The Dr Louise Newson Podcast

Content advisory: this podcast contains themes of mental health and suicide

You're not just losing a person. You're losing all of those memories

In this weeks episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by mental health campaigner and author, Ben West. At 17, Bens world was turned upside down when he lost his younger brother, Sam, to suicide at just 15 years old. What followed was a life-altering journey through grief, resilience, and purpose.

Ben transformed personal tragedy into powerful advocacy raising awareness around mental health, challenging stigma, and driving real change in how we support mental wellbeing, especially within the education system.

Together they explore how hormones, medication, stress and lifestyle can all impact mental health, and why understanding these factors could change how we approach conversations around suicide and depression.

Ben also completed an ultra-marathon to raise funds for Shout, a 24/7 text messaging service providing support for mental health and suicide prevention. To find out how you can volunteer or donate, visit their website here.

Contact the Samaritans for 24-hour, confidential support by calling 116 123 or email [email protected]

To learn more about Ben West, visit his Instagram here and check out This Book Could Save Your Life, available here. If you would like to make a change to the way schools train their teachers on mental health issues, sign the petition here.

Available to watch on YouTube

We hope you're loving the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform.

Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests!

Disclaimer

The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group.

LET'S CONNECT

Website: Dr Louise Newson

Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn

Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube

CONNECT WITH BEN WEST

Website: Ben West

Instagram: Ben West (@iambenwest) Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: Ben West | LinkedIn

'Haemorrhoids is one of those embarrassing problems that a lot of people suffer from. There's a lot of taboos surrounding it, because people don't want to own up that they've got haemorrhoids. A lot of people listening or watching this probably have haemorrhoids, they're probably sitting on them right now. That video is not a sexy topic, but it got over 2 million views... that is a huge amount of people that I could see across 100 clinics, and still not get to that number.'   

In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Dr Karan Rajan, a doctor, health educator, and host of the Dr Karan Explores podcast. With millions of followers across his social media platforms, Dr Karan showcases the power of social media to ‘de-taboo the taboo’, tackling topics including menopause, women’s health, and bowel issues. He stresses the harm caused by shame and silence, reminding us that ‘taboo should not be associated with any disease or condition’. 

A passionate advocate for accessible, jargon-free medical education, Dr Karan believes that everyone deserves to feel confident in understanding and managing their own health. Together, he and Dr Louise challenge persistent myths, like the notion that testosterone is a male-only hormone – exploring how such misconceptions reinforce outdated ideas that negatively impact patient care.  

They also address how misinformation, stigma and a one size fits approach to medicine creates barriers to care, particularly in women’s health such as menopause and endometriosis. This episode explores the evolving role of medical educators, and is a call for more open, informed conversations – because great medicine should never settle for ‘good enough’. 

Watch on YouTube 

We hope you love the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. 

Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests! 

Disclaimer 

The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group.     

LET'S CONNECT  

Website: Dr Louise Newson 

Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos 

LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn 

Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 

YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube

CONNECT WITH DR KARAN 

Website: Dr Karan Rajan 

Instagram: Dr Karan Rajan (MRCS MBBS BSc) (@drkaranrajan) • Instagram photos and videos 

LinkedIn: Dr Karan Rajan | LinkedIn 

Spotify: Dr Karan Explores | Podcast on Spotify 

YouTube: Dr Karan - YouTube

In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Ferne McCann, TV personality, reality star, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the wellness app Shoorah. Ferne first rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex and has since appeared on shows like I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Dancing on Ice. 

Ferne talks candidly about the hormonal changes she experienced during and after pregnancy, and how breathwork learned through hypnobirthing helped her stay calm and manage stress during childbirth. She also opens up about how pushing herself beyond her comfort zone - whether learning to skate for Dancing on Ice or taking part in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, has strengthened her resilience and confidence. She reflects on the value of embracing challenges and aims to inspire curiosity and courage in her daughters while continuing to embrace these qualities herself. 

Their conversation then turns to perimenopause, with Louise explaining how fluctuating hormones after pregnancy can affect mood and wellbeing. The episode closes with Ferne sharing her three take-home tips, plans for an exciting new podcast, Every Cloud, and other upcoming projects. 

We hope you're loving the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. 

This episode is also available to watch on YouTube here

Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests! 

Disclaimer    

The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group.    

LET'S CONNECT  

• Website: Dr Louise Newson
• Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos
• LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn
• Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
• YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube

CONNECT WITH FERNE MCCANN 

• TikTok: Ferne McCann
• Instagram: Ferne McCann
• LinkedIn: Ferne McCann

Award-winning content creator, comedian, and author Fats Timbo joins Dr Louise Newson for a powerful conversation on self-worth, confidence, and hormones. 

Fats, who has achondroplasia, shares how she turned adversity into empowerment—from childhood challenges and societal bias to becoming a viral creator and published author of Main Character Energy. 

In this warm, funny, and honest discussion, Fats opens up about: 

• Growing up with limited representation 

• Navigating bullying, ignorance, and social media 

• Building confidence and self-love on her own terms 

The episode also delves into hormonal health, as Fats describes how PMS (premenstrual syndrome) affects her mood, confidence, and relationships. Dr Louise Newson explains the science behind PMS and PMDD, highlighting how hormones like oestrogen and progesterone can impact our mental wellbeing. 

Together, they call for greater understanding and compassion, from affirmations and goal setting, to simply allowing yourself small acts of kindness. Fats’ infectious positivity is a powerful reminder that confidence and mental wellbeing are not only essential but possible for everyone at every stage of life. 

This episode is also available to watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/l_j9nTHEUro

Follow Fats, on TikTok & Instagram 

Order Main Character Energy  here 

We hope you're loving the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. 

Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests! 

Disclaimer   

The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group.   

LET'S CONNECT  

Website: Dr Louise Newson 

Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos 

LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn 

Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 

YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube 

In this week’s episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by broadcaster and journalist Naga Munchetty, known for her role on BBC Breakfast. Naga discusses her new book, It’s Probably Nothing, where she explores how women’s health concerns are often dismissed, left undiagnosed, or told their pain was normal’. Drawing on her own personal experiences, she examines the harmful impact of medical misogyny and stresses the urgent need for change in how women’s health issues are treated. 

Naga reflects on the pressure she felt in sharing her personal experiences publicly, balancing her role as a journalist with the vulnerability of becoming the story. Yet by speaking out, she realised how many others had experienced similar struggles. Her diagnosis of adenomyosis took over three decades, a delay that mirrors the experiences of many women conditioned to minimise their symptoms. 

The conversation highlights the emotional toll of being dismissed in the healthcare system and the barriers that prevent women from advocating for themselves. Both Naga and Louise emphasise the importance of genuine listening and collaboration in medical care, calling for greater support systems, second opinions, and the vital role of self-advocacy. They also highlight the need for better care for marginalised communities, particularly in regions where the word “menopause” doesn’t even exist and women struggle to receive the support they need. This episode is a powerful call for more compassionate, inclusive, and informed healthcare for women everywhere. 

This episode serves as a powerful call for better treatment, increased awareness, and stronger support systems for women in healthcare.   

Available to watch on YouTube 

To find out more about Naga, follow her on X here & Instagram here.  

Check out Naga's book, It's Probably Nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women's Health Crisis (and How to Thrive Despite it) here 

We hope you're loving the new series! Share your thoughts with us on the feedback form here and if you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a 5-star rating on your podcast platform. 

Email [email protected] with suggestions for new guests! 

Disclaimer  

The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the Newson Health Group.   

LET'S CONNECT  

Website: Dr Louise Newson 

Instagram: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast (@drlouisenewsonpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos 

LinkedIn: Louise Newson | LinkedIn 

Spotify: The Dr Louise Newson Podcast | Podcast on Spotify 

YouTube: Dr Louise Newson - YouTube