The Great Equalizer

TGE Media

An honest, unfiltered, unapologetic and (at times) irreverent parenting and lifestyle podcast about the realities of being a mom (or dad!) in the 2020s. Launched in 2018 by journalist Sam Herbst and marketing maven Charlene Armstrong, this podcast aims to debunk the myth of “perfect parenting” through personal (and balanced) accounts of our mothering highs and lows all while tackling a host of relatable lifestyle topics. And – because we can hardly pretend to have our own sh*t together – our episodes often include interviews with experts who do. Our mission? A representative and inclusive parenting and lifestyle platform that strikes a realistic balance between celebration, commiseration and education, because motherhood and parenting is a complex beast and we shouldn't pretend otherwise. #nojudgies

  1. 3d ago

    What We Still Don't Know About Menopause | Dr Elna Rudolph | TGE Talks: Menopause

    What do we still not know about menopause?In the final episode of TGE Talks: Menopause, we sit down with South Africa's foremost sexologist, Dr Elna Rudolph, to explore the biggest unanswered questions surrounding perimenopause and menopause.Despite affecting half the global population, menopause remains under-researched, with significant gaps in our understanding of everything from exercise and brain health to sexual wellbeing, treatment outcomes, and why women experience menopause so differently. In this conversation, we unpack where the science is clear, where evidence is still emerging, and why there is so much confusion surrounding topics like strength training, brain health, cognition, sexual wellbeing, hormone therapy and the menopause experience across different populations.Drawing on audience questions from throughout the series, Dr Rudolph shares insights into the current state of menopause research, discusses why women's health has historically been overlooked, and highlights the questions researchers are still working to answer. Whether you've followed the entire series or are joining us for the first time, this episode offers an evidence-informed discussion about one of the most important — and least understood — stages of women's health.In this episode, we discuss: • Why menopause research still has significant gaps – and why that matters. • What we know (and don't know) about strength training, protein and exercise during menopause. • Menopause, brain health, brain fog and cognitive ageing. • Painful sex, low desire and intimate wellbeing in midlife. • Hormone therapy, research priorities and the future of menopause care. • Why menopause experiences differ so dramatically from one woman to another. • The need for more research into menopause in African women and other under-researched populations. • Dr Elna Rudolph's biggest hopes for the future of menopause research. About Dr Elna Rudolph: Dr Elna Rudolph is a South African medical doctor, sexologist and Clinical Head of My Sexual Health. She served as President of the World Association for Sexual Health from 2021 to 2025, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position, the first African, and only the second woman in the organisation's history. -- 🎧 Brought to you by The Great Equalizer, TGE Talks: Menopause is a six-part podcast series that explores every aspect of menopause with insight from leading medical experts, specialists and sexual health advocates. 🎧 Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. Want to share feedback, pitch yourself as a guest, or advertise on The Great Equalizer? Use the links below: Listener Feedback: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpjgaVo9tVre6j_SPro_dhblYxxAuGCmDFwniwGOEwjivI8Q/viewform Expert Guest: Pitchhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMwxnjWcB8WGZYyH0pI3RS6FREEuoiKXs5Fjioo42NHJz_oA/viewform Advertising: Collaborationhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrpU6zviNfQu0SCCFMyHOTZ5V3LISzmnS8BGsGSv6huc16Jg/viewform — #Menopause #Perimenopause #WomensHealth #DrElnaRudolph #TGETalks #TheGreatEqualizer #HealthyAgeing #WomensWellbeing #Midlife #MenopauseAwareness

    What We Still Don't Know About Menopause | Dr Elna Rudolph | TGE Talks: Menopause
  2. Jul 6

    Perimenopause: The BEST Exercise, Strength Training & Pelvic Floor Advice for Women 40+

