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The Little Things

The Little Things

NZ Herald 70 Episodes Sep 11, 2026

In a world where well-being influencers are driven by endorsements, wellness trends generally come at a cost, and busy lives disrupt our best intentions, all many women want are simple, science-based facts to help us live a productive, happy balanced life. Enter The Little Things. Broadcaster Francesca Rudkin and health researcher Louise Ayrey have been friends for over a decade and have been through it all, and along the way have learned the benefits of practical information over costly fads. Join them for new episodes on Saturdays where they talk to experts on health, wellbeing, parenting and relationships to give you the information you need to thrive!

Episodes

PMDD: When ‘just PMS’ is something much more serious
PMDD: When ‘just PMS’ is something much more serious Sep 11, 2026 2132 For some women, the days before their period bring much more than the usual symptoms of PMS. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, can cause severe changes in mood, anxiety, irritability, fatigue and concentration — disrupting work, relationships and everyday life. Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey are joined by clinical neuropsychologist Dr Caroline Gurvich to explain what PMDD is, why
How to speak with confidence (even when you’re nervous)
How to speak with confidence (even when you’re nervous) Aug 28, 2026 2722 Public speaking can be terrifying – even for people who do it for a living. Broadcaster Toni Street joins Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey to share the lessons she’s learned from 20 years in radio and television, including how to manage nerves, connect with an audience, stop chasing perfection and become a more confident communicator. Plus, why preparation matters, how body language c
What inflammation is really doing to your body
What inflammation is really doing to your body Aug 14, 2026 2218 Inflammation has become one of the biggest buzzwords in health and wellness — but do we actually understand what it is? Award-winning immunologist Professor Roslyn Kemp joins Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey to explain what inflammation does, why it isn’t always bad, how it changes as we age, and whether so-called anti-inflammatory foods and products really live up to the hype. Plus,
How to start investing when you feel behind
How to start investing when you feel behind Jul 31, 2026 2860 Do you manage the household bills but still feel unsure about investing, KiwiSaver or planning for retirement? Investment manager and The Curve co-founder Victoria Harris joins Francesca and Louise to cut through the jargon and explain how women can start building their financial confidence—no matter their age or how much money they have. From emergency funds and KiwiSaver to ETFs and invest
How to live longer without overhauling your life
How to live longer without overhauling your life Jul 17, 2026 3409 What actually helps us live longer — and live well for longer? GP and women’s health expert Dr Ginny Mansberg joins Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey to cut through wellness trends, biohacking and information overload. They discuss the everyday habits that make the biggest difference, including food, movement, muscle, sleep and stress, as well as inflammation, GLP-1 medications and the
How to stop stress turning into burnout
How to stop stress turning into burnout Jul 3, 2026 2995 How do we build successful careers and work hard without burning out? Organisational psychologist Nick Petrie joins Francesca and Louise to talk about stress, rumination, burnout prevention and the habits that help people sustain high performance in an always-on world. Nick shares the personal story that led him into this work, explains the difference between pressure and stress, and offers practi
Taryn Brumfitt: 'We were not born hating our bodies'
Taryn Brumfitt: 'We were not born hating our bodies' Jun 19, 2026 2783 As concerns grow about the return of extreme thinness, Australian body image advocate Taryn Brumfitt joins Louise and Francesca to explore why beauty standards continue to shape the way we see ourselves. From social media and weight loss drugs to ageing and self-acceptance, she explains why the goal isn't loving your body every day, but learning to stop being at war with it.See omnystudio.com/list
What to wear when your wardrobe stops working
What to wear when your wardrobe stops working Jun 5, 2026 3551 Francesca and Louise are joined by personal stylist and style coach Caitlin Taylor for a practical conversation about finding your personal style in midlife. They discuss why wardrobes can become overwhelming as our bodies, lifestyles and confidence change, and how to work out what actually suits the person you are now. Caitlin shares advice on understanding colour, identifying your “best bi
When ADHD and perimenopause collide
When ADHD and perimenopause collide May 22, 2026 3060 Broadcaster and No Such Thing As Normal host Sonia Gray joins Francesca and Lou to unpack what happens when  ADHD and perimenopause collide, and why so many women are only being diagnosed later in life.From burnout and masking to hormones, anxiety and losing your ability to cope, Sonia shares her own late diagnosis journey and explains why understanding your brain can be life changing.See omn
Jimmy Wales on why the internet is such an angry place
Jimmy Wales on why the internet is such an angry place May 8, 2026 3103 Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales joins Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey for a chat about trust, outrage and what the internet is doing to the way we see each other. From doomscrolling and toxic algorithms to political division, online arguments and the collapse of nuance, Wales explains why social media can make humanity seem far worse than it really is, and why he believes algorithms are “fee
Why midlife criticism hits so hard - and how to handle it
Why midlife criticism hits so hard - and how to handle it Apr 24, 2026 2896 This week Francesca and Louise dive into the tricky topic of dealing with criticism and negative thoughts. They're joined by psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald, who shares his expertise on how to navigate negative feedback and the feelings that come with them.   Kyle offers practical advice on how to build resilience and maintain a positive outlook while Francesca and Louise give context to why c
Why you can't blame menopause for weight gain
Why you can't blame menopause for weight gain Apr 10, 2026 2796 Menopause expert Niki Bezzant has some bad news for us: we can't blame our midlife weight gain on menopause. Niki joins Francesca and Louise to discuss what's really behind that sneaky middle age spread and what role menopause plays if it doesn't directly cause it. They also discuss hormone therapy, breast density, and how to manage perimenopause and menopause symptoms.See omnystudio.com/listener

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