Imagine swapping a big career for marathons and comedy in midlife. I’m with Gaby Huddart, former Good Housekeeping editor-in-chief and a voice for women over 40. In this episode, we dive into her shift from journalism to chasing passions—running, facing fears, and redefining midlife. Gaby’s stories of interviewing stars like Judi Dench and Michelle Obama show how storytelling fuels purpose.We chat about the shift from print to digital media and how women are living bolder, for longer. Gaby’s opens up about her confidence, finding joy in exercise and music, and why journaling and self-kindness spark clarity.Gaby Huddart is an award-winning journalist, speaker, event host and celebrity interviewer. Previously Editor-in-Chief of Good Housekeeping, the nation's biggest selling women's magazine, and Editorial Director of the entire Hearst UK lifestyle portfolio, also including Red and Prima magazines, she is one of the UK's leading experts on women over 40. She writes regular articles on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in midlife, including for The Times and Daily Telegraph. Gaby is current holder of the British Society of Magazine Editors prestigious Mark Boxer Award, which recognises an outstanding contribution to magazine journalism.You can follow Gaby on InstagramOwning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
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Emma Neville’s Journey to Strength and Community
What if menopause could be a time of awakening, not isolation? In this episode of Owning Your Menopause, Emma Neville, founder of This is Me, shares her journey with premature ovarian insufficiency at 40. She talks brain fog, low moods, and the emotional hit of early menopause during lockdown as a mom, finding strength through hormone replacement therapy and a community that shows no woman should face this alone.Emma gets real about perimenopause’s guilt and loneliness but inspires by embracing her “wise woman years.” She’s turned her experience into a mission with her PAUSE framework, workplace tips, and lifestyle tweaks like Pilates and magnesium, encouraging women to learn, connect, and rediscover their strength at this life stage.Emma Neville is a mum to two teenage girls, a person-centred counsellor, a philanthropist who volunteers for numerous charities and a qualified menopause coach.Emma experienced an early menopause aged 40 after being diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The average age of menopause in the UK is 51.Receiving this diagnosis encouraged Emma to research the topic to gain an understanding of the phases of menopause. Emma then studied to become a menopause coach.Emma started an online community 'This is Me’ to share her story and to encourage everyone to talk about menopause to change the rhetoric!Let’s be the generation to make menopause matter.Emma's Instagram.Emma's LinkedIn.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
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Grit, Grace and Graft in Midlife with Debbie Wosskow
Debbie Wosskow OBE is a multi-exit entrepreneur, investor, and leading advocate for women in business. Best known as the founder of Love Home Swap, inspired by the film The Holiday, she scaled the platform to over 100,000 properties worldwide before selling it for $53 million in 2017.A passionate supporter of female entrepreneurship, she co-founded AllBright, a global career network for women, and now co-chairs the Invest in Women Taskforce, a government-backed initiative unlocking £250m in funding for female-led businesses.After a burn-out related health scare revealed she was in perimenopause, she launched The Better Menopause, a science-led supplements brand developed with doctors, to support and empower women through hormonal transition. Its gut-health focused approach and award-winning probiotic has won high-profile fans and a growing following.She hosts the Grit & Grace podcast, sits on the board of Channel 4, advises McKinsey & Company, and chairs the Development Board of The Women’s Prize for Fiction.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
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Three Generations of Women’s Health
In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with my mother, Anna, and my daughter, Sophie, to trace the evolving landscape of women’s health through three generations. Anna opens up about her perimenopause journey in an era when such topics were shrouded in silence. Sophie, in contrast, shares her generation’s open dialogue about periods, mental health, and body image, free from the stigma that once weighed heavily.From Anna’s 1970s fitness craze, driven by the pursuit of thinness, to Sophie’s advocacy for menopause awareness and holistic well-being, we uncover how perspectives on health have transformed. Through honest stories and heartfelt reflections, this conversation is a tribute to the women who’ve shaped me, bridging past and present to pave the way for a healthier, more empowered future.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
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Kelly Swingler's Journey to Finding Balance
Feeling drained, mistaking burnout for menopause, or trapped in relentless stress? In this episode of the Owning Your Menopause podcast, I am joined by Kelly Swingler, burnout expert and founder of The Chrysalis Crew. Kelly shares her raw, powerful story: collapsing in agony from a toxic job, ignoring her body’s cries until her sons pleaded, “Mum, your job’s killing you.” Once an HR leader, she’s now a fierce advocate for human-first workplaces, speaking directly to midlife women balancing work, family, and hormonal shifts.We dive into how burnout and menopause symptoms blur, fuelled by societal expectations and outdated work cultures. Kelly makes it clear: burnout isn’t your fault, it’s systemic, often rooted in misaligned values. She shares practical steps to set boundaries, release impossible standards, and advocate for change.Find out more about Kelly’s work here and connect with her on LinkedIn.Owning Your Menopause is produced by Urban Podcasts.
I'm Kate Rowe-Ham, menopause fitness coach, author of the bestselling book Owning Your Menopause: Fitter, Calmer, Stronger in 30 Days and founder of the Owning Your Menopause app.
Navigating this life stage can seem daunting and almost impossible for many women, but I want to help you reframe how you see this chapter.
In each episode of Owning Your Menopause, my guests share one thing you can implement to start thriving through menopause and beyond.
I will talk to women like you and me who will share their experiences, good and bad, alongside expert guests who will help you start Owning Your Menopause.
Ireland