Connect Talks

“...my body is changing, but I don't have to make changing my body my mental health project." In the world of social media, diet culture and body image are constantly in our feeds, being pushed at us and influencing the way we think and feel about our own bodies. Some may think this only impacts younger generations, but it’s just as harmful for women in the midlife. Our bodies naturally c...

"It may be a part of my story, but I don't want it to be the whole story anymore." Our conversation with Sue is a real and powerful example of the challenges and barriers midlife women who experience an eating disorder face during their treatment, relationships and recovery. Sue takes us through her experience of a severe and enduring eating disorder, as she navigated pregnancy, peri...

“...is this a fact or is it a thought? Not every thought we have is true, so we have to question those thoughts and challenge the ‘all or nothing’ thinking.” The relationship between eating disorders and mental health is complex, add in perimenopause and menopause and things can get even more complicated and overwhelming. Rebecca Lister, Social worker, Playwright, MC and more, joins us to unpack t...

"...recognising that ‘something's not quite right for me’ is the first step to people seeking treatment..." Seeking treatment for any health condition can feel intimidating and overwhelming, let alone for a condition that is complex and often misunderstood. Just as overwhelming can be knowing what treatment options are right for you and how to access these. Janet Lowndes, psychologis...

"...it does come back to awareness and acknowledging that eating disorders are experienced by all people..." Did you know that the prevalence of eating disorders increases at 45-years old? Many think that eating disorders are only experienced by younger people. Eating disorders don't discriminate though and can emerge or reemerge at any life stage, particularly when women reach midli...

"... a lot of people do sometimes think that it's mainly around food or weight but there's so much more going on under the surface..." Experienced by more than 1.1 million Australian's, eating disorders are not uncommon, but still they remain misunderstood and are not spoken about enough. In this episode we start the conversation with Sarah Cox, Clinical Psychologist and the...

Pelvic pain doesn’t just impact our bodies and minds – it can also cause changes in our intimate relationships. Marie Vakakis, Couple and Family Therapist from The Therapy Hub, joins us to discuss the complexities of navigating pelvic pain and relationships. This episode isn’t just for those experiencing pelvic pain, but also their partners. Learn how to start an empowering discussion about your e...

Infertility is a journey that many don't expect to go on, but what can be even more unexpected is discovering a pelvic condition at the same time. Join Connect as we discuss the complexities of infertility, pelvic conditions and pelvic pain with gynaecologist and fertility subspecialist Professor Louise Hull. In this episode, Professor Hull explores infertility - how it might be diagnosed, pos...

For those living with pelvic pain, or any type of chronic pain, their experience is not simply a physical one. Pain impacts the mental health and wellbeing of someone, sometimes as much or even more so than it does to their physical body. For some, this can lead to social isolation from friends and family, difficulty engaging in intimate relationships and worsening of their overall health and well...

Treatment for pelvic pain conditions don’t just have to stop at medication and surgery. Movement, sleep, nutrition and mindfulness can all have a powerful impact on an individual's experience and are now being recommended more frequently by healthcare professionals. In this two-part episode, we speak with naturopath Freya Lawler, who specialises in complex reproductive health, endometriosis an...

Treatment for pelvic pain conditions don’t just have to stop at medication and surgery. Movement, sleep, nutrition and mindfulness can all have a powerful impact on an individual's experience and are now being recommended more frequently by healthcare professionals. In this two-part episode, we speak with naturopath Freya Lawler, who specialises in complex reproductive health, endometriosis an...

Hearing the voices and stories of those living with endometriosis is a powerful way to build community awareness, reduce stigma and misunderstandings, connect with others experiencing the condition and help others feel less alone. In this episode, we are joined by multi-media professional and experienced television presenter Julie Snook as she shares her personal journey of endometriosis, experien...

When it comes to treating pelvic pain, it can be overwhelming to know what the treatment is, or what treatments are available to you. Associate Professor Pav Nanayakkara returns to Connect Talks to unpack and help us understand the various treatments options available for someone experiencing pelvic pain. In this episode Dr. Pav will discuss medicinal, psychological, physical and surgical treatmen...

The diagnosis of a pelvic pain condition isn’t always easy, with many experiencing years of misdiagnosis or even no diagnosis. So, how does having a team of healthcare professionals affirming your experiences impact the journey? Associate Professor Pav Nanayakkara joins us for an information-packed episode to help individuals at all stages of their pelvic pain experience understand just how import...

Today we start our exploration into pelvic pain with Dr Shamitha Kathurusinghe, a highly sought-after specialist gynaecologist with expertise in complex gynaecological surgeries. Join us as we learn about a range of pelvic pain conditions, including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and adenomyosis. Dr Shami also discusses with us who lives with these conditions, what symptoms someone may...

Cancer, perimenopause and menopause – living through one life change can be challenging enough, but two can flip your world upside down. This was the reality of Sonya Lovell, who at 47 was diagnosed with breast cancer and pushed into medically-induced menopause. In this powerful episode, Sonya will share her experiences, advice and story– one which those experiencing a chronic health or a mental h...

Major life changes and work don’t always go hand-in-hand, but the experience doesn’t have to be difficult one. In this episode, Thea O’Connor - expert on all thing's perimenopause, menopause and work - will help us navigate the challenges many of us face. We will cover common barriers and stigma, advocating for a more inclusive workplace environment and more! Tune in to this episode and the rest o...

As we’ve discussed, there’s a range of treatment options available when navigating perimenopause and menopause but sometimes lifestyle changes can be just as effective as medical options to help you get a handle on it all. In this episode, holistic General Practitioner (GP) Dr Michelle Woolhouse dives into the lifestyle factors that can influence perimenopause and menopause. From the best foods to...

From brain fog and forgetfulness, to anxiety and depression, perimenopause and menopause can play havoc on our mental health and wellbeing. It can be a difficult journey, but there is support and treatment options out there. Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM, expert in psychiatry and women’s health, is passionate about improving the mental health and wellbeing of those in the life stages of perimenop...

Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) has received a lot of interest over the years – both good and bad – which means there is a lot of information out there, making is hard to decide what the right choice is. Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM, expert in psychiatry and women’s health, will help us debunk the myths, understand the facts and empower us to make informed decisions to ease the perimenopause and...

It can be difficult to feel like you have autonomy when going through perimenopause and menopause – major life changes, non-affirming care and unexpected symptoms can take the control out of your hands. In this episode Dr Sonia Davison, endocrinologist at the Jean Hailes Medical Centre, will be helping us take that control back. Learn about the power of preventative screening, where to access affi...

In episode two, Connect begins exploring treatment options for perimenopause and menopause with Dr Sonia Davison, endocrinologist at the Jean Hailes Medical Centre. The range of treatments available can be overwhelming – hormone therapies, non-hormonal options, alternative therapies, lifestyle changes and more! Sonia will take us through the options, important considerations for those living with...

Joined by Laura Riccardi, Sexual and Reproductive Health Lead at Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE), today’s episode starts our deep dive into the often overlooked, but important life stages of perimenopause and menopause. From surprising symptoms to the impacts on a person’s health, wellbeing, work and relationships, perimenopause and menopause can look different for everyone and can be a c...

Get a sneak peek into our upcoming season where we will be deep diving into all things perimenopause and menopause. In each episode, the Connect team will chat to an expert special guest and focus in on one area of these important life stages. Explore everything from treatment options to lived experience insights and feel confident and supported to navigate perimenopause and menopause.

Join us as we chat to Connect's newest team member, Kass, as she tells us about what led her to her passion for accessible health communication and what to look out for when you're accessing health information.