Wild, Wise & Curious...

What happens when perimenopause doesn’t arrive with a bang… but arrives in a whisper?
In this episode of Wild, Wise & Curious, we’re chatting with Ruth, a woman in her early 40s whose perimenopause journey began quietly - so quietly she barely noticed at first. A changing cycle. A period tracker suddenly asking about pregnancy tests. Forgetting words mid-sentence. 
And then there were the symptoms you don’t always hear about: itchy ears (apparently a thing!), itchy nipples, odd crawling sensations on the skin, subtle mood shifts - and that familiar moment of wondering, is this normal… or is this peri too?
We laugh about Dr Google (helpful? terrifying?), compare itchy-ear experiences (Lou feels like her dog trying to scratch an itch she just can’t reach, Michelle’s itchy ears make her sneeze), and we talk about how symptoms can come and go - making it even harder to join the dots.
We also dig into the importance of advocating for ourselves when we see a GP: tracking symptoms, knowing what you want to say and trusting that just because something feels subtle doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Alongside the bodily stuff, our guest shares how this phase has shaped her creativity too. A singer-songwriter who’s done with compromising, she talks about slowing down, taking more control and making work that feels more authentic - even if it takes longer. Paying attention to the inner voice and choosing to do things her way.
Her simple, grounding mantras say it all: ‘I can do hard things’ and ‘This isn’t going to kill me’. Words to come back to when the symptoms feel strange and the body does something else you weren't expecting!
Honest, reassuring and quietly empowering - this one’s for anyone who’s ever thought, oh… maybe that’s peri as well.
Check out Ruth over on Spotify and her socials below:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3mMqobE6pvqkeGR5FWuj5T
Instagram is @ruthtoynton
Website is ruthtoynton.com
 
Photo credit - James Cooper
 

Cate returns to Wild, Wise & Curious for Episode 2, and once again brings her grounded, goddess-like presence to the conversation. We first met Cate at Barefoot Festival in the summer of 2025 and were immediately drawn to her way of being - deeply embodied, unapologetically herself and rooted in wisdom.
Still in the midst of her own perimenopause (day 43 of no period… maybe today, maybe next week, maybe never), Cate is passionate about reframing menopause - not as something to endure or fix, but as a Rite of Passage. A time when the focus shifts away from fertility, pleasing others, or meeting society’s expectations and back to something far more powerful: remembering who you are.
Together, we explore why menopause is so often framed as negative, how much resistance we carry to not feeling like we used to, and what happens when we stop fighting the change. Cate shares how her work is centred on helping women tap back into themselves - peeling away layers, softening into flow and stepping into a more honest, powerful way of being.
This is a conversation about coming home to yourself, shedding what no longer fits, and reclaiming your voice, energy and truth. And we’re certain this won’t be the last time Cate joins us - Episode 3, 4, 5 and beyond feel inevitable (and we're very excited about that).
To go deeper with Cate and her work - centred on remembering who you are - head to her website, home of the White Witch, tarot reader, and best-selling author. 
https://www.catemcmurray.co.uk

We joined the glorious Sarah and Charlotte on Northants1 for a big, bold, joy-filled conversation about perimenopause, midlife, and why we created Wild, Wise & Curious. Expect laughter, honesty, brilliant questions, a little bit of chaos (thank you, music edits!), and a whole lot of heart. Together we explore what it really means to navigate perimenopause and life beyond - with humour, curiosity and the wisdom we gather along the way. A gorgeous, generous interview with two fantastic hosts... and yes, we’ll be back for more.
 
Check out their super fun Saturday show - https://northants1.co.uk/show/saturday-afternoons-with-sarah-charlotte/

In this cosy autumn episode of Wild, Wise & Curious, we chat with Charlotte - a narrowboater joining us from her twinkly canal home as fireworks crackle in the Diwali night sky. Though we’re not there in person (sadly!), the warmth of the conversation travels across the water.
Charlotte had never even heard the word perimenopause until a friend mentioned it, and like so many women, she’s now full of questions. Together, we talk through some of them - from brain fog and breast tenderness to periods, coils, HRT and yes, even dry vaginas (and how do we even know what a normal vagina is, when many of us only have our own as reference?).
It’s a funny, open and honest conversation about what it means to stand on the threshold of perimenopause at 39 - with no roadmap, little education and a whole lot of curiosity. As we remind Charlotte (and our listeners), we’re not experts - we’re just women figuring it out together, learning from the stories we share on and off the podcast.
So, grab a blanket, imagine the gentle rock of the canal and settle in for a chat that’s as real as it is reassuring.
 
Show Notes:
* There are some areas of feedback and as mentioned above, fireworks popping off during this episode.

In Celebration of World Menopause Day… Embracing Every Change, Challenge & Charmed Chapter
It’s World Menopause Day and we’re pausing to celebrate - every change, every challenge and every charmed chapter of this wild midlife ride.
Since January, Wild, Wise & Curious has been a space for women to share their stories of perimenopause, menopause and beyond - the laughter, the tears, the surprises and the strength. Today, we’re reflecting on all we’ve learned, the wisdom our guests have offered and the incredible community that’s grown around these conversations.
This year’s theme from the International Menopause Society focuses on how evidence-based lifestyle changes - from nourishing food and movement to rest, relationships, and joy - (pretty much what we talk about here on the show) can support women’s wellbeing during and after menopause.
So come join us - a cuppa (or glass of something sparkly) in hand - as we chat, laugh and breathe a little gratitude for the journey so far. Here’s to being wild, wise and wonderfully curious through every change, challenge and charmed chapter.
 
