The Perimenopause & Midlife Podcast

Terri Batsakis

Dry vagina. Rage. Belly fat. Welcome to The Perimenopause & Midlife Podcast — a space for the conversations women are living, but rarely talking about openly. In this podcast, we talk honestly about symptoms, mental health, identity shifts, confidence, boundaries, and the deep personal changes that often arrive in midlife. I’ll be sitting down with leading health and mental health experts, women navigating perimenopause right now, and organisations working to better support women in the workplace. This isn’t just about hormones — it’s about culture, mindset, self-trust, and how we stop shrinking ourselves in a stage of life where we deserve to be flourishing. Perimenopause doesn’t stay at home. It shows up at work, in leadership, and in every part of a woman’s life. It’s time we talked about it — out loud and proud – without shame. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition. Always seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual needs.

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    Your Blood Test Results Are Normal. So Why Don’t You Feel Normal? – Dr Swaroopini Thangarajah

    🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Have you ever been told your blood test results are “normal”, yet you still don’t feel like yourself? In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr Swaroopini Thangarajah, General Practitioner Obstetrician, about perimenopause, women’s health and patient advocacy. We discuss when symptoms may need further investigation, including fatigue, weight changes, poor sleep and pain, and how conditions such as iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance and PCOM can overlap with perimenopause. We also explore how to advocate for yourself, prepare for appointments and keep asking questions when something still doesn’t feel right. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: Why “normal” blood test results don’t always explain how you feelWhen midlife symptoms may need further investigationWhy iron, thyroid, blood sugar and blood pressure matterHow insulin resistance and PCOM can affect women’s healthWhy your personal baseline matters when assessing symptomsHow longer GP appointments can helpHow to prepare for a medical appointmentWhen it may be appropriate to seek another opinionWhy trusting your gut and continuing to ask questions matters ABOUT DR SWAROOPINI THANGARAJAH: Dr. Swaroopini Thangarajah is a dedicated and compassionate General Practitioner Obstetrician who adopts a patient-centred approach to healthcare. Her commitment to providing comprehensive medical care spans across all age groups, with a focus on creating a supportive environment where patients feel listened to and valued. With a deep passion for empowering her patients, Dr. Thangarajah prioritises education and shared decision-making, encouraging individuals to take an active role in their health journey. Dr. Thangarajah has extensive post-graduate medical training in women's health, paediatrics and skin cancer medicine. She works as a GP in a few clinics, works in Urgent Care to keep up her emergency medical skills and she also assists regularly for gynaecological surgeries (esp. endometriosis) and elective/emergency caesarean sections at various private hospitals. CONNECT WITH DR SWAROOPINI THANGARAJAH: Web: drswaroopini.com Email: dr.swaroopini@gmail.com Phone: 0433 117 082 LinkedIn: @swaroopini-thangarajah-2a312088 OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Jean Hailes Perimenopause Symptom Checklist & other symptom checklistsJean Hailes Menopause FactsheetAustralasian Menopause Society Guide to MHT/HRT Doses CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

    Your Blood Test Results Are Normal. So Why Don’t You Feel Normal? – Dr Swaroopini Thangarajah

  2. Oct 11 ·  Video

    Meno Divorce: Is It Your Hormones or Your Relationship? – Narelle Dickinson

    🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Is perimenopause changing your relationship, or making it harder to ignore what was already there? In this episode, I’m speaking with Narelle Dickinson, Clinical and Health Psychologist, about relationships, meno divorce, perimenopause and intimacy, and why midlife can bring long-standing relationship dynamics into sharper focus. We explore the impact of hormonal changes alongside poor sleep, stress, mental load, teenagers, ageing parents, career pressures and years of unmet needs. Narelle also shares how women can step back from overwhelm, reflect on what is really happening in their relationship and have more honest conversations before making major decisions. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: What “meno divorce” actually meansWhy menopause itself may not be the cause of relationship breakdownHow resentment can build through “death by a thousand cuts”How to distinguish overwhelm from deeper relationship problemsWhy communication and accountability matterHow partners can better support women through perimenopauseWhy asking for and accepting help can feel so difficultWhat misophonia is and why certain sounds may become harder to tolerateHow therapy can help create perspective and reflectionHow perimenopause can affect libido, intimacy and emotional connectionWhy taking time before making a stay-or-leave decision matters ABOUT NARELLE DICKINSON: Narelle Dickinson is a Clinical and Health Psychologist and Director of Lotus Health and Psychology. With more than 30 years' experience, she specialises in women's mental health, fertility, pregnancy, birth, parenthood and perimenopause. She is a sought-after speaker and educator, helping women and couples understand the psychological changes that accompany major life transitions and build healthier, more connected relationships. CONNECT WITH NARELLE DICKINSON: Web: https://www.lotushp.com.au/ Instagram: @lotushealthandpsychology Facebook: @LotusHealthPsychology Phone: (07) 3132 8584 Fax: (07) 3567 9445 Email: admin@lotushp.com.au OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Lotus Health & Psychology Resources: https://www.lotushp.com.au/resources CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

