Grey Areas with Petra Bagust

Robyn Malcolm is one of New Zealand's most beloved actors. And at 61, she is, by her own account, having the time of her life. In this kōrero, Petra sits down with Robyn who’s beaming in from Glasgow, while watching squirrels in the park, writing a new project with After the Party collaborator Diane Taylor, and settling into a life that looks nothing like the one she'd have planned, and everything like the one she was always meant to live. This is a conversation that goes everywhere and earns every turn. Robyn and Petra talk about what it actually feels like to arrive at 60, the falling-over-less-scared-of-it, the inhabiting-your-own-space, the finding-it-funnier quality of a life that has already survived its worst moments.  Robyn talks about aging in an industry obsessed with youth, the Mar-a-Lago face appearing on actresses she admires, and why aspirational casting is, in her view, utterly false, because what women actually want to see on screen is themselves. They get into Robyn's late ADHD diagnosis, sparked, she says, by a Grey Areas episode, and the Rubik's Cube moment when everything she'd been told about herself clicked into place. The laziness, the avoidance, the "imagine what you could've done if you'd done some work" rewritten, at last, through a kinder and more accurate lens. The conversation moves into menopause, sexuality, and shame. And Robyn speaks openly about the documentary she's been making all around Aotearoa on menopause and mental health, including a revelation about the relationship between estrogen loss and mental health that she says astounded her. She talks about why women won't discuss sex in groups until someone goes first, why shame is the real barrier to desire in midlife, and what happened when she brought a model of the clitoris to a room full of Southland women at the Shepherdess's Muster. Warm, wide-ranging, laugh-out-loud funny, and quietly profound, this one is a delight from start to finish. 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

Most conversations about menopause cover hot flushes, brain fog, and sleep. Far fewer talk about what's happening below the waist, and for up to 84% of women, that silence comes at a real cost. Dr Iona Weir is a cell biologist, inventor, and founder of biotech company Myregyna®. Her life's work centres on apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death, and specifically how compounds found in plants can reverse it. After decades developing pharmaceuticals and skincare, she turned her science towards one of the most underserved areas in women's health: genital urinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM. In this kōrero, Petra and Iona unpack what GSM actually is, and why it's so much more than vaginal dryness. From thinning urethral tissue and recurring UTIs to bladder urgency and prolapse risk, the downstream effects of declining oestrogen on this whole system are significant, under-diagnosed, and largely preventable. Iona explains the science of what's happening at a cellular level, what women can do to get ahead of it, and why pelvic floor health is one of the most important investments a woman in midlife can make. They also get into Iona's remarkable origin story, from being the first person in the world to suggest apoptosis occurs in plants, to an outrageously creative work around to secure her PhD funding, to becoming one of New Zealand's few female biotech founders. At nearly 60, she's heading to BTS in Paris, going to ABBA Voyage in London, and is actively working on securing approval from the US FDA. This episode also takes an honest look at the wellness and supplement industry from someone who has spent her career inside it. Iona's advice? Skip the vitamin cabinet. Eat the salmon cracker platter. Rotate your supplements. And stop spending money on treatments that will thin your skin now and leave you looking worse at 80. This episode contains discussion of pelvic floor health, vaginal atrophy, UTIs, and sexual function. Listen to the pelvic floor health episode we referenced in this episode: It's time we talked about our pelvic floors | Tania McLean + Melissa Davidson 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

Barbara Dreaver has spent decades moving towards stories others walk away from. As one of New Zealand's most respected journalists and TVNZ's Pacific correspondent, she has been detained in Fiji, witnessed children in crisis across the Pacific and stood in places where telling the truth was actively discouraged. In this kōrero, Petra and Barbara sit down properly for the first time, and the conversation is exactly what you'd hope for. Barbara talks about growing up barefoot in a loving Pacific family with no money and yet extraordinary richness. What it means to carry both sides of her whakapapa (Kiwi father, Pacific Islander mother), into a career built on giving voice to people who rarely get one.  Her book, Be Brave, is the record of that work and an invitation to the rest of us to believe in the power of telling the truth and find our own why. She talks about the publisher who told her there was no interest in Pacific stories (the book is already going to a second edition), and the moments across her career where she's had to reach deep to keep going. They get into what it really means to be brave, not the absence of fear, rather knowing your why clearly enough to walk through discomfort. Barbara talks about the logging company she exposed in Vanuatu, the adoption agency trafficking children from Samoa to the US, and the night she spent locked in a Fijian detention centre not knowing what she would face in the morning. Barbara also speaks, with great care, about losing her brother Andrew to suicide, the guilt that follows, the complicated layers of grief, and why she believes his life should never be defined by how it ended. This is a conversation about courage, Pacific identity, the power of community, and finding her happiest season yet in mid-life! This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse, incarceration, suicide, and other distressing content, including the trafficking of children. Please take care as you listen. If you need support: Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text 4357 — available 24/71737 — Call or text to speak with a trained counsellor, any timeSuicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) — available 24/7Skylight (supporting those bereaved by suicide): 0800 299 100Safe to Talk (sexual harm): 0800 044 334 or text 4334 — available 24/7 Barbara Dreaver's book Be Brave is available now. 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

