Women's Health Interrupted with Dr. Liisa Galea

Women's Health Interrupted with Dr. Liisa Galea

Women’s Health Interrupted explores women’s health through scientific inquiry and storytelling. Spanning across four overarching and multidisciplinary themes: general health and wellness, brain health, socio-cultural determinants of health, as well as politics, policy and advocacy, this podcast brings you content about women's health from every angle. Women's Health Interrupted is produced by the Women's Health Research Cluster.

Episodes

December 17, 2025 48 mins
The Honourable Dr. Kirsty Duncan, former Minister of Science, geographer, and author of The Exclusion Effect: Why Women Are Underrepresented in Science, and How to Fix It, joins us on this episode to discuss the systemic barriers facing women in science and why equity in research matters for everyone. She explains how policy decisions shape scientific progress, why women’s health and women’s leadership remain chronically undervalue...
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Dr. Kate Womersley, psychiatrist, Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, and leader of the MESSAGE project (Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity), joins us on this episode to discuss sex and gender equity in medical research. She explains why research funders are such powerful levers for change, how pregnancy can act as a “stress test” revealing medical misogyny, and why sex- and gender-informed science leads t...
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Dr. Daisy Singla, clinical psychologist, researcher, and global leader in perinatal mental health, joins us on this episode to discuss perinatal mental health. She explains why the perinatal period is such a vulnerable time and how task-sharing and telemedicine can expand access to mental health care for parents. Dr. Singla also talks about the urgent need to bring evidence-based psychotherapy into real-world practice and the polic...
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Dr. Gina Ogilvie, clinician-scientist, global women’s health leader, and Professor at the University of British Columbia, joins us on this episode to discuss HPV vaccination and the future of cervical cancer screening. She explains how HPV causes cancer, why vaccination is such an effective prevention tool, and how self-collected HPV testing is expanding access and equity in Canada and around the world. Dr. Ogilvie also talks about...
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Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO of the IWK Foundation, joins us on this episode to discuss why Canada needs a national women’s health strategy and how systemic bias in science, medicine, and policy leaves women behind. She explains how decades of underfunding and male-default research have shaped today’s “illness-care” system, what she’s hearing from thousands of women across Atlantic Canada, and why her mantra is to educate, ...
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Professor Siobhain O’Mahony, neurobiological scientist and microbiome researcher, joins us to discuss how your microbes talk to your hormones and your brain. She explains the gut microbiome, why most serotonin is made in the gut, and how the estrobolome can influence estrogen levels, touching endometriosis, perimenopause, and menopause. Professor O’Mahony also talks about “leaky gut,” stress, and practical ways fiber, prebiotics, a...
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Dr. Sofia Ahmed, nephrologist, clinician scientist, and Academic Lead of Women’s Health Research at the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI), joins us on this episode to discuss why the menstrual cycle is a vital sign and how women’s health extends far beyond reproductive health. She explains why kidney and heart health are closely linked, and areas of study where research falls behind. Dr. Ahmed also talks about...
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Dr. Inger Sundström Poromaa, gynecologist and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Uppsala University, joins us on this episode to unpack how hormones affect mental health across the lifespan. She explains why some people are more sensitive to hormonal changes, how birth control and menopause can affect mood, and why blood tests don’t tell the full story. Dr. Sundström Poromaa also shares empowering tips for women struggling w...
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Dr. Farida Sohrabji, Professor and Director of Women’s Health in Neuroscience at Texas Agricultural & Mechanical University, joins us on this episode to discuss the science of stroke, and the role of sex differences in brain health. She explains why women often experience more severe strokes later in life compared to men, the complex role of estrogen in stroke, and how gut health influences stroke outcomes. Farida also reflects on ...
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Shirley Weir, founder of Menopause Chicks, joins us on this episode to discuss why menopause is still so misunderstood, and how we can replace confusion with confidence. She shares menopause myths, the symptoms that catch people off guard, and her perspective on the term “bothersome symptoms”. Shirley also talks about how to encourage more collaborative conversations between patients and healthcare providers. Host: Dr. Liisa Galea...
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Rachel Bartholomew, founder and CEO of Hyivy Health and founder of Femtech Canada, joins us on this episode to discuss how femtech innovation is redefining women’s health. She explains the value of innovation in the women’s health landscape, shares tips for dealing with rejection, and discusses how governments can accelerate moving from research to the real world. Rachel also explores how researchers and tech entrepreneurs can coll...
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Dr. Cat Bohannon, researcher and author, joins us on this episode to unpack how default assumptions in science have sidelined female bodies and what’s at stake when women’s biology and gendered experiences remain under-researched. She explains how men’s health benefits from women’s health research, the importance of a bio-psycho-social approach, and discusses the history of breastfeeding. Cat also talks about what she learned writi...

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Kiran Mann joins us on this episode to discuss pelvic floor dysfunction and breaking stigmas. She explains what pelvic floor dysfunction is, how common it is and useful tips if you do have it. Kiran will also talk about the Be Pelvic Health Aware campaign – aimed to help those with this dysfunction feel comfortable talking to their healthcare providers and support systems. Guest: Kiran Mann Host(s): Chhavi Mehra & Sarah Williscraf...
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Domperidone is a dopamine blocker that is being increasingly prescribed off-label in British Columbia and other provinces to treat low milk supply. In this episode of Women’s Health Interrupted, we are joined by Dr. Janet Currie and Dr. Suzanne Hetzel Campbell to address the effects of Domperidone on breast feeding mothers. They will also be discussing criticisms, research and areas of development around it. Guest: Dr. Janet Curri...
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In this episode of Women’s Health Interrupted, we are joined by Dr. Debra Anderson to discuss how you can improve your quality of life. Dr. Anderson delves into health behaviours like diet sleep, stress, exercise, and other lifestyle choices that can impact your quality of life, especially for women. She will specifically address how this can improve your life if you are dealing with a chronic disease like cancer, heart disease or ...
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Dr. Claudia Barth is joining us to discuss the possible link between your brain health and menopause. She addresses how changes to your estrogen levels during menopause may be causing cognitive declines. Dr. Barth will also address other issues and things you can do to keep your brain healthy when going through menopause – and how to help other women during this period in their lives. Guest: Dr. Claudia Barth Host(s): Chhavi Mehra...
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In this week’s episode of Women’s Health Interrupted, we are joined by Dr. Ann-Marie De Lange, to discuss pregnancy and brain health, also referred to as “mommy brain.” Dr. De Lange will delve into how pregnancy may have long-lasting impacts on the brain and what processes go on in the brain when you give birth. She will also address what women can do to improve their brain health and address many of these issues when getting pregn...
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Amanda Namchuk and Tallinn Splinter will join us in this episode to discuss the exclusion of women from health research and how that has impacted us in the past, present and foreseeable future. They discuss how a lack of research on women and their bodies has led to a gap in research on sex and gender. Amanda and Tallinn will also go over how to better address this gap both on an individual and systemic level. Guest: Amanda Namchu...
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In this episode, Dr. Alex Abramovich will be highlighting the barriers that 2SLGBTQ+ youth face when accessing housing and health services. He will discuss how the issue of safety comes into place and how important it is for 2SLGBTQ+ youth to feel like they can be their full authentic selves when choosing different programs. Guest: Dr. Alex Abramovich Host(s): Chhavi Mehra & Sarah Williscraft Editor: Negin Nia & Chhavi Mehra Mus...
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In this episode of Women’s Health Interrupted we are joined by Dr. Lindsay Larios to discuss reproductive care in Canada when you have a precarious immigration status. Dr. Larios addresses our questions related to how abortion and reproductive care rights work in a healthcare system that often discriminates against marginalized groups. SUBJECT/HOST CREDITS: Guest: Dr. Lindsay Larios Host(s): Chhavi Mehra & Sarah Williscraft Edi...
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