Owning Space

Sexual Wellness, Modern Womanhood & The Manosphere with Emilie Lavinia

In this episode of Owning Space, I sit down with Emilie Lavinia, Wellbeing Editor at The Independent, host of the Well Enough podcast and writer of the All Being Well newsletter, to explore sexual wellness, modern womanhood and the cultural forces shaping how women experience health and relationships today. We discuss what is really driving the wellness industry, from empowerment to wellness washing, and question what it actually means to be well in a space that is increasingly commercialised. We also explore the pressures placed on women in modern society, from performance culture to identity, and how these shape the way women relate to their bodies, health and self worth. We talk openly about porn, shame and intimacy, and examine the growing influence of the manosphere, exploring what it reveals about shifting gender dynamics, power and the cultural backlash facing women today. This is a sharp, honest and culturally informed conversation about the realities of being a woman today. Find Emilie on Instagram: @emilielaviniauk [https://www.instagram.com/emilielaviniauk/⁠] If you’re enjoying Owning Space, follow the podcast on Spotify and Apple so you don’t miss future episodes, it really helps the show grow. Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @owningspacepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/owningspacepodcast] Watch the full video version on ⁠YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OwningSpace]

ADHD, PMDD and Why Women’s Hormones Hit Differently with Alice Van Der Schoot

In this episode of Owning Space, I’m joined by neuroscientist and founder of Ditto Daily, Alice Van Der Schoot, to explore the complex links between ADHD, PMDD, autism, Ehlers Danlos syndrome and endometriosis. We discuss why ADHD often presents differently in women, how hormonal shifts across the menstrual cycle influence dopamine and mood, and what brain imaging research reveals in PMDD. We also examine why ADHD and autism appear at significantly higher rates in people with Ehlers Danlos syndrome, and the emerging connective tissue theory that may help explain the overlap between body-wide and brain-based conditions. This is a research grounded conversation about hormone sensitivity, cyclical mood changes, misdiagnosis and the reality of living with multi system conditions that do not fit neatly into one category. We also touch on how when science evolves but medical systems don't, people are left behind. A vital listen for anyone navigating neurodivergence, PMDD, connective tissue disorders or complex women’s health challenges. #ADHDinWomen #PMDD #WomensHealth #NeurodivergentWomen #Endometriosis #EhlersDanlos #OwningSpacePodcast Find Ditto Daily here: Website: https://www.dittodaily.com [https://www.dittodaily.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ditto.daily [https://www.instagram.com/ditto.daily] Follow @owningspacepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/owningspacepodcast]for conversations that expand how we understand women’s health and strengthen women’s place in society. You can watch the full video version on YouTube, [https://www.youtube.com/@OwningSpace] or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Invisible Illness, Misdiagnosis and the Power of Patient Advocacy with Tilly Rose

What happens when you spend years being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and treated as a medical mystery? In this episode of Owning Space, Aneka is joined by author and patient advocate Tilly Rose to talk about invisible illness, systemic failure in healthcare, and the power of patient advocacy. After living with complex, multi-system symptoms for decades, Tilly was close to being discharged without a diagnosis. What followed was a turning point that changed everything, leading to life-saving answers, a global community, and a powerful new voice in women’s health. This conversation explores what it means to be unheard, the emotional toll of misdiagnosis, and how advocacy, persistence, and collective knowledge can save lives. A vital listen for anyone navigating chronic illness, medical gaslighting, or learning how to take up space within a system that too often overlooks women. Tilly’s book, Be Patient, is available here [https://www.waterstones.com/book/be-patient/tilly-rose/9781780726236] #WomensHealth #PatientAdvocacy #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllness #MedicalGaslighting #Misdiagnosis #HealthcareInequality #PatientVoice #HealthJustice #BePatient #OwningSpacePodcast

EDS, Hypermobility, the gut & ADHD with Alex Orfanides of HypermobilityHQ

Alex, Founder of Hypermobility HQ, joins me to talk about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, hypermobility and the realities of living with a connective tissue disorder. We explore the links between EDS, gut health, autoimmune conditions and ADHD, and why so many women with chronic pain, including those with endometriosis, are left unseen by traditional medicine. Alex also shares insights from her upcoming book Help! I’m Hypermobile and her belief that “incurable” does not mean “untreatable.” If you’re curious to learn more about hypermobility, EDS and how these conditions connect across the body and mind, this episode is for you. #EDS #Hypermobility #HypermobilityHQ #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #MedicalGaslighting #WomensHealth

Hysteria, Hysterectomies & Hope with Gabz Pearson

Gabriella (Gabz) Pearson has lived with endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibromyalgia, hypermobility and ongoing assessments for PMDD and ADHD. After six surgeries, including a recent hysterectomy, she shares her experience of being medically gaslit from childhood, masking pain, and navigating the decisions tied to fertility and identity. In this powerful conversation, Gabz opens up about the resilience it takes to self-advocate and the hope she’s found in community and advocacy through the Menstrual Health Project [https://menstrualhealthproject.org.uk/]. #Endometriosis #Adenomyosis #Fibromyalgia #PMDD #ADHD #ChronicIllness #MedicalGaslighting #Hysterectomy #WomenWithEndo #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #Hypermobility #WomensHealth #HealthAdvocacy #OwningSpacePodcast Explore more episodes at ⁠⁠⁠owningspace.co.uk⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.owningspace.co.uk/] and follow ⁠⁠⁠@owningspacepodcast⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/owningspacepodcast] on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/owningspacepodcast] and ⁠TikTok⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@owningspacepodcast] to keep the conversation going 💛 ✨ If you’ve enjoyed listening to Owning Space, or if this episode has resonated with you, please rate, review and subscribe - it really helps more people find the podcast and join the conversation.