Menopause, Midlife and Mayhem

About Menopause, Midlife and Mayhem

What does it really mean to be in menopause? What about perimenopause? What does someone in menopause look like? Join me as I lift the curtain and go behind the scenes of midlife and menopause. We'll talk about all the good things, and not so good things about "this time of life". If you are younger, you will be ready for both peri and menopause when they happen. If you are older, you will see that you are not alone. And you are not crazy.

Publisher

Tonya Pomerantz

Category

health & fitness · kids & family · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Apr 2025

Latest episode

25 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Sept 2026

   Being Yourself & Finding Your People: Turning Up the Heat with Kate Cole, Canadian Writer of Women-in-Trades Romcoms

   Thank you so much for spending your time with us on the podcast today. A big huge thank you to Kate Cole for sharing your wit, inspiration and experience with us. This was so much fun! Some takeways from our conversation: Kate is a fabulous author. Her books are witty, smart, sexy and fun. And should be on screen!! We all have crappy days, but the key is finding our allies. Be open to them. Focus on the positive, keep moving forward and keep growing as a human. Draw on your diverse experiences to support your career transitions. Like Kate does when she creating characters in her books. Although it can be challenging for women in male-dominated professionals like construction, as women get older they are more free to be themselves and bring their whole selves to their work. One of the best things that comes with menopause is the lack of caring. We just don’t care as much. We are not invested in pleasing people like we used be when we were younger. The best way to get through menopause in a male-dominated industry – be your true self. There is a clarity that comes with age that is liberating and empowering. Women on Site – oh my goodness!! What an amazing group this is! Strong, tenacious, positive, supportive – just fabulous. Women on Site was born out of a genuine need for connection and support within the building industries. Founded by four women who experienced isolation in their careers, WOS emerged organically from an Instagram community. It aims to be a beacon of support and community for women and gender diverse individuals in the building industries. It is the creation of Constanza, an Environmental Technician; Samara, a Red Seal Sheet Metal worker; Darci, an Electrical Apprentice; and Tessa, a Red Seal Bricklayer. Four women working in construction who saw the need for a community for people just like them. I love this so much!! If you are a woman in the trades or know someone who is or is thinking about it, please share the information about this awesome group. Check out their monthly meetings! When we talk about sick days and taking time off for health reasons, including mental health, collective agreements are critical. They provide protection. Construction and project management fields are a deadline focused culture – mental health is very important. You can tell there was a lot to take away. Thank you so much for coming onto the podcast Kate. Please make sure you read her fabulous Women in Trades romance series. You will love them and I can’t wait for High Voltage to come out! Please remember to share the podcast with someone who would like to be part of our growing community. Really looking forward to our next episode coming out on October 25th – it will be another interesting chat. See you then when we will take a pause together. Links: Instagram - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/katecoleauthor/) katecoleauthor Official: TikTok | Linktree (https://linktr.ee/katecoleauthor?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAadsug-OaUmV3zUrYM9WPjHMRQorViSk1Gs_nETmpo0GI648t5bOUl20acbQNw_aem_1eEXEBv6fawbhMrETvNX4w) Meet Melani Sanders, the Woman Saying ‘We Do Not Care’ to Menopause (EXCLUSIVE) | Woman's World (https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/meet-melani-sanders-the-woman-saying-we-do-not-care-to-menopause) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/women.on.site/) Women on Site Construction trades launch peer-support program to help workers facing mental health challenges | CBC News (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/construction-trades-mental-health-peer-support-bc-1.7594602)

2. 

   25 Aug 2026

   We Need to Talk About Menopause — Because It’s Not Just You - a chat with authors Anne Bowker and Janet Mantler

