Best There Are Four Mics Podcasts (2025)

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75: Should funeral celebrants be worried about direct cremations? 36:15

3M ago36:15

36:15

In this very topical episode, Claire puts her funeral celebrant hat on as she tackles the subject of direct cremations. With the increase in direct cremations and the appeal to some people of having a 'no frills', easy disposal of their remains after death, it's a topic that affects the funeral industry as a whole. As worrisome as it might seem on …

1
Effin Mic Drop 58:34

3M ago58:34

58:34

We can't quite believe it - but - the time has come, the end is near....It's time to say bye bye to Effin Hormones! Emma, Helen, Terri and Beena have a good old catch up about everything they've learnt about perimenopause, menopause and the power of talking about your Effin Hormones to your pals. Thanks if you've listened, love you lots gang!…

1
74: Ceremony sound: Why having your own PA system and mic is so important as a celebrant 31:12

3M ago31:12

31:12

In this episode, Natasha talks about the importance of ceremony sound and why as celebrants sometimes it's not enough to solo rely on our naked voices to deliver our ceremonies. Natasha shares the story of a ceremony incident which not only left her devestated but which made her vow to never have repeated again. In this episode she also talks about…

1
73: Claire's Camino - what Claire learnt from her 7 week sabbatical 26:56

4M ago26:56

26:56

Back in March 2024, Claire set off on a dream of a lifetime as she walked the whole length of the Camino de Santiago from France to Spain. As well as wanting to know what it was like, how she did it and how she found it, lots of people wanted to now how she managed to leave her celebrant work behind and pick up where she left of on her return. Well…

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72: What should we do with children at ceremonies? 45:17

4M ago45:17

45:17

In this episode, Claire and Natasha try their best to not sound like horrible child-haters (they're not!), whilst they talk about the worst and the best bits about having children at ceremonies. They look at what can happen when kids are present at ceremonies and how as a celebrant you can prepare yourself, the guests and their families for a smoot…

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Hot Right Now 35:13

5M ago35:13

35:13

"You'll never be younger or hotter than you are right now" Emma and Helen have a catch up with the slightly filthy and absolutely hilarious bestselling author, Marnie Riches. Marnie's out the other side of perimenopause and shares her thoughts on aging, health and relationships. Plus Emma and Helen reflect on the upcoming end of Effin' Hormones, wi…

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71: The four elements that can make or break your ceremony 41:47

6M ago41:47

41:47

In this episode, Natasha looks at four ceremony elements which can really affect the success of the ceremony itself. You may have been there yourself. You've written/prepared what you think is the perfect ceremony, the best one yet, you're prepped, poised and ready but when it comes to the actual ceremony itself, it just falls flat. And sometimes i…

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70: Should I publish my price on my website and other questions? 56:05

6M ago56:05

56:05

Check out the latest episode where Natasha and Claire answer a series of common questions that they've come across or are asked a lot. They start off by looking at the question "Should I put my prices on my website?" Followed by "Am I too emotional to be a celebrant?" And finishing off with "I hate social media, do I really have to be on it to get …

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I Made It Through The Menopause 49:28

8M ago49:28

49:28

“I'll have a party when I've made it through!" Sue Devaney AKA Debbie Webster from Coronation Street, has ALWAYS been upfront about menopause. She was one of our first ever guests on Effin Hormones and was incredibly frank - and quite frankly inspirational about the difficulties she faced and how she got through it. Sue has some really lovely news,…

1
69: Working with wedding planners: the good, the bad and the ugly 34:50

1y ago34:50

34:50

In this episode, Natasha talks about working with wedding planners and her experiences of working with them, and why she thinks that having a good working relationship with wedding planners can be really good for business. She looks at how wedding planners can help to push referrals your way, which can increase your overall number of bookings, as w…

1
68: How Claire prepared for her big six week sabbatical on the Camino de Santiago 32:11

1y ago32:11

32:11

In this episode, Claire talks about how she has been gearing up for her trip of a lifetime, walking the 500 mile Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. Before she left, Claire shares about what led her to want to want to do the Camino in the first place and how the idea crystallized into a solid plan. We also hear about what she's had to do in order…

1
Reiki And A Rant 31:37

1y ago31:37

31:37

Emma Goswell and her mates Helen and Beena (sadly without Terri) are back for a good old catch up. The gang tackle the media frenzy around menopause, share personal health scares, and explore alternative therapies like Reiki and gong baths. It’s all about the importance of prioritising one's health, the controversy surrounding HRT, and the power of…

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67: Are there too many celebrants (revisited)? 44:15

