Menopause expert Niki Bezzant has some bad news for us: we can't blame our midlife weight gain on menopause. Niki joins Francesca and Louise to discuss what's really behind that sneaky middle age spread and what role menopause plays if it doesn't directly cause it. They also discuss hormone therapy, breast density, and how to manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms.

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Microneedling, LED masks, Botox in a bottle - these are just a few of the many cosmetic trends we're bombarded with on a daily basis. But what works, what doesn't and what could actually do more harm than good? Francesca and Louise sit down with cosmetic medicine expert Dr Sarah Hart to separate hype from reality.

They also dig into skincare essentials, and the truth about trending ingredients like peptides and exosomes.

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Clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo joins Francesca and Lou for a discussion about navigating relationships when the kids leave the nest. Together they tackle the challenges of transitioning from a child-centric life to a more adult-oriented one, and the pressure this can put on relationships.

Karen shares her expertise on how to prioritise your partner during this time, and offers practical advice on how to rebuild intimacy, communication and connection. 

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Jana McPherson is a food blogger and business owner navigating life as a young widow after losing her husband Hamish in 2023. 

Joining Francesca and Louise to share her story of love, loss, and resilience, Jana discusses the challenges of widowhood, including financial stress, grief, and the emotional burden of caring for her children. 

She also opens up about the importance of self-care, finding support, and learning to move forward. 

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The danger of ultra-processed food has been dominating the headlines, but do these foods deserve all the negative press they're getting? 

This week Professor Sarah Berry from King’s College London and chief scientist at ZOE helps us cut through the noise as we unpack what “ultra-processed” actually means, why not all processed foods are created equal, and how some foods are designed to override our natural fullness signals.

Sarah explains the science behind hyper palatable foods, eating speed and why texture matters more than you might think. Plus, we tackle the seed oil debate and the truth about emulsifiers and additives.

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In a world where our attention is constantly pulled in multiple directions, how do we regain control of our focus? Professor Gloria Mark from the University of California, has spent her career studying what's happening to our attention spans and she joins Francesca and Louise to share some surprising statistics.

It's a wonder we get anything done at all! But don't panic, Gloria also shares plenty of great advice to help us reclaim our focus. 

This is the last episode of The Little Things for 2025. We'll be back next year to dive into more of the little things!

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When our kids worry, we worry. Especially when we don't know what they're worried about! This week, Dr Justin Coulson is back to talk about what really bothers kids and young adults most, and how parents can help. He shares some of his top tips for helping parents support their children through these challenges by fostering connection, understanding perfectionism, and encouraging open conversations about tough topics

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Are you ready to face the AI revolution that's already transforming our daily lives? Join Francesca and Louise as they step into the world of artificial intelligence with nanotechnologist and science communicator Dr Michelle Dickinson.

From the benefits of AI as a productivity tool to the concerning lack of regulation in New Zealand and the ways we might be unwittingly sharing our children’s data to train AI, Dr Dickinson brings clarity to complex concepts while also offering practical advice for navigating this new landscape.

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When a loved one experiences dementia, grief does not wait for a tidy ending. Francesca and Louise  sit down with resilience researcher and grief expert Dr Lucy Hone to talk about living loss and how to cope when someone you love is in ongoing cognitive decline. Later in the episode Helen Frank from Alzheimer’s Taranaki shares clear guidance on early signs, getting a diagnosis,and the support available for carers. 

'How Will I Ever Get Through This?' - pre-sales for the new book from Dr Lucy Hone are available from 6th October 2025.

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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.

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