In loving memory of Dr. Jean Kagia (1948–2024) In today’s episode, we honour the life and work of Dr. Jean Kagia, a well respected Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and dedicated CEO of the Protecting Life Movement Trust and Kiota Rescue Centre, who passed away on July 5th, 2024. In her final interview, Dr. Kagia tackled one of Kenya’s most difficult topics: the incest crisis. Listen in as she delves into the profound impact of incest and sexual abuse within families as the hidden cause of many...

Welcome to a new episode of Circling The Rabbit Hole Podcast. Joining me today is Ashley Muteti, founder of the Zuri Nzilani Foundation, which she established after the heartbreaking loss of her first daughter, Zuri, to complications following a late diagnosis of severe pre-eclampsia.  For those unfamiliar, pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure that typically occurs in the second half of pregnancy. If left untreated, it can lead to...

On today’s episode of ‘Circling The Rabbit Hole’ podcast, we speak about a chronic and often very painful condition that has impacted the lives of many women — Endometriosis. According to statistics, Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 10 women globally, and in Kenya, it's estimated that over 4 million women suffer from this debilitating condition. Yet, many go undiagnosed for years due to a lack of awareness and limited access to proper healthcare.   Today I am honored to sit down with the...

Welcome to another episode of ‘Circling The Rabbit Hole’ podcast. Today, we endeavor to shed light on a critical, often overlooked issue and as many of you can probably attest, a conversation not had often enough here in Africa; Childhood Cancers. September being Childhood Cancer Awareness month, I am joined by a very special guest, 16-year-old ovarian cancer survivor, Lauren Neema, who has recently been confirmed as cancer-free! 🎉 She bravely comes on to share her journey battling ovarian...

In honor of Suicide Prevention Month this September, today’s episode comes with a ⚠️trigger warning ⚠️ as we focus on mental health and suicide; its risk factors, causes, signs to look out for and ways to prevent it. The statistics are alarming—according to WHO, one person takes their life every forty seconds, with the majority of them being young people. As hard as this conversation may be, it’s a much-needed reminder that we can all play a role in creating a safer, more supportive world...

Welcome to episode 2 of season 3 of Circling The Rabbit Hole podcast. Today, we tackle a very important yet difficult topic - Femicide in Kenya. Now more than ever, existing as a woman is proving to be a danger in itself. From the horrifying gang rape and murder of the trainee doctor in Kolkata, India, to the to the unspeakable violation and killing of a seven-year-old girl in Ethiopia, not to mention our very own persistent SGBV & Femicide crisis in Kenya, being a woman today is to...

In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of mental health during times of protest and civil unrest in Kenya. Our esteemed guests, Ian Gitaka from Mental 360 and Maureen Ngari from Hearted Stories, share invaluable insights on how to maintain mental well-being in the face of uncertainty and tension. Ian and Maureen explore practical strategies for managing stress, staying connected, and nurturing resilience when the world around us feels overwhelming. Whether you're directly affected by...

We couldn’t think of a better way to wind up Season 2 than by putting Dr. Claire in 🔥THE HOT SEAT!🔥 Catch this season finale on all your favorite platforms at 11am. Keep those comments and questions coming & remember to subscribe, rate, like & share! Thank you for staying tuned! CTRH to the world! 🥳 How can you support this podcast? Subscribe, Rate, Comment, Share.   Find the episode on YouTube:                                                                                 ...

Welcome to episode 11 of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast. Here, as you know, we endeavour to have real conversations intended to make an actual difference.   Today, I am joined by three colleagues to discuss the ongoing Doctors’ strike in Kenya. Like many Kenyans, we remain completely perplexed at exactly how Kenya can afford to have 4,000 jobless doctors and about 1,200 unposted interns? With a barely functioning public healthcare system riddled with internal rot from continued corruption, a...

The amazing Dr. Dorcus Muchiri joins me once again for today’s episode to discuss another highly requested topic that concerns all age groups and genders. Let’s talk Fertility, subfertility and infertility. How do we define fertility? What are some of the reasons a couple or a person might struggle to conceive? What effect does your lifestyle choices have on your fertility and what changes do you need to make to improve your chances of conceiving naturally? What are some of the medical...

Welcome to episode 9 of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast. Here, as you know, we endeavour to have real conversations intended to make an actual difference.   Today I am joined by a dear friend and a colleague - Dr. Dorcus Muchiri, to discuss a topic that many have repeatedly requested and one that is still shrouded in mystery as it remains poorly understood and largely unstudied. Join us for a broad discussion on Menopause. What exactly is menopause? How is it diagnosed and what symptoms do we know...

