Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This?

Joyce Harper
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  • EDUCATION

Welcome to season 2 of the podcast - Why didn’t anyone tell me this? This podcast is about health education with an emphasis on reproductive health. We do not cover these topics enough in school or beyond. Joyce Harper and her guests want to give you the tools to empower you to live a healthy, happy and fulfilled life. And on the way, we will debunk some of the myths around our health. This podcast will include a wide range of amazing guests, discussing topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health, happiness, cancer, periods, fertility, infertility, fertility treatment, preconception health, pregnancy, miscarriage, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause and much more. Joyce is a cold-water swimmer so expect some episodes about swimming! They will tell you about their work and life journey, what are the key messages they want you to know, their motivation, what makes them happy and their advice to their younger self. Joyce Harper is an award-winning author, educator, academic, and scientist with over 30 years’ experience in reproductive health. She is Professor of Reproductive Science at the Institute for Women’s Health at University College London where she heads the Reproductive Science and Society group. Her latest book, Your Fertile Years, is published by Sheldon Press, 2021. She is chair of the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration (www.eshre.eu/IRHEC) and co-chair of the UK Fertility Education Initiative. She is founder of Reproductive Health at Work. Further information at www.joyceharper.com.

  1. 22H AGO

    Season 3, #Episode 20 Professor Neil Gittoes: Understanding osteoporosis

    Professor Neil Gittoes is Consultant Endocrinologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham and Honorary Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Birmingham with honours in medicine and anatomical studies and has a PhD in molecular endocrinology. Neil is recognised nationally and internationally for his work in metabolic bone diseases including osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency and disorders of calcium homeostasis. He has co-authored recent international guidance on management of parathyroid diseases and UK guidance on osteoporosis. Neil was awarded the Goulstonian Lectureship at the Royal College of Physicians, London and has had many key roles, including being the current chair of the Royal Osteoporosis Society. https://theros.org.uk/ Did you know you can check your risk of osteoporosis with a quick online tool from the Royal Osteoporosis Society? Just pop onto their website and try the risk checker. If it shows you’re at high risk, it’s worth speaking to your doctor, who may suggest a bone density scan. The good thing is that osteoporosis is largely preventable. Neil talked us through how our bones change as we get older. Half of all women over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, and so will one in five men. Genetics play a big part—about 70 to 80% of our risk comes from our genes—so it’s important to know your family history. But lifestyle matters just as much. Doing regular weight-bearing exercise, cutting down on alcohol, not smoking, keeping vitamin D levels up, and eating enough protein and calcium can all help protect your bones. The tricky thing about osteoporosis is that it’s a silent disease—you don’t feel it happening. But the good news is that there are effective treatments. Some are one-off or short courses, and you don’t need to be on lifelong medication. We also touched on whether women should take HRT to prevent osteoporosis, and Neil had some interesting views. He also explained why getting a diagnosis of osteopenia isn’t something to panic about. Another key point Neil made is how important lifestyle is before the age of 25—that’s when we reach our peak bone mass. So if there’s one message for younger people, it’s that the choices you make in your teens and twenties, especially around exercise, can shape your bone health and your risk of chronic conditions later in life.  Date of episode recording: 2025-09-26 Duration: 01.04.57 Language of episode: English  Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Professor Neil Gittoes Producer: Joyce Harper

    1h 5m

  2. SEP 17

    Season 3, #E19: Dr Sarah McKay - Understanding dementia and Alzheimer’s

    Dr Sarah McKay is a neuroscientist and science communicator and runs The Neuroscience Academy – which provides online training in brain health and applied neuroscience for health. Sarah was born in New Zealand. She obtained her MSc and PhD from Oxford University then moved to Australia, where she conducted five years of postdoctoral research on spinal cord injury. Sarah shares brain science with a clear, science-first voice ... no fluff, no headlines ... just solid research, translated into useful, real-world insights. She has written three books: Baby Brain, The women’s brain book, and brain health for dummies. Her 2015 TEDx talk espoused the virtues of afternoon naps. She lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where she writes, teaches, swims in the ocean year-round, and turns complex neuroscience into practical tools and accessible stories. https://drsarahmckay.com/ Instagram: @drsarahmckay  Most of us know someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. In this podcast, we separate fact from myth: what are the symptoms, can we reduce our risk, are women more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s, and much more. One of the most striking findings is that around 45% of dementia cases are considered preventable.  The choices we make around lifestyle—nutrition, exercise, limiting alcohol, staying mentally and socially engaged, and looking after our hearing and eyesight—can all play a role, according to major dementia and Alzheimer’s organisations. We also address some of the claims circulating on social media about menopause and dementia/Alzheimer’s —for example, the idea that hormone therapy can prevent dementia. Sarah sets the record straight: unfortunately, this isn’t true. She has faced criticism online for challenging this myth, but calling out misinformation is not about women undermining women; it’s about ensuring we share facts rather than perpetuate inaccuracies. That said, research does suggest that frequent hot flushes may be linked to an increased risk. There’s still much more to learn, but what we do know is already powerful. By understanding the evidence on dementia and Alzheimer’s today, we can start taking steps to lower our risk.   Date of episode recording: 2025-09-10 Duration: 01.20.12 Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper Guests: Dr Sarah McKay Producer: Joyce Harper

