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Send us a text In this episode of The Hotflash inc Podcast, journalist Ann Marie McQueen interviews Heather Mills  – entrepreneur, vegan food innovator, and founder of No Bloat, a Monash-certified low-FODMAP meal range designed for people living with gut sensitivities. They talk gut chaos, menopause changes, stress, food science, and what it looks like to reinvent yourself (again) in midlife – by listening closely to your body and building what you wish existed. The Hotflash Inc Summit All Access Pass https://summit.hotflashinc.com/hotflash-inc-summit-all-access-pass  Coming Soon: The Hot Truth About Hormone Therapy https://hotflashinc.com What we explored in this episode 00:04 – From chronic gut crisis to building No Bloat (and why it took years) 00:09 – Low-FODMAP basics: why garlic and onion wreck so many people 00:22 – Stress + the gut: why you can bloat even on “perfect” food 00:27 – Heather's midlife body changes: hot sweats, mood shifts, and the “rib cage expansion” moment 00:33 – Menopause care frustrations: hormone testing, HRT debates, and UK context 00:50 – Reinvention in midlife: stop people-pleasing and reclaim your life Memorable quote: “You really are what you digest.” Connect with our guest: Heather Mills (official site): https://heathermills.org No Bloat (website): https://nobloat.com/about/ Instagram (Heather): https://www.instagram.com/heathermillsofficial/ Instagram (No Bloat): https://www.instagram.com/nobloatuk/ LinkedIn (Heather): https://uk.linkedin.com/in/msheathermills Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text In this episode of The Hotflash inc Podcast, journalist Ann Marie McQueen interviews Kristeen Pollock,a a Scotland-based fitness coach, speaker, and podcast host who is helping women finally break free from toxic exercise culture and reclaim their relationship with food, movement, and themselves. Kristeen gets real about what it was like to live inside the exhausting loop of dieting, restriction, and chasing “perfection” – and what changed. Together they explore the emotional rollercoaster of perimenopause, learning to actually rest, dealing with body image shifts, and how to find your way back to freedom in midlife. The Hotflash Inc Summit All Access Pass https://summit.hotflashinc.com/hotflash-inc-summit-all-access-pass Thank you to our Hotflash inc Summit gold sponsor: MenoLabs – Use code HOTFLASH for 20% off https://menolabs.com What we explored this episode: 00:06 – Why the fitness industry is toxic and out of touch 00:11 – Body image, disordered eating, and midlife triggers 00:16 – From binge eating to food freedom + exposure therapy 00:22 – Letting go of control + emotional release in perimenopause 00:30 – Doing less, resting more, and embracing the shift Memorable quote: "If you can’t do it for 10 years, don’t do it for one day." – Kristeen Pollock Connect with our guest: Website: https://kpfitandwell.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kpingfit/ Podcast: Keeping it Real LinkedIn: Kristeen Pollock Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text Am I neurodivergent? In this episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, host and journalist Ann Marie McQueen sits down with Skylar Liberty Rose – a meditation guide, pro-aging advocate, and ceremony creator – to explore the layered intersection of neurodivergence and perimenopause. The two friends share a candid, nuanced conversation about realizing they may be neurodivergent later in life, how that connects with the hormonal shifts of midlife, and what it means to drop the mask and fully show up.  Sponsored: Thank you to MenoLabs for being a gold sponsor of the first-ever Hotflash inc Summit. Their science-backed probiotics, including the bestselling MenoFit, are designed to support women through perimenopause and menopause. Right now, you can get 20% off with code HOTFLASH20 at menolabs.com. Highlights: 5:30 – Growing up with sensory sensitivities but having no language for it8:00 – The misunderstanding and shame around being an introvert10:00 – Coping with alcohol, masking, and perfectionism11:30 – Perimenopause as “the great unveiling” of truth13:00 – Losing the ability to mask in midlife14:00 – The collapse of executive functioning in perimenopause16:00 – What it feels like to remove long-held coping tools17:00 – Navigating social situations without alcohol21:00 – The relief of realizing you’re neurodivergent22:00 – Pursuing (or not) a formal diagnosis25:30 – On external validation and trusting yourselfSkylar Liberty Rose Website: skylarlibertyrose.com Skylar offers personalized guided meditations and custom ceremonies to support women in midlife and beyond. Her work focuses on embracing aging, dismantling anti-aging narratives, and honoring the major (and often invisible) thresholds of life. Rate, share and go deeper If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a review, drop a comment, and share it with someone who might benefit — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text This episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast is hosted by Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of the world’s only reader-supported, research-based platform covering all aspects of perimenopause, menopause, and the midlife transition. This week's guest is Maryann Selfe, the Zurich-based private banking expert turned women's health investment advocate. After 25 years advising ultra-high-net-worth clients, Maryann became laser-focused on the lack of funding flowing into women’s health – and she’s doing something about it. Maryann is the founder of Femme Health Alliance, editor of the widely-read Substack The Billion Dollar Blind Spot and author of the forthcoming book of the same name. In this conversation, she breaks down how midlife women represent an invisible economic powerhouse, how both capital markets and healthcare systems are failing to meet our needs – and how that is slowly changing.  Fact check  Major firms like JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley have introduced menopause-friendly workplace policies, including flexible work and education.A 2025 Nature Cardiovascular Research study found women achieved heart health benefits with about half the weekly exercise men required — with even greater mortality reductions, including among those with existing heart disease.The $10.7B invested in women’s health in 2024 includes conditions that disproportionately affect women, according to SVB’s 2025 Innovation in Women’s Health report.Blackstone and TPG’s acquisition of women’s health med-tech leader Hologic is expected to close in early 2026.Thank you to our Hotflash inc Summit gold sponsor: MenoLabs – Use code HOTFLASH for 20% off https://menolabs.com Highlights include: Why so little capital flows into women’s healthWhat she means when she says midlife women are “an invisible economy”Insomnia trials were done mostly on men Women’s health isn’t a trendWhy this isn’t just “women’s health”The missed opportunity in progesterone researchWhy financial return and impact can (and must) coexistEngage with Maryann Selfe The Billion Dollar Blind Spot by Femme Health Ventures Alliance on SubstackLinkedIn: Maryann SelfeIG Femme Health Ventures Alliance  Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text Journalist and Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen welcomes Lauren Tetenbaum, aka The Counselaur  – a licensed social worker, former lawyer, and author of Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life’s Next Period. At 40, Lauren brings a fresh, younger perspective to a conversation that's long left her generation out. Ann Marie and Lauren dive into what it means to enter perimenopause as a millennial  – through the lens of mental health, trauma, hormone therapy, supplements, shame, IVF, and what the next generation (Gen Z) might face. Lauren’s unique background in law, therapy, and women’s rights advocacy makes her a powerful voice in this space. Through her private practice and corporate workshops, she supports women navigating life transitions  –  including the often-misunderstood onset of perimenopause. Fact Check: During this discussion we explore breast cancer risk and hormone therapy, including the distinction between bioidentical progesterone and synthetic progestins. It's essential to understand the difference: Across the strongest randomized evidence from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), combined estrogen plus synthetic progestin is associated with a 25–30% relative increase in breast cancer incidence – roughly 8 extra cases per 10,000 women per year in the original WHI report. More recent large observational datasets suggest a higher risk with combined therapy, especially with longer-term use. Combined estrogen with bioidentical progesterone (oral micronized progesterone) has not been shown to carry the same level of risk, though more research is needed. Highlights: –Lauren explains why she wrote Millennial Menopause at  40 How her law and social work background blend in advocacy and therapy Why most millennials are still clueless about perimenopause “Denial is the first symptom”Why personalized care is key How millennials are still scared of hormone therapyEstrogen-only vs. combined therapyWhy trauma, mindset, and support shape your perimenopause experienceWhat shocked Lauren most while researching menopause Is menopause estrogen deficiency or hormone fluctuation? Are supplements worth it?  Why shame and dismissal still dominate menopause care Her hope for Gen Z and how they’re different from millennials How Lauren personally managed early peri symptoms with the pill IVF, fertility, and their possible ties to earlier menopause The gaps in medical training and misconceptions among doctors How risk is part of all health decisions – and how to weigh it Are millennials drinking less? The booze-risk conversation Why support matters even when there’s no “official” diagnosisWhere to connect with Laruen: LinkedIn: Laurenatetenbaum Instagram Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. Miriam Putnam is a certified wellness coach, spiritual mentor and freedom-from-stress counselor with more than 25 years of experience in holistic mental health advocacy. Miriam's life’s work was shaped by the heartbreaking loss of her mother, who struggled with mental illness, misdiagnosis and pharmaceutical harm during her own midlife transition. Their raw and deeply honest conversation explores the intersections of mental health, spiritual health, body health and perimenopause – and what can happen when we begin to question the systems we've trusted. Miriam shares her unique perspective on underlying causes of mental anguish, the danger of holding tight to a diagnosis and how midlife can become a powerful catalyst for transformation and truth-seeking. If you’ve ever felt like you were losing yourself in perimenopause, or you're supporting someone who is, this conversation will help you feel less alone –and remind you of your strength. Highlights Miriam describes her mom’s shift during midlifeUnderlying physical conditions that can mimic or trigger “mental illness”Miriam’s mother’s resistance to pharmaceutical treatment and her spiritual driveThe brutal toll of grief and loss, especially when unsupportedHow Miriam works with clients to break free from spiritual stagnation and misdiagnosisExercises to strengthen the “mind muscle” and shift out of negative thinkingWhy visualizing your future requires emotional presence and clarityThe power of remembering we are more than our hormones and diagnosesMiriam’s practical approach to staying conscious and spiritually wellFact check Cannabis use is consistently linked to psychotic symptoms and disorders. Multiple studies and reviews show a strong and consistent association between cannabis use and psychosis, including schizophrenia-like symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions (Gage & Hickman, 2016); (Pearson & Berry, 2019). Genetic and environmental factors moderate vulnerability. Genetic variations (such as in COMT and AKT1 genes), family history of psychosis, and childhood trauma amplify the risk of psychosis following cannabis use (Radhakrishnan & Wilkinson, 2014); (Quattrone, 2022); (Trotta & Spinazzola, 2025).   A big thank you to Kion Aminos, gold sponsor of the first-ever Hotflash Inc Summit. Kion’s essential amino acids provide a clean, clinically-backed formula to support muscle repair and recovery. Get 20% off at getkion.com/hotflash. Guest Info Miriam Putnam Website: miriamputnam.org Instagram: Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text Hosted by journalist and Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen, this week’s episode features Sonja Rincon, founder and CEO of Menotracker, an AI-powered menopause app based in Austria. Sonja is also a lawyer and single mother who built the tool she wished she had when navigating her own confusing and often dismissed perimenopause symptoms. In this honest and empowering conversation, Sonja explains how she went from being gaslit by doctors to developing a secure, multilingual, research-driven tracking tool that empowers women to identify patterns, advocate for themselves, and share vital data with their healthcare providers. You'll hear about how Menotracker differs from other apps by protecting user privacy, generating detailed reports, offering translations in over 30 languages and allowing deep integrations with wearables. Sonja also opens up about her own HRT journey and the frustrating road to understanding what was really going on in her body. If you’ve ever wondered whether tracking symptoms is worth it, or how midlife women can step into their power as their own health advocates, this conversation is for you. Sponsor Shoutout: Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. Also a big thanks to Kion Aminos, gold sponsor of the first-ever Hotflash Inc Summit. Their clean, leucine-rich amino acid blend is up to 6x more effective than food-based protein, and helps support recovery, strength, and energy – especially under stress. Learn more at getkion.com/hotflash for 20% off your order. HIGHLIGHTS How Sonja’s own perimenopause symptoms led her to HRT and away from SSRIsWhy her early symptoms were misdiagnosed as stressHow tracking helped her fine-tune her hormone therapyThe importance of not