Podcast · Health

3P's in a Pod: Paediatrics, Parenting & Perimenopause

by Dr Claudia Gray & Christy Herselman · English · Health

Expert-led chats on child, teen & parental health and wellbeing brought to you by paediatrician Dr Claudia Gray and journalist Christy Herselman. Hosted by trusted voices in health and parenting, this evidence-based podcast blends paediatrics, women's health and modern parenting into practical, rel

Typical length: 23 min
Language: English

Latest episode

26 min

Teens Decoded: Teens and Tech

Welcome to the fourth and final episode of our series on parenting teenagers. This time, Christy Herselman flies solo while Dr Claudia Gray is away—and she is tackling the topic every parent of a teen is wrestling with: screens. With school holidays in full swing, Christy knows firsthand how tricky it can be to maintain healthy screen boundaries when downtime increases. She breaks down why the time our teenagers spend on screens matters—not just because of opportunity cost, but because every minute online is shaping their values, their self-esteem, their attention spans, and even their…

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Earlier episodes 11 most recent

23 min
Decoding your Teen Part 3: Body Image Issues
Welcome to the third episode of our four-part series on adolescents. This time, we tackle one of the most fragile and important topics in a teenager's life: how they see themselves. In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman explore the complex world of teen body image and self-esteem. What is body image, really? It is not just what you see in the mirror—it is the thoughts, beliefs, and feelings that come with that reflection. And for teenagers navigating rapid physical changes, a developing sense of self, and the relentless influence of social media, it can feel like a perfect…
28 min
Your Teenager Decoded! Biology Part 2: Emotional and Social Development
Welcome back to the second episode of our four-part series on adolescents. Last time, we explored what is happening inside the teenage body and brain. This time, we look at how it all plays out—in their emotions, their friendships, and their relationship with you. In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman tackle the emotional and social chaos of the teenage years. They start with a painful but relatable confession from a mother in a parenting group: "I don't like him at all right now." If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone. And more importantly, there is a reason for…
25 min
Your Teenager Decoded! Biology Part I: Body & Brain
Welcome to the first episode in a four-part series on adolescents. If you have ever looked at your teenager and wondered who this person is and what happened to your sweet child, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman pull back the curtain on the physical and neurological chaos of adolescence. Both mothers of teenagers themselves, they know this stage is arguably the hardest of all parenting—but understanding the science behind the behaviour can change everything. Claudia explains the predictable sequence of physical changes known as the Tanner…
21 min
Perimenopause 101: Tips on managing the mayhem!
Last episode, we talked about what perimenopause feels like. This episode, we talk about what to do about it. Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman return for a practical, empowering conversation about managing this chaotic chapter—not just surviving it, but thriving. Because while there is no magic pill that replaces lifestyle, there are real, evidence-based ways to ease the burden and even reinvent yourself from the inside out. Claudia introduces the four pillars of health for this season of life: diet, exercise, sleep, and community. On diet, she explains why our metabolic rate slows, why…
18 min
Perimenopause 101: The Basics
For too long, perimenopause has been treated as a mystery—or worse, dismissed as "just part of getting older." But understanding what is happening to your body in this chaotic chapter changes everything. In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman finally turn the spotlight on themselves and every woman navigating this hormonal rollercoaster. They start with the basics: what is the difference between perimenopause and menopause, and why does it matter? Claudia explains that menopause is a single point in time—twelve months without a period—while perimenopause is the years leading…
23 min
The Chat – How Soon is Too Soon?
Most parents dread the talk. But what if the real mistake is waiting too long? In this episode, Dr. Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman tackle one of the most anxiety-inducing topics in parenting: talking to children about sex and reproduction. Christy shares the story behind founding The Chat, a movement born from a birthday party conversation where a room full of mothers admitted they had no idea what to say or when to say it. They unpack the phrase "eight is too late" and why the window between seven and nine is often the sweet spot—before embarrassment sets in and after their brains are…
30 min
Screen time: The TRUE Opportunity Cost
South Africa has the highest screen time in the world. But while we're all scrolling, what are we actually losing? In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman explore a concept that changes how we think about our devices: opportunity cost. For every hour spent on a screen, something else is being sacrificed—and the price our children are paying might be higher than we realise. They revisit a conversation that sparked their friendship: a doctor's observation that children now walk into consultations with phones in hand, numbing every uncomfortable moment before it even arrives.…
21 min
Medicating Our Kids for the Common Cold: Helpful or harmful?
When your child is miserable with a cough or fever, the medicine cabinet can feel like the only place to turn. But how many of those colourful syrups and familiar bottles are actually helping—and how many are quietly doing harm? In this episode, Dr. Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman take a hard look at the medications parents reach for most. From the sedating antihistamines Claudia calls "dirty drugs" to the cough syrups containing opioids, they unpack why some of these remedies are not just ineffective but potentially dangerous for children. They explore the decongestants that can spike…
27 min
Immune Boosters in Children: Help or Hype?
Walk into any pharmacy or listen to any school gate conversation, and you'll hear about the latest supplement promising stronger immunity, fewer sick days, and healthier children. But how much of this is backed by science, and how much is clever marketing? In this episode, Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman tackle the million-rand question every parent faces: Do our children really need immune-boosting supplements, or is a healthy diet and lifestyle enough? Christy opens up about the debate in her own home—raised on the belief that food provides everything a child needs, while her husband…
18 min
Using your Phone to Guide Parenting: Tool or Trap?
In our very first episode, we're tackling a question every modern parent grapples with: Is that smartphone in your hand a helpful parenting tool, or is it a trap that fuels anxiety and self-doubt? Join Dr Claudia Gray and Christy Herselman as they explore the five ways our digital devices are quietly reshaping parenthood. From the overwhelm of information overload to the danger of the comparison trap, they unpack how Dr Google and perfectly curated social media feeds can actually leave us feeling more lost and alone. Together, they introduce their four S's for spotting sensationalism and…
1 min
Welcome to "3P's in a Pod: Paediatrics, Parenting & Perimenopause"
Expert-led chats on child, teen & parental health and wellbeing brought to you by paediatrician Dr Claudia Gray and journalist Christy Herselman. Hosted by trusted voices in health and parenting, this evidence-based podcast blends paediatrics, women's health and modern parenting into practical, relatable discussions. From childhood illnesses, development & teens to hormones, peri-menopause and mental load, we connect the dots between caring for your child and caring for yourself. Dr Claudia Gray is an experienced expert paediatrician, allergist and lifestyle medicine specialist who juggles a…

About 3P's in a Pod: Paediatrics, Parenting & Perimenopause

3P's in a Pod: Paediatrics, Parenting & Perimenopause is a English health podcast from Dr Claudia Gray & Christy Herselman. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Dr Claudia Gray & Christy Herselman
Language: English
Category: Health
Typical length: 23 min
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1871852178

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