    1h 20m

  3. SEP 3

    Season 3, #E18 Dr Nerina Ramlakhan: Reclaiming joy

    Nerina is a physiologist, Sleep Expert, Author & keynote speaker, who is dedicated to helping people and organisations to thrive, sleep more deeply and live more joyfully.  Nerina spent a decade conducting sleep and wellness programmes at Nightingale Hospital in London, coaches on burnout prevention at Ashridge Business School and is the original founder of BUPA’s Corporate Wellbeing Solutions. Nerina works with individuals as well as numerous corporate clients from various industries including sport (Chelsea Football Club). She is particularly interested in how, post-pandemic, organisations and individuals can thrive rather than merely survive. Her recently published 4th book Finding Inner Safety (Capstone, 2022) suggests that an important way forward in these volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) times is to tap into our deepest sources of resilience and inner safety. Many of her keynotes and presentations are focused on showing organisations and individuals how to do this.  Nerina is the author of three other books: Tired But Wired (Souvenir Press, 2010), Fast Asleep, Wide Awake (Thorsons, 2016), and The Little Book of Sleep: The Art of Natural Sleep (Gaia, 2018). Her work is often featured in the media including TV and Radio. www.drnerina.com @drnerina  Joyce and Nerina have known each other for over 40 years, since they first met while doing their PhDs — which makes this episode particularly special. Both are deeply passionate about the idea of reclaiming joy. In this conversation, Nerina explores what joy really is. It’s not always easy to define. ChatGPT describes it as a deep feeling of happiness, delight, or contentment that often arises spontaneously — not always triggered by something external. Nerina expands on this, explaining why joy is so essential for both our physical and mental wellbeing. Of course, joy looks different for everyone. We each have to discover what brings us joy in our own way. Nerina argues that joy should be recognised as a priority not just in our personal lives, but also in schools and workplaces — right alongside sleep. This is the final episode in the mini-series on reclaiming joy for 2025. I hope it’s sparked some ideas and inspiration for how you might reconnect with your own sense of joy. I’ll be back with another mini-series on joy and happiness next year — so stay tuned. Date of episode recording: 2025-07-30T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.14.09Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Dr Nerina RamlakhanProducer: Joyce Harper

    1h 14m

  4. AUG 20

    Season 3, #E17: Debbie Robinson: The Yoga Junkie – Sound baths – vibrations for wellness

    Debbie is a spiritual coach, certified grief recovery specialist, teacher of multiple Yoga lineages, menopause coach and much more. She is a certified in many types of yoga and is accredited by the Yoga Alliance, with over 25 years' yoga experience. Debbie is also trained in Mental Health, and Occupational Safety and Health. Debbie was born into an environment marked by dysfunction and has navigated a world without safety or guidance. From this experience she brings together the transformative power of movement, mindfulness, spirituality, and healing into a cohesive experience that truly supports people in their journey. She has created something that is both essential and expansive, a sanctuary for those seeking not just physical wellness but a deeper connection to themselves. She runs 1:1 sessions, workshops and retreats and offers eco-conscious yoga accessories and a range of sustainable clothing, embodying her commitment to the environment.  Website www.theyogajunkie.co.uk/ Instagram: @theyogajunkie  After meeting Debbie at the Big Retreat Festival and experiencing her incredible 90-minute sound bath, I knew I had to invite her onto the podcast. Many people still don’t know what a sound bath is or why they might want to attend one — so in this episode, Debbie walks us through the whole experience. She explains what a sound bath actually is, the instruments she uses, and how these sounds can affect both the body and the mind. She also describes what to expect from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. For many, it can be a deeply calming and even transformative experience — I personally feel completely relaxed and reset after one. I especially love floating sound baths, which we also talk about. In Debbie’s studio in Wales, participants are suspended in hammocks for a truly unique experience. We also explore what yoga means to Debbie, and how she supports people navigating menopause and grief through her practice. If you’ve never tried a sound bath before, I hope this episode inspires you to give it a go. I’d love to hear what you think. Date of episode recording: 2025-07-31T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.07.09Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Debbie Robinson - the Yoga JunkieProducer: Joyce Harper

