Regarding Me

When you’re facing a healthcare decision, how do you weigh the medical advice against what matters to you, your body and your life?

Breast surgeon Dr Susannah Graham joins Luan to explain shared decision-making and why your questions, concerns and priorities belong in the conversation.

They talk about understanding your options, asking why a treatment is being recommended, taking time where possible and seeking another opinion when you need one. Susannah explains how patients and healthcare professionals can consider the evidence, the possible trade-offs and the person living with the decision.

A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙

For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

Connect with Luan:

• Sign up for Luan's newsletter
• Follow Luan on Instagram
• Connect with Luan on LinkedIn
• Visit Luan's website

Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.

Please read more in this Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted by Luan Lawrenson-Woods

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

It can be hard to remember your questions when you’re overwhelmed by a medical appointment. Marilyn Barefoot found an unexpected way to feel more prepared: a bright pink binder that, in her words, gave her power.

Marilyn is a creative strategist and problem-solver who drew on her own methods while going through breast cancer treatment. She joins Luan to talk about organising information, making difficult decisions and finding approaches that reflect what’s important to you.

Their conversation explores how simple visual and tactile tools may help when there’s too much to take in—and why self-advocacy doesn’t always need to be big or bold.

A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙

For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

Connect with Luan:

• Sign up for Luan's newsletter
• Follow Luan on Instagram
• Connect with Luan on LinkedIn
• Visit Luan's website

Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.

Please read more in this Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted by Luan Lawrenson-Woods

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

Have you ever heard upsetting news and suddenly found it hard to focus or remember what was happening around you?

When you’re overwhelmed, it can be hard to think clearly, take in information or know what’s happening around you. Fear can become the loudest voice in your head—but it isn’t the only one you have.

Luan speaks with neuroscience educator, coach and two-time cancer patient Josie Thomson about what happens to you in a health crisis and how you can calm yourself when everything feels overwhelming.

Listen to discover why, even when fear takes over, you’ve still got you.

A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙

For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

Connect with Luan:

• Sign up for Luan's newsletter
• Follow Luan on Instagram
• Connect with Luan on LinkedIn
• Visit Luan's website

Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.

Please read more in this Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted by Luan Lawrenson-Woods

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

Sonya Lovell was struggling with the debilitating effects of menopause after breast cancer treatment but couldn’t find the help or information she needed. Or a GP who would listen to her.

Sonya shares what happened when she began to question advice that didn’t feel right for her—and why trusting herself, speaking up and getting a second opinion changed her life, helping her find happiness again.

Advocating for your health can be exhausting and frustrating at times. And you worry you might be seen as difficult. But sometimes you have to be the squeaky wheel.

A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙

For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode page: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/podcasts

Connect with Luan:

• Sign up for Luan's newsletter
• Follow Luan on Instagram
• Connect with Luan on LinkedIn
• Visit Luan's website

Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.

Please read more in this Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Hosted by Luan Lawrenson-Woods

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

You’re not difficult for asking questions about your health, and you’re not asking too much when you want to understand your options, have a say in your care or ask for a second opinion.

In the very first episode of Regarding Me, Luan shares what changed for her after a breast cancer diagnosis, and the worries women have shared with her about asking questions and being listened to when trying to get the care that’s right for them.

You don’t have to do this alone. Listen to find out how this brand new podcast can help you get the healthcare that’s right for you.

A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙

Connect with Luan:

• Sign up for Luan's newsletter
• Follow Luan on Instagram
• Connect with Luan on LinkedIn
• Visit Luan's website

Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.

Please read more in this Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted by Luan Lawrenson-Woods

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

Have you ever left a doctor’s office with more questions than answers? Have you ever felt lost in the maze of medical jargon or overwhelmed by decisions you need to make about your health? Do you break out in a sweat at the mere thought of asking for a 2nd opinion?

My name’s Luan and I’m a women’s health advocate with a personal history of breast cancer. I learned the hard way that navigating the healthcare system requires more than just showing up – it’s about speaking up and advocating for yourself.

The Regarding Me podcast is all about empowering women to take control of their health and proactively advocate for the healthcare care that’s right for them - because your voice and your choices matter.

From understanding your options to building confidence in difficult discussions with your team, Regarding Me is your space for honest conversations, relatable advice and a supportive community of women who understand what you’re going through.

Together we’ll make sure your voice is heard and your care reflects what matters to you most.

Think TED talk meets support group, when you’re 6 weeks in and you know how everyone likes their tea (or coffee!).

Listen in and join me and the growing community of women who are transforming their health through self-advocacy.

Let’s do this!

Luan x

This podcast was recorded on the Traditional Lands of the Wangal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past and present.

Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy at Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

LINKS & THINGS

Email me: [email protected]

Follow me: Instagram LinkedIn or check out my website.

Hosted by Luan Lawrenson-Woods

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