    It’s no secret that strength training is crucial for women in or approaching perimenopause. But what exactly are we talking about here? Is yoga and pilates going to cut it? Do you really have to lift heavy weights? And what about your pelvic floor? Protein intake? A time-turner to ensure you do all ‘the right things’ to secure a graceful aging process. It’s all a bit overwhelming, in all honesty. Which is why we’re tackling all our questions (and yours!) in Episode 5 of TGE Talks: Menopause. Life coach, physiotherapist and motivational speaker Sue Fuller-Good joins us in studio to chat about what really helps women thrive through midlife. If you've been bombarded by conflicting advice on social media about menopause fitness, weight loss, Pilates versus weight training, or the "perfect" workout, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed guidance for busy women navigating their 40s, 50s and beyond. Together, we discuss: * Why strength training is one of the most important forms of exercise during perimenopause and menopause. * What happens to your muscles, metabolism and bone health as hormones change. * The role of protein and nutrition in supporting healthy ageing. * How stress affects weight, energy and overall wellbeing. * Why pelvic floor health matters long after pregnancy (and why Kegels aren't the whole story!) * Realistic exercise habits that fit into busy lives. * How to build resilience, confidence and vitality during midlife. * The biggest myths about menopause and healthy ageing. * Sue's one non-negotiable piece of advice for every woman entering this stage of life. Whether you're experiencing hot flushes, fatigue, weight changes, reduced muscle strength, anxiety, or you simply want to feel stronger and healthier as you age, this conversation is packed with practical strategies to help you move well, feel well and live a life you can love. About TGE Talks: Menopause TGE Talks: Menopause is a six-part series from The Great Equalizer exploring the realities of perimenopause and menopause with leading South African experts. Together, we're tackling the conversations women have been told not to have — from hormones and mental health to sexual wellness, exercise and healthy ageing. 🎧 Subscribe for more honest conversations about women's health, parenting and midlife. 👍 If you found this episode helpful, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE it with someone who needs to hear it. — #StrengthTrainingForWomen #HealthyAgeing #PelvicFloorHealth #FitnessOver40 #HormoneHealth #Menopause #Perimenopause #WomensHealth #MidlifeWellness #TGETalksMenopause #TheGreatEqualizer -- MORE ABOUT OUR EXPERT GUEST: https://www.suefullergood.com Sue Fuller-Good is a speaker, coach, author, physiotherapist and healer. Sue has developed a deep understanding of the multi-dimensional concept of wellbeing, which is the foundation for her businesses. Her passion lies in cultivating the energy in her clients to fund living an extraordinary, highly productive, successful and joy-filled life.​Sue weaves her understanding of anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, human behaviour, psychology, nutrition, pain, spirituality and health into everything she does. She has worked with countless individuals and many businesses and business schools, facilitating the learning of stress management practices, the art of wellbeing creation and the instruction of mindfulness practice and body awareness. Sue has presented at many conferences both internationally and locally. Her work opens people’s minds and awareness so that they can truly thrive.She is founder of Body Brilliance, The Energy Incubator and The Endless Energy Program, and the author of the recently published book: The Sweet Spot. Get Sue's book, The Sweet Spot, directly from her or from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.za/Sweet-Spot-Energise-your-thrive/dp/190728284X

    Perimenopause: The BEST Exercise, Strength Training & Pelvic Floor Advice for Women 40+
  3. Episode 113

    The Midlife Mind: Navigating Mental Health Through Menopause

    Can you really blame menopause, or is it anxiety?  Are you depressed?  Burnt out?  Full of sh*t?  Just a bitch? For many women, perimenopause and menopause bring far more than hot flushes and night sweats. Neuroscience has proven that hormonal fluctuations during midlife can trigger anxiety, depression, brain fog, irritability, loss of confidence, and a profound sense of no longer feeling like yourself. And yet, so many women suffer in silence, convinced they're simply failing to cope. In Episode 4 of TGE Talks: Menopause,  clinical psychologist  Mareli Fischer helps us unpack the often-overlooked impact of menopause on mental health. Together, we explore why this life stage can feel so emotionally overwhelming and how fluctuating hormones interact with the pressures of midlife. This conversation goes beyond self-care clichés to examine what really supports psychological wellbeing during menopause. From understanding the science behind mood changes and brain fog to building resilience, rediscovering joy and knowing when to seek professional help, this episode is packed with practical, evidence-based advice for women navigating one of life's biggest transitions. If you've ever found yourself wondering, What happened to me?, this episode is for you. Because menopause may change you, but it doesn't have to define you. In this episode, we discuss: Anxiety and depression in midlifeBrain fog, mood swings and emotional wellbeingWhy self-care alone isn't enoughEvidence-based strategies to support your mental healthHow to reconnect with yourself and thrive in midlife 🎧 Brought to you by The Great Equalizer, TGE Talks: Menopause is a six-part podcast series that explores every aspect of menopause with insight from leading medical experts, specialists and sexual health advocates. 🎧 Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. Want to share feedback, pitch yourself as a guest, or advertise on The Great Equalizer? Use the links below: — Listener Feedback Expert Guest Pitch Advertising Collaboration — #Menopause  #Perimenopause  #mentalhealth  #WomensHealth  #MidlifeWomen Expert Guest Contact Details: https://marelifischer.co.za

    The Midlife Mind: Navigating Mental Health Through Menopause
  4. Jun 21

    Menopause & Sex: Why your libido changes (and what you can do about it) with Dr Heather Blaylock

    Menopause DOES NOT mean the end of your sex life!In Episode 3 of TGE Talks Season 1, we tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of menopause: sex, intimacy, libido, desire and sexual wellbeing after 40.Too many women live with the misconception that menopause means you're "dried up," undesirable or no longer interested in sex. But the reality is far more nuanced. Desire can change during midlife, but it doesn't disappear. Understanding those changes can help you reconnect with your body and rediscover pleasure, confidence, and unexplored intimacy.South African medical doctor and sexual health specialist Dr Heather Blaylock joins us to discuss sexual medicine, menopause care, hormonal health, pain management and regenerative wellness.In this episode, we cover:✔️ What a healthy libido can look like after 40.✔️ The difference between libido and desire.✔️ Dryness and atrophy: what is happening to our vaginas!?✔️ The physical, emotional and psychological factors that affect sexual wellbeing✔️ Common and treatable causes of low libido during perimenopause and menopause✔️ Pain during sex, including chronic pain and its impact on intimacy✔️ PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy and other non-surgical treatment options for vaginal rejuvenation✔️ Practical first steps for women who feel disconnected from their sexualityWhether you're navigating perimenopause, menopause, hormonal changes, low libido, painful sex, relationship challenges, or simply wondering what's normal in midlife, this conversation offers evidence-based information, practical tools and the reassurance that you're not alone in the chaos.Brought to you by The Great Equalizer, TGE Talks: Menopause is a six-part podcast series that explores every aspect of menopause with insight from leading medical experts, specialists and sexual health advocates.🎧 Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 💬 We'd love to hear from you. Do you have a question, story or experience to share? Email us at info@thegreatequalizer.co.za or drop us a voice note on Instagram. 🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.#Menopause #Perimenopause #SexAfter40 #LowLibido #WomensHealth #MidlifeWomen #MenopauseSupport #SexualHealth #VaginalDryness #MenopausePodcast #Libido #Intimacy #Hormones #HealthyAging #thegreatequalizer

    Menopause & Sex: Why your libido changes (and what you can do about it) with Dr Heather Blaylock
  5. Jun 14

    Perimenopause Symptoms by Age: What's Normal? | TGE Talks: Menopause with Dr Louisa Alberty

    When your hormones feel out of wack and weird symptoms start impacting your sexual health (and general wellbeing), what counts as “normal”?In Episode 2 of TGE Talks: Menopause, hosts Sam and Charlene quiz GP and sexual health specialist Dr Louisa Albertyn about the often-confusing world of postpartum, perimenopause and menopause symptoms.This episode unpacks what women can expect as our hormones begin to shift. We chat about the early signs of perimenopause, and how symptoms can present differently in your late 30s, 40s, and 50s.The conversation also examines how perimenopause symptoms can overlap with other common women's health conditions, including PMS, PMDD, ovarian cysts, PCOS, and endometriosis. We set out to help listeners understand when symptoms may be part of a normal hormonal transition, and when they deserve further medical investigation.If you're wondering whether perimenopause is knocking on your door, or you’re supporting a partner through menopause, or you’re simply trying to understand your changing body, this episode offers practical, evidence-based guidance for navigating midlife with confidence.In this episode we chat about: Our personal sexual health journeys and unwelcome hormonal shiftsWhat defines perimenopause and menopauseEarly signs and symptoms to look out forMenopause symptoms by ageWhen to seek medical adviceWhy more women are finally talking about menopauseAnd so much more...🎙️ Subscribe to TGE Talks: Menopause for honest conversations, expert insights, and real stories about perimenopause, menopause, hormones, sexual health, and women's wellbeing.🩺 For more from Dr Louisa Albertyn, follow her on Instagram: @drlouisa_albertyn or book an online or in-person consultation: https://mysexualhealth.co.za/dr-louisa-albertyn?srsltid=AfmBOorRQu8ZGfVYhC37xmVi-FjsJ_5vCgRJ1K3u1meqZNMRVy__coLX__🖤 LISTEN 💛 LIKE 🖤 SHARE 💛 ☑️ SUBSCRIBE 🗣️ JOIN THE CONVERSATION: info@thegreatequalizer.co.za | www.thegreatequalizer.co.za — #Menopause #Perimenopause #MenopauseSymptoms #PerimenopauseSymptoms #Hormones #WomensHealth #MidlifeWomen #MenopauseAwareness #HormonalHealth #BrainFog #HotFlushes #NightSweats #SexualHealth #PCOS #Endometriosis #PMDD #Fibroids #TGETalksMenopause

