The SHE Word

This episode of the She Word Mums explores Mum Rage – a topic which probably doesn’t get the attention it deserves because it is engulfed in shame.

Mum rage can be described as intense feelings of anger, frustration or emotional overwhelm experienced by mothers, often in response to the mental, emotional, and physical demands of parenting.

If you are a mum, you are likely to have experience this at some point or other during your motherhood journey as at least 60% of mums claim to have felt this. However, not many of us feel comfortable talking about it, or admitting it, for fear we will be judged or deemed a bad mum.

This show helps to change the stigma around mum rage and helps mothers who experience this feel less alone, and understand that was is happening is not permanent, does not ruin their children, and most definitely will not make them a bad mother.

Join Nerissa Massa and her three guests explore this, talk about their own experiences, and also understand how to cope after an episode of rage. We also talk about the importance of partner support, working on your own regulation, and making sure to find time for yourself as important factors to lower the episodes where you go into rage.

Our three guests for this week’s show are Maria Buckle, freelance actress and mummy to 2 girls, who admits that her motherhood journey was not free of these episodes of rage, and although she feels guilty, she then chooses to repair with her children. Emma Hogg is also a mummy, but a psychotherapist who has spent years working on her own personal development and has seen the benefits of this in that she experiences far less rage than probably other mums. Her tips and her empathy will help mums feel like they can definitely overcome this with the right support and work put in.

Our last guest is Danita Camilleri – most commonly known on social media as One Chick and a Yorkie, she has on many occasions spoken openly about sometimes losing it with her son. Danita talks about this happening to her more now that her son is getting older rather than in his baby days.

This is a show that should not be missed – as our guests talk candidly and openly about their experiences, and ensuring that any mum listening who might feel immense guilt at her episodes of mum rage feels seen and not alone.

With thanks to our amazing sponsors:

Browns, Pemix, Slinky and Co, Ayur Veda, La Roche Posay, Monsoon, Hyatt Regency, iCentre, Myoka Spas

Find us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thesheword

Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/the_she_word

Every single woman who makes it to her 40s is going to be affected by perimenopause and menopause in one way or another. There literally is no escaping one of the most significant journeys that every woman has to travel.

Historically knowledge, information, research and support for this transition has been shockingly and unacceptably absent. Only in the past few years has it been recognised that perimenopause lasts around 7 years, not 1 year, and that there are over 65 recognised symptoms - far beyond the traditional hot flash or night sweat.

Whilst conversations concerning Menopause have become much more open and honest, there is still a great deal of understanding and discussion missing regarding perimenopause, making it for some far more challenging, darker and often more depressing than menopause itself.

As hormone levels spike and fall erratically, women are far more likely to be described antidepressants than explained lifestyle changes to accommodate this natural and necessary stage of life.

In this BRILLIANT and CRUCIAL show, Trudy sits down with three women to blow apart any misconception about the Perimenopause journey and delve into what is really happening, and how to navigate the perimenopause path.

Joining Trudy is Chiara Frendo Balzan; our resident Gyne on The SHE Word - much loved Chiara regularly sheds light on the challenges women face as part of the journey of being a woman, particularly Perimenopause and Penopause.

The Naked Pharmacist aka Marie Micallef, a certified lifestyle coach & licensed pharmacist, empowers women to heal naturally, guiding them to listen to their bodies & make informed choices. She is dedicated to empowering women to harness their body’s innate healing abilities.

Angele Galea is an Artistic Director, producer, actor, fine artist, teacher, writer at More or Less Theatre. Angele brings lived experience to the conversation and shares her journey of Perimenopause.

If you are in your 40s, or even approaching your 40s, this is an essential show for YOU. Hormone fluctuations, symptoms, cycles, periods, pain, diagnosis, duration, lifestyle changes, mediation, supplements, and so much more ALL DISCUSSED and EXPLAINED in a clear and transparent way you’ve probably never heard before.

Make time to understanding the challenges and changes that you will be experiencing as a woman celebrating the next stage of life. Be empowered, be prepared.

With HUGE thanks to: Browns, Prohealth, Tampax, Always, Maison Perrier, Satariano Living, Dave’s Supermarkets, iCentre, YUE, Ayurveda, Growth Gurus, Monsoon and UBER

Find us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thesheword

Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/the_she_word

Let’s face it, life isn’t easy. None of us are immune from the challenges, curve balls, trauma or tragedies that life can throw at us, but so often we are told ‘look on the bright side’ or ‘something good will come out of it’. Sometimes the pressure to stay positive can seem more toxic than encouraging.

