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🎙️ In this episode I'm joined by Adelle Sushames, clinical psychologist, late-diagnosed AuDHDer, and founder of Nurture Clinical Psychology a specialist in diagnosing and supporting autistic women and girls across the lifespan. This one is personal for me, and I think a lot of you are going to hear yourselves in this conversation. 🧠 We cover why the diagnostic criteria were built on young white boys, what the female presentation of autism actually looks like, why girls become expert maskers before anyone even suspects a diagnosis, and how perimenopause can completely flip the way autism and ADHD show up in your day-to-day life. ⚡ Adelle breaks down the colour wheel model of autism, why high/low functioning language causes harm, what misdiagnoses women receive most often before getting an accurate one, and why "everyone's a little bit autistic" is not the supportive statement people think it is. 🩺 We also get into autistic burnout versus depression, spoon theory, the upcoming NDIS changes and what they mean for women with level one diagnoses, self-identification, and what Adelle wants every woman to know in the week after she receives a positive diagnosis. Find Adelle at neurodivergentally.com and @neurodivergent_aly on Instagram. Her card decks NDM and Spoon Thieves and Spoon Savers are available on her website and work across all ages. arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🔬 In this episode I'm joined by Alice Molloy endometriosis researcher at the University of Edinburgh, research technician on the landmark Endo1000 project, and someone who started reading peer-reviewed papers at 16 from her post-surgery bed because no one would tell her what was happening in her own body. 🧬 We get into the full science, the three subtypes of endometriosis, why lesions manufacture their own local estrogen supply, progesterone receptor loss, how the immune system is actively recruited to protect lesions instead of clearing them, and why the co-occurrence of autoimmune conditions, histamine intolerance, and gut dysfunction is mechanistically predictable. ⚡ Alice breaks down what's actually coming in treatment the precision peptide just approved by the FDA for human trials, dichloroacetate and the Epic 2 randomised trial currently underway at Edinburgh, the androgen biomarker finding showing a specific 11-ketotestosterone signature in over 95% of endometriosis patients, and where the saliva microRNA test actually sits in the peer review process. 📰 We also talk about The Telegraph's "disability is trendy" article, why online chronic illness communities are a survival mechanism not a lifestyle choice, and what nine years average diagnostic delay becomes for women of colour. Find Alice at @earthwithalice on Instagram and TikTok, and @wombdecoded for the fully referenced science content. Support or join the Endo1000 project at endo1000.com arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ Everything you need to know about laparoscopies, with fertility specialist and surgeon Dr. Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor. Mostly framed around endometriosis, but still relevant if you're heading into a lap for PMOS or any other reason. ⚕️ A look at exactly what happens inside the theatre, from how a diagnostic lap differs from an excision, the gas-and-gravity technique surgeons use to get a clear view of the pelvis, and the infamous shoulder tip pain. 🩺 You’ll learn all the useful tips for pre-surgery prep like why iron and blood sugar control change your surgical risk and recovery, the ultrasound vs MRI conversation, and the discussion that every patient deserves to have before they’re on the table regarding fallopian tubes. 😰 The parts nobody prepares you for: what the theatre actually feels like, why patients describe feeling exposed, and why Dr Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor stands beside her patients right until they go under. 📅 We’ll discuss the 72 hour red flags that mean call your doctor immediately, what week one actually looks like (and why most people try to do too much), and what changes by week two, including when it's safe to return to exercise, driving, intercourse, and trying to conceive again. 🔬 Plus the excision vs. ablation debate, what it means when your lap comes back clear, and why surgery treating inflammation isn't the same as guaranteeing you'll be pain-free. 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor practices at Stellar Fertility, find her there for surgical or fertility consultations. All references are in the full article available on my Substack and Patreon. 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ In this solo episode I'm sharing the 10 things I come back to again and again in clinic the foundational steps I ask every woman to work through before seeking specialised help, because a specialist will most likely get you to do all of these first anyway. Think of it as clearing the muddy waters so you actually know which systems need more support. 🍳Macronutrients properly explained why carbohydrates are not the enemy, how your carb needs track with how much you train, why most women are eating half the fibre they need, why protein requirements are individual and not a flat 120g rule, and why your morning meal choices matter more than you think for insulin sensitivity and circadian rhythm. 🩸 The three minerals worth testing and why iron, zinc, and magnesium plus vitamin D's specific role in ovarian and endometrial tissue. 