Ladies, We Need To Talk

There’s a special kind of fury reserved for the 'other woman.' She’s often depicted as a home wrecker and immoral, but is she misunderstood? Unlucky to fall for someone who’s already taken? Yumi Stynes speaks with women whose hearts belong to married men and discovers that beneath the stereotypes are complicated love stories built on hope and promises in the face of deception. Psychologist Liz Neal also explains what forbidden love does to the brain and why it can be so enticing. (R). This episode will answer questions like: What’s it like to be the other woman? How do people hide affairs from their partners? Why do people have affairs? Where does the ‘seductive mistress’ trope come from? What to listen to next: "Traded a husband for a bestie" Why these mums moved in together Worst ever dates, with Alita Brydon The grief no parent expects What to read next: These grieving mothers want you to say their babies' names Empty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by children This episode contains references to cheating, infidelity, sex, relationships, marriage, women, the other woman.

Have you ever fantasised about raising kids with your bestie? Well, some women are doing it for real. And these mum communes or ‘mummunes’ don’t look like your average share house. These women are sharing a roof, chores, bills and the mental load of raising their kids. For some, it’s the antidote to a nuclear family structure that left them drained and resentful. For others, it’s a handy, albeit overcrowded solution to the struggles of single motherhood. Yumi Stynes speaks to women who are rewriting the rules of motherhood and finds out what there is to gain when you challenge the status quo. This episode will answer questions like: Can you raise children with your best friend? Should you raise children with a romantic partner? Why do women feel burnt out as wives and mothers? Has the nuclear family become outdated for women? Do you need men to raise kids? What are the challenges of raising kids with your best friend? How do communal living arrangements deal with money? How does dating work in a mummune? Why do women initiate household and child care more than men? What to listen to next: Are you mum or grandma? Having a baby at 47 The women who've never had sex One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationships What to read next: These grieving mothers want you to say their babies' names Empty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by children Why these women have never had a partner This episode contains references to child care, parenting, mothering, single mum, alternative family structures, romantic partner, heterosexuality, patriarchy, mommune, mummune, commune, shared living, alternative living, community, individualism, village.

It’s truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in the modern world has endured at least one truly disastrous date. It is, regrettably, a rite of passage. Author Alita Bryson has been on hundreds of them! One guy asked her if it was okay to marry your cousin, another trolled people online for fun while yet another literally drove off mid-date. While her dating life was catastrophic, Alita realised it made great fodder for entertainment and so she started the Instagram page Bad Dates of Melbourne, publishing anonymous submissions of terrible dates so that women could take comfort in each other’s suffering (and laugh at each other’s misfortune). Alita has some sage advice for anyone out there brave enough to date. Further information: How to date like a dangerous woman is published by HarperCollins. This episode will answer questions like: How can I meet someone new? Is it ok to ghost someone? Should I pay for dinner on a date? Can I leave a date if I don’t like the other person? How can I meet a potential date safely? What to listen to next: The new way to date The ugly side of the beauty industry with Jess DeFino Is your attachment style messing with your love life? Jess Mauboy steps into her boss lady era What to read next: Empty-nesters on how they 'fill the void' left by children Why these women have never had a partner These grieving mothers want you to say their babies' names This episode contains references to Bad Dates of Melbourne, dating, dating apps, Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, relationships, sex, orgies, orgasms and how to date like a dangerous woman.

At some point in life, we all lose someone we love. But losing a baby is an unimaginable heartbreak. Our children are not meant to die before us. In the wake of that loss, families are left reeling. Navigating shock, confusion, and overwhelming grief as they face a future without a much-loved child. Yumi Stynes meets two women who have experienced infant loss. They share how they moved through their grief, how they celebrate their babies, and how people in their life stepped up- or stepped away. And registered psychologist, Rachel Ficinus explains how grief can be ongoing and the strategies to help you and your loved ones navigate a life-changing loss. If you need help: Red Nose Australia offers counselling and support for anyone affected by the loss of a pregnancy, stillbirth, death of a baby or child. Their phone number is 1300 308 307 Lifeline on 131 114 Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 This episode will answer questions like: How do I deal with grief when a loved one dies? Who can I talk to when my child dies? What should I say to someone who's child has died? How can I help someone who's grieving? Where can I find support after I lose my child? Does grief have an end point? What to listen to next: How to deal with an empty nest — ABC listen Jess Mauboy steps into her boss lady era — ABC listen What to read next: These grieving mothers want you to say their babies' names - ABC News Why these women have never had a partner This episode contains references to grief, child loss, infant death, bereavement and Red Nose Australia, organ donation, DonateLife.

