Ladies, let's talk about sex, pelvic floors, leaking when we sneeze, and what really happens to our vaginas as we get older!

Did you know you can actually do too many Kegels? Or that changes during menopause can affect the length, flexibility and comfort of your vaginal canal? And why do some women lose interest in sex in midlife, while others discover a whole new level of intimacy and pleasure?

In this eye-opening, wonderfully candid conversation, Mel is joined by Lisa Fitzpatrick, a physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience and a special interest in women's pelvic and sexual health, and author of Sexy Menopause.

Together, they explore the changes happening to women's bodies during midlife, the pelvic health issues so many of us quietly put up with, and why understanding our bodies is such an important part of feeling confident, healthy and connected to ourselves.

Lisa also shares her deeply personal story of finding herself single at 51, navigating heartbreak and menopause, and rediscovering her confidence, sensuality and sense of self.

In this episode, we explore:


Why leaking when you laugh, sneeze or exercise isn't something you simply have to accept.


How doing too many Kegels could actually be contributing to pelvic floor problems.


What really happens to your vagina, pelvic tissues and sexual function during menopause.


Why libido can disappear in midlife — and what might help bring it back.


The connection between stress, emotional safety, relationships and sexual desire.


Practical ways to support pelvic health, intimacy and sexual wellbeing as we age.


Why midlife can be an opportunity to rediscover pleasure, confidence and connection with ourselves.

From the science of pelvic health to the deeply personal experience of rebuilding your life, this conversation is a reminder that getting older doesn't mean giving up on feeling sexy, confident or connected to your body.

Because sometimes, understanding ourselves a little better can change everything. 💗

Connect with LISA FITZPATRICK:
Website: https://lisafitzpatrick.com.au
Book: Sexy Menopause — https://sexymenopause.com

Connect with MEL HISTON: 
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!  
Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast 
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469
Website: heysoulsista.com 
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

🎧 Subscribe to Hey Soul Sista for more honest conversations, inspiring women's stories and expert wisdom on living well through midlife — body, mind and spirit.

Ladies, let's talk about sex, pelvic floors, leaking when we sneeze, and what really happens to our vaginas as we get older!
Did you know you can actually do too many Kegels? Or that changes during menopause can affect the length, flexibility and comfort of your vaginal canal? And why do some women lose interest in sex in midlife, while others discover a whole new level of intimacy and pleasure?
In this eye-opening, wonderfully candid conversation, Mel is joined by Lisa Fitzpatrick, a physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience and a special interest in women's pelvic and sexual health, and author of Sexy Menopause.
Together, they explore the changes happening to women's bodies during midlife, the pelvic health issues so many of us quietly put up with, and why understanding our bodies is such an important part of feeling confident, healthy and connected to ourselves.
Lisa also shares her deeply personal story of finding herself single at 51, navigating heartbreak and menopause, and rediscovering her confidence, sensuality and sense of self.
In this episode, we explore:
<ul>
<li>
Why leaking when you laugh, sneeze or exercise isn't something you simply have to accept.
</li>
<li>
How doing too many Kegels could actually be contributing to pelvic floor problems.
</li>
<li>
What really happens to your vagina, pelvic tissues and sexual function during menopause.
</li>
<li>
Why libido can disappear in midlife &mdash; and what might help bring it back.
</li>
<li>
The connection between stress, emotional safety, relationships and sexual desire.
</li>
<li>
Practical ways to support pelvic health, intimacy and sexual wellbeing as we age.
</li>
<li>
Why midlife can be an opportunity to rediscover pleasure, confidence and connection with ourselves.
</li>
</ul>
From the science of pelvic health to the deeply personal experience of rebuilding your life, this conversation is a reminder that getting older doesn't mean giving up on feeling sexy, confident or connected to your body.
Because sometimes, understanding ourselves a little better can change everything. 💗
Connect with LISA FITZPATRICK:
<ul>
<li>Website: <a href="https://lisafitzpatrick.com.au/">https://lisafitzpatrick.com.au</a></li>
<li>Book: Sexy Menopause &mdash; <a href="https://sexymenopause.com/">https://sexymenopause.com</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with MEL HISTON:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista! &nbsp;</li>
<li>Instagram @melissahiston</li>
<li>Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast&nbsp;</li>
<li>Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li>Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc">https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc</a></li>
<li>Apple Podcasts - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469">https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469</a></li>
<li>Website: heysoulsista.com&nbsp;</li>
<li>Website: gotyourbacksista.com</li>
</ul>
🎧 Subscribe to Hey Soul Sista for more honest conversations, inspiring women's stories and expert wisdom on living well through midlife &mdash; body, mind and spirit.

Physiotherapist Lisa Fitzpatrick reveals what really happens to our vaginas during menopause, how to protect our pelvic health, and the secrets to maintaining a healthy, fulfilling sex life through midlife and beyond.

How to Keep Your Vagina Alive & Your Sex Life Healthy

What happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels like the life you’re meant to be living?

Jackie Gillies — Australia’s most sought after psychic medium, TV star and founder of TransformU — returns to Hey Soul Sista for a powerful conversation about transformation, spiritual awakening and what happens when you finally start listening to yourself.

We talk about that moment so many women reach when they look at their lives and think, “What about me?” After years of being the partner, mother, friend, carer and everything to everyone else, there can come a point when something inside you starts asking for more.

Jackie shares why we often know we’ve outgrown a relationship, identity or way of living long before we have the courage to change it, why self-worth and boundaries are such an important part of transformation, and why the inner work can feel uncomfortable before it sets us free.

We also explore energy, manifestation, consciousness and how Jackie believes we can become more aware of the messages our body and inner knowing are already giving us.

And then the conversation takes a very Hey Soul Sista turn…

Jackie shares some extraordinary psychic experiences of her own, I tell her about a spooky encounter I had while travelling through Bosnia — and during our conversation, the lights suddenly go out and Jackie tells me my grandmother is in the room.

She then guides me through an intuitive exercise that I definitely wasn’t expecting.

If you’re in a season of change, questioning what comes next, or feeling called towards a different version of your life, this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear.

What happens when the life you&rsquo;ve built no longer feels like the life you&rsquo;re meant to be living?
Jackie Gillies &mdash; Australia&rsquo;s most sought after psychic medium, TV star and founder of TransformU &mdash; returns to Hey Soul Sista for a powerful conversation about transformation, spiritual awakening and what happens when you finally start listening to yourself.
We talk about that moment so many women reach when they look at their lives and think, &ldquo;What about me?&rdquo; After years of being the partner, mother, friend, carer and everything to everyone else, there can come a point when something inside you starts asking for more.
Jackie shares why we often know we&rsquo;ve outgrown a relationship, identity or way of living long before we have the courage to change it, why self-worth and boundaries are such an important part of transformation, and why the inner work can feel uncomfortable before it sets us free.
We also explore energy, manifestation, consciousness and how Jackie believes we can become more aware of the messages our body and inner knowing are already giving us.
And then the conversation takes a very Hey Soul Sista turn&hellip;
Jackie shares some extraordinary psychic experiences of her own, I tell her about a spooky encounter I had while travelling through Bosnia &mdash; and during our conversation, the lights suddenly go out and Jackie tells me my grandmother is in the room.
She then guides me through an intuitive exercise that I definitely wasn&rsquo;t expecting.
If you&rsquo;re in a season of change, questioning what comes next, or feeling called towards a different version of your life, this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear.

Jackie Gillies joins me for a powerful conversation about transformation, spiritual awakening, self-worth and learning to trust the inner knowing that tells us when it’s time for change.

Jackie Gillies: How to Navigate Life Transformations & Spiritual Awakening

What happens when motherhood looks nothing like the life you imagined?

When Holly Green’s son Joey was just three months old, doctors discovered a rare brain tumour growing around his optic nerves. After life-saving surgery, Holly and her husband Blake learned that Joey was completely and permanently blind.

Now almost two, Joey is learning to navigate a world he has never seen—and Holly and Blake are learning how to teach him.

In this deeply moving conversation, Holly shares the reality of raising a blind child: the therapies, the constant mental load, the grief that can arrive unexpectedly, and the extraordinary amount of thought that goes into teaching Joey things most of us never even realise we learn through sight.

From learning to walk with a cane and throw a ball, to understanding what a tree is, where food sits on a plate, and even what colours mean, Holly gives us a glimpse into the world through Joey’s experience.

But this conversation is about so much more than blindness.

Holly talks beautifully about grieving the life you thought you would have while still loving the life you do have; how trauma has changed her as a woman and a mother; and why going through the unimaginable has taught her to find enormous joy in the smallest, most ordinary moments.

And above all, she shares her hope for Joey: that he grows up knowing blindness is part of who he is, but it will never define him.

This is a conversation about motherhood, grief, disability, resilience, love—and learning to see the world in an entirely different way.

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend!

Connect with HOLLY GREEN: 
Instagram @holly__green__
TikTok @holly.may.green
Substack - https://hollygreen.substack.com/
Yoga classes - https://www.twineyogastudio.com/

Connect with MEL HISTON: 
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!  
Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast 
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469
Website: heysoulsista.com 
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

What happens when motherhood looks nothing like the life you imagined?
When Holly Green&rsquo;s son Joey was just three months old, doctors discovered a rare brain tumour growing around his optic nerves. After life-saving surgery, Holly and her husband Blake learned that Joey was completely and permanently blind.
Now almost two, Joey is learning to navigate a world he has never seen&mdash;and Holly and Blake are learning how to teach him.
In this deeply moving conversation, Holly shares the reality of raising a blind child: the therapies, the constant mental load, the grief that can arrive unexpectedly, and the extraordinary amount of thought that goes into teaching Joey things most of us never even realise we learn through sight.
From learning to walk with a cane and throw a ball, to understanding what a tree is, where food sits on a plate, and even what colours mean, Holly gives us a glimpse into the world through Joey&rsquo;s experience.
But this conversation is about so much more than blindness.
Holly talks beautifully about grieving the life you thought you would have while still loving the life you do have; how trauma has changed her as a woman and a mother; and why going through the unimaginable has taught her to find enormous joy in the smallest, most ordinary moments.
And above all, she shares her hope for Joey: that he grows up knowing blindness is part of who he is, but it will never define him.
This is a conversation about motherhood, grief, disability, resilience, love&mdash;and learning to see the world in an entirely different way.
👉 <strong data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-complete="true" data-processed="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend!
Connect with HOLLY GREEN:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Instagram @holly__green__</li>
<li>TikTok @holly.may.green</li>
<li>Substack - <a href="https://hollygreen.substack.com/">https://hollygreen.substack.com/</a></li>
<li>Yoga classes - <a href="https://www.twineyogastudio.com/">https://www.twineyogastudio.com/</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with MEL HISTON:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista! &nbsp;</li>
<li>Instagram @melissahiston</li>
<li>Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast&nbsp;</li>
<li>Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li>Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc">https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc</a></li>
<li>Apple Podcasts - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469">https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469</a></li>
<li>Website: heysoulsista.com&nbsp;</li>
<li>Website: gotyourbacksista.com</li>
</ul>

Holly Green shares the deeply personal reality of raising her blind son Joey, and how motherhood, grief and disability have taught her to see life—and what truly matters—in an entirely new way.

Raising a Blind Child: What I Have Learned About the World - with Holly Green

Ever wondered what actually happens immediately after someone passes away? We often talk about death from a soulful, spiritual perspective, but what about the raw, practical logistics?In this episode, I sit down with Amy-Lea Pettigrew, third-generation director of Pettigrew Family Funerals. Amy-Lea pulls back the curtain on an industry shrouded in mystery to answer the exact questions everyone wants to know but is too afraid to ask.

In this episode, we dive into:
The Immediate Logistics: Exactly what happens from a practical standpoint the moment someone dies.
Behind the Scenes: The realities of running a massive, multi-generational family funeral legacy.
The Unspoken Questions: How the industry has evolved since 1969 and what it’s really like dealing with death every single day.

Whether you’re deeply curious about the business of passing or just want to demystify the taboo, this episode offers a fascinating, grounding look into a world we will all encounter.

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend!

Connect with MEL HISTON: 
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!  
Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast 
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469
Website: heysoulsista.com 
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

<strong data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-complete="true" data-processed="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">Ever wondered what <em data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-complete="true" data-processed="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">actually happens immediately after someone passes away? We often talk about death from a soulful, spiritual perspective, but what about the raw, practical logistics?In this episode, I sit down with Amy-Lea Pettigrew, third-generation director of Pettigrew Family Funerals. Amy-Lea pulls back the curtain on an industry shrouded in mystery to answer the exact questions everyone wants to know but is too afraid to ask.
<strong data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-complete="true" data-processed="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">In this episode, we dive into:
<ul data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-ved="2ahUKEwjX5InGjZGXAxWok68BHR0mEtQQ-7AUegYIAAgPEAA" data-hveid="CAAIDxAA" data-complete="true" data-processed="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 12px 0px 16px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">
<li data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-hveid="CAAIDxAB" data-complete="true" data-sae="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);"><strong data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-complete="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">The Immediate Logistics: Exactly what happens from a practical standpoint the moment someone dies.</li>
<li data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-hveid="CAAIDxAC" data-complete="true" data-sae="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);"><strong data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-complete="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">Behind the Scenes: The realities of running a massive, multi-generational family funeral legacy.</li>
<li data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-hveid="CAAIDxAD" data-complete="true" data-sae="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);"><strong data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-complete="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">The Unspoken Questions: How the industry has evolved since 1969 and what it&rsquo;s really like dealing with death every single day.</li>
</ul>
Whether you&rsquo;re deeply curious about the business of passing or just want to demystify the taboo, this episode offers a fascinating, grounding look into a world we will all encounter.
👉&nbsp;<strong data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" data-complete="true" data-processed="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: &quot;Google Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend!
Connect with MEL HISTON:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista! &nbsp;</li>
<li>Instagram @melissahiston</li>
<li>Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast&nbsp;</li>
<li>Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li>Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc">https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc</a></li>
<li>Apple Podcasts - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469">https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469</a></li>
<li>Website: heysoulsista.com&nbsp;</li>
<li>Website: gotyourbacksista.com</li>
</ul>

Host, Mel Histon, and special guest, Amy-Lea Pettigrew, pull back the curtain on an industry shrouded in mystery to answer the exact questions everyone wants to know but is too afraid to ask.

Behind the Doors of a Funeral Home: The Practicalities of Death

For years, Australians welcomed Shelly Horton into their homes as a trusted TV presenter and journalist. Today, she's become one of the country's strongest advocates for women navigating midlife.

In this honest and inspiring conversation, Shelly shares how her own experience with perimenopause, confidence, and learning to advocate for herself completely changed the direction of her life and career.

Together, Mel and Shelly talk about the pressure women face to keep everything together, why so many symptoms are dismissed, how confidence changes through different seasons of life, and why speaking up—for yourself and for other women—has never been more important.

This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience and discovering that sometimes the challenges we never asked for become the purpose we were always meant to find.

In this episode:
Shelly's journey from television to advocacy
The reality of perimenopause and why so many women feel unheard
Rebuilding confidence in midlife
Why women need to stop apologising for taking up space
Self-advocacy in healthcare and everyday life
Finding purpose through life's unexpected challenges

Connect with Shelly Horton:
Follow Shelly on Instagram @shellyhorton1
Follow Shelly on Facebook @shellyhorton/journalist
Follow Shelly on TikTok @shellyhorton4
Subscribe to The Shelly Show on Substack https://substack.com/@shellyhorton
Buy Shelly’s book, I’m Your Peri Godmother Amazon
Listen to the book on Audible
Speak with Impact training with ShellShocked Media
Peri Godmother workplace training

Connect with Mel Histon:
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!  
Follow Hey Soul Sista on Instagram: @heysoulsistapodcast 
Follow Mel on Instagram: @melissahiston 
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista 
Website: heysoulsista.com
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

For years, Australians welcomed Shelly Horton into their homes as a trusted TV presenter and journalist. Today, she's become one of the country's strongest advocates for women navigating midlife.
In this honest and inspiring conversation, Shelly shares how her own experience with perimenopause, confidence, and learning to advocate for herself completely changed the direction of her life and career.
Together, Mel and Shelly talk about the pressure women face to keep everything together, why so many symptoms are dismissed, how confidence changes through different seasons of life, and why speaking up&mdash;for yourself and for other women&mdash;has never been more important.
This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience and discovering that sometimes the challenges we never asked for become the purpose we were always meant to find.
In this episode:
<ul data-start="1229" data-end="1536">
<li data-section-id="i774ke" data-start="1229" data-end="1275">Shelly's journey from television to advocacy</li>
<li data-section-id="jegib0" data-start="1276" data-end="1341">The reality of perimenopause and why so many women feel unheard</li>
<li data-section-id="1l3xkh8" data-start="1342" data-end="1376">Rebuilding confidence in midlife</li>
<li data-section-id="hw023h" data-start="1377" data-end="1433">Why women need to stop apologising for taking up space</li>
<li data-section-id="odghi7" data-start="1434" data-end="1481">Self-advocacy in healthcare and everyday life</li>
<li data-section-id="mqsklr" data-start="1482" data-end="1536">Finding purpose through life's unexpected challenges</li>
</ul>
Connect with Shelly Horton:
<ul>
<li>Follow Shelly on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shellyhorton1/">@shellyhorton1</a></li>
<li>Follow Shelly on Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/shellyhortonjournalist">@shellyhorton/journalist</a></li>
<li>Follow Shelly on TikTok&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@shellyhorton4">@shellyhorton4</a></li>
<li>Subscribe to The Shelly Show on Substack&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/@shellyhorton">https://substack.com/@shellyhorton</a></li>
<li>Buy Shelly&rsquo;s book, I&rsquo;m Your Peri Godmother&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Your-Peri-Godmother-happily-ever-after-perimenopause/dp/176150116X/ref=asc_df_176150116X?mcid=be6bf8956e26312db8a561a870a97ecc&amp;tag=googleshopdsk-22&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=712380760472&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=7811133655669412226&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9071636&amp;hvtargid=pla-2419221876853&amp;psc=1&amp;hvocijid=7811133655669412226-176150116X-&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;gad_source=1">Amazon</a></li>
<li>Listen to the book on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Im-Your-Peri-Godmother-Audiobook/B0FJ22M2KH">Audible</a></li>
<li><a href="https://shellshockedmedia.com/speak-with-impact-workshop/">Speak with Impact</a>&nbsp;training with ShellShocked Media</li>
<li><a href="https://shellshockedmedia.com/peri-godmother-at-your-workplace/">Peri Godmother</a>&nbsp;workplace training</li>
</ul>
Connect with Mel Histon:
<ul>
<li>Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista! &nbsp;</li>
<li>Follow Hey Soul Sista on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heysoulsistapodcast/">@heysoulsistapodcast&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>Follow Mel on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissahiston/">@melissahiston&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista&nbsp;</li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://heysoulsista.com/">heysoulsista.com</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.gotyourbacksista.com/">gotyourbacksista.com</a></li>
</ul>

TV presenter, journalist and women's advocate Shelly Horton shares how midlife transformed her purpose—and why every woman deserves to be heard.

Shelly Horton:  TV Presenter and One of Australia's Leading Voices for Women

Why don’t we trust politicians anymore — and can they win us back?

For the first episode of Season 21, I’m joined by two Hey Soul Sista favourites, Alex Morris and Jaimie Abbott, for a lively, honest and at times very funny conversation about politics, power and trust.

With Jaimie’s first-hand experience as a former political candidate and councillor, Alex’s perspective as a journalist and social commentator, and my own growing frustration with politics in Australia, we unpack why so many people feel disconnected from the people meant to represent them.

We talk about political spin, the media cycle, social media and outrage, why politicians can seem so out of touch, whether people are becoming more cynical or simply demanding better, and what it might actually take to rebuild trust.

Jaimie also shares what most people don’t see about the political world, including just how hard many politicians work behind the scenes, while Alex challenges us to think about the role we all play in the media and political ecosystem.

And perhaps most importantly, we ask whether there is still reason to feel hopeful.

Because maybe people haven’t stopped caring about politics.

Maybe they’ve stopped believing politics cares about them.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why trust in politicians has declined
• The difference between leadership and authority
• Why spin can be more damaging than simply admitting a mistake
• How social media and outrage shape political conversation
• What Jaimie learned from being inside politics
• Why listening may be one of the biggest things politicians are missing
• Whether ordinary people can still create meaningful change

This is not a left-versus-right conversation. It’s a conversation about trust, leadership, accountability, community and what we want from the people who represent us.

Connect with MEL HISTON: 
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!  
Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast 
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469
Website: heysoulsista.com 
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

Why don&rsquo;t we trust politicians anymore &mdash; and can they win us back?
For the first episode of Season 21, I&rsquo;m joined by two Hey Soul Sista favourites, Alex Morris and Jaimie Abbott, for a lively, honest and at times very funny conversation about politics, power and trust.
With Jaimie&rsquo;s first-hand experience as a former political candidate and councillor, Alex&rsquo;s perspective as a journalist and social commentator, and my own growing frustration with politics in Australia, we unpack why so many people feel disconnected from the people meant to represent them.
We talk about political spin, the media cycle, social media and outrage, why politicians can seem so out of touch, whether people are becoming more cynical or simply demanding better, and what it might actually take to rebuild trust.
Jaimie also shares what most people don&rsquo;t see about the political world, including just how hard many politicians work behind the scenes, while Alex challenges us to think about the role we all play in the media and political ecosystem.
And perhaps most importantly, we ask whether there is still reason to feel hopeful.
Because maybe people haven&rsquo;t stopped caring about politics.
Maybe they&rsquo;ve stopped believing politics cares about them.
In this episode, we explore:
&bull; Why trust in politicians has declined &bull; The difference between leadership and authority &bull; Why spin can be more damaging than simply admitting a mistake &bull; How social media and outrage shape political conversation &bull; What Jaimie learned from being inside politics &bull; Why listening may be one of the biggest things politicians are missing &bull; Whether ordinary people can still create meaningful change
This is not a left-versus-right conversation. It&rsquo;s a conversation about trust, leadership, accountability, community and what we want from the people who represent us.
Connect with MEL HISTON:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista! &nbsp;</li>
<li>Instagram @melissahiston</li>
<li>Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast&nbsp;</li>
<li>Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li>Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc">https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc</a></li>
<li>Apple Podcasts - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469">https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469</a></li>
<li>Website: heysoulsista.com&nbsp;</li>
<li>Website: gotyourbacksista.com</li>
</ul>

A candid, lively conversation about why so many people have lost trust in politicians — and what it might take to win that trust back.

Why We Don’t Trust Politicians Anymore — And Can They Win Us Back?

A brand-new season of Hey Soul Sista is coming!!

Season 21 is all about what it really means to live well through midlife — body, mind and spirit.

Join me - Mel Histon - for inspiring conversations with incredible women sharing their stories, alongside experts sharing their wisdom on health, wellbeing, confidence, spirituality and living a little more soulfully.

Because sometimes, another woman’s story — or one piece of wisdom at exactly the right time — can completely change how you see yourself and what’s possible for your life.

Season 21 begins September 15. Follow Hey Soul Sista now so you don’t miss an episode!

A brand-new season of Hey Soul Sista is coming!!
Season 21 is all about what it really means to live well through midlife &mdash; body, mind and spirit.
Join me - Mel Histon - for inspiring conversations with incredible women sharing their stories, alongside experts sharing their wisdom on health, wellbeing, confidence, spirituality and living a little more soulfully.
Because sometimes, another woman&rsquo;s story &mdash; or one piece of wisdom at exactly the right time &mdash; can completely change how you see yourself and what&rsquo;s possible for your life.
Season 21 begins September 15. Follow Hey Soul Sista now so you don&rsquo;t miss an episode!

TRAILER: A brand-new season of Hey Soul Sista is coming!!

TRAILER: A Brand-New Season of Hey Soul Sista — Coming Next Tuesday

A deep political and emotional divide is shaping the way women in America see their country, their safety, and their future — with left-leaning and right-leaning women often living in what feel like completely different realities.

In this timely and eye-opening episode, host Mel Histon, sits down with journalist and cultural commentator Alex Morris, who has just returned from the United States — and what she witnessed there speaks volumes about the state of women, politics, and public sentiment in America today.

From small Kentucky towns to national conversations, Alex shares the starkly different worlds that left-leaning and right-leaning Americans are living in — and why the divide feels deeper than ever.

Mel and Alex explore why Trump’s messaging on crime and safety lands so powerfully with certain women, the cultural narratives that shape how women on both sides see the world, and the emotional toll political polarization is taking on female identity, community, and confidence.

Connect with Alex Morris: 
Instagram @alexmorriswrite
Substack: alexmorriswrite.substack.com
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista

Connect with Mel Histon:
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!
Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Website: heysoulsista.com
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

A deep political and emotional divide is shaping the way women in America see their country, their safety, and their future &mdash; with left-leaning and right-leaning women often living in what feel like completely different realities.
In this timely and eye-opening episode, host Mel Histon, sits down with journalist and cultural commentator Alex Morris, who has just returned from the United States &mdash; and what she witnessed there speaks volumes about the state of women, politics, and public sentiment in America today.
From small Kentucky towns to national conversations, Alex shares the starkly different worlds that left-leaning and right-leaning Americans are living in &mdash; and why the divide feels deeper than ever.
Mel and Alex explore why Trump&rsquo;s messaging on crime and safety lands so powerfully with certain women, the cultural narratives that shape how women on both sides see the world, and the emotional toll political polarization is taking on female identity, community, and confidence.
Connect with Alex Morris:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Instagram @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/alexmorriswrite/">alexmorriswrite</a></li>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Substack: <a href="https://alexmorriswrite.substack.com/">alexmorriswrite.substack.com</a></li>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Watch the podcast video on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heysoulsista">@heysoulsista</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with Mel Histon:
<ul>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!</li>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Instagram @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissahiston/">melissahiston</a></li>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Instagram @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heysoulsistapodcast/">heysoulsistapodcast</a></li>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Watch the podcast video on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heysoulsista">@heysoulsista</a></li>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Website: <a href="https://heysoulsista.com/">heysoulsista.com</a></li>
<li data-start="663" data-end="1002">Website: gotyourbacksista.com</li>
</ul>

In this powerful episode, we explore the deep political and emotional divide shaping women’s lives in America today — and what journalist Alex Morris witnessed firsthand on her recent trip home.

Is America facing its Handmaid’s Tale? - with Alex Morris

What if the biggest lie we tell ourselves is: “I’ll do it tomorrow”?

In this episode of Hey Soul Sista, Geoff Rupp returns for a powerful conversation about why so many of us keep putting off the life we really want to live — and why the time to begin is now.

Fresh from two months in India, where he led a spiritual retreat through sacred planetary temples, Geoff shares what those experiences taught him about purpose, presence, self-love and the way we move through life.

We talk about why we can become trapped in the “ever-repeating known,” how fear and ego can quietly keep us playing small, and why taking even one small step toward the life you want can begin to change everything.

Geoff also shares one of the most confronting lessons he has learned from speaking with people nearing the end of their lives: we think we have more time than we do. We wait until the kids are older, until we retire, until we have more money, until life settles down — but sometimes tomorrow doesn’t unfold the way we imagined.

We explore:
Why Geoff believes we’re here to evolve, not simply move through life on autopilot
The difference between letting fear lead and trusting yourself
Why meditation and breathwork can help create greater clarity
How to stop looking outside yourself for happiness
Why relationships should complement you rather than complete you
The importance of putting yourself back on your own priority list
How taking one small action now can move you toward the life you really want
And Geoff shares stories from his extraordinary journey through India — including sacred fire ceremonies, ancient temples and an unexpected experience involving an emerald shivlingam that had reportedly not been brought out for years.

This conversation is a reminder that your life isn’t a waiting room.

If there’s something you’ve been telling yourself you’ll do “one day”… maybe this is your sign to begin.

** To find out more about Geoff's upcoming retreat to India, visit his website. Podcast listeners who enter the code SISTA upon registering for the retreat receives a $500 discount!!

Connect with GEOFF RUPP: 
Instagram @geoff_rupp 
Website: geoffrupp.com
YouTube: @geoffrupp_

Connect with MEL HISTON:
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!
Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Website: heysoulsista.com
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

 

What if the biggest lie we tell ourselves is: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll do it tomorrow&rdquo;?
In this episode of Hey Soul Sista, Geoff Rupp returns for a powerful conversation about why so many of us keep putting off the life we really want to live &mdash; and why the time to begin is now.
Fresh from two months in India, where he led a spiritual retreat through sacred planetary temples, Geoff shares what those experiences taught him about purpose, presence, self-love and the way we move through life.
We talk about why we can become trapped in the &ldquo;ever-repeating known,&rdquo; how fear and ego can quietly keep us playing small, and why taking even one small step toward the life you want can begin to change everything.
Geoff also shares one of the most confronting lessons he has learned from speaking with people nearing the end of their lives: we think we have more time than we do. We wait until the kids are older, until we retire, until we have more money, until life settles down &mdash; but sometimes tomorrow doesn&rsquo;t unfold the way we imagined.
We explore:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Why Geoff believes we&rsquo;re here to evolve, not simply move through life on autopilot</li>
<li>The difference between letting fear lead and trusting yourself</li>
<li>Why meditation and breathwork can help create greater clarity</li>
<li>How to stop looking outside yourself for happiness</li>
<li>Why relationships should complement you rather than complete you</li>
<li>The importance of putting yourself back on your own priority list</li>
<li>How taking one small action now can move you toward the life you really want And Geoff shares stories from his extraordinary journey through India &mdash; including sacred fire ceremonies, ancient temples and an unexpected experience involving an emerald shivlingam that had reportedly not been brought out for years.</li>
</ul>
This conversation is a reminder that your life isn&rsquo;t a waiting room.
If there&rsquo;s something you&rsquo;ve been telling yourself you&rsquo;ll do &ldquo;one day&rdquo;&hellip; maybe this is your sign to begin.
** To find out more about Geoff's upcoming retreat to India, visit his website. Podcast listeners who enter the code SISTA upon registering for the retreat receives a $500 discount!!
Connect with GEOFF RUPP:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">Instagram @geoff_rupp&nbsp;</li>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">Website: geoffrupp.com</li>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">YouTube: @geoffrupp_</li>
</ul>
Connect with MEL HISTON:
<ul>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!</li>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">Instagram @melissahiston</li>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast</li>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">Website: heysoulsista.com</li>
<li data-start="1486" data-end="1688">Website: gotyourbacksista.com</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Geoff Rupp shares why “I’ll do it tomorrow” may be the biggest lie we tell ourselves — and how to stop waiting and start living now.

The Biggest Lie We Tell Ourselves: “I’ll Do It Tomorrow” — NOW Is the Time

What if the people we love are never truly beyond our reach?

When speech pathologist Stephanie Banks watched her mother disappear into dementia, she believed her professional training would help them stay connected. But as their relationship unravelled, she found herself searching for answers in the most unexpected place.

One extraordinary experience changed everything.

In this deeply thought-provoking conversation, Stephanie shares how that moment led her to become an intuitive channel, helping people connect with what she describes as the soul, spirit guides and a deeper wisdom that exists beyond our everyday awareness.

Whether you're deeply spiritual, quietly curious or somewhere in between, this episode invites you to explore life's biggest questions with an open mind and an open heart.

In this episode, we discuss:


Stephanie's mother's dementia and the experience that changed her life


What intuitive channeling is (and what it isn't)


Can anyone learn to connect with their intuition?


The difference between intuition and fear


Spirit guides, soul teams and higher consciousness


Why imagination may be more powerful than we've been taught


Living with more joy, purpose and self-trust


What Stephanie believes happens after we die

If you've ever wondered whether there's more to life than what we can see, this conversation is for you.

