Podcast 'These Religious Women' Opens Up About Invisible Illnesses and Female Pain

In the latest episode of the podcast “These Religious Women,” hosts Hadar Ben Hamo and Ortal Barzilai address the often unspoken topic of invisible illnesses and female pain. They explore the disconnect between what women’s bodies endure and what their surroundings perceive, blending humor, personal memories, and deep insights. The conversation reflects on how women have been culturally conditioned over generations to silently bear pain, recalling mothers and grandmothers who rarely allowed themselves to be sick while maintaining family life.

The hosts contrast past generations with today’s youth, who are more open to discussing topics like the body, menstruation, sexuality, and femininity. They reference their decade-old show “Let’s Talk About It,” created for seventh and eighth-grade girls, which tackles body image, mother-daughter relationships, and breaking long-standing silences.

A significant portion of the episode focuses on menopause, highlighting its broader impact beyond hot flashes, including memory, concentration, mood, and identity changes. Through humor and reflection, they emphasize that resisting these changes can worsen the experience. The episode advocates for a gentler view of the female body as a living, evolving system, encouraging listening to the body, accepting changes, and nurturing the soul as steps toward healing. Ultimately, the hosts stress the importance of believing women when they share their pain.