Best Clara Cook Podcasts (2025)

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70 - The Art of Noticing: Japan's 72 Micro-Seasons with Emily Smith. 1:12:35

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3h ago1:12:35

1:12:35

Today Jody welcomes Emily Smith to the Changing Seasons podcast. Emily is a documentary film maker who recently moved to Japan and has found herself reconnecting with her mothers heritage through foraging and the 72 mico seasons. Growing up in England Emily had struggled to find her place, yet always felt at home in nature, she would forage cobnuts…

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69 - Japan Reflections and the Messy Middle of Perimenopause with Jody Vassallo. 49:30

6d ago49:30

49:30

In today's episode Jody talks about her recent food tour to Japan and how she was reminded that food can create a beautiful connection between us and the seasons. She shares how she noticed that eating the foods in season and embracing local rituals like bath in onsens calmed her nervous system and in turn meant her digestive system was free of gas…

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68 - Hormones Through a TCM Lens with Clara Cohen. 1:11:08

14d ago1:11:08

1:11:08

Clara Cohen joins Jody today on Changing Seasons podcast to discuss hormones through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Clara talks in detail about the different ages and stages of development in men and women and how mens cycles are ruled by the sun and women's cycles by the moon and how this impacts our energy and hormones. We discuss what…

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67 - Dinacharya: The Daily Routine That Can Reduce Inflammation with Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya. 1:42:42

21d ago1:42:42

1:42:42

Dr Bhaswati Bhattacharya joins us on Changing Seasons podcast to discuss the power of Dinacharya, a daily Ayurvedic practice that she discovered could help treat inflammation, thyroid conditions, gut issues and auto- immune diseases. Bhaswati talks about how she works with her patients to establish daily routines that not only increase ojas but als…

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66 - Coming Home to Your Body with the Po Spirit with Lorie Dechar. 1:08:48

28d ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Today we welcome Lorie Dechar acupuncturist, psychotherapist, author, teacher, poet and mentor to Changing Seasons podcast to talk about the spirits in TCM. Lorie shares how she came to understand the spirits and describes how her menopausal experience helped her to connect with them. Lorie spends time describing how the five elements are a wheel a…

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65 - Know Your Element, Know Yourself with Ashley Abbs. 1:33:16

1M ago1:33:16

1:33:16

Today Jody welcomes author, acupuncturist and artist Ashley Abbs to the podcast to speak about the five different personality types in Chinese Medicine. Ashley describes in detail the occupation that each element is drawn to, the way they approach challenges or setbacks and what sends them out of balance. We discuss how each element is impacted by …

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64 - Stop Asking Others. Your Body Knows with Nidhi Pandya. 44:52

1M ago44:52

44:52

In today's episode of Changing Seasons Jody welcomes Ayurvedic Practitioner, teacher and author Nidhi Pandya to speak about her new book 'Your Body Already Knows'. Nidhi shares how growing up and sharing her home with her grandfather whose life was deeply informed by Ayurvedic wisdom informed how she views health and wellness. She believes that we …

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63 - Jody Vassallo: Returning to Balance with Ayurveda. 41:50

2M ago41:50

41:50

Today Jody discusses how we can balance our doshas when they go out of balance. We look at what we can do with nature, sight, sound, mantra, exercise and emotionally to help settle us. Ayurveda uses the opposite quality to help treat an imbalance so if your body is dry you will need to use moisture internally and externally to remedy that, if your …

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62 - Edwina Peden: The Perimenopause Summit - Navigating Perimenopause and Self-Care. 1:11:21

2M ago1:11:21

1:11:21

Edwina sits down with Ayurvedic health coach and author Jody Vassallo for a candid, nourishing conversation on meeting perimenopause as a rite of passage - not a problem to “fix.” Through the lenses of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jody shares the practices, foods, and mindset shifts that cooled her hot flushes, eased anxiety, and help…

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61 - Marissa Clohesy: Conceiving and Mothering in Perimenopause. 1:11:52

2M ago1:11:52

1:11:52

In today's episode Jody welcomes Marissa Clohesy. Marissa gave birth to her first child at 49 years of age through egg donorship from a kind woman who worked at a clinic where she regularly had bloods done. Following the birth of her first child had three more viable embryos that she needed to use, she explains she looks at IVF through a very scien…