1y ago44:15

44:15

In this revisited episode, (first recorded by Natasha in episode 12!) Claire and Natasha tackle the controversial and oft-cited statement that there are too many celebrants. They look at whether there really are too many celebrants, the accuracy in being able to make such a claim and whether actually the situation is far too nuanced for a blanket s…

1
It's Psychological - With Hazel Showell 56:09

1+ y ago56:09

56:09

"When you can see the cycle of life, everything changes" Hazel Showell is a business psychologist and coach, who has turned her personal struggles into a source of strength for others. She helps top executives learn to be happier. You might not be surprised to hear that she’s helped a fair few women at the height of their careers, to recognise that…

1
It's Meno On The Dancefloor With DJ Paulette 59:39

1+ y ago59:39

59:39

“Don’t accept it’s over, because it’s really not!” DJ Paulette has spun records and societal expectations into a legacy of empowerment and beats. If you’ve ever been a clubber, you’ll know that the dance floor can be the background to personal, societal and cultural revolutions. DJ Paulette is testament to that, as a true pioneer of the Manchester …

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66: How to have a holiday during the holidays (or any other time of year!) 18:48

1+ y ago18:48

18:48

In this latest episode, Claire challenges you to think or rethink how you plan your time off away from your business. If you're thinking, 'time off? What time off?,' then this episode is for you! Being self-employed requires us to manage so many things within our business, and one of them is our time management and also managing our time off. But m…

1
Effin Does Men's Day 19:13

1+ y ago19:13

19:13

“We’d be sitting around the dining table having a sweat!” Happy International Men’s Day! Effin Hormones is celebrating with a candid, poignant - and of course funny - conversation with the one and only Richard Goswell - Emma’s Dad! Richard Goswell experienced symptoms that many menopausal women know about: severe hot flushes, night sweats and depre…

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Foggy Brains and Fit Females With Dr Stacy Sims 53:08

1+ y ago53:08

53:08

Dr Stacy Sims is an internationally renowned exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist, specialising in sex differences. Her TED Talk, Women are not small men, explains why it’s so important for women to train around their cycle. Stacy’s pioneering work is all about how hormones impact our bodies during the menstruating phase of life, perimenop…

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65: Why do prospective clients ghost us and what can we do about it? 33:28

1+ y ago33:28

33:28

In this episode, Natasha gets stuck into the topic of 'ghosting.' She looks at what ghosting is and why this frustrating and sometimes annoying occurence happens. She looks at what might be going on with some couples and families, which might explain why they never get back to you. And she also looks at some of the things that celebrants might or m…

1
Dr Liz O'Riordan: Breast Cancer Awareness Month 35:07

1+ y ago35:07

35:07

Dr Liz O’Riordan is a breast cancer surgeon who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2015 aged 40. She started blogging about her experiences of being both doctor and patient, went on to give a TED talk and wrote the ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer’ – all with the aim of helping other patients. All of this led to her being nominated fo…

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64: How I've grown a successful celebrant business by Natasha Johnson 32:42

1+ y ago32:42

32:42

In this episode, Natasha talks about why she recognises her business as a successful one and she shares what she's done to grow it into one. With 17 years worth of celebrant experience under her belt, Natasha gives her insights into how she created success on her own terms and what she's learnt from growing a business that works for her and helps h…

1
Effin Hormones returns with Dr Nighat Arif! 1:04:11

1+ y ago1:04:11

1:04:11

'light your candle with knowledge and light it on further' Dr Nighat Arif is a powerhouse when it comes to raising awareness and busting taboos around women’s health. She’s a GP, who specialises in women’s health and family planning and she’s a medical educator too. If you’re based in the UK you’ll have seen her on the TV. Dr Nighat is the resident…

1
63: Why building connections with other celebrants is so important 44:18

1+ y ago44:18

44:18

In this episode Natasha and Claire talk about the joys of celebrant connection. Of what it is like when celebrants come together online and also offline and how positive it can be for your celebrant growth and confidence. They look at the different ways that celebrants can connect, how to connect with the right groups for you, and what different ty…

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62: New celebrants: Here's how to not reach out to existing celebrants 44:54

1+ y ago44:54

44:54

In this first of a two-part series, Natasha and Claire get to grips with celebrant communication by looking at how celebrants communicate with one another. Celebrants are so used to communicating with clients and families and other funeral and wedding colleagues, but how do we communicate with our fellow celebrants? How do we reach out to our celeb…

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61. What's it really like being a destination wedding celebrant in Spain? 50:52

1+ y ago50:52

50:52

In this episode, Natasha talks about her experiences of being a wedding celebrant in Spain and the challenges that celebrants working here can face. Having been a celebrant there for almost 17 years and built a successful celebrant business from scratch, Natasha talks about both the highs and lows of being a celebrant in the Costa De Sol. Yes, it's…

1
Dr Claire Macaulay: The Pleasure Possibility 1:07:02

2y ago1:07:02

1:07:02

"Sexuality is our life force energy" Dr Claire Macaulay is an Oncology Doctor, who also helps peri and menopausal women have the sex lives they want. Her dual career came about after one of her breast cancer patients told her that she didn't know which was worse - the fact that she was going to die of cancer one day or the fact that she couldn't ha…

1
60: ADHD and celebrancy 55:04

2y ago55:04

55:04

In this episode, Claire talks about her experiences of having ADHD and how it affects her as a celebrant, in both the good and bad ways, and what she does to manage her ADHD alongside her work. Claire talks about the aspects of work that she really struggles with, how they show up for her in her wedding and funeral work, and what strategies she has…

1
Meera Bhogal: Faith, Hope and HRT 54:06

2y ago54:06

54:06

"If one person feels heard, then that's important." Meera Bhogal is a menopause expert, personal trainer and fitness coach, who runs the platform Meera’s Made from Scratch, which includes training plans, clubs, and support with health, nutrition and exercise. Meera’s passionate about raising awareness of menopause, particularly with South Asian wom…

1
Let's Get Political...Political! 45:17

2y ago45:17

45:17

Why can't we get hold of #HRT? What protection do you have at work if you're off due to #menopause or #perimenopause symptoms? And -who's looking out for our interests? The gang get back together for a big old catch up about the politics of menopause. Hearing from campaigners like Carol Vorderman, Kate Muir, Carolyn Harris MP and Mariella Frostrup.…

1
59: When will it be time for you to say goodbye to celebrancy? 39:56

2y ago39:56

39:56

In this episode, Natasha and Claire look at the different ways that celebrants can move away from celebrancy. They talk about retirement and how empowering it must be to come to the decision that you’re ready to take your final ceremony. When is the right time? Or do you just know in your heart that it is? They also look at pivoting away from celeb…

1
58: How to get paid as a celebrant 41:31

2y ago41:31

41:31

In this episode, Natasha breaks down the process behind getting paid as a celebrant by looking at when to get paid, how to get paid and what to do when you don't get paid on time! Recognising that this is an important part of your celebrant business, Natasha talks about what she does within her own business and also other popular methods that other…

1
Sam Walker: Running Up That Hill 57:25

2y ago57:25

57:25

'Don't put yourself at the bottom of the pile' Sam Walker has wise words for you if you've been struggling through perimenopause and menopause. Sam is an award winning broadcaster; podcaster and author. She worked on national radio in the UK, before upping sticks and moving to - Phoenix Arizona! Her award winning podcast Desert Diaries tells you th…

1
Having a Parley with Carolyn Harris MP 54:28

2y ago54:28

54:28

"If a dinner lady from Swansea can make changes, anyone can." Carolyn Harris MP has been a dinner lady and a barmaid. Nowadays - she's an MP who's been doing INCREDIBLE work as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Menopause. If you're getting HRT on prescription in England, it's thanks to Carolyn that you're going to be able to pay for…

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57: Menopause, menstruation and celebrants! 45:52

2+ y ago45:52

45:52

In the spirit of this podcast, surviving celebrant life, Claire and Natasha discuss a topic which affects so many celebrants, themselves included. In this episode, they look at the impact of being a celebrant who experiences menstrual cycles, perimenopause or menopause, and how it can affect day-to-day celebrant life and work. They share their expe…

1
The Rundown With Louise Minchin 51:40

2+ y ago51:40

51:40

Without Louise Minchin, there would be no Effin Hormones! Louise is a TV presenter, journalist and author. She's well known in the UK for being one of the presenters of BBC Breakfast, a job she’d had for years until announcing her departure in 2021. Louise was holding down that high profile job while going through perimenopause. At the time, she ke…

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56: Raising your celebrant prices in three easy-ish steps 29:35

2+ y ago29:35

29:35

In this episode, solo-host Natasha talks through the process she went through when she recently raised her prices. After years of advocating for other celebrants to charge their worth, Natasha finally took her own advice and realised it was time to raise her prices to the level that they ought to be at. She's now getting bookings at her new higher …

1
Rebel Bodies: Why It's Not All In Your Head 20:25

2+ y ago20:25

20:25

Sarah Graham is an award winning health writer, whose book 'Rebel Bodies', is a manifesto for change when it comes to women's health. Find out why it's not all in your head, in this bonus Effin Hormones episode!By Helen, Emma, Terri and Beena

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55. What trainees can and should expect from training in 2023 27:26

2+ y ago27:26

27:26

In our latest podcast episode, Claire talks all about celebrant trainees and training prospects for the year, what they can expect and also importantly, what they should expect. It can feel lonely and scary when you’re on the verge of making a big move but this podcast episode will make you feel a whole lot better! Claire gives some awesome insight…