Connect with STEPHANIE BANKS:
Website: https://soulinsight.com
Instagram: @stephanieintuitivechannel

Connect with MEL HISTON: 
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista! 
Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469
Website: heysoulsista.com 
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

What if the people we love are never truly beyond our reach?
When speech pathologist Stephanie Banks watched her mother disappear into dementia, she believed her professional training would help them stay connected. But as their relationship unravelled, she found herself searching for answers in the most unexpected place.
One extraordinary experience changed everything.
In this deeply thought-provoking conversation, Stephanie shares how that moment led her to become an intuitive channel, helping people connect with what she describes as the soul, spirit guides and a deeper wisdom that exists beyond our everyday awareness.
Whether you're deeply spiritual, quietly curious or somewhere in between, this episode invites you to explore life's biggest questions with an open mind and an open heart.
In this episode, we discuss:
<ul>
<li>
Stephanie's mother's dementia and the experience that changed her life
</li>
<li>
What intuitive channeling is (and what it isn't)
</li>
<li>
Can anyone learn to connect with their intuition?
</li>
<li>
The difference between intuition and fear
</li>
<li>
Spirit guides, soul teams and higher consciousness
</li>
<li>
Why imagination may be more powerful than we've been taught
</li>
<li>
Living with more joy, purpose and self-trust
</li>
<li>
What Stephanie believes happens after we die
</li>
</ul>
If you've ever wondered whether there's more to life than what we can see, this conversation is for you.
Connect with STEPHANIE BANKS:
<ul>
<li>Website: <a href="https://soulinsight.comWebsite">https://soulinsight.com</a></li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephanieintuitivechannel/">@stephanieintuitivechannel</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with MEL HISTON:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!&nbsp;</li>
<li>Instagram @melissahiston</li>
<li>Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast</li>
<li>Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li>Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc">https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc</a></li>
<li>Apple Podcasts - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469">https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469</a></li>
<li>Website: heysoulsista.com&nbsp;</li>
<li>Website: gotyourbacksista.com</li>
</ul>

A mother's dementia became the beginning of an extraordinary journey into the soul, intuition and the mysteries of life beyond what we can see.

Dementia Took My Mum's Words,  But I Found Another Way to Hear Her - with Stephanie Banks

Hey Soul Sista is the podcast for women navigating midlife, spiritual growth, healing, and life's biggest transitions.

Hosted by Mel Histon, founder of Got Your Back Sista, each week you'll hear inspiring conversations with bestselling authors, health experts, psychologists, spiritual teachers, advocates, and extraordinary women who share their wisdom, life experiences, and powerful stories of transformation.

Whether you're searching for deeper meaning, healing after loss or trauma, greater wellbeing, or the courage to reinvent yourself, Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that you're not alone—and that your best chapter may still be ahead.

Together we explore topics including:

• Spirituality and spiritual awakening
• Women's wellbeing and emotional health
• Midlife reinvention and personal growth
• Healing from trauma, grief and heartbreak
• Intuition, mindfulness and resilience
• Relationships and self-discovery
• Near-death experiences and consciousness
• Life purpose, courage and soulful living

These are honest, uplifting conversations that will inspire you to think differently, reconnect with yourself, and embrace the woman you're becoming.

If you're ready to live with more courage, joy, purpose and soul, you've found your community.

New episodes every week.

Because midlife isn't a crisis. It's an awakening.

Hey Soul Sista is the podcast for women navigating midlife, spiritual growth, healing, and life's biggest transitions.
Hosted by Mel Histon, founder of Got Your Back Sista, each week you'll hear inspiring conversations with bestselling authors, health experts, psychologists, spiritual teachers, advocates, and extraordinary women who share their wisdom, life experiences, and powerful stories of transformation.
Whether you're searching for deeper meaning, healing after loss or trauma, greater wellbeing, or the courage to reinvent yourself, Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that you're not alone&mdash;and that your best chapter may still be ahead.
Together we explore topics including:
&bull; Spirituality and spiritual awakening &bull; Women's wellbeing and emotional health &bull; Midlife reinvention and personal growth &bull; Healing from trauma, grief and heartbreak &bull; Intuition, mindfulness and resilience &bull; Relationships and self-discovery &bull; Near-death experiences and consciousness &bull; Life purpose, courage and soulful living
These are honest, uplifting conversations that will inspire you to think differently, reconnect with yourself, and embrace the woman you're becoming.
If you're ready to live with more courage, joy, purpose and soul, you've found your community.
New episodes every week.
Because midlife isn't a crisis. It's an awakening.

Hey Soul Sista is the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL! If you’re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you’re in the right place.

Hey Soul Sista

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

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