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60 - Jody Vassallo: Loneliness Through The Lens Of Ayurveda. 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

Today Jody ponders how the space element relates to loneliness. In Ayurveda the elements of air and space (ether) combine to create the vata dosha. Although we can clearly see and feel the elements of air, earth, water and fire, space is a little different. Space or too much space between us and others equates to loneliness, fear of too much space …

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59 - Kimberly Ann Johnson: Menopause - The Only Way Out Is Through. 1:01:18

3M ago1:01:18

1:01:18

Today Jody welcomes Kimberly Ann Johnson to the Changing Seasons podcast. Kimberly is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Sexological Bodyworker, author and postpartum advocate. We discuss how Kimberly's own postpartum journey has informed her menopause story and why she has chosen to focus on the positive changes she has seen in her body and l…

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58 - Sole Del Riccio-Smith & Dylan Smith: Our Conception Story. 57:30

3M ago57:30

57:30

Today Jody is joined by Sole Del Riccio-Smith and Dylan Smith to discuss their fertility and postpartum journey. In this conversation we cover their preconception preparation and how they did 30 days of Panchakarma at home during COVID under the guidance of their Ayurvedic doctor. They both highlight how important it was for them to surrender thems…

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57 - Kimberly Ashton: Making Food Your Medicine. 1:09:27

3M ago1:09:27

1:09:27

Today Jody welcomes Kimberley Ashton from Qi Food Therapy to the Changing Seasons podcast. We discuss in detail why certain foods will soothe and nourish the digestive system and other foods will aggravate and inflame it. She highlights the role of the sweet and salty flavours in our body. Kimberly explains why we need to consume good quality sweet…

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56 - Carly Merlo: The Good Oil - Understanding Ayurvedic Oils. 1:10:50

3M ago1:10:50

1:10:50

Today Jody welcomes Carly Merlo, owner of Bio Veda to the podcast to discuss the A-Z of Ayurvedic oils and how different medicated oils are prized for the healing process. Ayurveda has been using oils on the body, hair and internally for thousands of years, black sesame oil or coconut oil are used as the carriers for the medicinal herbs which are w…

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55 - Jody Vassallo: How Is Your Sleep? 41:26

3M ago41:26

41:26

Today Jody takes a close look at sleep through the lens of Ayurveda. Sleep or nidra is an integral part of your health and there are many factors that influence the quality and quantity of your sleep. The different doshas can all experience their own issues with sleep and as we age sleep can become more disturbed. Jody discusses how what you eat be…

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54 - Sonia Lloyd: Is Your Skin Care Aging You? 1:21:27

4M ago1:21:27

1:21:27

Today Jody meets Sonia Lloyd from Rasara Skinfood about how to treat your skin using the principles of Ayurveda. After a skin flare up in her late teens Sonia tried many things unsuccessfully to treat the problem. Fast forward to today and Sonia now owns an Ayurvedic Skin & Hair Care range that is so pure you can literally eat it. In our conversati…

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53 - Holly Davis: Respecting What We Eat. 57:24

4M ago57:24

57:24

Today Jody welcomes whole-food chef and cookbook author Holly Davis to Changing Seasons podcast to discuss Food as Medicine. We speak about how Holly discovered macrobiotics at the age of 14 and how it continues to influence how she cooks and prepares food to this day. Holly shares about how she used to be a macrobiotic zealot and these days her ap…

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52 - Jody Vassallo: What Should I Eat? 54:29

4M ago54:29

54:29

Today Jody talks about how Ayurveda looks at digestion and how we can learn what foods are best suited for the different body types and their relevant doshas. Digestive fire or agni is dependent on a range of things, the food we consumed yesterday and how it was broken down, our prana, sleep and lifestyle choices. When digestive fire it can not onl…

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51 - Jody Vassallo: Understanding Your Body in Perimenopause. 1:06:39

4M ago1:06:39

1:06:39

In today's episode Jody touches on the common physical and emotional symptoms she sees in Perimenopause from an Ayurvedic perspective. Weight gain, anxiety, hot flashes, anger, forgetfulness, waking up between 1-3am are all ways that our bodies are trying to communicate with us to stay something is not right, something is out of balance, something …

