Ladies, We Need To Talk

Felicity Ward, comedian and actor known for her sharp stand-up and TV roles, shares a raw personal journey. She discusses long fertility struggles, perinatal depression and the exhaustion of early motherhood. Years later she rediscovers sexuality and confidence, exploring dating, bisexuality and what she calls her 'f*ck zone' while building life as a single mum.

Life as a perennially single woman can be lonely. Coupled-up friends often too busy to catch up, family constantly asking "So, have you met anyone yet?" What's a gal to do?The truth is, we live in a world that celebrates coupledom. And while there are women who love the single life, for others being called to the front to catch the bouquet at every friend's wedding is painful.Yumi Stynes meets three women who have never been in a serious relationship. They've tried it all, psychic readings, blind dates, even auditioning for MAFs, but their true love has never materialised.In this episode, you'll hear from women who keep their relationship hopes alive but prioritise their peace, ditching the dating apps for a life of independent travel and a table with a view and no one to steal your fries.This episode will answer questions like:Do I need a partner?Should I travel alone?Do I need a partner to freeze my eggs?Is therapy helpful?What to listen to next:Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelHow swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better offThe power of one: the single ladies owning it — ABC listenWhy are we exercising less than men?What to read next:Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelThis episode contains references to sex, dating, relationships, egg freezing, Married at First Sight, reality TV

Narelda Jacobs and Karina Natt announced their pregnancy online. Then came the trolls.The pair were over the moon about starting their rainbow family but were pulled back down to earth by the haters who said that they had "no right" to have children as a gay couple.Their response was to write and release a satirical book for adults called 'If Queers weren't meant to have kids.' The book is a celebration of the queer community and raising a child with your chosen family. The couple sat down with Yumi Stynes for a joyful conversation about the mechanics of conceiving using the turkey baster method and raising a child with three loving parents. Narelda Jacobs is a Whadjuk Noongar journalist and presenter on Network 10 and Karina Natt is a former lawyer and journalist who works in media and communications.  This episode will answer questions like:Who are Narelda Jacobs and Karina Natt? How do you ask someone to have a baby with you? How do you get pregnant in a same sex relationship? What is the turkey baster method?Can you choose your family?What to listen to next:Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelHow swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better offWhy are we exercising less than men?What to read next:Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelThis episode contains references to sex, conception, pregnancy, trolling, online bullying, homophobia, chosen family, village

We all want to sex to be hot, intimate and above all else, enjoyable. But sometimes when we're getting it on, things can go south and disaster ensues.These naked encounters are excruciating in the moment but hilarious when shared with friends.Comedian Lizzy Hoo and Yumi Stynes join forces to walk through the sexual hall of shame and come out the other side laughing.Expect rogue fluids, a limp erotic massage, and one unfortunate hospital visit.This episode will answer questions like:Do I need to see a doctor if I have a sex injury?Why is sex awkward?Should I try different lubes?Should I try new things with my partner?What are common turn offs in sex?Can I get pregnant when I use protection?What to listen to next:Women who cheatIs everyone having better sex than me?Paying for sex at 70You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentWhy genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex lifeThis episode contains references to sex, safe sex, sexual positions, torn vulvas, male escorts, orgasm, pregnancy, contraception, dating

In the exercise race, women are falling behind. Two out of five women aren’t moving enough and it’s bad for our health. Between being time squeezed, feeling crappy about our bodies and guilt about taking a break from caring duties, women have less room for exercise than blokes. But ladies, it’s time to put on our sports bras and get sweaty! In this episode, you’ll hear how to get your fitness mojo back and prioritise your wellness. You’ll meet exercise-hater-turned-evangelical-runner, Amanda Hooten. Plus, clinical psychologist Professor Lyndall Strazdins from the ANU shares tips on how to get physical. This episode will answer questions like: Why do women exercise less than men? What is the gender exercise gap? How are women and men’s relationship with exercise different? What can women do to exercise more? Why do we need to exercise more? How can I start exercising if I have a bad relationship with it? What to listen to next:Love ya guts! What to eat to feel your bestHow swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better offMental health: Anxiety and how to beat itPaying for sex at 70You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelWhy Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgeryWhy genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex lifeThis episode contains references to exercise, weight, eating disorders, body image, sport, running, pilates, mental load, gender, parenting, adolescence, women’s safety. 

What if, instead of being the best time of your life, new motherhood was miserable? Perinatal depression and anxiety affects one in five women in Australia. But the shame of it is carried in silence.Yumi Stynes speaks to women about their darkest days as new mums; sleep deprived, fearful and feeling alone. She hears how these women came through their suffering and got the help they needed.Featured in this episode:  Dr Erin Seeto, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Clinical Services at the Gidget Foundation If you need help:Lifeline Australia 13 11 14PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306Gidget Foundation 1300 851 758This episode will answer questions like: What does it feel like to have perinatal depression and anxiety? What is perinatal depression and anxiety? What are the risk factors of perinatal depression and anxiety? How is perinatal depression and anxiety treated? How do you recover from perinatal depression and anxiety? Can your relationship impact perinatal depression and anxiety?What to listen to next: I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticalsHow swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better offTuria Pitt is a selfish womanPaying for sex at 70You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:  Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelWhy Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgeryWhy genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex lifeThis episode contains references to suicide, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, birth, birth trauma, mothering, parenting, mental health care plan, psychology, hospital, family, breastfeeding, colic, crying, sleeplessness, sleep deprivation. 

