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Valentine’s Special: Sex expert Dr Tara on improving sexual wellness
Sexual wellness is often reduced to physical sensation - but what if it could be the key to mental clarity, relationship harmony and professional success?
Today, Emilie sits down with Dr. Tara to explore the three dimensions of sexual health that most people ignore.
We dig into the root causes of the low self-esteem epidemic among women and challenge the restrictive cultural scripts we inherited from previous generations.
Dr. Tara explains the tangible ROI of an orgasm and why "sex positivity" is about more than just being open-minded. We also navigate the dark side of digital intimacy, from the dehumanization of AI sex bots to the misogyny lurking in your DMs. This is a candid look at how reclaiming your sexuality can fundamentally change how you show up in the world.
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Timecodes
00:00 The 3 Dimensions of Sexual Wellness
01:48 Relationship Advice: Frequency & Communication
03:22 Defining Sex Positivity vs. Sex Negativity
05:13 Why Pleasure Is Medicine for Physical & Mental Health
07:29 Why Doctors Don't Talk About Sex
09:03 Overcoming Cultural Scripts & Sexual Repression
10:18 How We Teach Children Sexual Shame
12:42 The ROI of Orgasms: Career & Confidence
14:37 Building Sexual Self-Esteem & Intimacy
16:43 The Historical Roots of Low Self-Esteem in Women
18:32 Debunking "High Value" Woman Narratives
20:12 Morning Masturbation & The Hormonal Cocktail
22:48 Body Autonomy: Clothing & Self-Worth
24:53 The Reality of the "Trad Wife" Trend
26:33 Dealing with Unwanted DMs & Fetishization
28:27 The Madonna-Whore Complex Explained
30:38 Double Standards in Casual Sex & Dating
31:58 Best Sex Education Books & Resources
33:57 Clapping Back at Judgmental Comments
35:48 Idiosyncratic Masturbation & Vibrator Dependency
38:17 Sex Toy Recommendations: Discreet & Sustainable Options
39:52 The Dark Side of AI Sex Robots
42:13 Sex Therapist vs. Sex Coach: What's the Difference?
46:12 How to Practice Sexual Meditation
48:21 The Power of Sex Journaling & Affirmations
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46:19|Comedian, presenter and Off Menu co-host Ed Gamble has spent more than 25 years living with Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at just 13 years old, he describes managing the condition as "like having another job" - a constant balancing act of food, insulin, exercise, stress and everyday life.In this episode, Ed opens up about growing up as a self-described "fat kid", the complicated relationship with food that inspired his memoir Glutton, and how living with a chronic condition has shaped his understanding of health, control and wellbeing. We discuss the mental load of diabetes management, male body image, perfectionism, social media wellness trends, and why trying to optimise every aspect of your life can sometimes make you feel worse, not better.Ed also shares how technology has transformed diabetes care, the realities of performing stand-up while managing blood sugar levels, his experiences with weight loss and fitness, and why finding balance matters more than chasing perfection.
Elite marathoner Anya Culling: "I lost my period and thought it was normal"
32:38|Elite marathon runner Anya Culling's story will inspire you but maybe not in the way you expect. She shaved nearly two hours off her marathon time and now competes at the highest level, representing her country.In this episode, Anya opens up about teenage health crises that shaped her mentality, the ironic moment she realized elite runners do still have periods, and why her coach refused to train her until she got her health sorted. We discuss wellness overwhelm, how to spot the difference between training hard and overtraining, why women's health issues in sport often go unaddressed, and the recovery principle that changed everything for her.Anya is backing iron supplement brand Active Iron’s campaign to encourage open conversations around women’s health in sport. For more information visit https://activeiron.com/en-gb
Psychologist Dr Julie Smith on how to handle anything life throws at you
45:03|This week, clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and content creator Dr. Julie Smith joins us to dismantle the myth of constant happiness and offer practical tools for navigating life's inevitable storms.With over 10 million followers and two Sunday Times bestsellers (Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? and Open When), Julie has made it her mission to make high-quality mental health education accessible to everyone.In this conversation, we explore why young people are struggling despite having "the best it's ever been," the crucial difference between self-compassion and self-indulgence, and how our modern obsession with optimization is setting us up for failure. Julie shares the powerful "predator mindset" that helped her through her own health crisis, explains why feelings are information rather than problems to fix, and introduces the "solid back five" concept - fundamental pillars of mental wellbeing that we constantly underestimate.
