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.
You Are Not (F*cking) Alone | Famous Friends, Unfiltered Stories & the Real Talk You’ve Been Missing
Rage Against The Vagine
45 minutes
4 months ago
You Are Not (F*cking) Alone | Famous Friends, Unfiltered Stories & the Real Talk You’ve Been Missing
Welcome to the first full episode of Rage Against the Vagine.
We originally planned to start with the symptoms and the science, but after connecting with our Rage Committee, we realised we had to start by breaking the silence.
The most important thing you told us you needed: connection and to feel seen.
In this episode, host Em Rusciano is joined by friends Myf Warhurst, Ella Hooper, Melissa Leong and Lizzy Hoo, alongside brilliant experts and our amazing Rage Committee, to ensure you know that whilst no one's perimenopause journey is the same, you are most certainly 100% NOT f*cking alone.
The Voices You’ll Hear
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
A/Prof Caroline Gurvich | Clinical Neuropsychologist, Associate Professor (Research), HER Centre Australia and Head of Cognition and Hormones Group, Monash University, @hercentreaustralia
Professor Odette Best | Pro Vice-Chancellor (First Nations Strategy), University of Southern Queensland
Dr Hannah Chapman | Women's Health GP / PMDD & Perimenopause Expert, @dr_hannah_chapman
Dr Yvonne McCartney | GP and Co-Founder Menopause Health Geelong, @menopause_health_geelong
Lizzy Hoo | Comedian, @lizzyhoo
Ella Hooper | Singer/Songwriter, @ella_hooper
Melissa Leong | Journalist, Presenter, Writer, @fooderati
Myf Warhurst | TV Presenter, Broadcaster, Journalist, Writer, @myfwarhurst
Rage Committee | ~1000 total legends in the thick of it
Resources, References & Rabbit Holes
Myf Warhurst's ABC series - The Truth About Menopause
Ella Hooper's solo track - "Oh My Goddess"
Melissa Leong’s new book - Guts
Reminder
This is not medical advice. It’s validation, solidarity, and hopefully a shove towards finding the support you deserve. Everyone’s experience is different.
Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and talk to your doctor or care team about what’s right for you.
NEXT: Ep 2 - What (the F*ck) is Perimenopause - drops Monday 25 August
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.