   Thank you for spending your time with us on today’s podcast. It is such an honour and I appreciate you so much. And thank you so much Anne and Janet for sharing your expertise, knowledge and compassion with us. Here are some of my takeaways from today’s chat: Menopause is different for everyone. No two menopausal experiences are the same. So it does not matter what your mom, sister or best friend have gone through. Your menopause transition and experience is going to be uniquely yours. We definitely need to talk about menopause – things that are not in journals or other books. It’s not only older generations of women who do not talk about it. People of all ages don’t seem to be comfortable talking about it. So people don’t talk about their experiences and challenges at work. The authors had no trouble finding 60 women who wanted to talk about their experience. Although menopause is having it’s moment (finally) there is still so much research that needs to be done. For instance, the medical establishment decided that menopause happens 12 months after a woman’s last period -but that is an arbitrary number they decided on. And once you are in menopause, you postmenopausal for the rest of your life. There is not a lot of research on how long the symptoms last after menopause. See – another theme – the lack of research. The hormonal changes start in perimenopause when women start to have fluctuations in estrogen. Between peri and menopause, hormonal changes can go on for a very long time. The whole time is known as the menopausal transition. Aging and menopause can go hand in hand – so sometimes it is hard to know if the symptoms are due to aging or if they are menopausal in nature. Doctors are not well trained in both perimenopause and menopause so it is important to have meaningful discussions with our healthcare providers. Don’t wait for a doctor to bring it up. If you are having symptoms, talk to your doctor. Especially now you need to be advocate for your own health. You don’t have to suffer – there are different interventions that help ease your symptoms. Education is critical. It’s not the physical symptoms. There are a lot of components of menopause as well. Things like depression, anxiety, uncontrollable rage There are so many fantastic things to list here, but my biggest takeway is that you need to read the book! I think you will be able to identify with so many experiences that are recounted in the book. It’s a warm, compassionate book and I could feel the passion and the dedication of the authors. Links: We Need to Talk About Menopause | Real Stories from Women's Lived Expe (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003654605/need-talk-menopause-anne-bowker-janet-mantler-chizorom-ogbuagu-emma-bider) The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter | Penguin Random House Canada (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/652048/the-menopause-manifesto-by-dr-jen-gunter/9780735280786) Canadian Menopause Society - Advancing Mature Women's Health (https://www.canadianmenopausesociety.org/) The Menopause Foundation of Canada (https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/) (6) Menopause, Midlife & Mayhem | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1559343061402847)

3. 

   25 Jul 2026

   Beyond the Pause: Changing the Narrative on Menopause with filmmaker Nicole Bedford

   Thank you so much for spending your time with us on the podcast. A big thank you to my awesome guest, Nicole Bedford. I really enjoyed our chat, and here are my top takeaways: The power of connection – my former colleague saw a post on Facebook, reached out to me and introduced me to Nicole – she generously joined me on the podcast, and I am going to be part of the Beyond the Pause project. Building community is based on creating connections. Beyond the Pause is a multi-layered project focused on sharing people’s stories and experiences of menopause – the documentary, the Youtube channel, and the mini-documentary series which will be stories of the menopause transition as a catalyst for reinvention. The project started as a reaction to the perimenopausal symptoms that Mylene was experiencing. They wanted to reduce the stigma around the menopausal transition, which is often just ignored or not taken seriously. They wanted to draw attention to it and as creative souls, they decided to use their voices in the most natural way. Newsflash – women don’t disappear after menopause. They don’t become meaningless. They wanted to change the narrative around menopause so it is not as scary for women. Because the invisible woman syndrome is a thing. Beyond the Pause is an opportunity for people to truly share what their personal experience with menopause has been or is. It’s a gift for people have space held for them. This project also shows people that they are not alone going through this – the aging parents, the raising of children, the working, all while dealing with the most challenging of symptoms. It’s also for women on the brink of or experiencing perimenopause and menopause to learn how to deal with these challenges. It is for everyone. Because everyone is going to either experience it themselves or they will have a partner, a parent, a sibling, a relative, a colleague, or a child or a friend go through it. Menopause impacts everyone’s life. Women have to advocate for their own health. Don’t just accept – it’s your hormones, it’s that time of life. We are the ones who are experiencing our own health. We know our bodies, and what is right and what is wrong. Menopause has been so stigmatized. We need to take control of the narrative. We need to share information. We need to help each other – and ourselves. We need to talk about it. We need to see beyond the pause. Thank you so much Nicole for sharing your vision, your mission and your passion with us today. And thank you for spending your time together with us. Please share the podcast with a friend so we can help grow the community and learn with and from each other. Links: Beyond the Pause Film (https://www.beyondthepausefilm.com/) Nicole Bedford | About (https://nicolebedford.ca/about/) Kilam Media (https://www.kilammedia.ca/) Understanding and Overcoming Invisible Woman Syndrome (https://www.kuriskoandco.com/post/understanding-and-overcoming-invisible-woman-syndrome) (2) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/beyondthepausefilm) (16) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BeyondThePauseFilm/) Beyond The Pause Film - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthepausefilm)

4. 

   25 Jun 2026

   The Fitness Conversation Every Midlife Woman Needs with the Inspiring Gineen Nicholls