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50 - Jody Vassallo: The Qualities of the Doshas. 56:29

5M ago56:29

56:29

Today Jody talks about the qualities of each of the Ayurvedic Doshas and how they show up in the body, mind and emotions. She explains how Ayurveda balances disturbances in the qualities of the Doshas by treating with the opposite quality in another Dosha. For example, if your Vata is out of balance and your skin is dry you start incorporating ghee…

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49 - Lisa FItzpatrick: Sexy Menopause. 1:00:43

5M ago1:00:43

1:00:43

*Caution this conversation contains references to sexual assault. Today pelvic floor and sexual therapist Lisa Fitzpatrick returns to Changing Seasons podcast to speak to Jody about Sexy Menopause. Lisa believes it is possible for every woman to enjoy sex throughout perimenopause and beyond and describes the blocks standing in the way of women doin…

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48 - Lucette Romy: No Greater Grief. 1:19:20

5M ago1:19:20

1:19:20

Today on the podcast Jody speaks with Lucette Romy about the death of her baby boy Dash. Lucette birthed Dash at home and the birth was beautiful and without complications. However, six hours after his birth Dash's colour had not improved and after checking with their birth keeper and then their GP they finally made the decision to call paramedics.…

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47 - Paula Rastrick: Is It Your Nervous System Or Your Hormones? 1:25:10

5M ago1:25:10

1:25:10

Today Jody speaks to Trauma Therapist Paula Rastrick about how the nervous system impacts our hormones. Paula shares her story of being prescribed HRT and the complications that arose from being over prescribed estrogen. Following this she embarked upon a journey of trying to understand how trauma and a disregulated nervous system can play havoc wi…

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46 - Shonali Sabherwal: Gut Health Is Everything. 46:27

6M ago46:27

46:27

Today Jody speaks to Shonali Sabherwal Macrobiotic Nutritionist & Chef about the Macrobiotic and Ayurvedic approach to gut health. Shonali shares that she has attended a Panchakarma (an Ayurvedic detox protocol) once a year since she was in her 20's. She discusses what the 3 week protocol involves in Panchakarma and why anything shorter than 21 day…

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45 - Nicole Lange: Trauma and How It Can Impact Fertility. 1:07:35

6M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Nicole Lange is an acupuncturist who has a Masters in Chinese Medicine, she has spent her entire career focused on working with women. Today she chats with Jody about her wholistic approach to supporting women through their fertility journey. We speak about the impact trauma can have on women's fertility and how the process of trying to fall pregna…

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44 - Sarah Megginson: My Surrogate Journey. 1:02:24

6M ago1:02:24

1:02:24

Today Sarah Megginson returns to the podcast to speak with Jody about her decision to be a surrogate for her friend Lisa Messenger. Sarah had given birth to three healthy children of her own and at the same time had watched Lisa and her partner go through many years of failed IVF attempts. One day she asked LIsa if she would be open to her being a …

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43 - How the Changing Seasons Impact Us with Jody Vassallo. 44:00

6M ago44:00

44:00

In today's episode Jody explores how the changing seasons of the year impact each of the different Doshas. Ayurveda says that we need to protect our bodies around the junctions of the seasons and we discuss how Vata types need to take extra care in the transition from Summer to Autumn. Kapha from Winter into Spring and pitta from Spring into Summer…

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42 - Dr Jimi Wollumbin: The Distressing State of Male Fertility. 1:28:55

7M ago1:28:55

1:28:55

Today Dr Jimi Wollumbin returns to chat with Jody about the distressing state of male fertility across the globe. Jimi shares disturbing research figures on the declining rates of male fertility across all age groups of men. We speak about the negative impact that increased exposure to toxic substances in our environment is having on male sperm cou…

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41 - Psychological Characteristics Of The Doshas. 43:44

7M ago43:44

43:44

Today Jody is speaking about the psychological characteristics of the Ayurvedic constitutions (doshas) Vata, Pitta, Kapha. The intention of this episode is to help listeners understand why they behave in the way they do. Jody talks about how the different elements - air, space, fire, water and earth can impact how we live our lives, make the choice…