    1h 7m

  5. AUG 6

    Season 3 #E16 Lou Featherstone: Lu in Luland’s self-love revolution baby

    What can I say about this woman? Lu in Luland, AKA Lou Featherstone is a 50-something mom on a mission to help women of all ages unlock their potential and become as confident as they can be. Hence, the Self Love Revolution Tour! She is a founding member of the Zero F*s Club, a sex-positive movement that helps others grow old disgracefully! To do that, Lou is touring the WORLD in her beloved vintage Bluebird bus, busting myths about midlife and menopause along the way. After emigrating from the UK to Portland, Oregon, she found herself extremely unhappy, she’d lost touch with her sexy self. Through small groups of AMAZING women in Portland, and her incredible Instagram community, she began to speak out more, and soon rediscovered her own voice. That process led to two huge discoveries: first, she mastered solo sex, which changed her relationship with her body and was a huge part of re-finding her confidence. Second, it led her to feel less connected to her husband, and she made the incredibly difficult, but incredibly bold, decision to separate. At this time, she was a track-and-field tutor at a local high school, but they did not approve of her social media presence – so, naturally, she walked away and didn’t look back. Sustainable fashion is another HUGE passion of Lou’s, check out her Instagram to see her wild style. She has an array of fantastic clothes on her bus which she gives women permission to play with, involving a lot of fun and liberation. Every day she wakes up more in love with who she is. “I love myself more today than I did yesterday, and tomorrow I’ll love myself more than I do today.” And she’s a TEDX speaker – helping women find their roadmap to self-love. Rip up the rule book! Lou has reclaimed her joy. https://luinluland.com/ @luinluland Warning – we swear a lot! This podcast is full of laugher, fun and outrageousness. This woman is so inspiring. Lou grew up in a vicarage and has worn many hats over the years – including heading up the PTA (yes, picture her with a clipboard, shaking things up). A major turning point came when she moved from the UK to the USA with her husband. It was there that she realised something was missing – and that it was time to make a radical change. That awakening was sparked when Lou realised the power of her vagina, vulva, orgasms, and menopause. For many women, menopause becomes a superpower – the moment they truly let go of societal limitations. Lou embraced this shift. She left her husband, bought a vintage bus, started a YouTube channel, launched an Instagram account, and hit the road across America, inspiring women everywhere to reclaim their joy. Today, she’s performing a one-woman show and running her own festival in August 2025 in the UK. If you get the chance, go and see her. She’s unforgettable. She has some brilliant quotes, besides the one in her bio. Here is another – “Give up on the destination. Embrace the journey.” What more can I say?

    1h 15m

  6. JUL 23

    Season 3 #E15: Harrison Ward - From Addiction to Adventure: The Fell Foodie’s Recipe for Joy

    For Harrison Ward, otherwise known as the Fell Foodie, the mountains are his solace, his gym and his kitchen. Harrison began suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts during puberty and discovered alcohol, whilst working in multiple roles in the hospitality trade, as a coping mechanism, drinking up to 20 pints a day and taking up smoking full time as he battled his mental illness. In 2016, when his relationship broke down, he vowed to get sober, remove alcohol from his life, stop smoking and really try and turn things around. He filled the void left by alcohol with the combination of hiking and cooking, gradually tackling more and more of the Lake District fells.  He has always loved cooking from a very young age and used to cook with his grandmother. From the age of 10 he studied cookbooks and cooking shows quite religiously. Harrison began sharing his culinary adventures via social media in 2017 and soon captured people’s imaginations, using a stove and simple ingredients to create hearty but delicious meals. After being sober for two years in 2018, Harrison shared the full background to his story with his followers, including how he had lived with mental health issues and struggled with alcohol. Harrison’s profile on social media has continued to grow as he also gained coverage in the news and on TV. He now has thousands of followers and continues to share his experience of mental health and open-air cooking online and via the media, as well as to corporate clients and schools.  www.fellfoodie.co.uk Instagram @fellfoodie  Many people struggle with life’s challenges and their mental health — some sadly lose that battle, while others find a way to turn things around. I’m not someone who cries easily, but listening to Harrison’s story moved me to tears, twice. Harrison has lifted himself out of depression and alcohol addiction and now lives with a remarkable sense of joy and purpose. He’s discovered his passions — being in nature, cooking, adventure, taking on new challenges, and building community — and his zest for life is truly infectious. After hearing this conversation, I hope it inspires everyone to take small, positive steps to reclaim their own joy.  Spending time in nature is a gift we all have access to, and creativity lives within us all. What better way to express that than cooking and sharing a meal outdoors, surrounded by fresh air and good company? Harrison’s story is a reminder that even when life feels dark, there is always a path back to light, connection, and hope. Date of episode recording: 2025-06-24T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.11.16Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Harrison Ward, The Fell FoodieProducer: Joyce Harper