giving up too soon when adjusting HRTThe tipping point: her friend’s promotion was denied due to visible perimenopause symptomsWhy most trackers fail: lack of reports, language barriers, and questionable data useMenotracker’s privacy-first approachWhy pattern recognition is key for symptom awareness and medical advocacy40+ symptoms available to track and growing through user feedbackHow she taught herself low-code tools and AI to launch the first versionThe power of knowing enough to not be bamboozled by developersOffering the app in 30+ languages Why Europe is lagging behind in the menopause conversationCommunity-based growth strategy and bringing in experts of diverse backgroundsGuest info:  Founder & CEO, Menotracker Website: www.menotracker.com Instagram: Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text In this episode, Ann Marie speaks with Dr Gary Elkins, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University and director of the Mind-Body Medicine Research Laboratory, in Waco, Texas. Dr. Elkins is the leading researcher in the field of clinical hypnosis for menopause, with more than 25 years of experience and more 100 peer-reviewed publications. He joins Hotflash inc to explore the groundbreaking science behind hypnosis for hot flashes, its surprising effectiveness (up to 70% reduction!), how it works in the brain, why it matters for breast cancer survivors, and how hypnosis may also support sleep, stress, and other midlife symptoms. They also discuss Evia, the self-hypnosis app built on Dr. Elkins’ research, and the critical importance of hjaving non-pharmaceutical options for symptom relief. Support shoutout Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. Thank you to KION for sponsoring the first-ever Hotflash inc Summit. Their aminos is a clean, science-backed essential amino acid supplement that gives your body what it needs to build and repair muscle. It's sugar-free, vegan, non-GMO, and most importantly, third-party tested. Try it for yourself at getkion.com/hotflash  for 20% off your first order. Highlights How hypnosis became part of NAMS (now The Menopause Society) guidelinesResearch showing hypnosis reduces hot flashes by 70%What hypnosis is and what it definitely isn’t What happens in the brain during hypnosis The “triple fallacy” and misunderstanding physical symptoms Comparing hypnosis to hormone therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) How hypnosis helps improve sleep and calm anxiety Why hot flashes are a physiological issue, not a psychological one What to expect: when and how hypnosis starts to work The power of daily practice and support from others Addressing misconceptions about hypnotizability and intelligence What the research says about empathy, creativity and hypnosis The mind-body connection and the experiential system How hypnosis taps into the subconscious (without the woo) Dr. Elkins on consulting for the Evia app and why it matters Future research: hypnosis for sleep and psychedelic states without drugsGuest Info – Dr. Gary Elkins  Website: www.garyelkins.org Book: Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy: What You Need to Know Handbook: Handbook of Medical and Psychological Hypnosis Evia App: https://www.eviamenopause.com Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text Welcome back to the Hotflash inc podcast, hosted by journalist and founder Ann Marie McQueen – the only reader-supported, evidence, expert opinion and human experience-based platform dedicated to all aspects of menopause and midlife. Today’s guest is Jennifer Block, an independent investigative journalist based in the United States. who reports on medicine, health, science and power. In this episode, Ann Marie and Jennifer explore the rising tide of estrogen-focused messaging in menopause care – and how it might not be as organic or evidence-based as it seems. Jennifer has just published three major articles — in The Free Press, The British Medical Journal and on her Substack Unpopular Science — that connect long-suspected dots between pharma-backed advocacy, conflicts of interest and the shifting tone around hormone therapy. Together, these pieces paint a picture of an industry-backed campaign influencing policy, public opinion, and clinical guidance. If you’ve been wondering why estrogen is suddenly everywhere, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for. Sponsor Shoutout: Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. Also, thank you to our friends at Bonafide. Visit hellobonafide.com and use code SUMMIT20 to receive 20% off your first month of any Bonafide subscription product. Highlights How Jennifer’s recent reporting was sparked by the FDA black box warning changeThe behind-the-scenes forces pushing for estrogen’s big comebackWhy the “menopause awareness movement” isn’t as grassroots as it seemsWhat Jennifer uncovered about the industry ties behind the Menopause SocietyWhy many doctors may not be aware of their own industry entanglementsHow these dynamics affect everyday women making decisions about HRTWhat informed consent really means in this climateThe importance of journalistic scrutiny in medical debatesFact check: Addyi (flibanserin) offers a modest benefit for certain premenopausal women with HSDD (hypoactive sexual desire disorder), averaging 0.5 to 1 additional satisfying sexual event per month compared to placebo.Compounded hormones typically do not carry standardized FDA boxed warnings or package inserts. These customized medications are exempt from federal labeling regulations, meaning key risk information may not be included.About Jennifer  Website: www.jenniferblock.comSubstack: Unpopular Science Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text In this episode of the Hotflash Inc Podcast, host and journalist Ann Marie McQueen is joined by Dr. Rachel Pope, an OB-GYN and certified menopause practitioner at the Institute University Hospitals Cleveland, with an appointment in the Department of Reproductive Biology. Dr. Pope is also a public health researcher, currently working to clarify gaps in hormone therapy research that impact real women every day. Dr. Pope’s recent study set social media on fire, with claims that hormone therapy in perimenopause reduces breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack risk by 60%. But is that actually what the data said? In this episode, Dr. Pope gives a clear, honest account of what her study really found – and what it didn’t. She speaks about the confusion that followed, why nuance matters, her belief in the power of hormone therapy and how to move forward in the menopause conversation with more care, accuracy and integrity. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating perimenopause, hormone therapy decisions or working in the midlife health space. Sponsor Shoutout Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. Thank you to Bonafide, a gold sponsor at the Hotflash Inc Summit. To learn more, visit hellobonafide.com and be sure to use code SUMMIT20 to receive 20% off the first month of any Bonafide subscription product. Highlights The truth behind the viral claim that hormone therapy “reduces risk by 60%.”Why misinterpretation of data spreads so fast — especially on social media.What the research actually says about breast cancer, stroke, and heart attack.The gaps in current evidence, especially around compounded hormones and long-term outcomes.How healthy-user bias and retrospective databases can distort study results.Why individualized care matters — and why hormone therapy isn’t universally preventative.GUEST LINKS University Hospitals Cleveland Medical CenterInstagram: @drrpopeX: @drrpope  Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text In this solo episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen dives into the rising conversation around ADHD and perimenopause. Drawing from personal experience, research, and lived insight, Ann Marie explores how midlife hormone shifts may intersect with neurodivergence – and how confusing, frustrating and illuminating that process can be. This episode is a candid, powerful reflection on mental health, executive function and how being a woman in midlife calls for compassion and curiosity. Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. Highlights Ann Marie reflects on the constant battle to get information right in a world full of misinformation.The emerging connection between perimenopause, ADHD, and hormonal changes.Research shows ADHD traits can intensify menopausal symptoms—even in undiagnosed women.Ann Marie shares her own experience recognizing lifelong ADHD tendencies.Sensory sensitivity, rejection sensitivity, and how they show up in midlife.Why she hasn’t pursued an official diagnosis – and how nervous system healing has helped.The pain of not being taken seriously when you open up about neurodivergence.Testosterone’s overlooked role in executive function and how HRT may help.Why a holistic approach is essential for navigating neurodivergence in midlife.The power of being seen and heard – how a simple conversation at work changed everything.This podcast is hosted by Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of Hotflash inc, the world’s only reader-supported, research-based platform covering all aspects of menopause and midlife. With more than 30 years in journalism, Ann Marie provides evidence-based content, expert interviews, and deeply personal conversations to help women around the world navigate this pivotal life stage. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit –  and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. To get the latest research and real talk on perimenopause, menopause, and midlife straight to your inbox, subscribe to the Hotflash inc newsletter at hotflashinc.com. Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text On this solo episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, journalist and founder Ann Marie McQueen breaks down one of the biggest developments in menopause care in years: the FDA’s decision to remove the black box warning on vaginal and topical estrogen. Ann Marie unpacks what this means, what it doesn’t mean, and what we’re not being told in the flurry of headlines and social media excitement. She also shares insight from two menopause certified practitioners who are upcoming guest on the podcast – US ob-gyn Dr. Rachel Pope and Canadian naturopathic doctor Dr. Kirsten Smith – and reflects on the legacy of Dr Burt Webb, a beloved podcast guest and women’s health champion. Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. It’s not too late to get an All Access Pass to the Hotflash inc Summit! You get lifetime access to the videos, as well as Hotflash inc Summit Book of Knowledge (top takeaways from all the interviews) and the BETA version of the Hotflash inc Hormone Therapy Navigator. Highlights The FDA’s removal of the black box warning on vaginal and topical estrogen — what it really meansThe disconnect between science and media messagingExpert insights from Dr. Kirsten Smith and Dr. Rachel Pope on nuance, safety, and responsible communicationWhy sudden menopause isn’t the same as natural menopause — and why that distinction mattersThe quiet truth about progestins vs. progesteroneSocial media, private practice, and the influencer-doctor economyVaginal options like DHEA and testosterone — and what’s missing from the conversationThree questions to ask yourself before starting hormone therapyRemembering Dr. Burt Webb — one of Ann Marie’s favorite guestsThis is a solo episode hosted by Ann Marie McQueen. Additional expert commentary is provided by: Dr. Kirsten Smith, a naturopathic doctor practicing in Canada and Costa Rica with a focus on women’s health and hormone balancing.Dr. Rachel Pope, obstetrician-gynecologist, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and associate professor at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.Dr. Burt Webb, late OB/GYN and beloved advocate for women’s vaginal and hormonal health.This podcast is hosted by Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of Hotflash inc, the world’s only reader-supported, research-based platform covering all aspects of menopause and midlife. With more than 30 years in journalism, Ann Marie provides evidence-based content, expert interviews, and deeply personal conversations to help women around the world navigate this Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text Hosted by journalist and Hotflash inc founder Ann Marie McQueen, this episode features Dr Leigha Saunders, a naturopathic doctor, menopause specialist and mom of two whose own postpartum sleep struggles ignited a mission to help women reclaim their rest and balance. From her sold-out “Woman Up” event to her candid insights on burnout, radical self-responsibility, and the real roots of fatigue, Leigha and Ann Marie dig into the science and soul of women’s health. They unpack why everything is suddenly labeled “perimenopause,” the hidden role of iron deficiency, and how stress, relationships and lost self-connection lie beneath so many midlife symptoms. Sponsor shout-out  Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. Highlights Dr Leigha Saunders shares how her Woman Up event united over 100 women seeking health and happiness.Why “normal” bloodwork isn’t always optimal — and how the medical system continues to fail women.How midlife hormones lower our tolerance for stress and change the way we recover.Leigha’s own burnout and “dark night of the soul” — and how she turned it into a healing experience.Why perimenopause can sound like “I don’t feel like myself” — and what that really means.The danger of assuming every symptom is perimenopause — and what to test instead.Iron, B12, and protein deficiencies: the hidden causes behind fatigue and low mood.Why collaboration between medical and naturopathic doctors is the future of women’s health.Where to find Dr Leigh Website: leighasaundersnd.com Instagram: @drleighasaundersnd Host bio This podcast is hosted by Ann Marie McQueen, journalist and founder of Hotflash Inc, the world’s only reader-supported, research-based platform covering all aspects of menopause and midlife. With more than 30 years in journalism, Ann Marie provides evidence-based content, expert interviews, and deeply personal conversations to help women around the world navigate this pivotal life stage. Thank you for being here If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. For the latest research and real talk on perimenopause, menopause, and midlife straight to your inbox, subscribe to the Hotflash inc newsletter here. Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text Thank you to our sponsor, Timeline Nutrition – makers of Mitopure™, the first clinically tested Urolithin A supplement that supports cellular energy and muscle strength. Visit www.timeline.com and use the code HOTFLASH for 20% off your first order. In this episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen sits down with Laura Ghita, a Romanian psychotherapist and Family Constellation practitioner, for a deeply personal and revealing conversation about how unresolved ancestral patterns can shape our midlife experiences – and how we can shift them. Ann Marie recorded this interview several years ago, in the middle of going through menopause, just after experiencing her own Family Constellation session. What followed was a profound rethinking of how past generations and hidden dynamics impact our relationships, our health, and how we move through the world in perimenopause and beyond. Laura explains how this therapeutic modality works, what the science says about inherited trauma, and how this work can reconnect us to our intuition, our bodies, and our personal truth. Whether you're new to Family Constellation Therapy or already curious, this episode will move you to think differently about healing – and the invisible threads that connect us all. Highlights: How Family Constellation helps women in perimenopause and menopauseUnderstanding the inherited beliefs about womanhood from your maternal lineWhy we can’t think our way through healingHow trauma gets stored in our bodies – and why it mattersThe turning point when Ann Marie felt emotion linked to her great-grandmotherWhy healing is never “done” – it’s a lifelong journeyLaura Ghita is a Romania-based psychotherapist and Family Constellation facilitator with more than a decade of experience helping individuals and groups uncover the unconscious patterns passed down through generations. Her approach is grounded in psychology, trauma-informed practices, and energetic awareness. Laura travels internationally to offer workshops and one-on-one sessions, including regular visits to Seva Wellness in Dubai. Her work helps people reconnect with their deeper selves, their bodies, and their ancestral lines to bring clarity, healing, and peace Connect with Laura: LinkedIn Laura Ghita Instagram: @lauraghita.psychologist Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Send us a text Thank you to Timeline for sponsoring this podcast. Powered by Mitopure®, Timeline’s clinically proven Urolithin A gummies are designed to boost energy and support healthy aging at the cellular level. Use code HOTFLASH at timeline.com for 20% off your first order. In this episode of the Hotflash inc podcast, host and founder Ann Marie McQueen speaks with award-winning journalist, broadcaster and women’s health advocate Fiona Clark. Together they unpack how media, medicine and marketing collided to create confusion and polarization in menopause care – and what needs to change. Fiona, co-founder of the Menopause Research and Education Fund, shares why she wrote Meno Wars, the impact of social media “medical influencers,” how evidence gets cherry-picked and misused, and why better data, plain-language summaries and shared decision-making are vital for women’s health. They also discuss vaginal health – including her own issues – testosterone, GLP-1s, trauma, diet culture and the urgent need for more menopause research funding. Highlights How the menopause movement went off the rails,The rise of medical influencers and how misinformation spreads onlineWhat hormone therapy can and can’t doThe overlooked importance of vaginal health and simple, effective treatmentsHow marketing shapes narrativesWhy anger is valid, and how women can demand better data, research, and careAbout Fiona Clark Fiona Clark is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and women’s health advocate. She is the author of Meno Wars: Why Menopause’s Moment Has Gone Horribly Wrong, which examines how media, medicine and marketing have shaped today’s menopause narrative. Fiona is also co-founder of the Menopause Research and Education Fund, dedicated to improving scientific research, education and equity in women’s health. Meno Wars: wherever books are sold IG: @fiona_clark_writes Join the Hotflash inc perimenoposse: Web: hotflashinc.com Newsletter: Hotflash inc. on Substack TikTok: @hotflashinc Instagram: @hotflashinc X: @hotflashinc Episode website: Hotflashinc Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Substack See hotflashinc.com/privacy-policy for privacy information