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40 - Jody Vassallo: Babies Aren't Made By Wishing. 45:41

7M ago45:41

45:41

Today Jody speaks about her personal failed fertility journey. After realising in her mid-forties that she may not meet the man of her dreams and have a family she embarked on a solo mission to have a child. She chose to start with sperm donorship. Approaching male friends first to see if they may be open to donation, after coming to a dead end the…

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39 - Lola Berry: So you want to freeze your embryos? You may need your therapist on speed dial. 52:27

7M ago52:27

52:27

Today Jody talks to nutritionist, actor and presenter Lola Berry about her and her partner Matt's decision to freeze her embryos instead of eggs. Their choice to delay having a family came after Lola chose to leave her life in Australia to pursue her dream career in acting and presenting in Los Angeles. Lola is honest and totally open about the IVF…

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38 - Catie Gett: My Experience with HRT (Part 2). 1:01:45

7M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

Today Catie Gett returns to discuss her ongoing experience with HRT. Catie speaks about how HRT is not a fix all and that women need to monitor its efficacy and communicate their symptoms with their doctor. Up until now Catie has been using patches and she is considering changing to a hormone cream or Mirena as she is starting to experience a retur…

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37 - Improve Your Agni And Heal Your Digestion And Hormones with Myra Lewin. 58:28

8M ago58:28

58:28

Today Jody speaks with Myra Lewin, founder of Hale Pule about the power of Agni (digestive fire) and how by healing our digestion we can bring our hormones into balance and also change our bodies. We cover many topics in this episode starting with our dosha and the difference between our Prakriti (constitution) and Vikriti (imbalance) and how impor…

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36 - Using Ayurveda to Find Calm & Beauty in Menopause with Christina Covington. 1:02:24

8M ago1:02:24

1:02:24

Today Jody speaks to Ayurvedic Practitioner Christina Covington about how we can use Ayurveda to find beauty in the menopausal journey. We discuss the importance and value in having a regular self care routine (Dinacharya) and how the practice of Abyhanga (self-massage) can bring calming and softening to the body and spirit. Christina describes a g…

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35 - Why Tending To Our Fascia Is So Vital To Our Health with Brooke McPoyle. 1:02:45

8M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Today Jody speaks with Brooke McPoyle about the body's scaffolding system - the fascia. We talk about what it is, it's role in the body and why keeping it hydrated is so important as we age. Brooke describes her experience with Plantar Fasciitis and how often prescribed treatments are not working on the problem area. Emotions are stored in the fasc…

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34 - Is it Perimenopause or Hashimoto’s or Both? With Libby Munro. 1:09:19

8M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Today Jody interviews Libby Munro, a nutritionist who specialises in the auto immune disease Hashimoto’s, thyroid and gut health. Libby describes the symptoms of Hashi’s – hair loss, moon face, brain fog, temperature regulation, insomnia, muscle and bone loss and talks about the crossover with symptoms of perimenopause. We speak about the treatment…

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33 - What Menopause Does to Women's Wealth with Sarah Megginson & Simone Clarke. 1:05:12

9M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

Today Jody speaks with Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert and Simone Clarke from UN CEO United Nations Women Australia. Sarah and Simone are two of the authors of the State of Women's Wealth Report 2025. They report the menopause can mean an average hit of $40,000 to a women's superannuation balance. We discuss ways that women can reduce this…

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32 - We Are Addicted to Yang with Dr. Anny Fodor. 1:16:39

9M ago1:16:39

1:16:39

Today Jody speaks with Dr Anny Fodor about women's approach to perimenopause and how we need less not more in our lives. Anny discusses the importance of slowing down, listening in and disconnecting from all of the noise of the outside world. Anny talks about the benefits of Qi Gong in supporting the joints and the bones and how she has a vision of…

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31 - Making Ayurveda Accessible to Everyone with Gabriel Perera. 1:26:29

9M ago1:26:29

1:26:29

In todays conversation with Gabriel Perera Founder and CEO of Wellness brand Ora Health. Jody talks about her journey with the teachings of Ayurveda. She shares how in the first 5 years of practising Ayurveda she was quite rigid in her approach, then overtime her approach has softened. Jody and Gabriel discuss practitioner guilt that comes from fee…