Dr Lara Briden is back, and for good reason. The naturopathic doctor, evolutionary biologist, and bestselling author of Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and The Metabolism Reset is the only guest to appear on Grey Areas three times, and this kōrero might be her best yet. In this episode, Petra and Lara dig into what it means to have a female body, and why that's not the complicated, messy sidebar medicine has long made it out to be. Lara makes a compelling case that female physiology is arguably advantageous. Cyclic hormones are health-building, ovulation is powerful, and perimenopause, far from being a deficiency state, is a season women's bodies are designed to go through (and be able to thrive on the other side). This conversation goes beyond biology. Lara and Petra wrestle honestly with the perimenopause narrative that's taken hold on social media: how the welcome opening of the conversation has, in some cases, tipped into fear. Women who feel fine are now wondering if something is wrong with them. Women who aren't yet symptomatic are afraid of what's coming. Lara is direct: fear is not a wise guide. They also get into the underdiagnosed but highly reversible problem of insulin resistance, what it actually is, how to spot it on a standard blood test, and why it matters more for women's long-term heart and brain health than most GPs are telling us.  Plus: the case for magnesium, the overlooked role of iron deficiency in perimenopause symptoms, why oxytocin might be one of the most underrated health tools available, and a very practical PSA about condoms. This is a conversation for every woman who has ever stood in the supplement aisle feeling overwhelmed, or scrolled through health content and come away feeling worse. The road home is home, and Lara's message, as always, is that you're probably more okay than you think. Lara's books Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and The Metabolism Reset are available now. Find her at larabriden.com. 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

What does it actually look like to choose your family? Not just love them, but live with them, day in and day out, across generations and cultures? In this kōrero, Petra sits down with All Black legend Sir John Kirwan and his daughter – volleyball player, business owner and young mum – Francesca for a warm, wide-ranging conversation. They talk intergenerational living, the Italian way of life, and what it means to build a family that stays. Francesca grew up between Auckland, Japan and Treviso, speaking Italian at home, saying goodbye to one set of grandparents to see the other, and learning early how belonging can exist in more than one place. While living in New Zealand with her husband Luca and their baby son Carlo, under the same roof as John and Fiorella, they embraced intergenerational community – and she wouldn't have it any other way. John opens up about the things he got wrong as a young father, the months away, the career-first years, and the profound gratitude he has for the grandparents who stepped in when he couldn't be there. He talks about the role sport played in building resilience in his children, why compromise is the non-negotiable foundation of communal living, and what his own father said to him in a hospital room that changed everything. We also get into John's six pillars for mental health and wellbeing in the second half of life, from managing your energy and ‘habit stacking’ to understanding what your brain actually needs, as well as his new community, Second Half. This is a conversation about the slow, generous work of living alongside the people you love most - it's about the big picture. 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

Tarryn Stokes won the 12th season of The Voice Australia at 40, making her the oldest winner in the show's history. But long before the blind audition that stopped the judges in their tracks, she'd spent years singing backing vocals for Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy, leading worship in churches, and quietly wondering if she'd already missed her moment. In this kōrero, Tarryn opens up about growing up in a musical family with a grand piano in the lounge, and how singing has always been her native language. We talk about her ADHD diagnosis three years ago, the shame it lifted, the lightbulb it switched on, and why she thinks it's no coincidence that so many creatives share that wiring. Tarryn also shares what it actually takes to stand on a stage and sing in front of a nation when every nerve in your body is telling you to turn and run - the visualisation techniques that got her through The Voice. We get into the dynamics of life after a win on reality TV, the manager who called out of nowhere, the record deal with Universal, and the realisation that nobody was coming to do the hard work for her. And we talk honestly about mum guilt, the juggle of touring with young kids, redefining what success looks like, and what it means to write a song for someone you love. Tarryn's new single Rubies and Gold is out now. It’s a beautiful song about knowing your worth, written for her niece. It's upbeat, generous, and sounds exactly like her. 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

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

