In this powerful solo episode, Ffion is joined by Carys Allen, Lead Nurse Specialist with Cervical Screening Wales, and Georgina Wren, a cervical cancer survivor, for an open and honest discussion about everything to do with cervical screening and cervical cancer.

Together, they explore what actually happens during a smear test, what HPV is and why it matters, and the reasons so many people still feel nervous or avoid attending their screenings. Georgina bravely shares her personal story of discovering she had cervical cancer following her first smear test — a reminder of just how life-saving early detection can be.

This episode tackles the taboos, fears, and misconceptions surrounding cervical screening, offering clarity, compassion, and reassurance that there is truly nothing to be afraid of.

Honest, informative, and empowering — this is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand cervical health and the importance of regular screening.

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Cervical Screening Wales

https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/screening/cervical-screening-wales/

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In this powerful episode of Say It How It Is, host Ffion is joined by this episodes co-host and GB Olympian Ellie Boatman for a deeply needed conversation on female health - from endometriosis and adenomyosis to hormones, diet culture, and everything in between.

Joining the discussion are Kirsty Smith, hormone health and perimenopausal coach, and Jen Moore, educator, campaigner, and author of the new book on endometriosis that’s changing the conversation around women’s pain.

Together, we unpack the realities of living with chronic reproductive health conditions, the impact of hormone imbalances, and the harmful effects of medical gaslighting that so many women experience. This episode is an unfiltered exploration of how women’s health is too often dismissed — and why it’s time to change that.

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In this powerful episode of The Other Side of the Bottle, host Ffion is joined by Olympian Jasmine Joyce-Butchers who is co-hosting this episode. They are joined by Olympian and England international rugby player, Meg Jones. Meg opens up about an incredibly tough year, losing her dad to cancer and just six months later, her mum to alcoholism.

Despite these heartbreaking challenges, Meg has continued to perform some of her best rugby — showing resilience both on and off the pitch. This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply personal, as Meg and Ffion confide in each other and share their own stories of growing up with a parent battling addiction. Jazz and Meg have an incredibly close friendship, rooming together during the olympics and share what it was like to support Meg during these tough times.

It’s a special episode filled with understanding, vulnerability, and the hope that by speaking out, others might feel less alone in their own journeys.

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In this episode of Say It How It Is, host Ffion is joined by content creators and full-time mums, Ellie Hardy and Carys Harding. They open up about the highs and lows of motherhood, the loneliness that often follows, and the journey behind their growing social media platforms.

Ellie and Carys share how using their accounts to document family life has not only built a supportive community of mums but also opened doors to brand collaborations, business opportunities, and financial independence. Their honesty and creativity online have transformed social media from a personal outlet into a professional path — allowing them to balance parenting while building sustainable careers.

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In this recent episode of Say It How It Is, Ffion is joined by Hikitalo Founder, Will.

We dive deep into the story behind Hikitalo Sauna — a unique space built around connection, tradition, and healing. Founder Will opens up about his personal journey, the inspiration behind creating Hikitalo, and the challenges and breakthroughs that shaped this powerful community.

From cold waters to hot stones, this isn’t just a story about a sauna — it’s about finding purpose, building something meaningful, and holding space for others to slow down, connect, and just be.

With two sauna locations now open in Porthcawl, Hikitalo is more than a wellness destination — it’s a growing movement rooted in simplicity, presence, and community.

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In this powerful first part of our two-part special Both Sides of the Bottle, I'm joined by my cohost for this episode, Ellie Boatman. We sit down with the incredibly open and courageous Sarah Stonehouse who shares her deeply personal journey through alcoholism, just as she celebrates her six-year sobriety anniversary.

This episode focuses on the side of the addict and dives into the raw reality of addiction—from the chaos and damage it caused in Sarah’s life, to the emotional toll it took on her and her loved ones. She speaks candidly about the guilt, the shame, and the wake-up calls, but also about the incredible support network that helped her find her way out. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to live inside the grip of addiction, or you’ve watched someone close to you struggle, this conversation offers a brutally honest window into both the pain and the hope that coexist in recovery. Sarah doesn’t hold back, and her story is a reminder that healing is messy, personal, and possible.

