Beyond Hysterical is a new five-part podcast series investigating solutions to medical misogyny. Funded by the Walkley Foundation’s Solutions Journalism Fund, Beyond Hysterical was created by award-winning freelance health journalist Grace Jennings-Edquist (formerly of the ABC, Bloomberg News, and Mamamia). It’s a not-for-profit, independently made project.
The five-part series is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio and other major podcast platforms.
Beyond Hysterical
Media Release
[13 Aug 2024]
“THE #METOO OF HEALTHCARE”: NEW PODCAST REVEALS MEDICAL MISOGYNY’S DEVASTATING IMPACTS
Two in three women say they’ve felt disbelieved or dismissed as “hysterical” when seeking healthcare – and now women are sharing their tales of medical misogyny in Beyond Hysterical, a new podcast investigating solutions to the issue.
The five-part podcast series is created by award-winning freelance journalist and author Grace Jennings-Edquist, whose own experience with chronic illness, misdiagnosis and medical gaslighting inspired the series.
“Exactly four years ago, I was pregnant and suddenly developed pelvic pain so severe, I was struggling to sleep or sit down. It felt like the doctor basically shrugged me off, telling me to work on my stress levels and relaxation techniques,” says Jennings-Edquist.
She sought a second opinion and soon discovered the real problem: a serious infection caused by undiagnosed Crohn’s disease. She needed emergency surgery to prevent the infection spreading and putting her life – and her baby’s – at risk.
“I’ve had to learn to advocate for myself the hard way: through 16 surgeries to date, and juggling those procedures and medications and anaesthesia with being pregnant and breastfeeding,” says Jennings-Edquist.
“Having now spent four years trading stories with dozens of women and gender-diverse people with similar tales of gaslighting, misdiagnosis and medical trauma, it’s clear this really is like the #MeToo movement of healthcare,” she adds.
“Most women have a story. And the stories shared on this podcast are chilling, and should never have happened. I hope this series helps them feel seen. I also hope that people with the power to make systemic change sit up and take note.”
Beyond Hysterical features interviews with researchers, policy-makers and other experts, along with compelling personal stories from lived experience advocates.
Guests include Kat Theophanous MP, Dr Melanie Jackson (The Great Birth Rebellion podcast), Gabrielle Jackson (author, Pain & Prejudice), Dr Pav Nanayakkara (Jean Hailes for Women’s Health), Professor Cath Chamberlain (The University of Melbourne), Peter Breadon (The Grattan Institute), Seona Ilalio (But You Look So Good podcast), Jacinta Dietrich (Differently Brained podcast); Dr Ramya Raman (RACGP and National Women’s Health Advisory Council); and Dr Sue Haupt (The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW).
Supported by The Walkley Foundation’s Solutions Journalism Fund, each episode of Beyond Hysterical explores new ways to tackle medical misogyny – from systemic approaches including reforming medical degrees and Medicare, to tried-and-tested tactics individual patients can use to better self-advocate.
The first four episodes of Beyond Hysterical are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. The final episode, plus a special bonus episode on maternity care, drop in August 2025.
For all interviews or further information, please contact:
Grace Jennings-Edquist, Executive Producer
E: [email protected]
M: 0432 437 242
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