Show Notes:
International Menopause Day 2025 website - https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day-2025/

In this episode of Wild, Wise & Curious, we hear from Tash, who was just 34 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Chemotherapy brought on a chemical menopause, and soon after, genetic testing revealed the BRCA gene — leading to surgery and a surgical menopause in quick succession.
With little guidance from medical professionals, Tash turned to her sister-in-law — who had undergone a total hysterectomy after her own early diagnosis — for support and practical guidance. Today, they run a support group for women navigating early and surgical menopause, providing the community and conversation they once needed themselves.
Tash shares how she is trying to embrace a holistic life while navigating the ongoing changes: simplifying daily demands as much as possible while raising four children, staying positive when energy is low, making mindful choices about what goes in and onto her body, and finding strength in movement — including training for a half marathon.
This episode is a grounded, honest conversation about navigating chemical and surgical menopause after cancer, highlighting how self-awareness, community, and holistic practices can help women move forward with clarity and resilience.
If you're interested in finding out more, please see Tash's support group details below - including a link to donate to her marathon run!
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17jW8fyvHX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
 
Instagram Too young to pause - https://www.instagram.com/tooyoungtopause_staffordshire?igsh=dWJyN29jdHpwZWJ3&utm_source=qr
 
Instagram Broken Boobs to Forever Foobs - 
https://www.instagram.com/broken.boobs_to_forever.foobs?igsh=MWw4aHphb2w0M3R5Nw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
 
Link for Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/page/tash-and-simmone?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
 
 

Episode Blurb:Our guest, Claudia, shares her journey through the often confusing landscape of perimenopause. For years, it felt like a process of elimination — heightened anxiety, forgetfulness and shifts that didn’t seem tied to her period. “I didn’t even know what perimenopause was,” she admits.
Over time, Claudia began piecing things together: planning her life in line with her cycles, leaning into her energy when she felt dynamic and allowing herself to rest — or even cancel plans — when she didn’t. What began as survival grew into a deeper connection with the natural world and with herself.
Claudia also reflects on her career pivots — from HR to paralegal, and now embracing the Reiki she had studied years earlier, not knowing why. Today, that early curiosity makes sense, as she steps into the work that truly lights her up. Her story is a reminder that when we stop forcing what doesn’t fit and start following our bliss, we make space for renewal, possibility and joy.

Episode Blurb:
When perimenopause arrived, Emily felt as though the map of her life had been snatched away. Her energy waned, emotions surged and the life she once knew no longer fit. Searching for a way forward, she turned inward — not realising that what she’d discover would transform everything.
In this soulful and inspiring conversation, Emily shares how navigating the shadows of midlife led her to discover her “inner house” — a sacred space of truth, creativity and joy. Guided by her higher self, she began writing a book, composing music and — most movingly — returning to a lifelong love of singing. Though she hadn’t sung since childhood, reconnecting with her voice opened a new chapter of expression and aliveness. Today, she leads singing circles, is preparing to publish her first book, and has recorded two albums that reflect her radiant spirit.
This story is full of life, hope, and the courage to begin again.
 
Show Notes:
You can find out more about Emily's journey and her offerings over on her website www.emilydoe.com
Emily also talks about Human Design - Ra Uru Hu

Sarah started her periods at 9. Years later, she had a uterine ablation to manage heavy bleeding — and then, in her late 30s, everything began to shift. Mood swings, vertigo, anxiety, an internal thermostat gone rogue, and a nervous system that completely rejected driving in the dark.
In 2019, she was told it was perimenopause. But a question kept nagging: Did the ablation bring it on early? Or did it all start long before — with a body that switched on far too soon?
Our guest — a radio DJ, teacher, and mum of three boys — shares her raw and honest journey through unexpected hormonal chaos and the challenge of navigating it all without HRT. She’s not against HRT, but feels that if this transition is inevitable, it might as well be faced now rather than put off.
Told with sharp humour and vulnerability, it’s a story of learning how many ways women can fall apart — and how we somehow start piecing it all back together.
🔥 Expect real talk, raw honesty, and plenty of “why didn’t anyone tell me this?” moments.
⚠️ Warning: May cause moments of “OH MY GOD, ME TOO.”
 

This week on Wild, Wise & Curious, we meet Lainey, who hit her breaking point—and then chose to rebuild. A seasoned therapist, she had all the tools... but when rage and emotional chaos took over, even her best practices weren’t enough. After trying HRT and realising it wasn’t her path, a chance encounter with Dr. David Hamilton’s work on How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body flipped a vital switch.
What followed? A radical journey of self-healing, deep self-care, and shedding the layers of a life that no longer fit. Post-divorce, she’s now selling her house, eyeing land abroad and courageously crafting a whole new chapter—wild, wise and deeply curious about what comes next.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt lost in the storm and dared to imagine something better on the other side. Prepare to be inspired.
 
Show Notes:
How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body (book) by David R Hamilton
Velvet Crisis - formed through the Unglamourous project in Leicester - The Unglamorous Project is a grassroots music initiative in Leicester that empowers women—regardless of prior experience—to form bands, learn instruments and perform live. Founded by Ruth Miller, it sprang to life with the bold "66 Days to Your Debut" challenge, and has since flourished into a vibrant, supportive community, sparking a wave of all-female bands across the city. Discover more at unglamorous.co.uk
 
If you are interested in chatting with Lainey about being a part of her book which focuses on finding the magic in menopause, please email her at lainywills1@gmail.com