    Meno Divorce: Is It Your Hormones or Your Relationship? – Narelle Dickinson

  3. Oct 4 ·  Video

    The Midlife Strength Training Guide: What Actually Works – Shawn Maftounian

    🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: What does strength training actually need to look like in midlife? In this episode, I’m speaking with Shawn Maftounian, Founder & Director of Prestige Personalised Training, about how women can approach strength training, progressive overload and midlife fitness without getting lost in conflicting advice or complicated workouts. We talk about why building and protecting muscle becomes increasingly important as we age, how often women need to strength train, how to know whether you’re lifting heavy enough, and why soreness isn’t necessarily a sign of a good workout. Shawn also explains how training can be adapted around poor sleep, fatigue, hot flushes, pelvic floor concerns and changing recovery needs, while still allowing women to build consistency and make progress. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: Why strength matters beyond weight lossWhat an effective midlife strength program can look likeHow to know whether you’re lifting heavy enoughWhat progressive overload means and why it mattersWhy random workouts may not create measurable progressHow beginners can start strength training simplyWhy muscle soreness isn’t a measure of successHow pelvic floor concerns can be managed around trainingHow to adjust exercise when sleep, fatigue or symptoms are affecting youWhy the goal is to become stronger, not simply smaller ABOUT SHAWN MAFTOUNIAN: Shawn Maftounian is the Founder & Director of Prestige Personalised Training on the Gold Coast, one of Australia's highest-rated private personal training gyms with 380 - 5-star Google reviews. He is an award-winning coach and entrepreneur who has also been featured in the 7NEWS Queensland Young Achiever Awards. He holds a Bachelor of Sports from Griffith University and has over 15 years of experience helping people improve their health, strength and quality of life. Shawn specialises in coaching busy professionals, women navigating pre-, peri- and post menopause, adults living with chronic pain and injuries, and NDIS participants. His philosophy is simple: sustainable health comes from personalised coaching, accountability, measurable progress and a supportive community, not quick fixes. Through evidence-informed exercise and lifestyle coaching, Shawn has helped thousands of Australians become stronger, more confident and more independent at every stage of life. CONNECT WITH SHAWN MAFTOUNIAN: Web: https://www.prestigept.com.au Instagram: @Prestigeptgc Facebook: @PrestigePT Email: admin@prestigept.com.au Phone: 07 5620 4420 OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Personalised One-on-One Personal TrainingTwo on One Private Personal TrainingSmall Group Classes, capped at 10 participantsWomen’s HealthEvolt 360 Body Composition & Health AssessmentsPersonalised Nutrition & Lifestyle CoachingPrivate GymComplimentary Initial Consultation and Health Assessment CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

