Grey Areas with Petra Bagust

• When ADHD meets perimenopause | Petra & friends (with special guest Dr Greg Finucane)

  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

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• Season 7 kicks off March 6th!

  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

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• Let’s end cervical cancer in Aotearoa | Dr Bev Lawton

  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

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• Rethinking fitness and hormones | Dr Stacy Sims + Financial fitness with Generate

  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

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• When friends are whānau | Suzanne Lynch, Tina Cross + Jackie Clarke (The Lady Killers)

  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

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