Showy Ovaries with Penny Ashton. A Menopause Podcast.

Send us a text2021 New Zealander of the year, microbiologist and award winning science communicator, Siouxie Wiles cycled to Penny's west Auckland whare this week to chat about making the world a little pinker. They got the party started chatting about her lawsuit with her employer, the online abuse she suffered at the hands of internet AND parliamentary trolls during her promotion of the NZ Government's eradication response to COVID, and her ambitions to be Maverick in Top Gun. From there she discussed her polycystic ovarian diagnosis, her inspirational science teacher and what her boobs have in common with The Queen. Also turning 50, making bacteria glow in the dark and being fueled by all consuming rage. Oh yes and fabulous pink hair. Obviously.  Penny also made a concerted effort to praise Siouxie's brain, even if she took some convincing. People of New Plymouth, come and see Penny in The Tempestuous May 16-17. https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/may/the-tempestuous Support the show

Send us a textIt's another Showy Ovaries Live and this time from New Plymouth's beautiful Pukekura Park for WOMAD Aotearoa. Penny was delighted to chat to one of New Zealand's most prolific and talented actresses Morgana O'Reilly, fresh from her stint as "health butler" and cellphone thief in the global smash hit, The White Lotus. Penny and Morgana discussed life on set, taming imposter syndrome, agonising over which accent to use, attending the glitzy LA premiere and how to use a blender for comedic effects. They also touched on her painful diary entries as a teenager, not wanting to be seen in togs at school, how to reframe narratives around bodies for her childen and for ourselves, and just how does it feel to get your toes sucked for cash. Morgana's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2837410/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkStories About My Body: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33088099/Penny's ShowsMarch 27 - 28 Q Theatre https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/shows/austen-found April 4th Stratford https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/olive-copperbottom-a-dickensian-tale-of-love-gin-and-the-pox-tickets-1243841095199May 16 - 18 https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/may/the-tempestuousSupport the show

Send us a textWellington Theatre's 2024 Co-Actor of the year Bronwyn Turei (Ngāti Porou) drops into Penny's house to discuss all things fleshy. From being head girl at Gisborne Girls, to dealing with a lot of intense trauma as a teenager, to heading to London's Globe theatre to becoming a constantly jobbing professional actress, she and Penny covered how her body rode this rollercoaster.She talked of hitting the giddy heights of fame aged 24 when cast in the TV show Go Girls, of leaning into her "curvy" characters storylines despite how some of them felt, of how totally adorable her child is, (despite how traumatic her birth was) and how she once went on a blind date to Shanghai. Penny also thanked her being being a superstar in Penny's directorial debut with Sense & Sensibility where she was part of a stellar cast, and they laughed about how Bronwyn's toddler wormed her way into Penny's cold dead non maternal heart. CONTENT WARNING: Sexual assault, suicide ideation, Mental Illness. Photo Credit: Roc Torio Book for Give Way here: https://nz.patronbase.com/_Circa/Productions/2509/PerformancesPenny's Shows Book for Austen Found here: https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/shows/austen-found Book for The Tempestuous in New Plymouth here: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/may/the-tempestuousBook for Stratford here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/olive-copperbottom-a-dickensian-tale-of-love-gin-and-the-pox-tickets-1243841095199Book for Tasmania here: https://events.humanitix.com/promise-and-promiscuity-a-new-musical-by-jane-austen-and-penny-ashtonBook for Melbourne here: https://chapeloffchapel.com.au/show/promise-promiscuity/Book for Newcastle here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1342004Book for Sydney here: https://events.humanitix.com/promise-and-promiscuity-a-new-musical-by-jane-austen-and-penny-ashton-qvacnk7sBook for Canberra here: https://www.thestreet.org.au/shows/promise-and-promiscuitySupport the show

Send us a textNational Treasure Jodie Rimmer invited Penny to her whare to chat all things actorly. From her launching straight from school onto the screen via a saddle, to fun with Ryan Gosling, to chronic pain, HRT and mental health crises, they covered it all. Born in the same year she and Penny mused how long ago the millennium was, Jodie discussed her past as a cross country athlete in Florida, the wonders of Dr Theatre, how she could have been Rachel McKenna and how much she is loving playing the eponymous character in Nicola Cheeseman is Back, by Kathryn Burnett. Especially now she can remember her lines. Grab your tickets here: https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/shows/plumb-theatre-presents-nicola-cheeseman-back-katebilling-encore-season Reviews for the previous season:"Nicola Cheeseman is Back is a triumph of theatrical storytelling, delivering a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities through the lens of a remarkable character, played by a remarkable actress and served on a smorgasbord of laugh after laugh." Broadway World"The show has many important things to say about the way women are seen in society as they age, and there are many more things that could be said. By presenting these ideas through a warm, funny and straight-talking character, we are able to receive them clearly and entertainingly. This is a show that connects with its audience in the relatability of its situations and characters, and which has much to offer all ages and genders." Theatreview "Nicola Cheeseman is Back is a fucking funny and wondrously observant play about not letting age get you down. Jodie Rimmer is such a star who's exquisite portrayal of this fiery, courageous women makes me regret she's fictional coz I'd love to meet her in real life. But then again, when I think about her courage, her introspection, her wit, her creativity, and the type of woman she represents, I realise, I have already met her." Andrew Whiteside  Support the show

Send us a textThe Inimitable Pinky Agnew has been top of the Showy Ovarian pods ever since it was recorded as the first ever episode back in 2021. Her charm, wit, warmth and sparkle have entertained over 700 of you, so whilst Penny was performing The Tempestuous in Wellington for a month (which runs til December 1st), she decided to drop into Pinky's newly downsized pad to catch up with our Queen of the Downloads. Pinky discussed the delights of embracing 70, celebrancy, loving her grey power, crazy running with grandchildren, her joy of joining of the empowering Toitū Te Tiriti Hikoi to parliament, and about the release of her new book: This is Farewell: Readings and Meditations on Death and Dying. They also discussed some deeply challenging recent events involving assault, mental health and dementia, but despite these confronting times her absolute reveling in what it is to be human and joyous will always shine through. CW: Sexual assault, depression, dementia, panic attacks, death, dying. BUT also joy, happiness, family, love, release and humanity. #queen Support the show

With a husband catching the FLiRT variant and subsequent laying low, Penny decided to bust out an ovum with her WOMAD poem all about her Showy Ovaries epiphany.  Listen in as hubby shouts up the stairs from his isolation den for sandwiches, and Penny chats about what happened with HRT, what's coming up in her world and screeching about tampons in a petrol station.  As you do. Buy Sense and Sensibility tickets here: www.circa.co.nz/package/sense-and-sensibility/And for The Tempestuous on Tour Here: www.hotpink.co.nz/gigs/Support the Show.

To coincide with the launch of her new book today; The Everything Guide: Hormones, health and happiness in menopause, midlife and beyond, Niki Bezzant dropped in to Penny's house with almond croissants to talk life, hormones and her prodigious brain.In her third visit to Showy Ovary Town, Niki told Penny of her mission to educate women about how to feel good in the skin they're in, to be kind to themselves and to look after our bodies like the well oiled machines they can be. She also attempts to squash Penny's proclivities for negative self talk, to discuss her own HRT  journey, and about her proudest achievement in life; which just happens to involve the clitoris. Stay tuned for discussions on unscrupulous supplement promotions, on sexual awakenings and on why Penny doesn't like shoelaces. https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/the-everything-guide-9781776950829Support the Show.

Writer, journalist, redhead advocate and PR specialist; Angela Barnett swung by Penny's house to discuss inter generational bodily shizzle in all its complicated glory. From her mother's traumatic birth, to her own struggles with bulimia, to making sure her daughter navigates the world aware of the ridiculous standards placed on women by the patriarchy and the diet industrial complex, they cover it all. Angela is a committed body shame banisher and advocate for women and girls. She's interviewed many kick arse ladies like Chelsea Winstanley, Rose Matafeo and Penny Ashton (for a menopause story) and in this interview they cover the excitement of orgasms, being addicted to addicts and how to let go of being concerned about fat fingers. CW: Bulimia, Institutionalisation, Disordered Eating, Addiction. Support the show

Waaaay back in August 2023 Penny dropped in on Amanda Kennedy's house in West Auckland to discuss her body, her dewy complexion and her adult onset epilepsy. One half of the comedy duo The Fan Brigade, the librettist couple behind NZ Opera's The Unruly Tourists, Amanda was dealing with her recent diagnoses of ADHD, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome AND epilepsy. But was still smiling, particularly about her magical pussy.  She regaled Penny with tales of getting nude in Japan, breaking her nose on the floor in her first seizure, her refusal to be committed and how her period was basically The Hoover Dam. Warning: Explicit pussy and bonus dog content. Not at the same time. Support the show

The time has come, the research is in, the arse is too sore, the foot annoying, the new upper belly is sticking out too far... it is time for the HRT! Two days after her epic 50th birthday party Penelope Patchstart is slapping on some Estradot in the low dose of 25 somethings and seeing if it is the golden elixir of her dreams. Dreams can flounder on the rocks of reality of course, but how will you know if you don't try? In her very first unboxing podcast ovum Penelope describes the experience of being a virgin again after 32 years, then snips up a patch and slaps it on almost as quickly as she once.. slapped it off.  She might even be a grown up now. Support the show

After her ballet teacher wouldn't let a very young Amy dance purely on on foot, she readjusted her life ambitions to being a pathologist. Inspired by forensic stories from her parents and from novels by Kathy Reichs, (the inspiration for the TV series Bones) she set her sights on dead people and being the last voice for those who can no longer speak.  Penny dropped in on her Palmerston North Dr's office to discuss her journey with her own "meat suit" and how her day job of performing over 2500 autopsies on  has led her to more acceptance of its miraculous abilities. Stay tuned for an aural strip tease and showcase of tattoos, discussions of roller derby bad-assery and how beautiful a human brain is when cut into slices. CW: Discussions of bodies, decaying flesh and stillbirth. But ultimately an uplifting focus on the positivity in the human existence and a celebration of science and self acceptance. Support the show

Performer, director, side show starlet, writer and all round showbiz whiz Lizzie Tollemache may have been travelling the world hammering nails into her head and making thousands of people laugh, but underneath all that was a diagnosis lurking that would change her whole perspective on life. Penny visited her carnie friend's Christchurch home to learn all about the realisation she gained in lockdown that led to her ADHD epiphany and whole new lease on life. From her ten year old love of theatre, to her crying on the floor like a raccoon, to convincing herself she was a piece of shit, Lizzie is disarmingly honest about her body's journey to feeling good 7/10 times now on average.  She regales Penny with tales of youthful people pleasing,  fleshy pleasing and rebuilding into the person she is happy to be today. Promise and Promiscuity is on this week in Palmerston Northshire! https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/promise-and-promiscuity Support the show

Hello lovely Showy Ovarians, Penny's back with another Showy Ovaries Live! This time with her comedy compatriot, fellow tenacious broad and Bette Midler lover; Justine Smith. They rendezvoused onstage at Q Theatre in the 2023 NZ International Comedy Festival to discuss how their bodies have taken them through being a woman in comedy since the late 90's.  Justine had a tattoo-off with a fellow Disney lover in the audience, they then discussed the #metoo movement in NZ Comedy, some other 'movements',  their worst introductions to the stage from MC's and their own insecurities, bra sizes and triumphs within the industry.It's unfiltered, bawdy and funny AF as they laugh together at society's bullshit and their journey to giving exponentially less f**ks.  Most Definitely Adult content. Support the show

Queen of Christchurch's Court Theatre stage, Eilish Moran took some time out of her packed schedule to chat to Penny about her body, her menopause and being in Penny's adaptation of Sense and Sensibility at the Court in February 2023.  Penny was excited to get to know a woman she saw onstage all through her youth and adolescence in such plays as Little Shop of Horrors, The Crucible and so much more.  Eilish was so generous sharing her parent's dementia journeys, her stories of eating disorders and the roles she has both loved and the ones that got away.   Penny,  Eilish and Poppy the dog, enjoyed scones and a coffee in her 19th Century country cottage as they laughed about boobs, puberty and the fact that one of them kept farting.  Book here for Showy Ovaries Live in Auckland on Sat 20th May: https://www.comedyfestival.co.nz/find-a-show/showy-ovaries-live/Book here for The Tempestuous from June 13th: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2023/jun/the-tempestuous Book for Eilish's play Appropriate in Christchurch: https://courttheatre.org.nz/whats-on/appropriate/ Support the show

Hello all you wondrous Showy Ovarians, Penny Ashton is back for Season Three! Yes release the fireworks and say huzzah Showy days are here again in a season where we will be pivoting away from focusing mainly on menopause and opening up to our bodies in all their glory! Kicking things off with The "O" Show from the Hamilton Arts Festival recorded on February 26th 2023.  Another fun live record peppered with diary readings from Ashton's adolescence for added teenage angst and idiocy. Jackie Clarke rejoins Penny to muse on their bodies and all the fun things it can do like swear, pash, orgasm and pump out food for a child. Stand by to hear Jackie terrorise Penny about child birth, hear how Penny weighed her tits and ponder how a vibrator can be like a VCR. Thanks to Geoff Turkington and the Hamilton Arts Festival for having us. FYI Showy Ovaries will be less regular for season three, no matter how much Metamucil we chew, with a brand new show launching on June 13th Penny is a little mired in show shizzle but will be popping in to keep you amused and titillated. Head to www.hotpink.co.nz to see all the details of all her shows in 2023. Support the show

It's a surprise Xmas Special for Showy Ovaries! Tune in to hear Penny chat to her husband Matt from different rooms in their house. Why might that be???? Listen in and find out. Hear them pass some isolation time over the festive season by chatting the presents of Xmas past, hear some ukulele carols and find out what moves Matt to tears. No it's not Christmas Cracker Jokes... though there are a lot of them included FREE OF CHARGE. You lucky things.  Meri Kirihimete!! PS Matt's new job is a bike salesman. Should probably have said that. Notes: You too can dress like Noddy Holder. https://www.amazon.com/Orion-Costumes-Bangin-Holder-Costume/dp/B00MNG0982Where to buy a bike: https://www.99bikes.co.nz/pages/glen-innes-bike-store Warning: Contains rambling. Support the show

In the very last little dribble of Showy Ovaries Season Two, here's one last ovum all about your hostess with the most chest's relationship and journey with HER body through her life. If it's good to gander at her guest's goose, so must she talk turkey and be honest about her own twisty tale of bodily acceptance. So Penny is here to talk about her epilepsy medicine's effects on her adolescence and early adulthood, about her intolerance for no orgasms, about her squeamishness around butts, about alllllll the salads AND to finally mostly coming to love the skin she's in. She knows ultimately she's been really lucky and knows she has a lot of privilege, not least of which to have all of you listen to her talk about her colon.  Til Season Three... Stay Juicy Everybody. (But not in the colon... well not too much anyways. OK leaving now.) Book here for Olive Copperbottom in Wellington: https://nz.patronbase.com/_Circa/Productions/2226/PerformancesSupport the show

To end Showy Ovaries Season Two we have the raucous, ribald, squirty and hilarious recording of Showy Ovaries Live taken at the Suter Theatre on Friday October 21st for the Nelson Arts Festival. Penny was like really really really excited to welcome back Nicky Pellegrino and Niki Bezzant, together with 140 cheering punters to discuss their books, their menopauses and women's health in general. They chat about David Bowie's influence on Niki's bits, blinding rage, fanny physio, snake oiliness, tongue gymnastics and the joy of unleashing the menopausal glare with no fucks left to give. With a Q&A at the end we shared more stories with the fabulous audience. Thanks so much to Kerry Sunderland, the curator of the Pukapuka Talks at the Nelson Festival.  Check out her podcast here: https://deathwalkersguidetolife.com/ Thanks to techs Sam and Nick and the whole festival team. Nicky Pellegrino's Book: https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/dont-sweat-it/35315687Nicky's Fiction Website: https://www.nickypellegrino.com/Niki Bezzant's Book: https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/this-changes-everything/35442460Niki's Website: https://www.nikibezzant.com/Photo by Steve Hussey Photography Most definitely Adult content! There's even a nice review: https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/130266683/showy-ovaries-a-raucous-introduction-to-the-change-generation-x-style Support the show

The deputy mayor of Nelson until a matter of weeks ago, Judene Edgar was happy to beam into Penny's office to celebrate no longer being a target for councilphobes and her relief at being released from the bondage of reading 1700 page agendas. A playwright, improviser, governance expert, former Councillor and loyal friend, Judene's perimenopause is at 6 years and running with her having suffered from various symptoms and some debilitating side effects along the way. She chatted with Penny about getting the perfect haircut, about some of the vile comments she has received, about lecturing her sons on why she is shouting at them, and how Nelson Hospital is trying to kill her. Support the show

It's World Menopause Day and what better guest to revisit than the very woman who told Penny that the day existed in the first place. Tusiata Avia was Showy Ovaries third ever guest, and in their conversation she alerted Penny to the fact World Menopause Day was just around the corner. So Penny leapt to action and launched the whole shebang on World Menopause Day. A year later Tusiata wanted to tell Penny how listening to Showy Ovaries over the past year has changed the whole way she looks at her own menopause, about how she is now on HRT, and how she's shedding her culty tendencies of the past. They chatted about her Scientology youth, her yearning to have a her epilepsy under control and about how some surgeons can be total dickheads. Support the show

This week Penny is welcoming current Dominion Post and Stuff Wellington editor Anna Fifield, who moved back to NZ in 2020 after a glittering 20 year career as a globe-trotting foreign correspondent. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed biography of the North Korean leader; The Great Successor: The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong Un. Despite fearlessly go live on Facebook in North Korea and brushing shoulders with the Obamas in Washington, Anna confessed to be nervous to finally reveal in public the story of her own early menopause. They chatted about cronification, her son's new found love of living in NZ and the reactions she got for putting the provocative word cunt on the front page of the Dominion Post. As you do. Support the show

In March 2020, NZ Girl and Powered by Flossie co-founder, Jenene Crossan, (Ngai Tahu) flew back to NZ from London and a pesky spiky virus hitched on for the ride. Developing Covid a few days after landing, Jenene became NZ's 37th covid case but one of its most visible after going public on instagram. After a particularly brutal case she is still left with ramifications and has become a long covid survivor, spokesperson and case study. She also got horrendously attacked both from online trolls, but also from her own body as covid wreaked havoc on various organs and systems. She took some time to beam into Penny to talk about her endometriosis, her hysterectomy and early surgical menopause, her breast implants' reactions to covid, her fertility journey and how Disney can f**k right off. CW/TW: Infertility, Miscarriage, Trolling. Support the show

NZ's very own Dr Hu took some time out from her Multiple Sclerosis and disability advocacy to chat to Penny about her incredible life. From having her whakapapa stripped from her birth certificate when she was adopted, to her surviving sexual assault and familial abuse, to discovering her various indigenous identities, to her fistful of academic qualifications, Dr Huhana has navigated through it all with a wide smile and laugh, and since 1996 in her wheelchair; The Tardis. Her story is the living embodiment of resilience, and her empathy for others be they disabled, trauma survivors, trans, indigenous or queer, is what drives her advocacy. Oh they get to menopause eventually, and the reproductive cycle in disabled women. Also includes a bitsflash for VNN. CW/TW: Talk of rape, child abuse, cancer, dioxin poisoning, abuse in care, eating disorders.https://centrepoint.co.nz/olive-copperbottomhttps://www.medsafe.govt.nz/COVID-19/vaccine-report-overview.asp (This has the latest vaccine reports as Penny is aware up to three deaths are suspected from the vaccine.) Support the show

Freelance writer Sarah Connor was 46 when her usually trustworthy body started misbehaving. Anxiety, panic attacks, loss of joy and lack of sleep saw her undertake an investigation into just what the hell was happening. She visited a litany of specialists before finally settling on a visit to the Wellington Menopause Clinic that changed her life. Once diagnosed and using HRT to amazing effect, Sarah realised she had to spread the word and so Menopause Over Martinis was born on World Menopause Day 2020. It is a movement that encourages others to hold their own potluck dinner parties, or any gathering, and spread crucial menopause information. In two years the public Facebook page has swelled to over 2600 members and is a great hub for chat, solidarity and information sharing. Sarah has featured on Radio NZ, in various books around menopause and is now making regular presentations to business gatherings around menopause/ruahinetanga. One conversation at a time, her mission is for everyone to feel more informed, understood and supported during this normal, inevitable and important stage of life. She and Penny chatted about her fabulous relationship with her body, her incredible gratitude to her partner and family, her getting used to being the one in the spotlight, and how martinis aren't mandatory. https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseovermartinis.orghttps://www.menopauseovermartinis.org/Ten things to do on World Menopause Day: https://www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseovermartinis.org/permalink/1120972925505072Support the show

When perimenopause came knocking at Kate Billing's door with all its insomnia and anxiety she had no idea what the hell was happening. Once armed with a diagnosis she was pissed off, and so set about educating as many people as possible through her Linked In Group - Menopause Awareness and Action. Determined that Generation X will be the last to be blindsided, she is well on the way to her small goal; of changing the world, which she describes as a team sport.  Not long after her face adorned the NZ Listener's cover for their Menopause issue, Kate beamed into Penny's office to talk about her work through human centred leadership with her company Blacksmith, about her struggles with an eating disorder, about how she made a great ballet bumble bee and how she is way too much. In a good way. TW/CW: Talk of eating disorders https://blacksmith.co.nz/https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14002543/Support the show

Dr Geri McLeod is a senior research fellow in the Otago University's Department of Psychological Medicine, and recently published findings around supplements, which she describes as expensive wees. She chatted with Penny around medical misogyny, the predatory nature of some supplement companies, the lack of evidence into their efficacy but also the appallingly low funding for study of women's/trans health & menopause. A researcher for the Christchurch Health and Development Longitudinal Study, Dr McLeod, has also discovered links between childhood abuse and early menopause. Oh and she shares with Penny the reason medicines were never tested on women at all and spolier; it's ****** annoying. TW/CW: Childhood sexual abuse. ChCh Longitudinal Study:https://www.otago.ac.nz/christchurch/research/healthdevelopment/Consumer report into menopause supplements: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/menopause-supplements-money-down-the-drain Support the show

Penny's theatre wife Lori Dungey, dropped into her house to chat about her virtually non-existant menopause. Despite working together for 22 years this is the first time they have really discussed menopause and so much more besides. They cover the origins of Theatresports in NZ, Lori's sexual awakening, sanitary belts, her horny mother and perhaps a wee ditty on the ukulele.  Penny also wants to thank Clare Kelso who along with Lori have been the wind beneath her improv bingo wings. Sweary Warning for this one. Mainly from Penny of course. https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2022/sep/aklfringe-austen-foundhttp://www.conartists.co.nz Support the show

Today Penny is talking and laughing with the prolific and inspiring award-winning writer; Lynda Chanwai-Earle. Lynda is the originator and performer in Ka Shue - Letters Home, which was the first mainstream theatre show for a universal audience by a Chinese New Zealander in Aotearoa. The show premiered in 1996 and Penny chats to Lynda after she remounted the show in the Auckland Writers Festival 2022. They talk about her gorgeous mother, fighting with a daughter with a frozen pizza, producing carbon neutral theatre and the wonders of orgasms. Also a bonus poetry performance and a list of the 11 best herbals teas for menopause, her favourite being G&T's. Teas: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/tea-for-menopausehttps://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2022/sep/aklfringe-austen-foundhttps://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2022/sep/olive-copperbottomSupport the show

Former punk icon and current witch, Yvette Parsons is one of the most prolific actresses working in NZ today. From What We Do in the Shadows, to The Luminaries to The Power of the Dog to Nude Tuesday, her comic talents are in hot demand in many genres and often without any clothes. She and Penny discuss her years as a musician in NZ's small punk scene in the 70's and 80's, her nose job regrets, her recent breast cancer diagnosis and the loss of her beloved Mum to Covid 19. Contains Yvette's signature witchy cackle, talk of going through radiation with covid, filthy theatre shows, acidic ovarian cysts and quantum physics. Oh and a pretty easy menopause. Support the show

In a break from menopause, Penny invites two of her globe trotting performer buddies to drop in and spill their souls about their troublesome bits. Both diagnosed with a condition they share with Penny, vulvodynia, they talk about their long and frustrating journeys to being diagnosed, treated and even believed. Ingrid Garner who is an award winning performer of Eleanor's Story: An American Girl in Hitler's Germany, tells of her ten year process to finally getting effective treatment for her provoked vestibulodynia, and the joy and utter relief of being prescribed something that seems to be working. https://www.eleanorsstory.com/Amica Hunter, is a non-binary physical theatre performer with their company, A Little Bit Off, who has suffered from this condition since puberty. They told Penny about the surgery they eventually resorted to to alleviate the pain of a thousand needles in their vaginal 'stoop' and their path to identifying as non-binary. https://alittlebitoff.us/Despite all the shame and trauma they have both gone through, Amica and Ingrid kept Penny laughing with tales of the joys of discovering manspreading, feeling your pulse from the inside, opossum penises, and the tenacity required to get results in the American health system. https://www.vulvodynia.org.nz/https://www.nva.org/https://tightlipped.org/https://www.nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/showy-ovaries-live/CW/TW: Talk of sexual abuse, painful sex, surgeries, sexual shame and abortion.Support the show

Wooohoooo. Here is a bonus documentary to honour of all Penny's good friends currently battling in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival trenches. She produced it way back in the Jurassic period, aka 2004, about her first ever time presenting a show there. Since then she been 4 times with varying degrees of success and there really is nothing like it; fucking amazing one day, fucking terrible the next. Radio NZ entrusted her with a DAT recorder and off she went interviewing anyone who was willing.  The two episodes here are shmushed together so stand by for interviews with Cal Wilson, Bret McKenzie, Michele A'Court, Jeremy Elwood, the wife of a 6 foot 6 vibrator, comedy teachers, nonagenarian buskers and one of the most notorious Edinburgh critics; Kate Copstick. Warning: Some occasional deeply early 2000's material which should be viewed as the period piece it is. PS Penny is currently in Rarotonga, so enjoy that extra week of winter she's missing! Support the show

Shortland Street's first ever murderer drops in on Showy Ovaries to discuss her blood letting onscreen and in life.  Having absolutely no symptoms Elisabeth thought this podcast would be short and uninteresting  but she and Penny managed to fill the space with chats of orgasms, early diplomacy by Nanaia Mahuta on school camp and being the daughter of one of NZ's most  famous broadcasting icons of the past; Shirley Maddock. Stay tuned for many many swear words, pubic hair musings, masturbation ponderings, cockroach sex and angrily pulling out Annie's hair.  The sauciest episode yet. Support the show

Ōtautahi born and bred, former MP, soon to be former mayor, but still current mayor Lianne Dalziel, beamed into Penny's Covid isolation at her parent's house to chat about various things. A advocate for the people of Christchurch for just over half her life, she discussed what she loved about wearing those mayoral chains and what she is looking forward to next. She patiently waited for Penny to wade through some covid soup and form questions, and they discussed her battle with body image, her menopause, the scourge of trolls on women in public service and how her late lovely husband always had her back. Penny has left some Covid muddling in this podcast in all its full glory. Lucky you.Support the show

Fifth Generation Kiwi, Jenny Agnew, welcomed fellow 5th Generation Kiwi Penny into her home to chat all about what it is to be a Chinese New Zealander. A descendant of Choie Sew Hoy who moved to NZ in 1869, Jenny was recently awarded a Queen's Service Medal along with her husband Trevor, for their research into her ancestor. She talked to Penny about her menopause, about arriving at school without knowing a word of English, her pride in her four daughters and about the excretions of menopausal Italian Nuns. As you do. #smashthepatriarchy She is also the "sister-in-love" of my first ever Showy Ovaries guest, Pinky Agnew. Choie Sew Hoy's Book: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/engage/cup/catalogue/books/merchant-miner-mandarin-the-life-and-times-of-the-remarkable-choie-sew-hoy.htmlItalian Nuns: https://www.theguardian.com/news/1999/aug/15/food.foodanddrinkSpecial thanks to Jenny for trusting Penny to talk about such personal matters for the first time. Support the show

Wellllllllll it finally caught up with Penny. The Vid, the Rona, the virus that's the least desirous, and it has a bit of a story so Penny thought she'd overshare it.  For a change.  Coming to you from Day 7 of isolation in Christchurch where she has turfed her own mother out of her bedroom, Penny is here to dish the deets on the spiky protein that had the same swooning effect on her as Colin Firth emerging wet from a lake in a Jane Austen adaptation. Extra special thank yous to Judy Ashton, for lending Penny her room with added ensuite to isolate in, for being with her in A&E and for bringing her ice cream when she what's apped a request. Thanks Mum Support the show

