Tested: Destigmatizing Sexual Healthcare & Rewriting Women’s Health with Grace Toombs

Women’s healthcare has long been underserved, under-researched, and surrounded by stigma — especially when it comes to sexual health. In this episode of Core and Commerce, host Perry Howell sits down with Grace Toombs, founder of June Health, a company reshaping how women access sexual healthcare: accessible, shame-free, and on their own terms. Grace began her career studying medicine at UNSW before pivoting into international public health. But after seeing how slowly research translated into real change, she realized something critical: women couldn’t afford to keep waiting for the system to catch up. So she built something better. In this conversation, Grace shares the story behind June Health, the systemic gaps in women’s healthcare, and why prevention — not just treatment — is the key to meaningful change. This episode explores: - Why women’s sexual health has been historically neglected - The stigma that still surrounds testing and reproductive care - The bold pivot from medicine to building a health startup - Why prevention is the lever for real healthcare change - How founders can disrupt outdated systems - What the future of women-centered healthcare could look like If you care about women’s health, healthcare innovation, or building mission-driven companies, this conversation is not one to miss. Chapters [00:00] Introduction to Grace Toombs and June Health [01:36] Grace's early passion for medicine and growing up around healthcare [02:54] The challenging path: nursing school before medical school [05:00] Discovering endometriosis: symptoms, diagnosis, and the emotional journey [09:45] The cervical screening that changed everything [11:39] The healthcare gap: why June Health was born [15:39] June Health's consumer experience and innovative approach [19:33] Customer stories that fuel the mission [23:03] Navigating pushback from the traditional medical system [24:52] Founder-led positioning: blessing and curse [26:41] Hot topics in women's healthcare: IUD pain and anesthesia [29:54] The pharmacy gaslighting: generic vs. brand medications [33:20] Destigmatizing sexual health and STI testing [38:59] How to integrate sexual health into dating and relationships [44:27] Fertility concerns and having difficult conversations [48:31] The rise of STIs and why condom use is declining [52:13] Healthcare recommendations by life stage and testing protocols [54:51] The future of June Health: from first period to menopause   Core & Commerce is the space where ambition meets wellbeing. Hosted by Perry Howell, marketing leader, wellness founder, and media powerhouse - and inspired by her own journey of redefining success, balance, and health. Bringing realness to wellness, each episode goes deep in honest, unfiltered conversations with the founders, creators, and innovators moving the wellness world forward. If you enjoy the show, subscribing, rating, and leaving a review makes a real difference. It helps the podcast reach new listeners and allows me to keep creating intentional conversations like this one. Subscribe to Core & Commerce on all platforms: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCV1IYtabu3mc3SGxRDc5EiA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/core-commerce/id1858299411 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4VO0pBexqGMMCNM3kXnafC?si=6Uk3WZRaSMy-s2wa2l5F4Q Follow Core & Commerce: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreandcomm/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coreandcomm   Follow Perry Howell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perryhowell/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrymhowell/ Website: https://www.perryhowell.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@perryhowell_ ShopMy Episode Look: https://shopmy.us/shop/perryhowell Amazon Picks: https://www.amazon.com.au/shop/perryhowell?ref_=hype_hm_sf_e   Follow June Health: Web: https://heyjune.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyjunehealth/?hl=en   Follow Grace Toombs: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracetoombs/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gracietoombs