Menopause, Meltdowns & Magic
Two AuDHD, midlife mums. Two countries. Too many tabs open.Ā
Join Tanya Valentin (NZ neuro-affirming family coach) and Emma Gilmour (AUS alcohol-free & neurodivergent women's coach) for honest, heart-led chats about being late-diagnosed AuDHD, perimenopausal, parenting teens in burnout, and trying not to lose ourselves (again).
We cover masking, menopause, motherhood, identity, friendship, grief, and the messy magic of raising neurodivergent kids.
This is a podcast for every mum who's never felt like she's doing it wrong, too much, or not enough.
Expect laughter, raw honesty, a little swearing, and a whole lot of validation.
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Latest Episodes
Episode 0
Meet Emma and Tanya
Welcome to Menopause, Meltdowns and Magic.
In this first episode, Emma Gilmour and Tanya Valentin introduce themselves and share what this podcast is really about ā the conversations weāre having, the stories weāre telling, and what you can expect from this space.
Episode 1
Midlife Momentum, Neurodivergence & Doing Life Your Own Way with Lisa Corduff
In this very first episode of Meltdowns, Menopause and Magic, Tanya and Emma sit down with author, coach and long-time entrepreneur Lisa Corduff for a deeply honest conversation about midlife, neurodivergence, grief, identity, and the pressure to live life āthe right way.ā
EpisodeĀ 2
The Poly VagalĀ Hoo Ha
In this episode, Tanya Valentin and Emma Gilmour explore the conversation currently unfolding in the wellness and neuroscience communities aroundĀ polyvagal theoryĀ and recent critiques of the model.
EpisodeĀ 3
When Lived Experience Is Dismissed:Ā Autism, Masking & Why This Conversation Matters
In this episode, Tanya and Emma gently unpack a recent and controversial article by Uta Frith, which has stirred deep conversation within the neurodivergent community.
EpisodeĀ 4
When Self-Help Harms: Rethinking Growth, Safety, and Healing
In this honest and layered conversation, we explore the often-unquestioned world of self-help, personal development, and āgrowthā culture, and gently ask:
What happens when the very tools meant to help usā¦ actually harm us?
EpisodeĀ 5
Supporting Trans and Gender Diverse Children with Chris McAllister
In this heartfelt and deeply human conversation, we are joined by comedian and content creator Chris McAllister, The Trans Comedian, who shares his journey of gender exploration, identity, and finding joy through humour.
Together, we explore what it means to support trans and gender diverse children in a world that can feel both affirming and challenging.
EpisodeĀ 6
The Hidden Struggles of Neurodivergent Friendships
Friendship can feel complicated, especially for neurodivergent women navigating masking, burnout, grief, and identity shifts.
In this deeply honest conversation, we explore how our experiences of friendship have been shaped over timeāfrom early moments of exclusion and heartbreak, to high-masking personas, to the quiet unravelling that often comes with burnout, sobriety, or late diagnosis.
EpisodeĀ 7
What Matters Most: Pressure, Parenting, and Repair
In this deeply honest episode of Menopause, Meltdowns and Magic, Tanya and Emma explore the invisible pressure many parents carry to keep pushing through, even when their nervous systems, relationships, and families are asking for something gentler.
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