💪 Why eating enough is the single biggest lever in clinic right now, especially in the current under-eating and Ozempic culture. Plus the case for resistance training over Pilates, why muscle mass becomes non-negotiable as you age, and why daily pleasure is part of the protocol. 🩺 If you'd like more support after working through these steps, you can join the Arc Woman clinic waitlist here Want to work with me 1:1? Book in with me here! 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ On this episode of the podcast, we discuss the various things that take place in your body as soon as you get a cold or flu, why symptoms appear in the order they do, and which cures are actually worth it while others are merely based on tradition. 🦠 We go through the full infection timeline: why viruses target your nose first, the "hook and scissors" mechanism every respiratory virus uses to invade and escape cells, why influenza specifically hijacks your own cell's genetic tagging system, and why Tamiflu only works within a 48-hour window. 🔥 We look in detail at interferon and the entire chain of effects that come after, such as fever, aches, and a loss of appetite. ❌ Does dairy really make mucus worse? Does garlic up the nose clear an infection? Does menthol actually open your airways? How do honey, zinc, and vitamin D play a role? This episode covers all of that. 🤰 Plus flu in pregnancy and why the risk is genuinely different past 20 weeks, and why it's worth a same-day call to your GP, not a wait-and-see. 🩸 And what's actually happening with iron during infection, why your body deliberately hides it from a virus, and what that means for your cycle and ovulation timing if you get sick mid-month. All references are in the full article available on my Substack and Patreon. 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️In this episode of the podcast we discuss miscarriage and take a look at just how common it really is, examine what causes it, and clarify what actually can and what cannot be prevented. As a brief note, this episode only addresses first and second trimester losses (up to 20 weeks). 📊 The figure for real numbers is that 15.3% of known pregnancies result in miscarriage (Lance), but when early, undetected losses are taken into account, the rate rises to nearly 1 in 3. We go through why so many different statistics have been heard, what is considered to constitute 'recurrent loss' according to Australian guidelines as compared to those of ESHRE and RCOG, and why the majority of first-trimester losses are due to random chromosomal errors in the egg rather than anything you did, ate, or lifted. 🧬 We look at the genuine risk factors and give them actual figures: those related to maternal age and the genetics involved, the health of male sperm, smoking, alcohol, caffeine in amounts over 200mg a day, and body weight. 💊 Then comes the issue of treatable causes: thyroid disease, antiphospholipid syndrome, and the use of vaginal progesterone in women who have early bleeding and a previous loss. We’ll discuss what is actually worth testing for and what is often overhyped. 👨 And the other half of the picture that rarely is spoken about: male sperm health, the 74–90 day window to optimise it before trying again, and why some popular pre-conception herbs (vitex, black cohosh, red raspberry leaf) should be avoided. 💛 If you're going through a loss at the moment, this episode is intended to be educational and not a substitute for professional care. You should contact a general practitioner or a specialist, and if you'd like to speak to someone, 1-800-RESPECT is available. All references are in the full article available on my Substack and Patreon. 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ On this episode of the podcast, we talk about what really happens to your body before, during, and after termination. Covering everything from hormones, blood loss, nutrient depletion, and how to rebuild.  ⚕️ A close look at both methods: medical abortion (mifepristone + misoprostol) versus surgical, how each actually works, and the real comparative data on blood loss. 🩸The part that almost always gets overlooked: pregnancy is a major metabolic event. Your body loses minerals like B12, folate, vitamin D, and zinc. Not due to termination, but as a result of pregnancy itself. We'll explain changes in iron, B12, and folate during early pregnancy and how to restore them after. 🌿 What does evidence-based herbal support look like? From saffron having strong clinical trial data to ashwagandha having some early evidence for calming anxiety, and what gentle herbs like lemon balm and chamomile can do for your sleep. 🧠 How to calm your nervous system using tools like box breathing, spiky mats, and other body-based techniques. 🏃‍♀️ Movement guidance for both surgical and medical terminations and what is actually recommended, when it's safe to return to exercise, and why avoiding baths, pools, and high-intensity training in the first one to two weeks matters. 💛 A reminder that however you're feeling, whether that's grief or relief, it is normal. All references are in the full Rebalancing Post Termination article available on my Substack and Patreon. 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ More than half of women will have a UTI by age 32, and up to 4 in 10 will have another within six months. Yet the entire public conversation around prevention is built on cranberry marketing, wiping myths, and supplement brands. This episode rebuilds the picture from the ground up, using the 2025 AUA/CUA/SUFU guideline reordering. 