   Thank you so much for joining us on the podcast today. I really appreciate you spending your time with us. I really appreciate you sharing your insight and knowledge with us Gineen. What a rich conversation we had! We talked about a whole of things – here are some takeaways – For women in middle age – we are the people who look after our family, our friends, our children – but how often do we look after ourselves? We press the gas pedal. We just keep going. We may not have the coping skills we need, we may be living off caffeine and sugar and gaining weight. In menopause, we don’t know our bodies anymore. Our weight is distributed differently and we have to learn how to accept this new body we have. As a coach and fitness professional, Gineen works predominantly with women trying to help them feel empowered and learn they how they can support their body as it transitions through menopause. During perimenopause we start to see our hormones shifting and we see changes in our menstrual cycles. We experience join soreness and stiffness (among many, many things). For some women, including Gineen and me, we chose to start hormone therapy – and it made a huge difference for both of us. Gineen suggests we need to come into the space with a lot of kindness and compassion for ourselves and then really learn to understand our bodies in a much different way. Are we chasing unrealistic expectations of how our bodies should be? Or how they once were? Women are speaking up. We are not okay with just getting through it and suffering and struggling through this time of our lives. Because when we look at perimenopause, it can last eight to 10 years. Many women (including me) are not big into exercise, or they may have been exercising throughout their lives but suddenly it feels like they are starting all over. Gineen suggests that we need to meet ourselves where we are. She offers one on one coaching to her clients, and she also has a group coaching platform called the M-Powered Shift which includes a lot of education about why strength training is so important. She suggests we need to focus on how we want to feel versus how we want to look. Her hope is every woman feels amazing in her skin – regardless of her body shape or size. Reframe our perspective of what our body can do for us, and what we GET to do. After 35 we actually lose muscle at a fairly significant rate. And then women can end up with sarcopenia, which again is that muscle loss as they head into post-menopause. We want to look at bone density because this helps women stay strong later in life, and women who have stayed active have a better chance at healing and returning to daily life activities after any kind of surgery. As women enter into later perimenopause and post-menopause, they are less insulin sensitive, so it's much easier for the body to store fat. Muscle acts as an amazing glucose sponge so when we do strength training and by training muscle and gaining strength and increasing muscle size, that's when we can really tap into that glucose regulation. Women are at a really high risk of cardiovascular illness so it is really important for us to keep our hearts healthy too. Start with something that makes sense for your lifestyle, something that feels doable. Something that brings you joy. And it helps to know your why- why do you want to work out? Ask yourself – is it because you want to stay healthy and mobile longer? Or because you want to be able to pick up your grandchildren? A combination of strength training and nutrition can help you see changes in your body composition. And it’s important to build your new habit through repetition. Just like when your parents taught you to brush your teeth. You just got used to doing it. Think about you about using different equipment or try a new workout. It helps keep you mentally stimulated. Gineen taught us about the concept of cycle syncing – so working with her clients based on the different phases of their menstrual cycle. The idea of truly listening to your body. And start early!! Trust me, age sneaks up on you and before you know it, all of a sudden you are 48 to 52 year old seeing sudden sees major changes in your body. Gineen is the exact person I would like to have on my journey towards health and wellness as I continue along this crazy menopausal journey! Links: Gineen Nicholls - Women's Holistic Hormone Health Practitioner (https://time4uwellness.mykajabi.com/) Gineen Nicholls | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gineen-nicholls-815a7385/) Menopause - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397)

5. 

   25 May 2026

   How Chocolate Moose Media is starting the perimenopause at work conversation every workplace needs to have

   Thank you so much for joining us today! Thank you for sharing your passion and your knowledge with us Firdaus. Peri just means around – so perimenopause means around menopause. According to the American Heritage Dictionary it is the period of a woman's life characterized by physiological changes associated with the end of reproductive capacity, terminating with the completion of menopause. Women deal with symptoms such as: hot flashes moodiness memory loss brain fog night sweats acne thinning hair irregular periods super heavy periods low libido migraines All while working. All while being a part of relationships – with families, friends and work colleagues. All while raising children and or dealing with the realities of aging parents. All while possibly being confronted with a mounting anxiety that can develop during these years. This is why I loved this video. I am certain that many women in their 30s and 40s will be able to relate with the animated characters. This feeling that “there is something wrong with me” but not being able to put your finger on it. Worried that you have dementia because you are forgetting your words or people’s birthdays, women worry about being a failure. But could you imagine what it would be like if employers were understanding and offered women in perimenopause flexibility at work – offering benefits such as expanding paramedical coverage to include menopause-informed practitioners such as naturopaths, registered nurses, and hormonal health specialists reviewing drug plan coverage to ensure hormone therapy options are accessible and affordable strengthening mental health supports related to anxiety, mood disruption, sleep challenges, and cognitive changes What if employers created workplace flexibility through scheduling adjustments, temperature accommodations, and workload support and like this video – provides education that helps reduce stigma creates opportunity for conversations That’s what this video does. It promotes awareness and starts the conversation. So, if you are in perimenopause, this video is for you. Watch it, relate to it and mostly share it. Thanks again to Firdaus and Chocolate Moose Media for everything! Links: Firdaus Kharas | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/firdaus-kharas-95a28016/) Homepage | Chocolate Moose Media (https://chocmoose.com/) Chocolate Moose / Firdaus Kharas - Director, Executive Producer & Video Producer (https://vimeo.com/firdauskharas) Perimenopause at Work (https://youtu.be/GoGrQUTyyHk?si=yKkYQ61Fn1wQaxAZ) Perimenopause in the workplace: Benefits support that matters (https://www.westlandinsurance.ca/news/perimenopause-in-the-workplace-why-employee-benefits-need-to-catch-up/?region=on) Unpacking the perils and the gifts of perimenopause and menopause with Professor Madeline Toubiana. (https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/20dd012a-eb7b-40f1-b9a6-02a6f8a249be.mp3)

6. 

   25 Apr 2026

   Menopause, midlife and hair loss? An open and honest talk about hair thinning, hair loss and alternative hair solutions with the lovely Sharon Mejia

   Thank you so much for spending your time with us, and thank you Sharon for such an authentic and honest talk about what can happen to our hair during perimenopause, menopause and even earlier. We tackled a subject that affects a lot of women – statistics vary some say 40% to 50%, and in menopause around 80% of women experience some kind of hair loss or thinning…but it’s something that is still taboo. We talk about hot flashes, a lack of libido but no one talks about our hair. Hormones are pretty much to blame when it comes to losing our hair, and stress and cortisol are right there along with the plummeting estrogen. There could be nutritional deficits and there is also a possibility of a thyroid imbalance. One thing we wanted to talk about was alternative hair solutions. And that women should have the freedom to choose exactly how they want to wear their hair. You should not be called brave because you opt for short hair. And why it is okay to get extensions, but anything that goes on top of the hair is a different story? We need to think critically when it comes to investing in our hair, and ultimately women need to be able to support other women as we all face the challenges and distresses that we are confronted with through the peri and menopausal transition. Bottom line – let’s keep talking about hair loss so that we can feel less alone during this kind of scary and totally crazy time of life. Big thanks to Sharon for coming on to the podcast and really sharing her story with us. I tell you each month that the next episode is going to be a good one. And it is! Please join me for my conversation with Firdose Kharas, the founder of Chocolate Moose Media as we talk about his video Perimenopause: Be Cool and Aware. Let’s keep doing this!! Let’s keep talking about peri and menopause and let’s take control of the narrative. Until next time, let’s take a pause – together. Show Notes: Canada's #1 Invisible Halo l Topper l Wigs – Mulberry Hair Extensions | #1 Rated 100% Human Remy Hair (https://mulberryhairextensions.com/) Sharon Mejia | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-mejia/) Can Hair Loss Be a Symptom of Menopause? (https://www.verywellhealth.com/menopause-hair-loss-5218350)

7. 

   25 Mar 2026

   The Menopause Industrial Complex with Naomi Darom: Are women being heard or just targeted?

   Show Notes: Thank you so much for joining us on the podcast today. I really appreciate you being part of our growing community. And thank you Naomi for such a truly interesting and informative conversation. It was packed with information and here the top 5 takeways I would love to share with you: 1) When I read her substack about the menopause industrial complex, I knew I needed to interview Naomi on the podcast. She describes the MIC as the array of products, services and ads that are targeted at middle aged women who are going through perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. 2) It’s a system thing, not just a woman thing. The system includes a severe lack of menopause training and education in our medical systems. This needs to change and it should not come down to women having to do their own research in order to tell their doctors (if they are lucky enough to actually have a provider). It’s a structural challenge. 3) Women are still impacted by the nasty symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, regardless of the lack of information and support from the medical field, so this creates the confluence between social media (and the algorithm) where women can share their symptoms and commiserate and the MIC which targets their products and services at these women. So yay, our power is being acknowledged as a consumer sector, but at the risk of being targeted in a very ruthless way. Naomi underscores the importance of research and skeptism when you are looking into the different supplements and finding a healthcare professional with menopause training and experience. 4) We can use the power of our consumer sector to change the system. There needs to be public education to counter all the misinformation, more education of medical providers, and better advice and guidance to women navigating the new world of perimenopause and menopause. 5) We need to learn how to embrace aging with grace and beauty, and in so doing, resist the targeting by the MIC. Think of celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis, Paulina Porizkova, Helen Mirren, Gillian Anderson. Links: The Gender Nerd | Substack (https://naomidarom.substack.com/) Naomi Darom | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-darom-677b4a4/) Desiderata: Original Text (https://www.desiderata.com/desiderata.html) Jamie Lee Curtis Says Turning 60 Made Her Realize I 'Have No Time to Waste on Toxic People' (https://people.com/jamie-lee-curtis-says-turning-60-made-her-realize-i-have-no-time-to-waste-on-toxic-people-11921100) Helen Mirren Opens Up About Embracing Aging at 80 - Parade (https://parade.com/news/helen-mirren-opens-up-about-embracing-aging-at-80-its-a-beautiful-thing) Paulina Porizkova on Aging and Being ‘Terrified’ of Wrinkles (https://www.prevention.com/beauty/a63675469/paulina-porizkova-learned-how-to-accept-wrinkles/) Lesson of Worth - Gillian Anderson (https://youtu.be/XUy6kiLC3Aw?si=PQ091vCayTJFmCCu)

8. 

