Ladies, We Need To Talk

Comedian Felicity Ward started having the best sex of her life after the worst time in her life. After years of fertility struggles, Felicity finally fell pregnant at 38. But being a mum to a newborn wasn't the Instagram highlight reel she'd imagined. Felicity wrestled with perinatal depression, zero sleep and a loss of identity…and then she became a single mum.At 40, Felicity was dating again but her expectations were low. She reluctantly joined the apps and started swiping…and what was on the other side amazed her. Felicity found a babysitter for her toddler and sexual liberation for herself.Yumi Stynes sits down with the professional funny woman, dancing with the stars contestant and star of The Office for a deeply personal chat about starting over, rediscovering confidence and how the best sex of your life may yet be ahead of you.If you need help:Lifeline Australia 13 11 14PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306Gidget Foundation 1300 851 758This episode will answer questions like:What does it feel like to have perinatal depression and anxiety?Is it ok to be tired after having a baby?Can I ask for help after having a baby?How to have good sex in your 40sWhat should I ask new mums?What are the treatments for perinatal depression?What to listen to next: Great sex: What we wish men knew — ABC listenQueers are meant to have kids — ABC listenBody image and babies with Turia Pitt and Sophie WalkerWhere's my village? Esther Perel on how to build communityYou can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.What to read next: Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelWhy Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgeryWhy genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex lifeThis episode contains references to peri natal depression, divorce, pregnancy, child birth, sex, dating apps, newborns, motherhood

Life as a perennially single woman can be lonely. Coupled-up friends often too busy to catch up, family constantly asking "So, have you met anyone yet?" What's a gal to do?The truth is, we live in a world that celebrates coupledom. And while there are women who love the single life, for others being called to the front to catch the bouquet at every friend's wedding is painful.Yumi Stynes meets three women who have never been in a serious relationship. They've tried it all, psychic readings, blind dates, even auditioning for MAFs, but their true love has never materialised.In this episode, you'll hear from women who keep their relationship hopes alive but prioritise their peace, ditching the dating apps for a life of independent travel and a table with a view and no one to steal your fries.This episode will answer questions like:Do I need a partner?Should I travel alone?Do I need a partner to freeze my eggs?Is therapy helpful?What to listen to next:Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelHow swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better offThe power of one: the single ladies owning it — ABC listenWhy are we exercising less than men?What to read next:Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelThis episode contains references to sex, dating, relationships, egg freezing, Married at First Sight, reality TV

Narelda Jacobs and Karina Natt announced their pregnancy online. Then came the trolls.The pair were over the moon about starting their rainbow family but were pulled back down to earth by the haters who said that they had "no right" to have children as a gay couple.Their response was to write and release a satirical book for adults called 'If Queers weren't meant to have kids.' The book is a celebration of the queer community and raising a child with your chosen family. The couple sat down with Yumi Stynes for a joyful conversation about the mechanics of conceiving using the turkey baster method and raising a child with three loving parents. Narelda Jacobs is a Whadjuk Noongar journalist and presenter on Network 10 and Karina Natt is a former lawyer and journalist who works in media and communications. This episode will answer questions like:Who are Narelda Jacobs and Karina Natt? How do you ask someone to have a baby with you? How do you get pregnant in a same sex relationship? What is the turkey baster method?Can you choose your family?What to listen to next:Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelHow swapping a husband for a wife made this economist better offWhy are we exercising less than men?What to read next:Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it wentBuilding a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther PerelThis episode contains references to sex, conception, pregnancy, trolling, online bullying, homophobia, chosen family, village