🧬 We break down the real physiology: your bladder isn't sterile, E. coli doesn't just "splash around" but hooks into the bladder wall, and why women are up to 30x more susceptible than men. Plus the evidence hierarchy and where D-mannose and cranberry juice actually land (spoiler: not where wellness influencers say). ⚡ Why methenamine hippurate (a drug most people have never heard of) was shown to be as effective as long-term antibiotics without the resistance risk. 🩺 We also cover the antibiotic resistance cycle, the chronic UTI controversy and why some women's symptoms fall through the cracks, and the massively under-investigated role of pelvic floor dysfunction in recurrent infections. All references are in the full UTI article available on my Substack and Patreon. 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ A full deep-dive into PMOS and how over 70% of women remain undiagnosed, with the diagnostic delay averaging two years. This episode rebuilds the foundational knowledge from the ground up using the 2023 evidence-based guidelines. 🧬 We break down the Rotterdam criteria, why the name change from PCOS to PMOS actually matters clinically, and the four distinct subtypes. ⚡ At the root of it all: insulin resistance, present in 95% of cases regardless of body weight. We map the full cascade: chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and how a dysregulated gut environment drives everything from mood to fertility to skin. 💊 Plus a complete supplement breakdown for insulin resistance, excess androgens, and the PMOS-thyroid overlap, and the two lifestyle non-negotiables that move the needle most. All references are in the full PMOS article available on my Substack or Patreon. If you would like to go even deeper, I recommend my Heal PMOS masterclass and ebook. Heal PMOS Masterclass Heal PMOS Ebook arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright. All downloads, reuse and remixing is disabled. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

One woman dies of femicide every four days in Australia. This podcast is a conversation on how we got here, why this is happening and what has to happen for it to stop. 🔴 Before you listen, please note that this episode discusses the killing of women, girls, and children, as well as domestic and family violence, sexual violence, and failures in the police, court, and coronial systems. Take care of yourself; feel free to skip this episode or listen with someone you trust if you need support. 🩸 Since 2015, Sherele Moody has recorded the deaths of more than 3,000 Australian women and children, keeping this record herself because there is no federal database. We revisit the cases of nine-year-old Stacey-Ann Tracy and five-year-old Sandra Dorothy Bacon, and explore how this grief led to ten years of detailed, journalism-driven advocacy through The RED HEART Movement and the Australian Femicide & Child Death Map. 🔵 We discuss the Royal Commission petition, the request for $500 million compared to the $21 billion annual cost of domestic violence, the media’s part in victim-blaming, and how to talk safely and supportively with someone you think may be at risk. We also explain why it’s important not to pressure a woman to leave before she is ready. 🩸 If this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, support is available at any time. If you are in immediate danger, please call 000. National 🔴 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 🔴 Lifeline - 13 11 14 By state and territory ⚫ NSW - Domestic Violence Line - 1800 656 463 ⚫ VIC - Safe Steps - 1800 015 188 ⚫ QLD - DVConnect Womensline - 1800 811 811 ⚫ WA - Women's Domestic Violence Helpline - 1800 007 339 ⚫ SA - Domestic Violence Crisis Line - 1800 800 098 ⚫ TAS - Safe at Home - 1800 633 937 ⚫ ACT - Domestic Violence Crisis Service - (02) 6280 0900 ⚫ NT - Dawn House - (08) 8945 1388 and DAIWS (08) 8945 2284 🌐 You can find Sherele’s work, the Memorial to Women and Children Lost to Violence, the femicide map, and the She Matters podcast at australianfemicidewatch.org. 🖋️ You can also sign the Royal Commission petition at https://www.change.org/p/royal-commission-into-the-killing-of-australian-women-and-girls 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ It's International Fibroid Awareness Month, and this is the deep-dive episode I've been promising for ages. Between 70–80% of women will develop at least one fibroid by 50, yet most women only find out what a fibroid actually is when a doctor tells them they have one. 🧬 We break down what a fibroid actually is, why every fibroid in your uterus is genetically distinct, and the real pathophysiology. Spoiler: it's not estrogen dominance. 📊 The disparity story that doesn't get enough airtime: Black women are diagnosed at higher rates, younger, with larger and more numerous fibroids. We discuss how environmental factors and racism play a big factor in this. 🩺 We cover location vs. size (why a 1cm fibroid can be debilitating and a 10cm one silent), the FIGO classification system, modifiable vs. non-modifiable risk factors, and a full evidence-graded rundown of every fibroid intervention floating around wellness spaces (i.e., castor oil packs, seed cycling, fibroid teas, DIM, Vitex, and more.) 🤰 Plus what fibroids actually mean for fertility and pregnancy, and what's genuinely worth doing if you're trying to conceive with one. All references are in the full Fibroids article available on my Substack and Patreon. arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Kelly Simms, a naturopathic doctor with 15 years of clinical experience in Chicago, to break down one of the most underexplored connections in women's health the relationship between the gut microbiome and your hormones across every stage of life. 