60 acast.com Regarding Me https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/ en Luan Lawrenson-Woods womens health, cancer, empower,self-advocacy ,patient-centred care,advocacy skills,personalised care,effective communication,share experiences,breast cancer,lung cancer,cancer treatment,success stories,inspiring stories,cancer community Luan Lawrenson-Woods Advocate for your health Take control of your health and wellbeing with Regarding Me, the podcast that empowers women to advocate for themselves with confidence – because your voice and your choices matter.

 

Join Luan, an award-winning women’s health advocate with a personal experience of breast cancer, as she shares the skills, strategies and stories behind effective self-advocacy. Whether you’re facing a health challenge like cancer or a chronic illness, or taking steps to future-proof your health, this podcast is for you.

 

Hear from women who’ve successfully advocated for themselves and experts who offer insights to help you advocate for ‘me-centred’ healthcare. You’ll discover how to become your strongest self-advocate in any health situation and make informed decisions that are right for you.

 

Subscribe now and join a growing community of women transforming their health through self-advocacy. Together we’ll make sure your voice is heard and your care reflects what matters to you most.


Looking for the FREE resources Luan mentioned, want to join the self-health advocacy movement, or have a question? Head over to luanlawriewoods.com.au!




Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Take control of your health and wellbeing with Regarding Me, the podcast that empowers women to advocate for themselves with confidence – because your voice and your choices matter.

 

Join Luan, an award-winning women’s health advocate with a personal experience of breast cancer, as she shares the skills, strategies and stories behind effective self-advocacy. Whether you’re facing a health challenge like cancer or a chronic illness, or taking steps to future-proof your health, this podcast is for you.

 

Hear from women who’ve successfully advocated for themselves and experts who offer insights to help you advocate for ‘me-centred’ healthcare. You’ll discover how to become your strongest self-advocate in any health situation and make informed decisions that are right for you.

 

Subscribe now and join a growing community of women transforming their health through self-advocacy. Together we’ll make sure your voice is heard and your care reflects what matters to you most.


Looking for the FREE resources Luan mentioned, want to join the self-health advocacy movement, or have a question? Head over to luanlawriewoods.com.au!




Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Luan lawrenson-woods info+6729a3565e15233c40acb818@mg-eu.acast.com 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 regarding-me episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/6729a3565e15233c40acb818/1737413963990-158284f7-975f-4544-8397-f69ed46a8eca.jpeg https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/ Regarding Me You’re Not the Difficult One You’re Not the Difficult One Wed, 20 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT 43:06 6a0d6089a173e3b4db700e2a false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/6a0d6089a173e3b4db700e2a 6a0d6089a173e3b4db700e2a 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 10 What happens when advocating for yourself makes you look like a difficult patient?


When Jo Muirhead was diagnosed with breast cancer, she did all the things a 'good patient' is encouraged to do to advocate for her health. But instead of being seen as informed and prepared, she was seen as potentially litigious.


Jo also talks to Luan about feeling steered towards a reconstruction she didn’t want, how not feeling heard affected her trust in healthcare, and what changed when she finally found a clinician who listened.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:




Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What happens when advocating for yourself makes you look like a difficult patient?


When Jo Muirhead was diagnosed with breast cancer, she did all the things a 'good patient' is encouraged to do to advocate for her health. But instead of being seen as informed and prepared, she was seen as potentially litigious.


Jo also talks to Luan about feeling steered towards a reconstruction she didn’t want, how not feeling heard affected her trust in healthcare, and what changed when she finally found a clinician who listened.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:




Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Your Medicine Is Approved. So Why Isn’t It Subsidised? Your Medicine Is Approved. So Why Isn’t It Subsidised? Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:36:18 GMT 59:25 69effec23f40b76716f5663c false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69effec23f40b76716f5663c 69effec23f40b76716f5663c 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 9 Luan’s joined by Jo Watson, Deputy Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, to explain how decisions about medicine subsidies are made and what they can mean for patients.


Jo decodes the alphabet soup of TGA, PBAC and PBS — including who does what, why a medicine might not be recommended for subsidy, and where patients and patient organisations can have a say.


This conversation was recorded earlier in 2026, and references to global pricing and tariffs should be heard in that context.


Before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer






CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Luan’s joined by Jo Watson, Deputy Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, to explain how decisions about medicine subsidies are made and what they can mean for patients.


Jo decodes the alphabet soup of TGA, PBAC and PBS — including who does what, why a medicine might not be recommended for subsidy, and where patients and patient organisations can have a say.


This conversation was recorded earlier in 2026, and references to global pricing and tariffs should be heard in that context.


Before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer






CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> I Said Yes to My Surgeon. My Gut Said No. I Said Yes to My Surgeon. My Gut Said No. Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT 51:07 69cdf97eb601292a8000bc0a false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69cdf97eb601292a8000bc0a 69cdf97eb601292a8000bc0a 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 8 When Louise Butcher was diagnosed with breast cancer, she knew she didn’t want breast reconstruction. But after being repeatedly encouraged to have it, she changed her mind in the appointment — then walked out knowing she’d agreed to something she didn’t want.


Louise talks to Luan about how she ultimately advocated to stay flat after mastectomy, the assumptions women face about what they should want for their bodies — and why she now runs marathons topless.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


You can find Louise's book Going Topless and links to you connect with her in the episode blog Luan's website.


Please take care of you while listening. This episode includes references to breast cancer, mastectomy surgery, body image and mental health.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer










CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When Louise Butcher was diagnosed with breast cancer, she knew she didn’t want breast reconstruction. But after being repeatedly encouraged to have it, she changed her mind in the appointment — then walked out knowing she’d agreed to something she didn’t want.


Louise talks to Luan about how she ultimately advocated to stay flat after mastectomy, the assumptions women face about what they should want for their bodies — and why she now runs marathons topless.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


You can find Louise's book Going Topless and links to you connect with her in the episode blog Luan's website.


