The Pink Pineapple Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Paulina Cecula, Co-Founder of Dama Health, about why women’s health prescribing still relies too heavily on trial and error, and how AI, data and personalisation could change that.We explore hormone therapy, prescribing inequities, pharmacogenetics, clinical AI, women’s health data gaps, responsible model development, and what it really takes to build in women’s health.

Most women are told to prepare for birth, but far fewer are prepared for the emotional, psychological, and identity shift that can come with motherhood. In this powerful episode, we speak with Vanessa Rio, founder of Mothering Minds, about the hidden mental health crisis affecting new parents and why so many still suffer in silence.Vanessa shares her journey from linguistics and journalism into women’s health innovation, and explains why specialist perinatal mental health support should be seen as essential care, not a luxury. We explore intrusive thoughts, postpartum stigma, overlooked maternal identity shifts, and the concept of matrescence: the profound brain and body transformation that occurs through motherhood.We also discuss how technology can widen access to expert support, why fathers and partners matter in the conversation, and what modern maternity systems should look like if they truly prioritised family wellbeing.A vital listen for parents, clinicians, and anyone interested in where women’s health meets what’s next.

Explore how Nancy Scotford and her team are developing groundbreaking hardware to improve sexual pleasure, health, and understanding across a woman’s lifetime. This episode reveals the science, technology, and social impact behind their innovative approach.In this episode:Nancy shares how Get Rude's device focuses on sustaining and enhancing the pleasure state, rather than quick orgasms typical of traditional sex toys.The importance of personalized and micro-erogenous zone targeting, and how real-time measurement enables tailored experiences.The potential of long-term health insights from sexual response data, including links to sleep, heart rate variability, and overall wellbeing.Challenges of hardware development, data security, user privacy, and navigating regulatory pathways towards medical device classification.Marketing strategies amidst societal taboos and the creative workaround using brand naming to share impactful health data.The future vision: integrating with wearables, screening for sexual dysfunction, and expanding inclusivity for diverse genders and experiences.Nancy's advice for overcoming shame and seeking support for sexual dissatisfaction or dysfunction.The journey of building a groundbreaking product in an underserved, taboo space and the motivation that drives her mission.

Motherhood changes everything, but our systems still behave as if women should simply bounce back. In this episode, Mari-Carmen Sanchez-Morris, founder of Matresa, joins us to talk about matrescence, the hidden transition into motherhood, and why postnatal support remains so fragmented. We explore maternal mental health, the gaps in education and care after birth, the role of workplaces, and how tech could help build the infrastructure mothers actually need.

In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Emma Thornton and Claudia speak to Ella Harris, Founder and CEO of UVISA, about one of women’s health’s most common but least comfortably discussed issues: vaginal dysbiosis. We explore why so many women end up self-diagnosing, why current treatment pathways can feel repetitive and frustrating, and what happens when innovation finally enters a space that has been underserved for far too long. Ella explains how UVISA’s reusable light-therapy device is being developed as a non-pharmacological approach to common vaginal infections, and shares the science, the product journey, and the realities of building a women’s health medical device company. The conversation also explores clinical trials, startup funding, grants, cash flow, and what founders really need to know when taking an idea from concept to market.

In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Claudia and Emma speak with Dr Jordan Abdi, CEO and co-founder of U-Ploid Biotechnologies, about one of the most important and misunderstood aspects of fertility: egg quality.Jordan explains the biology behind how eggs age and why chromosomal errors become more common over time. The conversation explores how U-Ploid’s technology aims to address this challenge directly, with a new approach designed to prevent chromosomal separation errors during egg development.Along the way, the discussion touches on fertility myths, the limitations of embryo-focused research, the responsible use of biomarkers like AMH, and how emerging fertility technologies may shift the field towards earlier, more personalised interventions.It’s a fascinating deep dive into reproductive biology, biotech innovation, and what the future of fertility care could look like.Link to the HFEA treatment add-ons traffic light system that Jordan mentions in the show: https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/treatment-add-ons/

Urinary tract infections affect millions of women, yet many still feel their symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed.In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Emma and Claudia speak with digital health leader, advisor and women’s health advocate Katherine Church about women’s experiences with UTIs, the limitations of current care pathways, and emerging innovations in diagnostics, prevention, and policy.Katherine also shares her own journey through digital health and her passion for improving women’s health experiences globally.From new testing technologies to the future of women-centred healthcare, this episode explores how the conversation around UTIs may be starting to change.

In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, we explore the emerging field of continuous hormone monitoring through wearable technology.Jenny Duan, CEO and co-founder of Clair Health, joins us to discuss their wrist-worn device designed to generate ongoing hormone trend insights for estrogen, progesterone, LH and FSH.We talk about how this technology works, what clinical validation involves, the realities of regulation, and what it could mean for the future of women’s health data.Could hormone tracking one day become as routine as heart rate monitoring?If you’re interested in women’s health innovation, AI-driven wearables or the future of hormone tracking, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In Slice 17, we sit down with Nina Van Schaick, midwife and COO of PeriPear, to talk about one of the least discussed yet most common complications of childbirth: perineal trauma.We explore the reality of tearing, including obstetric anal sphincter injury, the long term physical and psychological impact on women, and the surprising lack of awareness before birth.We also unpack the evidence behind warm compresses, shown to significantly reduce severe tears, and how PeriPear is developing a medical device designed to standardise perineal support during labour.It is clinical. It is honest. And it is a conversation we should have started years ago.

In Slice 16, we are joined by Dr Tom Chambers, somnologist and co founder of Theta Sleep, to explore why sleep medicine needs a rethink, especially for women. From underdiagnosed sleep apnoea and insomnia to the impact of pregnancy and menopause on sleep, we discuss the gender differences that are often overlooked. We also dive into the rise of tech enabled sleep clinics, the pros and cons of sleep wearables, and why the best sleep advice might be simple but powerful.

Emma and Claudia are joined by Charlotte Lewis, femtech lawyer and co-author of the FemHealth Focus Report, to unpack the real barriers holding women’s health back.They explore why women’s health remains underfunded, how regulation is often misunderstood, and what needs to change across investment, policy and innovation to close the gender health gap. The conversation also looks ahead - at the role of community, the NHS, and the growing potential of AI in women’s health.

In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Claudia Pastides and Emma Thornton speak with Chiara Board, the scientist-founder behind P Happi, about her journey from repeated UTIs to launching a first-of-its-kind daily intimate serum designed to support and protect the vaginal microbiome.Chiara explains why the vaginal microbiome has long been under-researched compared with the gut, how hormonal changes can destabilise natural flora, and why a microbiome-protective serum offers a way forward for women suffering with recurrent UTIs and discomfort. Drawing on her personal lived experience and rigorous science, Chiara and the hosts dig into what it takes to develop credible women’s health products, the importance of integrating microbiome-friendly care into primary care pathways, and why empowering women in STEM is essential for future innovation.This episode blends lived experience, biotech insight, and practical takeaways for women, clinicians and innovators alike.

In Slice Thirteen of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Emma and Claudia are joined by Michelle Griffin, a former obstetrician-gynaecologist turned health tech advisor, to talk about fibroids - one of the most common yet least understood conditions affecting women.They explore why fibroids are so often normalised, what symptoms women are expected to tolerate, and how gaps in education and diagnosis continue to delay care. Michelle shares her journey from clinical medicine into health tech, and why better tools, clearer communication and earlier education could radically change how fibroids are understood and treated.A thoughtful, honest conversation about moving beyond “it’s just normal” - and towards better understanding and better solutions.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Julie Hammond, GP, CEO of Mamar, and maternal health advocate, for a deeply honest conversation about pregnancy loss, neurodiversity, and why postnatal care so often fails women.We talk about the silence around loss, the mental load of early motherhood, cultural sensitivity in care, and why mothers themselves are still too easily overlooked by health systems. Julie also shares how Mamar was built to close these gaps - with practical, compassionate support that fits into real lives.This is an episode about care, equity, and finally designing systems that hold women - not just babies.

In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, hosts Emma and Claudia are joined by Dr Derrick Khor - cancer doctor, health-tech consultant, and co-founder of Medical Consulting Group - for an honest and timely conversation about male allyship in women’s health and FemTech.Derrick shares what drew him into advocating for women’s health, why allyship is more than performative support, and how men can use their visibility, influence, and capital responsibly in a space historically underfunded and over-policed.Together, the trio unpack:what genuine allyship actually looks like in practicethe ethics of investing in women’s healthhow consulting in women’s health is evolvingand what aspiring health-tech professionals can do right now to contribute meaningfullyThis is a thoughtful, nuanced discussion about power, responsibility, collaboration - and why progress in women’s health requires everyone to show up better.

In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Rosie Webster, behavioural scientist and health coach, to unpack why New Year’s resolutions (especially around weight) so often fail women (and men) - and what actually works instead.This is a refreshingly honest conversation about:why January creates unrealistic pressurehow “all-or-nothing” thinking sabotages behaviour changewhy weight-centric goals backfirehow GLP-1s fit into (and sometimes worsen) the stigma conversationand what focusing on behaviours - not bodies - really meansIt’s compassionate, evidence-based, and a much-needed antidote to diet culture noise.We also discuss where health tech companies are going wrong in the ways they approach behaviour change and how to create impactful health tech products.You can find Rosie and sign up for her January newsletters here: https://www.reframehealth.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reframehealth.uk/

In this episode, Emma and Claudia reflect on the defining moments in women’s health and femtech in 2025. From the WHOOP controversy and the rise of GLP-1 medications to major funding commitments, censorship in women’s health, and the realities faced by female founders, they unpack what this year revealed about the evolving health-tech landscape — and what it might mean as we head into 2026.

In this episode, Emma and Claudia (Doctors and experienced health tech enthusiasts) unpack what it really takes to get into health tech. From personal branding and networking to transferable clinical skills and CVs that actually work, they share honest advice, common misconceptions, and practical steps for clinicians looking to make the move in 2026.

Endometriosis is still widely under-diagnosed, with many women facing years of uncertainty.In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Claudia and Emma speak to Molly Jowsey, co-founder of Revela.We explore how technology and better data are changing the path to diagnosis — from patient insight to surgical planning — and where tools like Revela can genuinely make a difference.We also discuss why women’s pain is so often underestimated, and how lived experience can drive smarter women’s health tech.

Phase co-founder Maggie McDaris joins us to discuss the link between hormones and how we think, feel, and work. We explore the evidence behind cycle-related cognitive changes and how Phase turns that science into practical insights. A smart, empowering conversation about understanding your biology and planning your month with more intention.

In this episode, Claudia and Emma sit down with Dr Eleonora Benhar from Natural Cycles to unpack the science behind the world’s first FDA-cleared digital contraceptive. They explore how the app uses temperature and menstrual data to accurately predict fertility, why cycle education is still so lacking, and how features like Go Anonymous protect user privacy. The conversation also looks ahead to wearables, perimenopause, and what the future of evidence-based women’s health tech might hold.

In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Claudia and Emma sit down with Dr Fran Conti-Ramsden — obstetrics and gynaecology doctor, clinical researcher, and CMO of MEGI Health — for a powerful deep dive into one of the most misunderstood conditions in women’s health: preeclampsia.Fran explains why this complex pregnancy disease looks different in every woman, why it can appear after birth, and how it dramatically increases long-term cardiovascular risk. The conversation uncovers the major blind spots in postpartum care, the overlooked importance of interpregnancy health, and why so many women are never told about the lifetime implications of preeclampsia.We explore how MEGI Health is using AI, remote monitoring and smarter self-management tools to reshape the future of pregnancy hypertension — empowering patients, supporting clinicians, and helping prevent avoidable complications.This episode shines a light on the huge research gap in women’s cardiovascular health, the inequities in funding, and why the next wave of innovation in maternal health must be data-driven, personalised and continuous — not just focused on pregnancy, but every stage before and after it.

In this episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Claudia and Emma sit down with physiotherapist and health-tech founder Jenni Dowley to unpack one of the most overlooked parts of women’s health: our bones.Together, they explore why bone density drops with age, how GLP-1 weight-loss meds can accelerate bone loss, and why strength training, protein, calcium and vitamin D are non-negotiables for lifelong bone health. Jenni also shares the story behind her Building Bones app — designed to help women take control with personalised, science-backed programmes.A must-listen for anyone wanting to prevent osteoporosis, stay strong, and understand the real foundations of long-term health.

In this powerful second episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast, Dr Claudia and Dr Emma sit down with Anna O’Sullivan - co-founder of CensHERship and founder of Future FemHealth to peel back the hidden layers of censorship in women’s health.Anna shares the story behind her advocacy work and reveals how women’s health content is routinely restricted, muted, or removed across major platforms - and why this disproportionately harms femtech founders, educators, and users seeking trustworthy information.Together, they explore:the subtle and overt ways social platforms censor women’s health topics,the financial and operational hurdles this creates for femtech businesses,what happens when financial services block or limit women’s health companies, andthe systemic issues standing in the way of progress and the solutions that could change everything.Anna also dives into key findings from her recent censorship white paper (https://www.censhership.co.uk/white-paper), and spotlights the exciting innovations emerging in women’s health despite these barriers.If you’ve ever wondered why women’s health is still fighting to be heard online - or how femtech founders can navigate an unfair digital landscape - this episode is essential listening.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Pink Pineapple Podcast - where we peel back the layers of women’s health, digital health, and everything in between.In this debut episode, Dr Claudia and Dr Emma sit down with Jas Schembri-Stothart, co-founder of Luna, the groundbreaking app supporting teen health and wellbeing.Together, they explore what today’s teens are really worried about - from periods and anxiety to body image and online misinformation - and how Luna helps both young people and their parents navigate these conversations with confidence and evidence-based advice.If you’ve ever wondered what your teen is reading online about health, or how to open up better conversations at home, this episode is for you.