    The Midlife Strength Training Guide: What Actually Works – Shawn Maftounian

  4. Sep 27 ·  Video

    You’ve Raised the Kids. Built the Career. Now What? – Jules Brooke

    🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: You’ve raised the kids, built the career and spent years doing what needed to be done. So what happens when midlife arrives and you start asking, “What do I want now?” In this episode, I’m speaking with Jules Brooke, Business Mentor and founder of She’s The Boss, about why so many women in their 40s, 50s and beyond are rethinking work, purpose and what they want from the second half of life. We explore midlife reinvention, women in business and menopause, including why women are leaving traditional careers, the impact of ageism, the appeal of entrepreneurship, the importance of strong female networks and why getting older doesn’t mean winding down. Jules also shares her own experience of perimenopause and menopause and why more open conversations can help women feel informed, connected and confident about what comes next. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: Why many women start questioning work and purpose in midlife Why women over 45 are starting businesses and pursuing new opportunities How purpose, legacy and impact can become more important with age Why ageism can influence career decisions for women The freedom and flexibility entrepreneurship can offer Why support from other women can give us courage to take the leap How fear of failure can stop us acting on our ideas Why visibility matters for women over 50 Jules’ experience of perimenopause and menopause Why midlife can be a breakthrough rather than a crisis ABOUT JULES BROOKE: Jules is the founder of Handle Your Own PR, She’s The Boss and Australian Women Speakers. She’s The Boss Group is for women business owners 45+. The group runs over 70 online and offline events nationally in Australia per year, she has a podcast called She’s The Boss Chats and another called She’s The Boss Disruptors, a She’s The Boss YouTube channel, and shesthebossdirectory.com. Jules is also a speaker and coach around visibility and How To Become a Woman of Influence, and hosts international business retreats every year. She’s a super connector and loves to encourage women to lift each other up, and back each other. CONNECT WITH JULES BROOKE: She’s The Boss: https://shesthebossgroup.com/ She’s The Boss Directory: https://shesthebossdirectory.com/ Instagram: @julesbrooke Instagram: @shesthebossgroup Facebook: @julesbrooke Facebook: @shestheboss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesbrooke/ OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Click the link below for full list of resources: https://terribatsakis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/OFFERS-AND-RESOURCES-Jules-Brooke.pdf CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

    You’ve Raised the Kids. Built the Career. Now What? – Jules Brooke

  5. Sep 20 ·  Video

    She Had Osteopenia at 36: What Every Midlife Woman Needs to Know – Nicole Cassey

    🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: What if something as important as your bone health was changing long before you knew to look for it? In this episode, I’m speaking with Nicole Cassey, founder of HeraVita, about her unexpected diagnosis of osteopenia at just 36, her strong family history of osteoporosis, and why women need to think about preventative health much earlier. We also explore bone health, menopause and women’s health, including the role of strength training, vitamin D, hormone therapy and self-advocacy. Nicole shares how her own changing body through midlife led to HeraVita and a national study using 3D body scanning to better understand the bodies of Australian women and challenge the way clothing and fit standards have traditionally been designed. This is a conversation about looking beyond the number on the scale, understanding your changing body and focusing not simply on lifespan, but health span. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: How Nicole discovered osteopenia at just 36Why family history can be an important part of the bone health conversationThe difference between osteopenia and osteoporosisWhy bone health deserves attention before later lifeHow menopause and declining oestrogen can affect bone healthWhy strength training becomes increasingly important as we ageThe role of vitamin D in supporting healthWhy midlife women have historically been under-researchedHow women’s body shape and proportions change through midlifeHow HeraVita is using 3D body scanning to help improve fit standardsWhy understanding your body and advocating for your health matters ABOUT NICOLE CASSEY: Nicole Cassey is the founder of HeraVita, a research-first women's wellness initiative dedicated to understanding how women's bodies change through midlife and advocating for the products, fit standards, and honest conversations that have never been built around them. Diagnosed with osteopenia at just 36, she experienced first-hand how easily women fall through the gaps in screening, and how often they're told the things that matter far too late. Twenty years after launching the award-winning baby sleepwear brand Bubbaroo, her work has come full circle. Through HeraVita, she's now leading a national study, using 3D body scanning to better understand the changing bodies of more than 500 Australian women and help shape the future of women's health and apparel. CONNECT WITH NICOLE CASSEY: Web: www.heravita.com.au Instagram: @heravita_official OFFERS AND RESOURCES: Become a HeraVita Founding Member Participate in HeraVita’s research into the changing bodies of midlife womenLearn more about the national study using 3D body scanningAccess HeraVita’s private women’s community at www.heravita.com.au CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