*Sorry for the delay Ovarians, covid finally got me. Ren Lunicke has lived many lives and tackled each wholeheartedly. Deeply uncomfortable within their evangelical upbringing, they went through a journey of discovery with their body from sexual discovery, to gender identity and finally hormonal balance. Now proudly Non-Binary, taking testosterone and happily married to Willow, their trans wife, Ren is more of an expert on hormones than most GP's. They dropped in on Penny bearing scones to chat about Ren's surprising new "male" privilege, their menopausal AND puberty symptoms and the pure joy to be found in sexual discovery.  Penny wants to thank them too for being so vulnerable and open about such intensely personal issues. Contains explicit sexual content and is a little longer than usual because, there's SO much to discuss. Like so much. Gender Minorities Aotearoa: https://genderminorities.com/ Ren's website: https://www.zirproductions.com/Content Warning/Trigger Warning: Discussions of partner and parental rejection, gender coded names of body parts, explicit sexual discussions. Ren acknowledged the following off tape and wanted it included to this interview: “Some of the ideas I worked through in the process of understanding my gender identity, were initially based in gender essentialism. These are historical opinions. I no longer hold the view that gender is essentially tied to genitals (physical or spiritual) nor sex role dynamics, positions, or behaviors, but rather an enduring state (or multiplicity of states) experienced by an individual that defines how they relate to themselves and others. My gender awakening through sexual events was merely a significant part of my journey that helped me confront my identity, but it only came (pun intended) after a lot of other worthy experiences I had ignored or repressed. Sexuality is complex for a lot of trans people and that's perfectly fine. One person's mindfuck is another's transcendence.”Support the show

Green Party MP and self described lefty feminist lesbian, Jan Logie beamed into Penny's office during a recess in that hive of human activity that is the NZ Parliament. Penny divulged that Jan's work in boosting funding to Women's Refuge was a big part of her decision to vote Green in the last two elections and thanked her for helping reverse some historic cuts. They then chatted about her HRT medications, her perimenopausal tunnel terrors, and her mentally willing her partner into menopause so they can be in it together.  They also mused on the toxicity that adversarial democracy can breed, and Jan spoke of tootling her own flugelhorn. Support the show

Penny had a bloody hilarious time getting honest AF with Stephanie Tauevihi, aka Shortland St's crack paramedic and iconic character Donna Heka. Of Danish and Niuean heritage, Steph spoke of her heartbreaking struggles with her body and was brutally honest about her complex relationship with her beloved Mum who passed away aged only 49. Penny's kindred spirit in the art of swearing they laughed and chatted about soaking bed clothes, brain fog and what her GP called her "big fat ute". May contain placenta shaming. Support the show

2020 Senior New Zealander of the year, Dame Margaret Sparrow, delighted Penny by agreeing to chat about her very minor menopause plus her very major life's work in freeing NZ's women from the forced burden of child birth through abortion reform. A lifelong champion of the notion of choice, Dame Margaret regaled Penny with tales of her own illegal abortion in 1956, being one of the first women to try The Pill in NZ, and performing vasectomies in India by bunsen burner.  Penny was honoured to welcome such a legendary and influential doctor to Showy Ovaries, and even more delighted to discover a sharp, open, honest and warm superstar of 86 years and 50 weeks young. Abortion Rights Aotearoa - http://alranz.org/ Family Planning - https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/Planned Parenthood - https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ Support the show

It's the queen of Jazzy Ovaries this week, who shares her journey of suddenly losing her voice on tour thanks to menopause's effects. Caitlin opens up as wide as a pharynx to regale former pupil Penny with a cavalcade of stories, potions and spells in her journey with her body, her blindness and her daily supplement regime. Spiritual Caitlin and deeply deeply atheist Penny chat dueling philosophies, trying to silence the shame monster within and how perfectionism can fuck you up, before ending it all with a fabulous live performance from one of NZ's best jazz vocalists. http://www.caitlinsmith.com/Support the show

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Shortland St, NZ's longest running soap opera, Penny headed to see one of the longest stars of the street - Angela Bloomfield. A veteran of 24 years of both acting and directing in Ferndale, Angela opened up about what's it's like to grow up onscreen, the pressures of looking your best and how trying to trounce your kids at board games isn't a good look. They unexpectedly chat a lot about boobs, hairy and otherwise, about night sweats and flashes of rage, and Ange pitches an EXCELLENT idea for a new reality dating show. https://raywhite.co.nz/angela-bloomfield/124423/ Support the show

Hawkes Bay founder of The Female GP, Dr Samantha Newman, joined Penny to share her passion for vaginas, vulvas and all thing science. A self described happy geek, she is an advocate for women's health not only in her private clinic, but also as a campaigner for equitable access to advice and medicines for those who cannot afford it. Penny invited her along as her first ever correspondent for Vulva News Network (VNN), and probed her all about various pink and fleshy bits. They chatted Samantha's need to exercise, her genuine deep and abiding love for making a huge difference to women's lives through helping their vaginas, and Penny's snobbery around certain words for bodily functions. Just stop it people! https://www.femalegp.co.nz/ Support the show

When Catherine formed the NZ Prostitute's Collective (now the Sex Worker's Collective) with her co-workers back in 1987, she never dreamed that would one day lead to a nod from the crown and a Dame-hood. But her advocacy for the rights, health and dignity of those in the world's oldest profession did just that and Penny was excited to chat to a woman who led the charge of the decriminalising of sex work in NZ.  This law change in 2003 inspired Penny's cabaret show Hot Pink Bits and she fangirled over the internet to Catherine in Wellington.  Her menopause was on the easier end of the spectrum, and she talked to Penny about oestrogen inspired saucy dreams, the importance of lubrication in sex work, and how she's not stringing the hammock up just yet. Aotearoa NZ Sex Worker's Collective: https://www.nzpc.org.nz/Support the show

This week's guest is the very gorgeous Jeanette Thomas, co-host of one of Auckland's most popular breakfast radio shows on The Breeze, and former presenter of Good Morning. She beamed into Penny's office to chat about their time together on Good Morning, about how her perimenopause was camouflaged by her intense grief and the one symptom of menopause she would rather have given birth six times in a row with no drugs to avoid.  They laugh A LOT about Penny's bits, about the patriarchy and about her two beloved husbands. Having only started HRT very recently, she shared her journey of discovery.  May include Orangutans.  Lara Briden's Book: https://www.larabriden.com/hormone-repair-manual/Book Tickets to Olive Copperbottom: https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/shows/olive-copperbottom-dickensian-tale-love-gin-and-poxSupport the show

This week it's Good Morning's doyenne of the daisy and dazzler of the doily, Astar, so fabulous she only needs one name. She entertained Penny in her home with her tales of working for the Sultan of Brunei, about growing up in Tuatapere and shouting at a GP. A devotee of HRT for some time, she is a woman who knows her own body and just what it needs. They chat her endometriosis, the joys of instant coffee and what you should never say to a woman in hormonal flux. Support the show

For a Mother's Day special here's Showy Ovaries' first mother/daughter combo with TV director Carolyn Sylvester and artist Meg Mahy. Carolyn (Penny's first adult showbiz employer) told Penny all about her struggles with menopause and how she realised her mother's "break-down" was no such thing, about how not all hormone treatments are created equal, and about being a girl who 'cain't say no'. 22 year old Meg chatted about her struggles with suddenly having a woman's body at aged 12, how she wants to learn all she can about menopause before it strikes, and about their famous relative; Margaret Mahy. Support Showy Ovaries through the Patreon Link or Tip it here: https://ko-fi.com/hotpinkpennyashton Support the show

Veteran politician Judith Tizard welcomed Penny into her home to talk about her life, her body and her menopause. A part of the Tizard dynasty of public servants we chatted about her happily being the daughter of a Mayor, a Governor General and a Deputy Prime Minister. Also about the perils of coming out in the public eye, male infidelities in parliament, her cancer and just whether or not she was having an affair with a Mr Alan Clark. May contain politics! Patreon link below PLUS Link to tip Penny Ashton https://ko-fi.com/hotpinkpennyashton Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/pennyashton)

New Zealand's cabaret superstar Jackie Clarke, dropped into Penny's house with two hot buns to talk all about her sweaty knees. A self described human water feature, Jackie is determined she will not go gently into that hot flushed night but rather yell all about her menopause to anyone who is vaguely listening. They chat about her body's journey from a state house in Gisborne to becoming a national icon, about her two reluctant then happy pregnancies, about the joys of squeezing into an ABBA sausage suit whilst slick with sweat, and about her array of greatest fans. https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/chess-the-musicalhttps://www.jackieclarke.co.nz/ Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/pennyashton)

Showy Ovaries is thrilled to welcome one of the busiest TV presenters and authors in Aotearoa, Miriama Kamo, to share her fertility journey with Penny.  From the pain of six miscarriages, to the joys of delivering her daughter, to the struggles of endometriosis and early menopause, Miriama is warm, open and honest about all that her body has been through, and she's still laughing.  They chat the rise of Te Reo Maori, her miraculous endometriosis cure and her burgeoning career as a tip top publishing magnate and children's author.Content Warning: Talk of miscarriage. Information on her Sparkling book: https://www.scholastic.co.nz/media/4570/stolen-stars-of-matariki_tn.pdfSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/pennyashton)

Former Muppet wrangler at Henson Studios, Lana Schwarcz, joins Penny from Melbourne to talk about her medically induced menopause following a breast cancer diagnosis and surgery.  Lana took this experience and turned it into an award winning comedy show; Lovely lady Lump which she toured through Australia, Canada and to Edinburgh in an effort to get as many women as possible to get their boobs checked. They chat and laugh a lot about her debilitating brain fog, her parched vagina, and surprisingly quite a lot about dogs, who incidentally can save your life. Warning: Themes of cancer and associated black comedy, depression and abortion. Dense Breast Information: https://densebreast-info.org/NZ Mammogram Bookings: https://www.timetoscreen.nz/breast-screening/Australian Breast Screening: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/breastscreen-australia-programLana's Website: http://www.lanaschwarcz.com/Support the show

A minisode with a brief and not at all peer reviewed history and explanation of HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy. It can sound as dry as a menopausal vagina so stand by for some appalling internet sourced menopause jokes. Like so bad. Like why internet.... WHY? Louise Newson's Website: https://www.balance-menopause.com/Fertility Associates: https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/ Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/pennyashton)