Grey Areas with Petra Bagust

Born in Aotearoa, raised in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, and transplanted to suburban Melbourne at age ten, Safina Stewart has spent most of her life figuring out where home is. As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist, educator, and storyteller, she's had to find that answer from the inside out. In this kōrero, Safina opens up about growing up as a "bush pikinini," not learning to read until she was 18, and the quiet devastation of arriving in Australia as a child with no map for the path ahead. We talk about the 2023 Voice referendum, what it cost her community, and how it lit a fire in her art. Safina shares, with remarkable honesty, the years she spent in a marriage marked by domestic violence and sexual assault, and how becoming a mother became both her anchor and the beginning of learning to love herself. We also explore perimenopause through an Indigenous lens, the power of community and the myth of the individual, equity scholarships, and the grief of losing her brother, musician and artist Stuart Fergie, to covid complications. This is a conversation about survival, defiance, and the deep, generous kind of love that holds people together across generations and cultures. This episode covers confronting topics including domestic violence, sexual assault, and suicidal thoughts. Please be kind to yourself as you listen. If you need support: Safe to Talk (sexual harm): 0800 044 334 or text 4334 — available 24/7 Women's Refuge: 0800 733 843 — available 24/7 Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text 4357 — available 24/7 1737 — Need to talk? Call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor, any time Support the show: greyareas.nz/support Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kia ora e te whānau! In the melee of mid-life - which can be dense, frantic and fabulous all at once - we need spaces to listen to each other and to ourselves, and it’s useful to navigate those gritty ‘grey areas’ together. This season, we aren’t holding back - digging deep into topics that matter most to us right now like hormones, skin, aging parents, courage and keeping on keeping on (and we add a little sparkle for good measure)! Hormone Health: Dr Lara Briden joins Petra in person to give us more hormone hacks and mid-life metabolism love. Intergenerational Living: Sir John Kirwan and Francesca Kirwan share the realities of modern family life. Skin & Body Wisdom: We tackle nore of the "unspoken" stuff—from GSM (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause) to skincare science with Dr. Iona Weir. Taking Action: The powerhouse Brodie Kane joins us to talk about finding your voice and making moves. Purpose & Determination: We sit down with Barbara Dreaver to discover what drives her. Heart of the Matter: Real talk on the intersection of marriage and menopause. Plus, so much more… don’t miss an episode! Hit the Follow button right now on your favourite podcast app to get notified the moment Season 9 drops. Grey Areas: Because life isn’t black and white, and the magic is in the middle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with the legendary Lucy Lawless — actor, director, and all-round creative force — for a real conversation about what it means to embrace midlife - to dig into the surprise and delight of this season. Lucy shares how her fifties have brought a renewed sense of drive and possibility. We talk about learning to take risks, staying open to being changed by others, and the freedom that comes from trying, even when success isn’t guaranteed. From her role in Pike River to stepping behind the camera as a director and tackling bold creative projects, Lucy’s still challenging herself to keep saying yes to the things that scare us. Support the show: ⁠greyareas.nz/support⁠ Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our fast-paced, image-oriented world, it's no surprise that our relationship with food - especially as our bodies change in midlife - can sometimes be fraught. In this kōrero, Claire Turnbull, a seasoned nutritionist and author of, End Your Fight with Food, opens up about her personal challenges and provides insights into the complex world of eating, self-image, and holistic well-being. We dive into some of her key teaching to inspire and guide us toward a healthier relationship with our bodies, brains and plates. This episode tackles some confronting topics - if you need help, contact Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7). Or get in touch with Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand if you need help finding a private provider in your area by phoning Ph 0800 2 EDANZ or emailing [email protected] Support the show: ⁠greyareas.nz/support⁠ Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with legend of the screen, print and airwaves, Jesse Mulligan for a candid conversation. We chat about being described as an 'enigma', his unique thought processes and difficulties parenting in a digital age. Jesse also opens up about the only time he cried on television, his challenges navigating romantic and professional relationships and his surprising perspective on ego and responding to criticism. This kōrero offers an authentic glimpse into Jesse’s unique blend of honesty, humor, and empathy. Support the show:⁠greyareas.nz/support Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Endometriosis affects at least 1 in every 10 women in Aotearoa New Zealand — that is a staggering number. In this episode, mother and content creator Fatima Savea opens up about her long struggle with severe menstrual pain and undiagnosed endometriosis, which took a serious toll on both her physical and mental health. Fatima shares how she and her husband, Julian Savea, only discovered the condition when they were trying to conceive their second child - a journey that finally brought long-overdue answers. Later in the episode, I’m joined by gynaecologist Dr. Amelia Ryan, who specialises in the management of endometriosis and pelvic pain. We delve into the complexities of this often misunderstood condition - from its causes and symptoms to the body’s inflammatory response. Dr. Ryan explains the multifaceted nature of endometriosis, including its links to the immune system, genetic factors, and how it can present differently across life stages. She also highlights the shift in diagnostic approaches and emphasises the importance of holistic care, and personalised treatment plans. Dr. Ryan offers valuable, practical advice on managing chronic pain and navigating the healthcare system. We also discuss the growing awareness around understanding your menstrual cycle - and why this knowledge is such a powerful tool for self-advocacy and wellbeing. Support the show: ⁠greyareas.nz/support⁠ Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Jess Quinn shares her courageous journey from surviving cancer as a child to becoming an amputee and dealing with endometriosis. Jess talks about her path to self-acceptance, the very real challenges and joys of motherhood without the convenience of two legs, and her advocacy work for women's health. Emphasizing radical acceptance and her life as ‘an open book’ with boundaries, Jess delves into her mission to help others advocate for themselves and embrace their unique stories. She also reflects on the power of community support, because we are designed to do tough stuff alone and the significance of vulnerability in fostering connections. Support the show: ⁠greyareas.nz/support⁠ Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TJ Power is the best-selling author of The DOSE Effect and a neuroscientist who teaches people, young and old, how to fix their brains. By paying attention to how we’re wired, and what we spend our time doing, we can change our brain chemistry in remarkably simple and effective ways. In our social media-soaked frantic society it’s easy to accidentally ‘hack’ our motivation getting cheap rewards that don’t last and lead to addictive and unfulfilling behaviours. In this chat TJ gives us plenty of tips for how to get our brains back on track to feeling and functioning fabulously. Support the show: ⁠greyareas.nz/support⁠ Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices