Welcome to SEASON FOUR!!!!

This week I'm joined by the brilliant Alicia J. Rose, award-winning filmmaker, photographer, musician and creator of Menopunks - a movement challenging the silence, stigma and misinformation surrounding menopause.

Alicia has spent her career making noise, challenging expectations and telling stories that deserve to be heard. Now she's turning that energy towards menopause, bringing together women to share their experiences, question the status quo and demand better.

And this conversation goes much deeper than hot flushes.

We talk about the impact of perimenopause and menopause on our identity, mental health, relationships and quality of life. We get into hormones, HRT, ADHD, brain fog, sleep, and the frustrating lack of information and support so many women experience when they need it most. We also get into something that doesn't get talked about nearly enough: alcohol and self-medication.

Alicia opens up about her own relationship with drinking during menopause, how she used alcohol to cope with what was happening to her body and mind, and the changes she made along the way. We explore the connection between menopause, addiction and the ways women can find themselves struggling in midlife.

And fellas, don't scroll past this one.

Every man has women in his life - partners, mums, sisters, daughters, friends and colleagues. The more we understand about menopause, hormones and the impact they can have on women's physical and mental health, the better equipped we are to support the people around us. This conversation isn't just for women. It's for anyone who wants to understand them better.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Alicia's journey from the creative industries to founding Menopunks.
• Why menopause needs to be talked about openly, honestly and without shame.
• Perimenopause, menopause and the impact of changing hormones.
• HRT, self-advocacy and the struggle to access reliable information and support.
• ADHD, brain fog, sleep and mental health during menopause.
• Alcohol, self-medication and the relationship between menopause and addiction.
• The importance of community, sharing stories and making some bloody noise.

And we're very excited to say that We Recover Loudly is now the exclusive UK and European stockist of Menopunks merchandise, so you can get your hands on the collection without the international shipping fees. Check it out now on this LINK

Because getting older shouldn't mean getting quieter. If this conversation resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe, leave a review and help us keep these conversations going.

Please note: This episode shares personal experiences and opinions. It is not medical advice. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional about your individual circumstances.

About Menopunks

Menopunks is more than a podcast. It's a movement using creativity, community and a healthy dose of punk-rock rebellion to challenge the way society talks about menopause.

Find Alicia and Menopunks:
Menopunks website - https://www.menopunks.com/

Menopunks Instagram - @menopunks

SUPPORT THE PODCAST. WEAR THE MESSAGE.

Love what you're hearing? You can support We Recover Loudly by shopping our merch collection. From statement tees and socks to gifts with a little attitude, every purchase helps us keep the conversations going. Get 20% off your order with code POD20 at checkout.

Shop: www.werecoverloudly.com

Follow us on Instagram: @werecoverloudly

For speaking engagements, collaborations, support or just to say hello, email hello@werecoverloudly.com.

We recover loudly … to stop others dying quietly.

In the final episode of Season 3, Shell is joined by Dawn Comolly, better known as Sober Fish: writer, recovery advocate, and founder of one of the UK’s most vibrant online sobriety communities. Since giving up alcohol in 2016, Dawn has built a space that helps thousands of people swap hangovers and self-doubt for clarity, connection, and confidence always with her trademark honesty and humour.

Dawn shares her journey from teenage drinking and smoking, through years of exhaustion and toxic relationships, to the unexpected click moment that changed her life. Together, she and Shell explore:

• Why “one day at a time” really works in early sobriety
• How COVID shifted drinking habits and the long-term fallout still being felt today
• The hidden shame around alcohol, smoking, and sugar; and why freedom means answering to nothing
• Building self-respect, boundaries, and a life you don’t want to escape from
• Why authenticity, community, and even a healthy dose of swearing are essential in recovery

Dawn’s message is clear: sobriety isn’t dull or restrictive. It’s colourful, liberating, and full of possibility. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or questioning your relationship with drinking, this conversation is packed with truth, laughter, and practical wisdom from someone who’s been there and built something extraordinary from it.

CONNECT WITH DAWN :

@ soberfishie

@ the_unfuck_yourself_coach

https://www.soberfish.co.uk/

https://m.facebook.com/soberfishie

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com

In this vibrant and vulnerable episode of We Recover Loudly, Shell is joined by Caroline Kelp — aka DJ Flourish: writer, speaker, and creator of the legendary Self-Love Rave. Known for helping women navigate midlife with more joy, connection, and empowerment, Caroline brings her trademark honesty and disco-ball energy to the mic.

Together, they explore:

• Growing up with pain and rejection, and how those early experiences shape identity
• The masks we wear — from teenage rebellion to corporate panels — and the courage it takes to drop them
• Social media, addiction, and why “discomfort” can either be a doorway to growth or a drain on our nervous systems
• The power of community, authenticity, and self-love practices in recovery
• How DJing in her forties led Caroline to discover joy, purpose, and a whole new way to connect

Caroline’s story is a reminder that recovery isn’t just about letting go; it’s about creating space for joy, courage, and connection.

Whether you’re in recovery, questioning your relationship with alcohol, or simply craving more authenticity in your life, this episode is a celebration of self-love, rebellion, and showing up as your fullest self.

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE

https://djflourish.co.uk/

@ ravewithdjflourish

For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com

@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com