Reclaiming Sexual Pleasure in Midlife with Dr Maria Sophocles

If sex has slowly disappeared from your life - or started to feel like something you dread rather than look forward to - and you're not sure whether to blame your hormones, your relationship, your exhaustion, or just yourself, this episode is going to help.My guest is Dr Maria Sophocles, a board-certified OB/GYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner who has spent 30 years working with women on the clinical frontline of this exact problem. She's the author of the brand new book The Bedroom Gap, and the creator of a TED Talk on midlife sex that has now been watched over a million times.Maria coined the term "the bedroom gap" to describe the very real and very unspoken difference in sexual expectations and abilities between men and women in midlife. It's not just about low libido, but the physical changes happening in your body that nobody explains to you, the cultural messaging that tells women their discomfort doesn't matter, a medical system that created Viagra in 1998 but left women largely without equivalent solutions, and the shame that keeps so many of us from even raising the subject with our doctors.In this conversation, Maria breaks down the physiology of what oestrogen loss actually does to your vagina, your bladder, and your capacity for arousal . We talk about vaginal oestrogen, why it's safe for virtually every woman on the planet, and why so many women never get offered it; and what to say to your doctor when sexual symptoms aren't being addressed.In this episode, you'll learn:What "the bedroom gap" actually is and why it tends to widen so dramatically during perimenopause and menopauseWhat oestrogen loss is really doing to your body - and why pain and dryness during sex are physiological, not a personal failingWhy vaginal oestrogen is considered safe for virtually every woman but is still widely under-prescribedWhy your HRT patch or gel alone is often not enough for sexual and bladder symptoms, and what to ask for insteadHow Viagra, despite being a genuine breakthrough for some couples, also made the bedroom gap worse for a great many womenWhat the new FDA approval for female sexual desire actually means - and why it matters that it took this longThe real story on testosterone for women, why it's approved in Australia but not the US or UK, and what it can doHow porn has become the default sex educator for an entire generation,  and the resources Maria actually recommends insteadWhat to say when you want to start a conversation about sex with a long-term partner, a doctor, or your adult daughterResources mentioned:The Bedroom Gap by Dr Maria Sophocles - mariasophoclesmd.com/book/Dr Maria Sophocles' TED Talk: "What happens to sex in midlife? A look at the bedroom gap" - ted.com/speakers/maria_sophoclesOMGYES (sex education resource) - omgyes.comErica Lust TED Talk on female-forward adult content - search "Erica Lust TED Athens"Come As You Are by Emily NagoskiDr Maria Sophocles on Instagram: @MariaSophoclesMDDr Maria Sophocles on LinkedInBeyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

We got evicted. The subsequent upheaval has revealed a lot to me about how my own nervous system patterns show up, especially when things feel uncertain or out of control. While my situation is personal, this experience is universal so in this ep, I'm sharing why our default stress response is often to push through, people please, overwork, or avoid decisions, even if we destroy ourselves in the process.Many of the behaviours we criticise ourselves for are actually safety strategies that we learned early to protect us when we feel emotionally unsafe. I break down the different nervous system stress responses and explain how they show up in everyday life, work, and relationships.Most importantly, I share why self awareness alone isn’t enough to create change, and why working with your nervous system, rather than against it, is essential if you want to feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control of your choices. What you’ll learn:How your nervous system prioritises safety over logic and long term goalsThe four main stress responses and how they show up in daily lifeWhy pushing through discomfort often keeps you stuckHow people pleasing, overworking, avoidance, and perfectionism developWhy insight doesn’t automatically translate into behaviour changeWhat it actually takes to make decisions from a calmer, more regulated placeIf you’ve ever wondered why you keep repeating patterns you’re very aware of, this episode will help you understand what’s really driving them, and where to begin if you want something to change.Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

Tiff Hall has been part of Crappy to Happy since the very beginning, and she's a woman who knows reinvention better than most. She spent a decade building a powerful, values-driven fitness brand, showing up through pregnancies, injuries, illness, body changes and enormous personal pressure. And then she made a decision that surprised many people, selling TXO to 28 by Sam Wood and stepping out of her CEO role.This is an honest conversation about identity, grief, relief, and the courage it takes to choose a new chapter even when the old one has been successful. We talk about the emotional impact of walking away from something you've poured your heart into, the backlash and disappointment from a community you genuinely love, and what happens when your capacity, your body, and your priorities shift.Tiff shares how motherhood changed her, why stepping back is not giving up, and how returning to her roots as a trainer has reconnected her to what she loves most. We also talk about comparison, social media pressure, running an online business as a woman, and what it means to grow in a way that is sustainable rather than impressive.What you’ll learn:What really goes on emotionally when you sell a business you built yourselfWhy stepping back can feel like grief and freedom at the same timeHow motherhood, injury, and illness reshaped Tiff’s relationship with fitnessThe hidden pressure of running a values-led business in a highly visible industryWhy being too accessible and too generous can clash with business sustainabilityHow comparison and social media exposure affect mental healthWhy choosing less can sometimes give you moreIf you’re in a season of questioning, scaling back, or reimagining what success looks like for you, you'll want to listen to this one.Train with Tiff on 28 by Sam Woodhttps://28bysamwood.com/Follow Tiff on IGwww.instagram.com/tiffhall_xoBeyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

How do you embrace the "new year, new start" energy without overshooting your goals and setting yourself up to fail?Every January we're bombarded with resolutions, routines, and lofty promises about who we're supposed to become; and every year, many of us quietly abandon them, feeling guilty, unmotivated, and like we've failed.In this solo ep, I'm sharing my very deliberate anti-resolution approach to 2026, not because goals don't matter, but because the way we usually set them often does more harm than good.With a background in coaching psychology and my experience of late diagnosed ADHD, this is an honest reflection on what did and did not work for me last year and the much simpler and more compassionate way I'm approaching my goals this year.The secret is not doing more. It's doing less, with intention.I explain why setting the bar lower can strengthen your self trust, why consistency matters more than intensity, and how choosing fewer priorities can help you feel calmer, more confident, and more fulfilled as the year unfolds.What you will learn:Why I'm not a fan of New Year’s resolutionsHow unrealistic goals quietly erode your self concept and confidenceWhy consistency beats intensity when it comes to habits and behaviour changeThe surprising psychological benefits of choosing just one daily habitWhat it means to go deep on one skill or area instead of skimming the surface of manyHow focusing on completion, not busyness, can change how you feel about yourselfSimple questions to help you decide what actually matters this yearHow to harness fresh start energy without setting yourself up to failIf you are craving a calmer, more grounded start to the year, and you want goals that support your wellbeing rather than undermine it, this episode will give you plenty to reflect on.For more on this topic:What to Do Instead of New Year's ResolutionsKickstart Your New Year by Setting Goals that MatterBeyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

