Well.

In this episode of Well, Claire and Dr Mariam sit down with writer, speaker, visibility activist and influencer Carly Findlay to talk about her inflammatory skin condition, Ichthyosis. For years, we've watched her deal with the pain and frustration through the low moments and quite a few lovely highs too - always with a fabulous outfit. Through it all, she has been educating, entertaining and allowing us into her space so that we might learn how to help those around us with visible conditions. From the exhaustion of constantly educating strangers to the sheer joy of reclaiming her narrative through fashion, Carly has reminded us of the great lesson that we don’t have to hide away just to make others feel comfortable! In this candid conversation, Carly discusses the intersection of rare disease and the medical system, navigating a cancer diagnosis while managing a complex skin condition, and why - even when experiencing chronic pain or a scary diagnosis - we all deserve to feel f*cking fabulous. So wear the bright dress and take up space! THE END BITS All your health information is in the Well Hub. We understand that conversations about cancer can be difficult, whether you're navigating your own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or remembering someone you've lost. If today's episode has brought up difficult feelings, please reach out. The Cancer Council offers a confidential support line staffed by specialist nurses, and you can call them on 13 11 20. And if you just need to talk to someone immediately, you can always call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Remember to be kind to yourself, and please don't hesitate to seek support. GET IN TOUCH Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here. Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok. Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber CREDITS Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam Guest: Carly Findlay Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best Audio Producer: Scott Stronach Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Producer: Elly Moore Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does having darker skin really protect you from skin cancer? Can you imagine getting a Pap smear every single day for 21 years just to help your husband’s research? And, what do you do if your vagina involuntarily “clenches” during sex. In this episode, we speak to Professor Georgina Long, Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) and 2024 Australian of the Year, to decode Australia’s complicated relationship with the sun. We talk about the "ABCDE" rule for checking your moles, whether darker skin tones are at less risk of melanoma and why you should be taking photos of your skin spots.Plus, in Med School, Claire and Dr Mariam pay tribute to the unsung heroines of medical history - from the wife of Dr. Papanicolaou (who underwent daily pap smears for 21 years ) to Anarcha Westcott, the enslaved woman known as the 'mother of modern gynecology', who endured 30 experimental surgeries without anaesthesia.And, in our Quick Consult, Dr Mariam helps a listener named Sarah who is struggling with Vaginismus. We break down exactly what this condition is, why it is a physical reflex rather than "just in your head" and the multidisciplinary team you need to help reclaim your sex life.THE END BITS All your health information is in the Well Hub. If you've been putting off a skin check, this is your sign to book it. For more information on sun safety, visit the Cancer Council. We understand that conversations about cancer can be difficult, whether you're navigating your own diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or remembering someone you've lost. If today's episode has brought up difficult feelings, please reach out. The Cancer Council offers a confidential support line staffed by specialist nurses, and you can call them on 13 11 20. For more specific information on the topics we discussed today, organisations like the Cancer Council, the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation, and the Melanoma & Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN) provide dedicated advocacy, education and community support for patients impacted by all forms of skin cancer. And if you just need to talk to someone immediately, you can always call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Remember to be kind to yourself, and please don't hesitate to seek support. GET IN TOUCH Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here. Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok. Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber CREDITS Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam Guest: Professor Georgina Long Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best Audio Producer: Scott Stronach Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Producer: Elly Moore Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does your dermatologist want you to throw out your doona immediately? Why do nurses desperately need you to stop lying about how that foreign object got stuck inside you? And, what is the real reason for your recurrent vaginal infections? In this episode, we speak to Rodney Sinclair, Professor of Dermatology at The University of Melbourne, to tackle the confusion between dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. He explains the genetic origins of eczema, why most people stop their treatment too soon and he shares his theory on why your choice of bed cover might be aggravating your itchy skin. We cover everything from if it is really possible to “grow out” of eczema, the difference between treating a flare-up and maintaining remission and why five-minute lukewarm showers are a non-negotiable. Plus, Dr Mariam and Claire deliver a crucial PSA on behalf of nurses and doctors everywhere regarding foreign objects being put where the sun doesn’t shine. And, in our Quick Consult, Dr Mariam answers a frustrated listener’s question about recurrent thrush and Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) - and if their partner could be unknowingly reinfecting them…THE END BITS All your health information is in the Well Hub. Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here. Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok. Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber CREDITS Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam Guest: Professor Rodney Sinclair Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best Audio Producer: Scott Stronach Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Producer: Elly Moore Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When do ‘preventative’ injections cross the line and start making you look older? Can wearing a bra to bed really prevent sagging? And do you need to see a gynaecologist if you've never had sex? In this episode, we speak to Consultant Dermatologist and Specialist Cosmetic Injector, Dr Cara McDonald to get the truth about anti-ageing, skincare ingredients and cosmetic procedures. She gives her expert rating (out of 10) for the most popular skincare ingredients - from your hyaluronic acids to your retinoids - and if they’re really that great in the fight against ageing.We cover everything from why the operator is more important than the device, the dangers of over-filling and when removing all movement from your face can actually backfire… Dr Mariam breaks down the serious risks of ‘cosmetic tourism’, the differences between a ‘Plastic Surgeon’ and ‘cosmetic surgeon’ and how to identify a properly credentialed practitioner. Plus, we settle the "to bra in bed or not to bra in bed" debate, and whether it has any proven impact on sagging. And, in our quick consult, Dr Mariam answers a listener’s question about whether you still need to see that doctor if you've never done the deed. THE END BITS All your health information is in the Well Hub. Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here. Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok. Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber CREDITS Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam Guest: Dr Cara McDonald Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best Audio Producer: Scott Stronach Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Producer: Elly Moore Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of No Filter, Kate Langbroek sits down with Mel Robbins, the woman who has turned life advice into a global movement. Mel’s journey from nearly losing everything to becoming one of the most influential voices in self-help is nothing short of remarkable. She’s built a brand, a business, and a worldwide following—and she’s here to share the lessons that could help you take control of your own life. Mel opens up about the struggles that shaped her biggest insights, explains her ‘Let Them’ theory and how it can change the way you approach your life, and shares how she transformed advice into a business and a global movement. She also reveals practical tips to stop overthinking and start living, and exclusively for Australian and New Zealand fans, Mel shares some huge news you won’t want to miss. If your life feels messy, chaotic, or overwhelming, this episode is packed with insights and strategies to help you get out of chaos mode—and start living on your terms. THE END BITS: Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here. Discover more Mamamia podcasts here. CREDITS: Guest: Mel Robbins Host: Kate Langbroek Executive Producer: Naima Brown Senior Producer: Bree Player Audio Producer: Jacob Round Video Producer: Josh Green GET IN TOUCH: Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here. Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok. All your health information is in the Well Hub. Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.