In this interview, I sat down with the inspiring, go-getter Nadia Lim.  Our conversation covers cookbooks, chickens, sunflowers, and the seasons of life. Nadia also opens up about her relationship with her husband Carlos, the importance of self-care, community and resilience.  This is a deeply candid discussion filled with valuable insights, plenty of laughs, and reveals the highs and lows of juggling family, career, and living alongside nature.  Share this episode with a friend and make sure to grab a copy of Nadia’s new cookbook, Nadia’s Farm Kitchen.  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 interview, I sat down with beloved kiwi musician Stan Walker. Our conversation covers his multidimensional career, his journey with identity, the importance of maintaining boundaries, and protecting his peace.  He speaks openly about his growing understanding of forgiveness, the effects of trauma, and the long-term process of healing and self-acceptance. Stan also emphasises his dedication to his family, health, and bringing hope, life, healing, and joy through his music.  I really admire Stan for his vulnerability, honesty and courage and I’m so excited to share this kōrero with you all.  This episode covers some confronting topics, including sexual abuse. If you need help you can always reach out to Safe to Talk⁠ confidentially, any time on 0800 044 334 or text 4334. 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

As you and most of the world know, Dame Jacinda is the former Prime Minister of New Zealand and recently published her best-selling memoir, A Different Kind of Power. Our cross-hemisphere conversation covers identity, servant leadership, politics and her immense sense of responsibility. We also chat about the brand new documentary, Prime Minister, (and having partner Clarke Gayford turning the camera on her at home), and her latest offering, Mum’s Busy Work, a children’s book. I loved gaining more insight into her early life, the family and faith that shaped her. As well as hearing what it was like balancing the demands of early motherhood and running a country. As my local Mt Albert MP, I have long admired Jacinda for her bravery and empathetic leadership, in spite of her self doubt, and I am so excited to be able to share this heartfelt conversation with you all. Support the show: https://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

Season 8 of Grey Areas launches tomorrow! And just like the first sensational seven seasons my guests will wrangle with the challenging, embrace the mystery and celebrate the wins - I’m excited to dig into the grey areas of life with my NEW guests and you. Can’t wait! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode of Grey Areas, we bring you the full interview with neuropsychiatrist Dr Greg Finucane for episode 1 of this season, ‘When ADHD meets perimenopause’. A conversation that turned out to be unexpectedly emotional – and incredibly clarifying. We talk about why so many women, including me, are getting diagnosed with ADHD in midlife, and how perimenopause can cause the carefully stacked house of cards that is our coping mechanisms to start to fall. Greg and I tackle what’s happening in the brain, how diagnostic systems work (and sometimes don’t), and whether ADHD is really a disorder – or just a different way of being in the world. This episode is personal. I share parts of my own story: the grief, the relief, the letting go of old narratives. We also talk meds, stigma, late diagnosis, and how many of us have spent decades holding ourselves to impossible standards. If you've ever found yourself asking “what’s wrong with me?” – or wondering if it’s too late to figure it out – this conversation is for you. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of my conversation with Dame Anne Salmond, we go deeper - into wānanga (the meeting of ideas), into te ao Māori (Māori worldview), and into the kind of thinking that could help us live better together. Dame Anne speaks about her decades-long relationship with her Māori mentors, Eruera and Amiria Stirling, and how those relationships rewired her understanding of the world. We talk about what it means to live in a relational way - and how te reo Māori doesn’t just name the world, it can reshape it. This kōrero makes space for where anthropology meets awe, and scholarship meets soul. We also talk about tapu and mana, and how those concepts aren’t just beautiful - they are power filled. We discuss Te Tiriti o Waitangi, not as a document of rights and rules, but as a sacred gift exchange rooted in respect. We touch on binary thinking, politics, creativity, and the purpose of universities - and why the best ideas are born in spaces where words can be blown about by the wind and shone on by the sun. This conversation is a gift. It’s a call back to care, and forward into complexity, beauty, and balance. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first part of our kōrero, I sit down with Dame Anne Salmond—a thinker whose mind is vast, and whose heart is very much rooted in the soil of Aotearoa. Dame Anne is an anthropologist, writer, and one of our most decorated scholars, but what shapes her most is relationship - whakapapa, whenua, and whānau. We start where all good conversations should: at the kitchen table. Dame Anne tells me about her wild and wonderful upbringing in a family of nine kids, where dinner was frequently like a full-blown debate club, and learning happened between bites. We talk about difference - political, personal - and why being able to think, laugh and disagree together is something worth holding on to. She also shares the love story behind Waikereru, Longbush Reserve, the eco-sanctuary she and her husband Jeremy created near her childhood haunts on the outskirts of Gisbourne, and how that land became a place of healing, beauty, and belonging for them both. This part of the conversation is full of life - stories of childhood, whakapapa, parenting, joy, grief, restoration, and deep connection to place. It's the foundation for the rich ideas we explore in part two. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with biochemist Dr Libby Weaver, a nutritionist, speaker, and author of 13 books (soon to be 14). Libby brings a holistic lens to wellbeing, combining science, nutrition, and emotional insight in a way that’s both practical and also deeply human. We explore the gap between what we know and what we do, and why that gap exists. Libby unpacks the power of belief systems – how they quietly shape our choices, our habits, and even our health. We talk about stress, sugar cravings, hormone changes, perimenopause, self-talk, and the importance of iron, all woven through with her gentle encouragement to be curious, not critical. What I loved most is Libby’s message that our bodies are not betraying us – they’re whispering to us. And if we pause to listen, we might just discover the kind of deep wisdom and clarity we’ve been hunting for in all the wrong places. This kōrero is science-meets-soul, and a gentle nudge toward greater kindness – to ourselves, and to our brilliant, hardworking bodies. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Luxon. Amanda is a former teacher, Myers-Briggs coach, lifelong learner – and yes, the ‘First Lady’ of New Zealand. Our conversation isn’t about politics (though it inevitably comes up), but about difference, understanding, and friendship – because even though in many ways we’re chalk and cheese, we’ve been friends for years. We first connected over our shared passion for fighting human trafficking, but on a long summer walk earlier this year, we found language for just how differently we see the world – and how fascinating and enriching that can be. Amanda shares her deep love of the Myers-Briggs personality typing framework, which has helped her understand her own strengths as an ISTJ, and helped her see me, an ENFP, with more clarity and appreciation. There’s humour, honesty, and a whole lot of heart in this kōrero as we explore how personality differences play out in parenting, partnership, and even public life – and how making space for our differences can bring us closer. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this latest episode I am joined by acclaimed journalist and author Ali Mau, who’s new memoir, No Words for This, has just hit shelves.  This powerful and vulnerable conversation covers Ali’s experiences with childhood sexual abuse, the life-changing phone call from her sister and her journey to speaking publicly.  We also delve into complex family dynamics and the significant power of knowing you're not alone. Ali also tells us about her game-changing new charity, Tika, the twists and turns of her career, and her way of riding into a better work/life balance. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we delve into the captivating love story of legendary actors Michael Hurst and Jennifer Ward-Leland, whose "showmance" has blossomed into a beautiful partnership spanning over four decades. Michael and Jennifer open up about their personal lives, sharing heartwarming memories (such as the excitement of buying their first Toyota), and reflecting on their rich experiences in the world of theatre.  From navigating the challenges of aging and caregiving to exploring the emotional depths of performing in a play centered around dementia, this episode offers sincere insights into the power of love and art. Discover how the stage serves as a platform for empathy and community, and how the phenomenon of "Dr Theatre" can mask physical pain in the moment and provide a unique emotional release. Don't miss this heartfelt discussion as we celebrate the enduring love and theatrical collaboration between Michael and Jennifer. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Raelene Castle, a trailblazer in sports management as the first female CEO of Netball New Zealand and now the CEO of Sport New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand.  We discuss her trajectory in the corporate and sporting worlds, her upbringing in a sport-centric family, and the importance for her of finding confidence through activity.  Raelene shares her insights on the challenges women in leadership face - including the (elusive) balance of personal and professional life. She is not afraid to talk about the losses and well as the wins - as we delve into managing alopecia in a public role, responding to life not going to plan, and the profound significance of family connections.  Our conversation touches upon mentorship, reverse-mentorship, inclusivity, and explores how young people can assert their voices and ambitions in today's world. Raelene is nothing short of inspiring, and I truly loved talking with her. I'm also joined by Tracy Hemingway (aka Debt Free Diva) thanks to Generate for a sponsored chat about how KiwiSaver can be an absolute game changer. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm stoked to sit down with Nadia Reid, who recently released her fourth album, Enter Now Brightness. Our conversation meanders through the various stages of her life – from a futon in Auckland’s Devonport to the bustling cityscapes of Manchester, via the chill vistas of Dunedin. As we go, we look at how these places have shaped Nadia, her transformative experience of motherhood, and how the events of her life have added richness and depth to her songwriting. We also discuss the importance of wriggling out of your comfort zone, and how Nadia and her bandmates Sam, Richie, Joe, and producer Tom have embraced the uncertainties that life changes inevitably bring. Nadia’s journey is one of healing and growth, forging connections across generations, and spreading joy through music. Plus Nadia performs for us – woop!! Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does happen when ADHD meets perimenopause? Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Greg Finucane joins us to help untangle this growing connection. Recently, I have found myself navigating the surprising emotions and 'aha!' moments that can accompany an ADHD diagnosis. It was like the jigsaw puzzle of my life found some lost pieces, giving me a clearer picture of how I fit together and fit into the world. My exploration leads us through how diagnosis can reshape family bonds and support communication, including a heartfelt conversation with my husband, reflecting on how awareness of ADHD is contributing to reforming our marriage and parenting journey. Because everyone (and every brain) is unique, there are many voices in this episode to help weave together stories that breathe life into the complex realities of ADHD, from managing in creative careers to the complexity of organisational challenges faced by those undiagnosed. Conversations with women like Abigail and Bella open windows into alternative approaches to managing symptoms, from holistic practices to embracing the gifts that ADHD brings. This episode is a rallying cry for (self) compassion and acceptance, while providing practical strategies for self-organisation. I'm convinced wāhine like you and me can rewrite negative narratives from our youth and society to uncover the possibilities of living fully and intentionally with whatever labels we choose to inhabit. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kia ora e hoa mā! I'm Petra Bagust and Grey Areas is back for season 7, and I have to say I'm so excited for this season.  You know how sometimes you just have a good feeling about things?  And look, something I've learned from our conversations is that life rarely fits into tidy boxes. It spills over the edges, it surprises us, it challenges what we thought we knew, and that's where most of the interesting kōrero happens - at the edges, down a rabbit hole, on a tangent in the 'grey areas'.  And so this season, we explore more of those spaces with guests who bring music, wisdom, science, and lived experience to the table.  Let me tempt you with some of our guests this season.  I sit down with the extraordinary Nadia Reid. She's a singer-songwriter whose music speaks to the heart in ways that words alone never could. Sports leader Raelene Castle, who talks about high pressure leadership at times being the woman in a man's world, while dealing with very real personal challenges and still nailing it.  And renowned nutritionist, Doctor Libby Weaver, who is helping reshape the way we think about nurturing our bodies and minds in a world that's constantly changing - at a time when, let's face it, we are constantly changing.  We also connect with two of Aotearoa's most celebrated actors, Michael Hurst and Jennifer Ward-Leaand, as they open up about their latest stage production, a raw personal look at the realities of dementia.  And we widen the lens with Dame Anne Salmond, an academic and thinker whose work challenges us to see our place in the world and in history with fresh eyes.  I tackle the hot button topic of ADHD which I realise is both compelling and repelling, but this season, it's personal.  There is, let's face it, no right or wrong way to navigate life's grey areas, but there is something powerful in sitting with the questions, hearing different perspectives, soaking up ideas and holding space for the messy, beautiful in between, because those can be the spaces where we begin to find our way.  Join me for season 7 of Grey Areas. I can't wait to share it with you.  New episodes drop every week from Thursday, March 6th, and please follow the show wherever you get your favourite podcasts, so that you'll never miss an episode. Ka kite ano, see you soon.  Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me as I sit down with the delightful Professor Bev Lawton, a trailblazing advocate for women's health, who shares her insights into menopause, cervical cancer prevention and endometriosis. From her early days as a GP in Newtown, Wellington, Bev highlights the importance of evidence-based knowledge and the need for a stronger focus on women's health. Bev brings such warmth and optimism to the topic of menopause, encouraging us to see it as a natural, manageable transition rather than a burden. She discusses her experience as a doctor and the importance of providing women with balanced information so we can make decisions that truly benefit our health and well-being. We delve into the exciting science of the HPV vaccine and how it’s helping to prevent cervical and other cancers. Bev explains why accessible screening is critical, sharing the success of New Zealand's new HPV self-screening program, which empowers women to take charge of their health in a more comfortable, private and accessible way. This episode is packed with insights, laughter, and actionable advice. I hope it leaves you feeling informed and motivated to advocate for yourself and others, whether it’s by understanding your own health better or supporting initiatives to close the chapter on cervical cancer. To become part of the story, head to endcervicalcancer.org.nz! Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh from a work out Dr Stacy Sims joins me for a deep dive into the specific ways women need to move our bodies as we age. A trailblazer in the science of female physiology, Stacy challenges the traditional ‘calories in, calories out’ mindset – why it can be counterproductive and how popular fitness trends often ignore the distinct needs of women, especially through perimenopause and menopause! Stacy explains how our bodies change as hormone levels fluctuate in midlife, affecting everything from muscle strength to cognitive function. She shares why it's essential to focus on resistance training and high-intensity exercise to preserve muscle quality, bone health, and even brain function. We tackle the fear of ‘bulking up’ with weight training, and the benefits of challenging the body with high intensity movement that promotes longevity. What I love about Stacy’s approach is her emphasis on creating a sustainable, life-enhancing routine rather than a quick-fix workout regimen.  Join us as we explore practical, empowering ways to stay strong, mentally sharp, and energised – no gym membership required! Plus, Kirstien Taylor from Generate joins me to discuss financial fitness and how, just like physical movement, small steps now can pay dividends later in life. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Disclaimer: No part of this podcast is intended as financial advice; it is intended as general information only. For more information about the Generate KiwiSaver Scheme see their Product Disclosure Statement at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds. The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m joined by three extraordinary and radically different women who consider each other family. Each in a different decade of life – their 50s, 60s, and 70s – Jackie Clarke, Tina Cross, and Suzanne Lynch have performed together for the past two decades as The Lady Killers, and they’re still going strong. Fresh off their DIVAS! tour to sold out venues around New Zealand, we sit down to discuss music, ageing, and friendship. The stories these wāhine toa share are filled with hard-won wisdom and riotous laughter that beckons us to grab hold of every stage of life with curiosity, compassion and camaraderie whether we vote the same way or not.  Tune in as we tackle menopause, breaking down stereotypes, the perpetual pressure to present perfectly (trying saying that fast), and the vital importance of supporting one another through it all! Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with psychologist, author, and menopause researcher Dr Hillary McBride to explore what it means to truly come home to our bodies - to treat them like a best friend. Hillary’s work spans critical topics like trauma, eating disorders, and women's health, with a particular focus on menopause as a transformative experience. Through her books, The Wisdom of Your Body and Practices for Embodied Living, Hillary advocates for a reconnection with our bodies, inviting us to listen to, honour, and celebrate our physical selves. Using Hillary’s vivid metaphor of our body as a home, we discuss the absurdity of ‘living on the front lawn’ and basing our worth on this external perspective. She encourages us to find our way back inside the home and make the most of the rich experiences to be found within. Hillary champions supportive environments where women can share their experiences free from judgement - her research demonstrates the positive and practical impact of women talking about menopause with each other… this information is too good not to share - come and sit with this wise soul who loves helping women find safety and solace in our very own bodies! Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle in for an uplifting conversation filled with laughter and wisdom! Petra Bagust is the host of popular rova podcasts Grey Areas and Sunday Sanctuary, a radio personality and TV presenter, a media chaplain, mum to three young people and all-round wonderful wāhine.  In this episode, Petra shares candidly how she has approached the highs and lows of motherhood with grace for herself, and the many things she’s learned along the way. With energy, wit and wisdom, she delves into the richness that can be found in relationships, the magic of her personal te reo journey, and the freedom that comes with tuning into what we place our value in, particularly as we age.  A small disclaimer, this episode contains a sprinkle of mild swearing—nothing that would make your grandma faint, but maybe cover the kids’ ears if they’re around.  Parents We’ve Met is brought to you by Parenting Place – a charity with a heart for New Zealand families. Explore our self-guided online courses and hundreds of free parenting articles and ideas HERE.  Follow us on Instagram / Facebook / YouTube  Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tide is rising toward Megan’s 50th birthday, and we surf the currents of childhood memories to uncover how mermaids, like the best stories, delight us with their symbolic depth. We reflect on my relationship with my mother, navigating the murky waters between closeness and independence. Megan shares how her mother transformed into an exuberant grandmother, becoming a lighthouse guiding her toward metamorphosis despite her own unfulfilled dreams. We wade into the depths of parenting and self-love, exploring the complexities of aging amid impossible societal expectations. This episode rides the wave of generational bonds that, while often frustrating, anchor us. As our conversation ebbs and flows through themes of self-acceptance and re-enchantment, we question conventional metrics of success and the power of ‘voice’ in shaping our narratives. Splashing through literature and art, we celebrate the significance of community and meaningful connections, steering us toward a more magical sense of purpose. Join us as we surf these enchanting waves together! Song Credit: Korimako, performed by Aro, written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker, published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There were three things Susie Ferguson was never going to do; climb Mt Everest, run a marathon or write a book. However a serendipitous podcast interview with my good friend Frank nudged her to capture her experiences as a war correspondent, radio journalist and woman - the result is "Bloody Minded."  Susie shares her experiences of being bullied and even publicly shamed by a teacher while navigating the tricky dynamics of an all-girls school.  Her candid reflections on enduring undiagnosed endometriosis while reporting from Iraq, display her resilience and humour.  From her love story with husband Lee, to the intense bonds formed in war zones,and the challenges of transitioning into motherhood, Susie’s book is moving and memorable. Join us for a heartfelt exploration of adaptability, determination, and the bonds that define our lives. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I sit down with the delightful Nici Wickes, a beloved cookbook author with a talent for making culinary adventures accessible and joyful, as she shares her wisdom on no-fuss cooking, building confidence in and out of the kitchen, and her latest book ‘More from A Quiet Kitchen.’ We tackle body image and health, confronting societal expectations, and shifting our focus from our appearance to our wellbeing along the journey to ageing with self-acceptance. Nici also gets real about prioritising mental health as we explore themes of solitude, self-expression, and the serenity found in cooking for oneself.  Whether it's in the kitchen, navigating boundaries, or finding peace in the chaos, this conversation is a heartfelt invitation to celebrate ourselves and savour some of life’s simplest pleasures. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for the first episode of Grey Areas Season 6 as we sit down with award-winning journalist, doco-maker and loveable rogue Patrick Gower to discuss his unfiltered memoir, This Is the F#$%ing News. In this candid conversation, Paddy gets vulnerable about the toxic cocktail of alcoholism, bullying and work addiction that brought about a mental breakdown – and would ultimately lead him to embrace authenticity and give up the booze for good. Having overcome inner turmoil and his self-described “massive ego”, Paddy shares how he has turned his darkest moments into a source of purpose. His story is a testament to the power of confronting personal demons and emerging stronger on the other side. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kia ora! I'm Petra, and welcome to Grey Areas, back for its sixth season. We're diving deep into the conversations that matter—those tricky, often unspoken topics that can powerfully shape our lives. Throughout this season, I sit down with incredible New Zealanders who aren't afraid to tackle the tough stuff. We explore subjects like endometriosis, our complex relationships with our bodies, singleness, loneliness, and the inner dialogue we all have—sometimes critical, sometimes empowering. I'm excited to bring you conversations with amazing guests, including journalist Paddy Gower, broadcaster Susie Ferguson, and beloved cook and author Nici Wickes.  Plus we'll look ahead to life's next chapters—beyond the hormones and emotional turbulence—asking ourselves, "What does it mean to be retirement-ready?" and "What do we want from the next season of our lives?" Because we all know it's about more than just money, (even though that helps!) This season, we're also welcoming our first international guest, Dr. Hillary McBride, who will share her wisdom on how we can reconnect with our bodies in meaningful ways. Creating Grey Areas is some of the most fulfilling work of my life, and I'm so grateful to have you on this journey with me. Together, we have the opportunity to engage in conversations that just might spark revolutionary thinking. So come, join me around this virtual campfire as we launch Season 6. New episodes drop weekly starting October 3rd on rova or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting up at stupid-o’clock every weekday morning to perform in front of the nation requires a certain type of strength and stamina. Add perimenopause to the pressure cooker of live television and you’ve got yourself a potent cocktail of challenges. Part of Jenny-May Clarkson’s secret is the dynamic partnership she’s forged with her husband Dean. In this episode they share the story of their second-chance-at-love romance, and how their differences complement each other in raising twins, working hard, and navigating major life transitions. Jenny-May also shares about receiving her moko kauae (traditional Māori tattoo), and how understanding and embracing her heritage has invited her inner critic to take a back seat. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having children and becoming a mother is a huge part of our collective cultural script. When you’re single, the question is ‘when are you going to find someone?’ When you find someone, the question becomes ‘when are you having children?’ So what about the many women who don’t have children, either by choice, circumstance or because they’re unable to? Otherhood is a newly published book of essays on being childless, childfree and child-adjacent. Lil O’Brien and Kathryn van Beek are two of the editors of this anthology, which charts the challenges, joys and griefs that being without children brings, and has also inadvertently created space and a lovely community for people who aren’t mothers. Ka pai! Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a culture of unhealthy comparison and burdensome perfectionism, how do we cultivate an openness to getting it wrong? … Like, really get down and dirty with failure and understand how necessary it is for growth and basically learning anything at all. Dr Jin Russell’s intimidating bio reads like the ultimate perfectionist’s achievement list. She’s a Consultant Developmental Paediatrician at Starship Children’s Health and a researcher in public health, investigating the impact of poverty on children. She’s won clinical awards, competitive research grants, has multiple degrees including a PhD, and sits on several boards. She’s spoken publicly on behalf of vulnerable children. Oh, and she’s a mum – no biggie. Yet in spite of her achievements and accolades, she’s keenly interested in what failure can produce in us, and how to pursue excellence without being weighed down by the impossible pursuit of perfection. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world of investing has long been dominated by men, but did you know that the women who do invest typically do better than their male counterparts? Honestly, it’s never been easier with the technology now available to us, so let’s figure out what positive action we can take because the good news is it’s never too late to get amongst it. Victoria Harris is passionate about women taking control of their financial futures. Along with her podcast co-host, Sophie Hallwright, she founded Raising The Curve to help wāhine do just that. Later in the episode Kirstien Taylor from Generate Kiwisaver talks about the simple things that we can do now to better prepare ourselves for retirement. Check out Victoria and Sophie's podcast The Curve. Disclaimer: No part of this podcast is intended as financial advice; it is intended as general information only. For more information about the Generate KiwiSaver Scheme see their Product Disclosure Statement at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds. The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are moments in time where issues that have lurked in the shadows reach a tipping point and break into the public consciousness. Now is such a time for neurodiversity and ADHD. We are ready for healthier, more embracing conversations about how different brains work. TV presenter and actor Sonia Gray is on a quest to make life better for neurodiverse children and their families since her own tempestuous journey with daughter Inez. Her experiences and research has also led to discovering some of the mysteries of her own brain and how she’s uniquely wired! This is personal. Sonia opens a window into the difficulty of raising neurodiverse children in a world that often doesn’t value difference, and explores the pain of being misunderstood. Sonia shares her public journey as an advocate, as well as her private journey towards loving self-acceptance. For more podcasts on the topic check out Sonia's own podcast series No Such Thing As Normal, as well as the ADHD episode of Are You Mental? by Mick Andrews. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Open a refreshing window to the world of creativity with Dr. Selina Tusitala Marsh as we riff on creativity and poetry. Turns out you don’t have to give it up after high school. Selina, an accomplished poet, academic, and illustrator, shares profound insights and captivating tales from her journey, which includes becoming NZ’s official poet (aka Poet Laureate), an unconventional marriage break up, and being honoured as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. From the physicality of marathons to the tranquillity of walking, we discuss the evolution of our creative lives and the surprises ageing invites us into.  With her trademark wisdom and wit, Selina shares the transformational role of poetry in empowering Pasifika leaders and reflects on the expansive nature of creativity, such as making a cup of tea with love… does it taste any different? Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot on the heels of launching her new book Evolving, Judy Bailey sat down with Petra to talk all things ageing. At 72 years old, Judy has a sparkle that's infectious. Her credentialed career as a journalist, along with her natural curiosity and sense of fun make her an ideal guide to navigate the landscape of ageing, and explore the latest research on how to do it well. It’s exciting to hear that since leaving television, Judy is having some of the most fulfilling years of her life! Naturally, they haven’t been without trials, including navigating her husband Chris’s cancer diagnosis. Be encouraged by Judy’s insights and enthusiasm and take meaningful action for your future now, knowing you can do it with a twinkle in your eye, throughout your golden years. Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're kicking off Season 5 with our LIVE recording of a fun and fascinating panel discussion tackling pleasure, intimacy, and love in midlife and menopause with writer Niki Bezzant and relationship coach Meg Cowan. Niki Bezzant is a trained journalist whose book This Changes Everything: the honest guide to menopause and perimenopause has, for thousands of New Zealanders, shed light on the oddly overlooked experience of women and ageing. Diving into sexuality, intimacy and desire in her upcoming book The Everything Guide Niki tackles a raft of ‘sex myths for grown-ups’ and shows us we’re not alone in navigating the highs and lows of our sexual journeys. Meg Cowan is a sex & relationship coach who’s created The Couples Guide to Hotter Sex in 10 Days! and The Shame-free Sex Course, delivering empowering practical skills to people all around the world. Meg is pro-pleasure, practical and positive - and believes we can all find our way to magnificent sexual expression whatever our season. The night also featured a special musical appearance from Aro - the creators of the Grey Areas waiata/theme song Korimako. Catch Aro's brand new album out 19th April! Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kia ora! Petra here and we’re getting ready for Season 5! 5 feels like a milestone… off to school and all that, growing up literally - thanks for coming on this journey with me - hasn’t it been fun and also fascinating!?!  We have built up quite the collection of stories and questions to travel with us into our next season - hopefully with more compassion, humour and  courageous can-do. Let’s keep going!  Who would have thought we’d talk about vulval skin health, pelvic floors, boobs bones and all the things menopause! There is plenty left to yarn about, so many great stories to share and I hope that in sharing stories of our wonderful guests and their ‘grey areas’ - you feel more at home in your own skin, head and heart. This season I’m joined by more fabulous guests including authors Judy Bailey, Niki Bezzant and Selina Tusitala Marsh, presenter Sonia Gray and sex coach Meg Cowan. We go fossicking about in experiences of perfectionism and adult diagnosis of ADHD, take personal journeys into creativity, relationship changes like separation and even ageing on purpose, as well as a particular highlight of mine - talking about pleasure, intimacy and love in mid-life with two awesome wāhine - live on stage - that’s right we did a live event and I LOVED IT! So join me for Season 5 of Grey Areas with Petra Bagust! New episodes drop weekly from April 18th on rova, or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Film reviewer extraordinaire Kate Rodger joins Grey Areas for another laugh-filled chat about stepping outside of her ‘lane’, dealing with feelings of overwhelm, and the progress she's making on her personal goals. Kate brings her trademark humour and wildly generous way with words to a conversation about new challenges, making time for what’s important, and never being afraid to have a good ol’ cry in the staff loos. If you want to hear more from Kate check out her earlier episode The edges of menopause from Season 2! Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iconic broadcaster Robert Rakete returns to Grey Areas, joining Petra for a candid and uplifting kōrero. Robert has been discovering more of his whakapapa as he continues to learn Te Reo Māori, and shares his love of embracing the beginner's mind, facing fears and embracing failure. Plus Robert catches Petra up on his recent prostate check-up! 👀 If you want to hear more scintillating stories from Robert check out his episode Recovering identity from Season 1! Support the show: https://greyareas.nz/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices