Many women are blindsided in their 40s by a sudden return of explosive anger. Clinical neuropsychologist Caroline Gurvich joins Francesca and Louise to explain how hormonal changes can intensify stress, spark mood swings and leave women feeling unrecognisable to themselves. She also shares what helps: lifestyle shifts, medical support and the importance of not simply putting up with it. Plus, a look at brain fog, the overlap with ADHD symptoms and weighing up treatment options for perimenopause symptoms.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do top athletes know about pressure that the rest of us don’t? Dr Kylie Wilson is a mental skills and performance coach who has worked with Olympians, rugby stars and world champions. She joins Francesca and Louise to share some of the mental skills sports stars use that can also help us regular folks in our everyday life. Prepare to take notes on learning from failure, reframing negative stories, and building focus through routines and visualisation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coast FM's Lorna Riley has been through two divorces and is now engaged again. Her message to women staring down a midlife separation is clear: it is hard, it is heart-breaking, but you can still build a good life on the other side.

Lorna joins Louise and Francesca to talk about the financial and emotional toll of separation, finding herself back in the dating pool in her fifties, a simple screen for red flags and the two year recovery arc. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many women have a complex relationship with alcohol and how it impacts our health and wellbeing as we age. 

Master health coach, Ree George, joins Louise and Francesca to talk about the role alcohol plays in women's lives, how it impacts us physiologically and psychologically, and why many of us find ourselves drinking more as we deal with the stresses of middle age. Ree shares practical, compassionate advice about reflecting on your relationship with alcohol, whether it's time for a "reset", and how to cut back or stop drinking in a sustainable way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising costs are hitting every household in Aotearoa, but for many women there’s an added weight – the invisible job of managing the family’s money. In this episode of The Little Things, hosts Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey admit they’ve ended up as the “household CFOs”, juggling bills and budgets by default.

They’re joined by financial advisor and Herald columnist Nadine Higgins, who shares why women are often better investors than they think, how to reframe a restrictive “budget” into a practical spending plan, and the surprising rule of thumb for building an emergency fund.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world of supplements can be overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you! Naturopath Erin O'Hara joins Francesca and Louise to to help determine if you need supplements, how to select quality products, and make sense of trends and labelling.

Discover when supplements can be helpful or even essential, versus when you're just wasting money (and potentially risking your health) on an unproven fad.

From vitamin D to probiotics, magnesium to collagen, Erin shares her insider tips on choosing the right forms, optimal dosing and what to avoid.

Timestamps:
- Do you need supplements? The mixed evidence [4:21]
- Should you take a daily multivitamin? [6:34]
- The problem with New Zealand's lax labelling laws [8:56]
- Popular supplements decoded: Vitamin D, probiotics, magnesium [12:17]
- Supplements for joint health and arthritis [21:34]
- Anti-aging supplements like collagen explained [27:11]
- Whether electrolytes and vitamin C live up to the hype [32:21]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by celebrity stylist Michiko Hylands to talk fashion after 40 and 50, and how to find your confidence and style as you get older. They discuss wearing colors and styles outside your comfort zone, finding flattering silhouettes for your body type, feeling confident and vibrant with age, investing in timeless pieces, and embracing trends in a way that suits you.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you constantly feel tired and exhausted no matter how much you sleep or rest? Have you been blaming it on stress or a busy life? The answer may be simpler than you think.

This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by nutritional biochemist and author of Fix Iron First, Dr. Libby, to discuss the vital role iron plays in our energy levels and overall health, and why more women need to tackle this earlier. Listen as they cover everything from the stages of deficiency and causes, to testing, treatment, and how to get the ideal levels.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francesca and Louise are back for Season 5 - but before they get into the new season, they are catching up on what they took away from Season 4, from grief to gut health, and the major change Louise has implemented. 

And there's still plenty more to cover, including dementia, alcohol, supplements, iron, fatigue and more.

Be sure to subscribe and listen to the new season of The Little Things starting August 2nd!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the last episode of the season, Francesca and Louise are joined by author, podcaster and editor with Mamamia, Holly Wainwright. The host of MID and co-host of Mamamia Out Loud, Wainwright has been telling women's stories for most of her career - but she wasn't sure what to expect when she approached middle age herself. 

She talks to Francesca and Louise about how times are changing for women, why mid-life is about more than just hormones, becoming invisible from the male gaze, and the best parts of mid-life. 

Holly's new book, He Would Never, is out now. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.