   25 Feb 2026

   Menopause, midlife & mindful sex: A mindblowing conversation with Dr. Lori Brotto

   Thank you so much for joining us on the podcast today. I hope you enjoyed the chat as much as I did. Thank you so much to Dr. Brotto for sharing her passion, her knowledge and her dedication and commitment to women’s health and equity with us. Wow!! Trust me, there are WAY more than 5 takeaways from today’s chat, but here are my top 5 takeways: Mindfulness – it’s a combination of training our attention, focusing said attention on one target in a very particular way. It’s doing that with kindness and without judgement. It’s a way of being in the present moment. Mindful sex – When we bring the concept of mindfulness and bring it to sexuality. I don’t know about you, but I can remember how I felt when I first heard that. I was intrigued and needed to read on! Sexual concerns can be really prevalent during the menopause transition – so basically perimenopause and menopause. With vaginal dryness, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, low desire, a huge amount of changes in body image and emotions – there is a direct bearing on sexual function. And guess what? The vasomotor symptoms and even cognitive symptoms get better over time, but the sexual symptoms continue to persist over time. This is super important – a lack of desire is common. You are not alone! Women can have pain during sex because of vaginal dryness because of the decline in estrogen – the vaginal tissue can be more prone to tearing. And that can be painful. And when something causes pain, it’s just not something we are inclined to want to do. Not really a takeway, but I wanted to share this – I really enjoyed the book. I found it interesting, easy to access, relatable and helpful. For me, it’s a must read and I am looking forward to getting that workbook! The bottom line – there is a serious lack of research into women’s health – and when Dr. Brotto said that 2025 was the first time that menopause was included in the curriculum for medical students, I was gob smacked. How is this even possible? The conversation was so rich and I very much appreciate Dr. Brotto for sharing her time with us. Links: Dr. Lori Brotto (https://www.loribrotto.com/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drloribrotto/) Lori Brotto | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-brotto-9974a236/)

9. 

   25 Jan 2026

   Mindful Eating in Perimenopause and Menopause: You’re in the driver’s seat with the fabulous Lisa Feveck

   Show Notes: Thank you so much for spending your time with Lisa and me today. And Lisa, thank you for sharing your insight, knowledge and compassion. We really appreciate you! This was a huge show with so much helpful information, but here are just some of the takeways I am getting from the chat with Lisa: Redirection in your career for any reason – including something medical – does not have to be the end. It can be a wonderful opportunity to nurture another part of yourself – and to ultimately help others nurture themselves Everyone’s perimenopausal and menopause journey is unique to themselves. For Lisa, it did not start with hot flashes and mood swings. It started with a nagging toothache. Research and talking to other women helped Lisa determine what was causing all the difference symptoms she was experiencing. It was what she heard – that women were thinking about ending their lives because they were not being heard that changed everything for her. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are doing enough, that we are enough. Nutrition and gut health are the drivers of many physical and emotional symptoms during perimenopause and menopause. As women, sometimes we forget the importance of getting the right nutrients and making sure we are actually eating throughout the day. There is also a relationship between what we eat and our mental health. Food is just food – it is neither good or bad. The importance of eating mindfully, not under stress. If that piece of chocolate or cup of ice cream is going to bring you joy, eat it. But think about it first. Figure out what you can do during your day in order to be able to enjoy the treat guilt-free. And then, when you are eating this treat, do it mindfully. Appreciate the taste, the way it feels in your mouth, the way it smells. Notice these things. Take the time. Take time for yourself. We can’t be all go, go, go all the time. Women give to others all the time – we need to give time to ourselves. To calm down, to breathe. Perimenopausal and menopausal women do not live in a bubble – we have partners, families, colleagues – we need to be understanding of each other and ourselves. Links: linkedin.com/in/lisafeveck (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisafeveck) menomorphosisrd@gmail.com (mailto:menomorphosisrd@gmail.com) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/menomorphosisdietitian/) Lisa Feveck's Substack | Lisa Your Menopause Dietitian | Substack (https://lisayourmenopausedietitian.substack.com/) (1) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lisafev1/) STOP Eating These 11 Vegetables After 40 They’re Making You Fatter! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERf4wYJKLbQ&t=7s)

10. 

    25 Dec 2025

    “I Knew Something Was Wrong”: A Real Conversation About Perimenopause with Chandan Rathaur

    Thank you so much Chandan for sharing your story on the podcast with us today. I really enjoyed our chat, and here are some of my top takeaways: No two women experience the same perimenopausal or menopausal journey. What works for your sister or your friend may not necessarily work for you. It’s important to listen, to read and to talk and share. Friends, we need to see our doctors during this time of our lives. Hopefully you will have a doctor that will understand the very real changes and challenges you may be dealing with. For Chandan, discovering aromatherapy was a game changer. She felt crushed, and through self-care and aromatherapy, she found herself again. One thing that really stuck with me during the chat was when Chandan said that she knew what was going on, but she was not ready to accept it. Although there are many cultural differences when it comes to the menopausal journey throughout the world, I think it is fair to say that until very, very recently menopause the world over was a taboo topic. We need to come forward and have these kinds of conversations. Women need to know what to do when it happens. Girls and boys need to be educated about the menopausal journey. Chandan’s Siya Wellness is a commitment to helping others as they navigate the mayhem of middle age. Many thanks Chandan for coming onto the podcast and really talking with us. Siya Wellness (https://siyawellness.com/) Chandan Rathaur | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandan-rathaur-b95a1414/) What is Ayurveda? A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Principles, Doshas & Healing (https://ayurveda.com/ayurveda-a-brief-introduction-and-guide/)

11. 

    25 Nov 2025

    Why Hormones Aren’t Enough: Dr. Paschal’s Holistic Roadmap through Perimenopause and Menopause that Every Woman Deserves

    Thank you so much for spending your time with us. I am so grateful to be part of this growing community with you. A big thank you to Dr. Paschal for sharing her knowledge, experience and wisdom with us. Here are some nuggets I am taking away from our conversation. To Dr. Paschal, HRT is simply giving back the body the hormones (most often we speak of estrogen) that stop being produced with menopause. Dr. Paschal’s thirst for knowledge was a critical catalyst throughout her career. It compelled her to keep training, get more certifications and developing her professional experience. She saw that some women were still feeling badly, even while taking the hormones, she wanted to see just why the hormones themselves weren’t enough. She focused on the importance of taking a holistic approach to the perimenopause and menopausal journey. She saw that not only were women not getting the optimum dose of hormones they required, but they were also not being counselled in a holistic manner. Dr. Paschal is not just talking to individual women, she is training and sharing her knowledge and experience with service providers. The optimal window for people to start taking HRT is within 10 years of starting menopause. The medical community says that during those 10 years without estrogen therapy, your blood vessels have slightly changed, the elasticity has changed. And then when you add back in estrogen therapy after 10 years without it, especially after 20 years without, it can cause an increase, a slight increased risk of cardiovascular events. So potentially a heart attack. Taking hormones can also help improve cognitive decline – so helps decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Conducting a risk vs benefit analysis is an important exercise for women trying to decide what path they want to travel during menopause. The bottom line is that a decline in estrogen increases women’s risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and certain cancers. The risk of breast cancer drastically increases after menopause. Dr. Paschal believes that women who are 18 need to understand their menstrual cycle. They need tounderstand how...

12. 

    21 Oct 2025

    Stress, Sleep & Sanity - A Midlife Survival Guide with "Stress Nation" author, Justin Hai

    Show Notes: Thank you for spending your time with us, and Justin, thank you so much for coming on to the podcast and sharing your book and your support for people and women on the menopausal journey. Like you said, many times middle-aged women are ignored and overlooked. There is not enough research done to support us during this crazy time in our lives, and your compassion and understanding goes a very long way. From this middle-aged woman’s perspective, this book is absolutely full of important information presented in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. You said this book was the why for your Rebalance Health products – the menomints, manmints and mellomints to help people navigate through the overwhelm of our stressful lives. To come up with only a few takeaways is a big ask, but here goes: We need to become more mindful of the way we use technology We need to respect the natural endings (and beginnings) of our days and nights Sleep is non-negotiable. We need it to replenish our hormones so we can stay sharp – for the next day and for the rest of our lives When you wake up in the middle of the night, DO NOT reach for your device. We need to truly connect with people, not just mindlessly scroll through life Create an effective sleep hygiene routine You know I loved the book, and I loved having this conversation. Thank you so much Justin! Links: Stress Nation Book by Justin Hai (https://www.stressnationbook.com/) Balance Hormones Naturally with Rebalance Health™ Supplements (https://rebalancehealth.com/) Clinically Proven Natural Supplement for Menopause Hot Flashes: 80% Reduction in Hot Flashes (https://rebalancehealth.com/blogs/press-releases/north-american-menopause-society-publishes-rebalance-health-irb-study-citing-an-80-efficacy-in-the-reduction-of-hot-flashes) Justin H. | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhai/)

13. 

