Well Enough

Ashley James: The misogynistic labels that keep women small

Well Enough

Show Notes

What does it really mean to navigate womanhood under constant scrutiny? This week on Well Enough, author, DJ and broadcaster Ashley James explains the impossible standards women face.

Ashley reveals the truth about misogynistic labels, from the slut-shaming she experienced at an all-boys school to being called 'selfish' both for not having children and then for wanting a life outside motherhood. She shares how becoming a mum forced her to confront her own internalised misogyny - and why birth trauma is dismissed as a 'negative mindset problem' rather than a maternity care failing.

We also explore the hidden costs of being a woman, from the £20,000 women spend on menstruation in their lifetime to the double standards that mean female voices are constantly questioned while male commentators speak without proving their credentials.

Ashley James’s bestselling Bimbo is available here Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here

Timecodes:

00:00 Introduction 03:16 The Misogyny Behind Calling Women Influencers 05:46 Slut-Shamed at 14 08:21 Punished for Having a Woman's Body 11:01 Why "Bimbo" Needs Reclaiming 14:06 The Impossible Standards of Mothers 17:11 Regretting Motherhood 20:16 Birth Trauma & the Failure of Maternity Care. 22:46 Why C-Sections Shouldn't Be Shamed 26:31 Childcare Costs More Than My Mortgage 28:46 The Pressure to "Bounce Back" After Birth 32:26 Trolls & Misogyny: Refusing to Be Silenced 36:41 The Hidden Cost of Having a Period 40:31 Medical Gaslighting: Why Women's Pain Is Dismissed 43:21 Raising Kids Without Misogynistic Labels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Well Enough

Jun 24, 2026

What if the life you thought you wanted was never really yours to begin with?

Jun 17, 2026

For decades, women have been sold the idea that exercise is about shrinking themselves — flattening stomachs, toning arms, and chasing the elusive “beach body.” But personal trainer and author Elizabeth Davies thinks it’s time for a rethink.

Jun 10, 2026

Comedian, presenter and Off Menu co-host Ed Gamble has spent more than 25 years living with Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at just 13 years old, he describes managing the condition as "like having another job" - a constant balancing act of food, insulin, exercise, stress and everyday life. In this episode, Ed opens up about growing up as a self-described "fat kid", the complicated relationship with food that inspired his memoir Glutton, and how living with a chronic condition has shaped his understanding of health, control and wellbeing. We discuss the mental load of diabetes management, male body image, perfectionism, social media wellness trends, and why trying to optimise every aspect of your life can sometimes make you feel worse, not better.

May 20, 2026

Elite marathon runner Anya Culling's story will inspire you but maybe not in the way you expect. She shaved nearly two hours off her marathon time and now competes at the highest level, representing her country.

May 13, 2026

This week, clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and content creator Dr. Julie Smith joins us to dismantle the myth of constant happiness and offer practical tools for navigating life's inevitable storms.

See all episodes →