Welcome to episode 8 of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast & Happy International Women’s Day!   Today I am joined by the remarkable Dr.Hope Simiyu, a medical doctor by profession, but a trailblazer, working in the non-clinical space and in content creation. She summoned me recently to discuss Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and its more severe form, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). As we know, these conditions affect many women but yet continue to be minimised and not taken with much...

  Welcome to episode 7 of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast. Here, as you know, we endeavour to have real conversations intended to make an actual difference.   Today I am joined by Dr. Njeri Karianjahi, a Paediatrician & Adolescent Medicine Specialist.  Together, we have a conversation about Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, more specifically, we tackle a unique aspect of puberty and the changes that occur to teens and preteens as they undergo this stage in their lives. So parents...

Welcome to episode 6 of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast. Here, as you know, we endeavour to have real conversations intended to make an actual difference.   Today I am joined by the extraordinary Mwari Muthaura, a respected psychotherapist based here in Nairobi. We turn our focus towards better understanding the Psychology of SGBV and Femicide. We start off by defining the individual terms (SGBV, IPV, Femicide, Androcide etc.) and then highlight the global statistics of Femicide and Androcide...

Welcome to another intense episode on CTRH Podcast. *trigger warning for reference to various forms of violence.*   For this episode, I am joined by Onyango Otieno, aka Rix Poet and today we discuss GBV and Femicide from a male perspective. Recently, Kenya has been in the spotlight with a notable increase in Sexual and Gender Based Violence cases, with its extreme leading to an alarming number of Femicide cases. I am personally on a quest to try to understand just how things got so bad and...

Welcome to episode 4 of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast. Here, as you know, we endeavor have real conversations intended to make an actual difference.   On this episode, I am joined by Dr. Kizzie Shako, a Forensic Medical Practitioner,  Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Expert. Together, we tackle a very difficult topic, and a trigger warning is necessary due to references to sexual assault, violence and trauma. Our intention is to inform and empower by sharing professional perspectives...

Welcome to the 3rd episode of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast! Here, as you know, we endeavor to have real conversations intended to make an actual difference.   *trigger warning for reference to various forms of gender based violence & abuse. Today’s is a special episode of the podcast. As you recall, we started a Spotlight Series here, where I spend time talking to individuals who are changemakers in the community. People who are actively participating in advocacy and making a difference in...

Welcome to episode 2 of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast. Here, as you know, we continue to have real conversations intended to make an actual difference.   Today, we continue to hold space for the youth to speak their minds and candidly share their personal perspectives, lived experiences & actual needs so that we are better placed and advised on how to truly make a difference for them.   This is the second part of the candid conversation I had with a group of Gen Zs, 3 amazing students from...

🎙️HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉 Welcome to our first episode of Season 2 on CTRH Podcast! Here, as you know, we continue to have real conversations intended to make an actual difference.   Today, we continue to hold space for the youth to speak their minds and candidly share their personal perspectives, lived experiences & actual needs so that we are better placed and advised on how to truly make a difference for them.    I sat down for a candid conversation with another group of Gen Zs, 3  amazing...

🎙️Welcome back for episode 14 of CTRH Podcast, where we have real conversations intended to make an actual difference. Today I have a super candid conversation on Contraceptives with four amazing young Kenyan women, in order of appearance, Mary Njambi, Wangui Wanjiru, Maandy & Winfred Mutinda. They bravely open up to share their personal experiences navigating access to accurate SRHR information & quality Family Planning services in Kenya. You’re very likely to hear a story similar...

🎙️Welcome back for episode 12 of CTRH Podcast, where we have real conversations intended to make an actual difference. Today I have a special episode for you in commemoration of World AIDS Day. My guest today is someone I have a lot of respect for after working with him previously & watching just how bravely he lives his truth & champions for change as a young person living with HIV in Kenya. Ruele Okeyo is the very definition of a change-maker. He’s commitment to living positively...

🎙️Welcome to our first bonus episode on CTRH Podcast. 🎉 Here we continue to have real conversations intended to make an actual difference. Today, we finally get a chance to hear directly from “the horses mouth” so to speak. After having so many conversations with parents and gaining their perspective on how they are trying to do better at raising their children, I thought it only right to speak to young people so we may gain insight on their personal perspectives, lived experiences &...

🎙️Welcome back for episode 11 of CTRH Podcast, where we have real conversations intended to make an actual difference. Today, I’m joined once again by the amazing Janet Mbugua, for the first episode of our Spotlight Series where I hold space to interview and shed light on individuals and organizations that are doing important and impactful work in the SRHR space here in Kenya. Basically, think of it as a series intended to celebrate our very own change-makers. Janet is a well renowned and...