What happens when your husband suddenly becomes someone you don’t recognise? One cold day in 2020, Belle Burden’s partner of 20 years told her he was leaving her. There were was no warning, no chance to talk. Before her relationship collapsed, Belle’s life looked enviable. Heiress to a wealthy New York family empire, she had the kids, the job, the holiday house and a committed marriage. But overnight, everything Belle thought she knew about her husband changed, and he became a stranger to her. Despite the pain of separation, Belle came to know herself again and rebuilt her life stronger than before. This episode will answer questions like: What does it feel like to be cheated on? Can you tell if your husband is having an affair? Do people suddenly fall out of love? Who is Belle Burden? Is Gwneth Paltrow Playing Belle Burden in the movie adaptation for Netflix? How can women protect themselves financially in a marriage? What lessons are there to be learnt after going through divorce? What to listen to next:I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticalsHow swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better offTuria Pitt is a selfish womanPaying for sex at 70You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelWhy Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgeryWhy genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex lifeThis episode contains references to divorce, separation, affair, cheating, heartbreak, money, settlement, parenting, re-invention, self-discovery, gender, mothering, independent, finance. 

What’s it like to parent when you can’t see your kid? Nas Campanella, the ABC’s National Disability Affairs reporter, knows there’s many ways to be a great mum. As a blind woman, she’s navigated internalised ableism, and copped BS from strangers. Through it all, she’s given the middle finger to expectations and come out the other side stronger.She talks to Yumi Stynes about the quiet strength that comes from trusting her own instincts and the deep bond she’s formed with her son.  This episode will answer questions like: What’s it like to be a mother while vision impaired? How do blind parents use sound, touch and voice to care for their babies?What are the biggest challenges of parenting with a disability? How do you keep children safe without relying on sight? How do people use sound, touch and instinct to read their baby’s needs? What public scrutiny do disabled parents receive? How do you raise an empathetic child? What to listen to next: I love you but go away: Women taking marriage sabbaticalsLife without boobs: Meet the women staying flat after breast cancerBody image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie WalkerWhere's my village? Esther Perel on how to build communityYou can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:  Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelWhy Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgeryWhy genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex lifeThis episode contains references to disability, vision impaired, blind, mother, parent, National Disability Affairs reporter, ABC, work-life-balance, working mum, child, baby, parenting, teaching, attachment. 

Marriage sabbaticals aren't a divorce, or an excuse for guilt-free frotting but a chance to reset priorities. But do they work?It can be hard to figure out how to fix a relationship in need of repair when you're in the grind of the day-to-day. Living separately for a while or even taking a solo holiday can be a chance for a jump-start, but it comes with risks.Yumi Stynes meets women who've hit pause on their partnerships in the hopes of coming back together stronger than before.This episode will answer questions like: What is a marriage sabbatical? Why do women feel like they need a break from their marriage? Why do some women feel like they care for their husbands like children? How can you ask for a break from your relationship? How do you know you’re happy in a relationship? What does an equal partnership look like? How do relationship preferences change over time? Can having a break save your marriage? What to listen to next: Women who cheatIs everyone having better sex than me?The new way to dateHow pop culture f*cked us up, with Sophie GilbertYou can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:  How pop culture messed us up, with Sophie GilbertHow swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better offPaying for sex at 70Life without boobs: Meet the women staying flat after breast cancerThis episode contains references to sex, marriage, family, parenting, mental load, emotional labour, domestic labour, inequality, chores, perimenopause, break-ups, relationship, love, psychology, attachment. 

How does it feel to be betrayed by the person you love most? Women open up to Yumi Stynes about being cheated on and picking up the pieces of their shattered hearts.There's the fishy feeling you try to shake off, finding texts, unearthing emails, wondering if you're paranoid. And then, the moment of truth and painful aftermath. From Beyonce to Lily Allen, queens everywhere have wondered, "How did I get caught up in your double life??"For some women, infidelity destroys the foundation of trust forever. For others it leads to bloodletting and rebuilding the relationship.Featured in this episode:  Christina Spaccavento, sex and relationships counsellor This episode will answer questions like: What does it feel like to be cheated on? How do some women find out their partner has been cheating on them? Why do people cheat? Can you stay in a relationship after infidelity?  How do you rebuild trust after cheating? What to listen to next:Women who cheatIs everyone having better sex than me?The new way to dateHow pop culture f*cked us up, with Sophie GilbertYou can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.  What to read next:Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgeryHow Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhoodWhat loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look likeThe dark side of being a perfectionistThis episode contains references to sex, marriage, cheating, West End Girl, Lily Allen, Madeline, Beyonce, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Becky with the good hair, Shakira, Lemonade, infidelity, women, family, emotional cheating.