Ladies, We Need To Talk

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.