    1h 11m

  7. JUL 9

    Season 3 #E14: Dr Sophie Messager – 'The beat of your own drum': drumming for women’s health

    Sophie 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 closing the bones ceremonies, and various other healing rituals, reclaiming lost traditions and blending science with spiritual practices. When not facilitating ceremonies or training professionals, she will be wild swimming, drumming in nature, or dancing the 5 rhythms – staying connected to her body, spirit, and the natural world. Her new book is about drumming as a tool to empower women and is published in Sept but you can pre order it now. The beat of your own drum explores the history, science, and contemporary use of drumming, particularly as a path for women's wisdom, health, and transformation. And Sophie has a podcast called the wisdom messenger. https://sophiemessager.com/ Instagram: @sophie_messager  Drumming has been an important ritual and healing practice throughout history and across cultures worldwide, connecting people to community, rhythm, and a sense of belonging. You might think that drumming for our health sounds a bit “woo-woo,” but in this unique podcast, two women with PhDs explore how shamanic drumming can boost our mental and physical wellbeing. Sophie is Joyce’s drumming teacher. Sophie uses drumming to support women throughout every stage of life — a topic she delves into in her latest book, The Beat of Your Own Drum. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Sophie chose to harness the power of the drum instead of medication, developing a technique she calls “drum microdosing.” She runs monthly drumming sessions, along with many other events, including drumming in nature with female friends and the Wheel of the Year festivals like Beltane. Can drumming be used to reclaim joy? Joyce and Sophie believe it can. Date of episode recording: 2025-06-26T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.22.56Language of episode: EnglishPresenter:Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Dr Sophie MessagerProducer: Joyce Harper

    1h 23m

  8. JUN 25

    Season 3 #E13: Julia Hollander – Why We Sing

    Julia 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 write two memoirs about family life, When the Bough Breaks and Chicken Coops for the Soul. More recently, she returned to her performing arts roots with her latest book, Why We Sing, an exploration of the way in which singing benefits everyday wellbeing. Her plays for BBC radio include a dramatization of When the Bough Breaks and a drama about climate activism, The Kingsnorth Six, as well as an autobiographical documentary, The Letter. She has held writing and research fellowships with the Winston Churchill, Judith E. Wilson and Rajiv Gandhi Foundations, and has been writer in residence at Campsfield Immigration Detention Centre. Julia is currently the Royal Literary Fund Writer in Residence for the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Literature at Oxford University.  Have you discovered the many physical and psychological benefits of singing? As Julia puts it, “We’re not singing because we’re happy — we’re happy because we’re singing.” It’s almost impossible not to smile when you sing. Since COVID, there’s been a surge in singing groups and choirs, and for good reason — singing with others strengthens social bonds and helps combat loneliness. From lullabies to school assemblies, singing has always been a part of our lives, woven through cultures and communities across the world. And now, research is revealing its potential to improve health and even support conditions like dementia. So perhaps it’s time to reclaim your joy — through singing. Date of episode recording: 2025-06-11T00:00:00ZDuration: 01.02.40Language of episode: English Presenter: Professor Joyce HarperGuests: Julia HollanderProducer: Joyce Harper

    1h 3m
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About

Welcome to season 2 of the podcast - Why didn’t anyone tell me this? This podcast is about health education with an emphasis on reproductive health. We do not cover these topics enough in school or beyond. Joyce Harper and her guests want to give you the tools to empower you to live a healthy, happy and fulfilled life. And on the way, we will debunk some of the myths around our health. This podcast will include a wide range of amazing guests, discussing topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental health, happiness, cancer, periods, fertility, infertility, fertility treatment, preconception health, pregnancy, miscarriage, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause and much more. Joyce is a cold-water swimmer so expect some episodes about swimming! They will tell you about their work and life journey, what are the key messages they want you to know, their motivation, what makes them happy and their advice to their younger self. Joyce Harper is an award-winning author, educator, academic, and scientist with over 30 years’ experience in reproductive health. She is Professor of Reproductive Science at the Institute for Women’s Health at University College London where she heads the Reproductive Science and Society group. Her latest book, Your Fertile Years, is published by Sheldon Press, 2021. She is chair of the International Reproductive Health Education Collaboration (www.eshre.eu/IRHEC) and co-chair of the UK Fertility Education Initiative. She is founder of Reproductive Health at Work. Further information at www.joyceharper.com.

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