Say It How It Is

In this powerful solo episode, Ffion is joined by Carys Allen , Lead Nurse Specialist with Cervical Screening Wales , and Georgina Wren , a cervical cancer survivor , for an open and honest discussion about everything to do with cervical screening and cervical cancer . Together, they explore what actually happens during a smear test , what HPV is and why it matters, and the reasons so many people...

In this powerful episode of Say It How It Is , host Ffion is joined by this episodes co-host and GB Olympian Ellie Boatman for a deeply needed conversation on female health - from endometriosis and adenomyosis to hormones , diet culture , and everything in between. Joining the discussion are Kirsty Smith , hormone health and perimenopausal coach, and Jen Moore , educator, campaigner, and author of...

In this powerful episode of The Other Side of the Bottle , host Ffion is joined by Olympian Jasmine Joyce-Butchers who is co-hosting this episode. They are joined by Olympian and England international rugby player, Meg Jones . Meg opens up about an incredibly tough year, losing her dad to cancer and just six months later, her mum to alcoholism. Despite these heartbreaking challenges, Meg has conti...

In this episode of Say It How It Is , host Ffion is joined by content creators and full-time mums, Ellie Hardy and Carys Harding. They open up about the highs and lows of motherhood, the loneliness that often follows, and the journey behind their growing social media platforms. Ellie and Carys share how using their accounts to document family life has not only built a supportive community of mums...

In this recent episode of Say It How It Is, Ffion is joined by Hikitalo Founder, Will. We dive deep into the story behind Hikitalo Sauna — a unique space built around connection, tradition, and healing. Founder Will opens up about his personal journey, the inspiration behind creating Hikitalo, and the challenges and breakthroughs that shaped this powerful community. From cold waters to hot stones,...

In this powerful first part of our two-part special  Both Sides of the Bottle , I'm joined by my cohost for this episode, Ellie Boatman. We sit down with the incredibly open and courageous Sarah Stonehouse who shares her deeply personal journey through alcoholism, just as she celebrates her six-year sobriety anniversary. This episode focuses on  the side of the addict and dives into the...

In this intimate and inspiring episode, Ffion sits down with Welsh and Olympic rugby stars Alisha and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers to talk about their shared IVF journey, navigating fertility while being full-time professional athletes—and a married couple. With the Rugby World Cup looming, Alisha made the emotional decision to put family first, stepping away from the opportunity to compete this year an...

Welcome to our brand new  mini catch-up series , where we reconnect with past guests to see where life has taken them since they last joined the podcast. In this episode, host  Ffion  sits down with  Ellie Boatman , who first appeared in  Season 1 , opening up about her experience with disordered eating in elite sport. Today’s conversation goes deeper, as Ellie shares some...

In this episode of the new season, Ffion is joined by guest co-host  Ollie Olds  for an honest and eye-opening conversation with  Jake Smith , professional runner for  Nike and the NN Running Team . Jake opens up about his deeply personal journey with  RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport)  — a condition that silently affects many endurance athletes. He shares h...

In this episode of Say It How It Is , Ffion kicks off a brand new chapter of the podcast — now hosted solo with a rotating cast of co-hosts and guests. With Gwen stepping back, the podcast evolves into a space for deeper, more personal conversations, led by Ffion and the voices that matter most to her. This week, she’s joined by her best friend of 28 years, Kate, for an honest and heartfelt conver...

On today’s episode of Say It How It Is, Ffion and Gwen are joined by The Oddballs Foundation Manager, Kieran Kelly and 19 year old testicular cancer survivor, Jamie Young. Oddballs was founded back in 2014, and uses wild, wacky and wonderful underwear prints as a way of creating conversation and awareness around testicular Cancer. Shortly after in 2015, The Oddballs Foundation was set up to act as...

Love Your Period now has 75 people world wide working towards their common goal, with an age range of 12- 87. They have a huge presence within the Welsh Government and are working with a variety of companies to help diminish period poverty by providing period products to those who need them. Molly is a shining example of how to use what you go through as a vehicle for change and a way to help othe...

On today’s episode of Say It How It is, Ffion and Gwen are joined by Ollie Olds, mindset mentor, and Lloyd Ashley, ex-professional rugby player and founder of Living Well. In this episode expect to learn all things finding purpose, the power of service and helping others, how perspective allows you to be grateful for what you have and how to provide a safe space for people to talk. Ollie went thro...

