I’m Intrigued!

What if understanding your menstrual cycle could change the way you understand your body?

In this episode of I’m Intrigued, I’m joined by Abby Foreman, a Registered Nutritional Therapist specialising in endometriosis and women’s hormonal health, for a conversation about something that affects women every month but is still surprisingly misunderstood.

Why do we suddenly feel more energetic after our period? Why do cravings and bloating often appear before it? What is actually happening during ovulation? And can what we eat really make a difference to PMS, painful periods, PCOS, endometriosis and fertility?

We explore how nutrition can support hormonal health, including the role of blood sugar, intermittent fasting and supplements, as well as the lifestyle factors that can influence our hormones — from stress and sleep to caffeine, alcohol, exercise and gut health.

We also bust some of the most common hormone and nutrition myths.

And we go beyond nutrition to ask: what do we wish more women — and men — understood about the menstrual cycle?

Whether you're experiencing painful periods, PMS or other hormonal symptoms, thinking about fertility, or simply want to understand your body better, this conversation is packed with insights and practical takeaways.

Listen in, get curious, and let us know what you take away from the conversation.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Vijay Vendra Prakash, a UK-based GP and Longevity Medicine Physician who stepped outside the traditional medical system to rethink what health really means.

From working within the NHS to questioning how medicine is practiced today, we explore the gaps between treating illness and actually creating health.

We talk about:
- Everyday habits quietly damaging our health
- Fertility, hormones, and modern lifestyle
- The truth about alcohol, sugar, and “moderation”
- Functional vs conventional medicine

- Health trends and how useful they are

- How ''obsessing'' over your health can backfire

This is an honest, nuanced conversation about where modern medicine helps — and where it might be falling short.

Guest contact info:

Instagram: @drvjvendra

In this episode, we’re joined by Soumaya, a Darija teacher and content creator based in Casablanca, Morocco, whose work explores language, identity, and decolonization.

Together, we unpack what Moroccan culture really looks like beyond the stereotypes, and why preserving Darija is about more than just language—it’s about reclaiming identity. We dive into how historical occupations continue to shape power dynamics today, and whether people are truly aware of the layers of history that influence how we see ourselves and each other.

We also get into the way “developing countries” are portrayed in Western media, the impact of those narratives, and how they shape both external perceptions and internal self-image.

From questioning what it really means to not support colonial systems in everyday life, to discussing the blurred line between awareness and practicality, this conversation challenges easy answers.

We touch on topics often judged but rarely understood—modern trends like the “trad wife” movement, why they resonate today, and whether tradition can exist without harm.

This episode is an honest, nuanced conversation about culture, power, and perception in a world that often pushes everything into extremes. If you’ve ever questioned how history shapes the present—or how to engage with these topics without getting lost in the noise—this one’s for you.

Guest Contact Info:

Instagram: @anasoumaya

TikTok: @ana.soumaya

Website: https://darijanow.mykajabi.com/decolonize

&

https://darijanow.mykajabi.com/darija-daba

In this episode, we sit down with 'Marjan' from Iran to explore the lived experience behind the headlines — through her story, her perspective, and her voice.

We begin with her background and what everyday life looked like growing up, before diving into a deeper conversation about culture, identity, and what people often misunderstand about Iran.

She shares what makes her proud of where she comes from, and how she would describe Iranian people beyond common stereotypes.

As the conversation unfolds, we talk about gender roles, expectations, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways they shape daily life. From clothing and self-expression to social norms and public spaces, she reflects on what felt normal, what felt restrictive, and how those boundaries impacted her sense of freedom.

We also explore how these expectations affect both women and men, how people navigate them, and the quiet ways individuals push back or create space for themselves.

Finally, we shift into what changed after leaving — how her perspective evolved, what feels different now, and what she wishes more people understood about her experience.

This episode is not about speaking for everyone, but about listening to one person’s story with curiosity and respect. Listener discretion is advised as some topics may be sensitive.

*  For safety and privacy reasons, the guest in this episode is using a pseudonym, and certain identifying details have been changed.

A quick note for context: In Iran, there’s a formal legal system, but decisions and how rules are applied are also shaped by religious authority and the Supreme Leader, who holds the highest power in the country. This conversation reflects one person’s lived experience within that reality.

What happens when a single street dog changes the course of your life?

In this episode, i sit down with Aaron Bartlett, founder of Perros Libres - a dog sanctuary in Lake Atitlan in Guatemala to hear his journey.

We hear the powerful story of a chance encounter on the streets of Guatemala that turned into something much bigger. What began with one sick, nearly hairless puppy suffering from scabies became the catalyst for creating a sanctuary for street dogs in need.

From playing music for tourists to dedicating life to animal rescue, Aaron's journey is as inspiring as it is emotional. It’s a story of compassion, unexpected opportunities, and the realities of caring for animals that the world often overlooks.

But it’s not all uplifting—behind every rescue is the weight of responsibility, the pain of loss, and the difficult decision to let dogs go to better homes.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to make a difference—or how one moment can completely change your path—this conversation is for you.

Guest info:

Website: https://www.perroslibres.info/

Instagram: @perroslibres

Facebook: Perros Libres Inc.

In this episode, a sit down with Maahika Singh, host of Reclaiming Bossy podcast and founder of Empower Sound Media and we just have a really honest conversation about what it’s like to do your own thing.

We talk about going against expectations, building something from scratch, and all the parts people don’t really see—the self-doubt, the discipline, the lonely moments, and the pressure to stay true to yourself while you grow.

If you’re figuring things out or feel a bit out of place, you’ll probably relate to this one.

Guest Contact Info:

Personal Instagram Account: @maahika.s

Podcast Info:

IG: @reclaimingbossy

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tOVYHKgL1eGvUdpxZdAFB?si=22bbf3d2f5f24968

YouTube: @reclaimingbossy

Company Info:

Website: https://www.empowersoundsmedia.com/

IG: @empowersoundsmedia

What stops us from fully showing up as ourselves?

In this episode, i sit down with Alia Ballout, a Lebanese-Singaporean young female business owner - currently based in Singapore running her own olive oil business ; and we explore the fear of being seen, the pressure to fit into one identity, and the journey of breaking out of those expectations. After years of feeling like she didn't fit into the life she was living and a near death experience that served as a reminder that life is short, she decided to build the life she really wanted and not let fear dictate her life.

From building a business from scratch to navigating multiple passions, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to live authentically.

We also talk about using your voice, speaking on difficult topics, and how even small actions can create meaningful change.

This is a conversation about courage, growth, and becoming who you really are.

Guest info:

Instagram: @aliaaaballout

Substack: @aliaballout

Company IG account: @beitballout

Website: beitballout.com

Our pets can’t tell us when something feels off — but they are always communicating.

In this episode, we sit down with a veterinarian, Mandala Hunter-Ishikawa — a vet, trainer, and long-time animal welfare advocate, to explore what chronic pain really looks like in animals, how it quietly changes behavior, and why “they’re just getting older” is often a misunderstanding.

We talk about the subtle signals guardians miss, how pain reshapes the human–animal bond, and why training should build trust — not control. Most importantly, we explore what it truly means to become the parent our pets need: more observant, more informed, and more attuned.

Because recognizing pain isn’t just about treatment — it’s about dignity, communication, and showing up better for the ones who depend on us.

If you share your life with an animal, this conversation may change the way you see them.

Guest Info:

Linkedin: Mandala Hunter-Ishikawa

Instagram: @animalsasia

In this episode of I’m Intrigued!, we sit down for an honest, unfiltered conversation with Yenier Alfonso, about leaving Cuba, survival, and the moments that force you to act.

This episode is about more than immigration — it’s about mindset.

From earning just $20 a month as a university teacher to discovering the internet for the first time, this story explores what happens when necessity meets opportunity. We talk about growing up without internet, being taught that less is enough, and how exposure to the outside world can quietly change everything.

This isn’t a story about choosing to move abroad — it’s about choosing to leave.

About trusting strangers, setting impossible goals, and doing whatever it takes when staying is no longer an option.

From Cuba to Vietnam, this conversation dives into luck vs. preparation, the power of mindset, and why sometimes you have to stop listening to everyone else to save yourself.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @yen_11.11

In this episode, we sit down with a multidisciplinary creative Matthew MacPhee, whose journey took him from university life to Vietnam — and into a life built around music, festivals, and community. Wearing many hats as a DJ, festival organizer, bar co-owner and a founder of a co-living co-creating space, he shares what truly connects all these roles and how he’s learned to navigate multiple creative paths without losing focus or purpose.

We dive into the often delicate relationship between creativity and business, exploring whether the two can genuinely coexist or if tension is inevitable. He reflects on the idea of “talent” versus persistence, and mindset, and how much creative growth depends on the spaces and people we surround ourselves with.

A big part of the conversation centers on community — from co-living and creative spaces to festivals as platforms for human connection, cultural exchange, and collective expression. 

We explore how living and working within a creative community shapes not just artistic output, but daily habits, self-belief, and a deeper sense of meaning.

This episode is a thoughtful exploration of building a creative life that blends art, business, and community — and a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to exist in isolation.

Guest Info:

Instagram: @matsacre

Outlandish Festival:

Website: https://outlandishfest.com/

Instagram: @outlandish.vn

This episode was filmed at @geistcreate