16. Happiness vs Joy: Kate Bowler reveals the true difference
43:27||Season 2, Ep. 16In a world of aggressive optimization, morning routines, and relentless pressure to manifest a perfect reality, how do we experience actual joy when life falls apart?This week on Well Enough, we sit down with Kate Bowler - Duke University professor, religion scholar, and author - to explore the profound differences between happiness and joy. At 35, Kate was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, an event that completely shattered her reality and forced her to confront the agonizing platitude that "everything happens for a reason."Kate dismantles toxic positivity and wellness capitalism, explaining why you don't always need to find a silver lining. Get Kate’s book “Joyful, Anyway” here https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/joyful-anyway-9781037202582/Follow Well Enough on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/wellenoughTimecodes:00:00 Why Joy Isn't What You Think03:10 Happiness vs. Joy: What’s the Psychological Difference?06:25 Navigating Rage and Finding Joy After a Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis08:00 "Emotional Appropriateness" & The Myth of Constant Optimization10:45 The Danger of Toxic Positivity and "Everything Happens for a Reason"13:10 The Hidden History (and Harm) of Manifesting17:30 What is "The Ache"? Embracing the Bittersweet Longing of Being Human20:20 Wellness Capitalism and the Absurdity of the 24/7 Morning Routine23:30 Navigating the Seasons of Wanting & Opening Your "Vault of Jewels"29:10 How to Practice Joy: Service, Love, and Hope33:30 How to Experience Joy During a "Light Apocalypse"37:00 Absurdism: Why You Should Lean Into Your Weird Delights39:20 The Surprising Limits of Gratitude Journaling
15. Julia Bradbury on the healing power of nature and walking for recovery
38:44||Season 2, Ep. 15What if the most powerful medicine was right outside your front door? In this episode, we explore the transformative role nature plays in healing, recovery and everyday wellness. Our guest is Julia Bradbury - TV presenter, Sunday Times bestselling author and one of the UK's most passionate advocates for the healing power of the outdoors. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 and a subsequent mastectomy, Julia rebuilt her health from the ground up and nature was at the heart of it.She joins Emilie to talk about her diagnosis journey, the science behind nature snacks, resistance training, morning light, walking backwards, and why the single most important wellness habit starts with what you say to yourself.Get Julia’s book Hack Yourself HealthyJulia Bradbury is supporting Vista Health’s Signs of Clarity campaign. Visit www.vista-health.co.uk00:00 The Healing Power of Nature & Movement02:07 Functional Medicine: Finding the Root Cause04:50 How Walking Calms Your Nervous System06:40 Breast Cancer Diagnosis & The Promise of Nature08:15 How to Take Daily "Nature Snacks"10:00 The Emotional Toll of Surgery 12:35 Finding Comfort & Life Lessons from Trees15:00 Redefining Health vs. Toxic Resilience17:36 How to Make Time for Your Wellbeing19:31 Strength Training for Women & Hope Molecules22:21 Building Non-Negotiable Healthy Habits24:35 Overcoming Vulnerability After a Health Scare27:15 An Emotional Expedition to Antarctica29:18 Healthy Travel Hacks & Plane Snacks32:19 The Ultimate Slow Morning Routine34:27 The Power of Positive Affirmations & Self-Talk36:01 Why You Should Start Walking Backwards
14. Sophie Richards: Why men need better education on periods and fertility
37:51||Season 2, Ep. 14Sophie Richards spent ten years being dismissed by doctors who said her crippling period pain was "normal" and she'd "get used to it." Six surgeries later, she finally got her endometriosis diagnosis.This week, Sophie joins Emilie to break down inflammation as your body's "first response team," how she discovered it was driving her symptoms, and the dangerous wellness trends she fell for.She also shares the love story of bringing her now fiancé to her fertility appointment on date three, why she wants to create a school curriculum so boys learn about periods too, and her six pillars of anti-inflammatory living that transformed her