🦠 We cover the oestrobolome, beta-glucuronidase, leaky gut, and why the health of your gut microbiome directly shapes how your body produces, recycles, and clears estrogen — and what happens when that system breaks down. ⚡ Dr. Simms walks us through primary versus secondary dysbiosis, the gut-brain connection in PMDD, how the microbiome shifts across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, and why a disrupted gut doesn't cause hormonal symptoms so much as amplify them. 🔬 We also get into PMOS and insulin resistance, how leaky gut drives androgen excess, what the research says about Akkermansia and metabolic health, and why just taking a probiotic is rarely the answer. 📋 I close the episode with a practical guide to reading your own gut microbiome test — primary and secondary dysbiosis markers, what zonulin, calprotectin, sIgA, beta-glucuronidase, and short chain fatty acids actually tell you plus recommended tests for Australia, the US, Canada, the EU, and the UK. Iscreen Gut Test - Australia + New Zealand Biomesight Gut Test: Europe + UK Viome Gut Test: Canada + USA Find Dr. Simms at kellysimmsnd.com arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ In this solo episode I'm breaking down one of the most popular adaptogens in the wellness space what it actually does in the body, why it's so well suited to modern life, and why the "it's natural so it's safe" framing is genuinely getting people hurt. 🧠 I cover the full mechanism HPA axis modulation, GABAergic activity, cortisol reduction, thyroid hormone interactions, and why withanolides having a steroidal backbone means this herb is hormone pathway active, not just a simple calming supplement. ⚡ We get into the research study by study cortisol, anxiety, sleep, strength, subclinical hypothyroidism, and PMOS including what the 2026 case report of a woman with near-complete adrenal suppression after continuous use tells us about how not to use this herb. ⚠️ I also cover the emerging safety signals liver injury cases reported to the TGA, Denmark's outright ban, the EU's Article 8 procedure, and who should be avoiding ashwagandha altogether including anyone with autoimmune thyroid disease, pre-existing HPA dysfunction, or who is pregnant or breastfeeding. All references are in the full Ashwagandha article available on my Substack and Patreon. Get 10% off my recommended Ashwagandha on iHerb. arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. This is not a replacement for professional medical advice. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ In this solo episode I'm breaking down one of the most misunderstood supplements in the wellness space because no, berberine is not "nature's Ozempic", and by the end of this you'll know exactly why that comparison is clinically lazy and what berberine is actually doing in your body. 🔬 I cover the full mechanism, AMPK activation, insulin signalling, GLUT4 upregulation, PCSK9 inhibition, leptin sensitivity, and why berberine's comparisons to metformin are far more scientifically valid than any GLP-1 analogy. 🦠 We get into what I think is the most fascinating part of the research, berberine's impact on the gut microbiome, short chain fatty acid production, candida biofilm disruption, and why berberine's low systemic absorption might actually be the whole point. 🩺 I also cover who berberine is genuinely best suited for, including lean PMOS, the real contraindications, drug interactions to know about, and why pregnancy and breastfeeding are a firm no. 📋 And I close with a practical guide to dosing, cycling, supplement quality, and Australian brand recommendations so you actually know what to buy and how to use it. All references are available in the accompanying article on Substack and Patreon. arcwoman.com.au 🔵 Arc Woman™ content is protected by copyright and trademark laws. Reuse or repurposing requires written consent. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

🎙️ The anti-choice movement in Australia is getting louder, more organised, and more willing to spread outright misinformation. So in this episode, I brought in two experts to fact-check the claims being made publicly, right now, in this country, one by one. ⚖️ I'm joined by Kayla, a practising midwife with deep knowledge of health policy on the ground, and Georgia, a criminologist working in policy who knows exactly how laws are made, misrepresented, and used against women. Together, we go through the most repeated anti-abortion claims in Australia, fetal rights under international law, late-term abortion statistics, born alive rhetoric, the abortion pill safety record, miscarriage criminalisation, domestic violence and reproductive coercion, and the sex selection amendment currently being pushed in New South Wales. 🌍 I also cover what's happening in the US right now, the deliberate destruction of $40 million worth of contraception destined for Sub-Saharan Africa, the federal ruling on mifepristone, and the coordinated rhetorical shift that is rebranding hormonal birth control as an abortifacient and why none of this stays in America. 📄 Download the full fact-check PDF with all cited sources on the link tree, and if you're in Australia, send it to your local MP. arcwoman.com.au Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands