The Little Things
Episodes
Cosmetic treatments - the good, the bad and the downright dangerous
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Microneedling, LED masks, Botox in a bottle - these are just a few of the many cosmetic trends we're bombarded with on a daily basis. But what works, ...
Keeping the love alive after the kids have left home
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo joins Francesca and Lou for a discussion about navigating relationships when the kids leave the nest. Together they ...
What happens when you're widowed too soon with Jana McPherson
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jana McPherson is a food blogger and business owner navigating life as a young widow after losing her husband Hamish in 2023. Joining Francesca ...
Is ultra-processed food really that bad for us?
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The danger of ultra-processed food has been dominating the headlines, but do these foods deserve all the negative press they're getting? This we...
Bringing attention back into focus
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a world where our attention is constantly pulled in multiple directions, how do we regain control of our focus? Professor Gloria Mark from the Univ...
Dr Justin Coulson on what's really worrying our kids
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When our kids worry, we worry. Especially when we don't know what they're worried about! This week, Dr Justin Coulson is back to talk about what reall...
Dr Michelle Dickinson on the power and peril of AI
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you ready to face the AI revolution that's already transforming our daily lives? Join Francesca and Louise as they step into the world of artifici...
Dr Lucy Hone on the living loss of dementia
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When a loved one experiences dementia, grief does not wait for a tidy ending. Francesca and Louise sit down with resilience researcher and grief...
The midlife rage no one warns you about
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many women are blindsided in their 40s by a sudden return of explosive anger. Clinical neuropsychologist Caroline Gurvich joins Francesca and Louise t...
What an athlete mindset can teach us about pressure
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do top athletes know about pressure that the rest of us don’t? Dr Kylie Wilson is a mental skills and performance coach who has worked with...
Lorna Riley on divorce and dating
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Coast FM's Lorna Riley has been through two divorces and is now engaged again. Her message to women staring down a midlife separation is clear: it is ...
It's complicated: figuring out our relationship with alcohol
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many women have a complex relationship with alcohol and how it impacts our health and wellbeing as we age. Master health coach, Ree George, join...
When women pay the price for paying the bills, with Nadine Higgins
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rising costs are hitting every household in Aotearoa, but for many women there’s an added weight – the invisible job of managing the famil...
Could supplements be doing you more harm than good?
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The world of supplements can be overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you! Naturopath Erin O'Hara joins Francesca and Louise to to help determine i...
How we should – and maybe shouldn’t – dress in our mid years, with Michiko Hylands
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by celebrity stylist Michiko Hylands to talk fashion after 40 and 50, and how to find your confidence and s...
Dr Libby on the importance of iron in our overall health
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you constantly feel tired and exhausted no matter how much you sleep or rest? Have you been blaming it on stress or a busy life? The answer may be ...
Running marathons and understanding our bodies - what we learned last season
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Francesca and Louise are back for Season 5 - but before they get into the new season, they are catching up on what they took away from Season 4, from ...
Holly Wainwright on how she learnt to embrace mid-life and the best things about getting older
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the last episode of the season, Francesca and Louise are joined by author, podcaster and editor with Mamamia, Holly Wainwright. The host of MID an...
Why menopause shouldn't hold you back from your exercise goals with Cathy Duffy
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Francesca and Louise have been trail running for several years now, and while they love it as a hobby, both know how menopause and ageing can have an ...
Why you aren't going to sort your life out and why that's a good thing with Oliver Burkeman
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Self-help books and advice gurus often promise big changes to revolutionise how you live your life, or push you to strive for perfection. But what if ...
Why understanding your gut could be the key to a healthy life with Dr Will Bulsiewicz
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the last few years, everyone has started talking about gut microbiome and how important it is to our health. Everything from longevity to mental he...
How to get the most out of therapy with Jacqui Maguire
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Therapy can be a useful tool for many of us for a variety of reasons, but often times finding the right person for the right price can be the first ba...
The secret to extending your lifespan with Dr Nicholas Koemel and Joanna Wane
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stories about millionaires doing wacky things to decrease their biological age - like plasma transfusions with their teenage sons - have been doing th...
Adolescence and the conversations you should have with your boys with Andrew Reiner
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Netflix hit Adolescence has got everyone talking - in particular, it's sparked conversations around boys and young men, and what's causing them to...
Why we need to change the way we think about grief with Dr Denise Quinlan
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Grief is something that we all experience in life - we all know what it is like to lose a loved one, be it a family member, friend, or even a pet.&nbs...
What to know when dealing with your GP with Dr Preeya Alexander
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our GPs are people we rely on for a lot. A visit can be as simple as a 15 min appointment to establish if our sore throat is a viral or bacterial infe...
How to adapt your makeup routine as you age with Lisa Matson
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us find a makeup routine that works, even if it takes years to get it right. But that doesn't mean that routine is always going to be the thin...
Surviving the empty nest with Kerre Woodham
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This year Francesca and Louise have both sent a child off to university, and it has got them thinking about the empty nest and how to cope. To discuss...
Why a metabolism reset is key to sorting your energy levels with Lara Briden
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Francesca and Louise are back for a new season, and to kick things off, they are joined by Christchurch-based Canadian naturopath and author of The Me...
What we've learned so far - from relationship tips to avoiding sextortion scams!
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Little Things is coming back for Season 4 next week, but before the new season gets underway, Francesca and Louise are catching up on what they le...
Everything to know about weight loss drugs with Professor Jeremy Krebs
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the final episode of the season, Francesca and Louise are discussing one of the hot topics of lifestyle and wellbeing at the moment - weight loss ...
How to reset your healthy habits with Erin O'Hara
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Forget New Year Resolutions - with the clocks having recently reset, and the school holidays coming to an end, now is the last chance many women will ...
Sex, communication and betrayal: All things intimacy with Jo Robertson
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Intimacy in a relationship is about more than just sex - but good intimacy and honest communication can help your relationship avoid any pitfalls in t...
What women need to know about cardiac health with Dr Cara Wasywich
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Heart disease is the biggest killer of people in New Zealand, including women, yet it is still often seen as a male issue. This episode, Francesca and...
Understanding the middle aged male with Matt Heath and Dr Dougal Sutherland
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Little Things usually talks about the issues facing women of a certain age - but sometimes, those issues can be caused by their husbands or partne...
What you really need to know about nutrition with Dr Stacy Sims
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to nutrition and what you put into your body, there is so much information out there about what not to do and what to do instead that it...
Your guide to making friends and maintaining good relationships with Dr Hannah Korrel
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Making friends as a kid is easy work. As an adult? Not so much. From knowing how many friends you should have, to working through relationships that m...
Sextortion and online scams: How to keep your kids safe online with Olivia Carville and Sean Lyons
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Parents always want to keep their kids safe in any circumstance, and always have. But with the rise of social media, that has become a more difficult ...
All you need to know about going grey and cosmetic procedures with Brad Lepper and Dr Cat Stone
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The physical effects of ageing can be difficult for many of us to accept. Whether we’re going grey or starting to develop wrinkles, a lot of us will...
Caring for ageing parents: What you need to know with Esther Perriam
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a topic no one ever wants to think about, but people are being urged to plan early for their parent’s care as they got older. New Zealand’s...
Why women are the 'perfect employees' and how to let your bosses know it with Jo Cribb
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are plenty of barriers in place when it comes to women in the workplace - not just from the gender pay gap, but the way mothers and middle-aged ...
What you need to know about HRT with Dr Samantha Newman
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Little Things is back for Season 3, and for the first episode, Francesca and Louise are digging into one of the most contentious topics in women's...
From parenting to staying healthy - what we've learned so far
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Season 3 of The Little Things is coming out soon - but before that happens, Francesca and Louise are catching up on everything they've learnt from the...
The latest menopause research and what it means for you with Dr Ginni Mansberg
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the last episode of the season, we're revisiting one of the key topics all women need to know about - menopause. A lot has changed in just a few y...
Why bearing the mental load is not 'pre-installed' in women with Dr Robyn Miller
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Mental Load Project is advocating for a change in how heterosexual relationships operate - and that means not placing all the burden of organising...
The key to getting a good night's sleep with Dr Michael Mosley
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This weekend marks the end of daylight saving - and that means a big jolt to our sleep cycles. Looking at the other 354 days of the year, how do we ge...
From ADHD to autism - understanding neurodiversity with Anton Ashcroft
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The last few years have seen a spike in people being diagnosed with a neurodivergent condition, such as ADHD, autism, anxiety or OCD. It's something F...
Tackling body image issues for you and your kids with Claire Turnbull
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Worries about body image are one of those issues that transcends age, gender and shape - whether worrying about being too skinny, too fat, not muscly ...
How to start exercising and do it from home with Kyra Seiler
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Going for a run, going to the gym, or just starting to exercise in general after a long pause can be pretty daunting. So how do we get back into it, w...
Endometriosis, hysterectomies and your menstrual cycle: What you need to know with Dr Amelia Ryan
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Most women pre-menopause menstruate every month. However, a recent New Zealand study showed functional menstrual literacy is as low as 50 percent, whi...
The truth about anti-ageing skincare with Dr Cara McDonald
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to avoid being bombarded with advertisements and different products that all vow to reverse the signs of ageing - but do any of them actuall...
How to raise teens in an age of anxiety and judgement with Dr Justin Coulson
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's tough being a teenager these days, with constant access to phones not helping with anxiety - and it's just as hard being a parent, often for the ...
Elise Loehnen on the societal pressures women face and how to overcome them
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Until 2020, Elise Loehnen seemed like she had it al. As the Chief Content Officer at Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP, she was helping lead the way at one of th...
How to stay mobile as you get older with Juliet Starrett
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mobility may not be the sexiest topic around - something fitness advocate Juliet Starrett is very aware of. However, more and more data shows how poor...
Avoiding burnout and managing your brain health with Jude Walter
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Little Things is back for Season 2! And as we leave summer holidays behind and settle back into our regular routine, how do we avoid getting overw...
The Little Things - Season 2 coming soon
20 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to new episodes from February 3rd wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The best ways to delay cognitive decline with Dr Ginni Mansberg
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For the last episode in this season of The Little Things, Francesca and Louise are talking to Dr Ginni Mansberg about her new book, Save Your Brain. S...
What to know if you or a friend are diagnosed with cancer with Juliet Ireland
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On a personal episode this week, Louise and Francesca discuss their shared experience after Louise was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. They disc...
How women should be exercising with Dr Stacy Sims
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Exercise may seem like one of those that shouldn't be separated by gender - but growing research has found that 'one size fit all' exercise plans are ...
How to talk to your kids about sex with therapist Jo Robertson
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many parents find sex to be a difficult and uncomfortable topic. It can be daunting to know how to talk about such an important part of being human wi...
Exploring the mysteries of your pelvic floor with physiotherapist Caitlin Day
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a subject many women would prefer not to think about, but there’s no avoiding the fact many struggle with issues with their pelvic floor as t...
What really works for dieting and nutrition with Professor Tim Spector
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dieting and nutrition have become a multi-billion dollar industry in recent years - but are we being sold a lie when it comes to calorie counting, exe...
The truth about menopause with Niki Bezzant
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know menopause is technically only a day - and that everything you experience before then is perimenopause? That's just one of the aspects of ...
The realities of a healthy relationship with Karen Nimmo
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Francesca and Louise are kicking off the series with a focus on something everyone needs to know - the secrets to maintaining a functioning relationsh...
Trailer
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Little Things begins Saturday February 4th! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.