One in three Australian women describe their births as traumatic. Long labours, health scares, emergency interventions, feeling ignored, and lasting physical and psychological injuries can turn what's meant to be one of life's biggest moments into something deeply distressing. Yumi Stynes hears from women still coming to terms with their birth experiences, sometimes years later, and finds out what can be done to prevent traumatic births. (R). Featured in this episode: Dr Jessica Caudwell-Hall, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Nepean Hospital. Sophie Carroll, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Enlighten Health Collective. With special thanks to Amy Dawes at Birth Trauma Australia. If you need help: Perinatal Wellbeing Centre: (02) 6288 1936 PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 187 263 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Birth Trauma Australia organisation

For most mums, the day their kids leave feels like a victory. You might even be planning what you'll do with all that free time. No more mountains of laundry, arguments over dinner or acting as a free taxi service. But for many women, an empty nest isn't just freedom, it's loss. When motherhood has shaped so much of your daily life and identity, the silence can be unsettling as you move around a house that was once loud, busy and joyful. Yumi Stynes chats with women who have navigated the grief of their changing relationships with their kids, finding a deeper connection with themselves, and a renewed sense of self. Plus clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Miller unpacks why the empty nest can feel so lonely, and the steps you can take to fill the child free void. This episode will answer questions like: How long does empty nest grief last? Is empty nest syndrome real? What happens to a marriage after the kids move out? How often should I contact my adult child? Why am I sad my kids moved out? What to listen to next: Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink — ABC listen Am I stuck in a sex rut? — ABC listen Jess Mauboy steps into her boss lady era — ABC listen What to read next: Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40s This episode contains references to grief, loneliness, purpose, empty nesting, leaving home, children, marriage, retirement

Jessica Mauboy was just 16 when she burst onto our screens, barefoot in the red dirt of Alice Springs, belting out Whitney Houston at her Australian Idol audition. She may have finished runner-up, but it launched one of Australia's most enduring music careers including starring in The Sapphires and representing Australia at Eurovision in 2018. Despite two decades in the spotlight, fame hasn't changed Jess, and she's never lost touch with her connection to Darwin, returning between tours to reconnect with her family and culture. Yumi Stynes sits down with Jess to talk about her Indigenous roots, the strong women who shaped her and how their influence is guiding her as she raises her daughter, Mia and steps confidently into her boss lady era. This episode will answer questions like: What year was Jessica Mauboy in Australian Idol? Where did Jessica Mauboy grow up? Who does Jessica Mauboy play in The Sapphires? How old is Jessica Mauboy's daughter? What is the name of Jessica Mauboy's record label? What to listen to next: Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink — ABC listen The ugly side of the beauty industry with Jess DeFino — ABC listen Embracing imperfection was the key to Astrid's success — ABC listen What to read next: Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40s This episode contains references to NAIDOC, Australian Idol, Jessica Mauboy, Jamally records, Bran nue dae, The Sapphires, Darwin

When we're dating someone new, the rush is electric. The pull towards sex can feel immediate, an almost magnetic urge to rip each other's clothes off. But as the years stretch on and the demands of life ramp up, sex becomes just one more activity on a chaotic checklist; competing with the demands of chores, kids and sleep. And when the urge does strike, it's intimacy vs. doom scrolling in bed, and somehow, the phone wins every time. Yumi Stynes meets women who are trying to wriggle free from a sex rut and carve out time for more and better sex. Plus, sex therapist Georgia Grace shares advice on how to bring sexual intimacy back into the bedroom. This episode will answer questions like: Why do people have less sex in a long-term relationship? Why is my partner distant? Can romantic relationships survive without sex? How can I reignite my sex life? Should I see a sex therapist? What is phubbing? What to listen to next: Relationship resuscitation — coming back from the brink — ABC listen Is your attachment style messing with your love life? One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationships What to read next: Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40s This episode contains references to sex, relationships, intimacy, pleasure, technoference, avoidance

Botox, vampire facials, bone smashing and now cadaver fat fillers: the beauty industry is expert in selling extreme (and painful) treatments in our endless pursuit of perfection and eternal youth. For years, Jess DeFino worked at the heart of this machine as an assistant editor for the Kardashian family. She saw firsthand how the goalposts of beauty are constantly shifting, making it out of reach, no matter how much time, money and energy we pour in. Now Jess is calling bullsh*t on the beauty industrial complex and the ever more bonkers methods being employed. This episode will answer questions like: What is looksmaxxing? How do beauty standards change over time? Do children need skincare? Is the beauty industry growing? What’s it like to work with the Kardashian-Jenner’s Why is skin care so expensive? Is the beauty industry designed to make you buy more? Can you trust skincare reviews? Is the beauty industry built on insecurity? What to listen to next: Botox and fillers – facing up to the new normal How pop culture messed us up, with Sophie Gilbert Is your attachment style messing with your love life? One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationships What to read next: Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40s This episode contains references to beauty, looksmaxxing, beauty industry, Kardashian, Jenner, Clavicular.

We live in a sexed-up world. From chiselled fictional teenagers in steamy high school dramas to Sabrina Carpenter’s innuendos, it feels like everyone’s doing it. But what happens when adulthood arrives and you're still a virgin? Plenty of women haven’t had sex. Some are waiting for the right person, some are waiting for marriage, and some haven't had the opportunity. Virginity has gone from being something women were expected to protect to something they feel they have to explain. So how do we ditch everyone else's expectations and figure out what we actually want? Yumi Stynes speaks with women navigating adulthood without sex. Featured in this episode: Amanda McCracken, writer on love and limerence This episode will answer questions like: How does it feel to be an adult virgin? What’s dating like as a virgin? Why do some people wait to have sex? What to listen to next: Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel How swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better off The power of one: the single ladies owning it Why are we exercising less than men? What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel This episode contains references to sex, sexuality, dating, relationships, virgins, religion, shame, psychology. This episode was originally broadcast in April 2024. (R).

Love bombing. Gaslighting. Coercive control. Narcissists can crash into your life on the charm offensive. They begin with intense affection, compliments and grand gestures. But behind that charm can be manipulation and intense criticism. In the worst cases, they control every aspect of their partner's life. It’s disorienting to be with a narcissist, and often people with narcissistic traits have very little insight into their behaviour. Yumi Stynes chats to women who’ve been in love with narcissists to understand what got them under their spell and why they're so difficult to leave. Plus, clinical Tamara Cavenett explores what you can do to protect your emotional state within a narcissistic relationship, and how to get out safely. If you need help: 1800 Respect national helpline 1800 737 732 Women's Crisis Line 1800 811 811 Lifeline 131 114 Relationships Australia 1300 364 277 This episode will answer questions like: Am I in a relationship with a narcissist? How do narcissists behave in romantic relationships? How can you find out if your partner is a narcissist? What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder? How can you prepare to leave a coercive relationship? What to listen to next: Are you mum or grandma? Having a baby at 47 I love you but I hate your politics Is your attachment style messing with your love life? One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationships What to read next: Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40s Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went This episode contains references to dating, marriage, sex, narcissist, control, coercive relationships, empathy, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, mental illness. This episode was originally broadcast in October, 2023. (R).

For all her life, Chloe Hayden, star of Heartbreak High, has struggled to get doctors to take her health complaints seriously. And she’s not alone. Autistic women have poorer physical and mental health than neurotypical people. From shorter life expectancy to higher rates of suicide, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. In this episode Grace speaks to autistic women about being misunderstood and misdiagnosed and the toll this has taken on her health. She also investigates the root causes behind these co-occurring conditions and how medical and social systems can better support autistic women and girls to be healthier and live their best lives. Listen to more from the Autistic AF with Grace Tame series: Either I'm autistic, or I'm a cat Girls don't get autism The relationship spectrum Watch the first episode on ABC Australia YouTube.