Please take care of you while listening. This episode includes references to breast cancer, mastectomy surgery, body image and mental health.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer










CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What Can You Do When a Medical Bill Just Doesn’t Add Up? What Can You Do When a Medical Bill Just Doesn’t Add Up? Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT 56:22 69d859d8d3f0dd77478ee72a false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69d859d8d3f0dd77478ee72a 69d859d8d3f0dd77478ee72a 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 7 This episode will help you spot medical billing red flags before they cost you.


Luan’s joined again by Dr Margaret Faux, one of Australia’s leading experts on medical billing law, to talk through what you can look out for in quotes and specialist bills.


Using Luan's real billing and quote examples, Margaret explains what to question, how to question it and shares the “magic sentence” she wants every patient to use when Medicare is involved.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


You can find Margaret’s book 'How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off!' and links to you connect with her in the episode blog on Luan's website.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer









CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This episode will help you spot medical billing red flags before they cost you.


Luan’s joined again by Dr Margaret Faux, one of Australia’s leading experts on medical billing law, to talk through what you can look out for in quotes and specialist bills.


Using Luan's real billing and quote examples, Margaret explains what to question, how to question it and shares the “magic sentence” she wants every patient to use when Medicare is involved.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


You can find Margaret’s book 'How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off!' and links to you connect with her in the episode blog on Luan's website.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer









CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> He Yelled at Me. I Walked Out. | When Medical Billing Gets Personal He Yelled at Me. I Walked Out. | When Medical Billing Gets Personal Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:30:00 GMT 12:41 69d35c28d2e95f513119e58a false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69d35c28d2e95f513119e58a 69d35c28d2e95f513119e58a 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 bonus 3 6 Margaret changed her mind about a biopsy. Her dermatologist yelled at her.


In this bonus episode, Luan’s joined by medical billing expert Dr Margaret Faux, who shares how, even with her knowledge and expertise, she still found herself feeling like she was the problem.


And why patients can be particularly vulnerable when we’re relying on healthcare professionals to do the right thing clinically and financially.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


You can find Margaret’s book 'How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off!' and links to you connect with her in the episode blog on Luan's website.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer












CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Margaret changed her mind about a biopsy. Her dermatologist yelled at her.


In this bonus episode, Luan’s joined by medical billing expert Dr Margaret Faux, who shares how, even with her knowledge and expertise, she still found herself feeling like she was the problem.


And why patients can be particularly vulnerable when we’re relying on healthcare professionals to do the right thing clinically and financially.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


You can find Margaret’s book 'How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off!' and links to you connect with her in the episode blog on Luan's website.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer












CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Confused by Medical Billing? | Bulk Billing, Rebates and Gaps Unpacked Confused by Medical Billing? | Bulk Billing, Rebates and Gaps Unpacked Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT 54:34 69d33fe2f57702d2d9b21b6a false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69d33fe2f57702d2d9b21b6a 69d33fe2f57702d2d9b21b6a 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 5 If you’ve ever looked at a medical bill and wondered what half the language means, you’re not alone.


Luan’s joined by Dr Margaret Faux, one of Australia’s leading experts in Medicare and medical billing law.


Margaret explains some of the terms we hear all the time but might not fully understand, and why knowing what they mean can help you make sure you’re getting what you’re entitled to and only paying what you should.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


You can find Margaret’s book 'How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off!' and links to you connect with her in the episode blog on Luan's website.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer









CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> If you’ve ever looked at a medical bill and wondered what half the language means, you’re not alone.


Luan’s joined by Dr Margaret Faux, one of Australia’s leading experts in Medicare and medical billing law.


Margaret explains some of the terms we hear all the time but might not fully understand, and why knowing what they mean can help you make sure you’re getting what you’re entitled to and only paying what you should.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


You can find Margaret’s book 'How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off!' and links to you connect with her in the episode blog on Luan's website.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer









CREDITS:
Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Be the 'Annoying' Woman | Endometriosis, Pain & Finally Being Heard]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT 1:08:33 69bb84f2723e62607442b346 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69bb84f2723e62607442b346 69bb84f2723e62607442b346 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 4 Mackala did so many of the things women are told to do when something doesn’t feel right. She still spent years trying to be believed.


Luan’s joined by Mac to talk about living with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, from being told doctors had found “just a little bit” of endometriosis to repeatedly having to explain how much pain she was actually in.


And finally, how Mac met a healthcare professional who explained things clearly and truly listened to her.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer






CREDITS:
Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Mackala did so many of the things women are told to do when something doesn’t feel right. She still spent years trying to be believed.


Luan’s joined by Mac to talk about living with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, from being told doctors had found “just a little bit” of endometriosis to repeatedly having to explain how much pain she was actually in.


And finally, how Mac met a healthcare professional who explained things clearly and truly listened to her.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer






CREDITS:
Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Would You Know If It Was Medical Misogyny? Would You Know If It Was Medical Misogyny? Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT 57:09 69bb72636cb58679e82124f1 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69bb72636cb58679e82124f1 69bb72636cb58679e82124f1 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 3 Have you ever left a medical appointment wondering if you were overreacting — or if you should have pushed harder?


Luan’s joined by award-winning journalist and Sydney Morning Herald Health Editor Kate Aubusson to unpack what medical misogyny can actually look like: pain being minimised, symptoms dismissed, diagnoses delayed or missed, and women beginning to doubt what their own bodies are telling them.


Kate also shares what her investigation uncovered about women who kept asking for help and still weren’t heard — and why the answer can’t simply be telling women to advocate harder.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer







CREDITS:
Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Have you ever left a medical appointment wondering if you were overreacting — or if you should have pushed harder?


Luan’s joined by award-winning journalist and Sydney Morning Herald Health Editor Kate Aubusson to unpack what medical misogyny can actually look like: pain being minimised, symptoms dismissed, diagnoses delayed or missed, and women beginning to doubt what their own bodies are telling them.


Kate also shares what her investigation uncovered about women who kept asking for help and still weren’t heard — and why the answer can’t simply be telling women to advocate harder.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer







CREDITS:
Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When Decisions About Your Care Are Made for You When Decisions About Your Care Are Made for You Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT 38:00 69a92a195fb5962408d04073 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69a92a195fb5962408d04073 69a92a195fb5962408d04073 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 2 Tammy went into her double mastectomy and reconstruction having made a clear decision about part of her treatment. But then something happened and she had a conversation she can’t remember — and the decision she’d made didn’t go ahead.


