'Losing your easy juice': Kiwi music icon Boh Runga on navigating menopause

Join Carolyn Taylor for the latest episode of The House of Wellness with Chemist Warehouse on the Breeze, where she’s joined by singer-songwriter Boh Runga, ANZMES President Fiona Charlton, magazine editor-in-chief Vanessa Marshall, and our resident pharmacist, Piyara Perera.

Featured Guest: Boh Runga

Kiwi singer-songwriter and jewellery designer Boh Runga gets candid about the realities of entering menopause, jokingly referring to her mother's phrase about "losing your easy juice" as a relatable symptom of the journey. 

She also reflects on the emotional thought process behind designing her meaningful jewellery collections and what it's like creating pieces meant for gifting. Finally, Boh shares her excitement for the upcoming all-female Atomic tour, where she and other New Zealand artists will be belting out iconic covers from music legends like Madonna.

Want to hear more? Listen to Caro's extended interview with Boh Runga below:

Featured Guest: Fiona Charlton

ANZMES (Associated New Zealand ME Society) President Fiona Charlton sheds light on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), a chronic neurological condition often misunderstood as simply feeling tired.

She explains how the condition breaks the body's energy production system, likening it to a damaged mobile phone battery that drains rapidly even with minor use.

With Severe ME Day approaching on August 8th, Fiona stresses the importance of visibility, compassion, and advocating for improved health services and home support for those suffering from this debilitating condition.

Featured Guest: Vanessa Marshall

House of Wellness magazine editor-in-chief Vanessa Marshall drops in to preview the family-focused August issue. She highlights some of the delicious, healthy snacking recipes from VJ Cooks that are perfect for school lunchboxes, and discusses a nutritionist's advice on avoiding labeling foods as strictly "good" or "bad" for kids. 

The new issue, featuring Boh Runga on the cover, is available in-store at all Chemist Warehouse locations across New Zealand and online at Stuff.

Resident Pharmacist: Piyara Perera

Resident pharmacist Piyara tackles the common but uncomfortable topic of cold sores, explaining that they are caused by the highly contagious herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). 

She shares how factors like stress, lowered immunity, and even sun exposure can trigger flare-ups, making early intervention crucial. 

Piyara recommends seeking treatment at the very first sign of a tingle, as starting a remedy early can significantly reduce the severity or even prevent the blister from fully forming.

Catch the full episode up top and tune in next Sunday from 8 am for The House of Wellness with Chemist Warehouse on The Breeze.