In this show Host Sasha Vella dives into the true power of positivity, the strength in vulnerability, hope in the face of fear and turning up with grace in the most challenging circumstances, and joining Sasha are three women who speak from incredible personal experience.

Breast cancer survivor Monica Schembri found herself as a single mum of three soon after the birth of her third child, but as a true warrior spreads positivity through her adversity.

Rachel Spiteri has dealt with loss, grief, abuse, divorce, mental health struggles and rebuilding her life post divorce, but has harnessed the strength within her to rise back up.

Karla Harper, content creator calls herself a ‘Negative Nancy turned Positive Polly’ with a relatable story of self transformation.

Find encouragement and empowerment in these women’s courageous stories. Relate to the challenges they have faces in their journeys and see the hope that lies in the honest, raw, rough, unglamorous, unpolished power of positivity.

Huge thanks to Browns, Ayurveda, Tampax, Always, Islands 8 Gin, Yum, Hyatt Regency, UBER, iCenter and Growth Gurus for supporting these conversations for Young Women

Find us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thesheword

Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/the_she_word

In this show Trudy sits down with Valentina Rossi, Emily Jones and Melanie Kelly to answer one of the biggest questions of all time ‘What Do Women Want?’

Remember the 2000 film featuring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt? Well, when this movie resurfaced recently, it seemed like a BRILLIANT topic to address, and so in this show Trudy leads the guests in exploring this age old conundrum, and explore whether women’s wants have changed, and if we are eve n all motivated but the same desires and needs.

Approaching the question from four very different view points, the women navigate a range of areas; careers, physical appearance, time for themselves, friendships, relationships and sex. In this lively discussion, the guests don’t necessarily agree on what women want, but they take a deep look at the main topics, as well as exploring parenting, communication, financial independence, image, therapy and so much more.

Join host Trudy Kerr as she chats, laughs and delves into the topic with presenter, producer, model and entrepreneur Valentina Rossi, presenter and producer Melanie Kelly and IG / TikTok / OF content creator Emily Jones in this brilliantly entertaining, heartfelt, touching and brutally honest conversation.

Take time to tap into What Women Want, and share your own thoughts on this great big question.

With HUGE thanks to: Browns, Prohealth, Tampax, Always, Maison Perrier, Satariano Living, Dave’s Supermarkets, iCentre, YUE, Ayurveda, Growth Gurus, Monsoon and UBER

In this second episode of the She Word Mums, we explore the journey to becoming a mother. We discuss all things conception and pregnancy – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Host Nerissa is joined by Maxine Attard, co-host of the She Word Mums. They sit down with two guests: Stevie Aquilina, a toddler mum who had a less than typical journey to becoming a mother, and who shares her pregnancy experience, and Claire Balzan, a mum of 2 girls who started an Instagram page called “The Art of Mummying” to connect with other mums and make them feel less alone.

Maxine and Nerissa also share their experience with conception and pregnancy, and the joys and pains that come hand in hand with this experience. This lighthearted show is full of laughs and honest conversation about all things pregnancy and what it really means to have a bump.

We discuss pregnancy cravings, swollen ankles and tender breasts, and that is just scratching the surface!! Airing in the week we celebrate Mother’s Day; watch this heartwarming show where mums come together to talk about what is probably the most significant experience to happen to them physically and emotionally, and how they navigate this in the midst of all the expectations imposed by society.

With special thanks to: Browns, ProHealth, Tampax, Always, iCentre, Slinky and Co, Hyatt, Aptamil, Growth Gurus.

Knowing Your Self Worth is a topic relevant to all women today. Whether in the workplace, in media, in relationships, or as a Mum, findings reveal that the majority of women struggle with the issue of self worth in one way or another.

In this empowering episode Trudy sits down with three women who bring lived experience, knowledge and expertise to the topic of knowing your self worth.

Banker-turned-life-coach Christine Borg shares her life lessons in her journey to find her value and pursue a career empowering others, Zoë Stiles is a producer, presenter coach engagement specialist who brings a wealth of personal experiences to the table and Marilena Gauci is the owner of the Brillace Cafe who shares her words of wisdom and inspiration on the topic.

The woman work through where we the enemies of self worth, life challenges, imposter syndrome, the importance of mindfulness, relating to many areas of life: self image and body image, work place roles and ambition, being a mum, independence, relationships, decision making, and so much more.

The show also includes practical and useful advise with tips such as: Write down your three fears and challenge them • Journal and be truthful • Set your boundaries in every area of your life • Find your ‘supporters’, and keep them in your life • Mediate and make time for yourself • Set aside time for therapy - to talk and share without judgement • Set goals for yourself that take you outside of your comfort zone.

Watch this show and know you are not alone when you question your value, and be empowered and inspired by other women who share the challenges faced by so many women today.

With HUGE thanks to: Browns, Prohealth, Tampax, Always, Maison Perrier, Satariano Living, Dave’s Supermarkets, iCentre, YUE, Ayurveda and Growth Gurus, Monsoon

This powerful and sometimes-painful show revisits the topic of the Narcissist. Last year The SHE Word aired an astounding mini series titled ‘Living with a Narcissist - Its not about YOU’ (link at bottom). The series has had over 30k views and listens and continues to change lives today.

We often talk about narcissistic abuse from the perspective of a partner or spouse, but rarely do focus on the long term and devastating impact a narcissistic parent has on a child and family. In this show Trudy and the guests delve into the roles children are moulded into as part of a narcissistic family dynamic and how this can potentially shape a young and innocent child for the rest of their lives. The show also looks at how to identify the impact and where to start with dealing with the damage.

Joining Trudy is Roberta Farrugia Debono - clinical psychologist and a family therapist and a frequent friend of the show, Claire Borg - Psychotherapist and Co-Founder at Indigo Psychology Services Malta working with adults on issues related to trauma, anxiety, self-esteem, bereavement, depression, relationships and Caroline Vassallo is a Gestalt Psychotherapist with a special interest in Narcissism and Childhood Trauma.

The conversation navigates through the true definition of a Narcissist, Narcissistic Personality Disorder and the 12 Narcissistic traits that lead to a diagnosis. Trudy and her expert guests also discuss the impact on family members, especially children, and the related childhood trauma, as well as the passage towards identifying a trauma childhood and how to navigate towards a full and healthy life as a trauma survivor.

A powerful and game-changing episode for all narcissist survivors.

If anyone is affected by this topic, please reach out to The Richmond Foundation for support and guidance on 1770 or contact the professionals featured in this show for further guidance.

‘Living with a Narcissist - It's not about YOU' series links:

Part One - https://youtu.be/xCKwYRJLqJU?si=4j9kVDeeffqVM9Qk

Part Two - https://youtu.be/S_umWZw1mfw?si=4yxNZCvKakKYYnoj

Part Three - https://youtu.be/truXYoP4-jI?si=UuHYnySmN3mCjNY5

Part Four - https://youtu.be/k-ixRCmAFHM?si=F5VqzPgQQm_ih6sl

Part Five - https://youtu.be/6-ZroQWSQfA?si=DIeczYkba9GpdCW8

HUGE thanks to those who support this show and make it possible:

Brown's Pharma, ProHealth, Satariano Living, Tampax, Always, Perrier, Ayurveda, Dave's Supermarket, YUE gym, iCenter, Growth Gurus, Monsoon

This brilliantly lively, entertaining, sometimes heartbreaking show looks at one of the most neglected topics of discussion; we talk about relationships, we talk about family, children, partners, work colleagues - but rarely do we intentionally talk about and acknowledge the value of friendship.

According to new research, we make just 29 real friends in our lifetime and only 6 of them will last the distance. A study, which charted the social lives of 2,000 people, showed that we lose touch with almost 50% of the friends that we make. Which echos the theory that we have friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for life. Not only do friendships come and go naturally, but sometimes we loose valued friendships through circumstance, distance, misunderstanding or we decide to break off friendships that are no longer positive.

In this episode, Trudy takes a deep dive into the topic of friendship with three guests who have three different view points, with very different lived experiences. Trudy is joined by the brilliantly outspoken Denise Kim Gafa, bold-as-brass Chelsea Bagnall and wonderfully lively Melissa Speigner.

Laugh and cry with these women as they navigate how much friendship means, the loneliness without friends, what happens when friends drift away, friendship break ups, the big NO NOs in friendship, and the old adage ‘Friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for life’.

Whatever your friendship status is right now, feel seen in this brutally honest and open show. A great show for every single woman.

HUGE thanks to those who support this show and make it possible:

Brown's Pharma, ProHealth, Satariano Living, Tampax, Always, Perrier, Ayurveda, Dave's Supermarket, YUE gym, iCenter, Growth Gurus, Monsoon

We’ve been told to just “get on with it.” That pain is normal. That hormones make us overreact. But for many young women, periods aren’t just a monthly inconvenience — they’re a debilitating, misunderstood, and often dismissed struggle.

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode of The SHE Word – Young Women’s Edition, host Sasha Vella leads an honest conversation about problem periods: cycles that derail your life, impact your mental health, and are too often gaslit by doctors, misunderstood by parents, and silenced by society.

Sasha opens up about her own experience of painful, emotionally overwhelming periods that started when she was just 12 — and the years she spent not understanding what was happening in her body.

She’s joined by three powerful voices, each bringing a unique perspective to the table. Sammy McEleny, 36, has been battling endometriosis for most of her life, enduring years of misdiagnosis, confusion, and chronic pain. Lara Vella, 26, is an artist who was put on the pill at 16 without a diagnosis and has since taken her healing into her own hands after fainting, vomiting, and enduring feverish pain with every cycle. And Dr Chiara Frendo Balzan, a leading gynaecologist and returning SHE Word expert, brings medical clarity to the conversation, helping to break down the myths and stigma surrounding menstrual health.

Together, they explore the medical gaslighting so many women face, the toll hormonal imbalances can take on mental health, and the shame that still surrounds periods — especially in conservative cultures like Malta’s.

This episode is a must-watch for every young woman who’s ever felt confused, dismissed, or alone in her menstrual journey — and for every teacher, parent, partner, and policymaker who needs to understand that painful periods are not “just part of being a woman.”

With special thanks to: Brown’s, Ayur Veda Organic Wellbeing, Prohealth: Cerave, Tampax, Always, Islands 8, Hyatt Regency, YUE, UBER, iCentre, Growth Gurus

Find us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thesheword

Find us on Instagram: instagram.com/the_she_word

The world is changing at a dramatic rate, no one disputes this, let’s face it - most of us struggle to keep up. Well, AI is one game changer that is here to stay - and is becoming part of our lives whether we are aware of it or not - and in this show The SHE Word sits down with three experts to examine the good, the bad, and the downright alarming.

If you didn’t know, simply by design and not by a sinister plan, AI has an inherent male gender bias, meaning that we are all interacting with male gender biased technology solutions everyday.

This can be attributed partially to the individuals behind AI creation. Out of nearly 1.6 million AI professionals worldwide there is a stark gender imbalance, women comprise only 22% of AI talent globally, with even lower representation at senior levels – occupying less than 14% of senior executive roles in AI. Within the EU, the disparity is equally concerning.

“AI systems, learning from data filled with stereotypes, often reflect and reinforce gender biases,” says Zinnya del Villar. “These biases can limit opportunities and diversity, especially in areas like decision-making, hiring, loan approvals, and legal judgments.” - and one area that is of HUGE concern is the medical profession - as we lean on technology based medical solutions more and more.

Joining Host Trudy Kerr to tackle this topic is three experts in this field:

Dr Vanessa Camilleri is a Senior Lecturer, Department of AI, University of Malta .Vanessa, Doctor Vanessa has a life long career in education - more specifically focussed on technology over the past decade.

Izzy Hyzler is the CEO of Growth Gurus, who has a passion for data-driven decision making - Growth Gurus is an award winning agency based here in Malta, but serving clients all over the world.

Natalia Mallia is a lead AI Engineer, deep learning specialist and data scientist with a passion for building intelligent systems that make a real impact. Natalia manages AI operations and cross-team integration at Axon Park. Overseeing AI feature development, deployment, and consistency across departments to ensure smooth platform functionality.

Watch this informative, educational and entertaining show to learn everything you need to know about AI, how we can make this technology enhance our lives, what we need to be aware of, how the male gender bias may be working against women, what we should be concerned about in relation to our children and AI, and how we can retain a healthy relationship with AI for today, and future generations.

Thank you to the partners who support The SHE Word: Brown’s, Prohealth, Tampax and Always, Maison Perrier, Satariano Living, Dave’s Supermarkets, iCentre, YUE, Ayurveda and Growth Gurus