Luan and Tammy talk about the impact of that experience, what it did to Tammy’s trust in her care, and what changed when she met a new plastic surgeon who welcomed her questions and concerns as part of making decisions about her care.


This episode is Part 2 of Tammy’s story. Listen to Part 1 — Doctor, Have I Done Something to Offend You? — first for the full story.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer








CREDITS:
Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.
Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Tammy went into her double mastectomy and reconstruction having made a clear decision about part of her treatment. But then something happened and she had a conversation she can’t remember — and the decision she’d made didn’t go ahead.


Luan and Tammy talk about the impact of that experience, what it did to Tammy’s trust in her care, and what changed when she met a new plastic surgeon who welcomed her questions and concerns as part of making decisions about her care.


This episode is Part 2 of Tammy’s story. Listen to Part 1 — Doctor, Have I Done Something to Offend You? — first for the full story.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer








CREDITS:
Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.
Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Doctor, Have I Done Something to Offend You? Doctor, Have I Done Something to Offend You? Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT 48:08 69a929f6345da197e0309df0 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/69a929f6345da197e0309df0 69a929f6345da197e0309df0 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 3 1 What happens when you ask reasonable questions about your own surgery and end up wondering whether you’ve done something wrong?


Luan is joined by Tammy MacPherson, who was diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). As Tammy tried to understand the treatment and breast reconstruction decisions in front of her, questions about what would happen to her body became the source of an interaction with a surgeon that left her feeling humiliated, ashamed and scared.


Unfortunately this wasn't the only moment that affected her deeply. Tammy shares more in the next episode.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:
Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate
Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What happens when you ask reasonable questions about your own surgery and end up wondering whether you’ve done something wrong?


Luan is joined by Tammy MacPherson, who was diagnosed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). As Tammy tried to understand the treatment and breast reconstruction decisions in front of her, questions about what would happen to her body became the source of an interaction with a surgeon that left her feeling humiliated, ashamed and scared.


Unfortunately this wasn't the only moment that affected her deeply. Tammy shares more in the next episode.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:
Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate
Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> You Don’t Need Permission to Advocate for Your Own Healthcare You Don’t Need Permission to Advocate for Your Own Healthcare Thu, 02 Oct 2025 01:30:26 GMT 54:58 68d9ed2a2552b72c20ef3b6b false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/68d9ed2a2552b72c20ef3b6b 68d9ed2a2552b72c20ef3b6b 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 13 Ever worried that asking questions, requesting a second opinion or giving feedback might make you a difficult patient? Knowing what you’re entitled to can make it easier to take an active role in your healthcare.


Luan’s joined by Rebecca White, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health and Women, to unpack the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, including second opinions, informed consent and shared decision-making.


Find out what you can do if you feel dismissed, and why you don’t have to know everything before you start asking questions.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ever worried that asking questions, requesting a second opinion or giving feedback might make you a difficult patient? Knowing what you’re entitled to can make it easier to take an active role in your healthcare.


Luan’s joined by Rebecca White, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health and Women, to unpack the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, including second opinions, informed consent and shared decision-making.


Find out what you can do if you feel dismissed, and why you don’t have to know everything before you start asking questions.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What Keeps You Awake at Night Isn’t Keeping Your Specialist Awake What Keeps You Awake at Night Isn’t Keeping Your Specialist Awake Mon, 15 Sep 2025 20:00:00 GMT 37:26 68c36b5886eb67a6f6ce9186 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/68c36b5886eb67a6f6ce9186 68c36b5886eb67a6f6ce9186 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 12 That doesn’t mean your specialist doesn’t care. It means you’re the one who has to live with your decisions and be comfortable with the questions you ask — or don’t ask.


Sarah Wallace knows that personally. Sarah found herself trying to understand what her cancer risk statistics meant for her after her mum died of breast cancer. Now she’s decided to have a risk-reducing mastectomy, and she’s facing the financial reality of that surgery — including using her superannuation (again) to help pay for it.


A note before you listen:This episode includes discussion of fertility challenges, pregnancy loss and related experiences. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you. It’s always okay to pause or step away if you need to. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:


Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> That doesn’t mean your specialist doesn’t care. It means you’re the one who has to live with your decisions and be comfortable with the questions you ask — or don’t ask.


Sarah Wallace knows that personally. Sarah found herself trying to understand what her cancer risk statistics meant for her after her mum died of breast cancer. Now she’s decided to have a risk-reducing mastectomy, and she’s facing the financial reality of that surgery — including using her superannuation (again) to help pay for it.


A note before you listen:This episode includes discussion of fertility challenges, pregnancy loss and related experiences. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you. It’s always okay to pause or step away if you need to. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:


Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> I Emptied My Super to Pay for IVF I Emptied My Super to Pay for IVF Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:00:00 GMT 48:49 68b4ff2d993d10acb9608a62 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/68b4ff2d993d10acb9608a62 68b4ff2d993d10acb9608a62 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 11 What would you do if continuing IVF meant using your retirement savings?


Sarah Wallace spent more than $50,000 funding fertility treatment after her savings ran out.


Sarah talks about IVF, pregnancy loss and what it meant to keep going when the emotional, physical and financial costs kept adding up. And she shares what happened when accessing her own super required her to be assessed under mental-health provisions.


A note before you listen: This episode discusses fertility challenges and pregnancy loss. Please listen in whatever way feels right for you.Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What would you do if continuing IVF meant using your retirement savings?


Sarah Wallace spent more than $50,000 funding fertility treatment after her savings ran out.


Sarah talks about IVF, pregnancy loss and what it meant to keep going when the emotional, physical and financial costs kept adding up. And she shares what happened when accessing her own super required her to be assessed under mental-health provisions.


A note before you listen: This episode discusses fertility challenges and pregnancy loss. Please listen in whatever way feels right for you.Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> You Don’t Have to Keep Up With What Used to Be ‘Normal’ You Don’t Have to Keep Up With What Used to Be ‘Normal’ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:00:00 GMT 34:55 68a5140fe2f63983a76ddc94 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/68a5140fe2f63983a76ddc94 68a5140fe2f63983a76ddc94 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 10 After cancer treatment ends, there can be enormous pressure to get back to “normal”. But what if your energy doesn’t return, the brain fog lingers or pain and fatigue mean that normal expectations simply don’t fit anymore?


Luan continues her conversation with patient advocate Shona Edwards and explores 'crip time' — an idea from disability communities that offers a different way to think about time, energy and capacity.


They also talk about pacing yourself, making room for rest and flexibility, and what patient advocates may need from the organisations asking for their time and lived experience.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> After cancer treatment ends, there can be enormous pressure to get back to “normal”. But what if your energy doesn’t return, the brain fog lingers or pain and fatigue mean that normal expectations simply don’t fit anymore?


Luan continues her conversation with patient advocate Shona Edwards and explores 'crip time' — an idea from disability communities that offers a different way to think about time, energy and capacity.


They also talk about pacing yourself, making room for rest and flexibility, and what patient advocates may need from the organisations asking for their time and lived experience.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When Supporting Others Starts Taking Too Much From You When Supporting Others Starts Taking Too Much From You Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:00:00 GMT 53:01 68a23f1faabbc2ace33d29a9 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/68a23f1faabbc2ace33d29a9 68a23f1faabbc2ace33d29a9 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 9 You support people because you care. But when you’re the person others turn to, it can be very easy to give more time, energy and even personal information than you actually have to give.


Luan is joined by disability and cancer advocate Shona Edwards to talk about the emotional load of peer support and patient advocacy, why saying 'no' can be part of doing this work well, and how to think about your own boundaries before, during and after showing up for somebody else.


If you’re part of a patient community, this is an important reminder to look after yourself too.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> You support people because you care. But when you’re the person others turn to, it can be very easy to give more time, energy and even personal information than you actually have to give.


Luan is joined by disability and cancer advocate Shona Edwards to talk about the emotional load of peer support and patient advocacy, why saying 'no' can be part of doing this work well, and how to think about your own boundaries before, during and after showing up for somebody else.


If you’re part of a patient community, this is an important reminder to look after yourself too.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[When You Say 'I’m Fine' When You’re Not]]> Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:00:00 GMT 44:45 68819a1af6d4262b07ffdd33 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/68819a1af6d4262b07ffdd33 68819a1af6d4262b07ffdd33 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 8 People-pleasing can make it hard to set boundaries or be honest about how you’re really feeling — even when it comes to your healthcare.


Luan is joined by empowerment coach Belinda Stark to talk about the guilt that can come with saying no, and learning when to give fewer fucks — so you might want to pop your headphones in if little ones are around.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> People-pleasing can make it hard to set boundaries or be honest about how you’re really feeling — even when it comes to your healthcare.


Luan is joined by empowerment coach Belinda Stark to talk about the guilt that can come with saying no, and learning when to give fewer fucks — so you might want to pop your headphones in if little ones are around.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Know When to Speak Up—and When to Walk Away Know When to Speak Up—and When to Walk Away Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:00:00 GMT 48:34 686c86898d2a216e1246c4a3 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/686c86898d2a216e1246c4a3 686c86898d2a216e1246c4a3 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 7 What happens when the way you want to be treated doesn’t quite align with the healthcare you’re receiving?


Knowing what’s important to you can help when you’re making difficult health decisions, deciding whether to raise something that doesn’t feel right, or working out whether it’s time to find someone else.


Luan is joined by values-led leadership expert Tiffany Leone to talk about what personal values actually are, how to start identifying yours and how they can help guide you when things feel uncertain.


A conversation about knowing yourself a little better, and using that knowledge to help make healthcare choices that are right for you.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What happens when the way you want to be treated doesn’t quite align with the healthcare you’re receiving?


Knowing what’s important to you can help when you’re making difficult health decisions, deciding whether to raise something that doesn’t feel right, or working out whether it’s time to find someone else.


Luan is joined by values-led leadership expert Tiffany Leone to talk about what personal values actually are, how to start identifying yours and how they can help guide you when things feel uncertain.


A conversation about knowing yourself a little better, and using that knowledge to help make healthcare choices that are right for you.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What to Do When Your Body Freezes in a Medical Appointment What to Do When Your Body Freezes in a Medical Appointment Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:15:19 GMT 11:34 6871a4f8e1ed51a8f9eb9e93 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/6871a4f8e1ed51a8f9eb9e93 6871a4f8e1ed51a8f9eb9e93 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 6 Ever walked into a medical appointment with your questions ready, only to freeze, stumble or shrink when it’s time to use them?


In this In the Meantime mini-episode, Luan reflects on some earlier episodes and why self-advocacy isn’t only about mindset — and how supporting your body can help when fear, frustration or overwhelm takes over.


She also shares some of the things she did during treatment that helped her feel more grounded and prepared. This isn’t about doing it ‘right’. It’s about finding one small thing that supports you.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ever walked into a medical appointment with your questions ready, only to freeze, stumble or shrink when it’s time to use them?


In this In the Meantime mini-episode, Luan reflects on some earlier episodes and why self-advocacy isn’t only about mindset — and how supporting your body can help when fear, frustration or overwhelm takes over.


She also shares some of the things she did during treatment that helped her feel more grounded and prepared. This isn’t about doing it ‘right’. It’s about finding one small thing that supports you.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Energetic Bankruptcy | Why It’s So Hard to Speak Up When You’re Running on Empty Energetic Bankruptcy | Why It’s So Hard to Speak Up When You’re Running on Empty Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:00:00 GMT 46:50 685b4d2863e89e7686194422 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/685b4d2863e89e7686194422 685b4d2863e89e7686194422 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 5 When you’re already overwhelmed, speaking up for what you need can feel like one more thing you simply don’t have the energy for.


Psychologist, author and coach Suzy Reading calls this energetic bankruptcy — those times when there’s nothing left in the tank.


Suzy joins Luan to explore why self-advocacy can be particularly hard when you’re running on empty, the pressure to be the quiet and compliant “good patient”, and why strength doesn’t have to mean doing everything alone. And they also go through some really simple ways to steady yourself before you speak up.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Luan's blog brings together all the physical practices - from the chicken wing stretch to the face hug - and you read it here!


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When you’re already overwhelmed, speaking up for what you need can feel like one more thing you simply don’t have the energy for.


Psychologist, author and coach Suzy Reading calls this energetic bankruptcy — those times when there’s nothing left in the tank.


Suzy joins Luan to explore why self-advocacy can be particularly hard when you’re running on empty, the pressure to be the quiet and compliant “good patient”, and why strength doesn’t have to mean doing everything alone. And they also go through some really simple ways to steady yourself before you speak up.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Luan's blog brings together all the physical practices - from the chicken wing stretch to the face hug - and you read it here!


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> You Don’t Have to Go Balls to the Wall You Don’t Have to Go Balls to the Wall Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:15:00 GMT 9:23 685cf16bf42ce01224f0cba4 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/685cf16bf42ce01224f0cba4 685cf16bf42ce01224f0cba4 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 4 Does advocating for yourself in healthcare mean pushing hard, challenging everything or risking being labelled difficult?


In this In the Meantime mini episode, Luan challenges the idea that self-advocacy has to begin with confrontation.


She looks at why so many women find it hard to ask questions or express what they need, and why taking part in your care can be as simple as saying, “I’m not sure,” asking about your options or requesting time to think.


Self-advocacy isn’t about rejecting medical advice or going it alone. It’s about being part of the conversation.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Disclaimer




CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Does advocating for yourself in healthcare mean pushing hard, challenging everything or risking being labelled difficult?


In this In the Meantime mini episode, Luan challenges the idea that self-advocacy has to begin with confrontation.


She looks at why so many women find it hard to ask questions or express what they need, and why taking part in your care can be as simple as saying, “I’m not sure,” asking about your options or requesting time to think.


Self-advocacy isn’t about rejecting medical advice or going it alone. It’s about being part of the conversation.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Disclaimer




CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Your Sh*t Algorithm | When Your Brain Keeps Looking for the Negative Your Sh*t Algorithm | When Your Brain Keeps Looking for the Negative Mon, 16 Jun 2025 20:00:00 GMT 54:36 684a7cebc07dba908a4b5a0d false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/684a7cebc07dba908a4b5a0d 684a7cebc07dba908a4b5a0d 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 3 When you’re stuck replaying the same anger, grief or worry, those thoughts can start shaping how you see everything.


Toni Powell shares how she began questioning the stories she was telling herself, changed what she focused on and found a way out of a deeply negative pattern.


This isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about recognising when your thoughts are making things harder—and learning that you don’t have to believe every one of them.


A note before you listen:This episode briefly mentions suicidal thoughts and includes some strong language. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:


Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When you’re stuck replaying the same anger, grief or worry, those thoughts can start shaping how you see everything.


Toni Powell shares how she began questioning the stories she was telling herself, changed what she focused on and found a way out of a deeply negative pattern.


This isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about recognising when your thoughts are making things harder—and learning that you don’t have to believe every one of them.


A note before you listen:This episode briefly mentions suicidal thoughts and includes some strong language. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:


Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What Happens to Your Health Information After You Share it With ChatGPT? What Happens to Your Health Information After You Share it With ChatGPT? Wed, 04 Jun 2025 23:02:16 GMT 26:25 6837ab186e5b65d787770993 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/6837ab186e5b65d787770993 6837ab186e5b65d787770993 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 2 In Part 2, Dr Julie Ayre and Luan look at memory, chat history and privacy, using Luan’s own health information as an example.


They explore whether details shared in one conversation could shape what the tool says to you later—and what to consider before handing over more than you intended.


Listen before deciding how much of your health information you’re comfortable sharing.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For links to the resources in this show - visit the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In Part 2, Dr Julie Ayre and Luan look at memory, chat history and privacy, using Luan’s own health information as an example.


They explore whether details shared in one conversation could shape what the tool says to you later—and what to consider before handing over more than you intended.


Listen before deciding how much of your health information you’re comfortable sharing.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For links to the resources in this show - visit the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Listen to This Before You Ask ChatGPT About Your Health Listen to This Before You Ask ChatGPT About Your Health Mon, 02 Jun 2025 20:00:00 GMT 37:07 683799509bd0275f2c65a82e false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/683799509bd0275f2c65a82e 683799509bd0275f2c65a82e 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 2 1 After a diagnosis, ChatGPT can seem like an easy place to start when you don’t know what to ask at your next appointment. But what should you know before sharing personal health information or relying on what it tells you?


Dr Julie Ayre is a public health researcher and expert in health literacy and digital health. She joins Luan to explain in plain language how generative AI tools like ChatGPT work, how they may help you prepare questions and understand unfamiliar terms, and what to consider before using them for your health.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For links to the resources in this show - visit the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> After a diagnosis, ChatGPT can seem like an easy place to start when you don’t know what to ask at your next appointment. But what should you know before sharing personal health information or relying on what it tells you?


Dr Julie Ayre is a public health researcher and expert in health literacy and digital health. She joins Luan to explain in plain language how generative AI tools like ChatGPT work, how they may help you prepare questions and understand unfamiliar terms, and what to consider before using them for your health.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For links to the resources in this show - visit the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Three Women Who Spoke Up and Changed Their Care Three Women Who Spoke Up and Changed Their Care Thu, 08 May 2025 20:00:00 GMT 15:26 681ac262609de352780be7fe false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/681ac262609de352780be7fe 681ac262609de352780be7fe 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 12 In this Season 1 rewind, Luan revisits the stories of three women who spoke up when they faced dismissal, bias or care that didn’t recognise their needs.


Kate Hardman made the deeply personal choice to stop life-saving medication while living with metastatic breast cancer. Sonya Lovell challenged dismissal and bias after feeling sidelined by her doctors. Rena Patel learned from her community how to speak up and ask for different care.


Their stories show that self-advocacy isn’t about being difficult. It’s about having a say in your healthcare and being heard.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙



Rewind episodes



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this Season 1 rewind, Luan revisits the stories of three women who spoke up when they faced dismissal, bias or care that didn’t recognise their needs.


Kate Hardman made the deeply personal choice to stop life-saving medication while living with metastatic breast cancer. Sonya Lovell challenged dismissal and bias after feeling sidelined by her doctors. Rena Patel learned from her community how to speak up and ask for different care.


Their stories show that self-advocacy isn’t about being difficult. It’s about having a say in your healthcare and being heard.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙



Rewind episodes



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> It’s Your Appointment, Not the Doctor’s It’s Your Appointment, Not the Doctor’s Wed, 30 Apr 2025 20:00:00 GMT 13:25 68117a676ac0e5213b65131d false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/68117a676ac0e5213b65131d 68117a676ac0e5213b65131d 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 11 A healthcare appointment is your time to ask questions, understand your options and make sure the conversation includes what matters to you.


In this Season 1 rewind, Luan revisits advice from author and award-winning advocate Dr Liz O’Riordan, neuroscience-based leadership coach Josie Thomson and surgeon Dr Susannah Graham.


Luan reflects on what they shared about preparing your questions, managing the self-doubt that can stop you asking them, and remembering that consent is a two-way conversation, not just a signature.


Your questions aren’t a burden. They’re part of the conversation.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙



Connect with Luan:




Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A healthcare appointment is your time to ask questions, understand your options and make sure the conversation includes what matters to you.


In this Season 1 rewind, Luan revisits advice from author and award-winning advocate Dr Liz O’Riordan, neuroscience-based leadership coach Josie Thomson and surgeon Dr Susannah Graham.


Luan reflects on what they shared about preparing your questions, managing the self-doubt that can stop you asking them, and remembering that consent is a two-way conversation, not just a signature.


Your questions aren’t a burden. They’re part of the conversation.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙



Connect with Luan:




Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Don’t Let Being the 'Good Patient' Silence You]]> Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:00:00 GMT 48:53 67fc6ab2d5ed0d5b9d77bd12 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/67fc6ab2d5ed0d5b9d77bd12 67fc6ab2d5ed0d5b9d77bd12 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 10 Your personal history of disease is a PhD in you. You know yourself, and your voice needs to be heard. But a sudden diagnosis can leave you too shocked to speak up.


Gill Stannard was diagnosed with cancer within hours of seeing a GP. She shares how she found herself trying to be the “good patient” as she was fast-tracked through major surgery and chemotherapy.


Gill talks about what she wishes she’d known before treatment, including that it was okay to pause, ask questions and ask for more time. And how she found her voice again.


If you are on active treatment for cancer, please check all supplements with your oncologist, oncology pharmacist and/or integrative medicine physician.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙



For links to the resources in this show - visit the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Your personal history of disease is a PhD in you. You know yourself, and your voice needs to be heard. But a sudden diagnosis can leave you too shocked to speak up.


Gill Stannard was diagnosed with cancer within hours of seeing a GP. She shares how she found herself trying to be the “good patient” as she was fast-tracked through major surgery and chemotherapy.


Gill talks about what she wishes she’d known before treatment, including that it was okay to pause, ask questions and ask for more time. And how she found her voice again.


If you are on active treatment for cancer, please check all supplements with your oncologist, oncology pharmacist and/or integrative medicine physician.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙



For links to the resources in this show - visit the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This Isn’t Just Me | Speaking Up So It’s Different for My Daughter This Isn’t Just Me | Speaking Up So It’s Different for My Daughter Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:00:00 GMT 53:45 67e5cd2c3cc004e45362c3df false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/67e5cd2c3cc004e45362c3df 67e5cd2c3cc004e45362c3df 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 9 Sometimes it takes hearing another woman say, “That happened to me too,” to realise something wasn’t okay.


When Rena Patel was diagnosed with cancer at 40, she felt isolated, unseen and unheard in a healthcare system that didn’t account for the diverse needs of women from ethnic minority backgrounds.


From not being shown how radiotherapy burns could look on her skin to being offered wigs that didn’t match her hair, Rena began to recognise the gaps in her care. She connected with a community of women who understood, helped her trust what she was feeling and gave her the confidence to speak up, so other women—and her daughter—might have a different experience.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙

For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Sometimes it takes hearing another woman say, “That happened to me too,” to realise something wasn’t okay.


When Rena Patel was diagnosed with cancer at 40, she felt isolated, unseen and unheard in a healthcare system that didn’t account for the diverse needs of women from ethnic minority backgrounds.


From not being shown how radiotherapy burns could look on her skin to being offered wigs that didn’t match her hair, Rena began to recognise the gaps in her care. She connected with a community of women who understood, helped her trust what she was feeling and gave her the confidence to speak up, so other women—and her daughter—might have a different experience.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙

For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.



Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Can You Trust Online Health Information? Can You Trust Online Health Information? Mon, 24 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT 54:32 67e0be27639ec2394a54ce23 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/67e0be27639ec2394a54ce23 67e0be27639ec2394a54ce23 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 8 Finding cancer information online is easy. Knowing what to trust is much harder, especially when it comes from someone sharing a personal story.


Dr Liz O’Riordan, a breast surgeon who's had breast cancer three times, knows this from both sides. When she became a cancer patient, she discovered how difficult it could be to find clear, balanced information online, even with her medical background.


Liz talks with Luan about how testimonials, natural treatments and claims about supplements can draw people in, and how to check the accuracy of online advice before it affects your health or costs you money.


For all the resources in this show - including where to find Liz's books - visit the episode blog page.


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Finding cancer information online is easy. Knowing what to trust is much harder, especially when it comes from someone sharing a personal story.


Dr Liz O’Riordan, a breast surgeon who's had breast cancer three times, knows this from both sides. When she became a cancer patient, she discovered how difficult it could be to find clear, balanced information online, even with her medical background.


Liz talks with Luan about how testimonials, natural treatments and claims about supplements can draw people in, and how to check the accuracy of online advice before it affects your health or costs you money.


For all the resources in this show - including where to find Liz's books - visit the episode blog page.


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What’s the Point If You Might Die Soon? What’s the Point If You Might Die Soon? Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT 44:40 67d780785430fa2ee42453e6 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/67d780785430fa2ee42453e6 67d780785430fa2ee42453e6 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 7 A metastatic breast cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean the decisions about your body stop being yours.


Breast reconstruction isn’t always offered to people living with metastatic disease. But Kate Hardman knew it was something she wanted to explore, even though it would mean briefly pausing the medication keeping her cancer stable.


Kate shares how she had conversations with her medical team about what she wanted for her body.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.




Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A metastatic breast cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean the decisions about your body stop being yours.


Breast reconstruction isn’t always offered to people living with metastatic disease. But Kate Hardman knew it was something she wanted to explore, even though it would mean briefly pausing the medication keeping her cancer stable.


Kate shares how she had conversations with her medical team about what she wanted for her body.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.




Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer


CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> No Thanks Is Enough | Holding Your Ground When You’re Not Drinking No Thanks Is Enough | Holding Your Ground When You’re Not Drinking Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT 42:36 67ce310d5470d48c55d4295f false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/67ce310d5470d48c55d4295f 67ce310d5470d48c55d4295f 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 6 Making a decision about alcohol for your health is one thing. Explaining that decision to friends, family or colleagues can be another.


Kath Elliott changed her relationship with alcohol shortly before being diagnosed with breast cancer. She talks with Luan about standing by that choice in social situations, without judging anyone else or feeling obliged to share the whole story.


Kath shares simple ways to respond when people ask questions, encourage you to ‘just have one’ or keep pushing after you’ve said no.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

 


Connect with Luan:


Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Making a decision about alcohol for your health is one thing. Explaining that decision to friends, family or colleagues can be another.


Kath Elliott changed her relationship with alcohol shortly before being diagnosed with breast cancer. She talks with Luan about standing by that choice in social situations, without judging anyone else or feeling obliged to share the whole story.


Kath shares simple ways to respond when people ask questions, encourage you to ‘just have one’ or keep pushing after you’ve said no.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

 


Connect with Luan:


Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Your Doctor Is an Adviser. The Final Decision Is Yours. Your Doctor Is an Adviser. The Final Decision Is Yours. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT 52:32 67bfa9773beb1d1463c66ec5 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/67bfa9773beb1d1463c66ec5 67bfa9773beb1d1463c66ec5 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 5 When you’re facing a healthcare decision, how do you weigh the medical advice against what matters to you, your body and your life?


Breast surgeon Dr Susannah Graham joins Luan to explain shared decision-making and why your questions, concerns and priorities belong in the conversation.


They talk about understanding your options, asking why a treatment is being recommended, taking time where possible and seeking another opinion when you need one. Susannah explains how patients and healthcare professionals can consider the evidence, the possible trade-offs and the person living with the decision.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

 


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When you’re facing a healthcare decision, how do you weigh the medical advice against what matters to you, your body and your life?


Breast surgeon Dr Susannah Graham joins Luan to explain shared decision-making and why your questions, concerns and priorities belong in the conversation.


They talk about understanding your options, asking why a treatment is being recommended, taking time where possible and seeking another opinion when you need one. Susannah explains how patients and healthcare professionals can consider the evidence, the possible trade-offs and the person living with the decision.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

 


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Binder Gave Me Power | Asking the Questions That Matter at Medical Appointments The Binder Gave Me Power | Asking the Questions That Matter at Medical Appointments Mon, 24 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT 1:00:16 67a2de93a7aa51f1155986fc false https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/podcasts/podcast-episode-01-7xw26-b46w9-8pt4z-2jm86-xlkec 67a2de93a7aa51f1155986fc 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 4 It can be hard to remember your questions when you’re overwhelmed by a medical appointment. Marilyn Barefoot found an unexpected way to feel more prepared: a bright pink binder that, in her words, gave her power.


Marilyn is a creative strategist and problem-solver who drew on her own methods while going through breast cancer treatment. She joins Luan to talk about organising information, making difficult decisions and finding approaches that reflect what’s important to you.


Their conversation explores how simple visual and tactile tools may help when there’s too much to take in—and why self-advocacy doesn’t always need to be big or bold.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

 


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> It can be hard to remember your questions when you’re overwhelmed by a medical appointment. Marilyn Barefoot found an unexpected way to feel more prepared: a bright pink binder that, in her words, gave her power.


Marilyn is a creative strategist and problem-solver who drew on her own methods while going through breast cancer treatment. She joins Luan to talk about organising information, making difficult decisions and finding approaches that reflect what’s important to you.


Their conversation explores how simple visual and tactile tools may help when there’s too much to take in—and why self-advocacy doesn’t always need to be big or bold.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

 


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> When Fear Takes Over, You’ve Still Got You When Fear Takes Over, You’ve Still Got You Mon, 17 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT 57:52 67a43d713e56448eb371afec false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/67a43d713e56448eb371afec 67a43d713e56448eb371afec 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 3 Have you ever heard upsetting news and suddenly found it hard to focus or remember what was happening around you?


When you’re overwhelmed, it can be hard to think clearly, take in information or know what’s happening around you. Fear can become the loudest voice in your head—but it isn’t the only one you have.


Luan speaks with neuroscience educator, coach and two-time cancer patient Josie Thomson about what happens to you in a health crisis and how you can calm yourself when everything feels overwhelming.

Listen to discover why, even when fear takes over, you’ve still got you.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

 


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Have you ever heard upsetting news and suddenly found it hard to focus or remember what was happening around you?


When you’re overwhelmed, it can be hard to think clearly, take in information or know what’s happening around you. Fear can become the loudest voice in your head—but it isn’t the only one you have.


Luan speaks with neuroscience educator, coach and two-time cancer patient Josie Thomson about what happens to you in a health crisis and how you can calm yourself when everything feels overwhelming.

Listen to discover why, even when fear takes over, you’ve still got you.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode blog page.

