Mid Life Bites
Midlife Bites is the unapologetic, unfiltered podcast for women standing in the messy middle of life where the rules you’ve lived by stop working, the roles you’ve carried feel too heavy, and the version of you in the mirror feels like a stranger.
Hosted by Clinical Psychologist and midlife mentor Kirstin Bouse, Midlife Bites gets real about how midlife “bites” the moments it stings, why it happens, what changes in the fallout, and the surprising clarity that can come after.
Some weeks it’s just Kirstin, cutting through the noise with equal parts fierce truth-telling and deep compassion. Other weeks, you’ll hear from women who’ve lived their own “midlife bite” moments and from experts who understand exactly what’s going on beneath the surface, biologically, psychologically, and socially.
This is not another midlife makeover show. It’s a place to name the hard stuff, strip away the shame, and find your own way forward on your terms.
If you’ve been thinking, “Why the hell don’t I feel like myself anymore?” … you’re in the right place.
Mid Life Bites
Menopause and Mental Health Key Findings from the Senate Inquiry
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In this episode, the host Kirstin Bouse discusses the findings of a recent Senate inquiry in Australia that looked at the wide-ranging impacts of menopause on women's health, careers, families, and overall well-being.
The inquiry received over 290 submissions from women sharing their lived experiences, as well as healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers. The key takeaways were stark - menopause has a profound impact on women's mental health, often leaving them feeling like they don't recognize themselves anymore due to changes in their cognitive abilities, emotional regulation, and overall sense of self.
However, Kirstin notes that mental health services and many healthcare providers still don't have a strong enough understanding of how menopause can trigger issues like anxiety and depression.
This reinforces what Kirstin sees in her own clinical work - that the psychological and emotional toll of menopause is often overlooked, even as women struggle to cope with the transition.
By unpacking the findings of this important inquiry, Kirstin aims to shine a light on the need for greater awareness, education, and support around menopause.
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Visit here to access a comprehensive resource hub for Australian women navigating menopause, offering trusted professionals, support, and information all in one place.