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30 - Understanding the Root Cause of Menopausal Symptoms with Elyse Comerford. 1:09:56

9M ago1:09:56

1:09:56

Today Jody speaks with Integrative Nutritionist and GAPS Practitioner Elyse Comerford about how she works with women to help the understand the root causes of their menopausal symptoms Elyse describes how exposure to harmful chemicals, liver congestion, thyroid issues and adrenal function all contribute to the problems women experience during perim…

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29 - How Our Bodies Respond To Perceived Threats with Dr Olivia Lesslar. 1:13:18

10M ago1:13:18

1:13:18

Today Jody speaks with Dr Olivia Lesslar about psychoneuroimmunology and how our brain communicates with the body when it perceives it is under threat. Olivia breaks down the 8 ancient survival threats and explains that we are now living in a world where humans are constantly being bombarded with messages that tell the brain that our safety is at r…

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28 - Menopause - The Long Game with Jody Vassallo. 1:00:36

10M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

Today Jody speaks about some of the current hot topics in the perimenopause and menopause arena. How much protein should we be eating and is eating 120g a day making you very Pitta - hot and smelly. Are you taking care of your bones and if you are Vata how you need to be very aware and cautious in your approach. Brain health and how in Ayurveda it …

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27 - The Spiritual Nature of Perimenopause with Kris Gonzalez. 1:20:03

10M ago1:20:03

1:20:03

Today Jody chats with Kris Gonzalez about walking a conscious path through perimenopause. Kris is an acupuncturist and educator who spends most of her time these days bringing awareness to how to help women transition into perimenopause gently. Our conversation talks about the influence of the breath on the bowel and how important it is in perimeno…

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26 - The Importance of Healing Deep Core Wounding with Lisa Darveniza. 54:42

10M ago54:42

54:42

Lisa Darveniza is a counsellor, psychotherapist. Growth work teacher and group facilitator and the founder of Awareness Work. She joins Jody today to talk about the importance of healing the core wounding we experience in childhood. Lisa has developed a 6 month program that guides participants through the steps of rediscovering their authentic self…

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25 - The Wounded Witch & The Unwounded Womb with Dr. Jimi Wollumbin. 1:18:24

11M ago1:18:24

1:18:24

Dr Jimi Wollumbin returns today to speak with Jody about The Wounded Witch/ Healer archetype and the magnificent unwounded womb. We speak about the womb being far more than a home for babies and its important role of connecting a woman to her soul. In this episode Jimi introduces us to the world of mythopoetic thinking which helps us understand a c…

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24 - How Your Adrenals Manage Cortisol & Estrogen with Catie Gett 1:21:36

11M ago1:21:36

1:21:36

In this episode Catie talks about her personal perimenopause journey. As a naturopath entering this phase of life in burnout meant she was acutely aware that had to closely manage her health, especially her adrenals. She became vigilant about avoiding cortisol spikes and started making big changes to her life. Catie reveals how she decided to give …

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23 - The magic of fasting the heart and mind with Tahnee Taylor 1:36:34

11M ago1:36:34

1:36:34

In todays episode Jody speaks with Tahnee Taylor. Tahnee is a Taoist energetic teacher, yin yoga teacher, mother to 3 beautiful babes and owner of Superfeast with her husband Mason. Jody and Tahnee talk about traditional approaches to menopause and how menopause is considered to be the autumn of a woman’s life in Chinese medicine. Tahnee explains t…

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22 - Reflecting on my menopausal journey with Jody Vassallo 1:12:20

11M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

In this episode Jody speaks about her menopausal journey. She reflects on the changes she has seen in the menopausal arena, in the science and the recommendations around hormone replacement therapy. Jody looks at how grief has been ongoing for her as she navigates the autumn of her life and she speaks honestly and vulnerably about how she struggled…

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21 - The Pelvic Floor - what all women need to know with Kim Vopini 58:42

11M ago58:42

58:42

In this episode Jody talks with Kim Vopini, Vagina Coach, about all things pelvic floor. We discuss prolapse, incontinence, urgency and hormones. Kim shares her personal experience with prolapse and Jody reveals her own journey and how strengthening the pelvic floor may not be a good thing and why. This is an episode you won't want to miss. We cove…