About 95% of people in England will be affected by acne at some point in their lives, and yet discussing it and its effects is still considered taboo by many. With symptoms ranging from mild to severe, acne is caused when hair follicles become blocked, resulting in spots, oily skin and sometimes skin that’s hot or painful to touch. It can be both physically painful and emotionally distressing, and may lead to a loss of confidence, self-esteem and self-worth. In this episode, online creators Scott McGlynn and Izzie Rodgers reveal their personal experiences of acne, including how they manage it, how they feel about it, and why they believe it’s so important to normalise conversations about it. 

Please be aware that this episode includes open and honest discussions around mental-health issues including anxiety, depression, and self-harm, which some listeners may find upsetting. If you are affected by what you hear, and would like further information on available support, please see the list of resources below.  

RESOURCES: 

Boots Online Doctor: prescription acne treatment

Mental Health Support Services (available on Boots Health Hub) 

Skin Scanning Service at Boots

NHS acne information 

NHS information on common skin, hair and nail conditions  

Samaritans

Shout 

Anti-Bullying Alliance

SHOP EXPERT SKIN:

Boots Skin-Clear Cleanser with salicylic acid

Cetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF50

Eucerin DermoPurifyer Triple-Effect Serum

Eucerin DermoPurifier Face-Cleansing Gel for Blemish Prone Skin

Eucerin DermoPurifyer Protective Fluid SPF30

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can we all get our sun-fix safely? That’s the question this episode will strive to answer as we separate fact from fiction when it comes to sun damage. Vogue is joined by Dragon’s Den investor Deborah Meaden, who was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2015, as well as skincare expert and aesthetician Dija Ayodele. Together they’ll address important questions such as: what is the minimum SPF every adult and child should be using?; when should they use it?; what skincare needs are unique to people of colour?; is damage reversible?; does it always lead to cancer (answer: no); and how best can people protect themselves and their families?

RESOURCES:

Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacist

Mole Scanning Service at Boots

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Support Line: 0808 808 0000

NHS sunscreen and sun-safety information

NHS information on post-sun damage and post-skin cancer care

NHS Vitamin D information

Soltan at Boots

Soltan Sun Safety Partnership at Boots

ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS:

Soltan Clear & Cool Protect Suncare Mist SPF50

Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Suncare Roll On SPF50   

Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF50

Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF50

Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF30

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 With 10 - 20% of people experiencing mental health issues during pregnancy and up to one year after giving birth, it’s time to break the taboo surrounding maternal mental health. In this episode, entrepreneur and broadcaster Luisa Zissman, and author, life coach and broadcaster Anna Williamson, share their personal experiences of perinatal anxiety and depression. Prepare for some serious stigma smashing on the emotional fallout of dealing with everything from difficult pregnancies and births, to childcare and societal pressure.  

Please be aware that this episode includes open and honest discussions around issues including suicide, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.  Some listeners may find the content upsetting. If you are affected by what you hear, and would like further information on available support, please see the list of resources below.  

RESOURCES: 

SupportRoom (mental health support) from Boots Health Hub

Boots Online Doctor 

NHS: treatment information for postnatal depression

NHS: information on prenatal mental-health

NHS: information on perinatal mental health

Samaritans

Shout 

SHOP PRODUCTS FOR NEW MUMS:

The Positive Birth Company: The Postpartum Pack

My Little Coco Baby Mama Nourishing Bath Soak

My Expert Midwife: Spritz for Bits

My Expert Midwife: Soak for Bits

My Expert Midwife: Super scar Recovery Oil

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcoming both returning and new listeners to the third series of Taboo Talk – the empowering and entertaining podcast brought to you by Boots, hosted by Vogue Williams.

Series three will feature more frank, funny, and informative chats with guests including Luisa Zissman, Anna Williamson, Russell Kane, Desiree Burch, Scott McGlynn, Izzie Rodgers, Iskra Lawrence, Anna Richardson, Dr Dawn Harper and Deborah Meaden.

Together, we’ll provide advice about the kind of subjects often considered awkward, cringe or forbidden. From vulvas, virginity and body acceptance, to postnatal depression, acne and sun damage, Taboo Talk asks the taboo health and wellness questions so you don’t have to.

First episode available on 27 July 2022

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s recap time! We revisit some of the very best moments from series two of Taboo Talk – the things that made us gasp, cry, wince, and laugh out loud. Discover, or rediscover, the frank and funny chats that continue to make Taboo Talk resonate with so many people as we deep-dive into everything from chronic pain, menopause and safe sex, to male mental health, bladder control and fertility. Featuring Ugo Monye, Lisa Snowden, Ferne McCann, Roman and Martin Kemp, Megan Barton-Hanson, Amy Hart, Ollie Locke and Malin Andersson, series two proved that nothing should ever be off-limits when it comes to health and wellbeing. At the end of this episode there’s also a sneak preview of series three which is shaping up to be just as eye-opening as this one.

