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The Henpicked Podcast

The Henpicked Podcast

By: Deborah Garlick
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About this listen

 Menopause, it's always been around, as long as they're been women on this earth and they've lived long enough, there's been the menopause. Yet we still have outdated mindset and too little awareness, education and support. Today, we're in a different time - we're living for longer, working for longer, and too many of us are struggling through this life transition. We all experience menopause differently but you are not alone. This podcast brings you up-to-date, expert information and top tips to help empower you to make informed decisions that are right for you: how you experience menopause, manage symptoms and long-term health. It's time for change. Your menopause, your choice.T4W Henpicked Limited Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • Why Periods Are Still a Workplace Taboo | Menstrual Health with Talycia Nayee | Ep 95

    Why Periods Are Still a Workplace Taboo | Menstrual Health with Talycia Nayee | Ep 95
    Mar 23 2026

    In this episode of the Henpicked Lunch & Learn podcast, host Sally Leech is joined by menstrual health educator and speaker Talycia Nayee to explore why periods are still surrounded by silence in many workplaces.

    Despite periods being a normal and natural part of life for millions of people, conversations about menstrual health often remain uncomfortable or avoided altogether in professional environments. This silence can make it harder for employees to seek support and for organisations to create inclusive workplace cultures.

    In this discussion, Talycia shares insights into why the stigma around periods still exists, the barriers that prevent open conversations at work, and why greater awareness and education around menstrual health matters for both employees and employers.

    The conversation also explores how workplaces can play an important role in supporting women's health by helping to normalise conversations around periods and ensuring employees feel able to speak openly about their health and wellbeing.

    This episode is part of the Henpicked Lunch & Learn series, helping organisations build knowledge and confidence around women's health in the workplace.

    Chapter Markers

    (These work well on Spotify, YouTube, Libsyn and Apple Podcasts)

    00:00 Introduction to the episode
    01:00 Why periods are still surrounded by silence
    02:40 The stigma and discomfort around talking about periods
    04:10 How menstrual symptoms can affect daily life and work
    06:10 Why workplaces should understand menstrual health
    07:20 The wider conversation around women's health at work
    09:30 The role education plays in breaking the silence
    12:00 Creating more open and supportive workplace cultures
    14:30 Key takeaways for organisations
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    32 mins
  • Understanding HRT: A Practical Guide for Women 40+ | Ep 94

    Understanding HRT: A Practical Guide for Women 40+ | Ep 94
    Mar 9 2026

    Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) remains one of the most talked-about — and often misunderstood — aspects of menopause.

    In this expert-led Henpicked Lunch & Learn, Deborah Garlick is joined by menopause specialist Dr Clare Spencer to answer the most frequently asked questions about HRT — clearly, calmly and based on current medical evidence.

    From understanding what HRT actually does in the body, to exploring risks, benefits, cancer concerns, blood clot history, different product options and what to do if the first type doesn't suit you — this episode provides practical, balanced guidance.

    You'll hear:

    • What HRT is and how it works during perimenopause and postmenopause

    • Why some women need progesterone alongside oestrogen

    • The different types of HRT available today (patches, gels, sprays, tablets and coils)

    • The real risks of HRT — including breast cancer and blood clots — explained in context

    • The proven long-term benefits for bone and heart health

    • What to consider if you've had cancer, endometriosis or other medical conditions

    • When to seek specialist referral

    • Why finding the right type and dose can take time

    This is a grounded, evidence-based conversation designed to help you separate myth from medical fact — and feel more confident discussing your options with a healthcare professional.

    About Dr Clare Spencer

    This episode features Dr Clare Spencer, GP and menopause specialist at My Menopause Centre.

    Dr Spencer has extensive experience supporting women through perimenopause and menopause and is part of the clinical team at:

    🌐 My Menopause Centre
    https://www.mymenopausecentre.com/our-team/dr-clare-spencer/

    📱 Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/mymenopausecentre/

    My Menopause Centre is CQC-rated Outstanding and provides specialist, evidence-based menopause care.

    About Henpicked

    Henpicked has been supporting women and working with organisations to create more inclusive, informed workplaces for over 13 years. Through expert-led Lunch & Learn sessions, accreditation programmes and trusted resources, Henpicked continues to drive menopause and women's health awareness in workplaces and beyond.