    Perimenopause Symptoms by Age: What's Normal? | TGE Talks: Menopause with Dr Louisa Alberty
  6. Jun 14

    TGE TALKS: Menopause | Episode 1 | Medical menopause & the culture shift with Aisha O'Reilly

    On this episode of The Great Equalizer, we’re kicking off a special series of episodes that take a deep dive into your sexual health beyond the baby years. A key resource for women approaching midlife and beyond, TGE Talks Menopause is looking to empower women with up-to-date and credible knowledge about their bodies, destigmatising false beliefs and debunking sex and menopause myths. On this inaugural episode of the series, we welcome back to studio the incomparable Aisha O’Reilly – influencer, podcaster and award-winning digital content creator – for a frank conversation about her menopause journey. While navigating complex PTSD after the birth of her third child, Aisha also had to figure out the impact of medically induced menopause and what that meant for the future of her sexual health.The Whole Mama Show host shares generously about the traumatic birth of her daughter and how her near-death experience shifted the way she’s looked at her children, her relationship with her husband, and her life. Like us, Aisha wants to help women who, like her, have been on the hunt for reliable information about menopause, seeking workable solutions to problems we no longer need to normalise.Against the backdrop of Aisha's story, Episode 1 of TGE Talks: Menopause unpacks the current narrative around midlife and the perception of women and women’s health beyond childbearing age. 🎙️ TGE Talks: Menopause is finally LIVE. And we're asking the questions nobody else is asking.If you have anything you'd like to say, or want to ask our upcoming expert guests a question about menopause or the perimenopause experience, please don't hesitate to contact The Great Equalizer: info@thegreatequalizer.co.za / www.thegreatequalizer.co.za.Over the next six weeks we're about to blow this conversation UP.Please also give Aisha O'Reilly and The Whole Mama Show a follow. A brand new season of this motherhood podcast is out and, as usual, Aisha is giving women a platform to be real about their motherhood experience.FOLLOW:  @AishaandLife  and  @thewholemamaza  . Find Aisha on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook: @aishaandlife and @thewholemamaza.__🖤 LISTEN 💛 LIKE 🖤 SHARE 💛 ☑️ SUBSCRIBE 🗣️ JOIN THE CONVERSATION:info@thegreatequalizer.co.za | www.thegreatequalizer.co.za—#menopausepodcast #inducedmenopause #medicalmenopause #perimenopause #menopauseawareness #perimenopauseawareness #womenshealth #hormonehealth #sexualhealth #midlifewomen #menopausesupport #womenshealthcare #femalehealthcare #thegreatequalizer #TGETalksMenopause #southafricanpodcast #podcastlife #parentingpodcast #motherhood #motherhoodunfiltered

    TGE TALKS: Menopause | Episode 1 | Medical menopause & the culture shift with Aisha O'Reilly
  7. Jun 10