On today’s episode of Say It How It is, Ffion and Gwen are joined by Dragons professional rugby player Ashton Hewitt and Trauma and Orthopaedics Consultant, Mr Stuart Roy. Newport born Ashton, has grown his rugby career through an academy programme all the way to international honours. Unfortunately, he has experienced 2 ACL injuries, one in 2021(MCL and ACL) and one in 2023 (LCL and ACL). He is c...

On today’s episode of Say It How It is, Ffion and Gwen are joined by Founder of Speakeasy Club and mental health advocate Simon Clarke. Simon founded Speakeasy Club following his own struggles with depression and anxiety over a number of years, with the aim of creating an environment where people feel comfortable to be vulnerable and open up about their own thoughts and feelings. For Simon, it too...

On todays episode of Say It How It Is, Ffion and Gwen are joined by Natalie Riddler, founder of the Morgans Army Charity. On June 28th 2023, Natalie and her husband Matt tragically lost their wonderful little boy Morgan after a long and hard battle with Cancer. Throughout Morgan’s journey, Matt and Natalie fought unbelievably hard to help their son get the diagnosis and treatment he deserved, and...

In today's episode Ffion and Gwen are back with Endometriosis Part 2, after a big response from Part 1 in the last season. The girls welcome the return of Gynaecologist Mr/ Anthony Griffiths (The legendary Mr. G) and Sophie Richards, women’s health advocate and founder of The Endo Spectrum. The girls and their guests cover a range of topics from Sophie’s endo journey, pain links, fertility, Ffion’...

On today's episode the girls are joined by Drew Povey, ex-headmaster, leadership expert and all round legend. Throughout his career Drew has experienced many highs, lows, successes and setbacks, all of which have taught him valuable lessons around the power of perspective and “owning your shit”. During his early career, Drew gained a plethora of experience in the field of rugby league coaching, be...

Season 2 is finally here! Welcome back to the Say It How It Is Podcast, connected by Vodafone. On todays episode Ffion and Gwen reflect and catch up on life over the past few months. Rehab updates, plans for the future, death row meals and so much more. Across season 2, the girls will be bringing you bi-monthly episodes every other Sunday alongside many more amazing and inspirational guests candid...

In today’s bonus episode, Ffion and Gwen deep dive into the questions left by each guest in season 1. It became an end of episode tradition and the girls thought it would be a nice way to end their first season by answering them all themselves.  The girls talk about the advice they would give their younger selves, their favourite muller corner yogurt and who would play themselves in a movie.&...

And here we are, at the end of Say It How It Is season 1! Ffion and Gwen reflect on the year they’ve had, the time they’ve had as podcast hosts and how they feel they’ve grown as people.  Reflection is so important and it’s something the girls have spoken a lot about during these episodes.  Thank you for being with us on this incredible journey. Here’s to more incredible people and amazi...

t’s the end of season 1! And we have a really special episode to share with you to end our first season.  On todays episode, our very own host Ffion takes the guest seat. When creating this podcast, Ffion made a pledge to herself that with having so many amazing guests sharing such vulnerable and inspiring stories, she herself felt she had a duty to do the same. Ffion is joined by her childho...

On today’s episode, Ffion and Gwen are joined by fellow welsh international and friend, Alex Callender. This year hasn’t been the easiest for Alex after her mum sadly lost her battle against Cancer after fighting for many years. Just 2 months later, Alex not only returned to playing the sport she loves, but did so in the form of her life, winning a player of the match award in the final game again...

In today’s episode of Say It How It Is, Ffion and Gwen are on tour! The girls are in Dubai! They are joined by Danielle Waterman, ex GB and England rugby player, now turned commentator, pundit, coach and ambassador. Nolli has added many strings to her bow since life after rugby, but shares openly with the girls how tough some of this has been. Unfortunately, nolli has faced many negative comments...

In another episode of Say It How It Is, Ffion and Gwen are joined by mindset & wellbeing coach, ultra marathon runner and public speaker, Ryan Stephens. Ryan is extremely passionate about challenging himself, pushing passed his limits and an advocate for self development. He is a committed sea dipper where he has created an incredible community called the ‘Wet Bandits’, which has given many a...