    To join future free Lunch & Learn sessions, visit:
    https://henpicked.net
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    29 mins
  • How Ethnicity Impacts Menopause and Menstrual Health - Dr Radhika Vohra | Ep 93

    How Ethnicity Impacts Menopause and Menstrual Health - Dr Radhika Vohra | Ep 93
    Feb 23 2026
    In this Henpicked Lunch & Learn session, we explore how ethnicity shapes experiences of menstruation, menopause and access to healthcare — and why understanding these differences is essential for equity, wellbeing and support at work and in life. Sally Leach from Henpicked is joined by Dr Radhika Vohra, NHS and private GP, menopause specialist, and trustee and medical adviser at The Menopause Charity. Together, they unpack what the research tells us — and what it doesn't yet — about how menopause and menstrual health symptoms vary across ethnic groups, and how socioeconomic factors, culture, language and healthcare access intersect with biology. This conversation covers: How menstrual cycles and menopause symptoms can differ by ethnicity Why women from some ethnic backgrounds experience higher rates of fibroids, heavy bleeding and anemia Differences in menopause symptoms such as weight gain, joint pain, vasomotor symptoms and metabolic risk The role of socioeconomic status alongside ethnicity Cultural taboos, language barriers and why many women don't seek help Inequalities in access to HRT and specialist care Why education, representation and culturally inclusive resources matter Practical ways to advocate for yourself and support others This session highlights a crucial truth: menopause and menstrual health are not one-size-fits-all, and meaningful support requires awareness, inclusion and better conversations — in healthcare, communities and workplaces. 👉 You can also read Henpicked's accompanying article here: How Ethnicity Impacts Menopause and Menstrual Health www.henpicked.net/menopause-hub/how-ethnicity-impacts-menopause-and-menstrual-health/ ⏱️ Episode Timestamps / Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation matters Introducing the session and why ethnicity must be part of menopause and menstrual health discussions 01:45 – How ethnicity affects menstruation Differences in cycle onset, pain, heaviness and complications such as fibroids 03:40 – Performance, pain and expectations How menstruation impacts sport, work and daily life — and why this has been overlooked 04:40 – What research tells us about menopause & ethnicity Key findings from large-scale studies and the role of socioeconomic status 05:55 – Symptom differences across ethnic groups Weight gain, metabolic risk, vasomotor symptoms and joint pain 06:55 – Inequality in access to care Why women from ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic backgrounds are less likely to receive HRT 07:45 – Overcoming barriers to support Education, representation, language and culturally inclusive information 08:50 – The 'sandwich generation' & self-care gap Why women struggle to prioritise their own health 10:00 – What is 'normal' — and why we need a new frame of reference Challenging the idea that pain and disruption should be tolerated 11:40 – Menstrual change across the life course Adolescence, contraception, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause 12:50 – Using contraception to support menstrual health Beyond pregnancy prevention: reducing bleeding and improving quality of life 13:20 – Ethnicity and menstrual health conditions Fibroids, PMDD, endometriosis and fertility impacts 15:45 – Why early identification matters Preventing years of untreated pain and delayed diagnosis 16:30 – Cultural taboos & silence Why many women don't talk about symptoms — even when asked 18:10 – Diet, lifestyle and symptom variation How nutrition, alcohol and cultural eating patterns influence symptoms 19:30 – The importance of symptom tracking Empowerment through awareness and personalised care 20:15 – Where to find trusted information Research, charities, community voices and accessible resources 23:10 – Language, culture and reframing menopause Why some languages don't even have a word for menopause — and how to change that 25:10 – Supporting younger generations Education, advocacy and breaking intergenerational silence 26:20 – Menopause, ethnicity and weight gain Metabolic risk, stress, cortisol and movement 29:20 – Practical lifestyle strategies Exercise, stress reduction and culturally sensitive nutrition advice 30:35 – Community action & inclusion Why bite-size, community-led education works 32:00 – Closing reflections & next steps Follow Henpicked: Website: https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henpickednet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henpicked Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henpickedcommunity/ If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it — awareness changes lives.
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    33 mins
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