    25 Sept 2025

    Fearless by Design: Embracing Creativity at Midlife with Loreto Cheyne

    Show notes: Thank you so much for spending your time with us! Thank you so much Loreto - here are my top takeaways from our chat: People are born creative, and creativity is not just writing or painting. We need to stop telling ourselves we are not creative. We are naturally creative. Creativity shows up in the most untraditional of places – like financial planning or paddle boarding. Women need to spend time alone with their thoughts and ask themselves what they really want out of life. What makes them tick? We are unique people, we aren’t cookie cutters – and sometimes our careers don’t fit with our personalities – this is an opportunity to change careers How can women be creative at this time in their lives? It’s the perfect time – kids are leaving home, you have more time for yourself – more time to be creative. Financial planners are some of the most creative people out there. For Loreto, she has found the humour of this time of life that she translate into her work of creating greeting cards and post cards women can be shared by women and the people who love them. She is proud of the perimenopausal journal she has created, and I am definitely looking forward to the next one – Married Life. Loreto expresses her creativity through her gardening – and a newfound lack of censorship. At this point, at this time, she doesn’t care – she advises women to let the shackles go and ask themselves what’s the worst that can happen? She highlights the importance of letting go that sense of control and restraint that many of us have – and if things don’t work out like you would like them to, just turn the page. And that is kind of a metaphor for this age and stage, women are turning the page, we are not the same person we were. The gift of having a supportive partner. Be kind to yourself & change your language We need to be able to laugh at this time of our lives. Sit down, put a 20 minute timer on your phone and make an exhaustive list of all the things you think you may like to do – archery, ball room dancing, cooking, etc. Try it out. You won't be excellent at it, but you will get better. Or maybe not. It does not matter. You can always turn the page. A positive aspect of menopause is the realization that we are on the other side of the hill. We need to ask ourselves what else do we want to accomplish and how else do we want to enjoy life. Menopause can act as a catalyst. And to be thankful for the abundance of positive things in our lives Things you want to do – better get on it. Don’t be afraid to look into the mirror and see what’s really there. Need to develop self-awareness – it is a skill. Links: (2) Loreto Cheyne | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretocheyne/) Sassy Greetings | Printed Greeting Cards | Canada (https://sassygreetings.ca/) HOME | Lola Design (https://www.loladesign.ca/) Creativity in Menopause: It's Time! – Women’s Health Network (https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/menopause-and-perimenopause/seven-ways-to-help-your-creativity-catch-fire-during-menopause/)

14. 

    25 Aug 2025

    Grief & Growth: Embracing the Menopausal Transition with Menopause Empowerment Expert, Edi Pasalis

    Show Notes: Thank you so much for spending your time with us. It really means a lot to me. And a big thank you to Edi Pasalis for sharing her thoughts, reflections, guidance and compassion with us. The episode was so rich, it was hard to narrow down the takeways, but here are some important points I am taking with me: Edi considers menopause a developmental era which can definitely be full of mayhem, and looks at it through the lens of personal and leadership development. She sees menopause as the end of the youthful operating system transitioning to the wise elder operating system which is rooted in compassion. One of the reasons that menopause creates mayhem is because it is the confluence between the youthful and elder ways of walking in the world. But maybe menopause is an invitation to change the strategies we have been using throughout our lives and embrace a new way of walking in the world In fact, Edi suggests that menopause is akin to the same kind of developmental era akin to adolescence. Just as adolescence is a time of profound growth and transformation at every level – physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. A part of the menopausal transition is saying good bye to the person who we have been up until this point in our lives. We grieve for the things we used to do but can no longer do. We grieve for the loss of our exterior physical beauty and fundamentally, the ability to bear children. Even if you never wanted to be a mother yourself, you can still grieve this transition in your life. Women are also losing value in the eyes of society Just as in puberty, hormones are the drivers of this transformation and in fact the world middlescence has been coined to describe this time of life. Grief can be accompanied by rage and anger when women finally see how we have bought into the story of what it means to be a good woman, and how we may have suppressed ourselves The grief can also include coming to terms with regret of what we have done to ourselves in our younger years. We also grieve when we start losing people, characters in our lives. We need to learn how to truly feel grief – not just stay busy or get over it. Emotions are energy and that if we allow them to move through us, then that brings in new energy and new opportunities for love. We need practices/spaces in our lives where we can really deeply feel and hold ourselves in our grief, be seen and witnessed and support in our grief. We need letting go rituals and rituals of grief – such a lighting a candler, writer your grief on paper and then burn that paper or dig a hole and speak all your grief into the earth and et her hold your grief. And there are many resources for grief rituals as simple as light a candle, write your grief on a paper, and then burn the paper or dig a hole and, speak all of your grief into the earth and let her hold your grief. The menopause transformation is a deepening capacity to meet grief and all our emotions more fully. Edi’s hope for all women going through menopause is that we become more friendly with ourselves. There are many, many reason to grieve during the menopausal transition – but maybe by meeting the suffering and honouring it we are able to grow into the wise, compassionate women we want to become. Links: Edi Pasalis | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/edi-pasalis/) Tackling Taboo Topics: A Review of the Three Ms in Working Women’s Lives - Alicia A. Grandey, Allison S. Gabriel, Eden B. King, 2020 (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0149206319857144) https://edipasalis.com (https://edipasalis.com) <a...

15. 

    25 Jul 2025

    Menopause is a Workplace Matter with Darlene Mulcahey, Trailblazing Founder of the My Menopause at Work group.