RESOURCE

The Boots Health Hub

CHRONIC PAIN RESOURCES

Public Health England’s report on chronic pain in UK adults

NHS advice on managing chronic pain

ePhysio

Leva Pain Clinic

MENOPAUSE RESOURCES

Menopause Support, Advice & Products | Boots

Boots Online Doctor Menopause & HRT Treatment

NHS menopause information

My Menopause Centre

BLADDER LEAK RESOURCES

NHS incontinence information

NHS incontinence statistics

ePhysio

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Samaritans

Shout

CALM

Rethink

NHS Every Mind Matters

Papyrus Suicide Prevention

SEXUAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Boots Online Sexual Health Doctor

Boots home testing kits

NHS contraception guide

BBC news report on STI rates

Morning After Pill/Emergency Contraceptive Pill information

FERTILITY RESOURCES

NHS information on infertility and treatments

Fertility Network UK

British Infertility Counselling Association

The Good Grief Trust

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust Fertility Preservation (Egg Freezing) information

UK government information on surrogacy legal rights

Surrogacy Support

Tommy’s Miscarriage Support

The Miscarriage Association

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This bonus show is the sister episode to the previously released “My fertility journey: What I wish I’d known”. Featuring GP and IVF mum, Dr Stephanie Ooi, it answers practical questions surrounding the subject – all of them sent in by Taboo Talk listeners. Dr Stephanie debunks myths and delivers advice on fertility-related worries and queries surrounding age, IVF, egg freezing, lifestyle factors, genetics, hormonal contraceptives, PCOS, endometriosis, and even the Covid vaccine. Remember: we ask the questions, so you don’t have to.

Please be aware that this bonus episode includes discussions of fertility issues that some listeners may find upsetting. If you are affected by what you hear, and would like further information on available support, please see the list of resources below. 

RESOURCES

NHS information on infertility and treatments

Fertility Network UK

British Infertility Counselling Association

The Good Grief Trust

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust Fertility Preservation (Egg Freezing) information

UK government information on surrogacy legal rights

Surrogacy Support

Tommy’s Miscarriage Support

The Miscarriage Association

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether you know if you do, don’t, or might want children, fertility is a subject fraught with strong emotions. It’s a personal choice that can feel very public, with everyone having a point of view or a story to tell. Nowadays, thank goodness, there are more options for more people as science and society catches up to the fact that there’s no one-size fits all when it comes to expectations around having children. However, that doesn’t mean it’s simple. For many, the journey to having a child is complicated, expensive and often painful – both physically and mentally. This panel-format episode, featuring Amy Hart, Ollie Locke and Malin Andersson, discusses those realities and addresses the question: “What do you wish you’d known before you started your own fertility journey?”

Please be aware that this episode includes open and honest discussions around fertility issues including IVF, surrogacy, egg freezing, perimenopause, miscarriage, and the loss of a child. Some listeners may find the content upsetting. If you are affected by what you hear, and would like further information on available support, please see the list of resources below. 

RESOURCES

NHS information on infertility and treatments

Fertility Network UK

British Infertility Counselling Association

The Good Grief Trust

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust Fertility Preservation (Egg Freezing) information

UK government information on surrogacy legal rights

Surrogacy Support

Tommy’s Miscarriage Support

The Miscarriage Association

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Practicing safe sex has a huge impact on the overall health of individuals and communities. Yet, the entirety of many people’s sexual health education involved a mortified teacher putting a condom onto a banana at school. Public figures speaking candidly about the importance of knowing an implant from an IUD are therefore playing an essential role in smashing taboos around the subject. In this episode, TV personality Megan Barton-Hanson – a pioneer when it comes to advocating for openness and honesty around sex and sexuality – discusses the many benefits of practicing safe sex and how knowledge is power.

RESOURCES

Boots Online Sexual Health Doctor

Boots home testing kits

NHS contraception guide

BBC news report on STI rates

Morning After Pill/Emergency Contraceptive Pill information

Products referenced in the episode

Condoms

Lube

Adult Toys

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve come a long way since the days when masculinity was defined by a stiff-upper lip and a “man up” attitude, but stigmas around male emotional vulnerability still exist, and changing expectations come with their own challenges. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 – a sobering fact that reveals much about the general state of men’s mental health, with men far less likely to seek help and support (either professionally or personally) than women for mental health issues. Here, Capital Breakfast host Roman Kemp is joined by his father, the actor, director and musician Martin Kemp, to discuss their own mental health struggles, the pressure of societal and cultural expectations, and the things we can all do to better look after ourselves and others.

Please be aware that this episode includes open and honest discussions around suicide and attempted suicide, which some listeners may find upsetting. If you are affected by the content of this episode and would like further information on available support, please see the list of resources below. 

RESOURCES

Samaritans

Shout

CALM

Rethink

NHS Every Mind Matters

Papyrus Suicide Prevention

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 14 million adults in the UK struggle with bladder control – a huge number which should reassure anyone who worries about leaking when sneezing, having sex, exercising, or laughing (amongst many other triggers), that they’re absolutely not alone. However, bladder leakage is never ideal, so learning that there are things you can do about it, and that it doesn’t have to affect your daily life, is key to feeling more confident. This episode welcomes TV personality and presenter Ferne McCann, as well as women’s physiotherapist Clare Bourne, to chat all things incontinence, including why it happens, tips to help stop it happening – and the awfulness of the word ‘incontinence’.

RESOURCES 

The Boots Health Hub 

NHS incontinence information

NHS incontinence statistics 

ePhysio

Products referenced within the episode:

Boots Staydry pants for women

Boots Staydry pants for men

Boots’ range of incontinence pads

Elvie Pelvic Floor Trainer

Contrelle Activgard bladder support

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.