1
To Fan Or Not To Fan? 44:49

2+ y ago44:49

44:49

Has Emma solved her hot flushes with HRT? Has Helen finally worked out whether she's perimenopausal or not?! The gang have a couple of updates for you. Seeing as it's the start of a new year, Emma, Helen, Beena and Terri also put the world to rights and discuss what more needs to be done to improve menopause and perimenopause care for all. Connect …

1
When a Man Loves a Woman 46:49

2+ y ago46:49

46:49

Sharon and her husband JB are the first couple to chat to the Effin Hormones gang! What a brilliant couple they are too. They’re both very much in love, and a right laugh to hang out with. So - how did they cope when menopause hit Sharon like a ton of bricks? Sharon and JB discuss the impact menopausal symptoms have had on Sharon's career, her ment…

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54: Our three takeaways from 2022's bumper year of ceremonies 1:03:37

2+ y ago1:03:37

1:03:37

In this hour-long special, Claire and Natasha look back at their summer of 2022, a year which saw them hold record numbers of weddings (not to mention Claire's funerals too!), as a result of the pandemic and postponements from previous years! They discuss the highs and the lows and what this year of celebrancy has uncovered for them. They look at t…

1
The Menopause Market 54:40

2+ y ago54:40

54:40

"Companies collaborate in the menopause space to make a difference" Sally Mueller and Michelle Jacobs are the co-founders of Womaness - a new brand covering the menopause market in the United States. They've worked for huge US brands like Target, Pfizer and the shopping TV network HSN. But as Sally asks, "Why was I creating all these brands for mil…

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53: Your celebrant results - do you know what you want them be? 22:37

2+ y ago22:37

22:37

In this episode, Claire talks about the pitfalls of comparing your results to other people’s - and what you can do instead. Comparisonitis is nothing new. We've all been there. And we all need to hear Claire's sage advice!By The Celebrants Collective

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52: Social Media - how do we use it and navigate it as celebrants 41:16

2+ y ago41:16

41:16

In this episode Claire and Natasha take a look at social media and discuss how we use it and navigate it as celebrants, particularly in the wake of Queen Elizabeth's death. They talk about the different ways that celebrants show up on social media and the 'expectations' that some celebrants may have about how they think they have to be on their pla…

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Effin Hormones Returns with Dr Louise Newson! 51:41

2+ y ago51:41

51:41

"Everyone should be able to get their hormones back on the NHS shouldn't they?" Dr Louise Newson is the UK's leading voice on menopause and perimenopause. Seven years ago, she set up a private clinic because she'd heard from so many women who were being offered antidepressants for their menopause, instead of HRT. Louise hadn't wanted to go down the…

1
51: Wedding couples and their celebrant shopping habits 36:27

2+ y ago36:27

36:27

In this episode, Natasha takes a look at how people approach the task of finding themselves a celebrant. And whilst she talks about it from a wedding celebrant's point of view, it actually can apply to all sorts of people looking for a celebrants. In her 15 years as a celebrant, Natasha thinks she has identified three main type of celebrant shopper…

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50: How will the cost of living crisis affect your celebrant business? 36:43

2+ y ago36:43

36:43

In this episode, Claire and Natasha reflect on the inescapable news about the shape of the economy and the rising costs of living, and they look at how this might affect us a celebrants. There is not one country that isn't experiencing some form of inflation or rising prices and living costs, and with many only just back on their feet after the pan…

1
49: Three SEO myths that are blocking you from SEO success 28:07

2+ y ago28:07

28:07

In this episode, Natasha wants to get you feeling much better about SEO, especially because there's so much good that can come from it when you make yourself best friends with it. But the thing about SEO is that it gets a bad rap and most people end up thinking that SEO is confusing, difficult, unmaneagable and complicated. But Natasha's here to te…

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48: Natasha's Mexican Marriage Extravaganza 58:03

2+ y ago58:03

58:03

There one where feathers were ruffled. Come and join Natasha and Claire as they talk about Natasha's Mexican wedding. Find out what kind of bride Natasha was and about the engagement that led them on the path to marriage in the first place. This laugh out loud episode (aren't they all?) will leave you in no doubts that Natasha was unapologetically …

1
We've Been Given The Elba 31:16

3y ago31:16

31:16

Chin chin from all the gang as we celebrate our win at the British Podcast Awards 2022! Effin Hormones won GOLD for the Best Wellbeing Podcast in those awards, so join the gang as we chink chink to our success - with prosecco, nosecco and.........a cup of tea. You'll hear what it's been like for Emma as a new mum, plus we give an update on the gove…

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