    Thank you so much for being part of this special conversation with Darlene and me today! Big thanks to Darlene and I hope you found a lot of value in our chat - I know I did. Here are my top takeways: Darlene created the group after going through a lot of challenges herself and feeling unsupported at work. She is a trailblazer and after taking medical leave and conducting a ton of research, she wanted to create a group that would help build a sense of community, that would empower and support her daughter and other younger members of the public service and that would provide evidence-based resources to the members. She chose the name My Menopause at Work because it speaks to the personal journey that is each person’s menopausal journey within the workplace. Darlene really appreciates the support she received from Lynne Lamarche who was the group’s executive sponsor, something she cited as essential for anyone wanting to create their own group at their own workplace. She cites improved retention, increased productivity, and engagement for reasons to create a My Menopause at Work group. It is an inclusive group, and gender diverse folks and allies are welcome to join. The group is focused on supporting everyone, and although the majority of the close to 1,800 members are part of the public service, in fact, anyone can become a member. Darlene also gave a shout out to Diane, a UK- based member of the group. The group meets virtually on Teams on the second Thursday of every month from 12 pm to 1 pm EST. They welcome knowledgeable and passionate experts on menopause, and Darlene conducts a lot of due diligence in identifying speakers who can share evidence-based information and resources with the members. If someone is interested in creating their own My Menopause at Work group, she suggests supporting your business case by using reports and statistics such as the Menopause Foundation of Canada’s report, Menopause and Work in Canada (which actually features the group My Menopause at Work). Darlene also shared that women over 40 make up one quarter of our workforce, and it is estimated that the unmanaged symptoms of menopause cost the economy $3.5 billion per year. This represents a huge opportunity for employers to provide support for what is a universal experience. The bottom line is that women aged 40 plus are a valuable resource employers simply cannot afford to lose. Big thanks to Darlene for joining us on the podcast, and thank you for everything you are doing for so many other people. Thank you for sharing this time with us, and remember to please share the podcast with someone you think would appreciate joining the community. Looking forward to next month’s podcast when we will be tackling the topic of menopause and grief. Get ready for a fabulous conversation with the amazing Edi Pasalis, another inspiring menopause leader. Until then, let’s take a pause together. Resources: Darlene Mulcahey | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlene-mulcahey/) Darlene: Menopause Champion and Changemaker - The Menopause Foundation of Canada (https://menopausefoundationcanada.ca/voices-of-women-darlene/) Menopause in the Workplace with Darlene Mulcahey - CPHR NL (https://cphrnl.ca/event/menopause-in-the-workplace-with-darlene-mulcahey/) My Menopause at Work : Upcoming events / Ma ménopause au travail : Prochains événements | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-menopause-work-upcoming-events-ma-m%25C3%25A9nopause-au-darlene-mulcahey-/)

16. 

    25 Jun 2025

    When the wheels fall off: Navigating menopause and midlife through an autistic and neurodivergent lens with Christine Jenkins

    Christine Jenkins shares how autistic and neurodivergent women experience amplified menopause transitions, face diagnostic challenges, and struggle with medical system mistrust, though this time can catalyze self-acceptance and self-care; this is an interview.

17. 

    25 May 2025

    Unpacking the perils and the gifts of perimenopause and menopause with Professor Madeline Toubiana.

    Professor Madeline Toubiana discusses the challenges and opportunities within perimenopause and menopause, emphasizing the need for understanding, support, and open conversations in both personal and professional settings in this interview.

18. 

    25 Apr 2025

    A helpful recipe for a delicious midlife and menopause with certified Menopause Champion, Joanne Savoie Malone.

    Thank you so much for joining us today! It was a pleasure sharing this time with you. A big thanks to Joanne for sharing her menopause expertise with us today. Here’s what I am taking away for our chat: It’s good to be able to let go of our younger self with grace and no judgement Sleep, nutrition, activity, exercise, energy, self-awareness, weight training and adventurous mindset are crucial for a healthy midlife and menopause. Thank you Joanne for these tips – much appreciated! Links: Joanne Savoie Malone – (linkedin.com/in/joannesavoiemalone)LinkedIn profile (Peri)Menopause Project | Home (https://perimenopauseproject.org/) 10 Menopause Care Tips: How to Take Care of Yourself During Menopause (https://southsidemedical.net/how-do-i-take-care-of-myself-during-menopause-10-menopause-care-tips/) 12 Essential Self-Care Practices for Thriving During Menopause - (https://menopausenetwork.org/self-care-practices-menopause/)

19. 

    22 Apr 2025

    Trailer

    Welcome to the Menopause, Midlife &amp; Mayhem podcast! It's a safe place to talk all things menopause (and perimenopause), midlife and the craziness that comes with all of this. Join me as I chat with women who are truly experts in the field. If you are like me and looking for information about menopause and mental health, diet, activity, sleep, exercise - the list goes on - please take a listen. And just in keeping with the theme, the podcast will be released once a month. Let's take a pause on the 25th of every month!

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 3 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

7

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0