journey with me as we explore the aspects of our lives that are taboo and surrounded in shame, and reveal the keys to access to pleasure and joy in your midlife and beyond!

Information

You Might Also Like