AI is everywhere right now and it’s moving fast, from fake online personas and voice cloning to coaches selling AI versions of themselves. The pace of change is astonishing, and if you don't keep up, you'll be left behind. So what does this mean for small business owners, therapists and coaches?In this episode, I talk through what I’ve been learning as I’ve gone all in on understanding the potential of AI and the role it can play as a complement to your expertise, not a substitute for it. When harnessed effectively AI offers a way to reduce burnout, remove administrative overload and free up hours of precious time that can be redirected to more meaningful, human centred interactions.I'm sharing how I’m personally using AI in my business, why training AI properly matters, and where I believe the hard ethical lines still need to be drawn, especially when it comes to mental health and therapy. I think for any ethical business owner, there is an exciting opportunity right now to embrace artificial intelligence in your business and use it to make a meaningful difference in your own life and the lives of people you work with, without outsourcing your judgement, your values or your humanity.What You’ll LearnWhy AI feels so uncomfortable for people and why that reaction makes senseThe difference between copy and paste prompts, custom GPTs and more advanced AI agentsHow AI can genuinely reduce overwhelm for small business owners and solopreneurs (especially if you have ADHD!)Why women appear to be slower to adopt AI The ethical risks of AI being used as therapy and where things can go wrongHow you can train AI "Assistants" to sound exactly like you when they produce contentWhy the future of work may actually place more value on real human connection, not lessHow to think about using AI in a way that aligns with your values rather than eroding themBeyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypodThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Women with ADHD are still being overlooked, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed, and the consequences can be profound. In this episode, I sit down with Tracy Otsuka, ADHD Coach and bestselling author of "ADHD for Smartass Women', whose mission is to help women stop pathologising themselves and start recognising their inherent creativity, intelligence, and strength.Tracy shares her personal story, beginning with her son’s diagnosis at age 12, which sparked her deep dive into understanding ADHD. What followed was her own late diagnosis, years of independent research, and the creation of a global community that now reaches millions.We explore why girls and women often slip through the cracks, why inattentive ADHD can be so invisible, and how societal expectations create trauma that compounds symptoms. Tracy breaks down the differences between being a hyperactive ‘doer’ versus an internal ‘thinker’, and why so many clever, capable women spend years believing they’re simply not trying hard enough.Most importantly, Tracy offers a different way of understanding ADHD; one that centres interest, creativity, dopamine, and authenticity rather than deficit and disorder. What You’ll LearnThe surprising reason so many smart, capable women with ADHD remain undiagnosed well into adulthoodWhy Tracy does not believe ADHD is a disorder, and what the research actually shows about mental health outcomesHow chronic trauma (including the trauma of feeling misunderstood) can masquerade as ADHD symptomsWhy women with ADHD often become perfectionists, people pleasers, or high achieversHow an interest-driven nervous system really worksWhy your brain lights up for some tasks and completely shuts down for others (it’s not laziness)The importance of designing your life around your strengths rather than forcing yourself to fit neurotypical expectationsPractical strategies for thriving with an ADHD brain — at work, at home, and in relationshipsResources mentioned in this episodeThe A-OK Mind App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/a-ok-mind/id6749597141Cube TimerAmazon UK: https://amzn.to/3KFIG3EAmazon Australia: https://amzn.to/48zwY2CReadwise:https://readwise.ioConnect with Tracy:www.tracyotsuka.comIf you’d like more conversations like this, or you have questions you’d love me to explore in a future episode, you can submit them via www.crappytohappy.com Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

"Functional Freeze" is not a term you'll find in textbooks but it describes a nervous system shutdown response that develops when you’ve been in chronic stress for too long. Because you’re still “functioning” on the outside, it can be easy to miss. In this episode, I break down how this response develops, why it’s so misunderstood, and most importantly, what you can do to gently thaw and come back into connection, energy, and presence.I'm covering:What functional freeze actually is (and why it’s not in the DSM).The nervous system science behind why you can look fine while feeling flat, foggy, or emotionally distant on the inside.Real-life examples of how functional freeze shows up in daily life, work and relationships.What your nervous system actually needs to shift out of freeze (hint: it’s not more discipline, hustling, or mindset work)If this episode resonates, please share it with someone who might be quietly struggling. And if you have questions on this topic, send them through. I'd love to answer them in a future “Therapy Hour” episode on www.crappytohappy.supercast.comBeyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

Megan Dalla-Camina is a globally recognised expert in women’s leadership, empowerment and feminine wisdom who spent almost two decades climbing the ladder in some of the world’s biggest corporate environments before a major burnout changed everything. She’s the founder of Women Rising (a global leadership program in 68 countries), a best-selling author, and she’s completing a PhD in women’s spirituality and leadership.Megan and I dive into why so many women are still feeling overwhelmed, undervalued or “not enough,” and how much of that comes from the invisible forces around us—not from personal failings.We talk about the systemic biases that shape women’s experience at work, the six Paradoxes of Power, and how these external pressures become the inner critic narratives we’re all so familiar with.Megan breaks down her 13 Inner Critic Archetypes (yes, all your favourites are there: the Perfectionist, the People Pleaser, the Ideal Mother…), and we explore how each archetype has a light side and a shadow side that can either support us or hold us back.And because I couldn’t resist, we also go into Megan’s PhD research on women’s spirituality and feminine wisdom—which is absolutely fascinating—and why reconnecting with your inner knowing is a profound act of self-leadership. Key TakeawaysYou are not the problem. Many of the challenges women face at work are rooted in systemic and cultural bias, not personal inadequacy.Internalised patriarchy becomes your inner critic. The “not enough” stories we tell ourselves often come from generations of societal messaging that we’ve absorbed without realising.Megan identifies Six Paradoxes of Power that shape women’s experience. From the confidence paradox to the motherhood and visibility paradoxes, Megan breaks down how these mixed messages keep women stuck.She has identified 13 Archetypes of the Inner Critic. Identifying your dominant archetype gives you a clearer understanding of your patterns and how to shift them.Only 8% of women say they’re thriving at work. Megan shares fresh research on why the majority of women feel overloaded or undervalued—and what helps change that.Practical tools make a difference. Megan talks through simple but powerful strategies like practising assertive phrases, building allies, and learning to name bias in real time.Feminine wisdom is a source of real power. Reconnecting with intuition, inner knowing, and spiritual grounding isn’t “soft”—it’s a powerful counterbalance to systems that have traditionally suppressed the feminine.Connect with Meganhttps://megandallacamina.com/Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

Understanding what gives you a sense of meaning and purpose in life is crucial to wellbeing, but we all have times where we feel lost or directionless. In today's ep, I'm sharing Michael Steger's Meaning Framework, and its three key elements of Coherence, Purpose, and Significance. These pillars help us make sense of our experiences and guide us towards living a more intentional and fulfilling life. I'll share practical insights on how to diagnose feelings of disconnection and suggestions for realigning with what truly matters to you as a way to regain a sense of meaning again. Takeaways:Finding meaning in life is crucial for overall satisfaction and well-being, helping us navigate tough times.Michael Steger's Meaning Framework highlights three pillars which contribute to our sense of meaning in life: coherence, purpose, and significance.Coherence gives life a narrative that makes sense, helping us understand our experiences and challenges better.Purpose fuels our actions, providing motivation to engage in meaningful activities aligned with our values.Significance is the sense that you matter and that your life is of value.Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

In January, I commenced ADHD medication and now 11 months later, I'm sharing my experience of how it has impacted my productivity and mood. While my experience has been mostly positive, there are some negative effects that I wasn't expecting and even now, I'm still figuring out the right balance for me.In this episode, I'm sharing as honestly as possible what I was struggling with before, how the medication has improved things and the reality that it isn't a cure-all. If anyone is considering seeking a diagnosis and not sure whether they want to take medication for ADHD symptoms, I hope sharing my experience is helpful.**This is my personal experience. I am not a medical professional and when it comes to medication, every person's experience will be different. You should talk to your health care provider about what the treatment options are and what you might expect.Takeaways:The diagnosis of ADHD can be a turning point and a catalyst for healing your relationship with yourself, giving you a better understanding of your past experiencesMedication for ADHD can enhance focus and productivity, but there are some things it doesn't improve such as ability to prioritiseIt's essential to prioritise self-care such as eating regularly, getting sufficient sleep and taking breaksPersonal experiences with ADHD medication reveal both benefits and challenges in daily life.Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers Open for enrolment NOW.Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle.Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2Connect with Cass:www.cassdunn.comwww.instagram.com/cassdunn_xoContact Crappy to Happy:Email: hello@crappytohappypod.comwww.crappytohappypod.comwww.instagram.com/crappytohappypod