health.Get Sophie’s book ‘The Anti-Inflammatory 30-day Reset’ here Follow Sophie on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here Timecodes00:00 Why I Share the Reality of Living with Endometriosis02:46 Six Surgeries & Ten Years of Chronic Pain04:16 The Period Pain Dismissed as "Normal"06:41 Bringing My Boyfriend to My Egg Freezing Appointment09:01 Educating Men About Women's Health: Why It Matters11:26 Why Boys Need Period Education Too13:41 What Is Inflammation? The First Response Team16:01 How I Discovered Inflammation Was the Root Cause18:46 Red Flags in the Wellness Industry21:31 The 30-Day Anti-Inflammatory Reset Explained24:51 You're Not Crazy: Your Pain Is Real27:31 How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor30:41 The Doctor Who Finally Diagnosed My Endometriosis34:01 Breaking the Taboo: Men Talking About Periods36:46 Nourish Yourself Like You'd Nourish a Friend
13. Vicky Pattison on PMDD, egg freezing and sex education
45:51||Season 2, Ep. 13Reality TV star Vicky Pattison opens up about her personal battle with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), a debilitating condition that goes far beyond typical PMS symptoms. She candidly discusses the physical and emotional toll it's taken on her life, and how finally getting diagnosed changed everything.Vicky also shares her experience with egg freezing, offering an honest perspective on the process, the emotions involved, and why she made this important decision for her future. Her vulnerability about fertility and planning for motherhood will resonate with many listeners navigating similar choices.Vicky’s new show ‘Maybe, Baby?’ is available to stream now on Channel 4.Follow Well Enough on Instagram hereFollow Emilie on Instagram here Follow Vicky on Instagram here Timecodes:00:00 Introduction01:00 What Is PMDD? Understanding the Symptoms03:16 Two Weeks of Hell: Living with PMDD05:51 Five Years to Get a Diagnosis: Medical Gaslighting08:13 "Just a Period" - How Doctors Dismissed My Pain10:21 The Social Media Diagnosis That Changed Everything12:16 Finally Heard: Getting My PMDD Diagnosis14:46 Why Boys Need to Learn About Periods17:31 Antidepressants for PMDD: The Treatment Dilemma20:36 Navigating PMDD as a Couple24:11 Maybe Baby: Our Fertility Journey on TV27:01 Freezing My Eggs at 35: Taking Control30:31 The Hate I Got for Freezing My Eggs33:16 One Message That Made It All Worth It37:21 Can You Be a Good Mum with PMDD?42:01 Feel Your Feels: My Wellness Advice
12. Ashley James: The misogynistic labels that keep women small
47:23||Season 2, Ep. 12What does it really mean to navigate womanhood under constant scrutiny? This week on Well Enough, author, DJ and broadcaster Ashley James explains the impossible standards women face.Ashley reveals the truth about misogynistic labels, from the slut-shaming she experienced at an all-boys school to being called 'selfish' both for not having children and then for wanting a life outside motherhood. She shares how becoming a mum forced her to confront her own internalised misogyny - and why birth trauma is dismissed as a 'negative mindset problem' rather than a maternity care failing.We also explore the hidden costs of being a woman, from the £20,000 women spend on menstruation in their lifetime to the double standards that mean female voices are constantly questioned while male commentators speak without proving their credentials.Ashley James’s bestselling Bimbo is available here Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here Timecodes:00:00 Introduction03:16 The Misogyny Behind Calling Women Influencers05:46 Slut-Shamed at 1408:21 Punished for Having a Woman's Body11:01 Why "Bimbo" Needs Reclaiming14:06 The Impossible Standards of Mothers17:11 Regretting Motherhood20:16 Birth Trauma & the Failure of Maternity Care.22:46 Why C-Sections Shouldn't Be Shamed 26:31 Childcare Costs More Than My Mortgage 28:46 The Pressure to "Bounce Back" After Birth 32:26 Trolls & Misogyny: Refusing to Be Silenced 36:41 The Hidden Cost of Having a Period 40:31 Medical Gaslighting: Why Women's Pain Is Dismissed 43:21 Raising Kids Without Misogynistic Labels
11. Fashion model and author Rosie Viva: My life with bipolar
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