Episodes

  • Professor Joyce Harper: Menopause, Fertility & Finding Joy After 50

    Professor Joyce Harper: Menopause, Fertility & Finding Joy After 50
    Sep 18 2026
    What if menopause wasn’t something to fear, but a wake-up call to start living differently? In this episode of Hot Mess Mums Club, Professor Joyce Harper joins us for an honest and empowering conversation about menopause, fertility, motherhood, ageing and why women need better education about their bodies at every stage of life. Joyce shares her own seven-year fertility journey and experience of becoming a mum through IVF, explains the realities of fertility and the biological clock, and discusses why women need access to accurate, evidence-based information long before they reach perimenopause. We also explore what happens when motherhood and perimenopause collide, why self-care becomes non-negotiable as we get older, and how Joyce has created more joy in her own life through exercise, cold-water swimming, saunas, reading… and even day raving. Joyce also shares the thinking behind her latest book, Your Joyful Years, and the two principles she believes can help women thrive as they age: nurture your happiness and nurture your health. In this episode: Why Joyce sees menopause as a wake-up call rather than a decline The misinformation surrounding menopause on social media Why reproductive health education needs to start in school Fertility, egg freezing and the realities of the biological clock Joyce's personal IVF journey and becoming a mum in her 40s The challenge of parenting young children during perimenopause Why women need to rediscover what brings them joy Self-care, exercise, sleep, mental health and relationships Cold-water swimming, saunas and Joyce's love of day raving The five pillars of wellbeing for healthy ageing Why Joyce says she feels fitter and stronger at 63 than ever before 00:00 Welcome to Hot Mess Mums Club00:21 Introducing Professor Joyce Harper00:42 Your Joyful Years and rewriting the story of female ageing01:43 Why menopause can be a wake-up call03:39 The problem with menopause misinformation online05:44 When should menopause education begin?07:30 Why women's health needs to be taught in schools10:07 Fertility education and Your Fertile Years10:55 Joyce's experience of fertility and IVF13:10 The emotional reality of trying to become a parent15:24 Having children later in life15:53 Fertility in your 40s and the realities of IVF18:13 Magpie Beauty and Balance19:06 Motherhood and perimenopause at the same time20:00 Why lifestyle becomes non-negotiable in perimenopause21:14 The pressure facing mums in their 40s22:23 Rediscovering yourself after years of caring for others24:15 Cold-water swimming, saunas and self-care25:00 Why Joyce still loves going raving25:59 What 50 thriving women taught Joyce about ageing28:07 Joyce's bath-time confession29:15 Finding 15 minutes of joy every day31:10 Why happiness takes deliberate effort32:00 Magnesium, exercise and recovery34:06 Joyce's two biggest lessons from Your Joyful Years35:25 The five pillars of wellbeing36:41 Why Joyce feels fitter and stronger at 6337:35 Final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Why Women Feel So Overwhelmed | Gemma Donnelly on Burnout, Guilt & People Pleasing

    Why Women Feel So Overwhelmed | Gemma Donnelly on Burnout, Guilt & People Pleasing
    Sep 4 2026
    Gemma Donnelly joins the Hot Mess Mums Club to talk about why so many women feel overwhelmed, overstimulated and unable to switch off — and what we can actually do about it. In this episode, Gemma shares her own journey from a high-pressure corporate career into coaching, and explains why burnout, people pleasing, guilt and self-doubt are so common, particularly for women who feel responsible for everyone else. We talk about the nervous system, why “just think positively” often isn’t enough, how to build healthier boundaries, the role of anger, dealing with other people’s opinions and what to do when you know something in your life needs to change. Gemma also shares practical ways to create more calm, including journaling, movement, breathing techniques and simple ways to reduce mental overload. Gemma Donnelly is the confidence and resilience coach behind Coaching With Gemma in Manchester. She provides 1:1 confidence and resilience coaching for women, and workplace resilience training, team workshops and leadership coaching for leaders, teams and organisations in Manchester, Cheshire and online. Her practical coaching works with the mind and nervous system to help people quiet busy minds, reduce overthinking and self-doubt, build confidence, handle workplace pressure and prevent burnout. Learn more about her at https://www.coachingwithgemma.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Katharine Merry: Motherhood, Menopause & Learning to Back Yourself

    Katharine Merry: Motherhood, Menopause & Learning to Back Yourself
    Aug 21 2026
    Olympic medallist and broadcaster Katharine Merry joins Kelly for a brilliantly candid conversation about life after elite sport, motherhood, hormones, resilience and learning to give yourself a break. Katharine reflects on becoming the fastest girl in the world at just 14, winning an Olympic medal and later breaking new ground as the first female stadium commentator at an Olympic Games. She also opens up about the physical and mental toll of elite athletics, retiring through injury and rebuilding her identity beyond sport. The conversation then turns to motherhood. Katharine shares what it was like having her children in her late 30s, why she thinks parenting teenagers is the hardest stage yet, and the advice that helped her through the exhausting early years. She also talks openly about perimenopause, hot flushes, irritability and poor sleep, her experience of HRT, and why finding the right medical support made such a difference. Plus, Katharine reveals her slightly unconventional form of self-care, why she’d choose a long shower over a spa day every time, and the two pieces of advice she wants every woman to remember: Back yourself — and stop beating yourself up. A funny, honest and reassuring conversation about the many different versions of ourselves we become throughout life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Cassie Lomas on Starting Again, Navigating Loss and Building a Business on Her Own Terms

    Cassie Lomas on Starting Again, Navigating Loss and Building a Business on Her Own Terms
    Aug 7 2026
    Makeup artist and entrepreneur Cassie Lomas joins Jenny to discuss the next chapter of her career as she prepares to launch her own makeup brand after 30 years in the beauty industry. Cassie explains why she wanted to create a simple capsule collection for women who feel overwhelmed by makeup, and why she believes the best approach is often to stop overthinking and “just make it happen.” The pair also have an honest conversation about losing parents, supporting loved ones through dementia and continuing to balance grief with motherhood, work and everyday responsibilities. Cassie shares how the experience changed her approach to her health, while she and Jenny compare their experiences of perimenopause, brain fog and finding the support that works for them. Cassie also reflects on raising teenagers, creating a more sustainable work-life balance and building a business that allows her to remain creative while working on her own terms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Leanne Brown: Losing Everything, Finding Myself & Starting Again

    Leanne Brown: Losing Everything, Finding Myself & Starting Again
    Jul 24 2026
    Former Real Housewives of Cheshire star Leanne Brown returns to Hot Mess Mums for one of her most honest conversations yet. Leanne opens up about the reality behind the headlines—from the collapse of a luxury lifestyle and financial hardship to the breakdown of her 25-year relationship with footballer Wes Brown. She shares how navigating perimenopause, motherhood, grief and starting over forced her to rediscover who she really is. Together, Kelly and Leanne discuss: Why so many women experience a "midlife awakening" The hidden realities behind wealth and public life Life after divorce and rebuilding your identity Financial independence and self-worth Perimenopause, HRT and the impact hormones have on mental health Healing childhood wounds, forgiveness and personal growth Why it's never too late to reinvent yourself This is a powerful conversation about resilience, courage and learning to choose yourself—even when everything else falls apart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • Funny Mummy Alyssa Kyria on finding success through motherhood, ADHD and perimenopause

    Funny Mummy Alyssa Kyria on finding success through motherhood, ADHD and perimenopause
    Jul 10 2026
    Comedian and content creator Alyssa Kyria, better known as The Funny Mummy, joins Kelly to share the unexpected journey that took her from struggling actress to one of the UK's most relatable parenting comedians. Alyssa opens up about the difficult early years of performing to tiny crowds, creating her own opportunities when the industry wouldn't open doors, and why becoming a mum – something she feared would end her career – ultimately became the making of it. The conversation also explores ADHD, rejection sensitivity, perimenopause, HRT, social media, mental health, and why making women feel seen has become the driving force behind everything she creates. A funny, honest and reassuring conversation about resilience, reinvention and discovering that success doesn't always look the way you imagined. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • What Every Woman Should Know About Hormones

    What Every Woman Should Know About Hormones
    Jun 26 2026
    Why are so many women being told their symptoms are anxiety, stress or depression when hormones may be the real cause? In this episode of Hot Mess Mums Club, we’re joined by Dr Holly Carding, GP and hormone health clinician at Newson Clinic, to discuss the realities of perimenopause, menopause and women's hormone health. Dr Holly explains why symptoms such as anxiety, brain fog, low mood, poor sleep, palpitations and even tinnitus are often overlooked, how hormone changes can affect every aspect of a woman's life, and why better education is needed for both patients and healthcare professionals. We also discuss HRT, common misconceptions around hormone treatment, the impact of menopause on careers and relationships, and how women can advocate for themselves when seeking support. In this episode: The most common menopause and perimenopause symptoms Why mental health symptoms are often linked to hormone changes The dangers of misinformation on social media How hormones affect work, relationships and confidence When lifestyle changes may not be enough The role of HRT and hormone optimisation Resources women can use to better understand their symptoms A practical and empowering conversation for any woman wanting to better understand her body and hormone health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Sarah Jayne Dunn on Reinvention, Confidence and Living Unapologetically

    Sarah Jayne Dunn on Reinvention, Confidence and Living Unapologetically
    Jun 12 2026
    What happens when you stop living for everyone else and start living for yourself? In this honest and inspiring conversation, Sarah Jayne Dunn opens up about leaving Hollyoaks, finding her voice in her 40s, embracing reinvention and refusing to let fear or judgement dictate her choices. Sarah shares the reality behind the headlines, discussing motherhood, confidence, people-pleasing, OnlyFans, friendships, social media, body confidence and the importance of creating a life that works for you and your family. The conversation also explores the power of women supporting women, the confidence she's found through pole fitness, her coaching journey, and why she's determined to encourage others to embrace their authentic selves. Plus, Sarah reveals her dream of appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and explains why she's finally putting that ambition out into the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins