Rage Against the Vagine is a six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano about perimenopause, patriarchy, and the midlife medical gaslighting we’re done putting up with.
This isn’t your decline…it’s your reckoning.
Combining lived experience with insights from top menopause-informed doctors, researchers, and psychologists, this series gets honest about what's happening to our bodies and brains during perimenopause, and why so few of us were warned.
Each episode dives into one of six big questions - from “Why the fuck didn’t anyone tell us?” to “How the fuck do I get help?”
Expect documentary-style storytelling, fierce honesty, and the kind of clarity you wish you'd had years ago. You’ll laugh, cry, maybe scream into a pillow...but importantly, we hope you walk away with language, validation, and strategies to take into your own life (and GP appointment).
This podcast isn’t medical advice. It’s about sharing stories and expert perspectives to help you feel seen. Science is still catching up to lived experience, and not every doctor is trained in menopause care. If something here resonates, take it to a trusted healthcare professional. Your story deserves to be heard and validated.
New episodes every Monday through August and September.
Episode Schedule:
18/08/2025 - You Are Not (F*cking) Alone
25/08/2025 - What (the F*ck) is Perimenopause?
01/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Didn’t Anyone Tell Us?
08/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Don’t I Feel Like Me Anymore
15/09/2025 - How (the F*ck) Do I Get Help?
22/09/2025 - How Do We Fix the (F*cking) Systems?
About Em:
Em Rusciano is one of Australia’s most vibrant and fearless multi-talented performers; writer, singer, comedian, producer, disability advocate, and podcaster whose heartfelt, unfiltered storytelling has made her a powerful voice on neurodivergence, gender equity, and the lived experience of the hormonal hellscape that is perimenopause.
Best known for her hit podcast Emsolation, where she and her best friend of 30 years, award-winning screenwriter Michael Lucas (Offspring, Party Tricks, Rosehaven, The Newsreader) deliver an unpredictable mix of deeply personal anecdotes, obsessive pop culture dissections, and truly unhinged movie and TV reviews.
On Anomalous, she turned her spotlight toward ADHD and Autism in a project that doubles as “a love letter to the neurodivergent community and a roadmap for neurotypical people.”
Now, in Rage Against the Vagine, Em is bringing the same fearless honesty and sharp humour to smashing the stigma around perimenopause, un-gaslighting the lived experience, and arming listeners with solidarity, knowledge, and solutions.
Amid all of that, she’s preparing to release a laugh-out-loud yet profound memoir titled Blood, Sweat and Glitter, scheduled for publication in October 2025- a searing, joyful account of neurodivergence, perimenopause, burnout, and reinvention.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
PS If you’re looking for “Rage Against the Menopause” by Patrina Jones, it's another handy resource and you’ll find it over on LiSTNR, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Rage Against the Vagine is a six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano about perimenopause, patriarchy, and the midlife medical gaslighting we’re done putting up with.
This isn’t your decline…it’s your reckoning.
Combining lived experience with insights from top menopause-informed doctors, researchers, and psychologists, this series gets honest about what's happening to our bodies and brains during perimenopause, and why so few of us were warned.
Each episode dives into one of six big questions - from “Why the fuck didn’t anyone tell us?” to “How the fuck do I get help?”
Expect documentary-style storytelling, fierce honesty, and the kind of clarity you wish you'd had years ago. You’ll laugh, cry, maybe scream into a pillow...but importantly, we hope you walk away with language, validation, and strategies to take into your own life (and GP appointment).
This podcast isn’t medical advice. It’s about sharing stories and expert perspectives to help you feel seen. Science is still catching up to lived experience, and not every doctor is trained in menopause care. If something here resonates, take it to a trusted healthcare professional. Your story deserves to be heard and validated.
New episodes every Monday through August and September.
Episode Schedule:
18/08/2025 - You Are Not (F*cking) Alone
25/08/2025 - What (the F*ck) is Perimenopause?
01/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Didn’t Anyone Tell Us?
08/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Don’t I Feel Like Me Anymore
15/09/2025 - How (the F*ck) Do I Get Help?