 


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer




CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Be the Squeaky Wheel | Menopause, Cancer and Finally Being Heard Be the Squeaky Wheel | Menopause, Cancer and Finally Being Heard Sun, 09 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT 1:16:34 67a2dc6d81e6fa80bb3b7efd true https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/67a2dc6d81e6fa80bb3b7efd 67a2dc6d81e6fa80bb3b7efd 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 2 Sonya Lovell was struggling with the debilitating effects of menopause after breast cancer treatment but couldn’t find the help or information she needed. Or a GP who would listen to her.


Sonya shares what happened when she began to question advice that didn’t feel right for her—and why trusting herself, speaking up and getting a second opinion changed her life, helping her find happiness again.


Advocating for your health can be exhausting and frustrating at times. And you worry you might be seen as difficult. But sometimes you have to be the squeaky wheel.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode page: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/podcasts

 


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate


Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Sonya Lovell was struggling with the debilitating effects of menopause after breast cancer treatment but couldn’t find the help or information she needed. Or a GP who would listen to her.


Sonya shares what happened when she began to question advice that didn’t feel right for her—and why trusting herself, speaking up and getting a second opinion changed her life, helping her find happiness again.


Advocating for your health can be exhausting and frustrating at times. And you worry you might be seen as difficult. But sometimes you have to be the squeaky wheel.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


For the resources mentioned in this show, visit the episode page: https://www.luanlawriewoods.com.au/podcasts

 


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate


Post-production: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> You Already Have What It Takes to Speak Up for Your Health You Already Have What It Takes to Speak Up for Your Health Tue, 04 Feb 2025 05:19:20 GMT 23:03 679e7c512a5cfef5629b6981 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/679e7c512a5cfef5629b6981 679e7c512a5cfef5629b6981 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 full 1 1 You’re not difficult for asking questions about your health, and you’re not asking too much when you want to understand your options, have a say in your care or ask for a second opinion.


In the very first episode of Regarding Me, Luan shares what changed for her after a breast cancer diagnosis, and the worries women have shared with her about asking questions and being listened to when trying to get the care that’s right for them.


You don’t have to do this alone. Listen to find out how this brand new podcast can help you get the healthcare that’s right for you.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> You’re not difficult for asking questions about your health, and you’re not asking too much when you want to understand your options, have a say in your care or ask for a second opinion.


In the very first episode of Regarding Me, Luan shares what changed for her after a breast cancer diagnosis, and the worries women have shared with her about asking questions and being listened to when trying to get the care that’s right for them.


You don’t have to do this alone. Listen to find out how this brand new podcast can help you get the healthcare that’s right for you.


A note before you listen: Some conversations on Regarding Me include experiences of illness, treatment, mental health, grief and other sensitive topics. Please take care when listening. 💙


Connect with Luan:



Guests share their personal experiences of healthcare. Individual clinicians or services are not identified, and the experiences discussed are not intended as allegations about any specific practitioner or service. Experiences are shared to explore broader patterns in healthcare and the impact they can have on patients to help improve healthcare for patients.


Please read more in this Disclaimer



CREDITS:

Host & producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods is an award-winning women’s health advocate, speaker and host of the Regarding Me and Rewritten Me podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Introducing: Regarding Me Introducing: Regarding Me Mon, 20 Jan 2025 23:09:43 GMT 2:50 678ed79d16bc7a8545f93c88 false https://shows.acast.com/regarding-me/episodes/678ed79d16bc7a8545f93c88 678ed79d16bc7a8545f93c88 6729a3565e15233c40acb818 trailer Have you ever left a doctor’s office with more questions than answers? Have you ever felt lost in the maze of medical jargon or overwhelmed by decisions you need to make about your health? Do you break out in a sweat at the mere thought of asking for a 2nd opinion?

 

My name’s Luan and I’m a women’s health advocate with a personal history of breast cancer. I learned the hard way that navigating the healthcare system requires more than just showing up – it’s about speaking up and advocating for yourself.

 

The Regarding Me podcast is all about empowering women to take control of their health and proactively advocate for the healthcare care that’s right for them - because your voice and your choices matter.

 

From understanding your options to building confidence in difficult discussions with your team, Regarding Me is your space for honest conversations, relatable advice and a supportive community of women who understand what you’re going through.

 

Together we’ll make sure your voice is heard and your care reflects what matters to you most.

 

Think TED talk meets support group, when you’re 6 weeks in and you know how everyone likes their tea (or coffee!).

 

Listen in and join me and the growing community of women who are transforming their health through self-advocacy.

 

Let’s do this!

 

Luan x

 

This podcast was recorded on the Traditional Lands of the Wangal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past and present.


Disclaimer

 

CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy at Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

 

LINKS & THINGS

Email me: luan@luanlawriewoods.com.au

Follow me: Instagram LinkedIn or check out my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Have you ever left a doctor’s office with more questions than answers? Have you ever felt lost in the maze of medical jargon or overwhelmed by decisions you need to make about your health? Do you break out in a sweat at the mere thought of asking for a 2nd opinion?

 

My name’s Luan and I’m a women’s health advocate with a personal history of breast cancer. I learned the hard way that navigating the healthcare system requires more than just showing up – it’s about speaking up and advocating for yourself.

 

The Regarding Me podcast is all about empowering women to take control of their health and proactively advocate for the healthcare care that’s right for them - because your voice and your choices matter.

 

From understanding your options to building confidence in difficult discussions with your team, Regarding Me is your space for honest conversations, relatable advice and a supportive community of women who understand what you’re going through.

 

Together we’ll make sure your voice is heard and your care reflects what matters to you most.

 

Think TED talk meets support group, when you’re 6 weeks in and you know how everyone likes their tea (or coffee!).

 

Listen in and join me and the growing community of women who are transforming their health through self-advocacy.

 

Let’s do this!

 

Luan x

 

This podcast was recorded on the Traditional Lands of the Wangal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past and present.


Disclaimer

 

CREDITS:

Host: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Post-production: Paddy at Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

 

LINKS & THINGS

Email me: luan@luanlawriewoods.com.au

Follow me: Instagram LinkedIn or check out my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>