Part 2 of Both Sides of the Bottle will shift the focus to the people on the outside—the family, friends, and loved ones who lived through the experience alongside the individual suffering with the addiction. Together, these two episodes tell the full story of addiction and its ripple effect on everyone involved.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global, community-based fellowship of individuals who share their experiences, strength, and hope to help each other recover from alcoholism. Founded in 1935, AA is non-professional, apolitical, self-supporting, and open to anyone who has a desire to stop drinking.

Meetings are held both in person and online, and offer a safe, confidential, and supportive environment for people at any stage of their sobriety journey.

AA is free to attend and available worldwide.

• 🌐 Website: https://www.aa.org
• 📍 Find local meetings: https://www.aa.org/find-aa
• 📞 Helpline (US/UK): Visit the website to find your region’s 24-hour hotline
• 💬 Online Meetings Available: Great for privacy or those in remote areas

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In this intimate and inspiring episode, Ffion sits down with Welsh and Olympic rugby stars Alisha and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers to talk about their shared IVF journey, navigating fertility while being full-time professional athletes—and a married couple. With the Rugby World Cup looming, Alisha made the emotional decision to put family first, stepping away from the opportunity to compete this year and to focus on starting a family.

The couple opens up about the physical and emotional toll of IVF, how they supported each other while training and competing at the highest level, and what it means to prioritize motherhood in the peak of a sporting career. It’s a rare and powerful glimpse into the personal lives behind the public profiles—about sacrifice, strength, and redefining what success looks like.

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Welcome to our brand new mini catch-up series, where we reconnect with past guests to see where life has taken them since they last joined the podcast.

In this episode, host Ffion sits down with Ellie Boatman, who first appeared in Season 1, opening up about her experience with disordered eating in elite sport.

Today’s conversation goes deeper, as Ellie shares some of the challenging moments she’s faced recently — from serious injury to career uncertainty after redundancy, then the emotional impact of her mum’s cancer returning.

This honest and heartfelt catch-up is a reminder that even the strongest athletes face seasons of struggle — and that sharing those stories show how you should be kind, always.

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In this episode of the new season, Ffion is joined by guest co-host Ollie Olds for an honest and eye-opening conversation with Jake Smith, professional runner for Nike and the NN Running Team.

Jake opens up about his deeply personal journey with RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) — a condition that silently affects many endurance athletes. He shares how years of underfuelling and the pressure to fit a certain ‘runner’ body type led to a significant decline in his health, disrupted training cycles, and compromised race performances.

We dive into the mental toll of battling an invisible condition, the emotional strain it’s placed on his family, and the frustration of navigating recovery in a sporting culture that often celebrates sacrifice at all costs. Jake also challenges the outdated perceptions of what a distance runner “should” look like — and how breaking free from those ideals has been key to rebuilding his relationship with sport and with himself.

Despite the setbacks, Jake speaks with quiet determination about his aim to hit the Olympic qualifying time, not for validation, but as a powerful step toward proving that you can compete at the highest level while prioritizing health, sustainability, and self-respect.

This is an essential listen for athletes, coaches, and fans who want to understand the human side of elite sport — the part that often goes unspoken.

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In this episode of Say It How It Is, Ffion kicks off a brand new chapter of the podcast — now hosted solo with a rotating cast of co-hosts and guests.

With Gwen stepping back, the podcast evolves into a space for deeper, more personal conversations, led by Ffion and the voices that matter most to her. This week, she’s joined by her best friend of 28 years, Kate, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about the ups and downs of life lately. Together, they open up about the pressure of approaching 30, navigating personal challenges, and embracing what they’re calling their “calmer era” — a phase focused on prioritising health, happiness, and slowing things down.

Whether you’re approaching a milestone birthday, dealing with change, or just craving an honest chat between two lifelong friends, this episode will feel like a warm, relatable catch-up you didn’t know you needed.

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