"It can be difficult…when your approach to socialising and relationships doesn't look like what other people might expect." There's a long-held stereotype that autistic people are not empathetic and aren't interested in relationships. The reality is that, like everyone, autistic women and girls want connection, they may just come to it in different ways. In this episode, Grace looks at how autism and relationships intersect, from friendships and partnerships to parenthood. She also explores what autistic women bring to relationships and what becomes possible when they stop pretending to be "normal"? Listen to more from the Autistic AF with Grace Tame series: Either I'm autistic, or I'm a cat Girls don't get autism The health gap no one talks about Watch the first episode on ABC Australia YouTube.

For decades autism was thought of as a "boy thing" and girls were overlooked by science. According to research, three boys are diagnosed with autism for every girl. While experts point to genetic differences, there are other reasons why girls often go undiagnosed, including their ability to mask their autistic traits, leading to what's referred to as the "female autism invisibility cloak". In this episode, Grace meets women and gender diverse people who have been diagnosed with autism later in life or are still waiting. She also speaks to neuroscientist Dr Gina Rippon about what the latest research has to say. Featuring The Assembly's Bethany Woodman. Listen to more from the Autistic AF with Grace Tame series: Either I'm autistic, or I'm a cat The relationship spectrum The health gap no one talks about Watch the first episode on ABC Australia YouTube.

"It's only been in recent years that I've had a public platform and people have asked me specifically about being autistic." In the first episode of this special four-part series, Grace Tame speaks candidly with Yumi Stynes about her experiences as an autistic woman, from feeling on the outer and being labelled "weird" to experiencing the world in "high definition". In this exclusive interview, Grace opens up about the ways that she fought her own brain, using alcohol and masking to try and fit in. She also reveals how exploring relationships with women has been a "profound shift". After sharing her own story, Grace takes over hosting duties for the rest of the series, speaking with experts and other autistic women to find out why so many women are misunderstood and diagnosed late. Watch on ABC Australia YouTube

"I was bullied for being quirky… I would have these very intense special interests." Join Australian of the Year Grace Tame for a special four-part take over of Ladies, We Need to Talk as she meets leading experts in autism research and connects with other neurodivergent women to get a better understanding of what life is like as an autistic person, beyond the stereotypes. Autism comes wrapped in a lot of stigma and misunderstandings. Grace knows this firsthand. She struggled socially as a kid before finally getting a diagnosis in her late teens. Grace's experience isn't unique, with girls far more likely to get a late diagnosis than boys. So, what's going on? Why did science leave girls behind for so long, and at what cost?

The female orgasm deserves better PR. Straight women are climaxing way less than the men they are banging (by about 35%). We know this but what can we do about it? Medical research has focused on male bodies and male pleasure for too long and it's time we got a smart woman on the case. Enter renowned professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Lori Brotto, who is changing the game for women's sexual health. Dr Lori shares her deep understanding of female anatomy and psychology and cutting-edge research on how to climax. This episode will answer questions like: Can women climax during penetrative sex? How do women orgasm? What happens physiologically during women’s orgasm? Why can’t I orgasm? Can women have a premature orgasm? Should sex be painful? Does menopause affect sex? Should I get a vibrator? How can I improve sexual pleasure? What to listen to next: Great sex: What we wish men knew Is your attachment style messing with your love life? Is everyone having better sex than me? One true love or many: Monogamy vs. open relationships What to read next: Why these women have never had a partner The joys of having babies in your 40s Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went This episode contains references to orgasms, sex, partners, relationships, dating, open relationships, menopause, sexual dysfunction, pornography, mindfulness, anorgasmia, vaginismus.

You've found your person, but you can't stand their politics. Awks! It's a phenomenon that's been on the rise in the last 30 years. Around the world, women are increasingly leaning left and men right. In 2022, 50% of Australians voted for a different political party than their partner. Having different preferences to your partner is a given. But political views can get under our skin in ways that can threaten the entire relationship. So how do you manage, say, if you’re a greenie and your husband is a raging capitalist? What if you’re a carnivore and she’s a vegan? And can you have a fulfilling relationship when you’re misaligned at the ballot box? Some couples sweep their disagreements under the rug, some couples erupt in heated arguments at dinner parties, while others are pushed to breaking point. Yumi Stynes meets the women who’ve fallen in love across the political divide and how they’ve navigated the highs and lows. This episode features: Associate Professor Cynthia Peacock from the University of Alabama This episode will answer questions like: How much does politics matter in relationships? Can you have a great relationship and disagree on politics? What makes someone more likely to be in a politically dissimilar relationship? How does politics impact relationships? Are younger people more likely to be in politically different relationships? Are people happier if they share the same political views as their partners? What to listen to next: Antoinette Lattouf opens up on fight with the ABC Is your attachment style messing with your love life? Are men stealing our exercise time? Family Feuds: Is estrangement the new normal? What to read next: Why these women have never had a partner - ABC News Two mums on having babies in their 40s This episode contains references to relationships, dating, politics, division, left wing, right wing, partners, looksmaxing, progressive, conservative, Gaza, Israel, conflict, war, news, Voice to Parliament, Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson.

In December 2023, Antoinette Lattouf was asked to leave ABC Sydney. Since that day, her life has never been the same. A seasoned broadcaster, she was part way through a week-long stint hosting local radio. Behind the scenes however, a coordinated lobbying effort was underway to have Antoinette taken off air. The flashpoint was a Human Rights Watch post she shared on her personal socials. Soon after, she was told to collect her bags and leave. But Antoinette refused to accept the decision, taking the ABC to Federal Court for unlawful termination. Inside the court room, her life was pulled apart in forensic detail. Outside it, the press scrutinised every move and outfit. In her first interview back in the building, Antoinette sits down with Yumi Stynes to unpack the legal fight, who gets to speak and who gets silenced, and her next chapter, starting an independent Australian media company with journalist Jan Fran. Antoinette Lattouf's book Women Who Win is published by Penguin Books Australia. Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of suicidal ideation. This episode will answer questions like: What happened to Antoinette Lattouf? Why did Antoinette Lattouf leave the ABC? Did Antoinette Lattouf win her court case? What is Ette Media? What is Antoinette Lattouf doing now? What did Antoinette Lattouf post? What to listen to next: 'I'm leaving you,' Belle Burden's husband became a stranger overnight — ABC listen Parenting blind, with Nas Campanella — ABC listen Julie Goodwin finally has the recipe for happiness — ABC listen What to read next: ABC ordered to pay $150,000 fine for unlawfully sacking journalist and presenter Antoinette Lattouf — ABC News Why these women have never had a partner The women staying single by choice in a world of relentless dating pressure This episode contains references to: ABC, media, legacy media, independent media, Australian legal system, Antoinette Lattouf, Jan Fran, Ette media, Women who win, Gaza, middle-east conflict, Israel, Lebanon.

Mid-life is hard enough, but what happens when you add a baby to the mix? The average maternal age has been creeping up over the past twenty years, with more women than ever becoming first time mums in their 40s, delaying motherhood to build careers, travel, find the right partner, secure housing, or navigate infertility. Having a baby later in life can be exhausting. Sleep is elusive, many women are edging perimenopause and the risks to both mother and baby can increase. Then there's the judgement — the sideways looks, the inevitable question: are you the mum or the grandma? Yumi Stynes meets two first time mums who fell pregnant in their mid-40s to talk about the challenges and the joys of being an older mum. Plus women's health expert Dr Karin Hammarberg weighs in on the risks- and rewards- of waiting. This episode will answer questions like: Can I get pregnant after 40? Can you get pregnant when you're 45? Why do women delay getting pregnant? Should I wait to get pregnant? What are the chances of getting pregnant over 40? What is a geriatric pregnancy Is it harder to get pregnant after 40? What to listen to next: Surrogacy: why women carry babies for others — ABC listen Is your attachment style messing with your love life? — ABC listen Felicity Ward on motherhood, depression and a sexual rebirth — ABC listen Last shot pregnancy — ABC listen What to read next: Why these women have never had a partner — ABC News The surprising health benefits linked to having a baby at 35 and older — ABC News This episode contains references to pregnancy, dating, marriage, babies, toddlers, children, conception, TTC, sex, IVF, in vitro fertilisation, motherhood, donor eggs, maternity, parenthood, cancer, geriatric pregnancy, Advanced maternal age, pregnancy after 40, fertility after 40, Hilary Swank, Gisele Bundchen