    COMING SOON! TGE Talks Menopause | A Six-Part Series

    Sooooo, we’ve been quietly working behind the scenes on something new… Especially for YOU 🫵🏼 A limited podcast series dedicated to the perimenopause experience. The symptoms, the science, the myths, the contradictions, and the solutions.  We’re taking a closer look at how everyday life beyond the baby years is slowly starting to shift for women in their late 30s and 40s.  Sex. Relationships.  Sleep. Generalised discomfort.  Irritability.  Brain fog. The mental load. Maternal rage.  Pre-menstrual anxiety, and Depression. Perimenopause is about so much more than hormones and hot flushes. And, honestly? Women deserve better conversations about their bodies. Nobody really prepares you for the rollercoaster of midlife. Or for perimenopause. Or for menopause fullstop. And nobody asks the endless questions that come with it. So we decided to do it. 🎙️ TGE Talks: Menopause. 🎧 Launching 15 June 2026.  🐦 For early access, subscribe now to The Great Equalizer on your favourite podcast platform. __ 🖤 LISTEN 💛 LIKE 🖤 SHARE 💛 SUBSCRIBE🖤 JOIN THE CONVERSATION 💛 info@thegreatequalizer.co.za | www.thegreatequalizer.co.za __ #perimenopausesupport #menopausesupport  #sexualhealthawareness #sexualhealthmatters #sexualwellness  #TGETalksMenopause #MenopausePodcast #Perimenopause #MenopauseAwareness #WomensHealth #MidlifeWomen #MenopauseSupport #PerimenopauseSupport #TheGreatEqualizer #MidlifeMatters

    COMING SOON! TGE Talks Menopause | A Six-Part Series
  8. Mar 10

    Episode 109 | TRAUMA FAWN! The other F-word with Dr Ingrid Clayton

    Ever felt like: You disappear in relationships?You can’t say no?You manage everyone else’s emotions?You’re “too nice” at your own expense? Beyond just “being nice”, good old people pleasing can make you susceptible to being abused or taken advantage of. But did you ever think about it as another trauma response? In this powerful episode of The Great Equalizer, hosts Sam and Charlene sit down with internationally renowned clinical psychologist and trauma therapist Dr Ingrid Clayton to unpack fawning — the lesser-known trauma response that joins fight, flight and freeze. Dr Clayton, author of Believing Me and Fawning, has spoken on and been referenced on some major podcasting platforms including The Dr Phil Podcast and The Mel Robbins Podcast — and now she’s bringing the conversation to TGE. For parents in the 2020s — especially millennial moms navigating boundaries, burnout, and identity — this episode is essential listening. Here’s some of what we cover: 🙇🏼‍♀️ What fawning actually is 🙇🏻‍♀️ The “Good Girl Complex” 🙇🏼‍♀️ Financial fawning, sexual fawning & fawning as social currency 🙇🏻‍♀️ Trauma bonding, narcissistic dynamics & The Drama Triangle 🙇🏼‍♀️ Worthiness wounds and shrinking yourself to survive 🙇🏻‍♀️ Parenting triggers and breaking generational cycles 🙇🏼‍♀️ Somatic healing, EMDR & body-based trauma recovery 🙇🏻‍♀️ What “unfawning” really looks like 🙇🏼‍♀️ One practical step you can take to begin the healing process. 🎧 Tune in now and don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe. And please leave us a loving comment or review! Every episode that gets out has the capacity to bring one mom closer to sanity. We believe it! __ #TheGreatEqualizer #Fawning #TraumaResponse #PeoplePleasing #GoodGirlComplex #ParentingPodcast #MillennialMoms #MentalHealth #TraumaHealing #EMDR #SomaticHealing #Boundaries #WomenWellness #Unfawning #DrIngridClayton

    Episode 109 | TRAUMA FAWN! The other F-word with Dr Ingrid Clayton

Trailers

About

An honest, unfiltered, unapologetic and (at times) irreverent parenting and lifestyle podcast about the realities of being a mom (or dad!) in the 2020s. Launched in 2018 by journalist Sam Herbst and marketing maven Charlene Armstrong, this podcast aims to debunk the myth of “perfect parenting” through personal (and balanced) accounts of our mothering highs and lows all while tackling a host of relatable lifestyle topics. And – because we can hardly pretend to have our own sh*t together – our episodes often include interviews with experts who do. Our mission? A representative and inclusive parenting and lifestyle platform that strikes a realistic balance between celebration, commiseration and education, because motherhood and parenting is a complex beast and we shouldn't pretend otherwise. #nojudgies

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