    She Had Osteopenia at 36: What Every Midlife Woman Needs to Know – Nicole Cassey

  6. Sep 13

    Why You’re Gaining Belly Fat Even Though Nothing Has Changed – Dr Avi Charlton

    🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Why can belly fat suddenly become harder to shift in midlife, even when you feel like you haven’t changed anything? In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr Avi Charlton, GP, speaker, best-selling author, podcast host and thought leader in lifestyle medicine, about insulin resistance, metabolic health and why our bodies may need a different approach as we move through perimenopause. We explore how insulin can influence fat storage, the signs of insulin resistance women may overlook, GLP-1 medications, intermittent fasting, protein, strength training and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition. Dr Avi also explains how stress and cortisol can influence metabolic health, why our past health experiences matter, and how simple strategies such as breathwork, mindfulness and lifestyle changes can support long-term wellbeing. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: What insulin resistance is and how it can affect fat lossWhy belly fat can increase during midlifeSigns of insulin resistance beyond blood glucoseHow GLP-1 medications may fit into metabolic healthcareWhy protein and strength training matter when using GLP-1sDifferent approaches to intermittent fastingWhy fasting and nutrition should be individualisedThe role of blood tests in understanding metabolic healthHow stress and cortisol can influence weight and wellbeingWhy what worked for your body before may not work nowSimple breathwork strategies to help manage stress ABOUT DR AVI CHARLTON: Dr. Avi Charlton is a GP, speaker, best-selling author, podcast host, and thought leader in lifestyle medicine. She is the founder of Melbourne Low Carb Clinic and Breathe in Health, where she helps people reverse chronic conditions and improve wellbeing through nutrition, functional breathing, and lifestyle interventions. A passionate advocate for empowering individuals to take charge of their health, Dr. Charlton shares her expertise on stage, in the media, through her best-selling book Prescribing Lifestyle: A Doctor’s Prescription to Lasting Weight Loss and Vibrant Health, and as host of the Prescribing Lifestyle podcast. Her work has been recognised nationally, receiving an AusMumpreneur Honourable Mention for Wellness Business of the Year. With over two decades of experience as a doctor, Dr. Charlton continues to inspire and guide people toward vibrant health, sustainable change, and a future where lifestyle is the first prescription. CONNECT WITH DR AVI CHARLTON: Web: www.mlcclinic.com.au Web: www.breatheinhealth.com.au Instagram: @dr_charlton_lifestyleGP Facebook: Dr Charlton Lifestyle GP LinkedIn: Avi Charlton YouTube: Dr Charlton Lifestyle GP OFFERS AND RESOURCES: One-to-one GP consultations for metabolic health, health checks, blood tests and menopause hormone supportBooks: Low Carb Made Easy, Prescribing Lifestyle and CookbookPrescribing Lifestyle Podcast, with approximately 127 episodes CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

    Why You’re Gaining Belly Fat Even Though Nothing Has Changed – Dr Avi Charlton

  7. Sep 6 ·  Video

    The Good Girl Is Exhausted: It’s Time to Find Yourself Again – Katherine Sayson

    🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Have you spent so much of your life being the capable one, the peacekeeper and the woman everyone can rely on that you’ve lost touch with what you actually want? In this episode, I’m speaking with Katherine Sayson, Speaker, Author and Founder of the Bold Purpose Collective, about the hidden emotional patterns that can keep high-capacity women living through performance rather than purpose. We explore the “good girl” identity, people-pleasing, over giving and the pressure women can feel to carry everything while insisting they’re “fine”. Katherine shares how midlife and perimenopause can become a mirror, bringing deeper questions about identity, purpose, worth and who we want to be in the next chapter of life. We also explore Katherine’s powerful distinction between performance, which creates pressure, and purpose, which creates life, and how noticing what drains you, energises you and brings you joy can help you reconnect with the person beneath all the roles you’ve learned to play. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: How the “good girl” identity can shape the way women live and leadSigns you may be living for everyone else instead of yourselfWhy being needed isn’t necessarily the same as being valuedThe difference between purpose and performanceHow guilt, resentment and exhaustion can signal misalignmentWhy midlife can be a rebirth rather than a crisisHow to begin noticing what gives you life and what drains youWhy your value, worth and purpose do not diminish with ageHow to reconnect with who you were before the world told you who to be ABOUT KATHERINE SAYSON: Katherine Sayson is a speaker, author, and founder of the Bold Purpose Collective. With a background in leadership and personal transformation, she brings a rare ability to articulate the hidden emotional patterns that shape how high-capacity women live and lead. Through reflective storytelling and practical insight, she helps audiences recognize what has long gone unseen — and reconnect with the clarity, voice, and grounded leadership that emerge when identity replaces constant performance. CONNECT WITH KATHERINE SAYSON: Website: https://katherinesayson.com/ Instagram: @katherinesaysoncoach Facebook: @katherinesaysoncoach LinkedIn: @katherine-sayson RESOURCE MENTIONED: Your Life Is Not Random – Katherine’s free workshop designed to help women connect the dots of their story, explore life transitions and begin asking deeper identity and purpose questions. Website: https://yourlifeisnotrandom.com/ CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