22/09/2025 - How Do We Fix the (F*cking) Systems?
About Em:
Em Rusciano is one of Australia’s most vibrant and fearless multi-talented performers; writer, singer, comedian, producer, disability advocate, and podcaster whose heartfelt, unfiltered storytelling has made her a powerful voice on neurodivergence, gender equity, and the lived experience of the hormonal hellscape that is perimenopause.
Best known for her hit podcast Emsolation, where she and her best friend of 30 years, award-winning screenwriter Michael Lucas (Offspring, Party Tricks, Rosehaven, The Newsreader) deliver an unpredictable mix of deeply personal anecdotes, obsessive pop culture dissections, and truly unhinged movie and TV reviews.
On Anomalous, she turned her spotlight toward ADHD and Autism in a project that doubles as “a love letter to the neurodivergent community and a roadmap for neurotypical people.”
Now, in Rage Against the Vagine, Em is bringing the same fearless honesty and sharp humour to smashing the stigma around perimenopause, un-gaslighting the lived experience, and arming listeners with solidarity, knowledge, and solutions.
Amid all of that, she’s preparing to release a laugh-out-loud yet profound memoir titled Blood, Sweat and Glitter, scheduled for publication in October 2025- a searing, joyful account of neurodivergence, perimenopause, burnout, and reinvention.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
PS If you’re looking for “Rage Against the Menopause” by Patrina Jones, it's another handy resource and you’ll find it over on LiSTNR, or wherever you get your podcasts.
How Do We Fix the F*cking Systems? | Perimenopause, Policy & Smashing the Patriarchy with Senator Katy Gallagher
Rage Against The Vagine
1 hour 6 minutes
3 months ago
How Do We Fix the F*cking Systems? | Perimenopause, Policy & Smashing the Patriarchy with Senator Katy Gallagher
In this fix-it episode of Rage Against the Vagine, host Em Rusciano takes aim at the systems that were never built with women and AFAB people in mind, and asks how do we actually fix them. From healthcare to workplaces, research to education, Em unpacks the structural failures that keep perimenopause invisible and undervalued.
Alongside voices from the Rage Committee and experts across medicine and advocacy, Em sits down with Senator Katy Gallagher, Australia’s Minister for Women, Government Services, Finance and Public Service, to explore how government policy is starting to shift.
This episode arms listeners with a practical toolkit of knowledge, validation, and ways to take action - from pushing for better medical care and workplace reform to amplifying research and changing community attitudes.
It’s a rally cry for anyone who refuses to stay silent, and a reminder that fixing the f*cking systems starts with all of us.
The Voices You’ll Hear
Senator Katy Gallagher | Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services, Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service @senkatyg
Dr Kelly Teagle | GP, Founder and Principal Clinician of WellFemme, @wellfemme
Dr Yvonne McCartney | GP and Co-Founder Menopause Health Geelong, @menopause_health_geelong
Dr Nicole Higgins | Practice Principal (Health on Central, Mackay), GP and former President of RACGP
Dr Alecia Macrow | GP, Founder Thrive Family Practice & Endo Untangled Podcast, @dr_alecia_macrow @thrive_family_practice @endo_untangled
Wil Stracke | Assistant Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Council, @wilstracke
Grace Molloy | Registered Nurse and Co-Founder of Menopause Friendly Australia, @gracecmolloy @menopausefriendly_au
Karni Liddell | Disability Advocate, Inclusive Employment Leader, Social Worker & Paralympian, @karniliddell
Dr Kerryn Drysdale | Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW
Professor Odette Best | Pro Vice-Chancellor (First Nations Strategy), University of Southern Queensland
A/Prof Caroline Gurvich | Clinical Neuropsychologist, Associate Professor (Research), HER Centre Australia and Head of Cognition and Hormones Group, Monash University, @hercentreaustralia
Dr Fatima Kahn | Woman's Health Doctor & Hormone Expert, @drfatimakhan_
Leanne Mulheron | Registered Psychologist, Founder Affinity Psychology, @affinity_psychology
Resources, References & Rabbit Holes
Voice Your Support for New Menopause Medications on the PBS: Take Action
Medicare Benefits Schedule: Menopause and Perimenopause Health Assessment Services
Wil Stracke's online kit | It’s For Every Body
Menopause Friendly Australia | Resources
HER Centre: Monash University’s centre dedicated to researching and advancing women’s mental health.
Cognition and Hormones Research
Em’s Peri Suggestions Box: Listeners can email their ideas for new initiatives or programs related to perimenopause to hello@downthehillstudios.com
Reminder
We know this time of life can sometimes feel overwhelming - but remember, help is always out there. If it’s feeling like too much, please reach out for support
Lifeline | 13 11 14 | Text 0477 13 11 14 (24/7) | lifeline.org.au
13 YARN | 13 92 76 | 13yarn.org.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service available 24/7
Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue | 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au/forums
StandBy Support After Suicide | 1300 727 247
QLife | 1800 184 527 | qlife.org.au | LGBTIQ+ service available 3pm – midnight
NEXT: Postscript Episode - drops Monday 29 September
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
To help you take ‘me time’, Wotif is offering listeners a 10% discount off select hotels. Enter promo code Listen10 at checkout when you book at wotif.com or on the Wotif app. See wotif.com/listen for t&cs.
Rage Against The Vagine
Rage Against the Vagine is a six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano about perimenopause, patriarchy, and the midlife medical gaslighting we’re done putting up with.
This isn’t your decline…it’s your reckoning.
Combining lived experience with insights from top menopause-informed doctors, researchers, and psychologists, this series gets honest about what's happening to our bodies and brains during perimenopause, and why so few of us were warned.
Each episode dives into one of six big questions - from “Why the fuck didn’t anyone tell us?” to “How the fuck do I get help?”
Expect documentary-style storytelling, fierce honesty, and the kind of clarity you wish you'd had years ago. You’ll laugh, cry, maybe scream into a pillow...but importantly, we hope you walk away with language, validation, and strategies to take into your own life (and GP appointment).
This podcast isn’t medical advice. It’s about sharing stories and expert perspectives to help you feel seen. Science is still catching up to lived experience, and not every doctor is trained in menopause care. If something here resonates, take it to a trusted healthcare professional. Your story deserves to be heard and validated.
New episodes every Monday through August and September.
Episode Schedule:
18/08/2025 - You Are Not (F*cking) Alone
25/08/2025 - What (the F*ck) is Perimenopause?
01/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Didn’t Anyone Tell Us?
08/09/2025 - Why (the F*ck) Don’t I Feel Like Me Anymore
15/09/2025 - How (the F*ck) Do I Get Help?
22/09/2025 - How Do We Fix the (F*cking) Systems?
About Em:
Em Rusciano is one of Australia’s most vibrant and fearless multi-talented performers; writer, singer, comedian, producer, disability advocate, and podcaster whose heartfelt, unfiltered storytelling has made her a powerful voice on neurodivergence, gender equity, and the lived experience of the hormonal hellscape that is perimenopause.
Best known for her hit podcast Emsolation, where she and her best friend of 30 years, award-winning screenwriter Michael Lucas (Offspring, Party Tricks, Rosehaven, The Newsreader) deliver an unpredictable mix of deeply personal anecdotes, obsessive pop culture dissections, and truly unhinged movie and TV reviews.
On Anomalous, she turned her spotlight toward ADHD and Autism in a project that doubles as “a love letter to the neurodivergent community and a roadmap for neurotypical people.”
Now, in Rage Against the Vagine, Em is bringing the same fearless honesty and sharp humour to smashing the stigma around perimenopause, un-gaslighting the lived experience, and arming listeners with solidarity, knowledge, and solutions.
Amid all of that, she’s preparing to release a laugh-out-loud yet profound memoir titled Blood, Sweat and Glitter, scheduled for publication in October 2025- a searing, joyful account of neurodivergence, perimenopause, burnout, and reinvention.
Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.
PS If you’re looking for “Rage Against the Menopause” by Patrina Jones, it's another handy resource and you’ll find it over on LiSTNR, or wherever you get your podcasts.
