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Intelligence Squared

How Well do we Understand the Female Body? With Polly Vernon

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.21.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 August 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Did you know that women’s brains change during puberty, pregnancy and the menopause? That women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s? Or that female athletes are more prone to certain injuries than their male counterparts?  In her book How The Female Body Works, journalist Polly Vernon sets out on a quest to understand the female body. She speaks with neuroscientists, academics, and medical experts to uncover how women’s bodies work and how they change — from puberty and childbirth to the menopause and beyond. In this episode, she sits down with Danielle Sands to talk about women’s pain, medical misogyny, the best ways for women to exercise and stay healthy, and how we can start closing the knowledge gap about women’s health. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi, I'm Eman.

0:01.1

And I'm Taya.

0:01.8

Our podcast, Bread and Butter, is currently sponsored by Nationwide.

0:05.5

You know, we talk a lot about wins on Bread and Butter.

0:07.6

And this one? This one is major.

0:09.2

It's called the Nationwide fairer share.

0:11.6

And it's honestly something that has real impact.

0:14.1

Nationwide is given £100 to over 4 million of their eligible members.

0:18.2

That's people who have a current account plus either savings or a

0:21.3

mortgage with them. Simple. Why? Because they're not owned by shareholders. They're owned by their members. So when they do well, you do well. So we're thinking, if you were to receive £100 a day, no strings, what would you do with it? For some people, it'd be a buff. For others, it'd be a treat. You know what I love about this campaign? It's a moment. It's called Fairer Share Day and it's about celebrating people. Nationwide are literally putting money into their members' pockets. That's the kind of brand I want to see win. And they're winning. They're the witch, banking brand of the year 2025 for a reason. If you want to know more or think you might be eligible, search nationwide fair a share.

0:55.3

In terms of conditions apply,

0:56.5

search nationwide fair a share,

0:58.0

qualifying current account,

0:59.4

and savings or mortgage were required

1:01.4

on the 31st of March 2025.

1:03.9

Welcome to Intelligence Squared,

1:06.3

where Great Minds meet.

1:07.8

I'm producer Mia Sorrenti.

1:10.4

In today's episode, Danielle Sands speaks to Guardian feature

1:14.1

writer and columnist, Polly Vernon, about her quest to truly understand the female body. To create

1:20.5

her new book, how the female body works, Vernon spoke to neuroscientists, academics and medical experts

1:26.9

to uncover how women's bodies work

...

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