    The Good Girl Is Exhausted: It’s Time to Find Yourself Again – Katherine Sayson

  8. Aug 30 ·  Video

    You’re Not Having a Midlife Crisis: You’re Simply Outgrowing Your Old Life – Bianca Caruana

    🎙️ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: What if you’re not having a midlife crisis at all, but simply outgrowing the version of yourself you’ve been? In this episode, I’m speaking with Bianca Caruana, Ceremonial Guide, Holistic Counsellor and founder of The Goddess Temple in Brisbane, about the emotional and identity shifts that can occur through perimenopause and midlife. We explore why women can feel disconnected, overwhelmed or lost during this transition, and how years of pushing through, caring for others and trying to fit into expectations can leave us unsure of who we are underneath it all. Bianca shares a different perspective on midlife: rather than something to fix or fear, it can be an opportunity to let go of what no longer fits, reconnect with your body and begin discovering the woman you are becoming. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: Why an identity shift can feel like you’re falling apartWhat it means to move from the “mother” into the “wise woman” stageWhy women can become disconnected from their bodiesHow constantly pushing through can contribute to burnout and overwhelmWhy loneliness can exist even when you’re surrounded by peopleHow hyper-independence can make asking for support difficultThe importance of safety, surrender and self-inquirySimple practices for coming back into your bodyWhy community, women’s circles and feeling truly seen can matterHow midlife can become an opportunity to live more authentically ABOUT BIANCA CARUANA: Bianca Caruana is a Ceremonial Guide, Holistic Counsellor, and founder of The Goddess Temple in Brisbane, where she supports women through identity shifts, life transitions and periods of personal transformation. Much of Bianca’s work centres around the emotional and identity-based changes women experience throughout life, particularly during midlife and perimenopause. She views this stage as a significant transition, where many women begin moving from the role of mother into what some traditions describe as the “wise woman” stage of life. Through women’s circles, grief ceremonies, life-transition celebratory gatherings and other community experiences, she creates opportunities for women to pause, reflect and feel supported as they navigate change. Bianca speaks about the way modern life has removed many of the rituals, community structures and rites of passage that once helped women move through major transitions with greater understanding and support. Her work focuses on themes including burnout, disconnection, nervous system awareness, belonging and the importance of recognising midlife not as something to “fix”, but as a meaningful transition that deserves care, reflection and community. CONNECT WITH BIANCA CARUANA: Web: www.biancacaruana.com Contact: www.biancacaruana.com/contact Instagram: @bianca.jade.light Web: www.thegoddesstemple.com.au Instagram: @thegoddesstemple.au CONNECT WITH HOST TERRI BATSAKIS: Web: https://terribatsakis.com.au/ Instagram: @terri.batsakis Facebook: @terribatsakis YouTube: @terribatsakis

    You’re Not Having a Midlife Crisis: You’re Simply Outgrowing Your Old Life – Bianca Caruana
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Dry vagina. Rage. Belly fat. Welcome to The Perimenopause & Midlife Podcast — a space for the conversations women are living, but rarely talking about openly. In this podcast, we talk honestly about symptoms, mental health, identity shifts, confidence, boundaries, and the deep personal changes that often arrive in midlife. I’ll be sitting down with leading health and mental health experts, women navigating perimenopause right now, and organisations working to better support women in the workplace. This isn’t just about hormones — it’s about culture, mindset, self-trust, and how we stop shrinking ourselves in a stage of life where we deserve to be flourishing. Perimenopause doesn’t stay at home. It shows up at work, in leadership, and in every part of a woman’s life. It’s time we talked about it — out loud and proud – without shame. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition. Always seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual needs.

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