To kick off the NEW season of The Merry Menopause Bookclub Podcast, I am delighted to have as my guest Anya Bergman author of best selling novel The Witches of Vardø.
In this episode, Anya shares her fascinating research on the real-life accounts of three women – Ana, Ingeborg, and Maren – who fought for survival during the brutal Witch trials on the remote Norwegian island of Vardø. She gives us a glimpse into her research process, which involved living in Norway and studying the records of the Finmark Witch trials of 1662/1663 to gain a deeper understanding of what happened on Vardø at that time.
Anya sheds light on the tensions in Norway and Denmark in this period of history, with much of the blame falling on the devil and his Witches for the economic situation and an explanation for violent and misogynistic behaviour. She explains how the masses genuinely believed in the devil and his Witches and how they were seen as agents of terror that needed to be eradicated.
We also discuss the link between Scotland and Norway and how Scotland ‘exported’ Witch hunts to Norway and Denmark and the brutality of the torture of women during the trials, which led them to denounce each other.
In her depiction of the fascinating Ana Rhodius, Anya challenges the Menopausal stereotype and portrays her as a complex and multifaceted character. Love her or hate her, you as the reader get to decide.
Finally, Anya tells us about the remarkable memorial to the Witches built and funded by the Norwegian state on the execution site in Vardø. This episode offers valuable insight into a dark chapter of history. It highlights the importance of reclaiming the voices of innocent women and the need to remember and acknowledge the atrocities committed against them.
To all my fellow Witches out there, I hope you enjoy listening.
Jo 🙏🏻
Anya’s book choice
Devotion by Hannah Kent
You can find out more about Anya Bergman here
My guest today is Fran Littlewood author of the best-selling novel Amazing Grace Adams. A story of the rollercoaster ride of Perimenopause which explores love, loss, motherhood, female rage, shame, self-blame, and the societal pressure of perfection.
Join myself and Fran, a former Times Journalist and mother of three teenage daughters as we discuss:
Fran’s book choice is Wandering Souls by Cecil Pin which has been shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023.
Want more Fran? You can follow her on Twitter
If you enjoy this episode please like and subscribe to the podcast and leave a review, it really does make a difference and helps other listeners to find me. Thank you, Jo.
My guests for this episode are the authors of You Me and The Space Between Us, married couple Matt and Sarah Davies .
Matt is a marriage counsellor and psychosexual and relationship therapist, and Sarah is a movement and somatic coach.
Combing both their areas of expertise, You, Me and The Space Between Us is a blend of personal narrative and expert advice, written with empathy and warmth. It is a book for anyone who is struggling with their relationship. I LOVED IT and would highly recommend whatever your relationship status, I guarantee you will learn something to make your relationships better.
Join us as we discuss:
What is ‘the space between us’ and how working with it can improve our relationships
How the space between us, is about the ‘us’ not the ‘you or me’
Why relationships are difficult
Vulnerability in relationships
When to ask ‘what does the relationship need” rather than what do I need?
How we can lose sight of ‘we’
How to stop an argument – play the game of ’switching sides’
How to avoid your relationship becoming boring and sexless
Why people have affairs and the role of the patriarchy
How to sustain a relationship after the honeymoon period
How it’s possible to have both freedom and longevity in a relationship
Simplifying attachment styles – The Octopus and The Turtle
Why good conflict is vital for a long-lasting relationship
Stop looking for perfection – embrace the 80/20 rule
Desire and sex in midlife
Are you a couple who has sex or a sexy couple?
Matt and Sarah’s book choice – Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski
If you enjoy this episode please like and subscribe to the podcast and leave a review, it really does make a difference and helps other listeners to find me. Thank you, Jo.
I am joined for this episode by the fabulous Mel Schilling. Human behaviour and performance specialist and Married at First Sight relationship expert Mel Schilling talks to me about her new book The C* Word.
Mel draws on her 20-year background in psychology, with this empowering and practical guide to making friends with our fear, tackling imposter syndrome and building the skills of confidence to enhance every aspect of our lives.
Join us as we delve into:-
Mel’s Book recommendation – Great Sex Starts at 50 by Tracey Cox.
Follow Mel on Instagram
For this episode I am joined by Kate Baily co-founder of the Love Sober platform and author of ‘Love Your Sober Year.’
Kate coaches women to feel empowered by their choice to stop drinking alcohol, harnessing their decision to go sober and pivot from surviving to thriving in all areas of their lives using a holistic approach to growth, mindset and wellbeing.
Join Kate and me as we talk about both of our sober journeys during Perimenopause including:-
Kate’s book choice – If Women Rose Rooted, by Sharon Blackie
You can find out more about Kate here
My guest for the final episode of S7 of the podcast is Kim Vopni aka @thevaginacoach. Kim is a speaker, women’s health educator, coach and Menopause support practitioner.
She is also the author of the bestselling book Your Pelvic Floor which was The Merry Menopause Bookclub pick in February.
Menopause can bring several changes to the body, including pelvic health issues. Join us as we discuss:-
Kim’s Book Recommendation – Next Level by Stacy Sims.
You will find The Merry Menopause Bookclub on your favourite podcast platform. Please like and subscribe, it really does make a difference.
Wishing you a Merry Menopause
Jo