Dry Jokes, Hot Flushes: A Real Talk Guide to Perimenopause with Janet Ovary
<p>Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 7:00p.m. uk time on Radio Soapbox: <a href="http://radiosoapbox.com" target="_blank">http://radiosoapbox.com</a></p><p>In this candid and refreshingly human episode, I’m joined by my co‑host Mallifficus Scott and his sister, Janet, for an honest conversation about perimenopause and menopause—what it really feels like, why it’s so misunderstood, and how partners can better support each other. We swap stories about brain fog, hot flushes, restless legs, incontinence, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts, and Janet shares her brilliant workplace-style analogy that makes the hormonal chaos instantly understandable. We also touch on practical support: HRT myths and benefits, diet tweaks (protein, veg, healthy fats; watch seed oils and refined sugar), strength training over high-impact cardio, the role of the vagus nerve, and why soy and palm oils are everywhere. Along the way, we chat about school attendance pressures, ‘flu vs COVID’, media trust, and a dash of BBC/Trump headline-watching—plus a few laughs at our own expense. If you’re approaching “the change”, living with someone who is, or just want a grounded, compassionate primer with humour, this one’s for you. And yes—Janet’s analogy is in the show notes so you can share it with the men in your life!<br /><br /><strong>Resources and references (mentioned in conversation)</strong><br />- Janet’s menopause analogy: “Drastic Changes to the Workforce” (included below)<br />- Topics to explore: HRT (modern body-identical oestrogen), strength training for midlife women, vagus nerve breathing/stretching, seed oils vs olive/coconut/butter, soy as an oestrogen mimic, menopause symptoms list (NHS), perimenopause vs menopause timeline<br />- Practical tips: lift weights 2–3x weekly, prioritise protein/veg/healthy fats, reduce refined sugar/alcohol/ultra-processed foods, consider yoga/Pilates/mobility for cortisol control, read labels for soy flour/palm oil<br /><br /><strong>Drastic Changes to the Workforce – by Janet</strong><br />Two sisters, Susan and Janet Ovary, down tools with no handover after years prepping the reproductive suite. Enter Bob from the adrenal department—king of cortisol—who now must keep the peace with oestrogen he’s not built to make. He recruits chaotic ‘minions’ (fat cells) that stockpile everywhere, clog corridors, and build an unsightly front extension while trying to eke out oestrogen. The thermostat’s broken (hot flushes), a loo leaks (bladder changes), and the whole workforce can’t find balance. The Hazard Response Team (HRT) may stabilise things, but it’s now about damage control and adapting to the new normal. It’s messy, maddening—and strangely liberating when you finally name it.</p>
